Page 90 of Torched

“Do we know what Cristina’s relationship to Dax is?” Jeremy wonders.

Kane shakes his head. “No, but it’s Cristina. She probably fucked him over. So, either way, we win. We give him the diamond, we get Gen back, and he can ride into the distance with Cristina. Or ride her off a cliff, whatever suits him.”

“Do we know how many men Dax has on his team?” Callie looks at Kane.

“At least a dozen. Our men are scouting the area on the east side right now. As soon as they report back, we can get out of here.”

“All right.” I volley a look between the three of them. “Let’s prep so we can get our girl back.”

31

LIAM

PRESENT DAY

Anhourlater,Iopen the door to the room where they are holding Cristina.

“Time to go, sweetheart.”

She scowls but gets on her feet with her hands tied behind her back before she storms past me and out the door. The rest are already waiting for us outside where three SUVs are lined up.

“Be careful.” Callie cranes her neck to find Kane’s lips.

“You’re not joining the excitement, Callie girl?” Cristina taunts. “It’s nothing for you to say no to a little fun. Are you sick? Feeling a little under the weather? Or Kane won’t allow you to come?” A gasp echoes through the air. “Oh my God! Are you pregnant?”

Cristina freezes on the spot, but not for long because I shove her forward, noticing the furious look that now flashes over Kane’s expression.

“Shut up, Cristina,” Callie huffs out, then locks her gaze with me. “Be careful. And don’t bring this bitch back.”

“I won’t.”

“Ah, is this goodbye?” Cristina coos while I guide her toward the open car door. “Goodbye, Callie girl! I’ll miss you! Please consider calling it Cristina if it’s a girl!”

“Shut the fuck up and get your ass in,” I bark before I slam the door, almost too quick for her to retrieve her legs.

“I’m going to kill her,” Kane grits out, rounding the car to take the wheel.

“Patience, Kane. She will get what she deserves.”

“She fucking better!”

I instruct Jeremy to take the seat next to Cristina, before I climb into the passenger seat and we are on our way. The silence is thick inside the vehicle, the blowing AC the only sound. I have hope Cristina is smart enough to keep her mouth shut to ensure Kane doesn’t drive us off a cliff.

“So,” Cristina jolts, cheering, “a Carrillo baby! That’s so exciting, Kane! Congratulations. You must be so thrilled to have another weakness out in the world.”

Ihadhope.

I notice Kane’s jaw tick from the corner of my eye.

“With your sassy little wife and a baby that carries your name, the leaders of the underworld will be having a field day with this news.”

“Too bad you won’t be there to witness it anymore,” I reply.

“Don’t be so sure of that, Liam.” The contempt in her voice makes it clear how she really feels about me instead of the bullshit she’s been trying to feed me. Cristina hates us just as much as we hate her.

Shocker.

“If you don’t get yourself killed, I will,” Kane says.

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