Page 132 of Fall Before Her Throne

“She’s not here,” Wynn finally said.

“Good news and bad news, I guess,” I said with a sigh. “At least she’s not dead.”

“We feel pretty certain they took her?” Cas looked around, as if he could find some clue. “The Camorra?”

Obi nodded tightly. “I can see no other more likely possibility. Lucia presumably knew where she was if they had been talking.”

“Plus, there was that second man Max had stationed here,” Wynn added. “The one who left after Greco’s call and never returned.”

“They couldn’t have taken her far,” Ciel said. “Leona had just spoken to her. She texted me after we left to tell me that Chiara was packing.”

“We have to go, then. They have to be taking her back to the city,” Cas said.

I dragged a hand through my hair. “Maybe we could intercept them.”

“I can try to catch them on cameras headed back to the city,” Ciel offered as we rushed back to the car.

“Do it,” Obi ordered. “We can’t let them keep her. They will use her against us.”

Instantly, a computer appeared in Ciel’s lap. Wynn looked over his shoulder. “Bridges and tunnels.”

Ciel nodded. “I know. I’ll check air traffic, too, just in case.”

“I’ll call Leona,” I said, hopping into the back row.

Cas gave me a concerned look while I held the phone to my ear. “She’s going to be really fucking upset.”

Yeah, she would. I fucking hated it.

Her voice was chipper when she answered. “Ryu! Do you have her?”

“Hanii, get dressed,” I blurted.

“What?” Fabric rustled in the background. Probably her sheets. “What are you talking about?”

“Obviously, you’re naked because obviously you’re fucking, but put clothes on.” Cas shoved my shoulder. “We need you and Maxy.”

“What happened?” All playfulness was gone from her voice. “Is everyone okay?”

“We got to the cottage, and she’s not here.”

“I just spoke with her maybe an hour ago.”

“I know, they had to have just taken her.” I quickly told her about the cracked door and the damaged furniture. How it didn’t look like it had been sitting long.

“Can you catch up with them?” she asked.

“I’m not sure yet,” I responded. “If we can’t, you and Max might get to her quicker.”

As long as they were taking her back to New York City.

As long as they hadn’t killed her by then.

“Okay. We’ll be ready,” she said. “Tell us what to do when you know.”

“Will do.” I rubbed my eyes. “Give the phone to Max for a minute.”

“What?”