Page 49 of Royal Salvation

Police and ambulances were now appearing, and the area was swarming with first responders.

“A knock came at the door and your mum thought it was some stuff she’d ordered from the internet. She went to answer it, but Hurricane stopped her. I came into the kitchen to get some water, and Valentina was behind me. Then I heard a shout from Hurricane, and I was being thrown to the ground and the world was exploding.”

Justice’s jaw flexed, and she could see he was trying to get his temper and anger under control.

Bishop nodded. “That ties with what Hurricane is saying. Apparently, it was a package left on the doorstep. As he bent to pick it up, he saw it was addressed to Princess Lucía. That’s when he shouted the warning. It was lucky he got those five seconds, or he certainly wouldn’t be talking right now.”

“We need to get Lucía out of here.”

Bishop looked grim but nodded once. “Agreed. I’m going to call Bás while the paramedics looks these guys over.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“You think this is your father?”

Lucía watched as Justice went still. “No, I don’t believe so, but we can’t rule anything out.”

As paramedics came toward her, Justice’s phone rang, and he reluctantly stepped back so she could be checked over. Lucía kept her eyes on Justice as he spoke and saw the second the blood seemed to leave his face.

Chapter 20

His heart was still racing with the aftereffects of the adrenalin that had punched through him when he’d turned the corner into his childhood home and seen the smoke. His eyes strayed to Lucía again as he hit answer on his phone without looking. “Yes.”

“You were always so predictable, Reaper, going home to Mummy.”

Ice slid through his veins at the sound of Playboy’s voice. Not out of fear but from the cold rage that settled low in his gut. “You come anywhere near Lucía or my family again, I’m going to personally slit your throat.”

A husky laugh came down the line as Reaper’s eyes flicked to Lucía before moving around the room, evaluating every single person he didn’t know for a threat.

“Now, is that any way to speak to the man who’s currently holding a knife to your father’s throat?”

“You mother fucker. If you hurt him, so help me God….”

“Shut up and listen. If you want to see him alive again then you’ll hand that little bitch over.”

“Never.”

“What’s the matter, Reaper? Did you get attached to that sweet pussy of hers? I have to admit, I can’t wait to see if she’s a screamer. Does she scream for you, Reaper or is she silent like that little bitch in the desert was?”

His blood was pounding in his head as the fury built inside him. “You’re going down, Playboy. I’m going to gut you like the pig you are.”

“I’m just getting started. Now, bring her to the address I’m going to send you in twenty-four hours or I’m going to send daddy dearest back to you in tiny pieces.”

“I want proof of life.” Reaper hoped like hell Watchdog could trace this call.

“Check your girlfriend’s email.”

The line went dead, and Reaper became aware of Bishop next to him. “He has my father. He’s sending proof of life to Lucía’s email.”

“He must have been watching us.” Bishop brushed his hands through his hair in frustration. “Dammit, Reaper, I’m sorry. I must have missed something.”

“Now isn’t the time for blame. We’ve all been caught out, not just you. What did Bás say?”

“He thinks we should keep this between us for now and take Lucía back to base. Nobody knows about it and it’s like Fort Knox.”

“I agree but I have this situation with my father now.”

“Let me call Bás back and fill Hurricane and Valentina in on the situation.” Bishop walked away leaving just the two of them.