Page 21 of The Veiling

Hayden checked his phone. “I have to get going. You might want to text or call him yourself and use the voice changer next to the burner phones in the other room.”

Marco nodded as Hayden spun to leave. Moments later, a door closed in the other room. He lowered his gaze on me. “Maybe I should meet your cousin.”

I pursed my lips. “Well, he’s dating your sister, so you will as soon as we can go back.”

His eyes expanded to the size of saucers.

Stricken with insomnia, I puffed on an imported cigar outside, on the living room terrace overlooking the park. My mind was racing knowing Isabelle was out there somewhere with God knows who. I wanted to believe the best; that she was okay and safe wherever she was. The only positive was she was believed not to be with Felipe, but she still might have been with someone dangerous.

The smoke swirled through the air as a breeze carried it away. I watched, mesmerized by the sounds of the city at night, as I got lost in my thoughts. Traffic and sirens were not something I was used to any longer in the evenings unless we were here for business.

The estate was peaceful. Crickets and the crackling of the wood burning in the fire pit on the back porch were the nightly norm for us. Lately, the evenings had been spent sitting on the back patio with Isabelle. After dinner, we would stroll through the gardens, planning our wedding and future, or me laughing at her silly jokes, which I had grown to love. Jokes I would give anything to hear right now. The gardens were her favorite place, ever since the first time she saw them.

Standing close behind her, I curled my fingertips on her hips, pulling her back against my body. It took everything in me to behave. I wanted every part of her. “Don’t move,” I whispered the warning close to her ear, trailing my fingertips up her sides, and over her shoulders, coming to a stop on the back of her head. I knew I should not do it, but I did anyway.

Careful not to pull her hair, I delicately untied the black lace veil and pulled it away from her face. A small gust of cool wind blew against us, causing the freshly bloomed flowers’ sweet fragrances to float through the air. She let out a small, audible gasp.

I stood frozen behind her, trusting she would not decide to turn around and identify me. I had not thought that far ahead. I had already broken rules for her. Her uncle’s rules, and my rules. She leaned back against me tighter, pressing her rear into me.

Eyes closed, I struggled to hide the enjoyment she was creating in my slacks. I could feel the wheels in her head spinning, and I was sure she wanted to turn around more than anything. To see the man who had held her captive in his home.

Slowly, I snaked my hands around her waist, lacing my fingers together in front of her stomach. “Don’t even think about it, Isabelle.”

Now I was filled with anger, resentment, and rage. My blood boiled and my thoughts took a dark turn. Whoever she was with, better not have harmed one hair on her angelic head. I was ready for war, and I was going to kill every person who had anything to do with Felipe, Jesse, or her disappearance. Pinning the cigar between my teeth, I sucked smoke into my mouth just as the door behind me opened. I did not bother to turn to see who it was.

“Hey,” Tanya murmured.

“Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” I knocked off the long, loose ash, then leaned my elbows on the railing, staring out at one of the lighted paths of the park.

“I couldn’t sleep either.” She propped sideways on the barrier next to me. Pulling her jacket tight against her, she folded her arms. “I really want to help you with this. She’s like a sister to me and I would do anything for both of you. You have to let me help…somehow.” She twisted toward the park and slid closer to my side. “Please, let me be your publicist. Noah thinks what you’re planning is a terrible idea, but if you’re determined to do it anyway, let me take questions for you once you’re done making the announcement so you can just leave. I can handle it. You know you can trust me unlike that bitch, Lindsay.”

“I know it isn’t the best idea either, but it’s all I have. I think involving money or all my men and allies in this could make it worse. I’m just doing what I can to keep as many of us safe as I can. Money makes people talk. It always has. That’s my only justification.”

“It also makes people turn on each other,” Noah’s voice came from the door I had not heard open.

Tanya shifted her gaze back and forth between us, then placed a hand on my arm. “I’ll let you guys talk, but please keep me in mind for the publicist job.”

Though I did not respond when she turned to go back inside, I appreciated her offer. She was the only female besides my family who I trusted. She loved my best friend more than anything, and I never had to worry about her ulterior motives. She was family.

“So, you’re going through with the money thing, then?” Noah pinched the bridge of his nose.

I remained silent, smoking.

He put a cigarette between his lips and lit it. “Valentino, I have been through this so many times with people in my past job. That’s an insane amount of money.”

Pursing my lips, I stroked my short beard, continuing to listen.

“I know Isabelle is worth every penny and more.” He lifted his hand. “She’s priceless to all of us. I just need you to lower the amount.”

I arched a brow.

“Please.” He took a drag and flashed his gaze toward the street below. “I know what you’re thinking, and yes, it’s a long fall and I’m aware you want to throw me off this balcony but—”

“Seems like you know me pretty well.” I squinted. “What you don’t know is, I’m willing to give every fucking thing I own if it gets her back to me.”

“And I respect that because I would do the same for Laura.”

My expression softened for a moment.

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