Page 92 of Billionaire’s Cruelty

Two seconds later, I slipped into one of my black SUVs, following right behind Zhang’s car.

“Tell me everything you know.”

I didn’t bother greeting Clare.

“Yes boss,” she said, which was about as warm a welcome as I was going to get today. She dove straight into the details, recounting everything she had uncovered.

I was irritated to find that she hadn’t gathered much more than what my lawyer had already told me.

“Mario is in hiding.”

Finally. I nodded slightly, satisfied. When the time comes, he could be a key witness. For now, I was just relieved he was staying out of the spotlight—Mario and authority figures didn’t mix well.

“And there’s news about Dave.”

My chest tightened. “Where is he? Is he okay?”

Clare nodded.

That was the best news I’d heard all day. If I could, I’d go find him myself. Dave had practically raised me—he was the one who looked after me when my parents couldn’t. Ever since the kidnapping, he hadn’t left my side. Until now.

Clare’s eyes shimmered with emotion. “He’s okay. He’s in private care, under Dr. Bennet’s medical team.”

“Dr. Bennet? How?”

“Oh— not Dr. June Bennet.” She tapped her lips like she could erase the slip. “I meant her brother, Liam Bennet. Our team found Dave abandoned in a rental car registered to Mack just outside of New York. Mr. Young had him sent to his brother for treatment.”

“Good man,” I muttered.

That was Lincoln—always there when I needed him.

“Yes, Mr. Young had been a great help. His source got us the information we needed to find Dave.”

“Wait, Mack isn’t that stupid—he wouldn’t just leave Dave in a car registered to his name. He knew we were looking for Dave. He left us a trail on purpose.”

Clare frowned. “Huh. I hadn’t thought of that. I figured we just got lucky.”

Maybe. It would’ve been nice to believe that luck was on our side. But Mack had been working for Dannie for years. Dannie was no fool—he wouldn’t keep an idiot around for nothing.

“What did Liam say?”

Her expression darkened. “It’s bad. They beat him up. He took a gunshot to the thigh, lost a lot of blood—nearly died. Luckily, Mr. Young’s team found him. If they hadn’t, the police might have gotten involved.”

My nerves rattled at the mention of the word gun.

I closed my eyes.

Deep breath one.

Deep breath two.

Deep breath three.

“Is his life still in danger?”

“No.”

“That’s all I need to know for now.”