AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He disconnected the call and looked at his brother. “I need your help.”
“Anything.”
They stepped into the lift together, side by side. Two Valentinos, united against the world. Leandro couldn’t talk for a full minute, as he gathered his thoughts, but as the doors opened into the parking garage level, he turned to Max. “Skye’s daughter Harper’s been taken. By Skye’s ex, I presume. He’s a nasty piece of work.” Leandro quickly filled Max in on the essentials without compromising Skye’s privacy. “She’s called the police but?—,”
“Yeah, I know.” Max was already on the phone to the head of their private security. Leandro was glad Max was there because his mind was so fully engaged with Skye that he wasn’t sure he would have been able to speak sensibly, whereas Max gave clear, concise instructions. As they stepped into the car, Alec started the engine, sensing something was wrong and that efficiency was a priority.
“Take us to Skye’s,” Leandro said, eyes closed as he thought of Harper, his heart hurting. The last time he’d seen her she’d been so happy. God, he’d missed her. He’d been so focused on the absence of Skye that he hadn’t fully comprehended Harper was a part of that. He ground his teeth, refusing to imagine where she was right now. He had to focus on getting her back, that was all.
Max asked a few questions, like Skye’s address, then disconnected the call. “They’re meeting us there.”
The security agency had premises out of Brooklyn and as a result of that, by the time Leandro and Max arrived, four dark black SUVs were parked in the street, alongside a couple of police radio cars. Leandro strode from the vehicle and pushed through the front door without knocking. The house was packed to capacity but his eyes found Skye’s immediately. She sobbed when she saw him, and he felt it deep in his bones. He pushed through the crowd, seeing only her, and dragged her against his body, wrapping her in a hug that promised her everything he’d said on the phone. They’d find Harper. He’d make sure of it.
“You sent an army.”
“It’s just the beginning.”
Tears ran down her cheeks. “I’m so scared.”
“I know.”
He caught her face. “Have they heard anything?”
“They’re finger printing,” she whispered. “We’ve been checked, just to exclude us. Obviously our prints are everywhere. A coat of hers is missing, but that’s all. So I don’t know what that means but at least she’s not cold. But he didn’t take her bunny and she can’t sleep without bunny. Oh, Leandro, she’ll be so afraid.”
“Where would he take her? Let’s presume it’s Jay.”
She nodded. “I gave the police his home address.”
“What about our guys?”
She glanced around, nodded. “Them too.”
“Okay, good.”
“Skye,” he stroked her cheek, carefully repeating what the criminal psychologist he’d consulted with on the car trip over had said. “If this is Jay, he wants to hurt you. This isn’t about Harper, but making you pay for moving on. We both knew he wasn’t likely to just disappear.”
“I never expected?—,”
“Nor did I. He’s clearly sick. A lot sicker than we understood. But listen, we can use this to our advantage.”
Her eyes linked to his. “How?” She mouthed, incapable of speech.
“He wants to hurt you. I hate to suggest this, but have you called him?”
“I tried. He didn’t answer.”
“Okay.” He nodded thoughtfully. “Keep trying. I want you to sit over here,” he gestured to the security guys. For the first time, Skye seemed to register that they were busy setting up some equipment. She frowned. “They can trace the call, if you can keep him on the phone long enough.”
“What if he doesn’t answer?”
“He will. Remember, this is about scaring you. About hurting you.”
“What if he hurts her to hurt me?”
“Don’t think about it. Don’t let yourself go there. She’s going to be fine.”
Skye’s eyes were huge, filled with tears, but she nodded. Even now, he could see her strength and courage and it made his chest churn with the strength of his feelings. An older woman came towards her, clutching a mug of tea. Her face was similarly tear stained, her pale hair pulled into a messy bun.
