Page 80 of Forging Caine

“Water first.”

The straw touched my lips and I sipped, popped the pill in my mouth, and swallowed it all down. “Last time I saw you, you were talking about coming to Detroit to visit your family.”

He placed the cup on the counter and took my wrist, checking my pulse.

Keeping every muscle as still as possible, I eased one eye open. “I apologize if my kidnapping got in the way of that.”

Ivan settled his hands on the bed next to me. “It’s been about nine hours. They brought you in here as soon as the helicopter landed.”

“Helicopter?”

“Antonio came willingly, but they confined him to his stateroom.”

“Willingly, my ass. How badly hurt was he?” I’d seen him go down, two men on him, but I’d been too busy trying to save myself to watch everything.

“Bruises only. I checked him once I had you set up.”

The IV was in the crook of my left elbow, the same side he sat on. I couldn’t have screwed this up more if I’d been trying.Please let Cass and Emma be okay. “You don’t know about my family, do you?”

I should have told Antonio to say no. To the first job, maybe. Definitely to the second job.Tell the girls I love them. At least someone at the yacht club must have taken a video and told the police what happened. Someone would—oh, shit. If my colossal screw-up hadn’t gotten my family killed, the attention it brought to Fiori probably did.

“Signore Fiori asked me to let you know they’re safe for now. And he’s hoping you’ll be more careful about their safety going forward.”

Thank god. Now stay calm and think. All you’ve got right now is your brain. Get the information you can. “Where are we?”

“On the St. Lawrence.”

“Going where?”

“I don’t know.” He leaned forward, pressing the back of his fingers against my forehead. “How are you feeling now? Your color’s coming back.”

The headache was easing and I risked looking around the room again. My world only swayed a little more than the ship, rather than spinning out of control. “The vertigo’s fading. I want to see Antonio.”

“Soon. One of the men will come for you when I let them know you’re ready.”

Bile rose in my throat. “Ready for what?”

He stood from his rolling chair and collected the cup. As he walked to the sink at the far end of the room, his shoulders fell. “I’m sorry, Samantha. But I don’t know.”

Chapter 26

Antonio

Ifinishedmycircuitof the stateroom and slammed my palm against the door. I’d lost count somewhere around fifty-eight times. They hadn’t locked me in, but every time I opened it, there were at least two guards stationed there. Not technically a prisoner, but what other word was there for it?

They refused to let me see Samantha. The moment the helicopter touched down—only a half hour or so from the marina—one man took her to the sick bay to be monitored. Fiori swore she would get the best attention from Dr. Ivan.

He also said I should be happy they found Samantha’s recording device. Since they recovered the small drive inside of it, our sisters and their children were safe. For now.

I paused at the thick windows, looking over the water. When we’d arrived, the sun was visible through the window. How many hours had passed? They’d brought me lunch, a snack, and offered me wine.

The room was nothing more than a gilded prison. A large bed I’d sat on, laid on, threw the pillows off in a rage. A bathroom complete with a tub and a disgustingly beautiful tiled shower. Closet space. Writing desk. Large television on the wall I’d nearly thrown a chair into.

I dropped into a seat in the sitting area. How long would they keep me from her? Was she alright? Was she conscious? Were they hurting her?

A knock came at the door and I launched from the chair to swing the door open.

Jason stood there, as calm as when he’d been in my home. Writing secret messages to make me believe he was on my side. “Signore Fiori would like to speak with you now.”

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