Page 44 of Twisted Embrace

“Are they safe?” I asked, rubbing my exhausted eyes.

“That much they didn’t put up a fight about. They also didn’t say shit. I beat the guy pretty bad to try and get any additional information, but he said nothing.”

My patience was wearing thin. “I didn’t instruct you to beat the crap out of him.”

“I thought that’s what you wanted.”

Fuck. Dealing with Joy was already taking a toll. I couldn’t lose any more of my edge. “Are they fucking safe?”

“New identities. They’re on their way to Florida.”

“Any word on the street?” I asked him, keeping my voice as quiet as possible. We’d already drawn enough attention at this point, especially given I was forced to wear the bloodstained shirt from the night before.

“It’s not good. The damn Russians are crawling the streets. I pulled the men back to the hospital. We don’t need to get caught up in that shit.”

His instincts were good, his actions justified. “You make certain D’Artagnan and his family are well taken care of.”

“Don’t worry, boss. They’re surrounded. That would be pretty brazen of them to enter a hospital.”

Exhaling, I wanted to laugh. I rubbed my jaw, shifting my attention to the dressing room. It had been a mistake to bring her here. “You need to remember the Russian eat their young for breakfast.”

He laughed in his deep, throaty voice. “I forgot about that.”

“I assume that means the package was safely delivered?”

“Yes, sir. Just like you asked. The flames were sky-high. I also took the liberty of searching her suitcase, tearing it apart. I couldn’t find any tracking device.”

As I moved to the edge of the seat, I was growing more convinced there was a traitor in my employ. “Who else knew about our destination?”

He snorted before answering. “Just Wally. I had to let him know.”

I could easily challenge his reasons, but Wally was one of his men, my Capo directly in charge of the force. I had no time to quibble about hiring or exterminating the members of the crew. That’s what I had Anthony for.

“Boss. He’s not dirty. I swear to you.”

“Do you swear on your life, Anthony?” I shifted my gaze toward the dressing room before checking my watch. Joy had been in there far too long.

“Yes, Mr. Lazarro. I do.”

It was rare for Anthony to openly vouch for anyone, especially when he knew how I handled acts of betrayal. “Find a location in the hospital that’s private. Take him there and keep him until I arrive.”

“Look, I’m not questioning you, but Wally has a family. He’d never be so stupid as to cross you.”

I heard a pleading tone in his voice, which I didn’t like. That usually meant I was facing the actual person responsible for the act of disrespect. “I’m surprised you care so much.”

He hesitated. “He’s a friend of mine. Okay?”

No, it wasn’t okay. Having friends in this line of work only proved to be disastrous.

So did women.

Christ. My cock was throbbing.

“Just do what I say, Anthony. If he’s innocent, I’ll know it.” I ended the call so I wasn’t forced to endure another feeble attempt at protecting his buddy. After slipping my phone into my jacket, I jerked up from the seat I’d been provided, pacing the floor in front of the dressing room. While I’d agreed my lovely fiancée needed new clothes, the crap the big chain store was selling was beneath a woman of her newfound position.

I couldn’t help but smile. She was certainly a little hellion, a tiger hiding behind her long legs and voluptuous body. However, I was no fool. There was absolutely no doubt she was planning either an escape or even murdering me in my sleep. The love-hate relationship was as intense as any I’d experienced, her rebellious nature only making me crave her more.

The fact I’d demanded her hand in marriage was crowding out my responsibility to find out what the hell had happened. And required plans of getting the hell out of New York. If Lucia’s condition had improved, it would be in my best interest to get Joy out of the country.

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