“Are you ready for the wedding?” Nathan asks Pierce, who pins him with a steely gaze. My brother swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the effort, but manages not to wither under the emotionless stare.

  Emilio barks out a laugh. “Don’t let that impassive face fool you. Inside, my cousin here, is terrified.”

  The man in question snaps his head to the right to stare at his boss. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear the red eyes of the skull tattoo adorning his throat glowed with heat. My brother-in-law merely cocks an eyebrow.

  “I’m not terrified,” Pierce emphasizes with a low growl.

  Giovanni makes a noise, but quickly muffles it with a cough.

  “You all will be in attendance, correct?” Emilio asks, ignoring the pointed stare from his cousin.

  “Do you really think any of us are going to miss watching that guy”—Paddy points a single finger in Pierce’s direction”—stand in front of hundreds of people wearing a penguin suit and pledging his undying love and affection to Mila? Hell yeah, we’re going to be there.”

  It’s clear my brother has a death wish. Why else would he antagonize the devil himself? I glance at Pierce, waiting for the explosion of rage, but it doesn’t happen. In fact, he only glares at my brother, and I’m pretty sure the faintest bit of color darkens his cheeks.

  My father clears his throat. “If you boys are done tormenting the poor man, perhaps we can adjourn. I’m sure they all have more important things to do than sit around all day with the lot of you.”

  Paddy grumbles and Emilio smirks, but everyone rises and says their goodbyes. Before I can second-guess my decision, I halt my brother-in-law. He glances at me in question.

  “Do you have a minute?” I ask.

  “Of course.” He turns to Pierce and Gio and nods for them to proceed without him leaving only the two of us left in the room.

  “What can you tell me about Alessandro Costa?”

  If Emilio is surprised by my question, he doesn’t show it. “He’s an associate of the organization. Owns several companies we occasionally do business with, including transportation and a small, local chain of hotels. He’s also married to a distant cousin, I believe.”

  So Aurora is related to him.

  “Was there anything else?” he asks when the silence between us stretches.

  “Hmm?” I mumble distractedly and meet his gaze again. “Oh, no, that’s it. I met him at the christening and reception over the weekend. I was merely curious.”

  Emilio gives me a look that sears straight through my core, as though he knows I’m lying, but can’t figure out why. I hold his stare, refusing to fidget or display my nerves. He gives me a short nod and then heads out the door, closing it behind him. My breath escapes with a loud sigh and my tense muscles relax. It was stupid of me to ask about him. Nothing good will come from it.

  Paddy’s warning rings in my ear. I’m standing on a precarious cliff. One misstep and there will be major consequences. All for a woman I barely even know.

  Chapter 11

  Aurora

  * * *

  Once again, Lucia and I sit in the library in front of the roaring fire. Irene serves us coffee and cookies.

  “Will there be anything else, ma’am?” she asks.

  “No, thank you.”

  After she leaves us alone, I turn to my aunt. “You didn’t have to reschedule your flight.”

  “Did you really think that after finding out what Alessandro is doing to you, I was just going to up and leave?” she asks, disbelief crossing her face.

  “Not really. But I told you. There’s nothing you can do. It’s why I didn’t want you to know in the first place.” A wave of anger washes over me at how unfair life is. Am I such a bad person that this is my punishment? I don’t deserve this.

  This is your fault. Alessandro’s voice whispers in my ear.

  Lucia glares at me. “That bastard has really done a number on you. It’s one more reason for us to hate him. You, even more so. He just keeps taking and taking.”

  And I’ve let him. I think that’s what makes me the angriest. He’s taken away my friends. My family. Most of all, he’s taken away my confidence. With his fists. And his belt. They’ve both whittled away at me, until I’ve become only a fragment of who I used to be. And I’ve let him.

  “You never told me about Jack,” Lucia almost scolds. “Even after Giovanni and Francesca’s wedding, you didn’t tell.”

  Because I’d wanted to keep something for myself. I didn’t want to share him with anybody. Not even my best friend. If only for a short time, Jack was mine alone.

  “Do you tell me about every guy you meet?” I ask her with raised brows.

  “Only the special ones,” Lucia says pointedly.

  “He wasn’t special.” What’s one more lie in a world full of them?

  “It didn’t feel that way this weekend. There were definitely sparks between you two. Almost sweltering with the heat you guys gave off.”

  My cheeks flush. I turn away and stare into the fireplace. Lucia is putting dangerous thoughts in my head. I could almost hate her for it. Which I feel guilty for. It’s not her fault. “You seem to be forgetting the fact that I have a husband. A jealous husband who isn’t known for being kind.”

  “Have you talked to Edoardo?” she asks.

  “My father sold me to Alessandro to pay for his gambling debts. There is nothing he will, or can, do. Have you forgotten how our family works?”

  Lucia growls in frustration. “The antiquated world these men live in pisses me off. Arranged marriages in exchange for money and power leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

  “Maybe, but the organization has been doing it since the beginning of time. It isn’t new, and not all of them are as miserable as we might think. I mean, look how it worked out for Mr. and Mrs. Ricci.” Granted, they’re the only true example of falling in love that I can come up with. Other couples in my circle of knowledge simply seem to either have a mutual respect for each other, or at least indifference for the other.

  She perks up. “That’s it. Talk to Mrs. Ricci. She would be willing to help, I’m sure. If she knew that Alessandro was abusing you, I don’t think she’d stand for it.”

  Hope flares, and then instantly burns out. I shake my head. “He’ll never let me go.”

  Lucia’s eyes flash with anger. “So you’re just going to give up without even trying? Continue to be the victim?”

  “Don’t you dare sit there and judge me.” I snap, my rage rising up to match hers. “You have no idea what my life is like. The pain. The blood. The fear. I live it every single day. You think it will magically go away without any consequences? That Alessandro will just forget that I belong to him. I’m his property, he can do anything he wants.”

  “That’s why you have to fight. Don’t let him win, Rory,” Lucia says my nickname softly. Quietly. Tears pool in her eyes, which seem to be begging me.

  She hasn’t called me by that name since I was a little girl. My heart aches to return to those times. When life wasn’t so hard. So painful. I don’t know if I’m strong enough anymore. It’s been beaten out of me for far too long. Lucia scoots across the chaise and grabs my hands, squeezing them tightly. I stare down at them and swallow hard.

  Finally, I lift my head and look her in the eyes. “Okay.”

  She jerks her head in a sharp nod. “Okay.”

  God, help me.

  Lucia pulls me to my feet. “Are you ready?”

  I laugh a little maniacally. “Not in the least bit.”

  “It’ll be all right,” she reassures me. “I’ll be with you. You can do this, Rory.”

  Just then, footsteps grow nearer. I turn, expecting Irene. Instead, the blood drains from my face, and my body sways unsteadily. My knees threaten to buckle. Lucia’s grip tightens.

  “Alessandro,” she greets him with her customary half-smile. “What a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t sure if I’d get to say goodbye before I left for home. I’m glad you’re back.”

  “Lucia,” he says stiffly. “I didn’t realize you were going to be here. Aurora failed to mention it.”

  There’s accusation in his tone, but she waves him off with a guilty expression. “I showed up unannounced, I’m afraid. My dear niece was kind enough not to show me the door. You have a lovely home. I think this is the first time I can remember being inside.”

  “Yes, well, we don’t entertain often,” Alessandro says with a pompous air. “I’m not a fan of people in my personal space.”

  “I can understand. My elderly neighbor is the same way. She’s a crotchety old woman who’s set in her ways and doesn’t like having to act nice to people she’d rather not.” Lucia cocks her head. “She reminds me a bit of you. Not in a bad way. Just that she also likes her privacy.”

  Alessandro narrows his eyes a bit. I’m sure he realizes he’s been insulted, but doesn’t care to admit to it. “Yes, well. Continue your visit.” He shifts his gaze to me. “You and I will speak later.”

  “Of course,” I say quietly, dipping my head in acquiescence, barely able to control my trembling.

  He glances between the two of us, before finally turning and leaving. I collapse onto the chaise the minute he’s gone. It’s as though Alessandro’s arrival is a sign.

  “I can’t do it,” I rasp out.

  “Aurora,” Lucia begins.

  “No.” My voice comes out louder than I plan and I flinch. “He knows.”

  “You can’t know that.”

  “I’ve lived with that man for nearly three years. When I tell you he knows, it’s because it’s true.” Nausea builds inside me. I’m trembling. “I think it’s best if you go. Thank you for what you tried to do. Sometimes things don’t work out the way we want. But, thank you.”

  “Don’t give up. Please. Not yet. I swear I’m going to figure out something,” Lucia pleads. “Just don’t give up yet.”

  She doesn’t understand that it’s already too late for that. Instead, I smile my best smile and add one more lie to my pile of sins. “I won’t.”

  Chapter 12

  Jack

  * * *

  It’s taken a few days, but we finally got solid intel on where Wójcik is holding the latest group of women. I only hope we’re not walking into another trap. Nathan and I, along with several more of our men, circle around to the back of the crumbling two-story building. A yellowed streetlight shines on the alley we make our way down. We stay in the shadows along the barely-standing wooden fence line.

  Our source informed us that a cellar door leads to an underground bunker. Da, Paddy, and the rest of our soldiers will remain above ground to make sure we’re not caught with enemies behind us. I twist toward my men, place a finger over my mouth, then gesture with it for us to proceed forward.

  The night is quiet. Not even a cricket chirps, as though sensing danger in the air. We haven’t seen a single vehicle drive down the street. Only a few houses have lights on inside. The stillness around us is eerie. I spot the door and motion for everyone to stop. My gaze travels around, watchful, waiting, but spotting nothing out of the ordinary.

  As a single unit we move forward, pausing only long enough to get the door open, weapons pointed down the narrow, darkened steps leading into the black abyss below us. Flashlights are turned on and slowly, we begin our descent. Everything remains silent the further down we go until finally, my foot lands on level ground.

  One by one, our group joins me. I move back to the staircase and get a thumbs up from my brother above me. I nod, and we’re on the move again. The hallway is narrow, so we’re forced to walk single-file. It’s nerve-wracking, because it’s an easy way to pick us off one-by-one. Yet, silence reigns until the passageway suddenly opens up to a large dimly-lit room. The lights hum and buzz. Branching off the room are several more passageways.

  “What do you think?” Nathan whispers at my side.

  I pause, weighing our options, trying to recall any details our informant mentioned about where the women were being held. I gesture with two fingers toward the third branch off the great room. “Darren and Callum, you both head that way. Shane, Eoin, Brendan, and Collin, I want the four of you to split off and take tunnels one and two. Nathan is with me. Only use the walkies if it’s an emergency or you find something. And watch your backs.” I keep my voice low.

  The men nod and all head down different directions. We need to get out as quickly as possible, and as much as I don’t want to separate our forces, it’s the fastest way to find the women.

  “Is it a little too quiet, or is it just me?” Nathan asks as we make our way down the tunnel.

  It’s not just him. “Stay alert.”

  This feels too easy. We haven’t seen a single guard or heard a single sound. Either our intel is bad and there’s no one here or we were set up. Both options piss me off. Static comes shooting out of the walkie talkie clipped on my belt. Nathan and I freeze, then I snatch the device and hold it to my ear and wait. Seconds later, a garbled voice comes through.

  “Repeat that,” I rasp harshly into it.

  More static comes through, but I can finally make out Eoin speaking. “We have a lone woman. Gunshot. Still breathing, but barely. Tunnel one.”

  Nathan and I take off running, backtracking the way we came, through the main common area, and down the tunnel Eoin and Shane went. Faint light grows brighter from a room with the door swung open. Inside, we find the two men kneeling beside a naked woman covered in blood. Her hair is so saturated with it that it’s nearly impossible to tell the true color. The other four men quickly join us.

  “Anything?” I ask.

  They shake their heads. “Dead end on each of them. There’s no one here.”

  “Help me,” the barely audible words come from the woman lying on the ground. She’s staring up at me through dark brown eyes filled with pain and terror.

  Holstering my weapon, I quickly shrug out of it and pull my shirt over my head before covering her with it. Then, gently, I lift her in my arms. My men circle around me, offering a protective ring as we move as a single unit down the tunnel and toward the exit. I carry the woman up the steps where Da, Paddy, and the rest of the men wait.

  “We were too late,” I tell them as soon as I step through the doorway. “They left her for dead. But the rest are gone.”

  “Here, let me take her,” Paddy offers, reaching for her.

  The woman whimpers and clings to me, her entire body trembling, whether from cold, loss of blood, or both. I shake my head. “Let’s just get to the vehicle.”

  “Head to the house on Gelston and call Dr. Byrne,” I order.

  Shane nods at my direction and jumps behind the wheel. I make it into the backseat, still holding the woman, with some help from Paddy. Blood runs down my chest and stomach, soaking the waistband of my pants. I glance down at the woman. We pass under a streetlight that shines down on her pale face. She hasn’t moved or spoken again. I check her pulse, already knowing what I’ll find.

  “Is she dead?” Paddy asks gruffly.

  I manage a single nod.

  “Feck.” He slams a fist into the seat next to him. “Goddamn Polish.”

  My head drops back, and I close my eyes, letting out a deep breath. Tense muscles slowly relax as the adrenaline high of the night crashes. She’s not the first dead woman we’ve found over the years. She certainly won’t be the last either.

  For some reason, this one bothers me more. Maybe it was her plea for help. Or maybe because something about her reminds me of Aurora. That lifeless expression. The lack of vitality. Whatever it is has wrung me dry. Thankfully, Paddy must realize the tenuous thread I’m hanging by, because he remains quiet the rest of the ride.

  At last, we pull up to the safe house and into the garage. Shane opens the door, and I exit the vehicle with the woman in my arms. Her head lolls against my chest. I don’t even feel the cold air on my skin. Dr. Byrne stands in the open doorway leading into the mudroom. He glances at me and I give a small shake. His expression shifts to blank, and he steps back and lets me pass.

  Paddy follows silently behind me, the atmosphere tense. I lay her on the cushioned surface we’d converted to a sort of worktable for Dr. Byrne and any injured men we bring him. Not that there is anything he can do for her, but it doesn’t feel right to just discard her body. I leave the woman with him to deal with and make my way further into the house.

  “Are you okay?” Paddy asks.

  “I’m fine.” Exhaustion is seeping deeper into my bones.

  “Nathan said it was like some sort of maze down there.”

  “Yeah. It would have been easy to block us in one of the tunnels, rig up some type of explosive, and collapse the whole thing with us inside,” I tell him, my mind still puzzling over it.

  “Why didn’t they, then?”

  “Because I think that Wójcik knows by doing so he’ll bring the treaty between him and Emilio crashing down. It’s one thing to try and eliminate us, one by one, in a shootout. Kill or be killed, and all that. I think the Polish are scared of what our brother-in-law will do.” It’s only a best guess on my part. I have no idea what insanity resides inside the Polish leader’s mind. Maybe he has his own sense of honor.

  “We’ll get him next time,” Paddy says with confidence after a moment.

  I’m barely even listening. I can’t get that woman’s eyes out of my head. “I have to go.”

  I stride past my brother, ignoring him call my name, and out to the garage where Shane still stands. “Do you mind if I take the car?”

  “No, sir,” he says and passes me the keys.

  Moments later, I’m on the road and heading toward the brownstone. The trip passes in a blur. The house is dark and I don’t even bother turning on a light. Light exposes reality. I’m not ready to face it yet. I make my way through the lower level, up the stairs, and into my room.

  Pale moonlight comes through the blinds I hadn’t had time to close yet. I move on autopilot, as though I’m watching myself from outside. What is wrong with me? I haphazardly toss my soiled jeans on the bathroom floor and take a scalding hot shower. Anything to rinse the blood from my skin. No matter how hard I scrub, I still don’t feel like I’ve gotten it all. When the water finally runs cold, I climb out, dry myself off, and collapse on the bed.