Page 150 of Vow Of Fire

“Nico.” My voice came out rough. “Track the watch.”

“She’s wearing it?” He glanced up, eyebrows raised.

“I don’t know, but it’s worth a shot.” I fucking hoped so.

The watch had actually been Nico’s idea, but I’d gone along with it. One of his tech guys had embedded a covert tracking chip inside the face before I’d given it to her. Nobody knew about it except us.

Except after our fight last night, I doubted she’d put it back on.

My pulse slammed unevenly against my ribs as his fingers flew across the keyboard.

“Pulling the beacon registry now,” he murmured.

The room fell silent.

Please be wearing it, I found myself praying.

I knew there was slim to no chance. After what I’d said, I’d be surprised if she even wanted to see me again. In fact, if she had her way, she probably wouldn’t.

Luckily for me, she hadn’t got her way, I thought darkly.

The seconds dragged by agonizingly slowly. Eventually, Nico leaned forward.

“Wait.”

Every muscle in my body tensed.

“I’ve got a ping.”

Hope exploded so violently in my chest it took my breath away.

“That’s my girl,” I hissed, expelling what little air was left in my lungs.

Marco shot me a perplexed look, while Izzy arched a sardonic eyebrow. Valentina said nothing, and Leo’s lips quirked before he turned away.

When I found her, I was going to kiss her so long and hard that I might never let her go.

“Where?” I snapped.

“Upper East Side…” His brow furrowed as he scanned the data. “No—hold on.” Nico swore under his breath.

“What?” I barked, that tiny flame flickering dangerously inside me.

“The beacon’s offline.” He typed faster, trying to reacquire it. “Last signal came from East Sixty-Second and Lex.”

“That’s where they were hit.” Disappointment crushed my heart like a tin can, extinguishing the flame.

“The watch could have been damaged in the attack,” Marco pointed out.

Nico looked up. “Or somebody found the tracker and killed the signal.”

The room fell silent. And for the first time since Afghanistan, genuine fear wrapped its icy claws around my throat.

39

THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT

Evelyn