Page 22 of The Veiling

“I’m just asking you to go in small with several million instead. I know that’s just a nice dinner for you but for someone else, a million would change their life. People are selfish when it comes to money and if you put that much out there, you’ll turn the city into a scene from The Purge.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

He cocked his head.

“I’ve never spent a million on a dinner.”

“Your sister’s right about you.” He snuffed his cigarette out in the ashtray and spun toward the living room.

“Excuse me?”

Slowly, he pivoted back around, squaring up at me. “You’re so fucking stubborn.”

“Noa—”

“You’re going to get a bunch of innocent people killed!” He raised his voice. “And how the fuck do you think Isabelle’s going to feel when she finds out all that innocent blood is on her hands because you wanted her back?” He threw his arm out to the side. “We all want her back. Fuck, man, she’s practically the only family I have left.” Taking a deep breath, he cleared his throat and lowered his volume. “But if you offer fifty million dollars to the entire world, she’s going to be pissed when she finds out how many people died so she could be saved. She’ll leave you, he scoffed. “Then you’ll be alone for the rest of your miserable fucking life…and eventually broke when you’re finished paying for all the damage you caused.”

I propped my cigar in the ashtray and gritted my teeth. Fists clenched at my side, I glared into his gaze. His expression relaxed, but he never broke eye contact. Isabelle would never forgive me if anything happened to anyone at the expense of bringing her home. I did not want to confess he was right, but I knew he was. And I knew Isabelle would take his side in the matter. She was the only person on the planet who could calm me when I was angry.

Rolling my tongue between my lips, I shrugged. “Fine. I’ll offer five million and nothing less.”

“That’s still too much, but,” he let out a sigh, “it’s better than what it was. Thank you.”

“I suggest you and Tanya figure out how it’s going to go down because I’m leaving at 8:00 a.m. to meet with Frankie and then I’ve got to be at TJC.”

“Why are you going on their station?”

“I’ve done interviews with them before and trust them not to fuck it up and edit it wrong.”

Joseph appeared in the doorway. “Noah, you ready?”

“What’s going on?” I arched a brow at both of them. “Are you guys leaving?”

“We are dividing and conquering, like we discussed. We’ll be back. We have two teams assembling to go out tonight to look for her.”

I slipped my shirt and pants off, tossing them on a nearby contemporary white-leather chair. I fell back onto the bed. “Alexa, turn on the master display.”

Turning on master display.

Stacking two of the pillows against the headboard, I laid back, lacing my fingers together behind my head. My gaze settled on the screen across the room. “No no no no,” I muttered to myself, and I sat up. Taking the remote from the bedside table, I turned up the volume the moment I saw Isabelle’s photo in the top left corner of the screen.

…and from what we know right now, there has been no confirmation made from Mr. Greco or any of his representatives.

“Valentino!” William came jogging into the bedroom, followed by Laura and Tanya.

“I know.” I stood, grabbing my pair of black Adidas track pants and slipped them on again. “I’m seeing now.”

I waltzed over to the foot of the bed, perching on the edge with my arms folded. Laura sat next to me, hooking her hand in the crook of my elbow. She leaned her head on my shoulder.

…Please, if you have any news on Isabelle’s Ayala’s whereabouts, call the police immediately.

“The police?!” Tanya gasped. “Liam, how did they even find out?!”

“I want to know the same!” I barked.

My sister squeezed my arm, staring up into my eyes. “What can we do?”

I pointed at Tanya. “You’re coming with me tomorrow.”

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