Page 73 of The Lost Order (Cotton Malone 12)

“Except I did see you. Let’s go. Also, call my fucking cousin—the fool is about to send out a SWAT team in search of your ass.”

I stare at him, unmoving. He made it clear he didn’t like the idea of me and Neo, and now he wants me to call him?

“What?” he asks, clearly irritated.

“You do know that just a few days ago you were telling me to stay away from him.”

“Yeah, so?”

“Nothing. You confuse me, Theo.”

“Feeling’s mutual, princess. Let’s go.”

“If you call meprincessone more time, that child Holly is carrying will be your only one because I will castrate you,” I hiss.

He just laughs. “Fucking hell. You know… most people know better than to threaten me.”

“Yeah, and most people know I don’t make threats. I deliver on my promises.” I start walking towards the blacked-out SUV idling at the curb, once we exit the bar.

“Nope, you’re coming with me,” Theo says, pulling me towards a black Lamborghini.

I roll my eyes. Of course he’s flashy as shit. “Can I drive?” I ask him.

“Not a fucking chance in hell.” He opens the passenger side door for me. “Get in,” he grunts. And just when I thought he was being a gentleman, I realize the gesture has nothing to do with chivalry. Nope, he’s ensuring I’m locked inside the vehicle and can’t make a run for it.

Ass.

The car ride is filled with silence as he weaves in and out of the city traffic. Probably breaking as many road rules as he can. “Here, call Neo.”

“Fine.”

I take the phone and find the contact: Neo Valentino. He answers on the first ring. “You find her?” he asks.

“He did,” I answer.

“Fuck, Angel, where the fuck have you been all day?” he hisses. I’m guessing my daughter is within earshot.

“Is Izzy with you?” I ask.

“Of course she is. Where else would she be?”

“I don’t know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to leave her with you for so long. The day just got away from me. And I’m so close, Neo. I just need a few more hours. I can have my father come and get her.”

“That’s what you think I’m pissed about? Fucking hell. Hurry up and get your ass home, Angelica. We’ll talk about this when you get here.” He hangs up.

Huh, well shit. I guess he’s mad. “I should get Papa to pick up Izzy,” I say out loud.

“If you do that, you might as well start a fucking war. Because Neo is not going to let your father take her.”

I ignore how he refuses to acknowledge that he’s not justmyfather anymore. He’sourfather, considering how he only just found out months ago about his paternity. I still can’t believe his mother lied to him his whole life. I might have had a shitty mother, but at least I knew exactly who she was. I was sad when she died, but I never missed her. Not one bit. I’ve done everything I can to ensure I’m a better mother to Izzy. I never want her to look back on her childhood and think I didn’t do my best.

“What do you mean a war?”

“Did you know Neo had the lawyers draw up adoption papers? He had the jeweler create a ring for you too. I shouldn’t be telling you any of this. But you need to know how deep into this he is. I was worried about him not being ready for anything serious with you. Now I see it was you I should have been worried about.”

Holy shit. He has a ring. Why would he have a ring? I can’t get married. I’m not planning on sticking around. He promised I could leave once this was all over; he promised he’d help me get Izzy out. Instead, he’s trying to tie us down to this life. Adopt Izzy. Marry me. Turn me into one of those mindless mafia wives.

“Angelica, he’s a good guy. He is obviously in over his head and moving on a schedule that’s a little fast for you. If you want, I’ll talk to him. I’ll tell him to slow his shit down.”