Page 26 of Forbidden Fate

“I think they will,” she says. “But not to the extent we require. Not without encouragement.”

I swallow another lump in my throat.

“Señor Vega is attempting to navigate a very delicate situation,” she continues. “He has certain information about Austin Bellamy.”

I nod. I know that part.

“Unfortunately,” she adds, “Mr. Bellamy is currently unavailable.”

“Right. He’s in the hospital.”

“Correct. And he’s incapacitated, which complicates negotiations.”

“So you want leverage,” I say.

“Yes.”

I already know where this is going. I just don’t want to hear her say it.

“The most effective way,” she continues, “to ensure compliance from her brothers is to make the consequences…visible.”

I don’t speak.

“Pain,” Adriana says softly, “is a very persuasive language.”

I sit still. “There are other ways.”

“Are there?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say. “We can control communication. Isolate. Create pressure without physical damage. Make them think she’s worse off than she is⁠—”

“No.”

The word punches me in the gut.

“They need to see it,” Adriana says. “Fear is most effective when it is undeniable.”

My stomach churns. “You’re talking about beating her.”

“I am,” she replies.

“Badly.”

“Yes.”

I exhale slowly, trying to keep calm. “They’ll react either way. You don’t need to cross that line.”

She stares into my eyes for a moment. “Your concern is interesting.”

“It’s practical,” I say. “Damage like that can complicate things.”

“Or accelerate results.”

I try one more time. “Why this? Why now? Vega doesn’t need ransom money.”

Adriana smiles. “This isn’t about money.”

“Then what is it about?”