Page 115 of The Sound in Silence

“Get in. Shut up.”

She does without a fight, her glare her only weapon as she rubs her arm. There’s no battle in her, and I wonder exactly how much training Ursin Volkov spent on his daughter. None obviously, deciding to use only her body to get ahead.

The moment I’m off the property, pressing the gas to take me to unimaginable speeds, I dial Caladin, his “Hey!” connecting over the Bluetooth and emitting through my car.

“Southampton airfield. Now. Bring men. Whoever’s with you.”

There’s noise in the background and a door being slammed shut. “Um, okay. What’s going on?”

“My parents kidnapped Ariella and left Vanessa in her place. They’re taking her to the plane. Volkov is here.”

“Shit!” More shuffling, voices, and another door. “Okay, fuck, coming. Leaving one of the clubs now. I have three with me. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

“Make it faster.”Click.

“You really should reconsider,” Vanessa mutters the moment I hang up. “When your parents learned of your wife’s deficiencies, they were only too happy to call up my father and renegotiate.”

If I didn’t possibly need her, now that I know where to go, provided she isn’t lying, I’d get rid of her. But with Ariella’s life in Ursin’s firm grip, I’m not taking any chances. Leaving Vanessa with me was the single stupidest thing he could have done. Assuming they’d expect to be gone with her by the time I found Vanessa, and clearly, they’re delusional if they believed that’d change anything.

“You’re one more word away from losing your tongue, Volkov.”

“Whatever. You’re making a mistake.”

“My wife isn’t a mistake.”

I press the gas harder, knowing if cops spot me speeding, they’ll look the other way. Either the car itself or the licence plate will remind them, I own this city. I’m still ten minutes away though and it’s nine minutes and fifty-nine seconds too long for my liking.

* * *

Finally, fuckingfinally, I make it to the edge of the airfield, spotting the single plane parked in the centre, my parents’ car a couple metres away.

“Fuck.” If only I had more weapons…If I play this right, my single gun will do.

I stop the car feet away from my parents and am out, by the passenger side, instantly. Vanessa throws herself from the car, screeching as she tries to take off in the direction of the plane, but she doesn’t make it three steps before she’s in my grip. One arm clenched around her neck, I yank until her back’s to my front, my gun jammed into her forehead.

A few feet away, my parents stand, my mother’s eyes darting between me and Vanessa while my father simply frowns. A fuckingfrownis all his heartless ass manages as I’ve ruined his plans. A couple feet from them, Ursin fucking Volkov, flanked by two guards, their own guns angled toward me.

In a hold identical to the one I have his daughter in, Ariella stares, her eyes wide but flashing with relief. The gun positioned at her head means I need to play this really fucking smart. I’m one against a small army, but they have me pinned by my weakness. Byher.

I keep my eyes on her as I approach, reassuring her while I speak to Ursin directly and ignore my traitorous parents. “Simple trade, Volkov. My wife for your daughter.”

Instead of Ursin, it’s Father who speaks. He approaches, one foot in front of the other, his hands lifting to show he has no weapon. He’s staring at me like I’m unhinged, which maybe I am. Maybe having my heart ripped from my chest and a gun shoved against her forehead has me seconds away from sparking a war. Vanessa or Ursin, one of themwilldie, but I have my preference.

“Erico, consider what the Volkovs can do for us. An heir, for one.”

I ignore him, not bothering to grant him an ounce of my attention. Not looking away from my wife, whose eyes dart around the area, seeking escape.

I’m coming, sirena. I’ve got you.

“Keep my daughter,” Ursin says, shrugging. “I have who I want. She’s who’ll bring you to your knees. You can’t tell me if I rid the world of this common whore, you’d turn away my daughter then.” He jabs the gun into Ariella’s head harder, making her whimper, and red tinges the edges of my view.

“The second you move an inch, Volkov, your daughter’s dead. Think this through.”

He scoffs, the sound of a man with entirely too much confidence. He jerks his head, indicating the guys at his side who remain steady and focused. “Three against one, Rossi.Youshould think this through.”

The odds might not be in my favour, but it doesn’t stop me from planning. Caladin showing up now would be really fucking convenient because with my parents hovering nearbyandthe cause of this shitshow, they’re no help.

Ursin steps toward the plane’s stairs, dragging Ariella with him, so I move too, shoving Vanessa forward. She hisses, and the two men approach.

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