Page 63 of Vicious Captor

Papá glances up. “He took her against her will. I did not dothat.”

“Fine. You didn’t force me to marry you. Whatever. The point is this—you will help our daughter save the man she loves, or the only way I’llstaymarried to youisby force.”

They stare at each other, an intense battle of wills. My father tries his best, but in the end, he averts his gaze.

Before he can say anything, I’m by his side on my knees. “Papá, please forgive me. I never meant to make you feel like a fool. All I wanted was to impress you. Your approval means more to me than you can imagine. That is why I branched out on my own, so that you could see what I can do.”

His jaw clenches. “Jou didn’t have to impress me, Louisa. I know what jou are capable of.”

I take hold of his forearm, imploring him to look at me. When he does, I cry. “Not capable enough, Papá. I can’t do this on my own. Please help me get Rowan back.”

He studies my face, his brows knit tightly together. “Jou love him that much?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

Papá takes in a deep breath and lets it go slowly as he nods. “All right.” He pats my hand. “Arturo, I want more soldiers on the street. With Declan in control, any deals we made are out the window.”

“Yes, sir,” my brother says.

“Gather your brothers and assemble a team to go with us to search for this Gideon Black.”

“What about Axle and Phil?” I ask. They were taken to the kitchen the moment we arrived, kept there under heavy guard. At least they weren’t killed.

“They will come with us as well,” he says to me, then to Art, he says, “Return their firearms.”

“But, Papá!” Art whines.

“Why must my children question every order. Do as I say,muchacho!”

Art glowers my way. “Yes, sir,” he grinds out and leaves.

I throw myself on my father, hugging him in the way I used to when I was a child. “Thank you, Papá.”

“If we rescue your man, I want his oath of loyalty to me. Or I’ll take him out myself.”

“You’ll have it as you have mine,” I say.

* * *

Finding Gideon was easy. Too easy. It’s almost as if he was expecting me.

Just as Declan mentioned, G.L.B. Enterprises belongs to Gideon. All Papá had to do was call the number listed on their website and ask to speak with the Ferryman. The line went silent for only a moment before the operator asked my father for his information.

A few minutes later, a call from an unknown number rang on his cell phone. But I knew who it was.

It was strange listening to Papá speak in such a detached manner as he requested a meeting. I’d heard him on many occasions before, but this was the first time it’d felt like my life depended on it. In a way, it did. Because without Rowan…if I lose him again, this time by my own doing… I don’t think I’ll survive it.

My heart pumped hard, my blood rushing through me, making me lightheaded and clammy as I listened. But Papá’s stoic expression gave me little hope.

When he hung up, he turned to me. “He’s willing to meet.”

I almost passed out from the relief. “Thank y—”

He lifted a finger. “Don’t thank me yet. Gideon is after his own revenge. Rowan is a part of something big. If he is still alive, jou must bring something he wants more than revenge to the table. And before jou ask, no, I will not give up Duran territory. I’ve fought too hard for that.”

Shaking my head, I flipped through my mental files of all my possessions. “What doIhave that he’d want?”

“That is for jou to figure out. But do it quick. We meet in an hour.”

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