Page 100 of An Eye For Illusion

“Will you keep your voice down?” I whisper.

“I’m sorry. I’m just shocked, okay? How did you guys even manage to get the wedding moved up so quickly?” she whispers back.

I stomach pitches at the thought of the approaching date. "Elliott paid the couple that was supposed to get married this week an obscene amount of money to switch with us. We got their date and they took ours. We are keeping all the same vendors they already had booked and they get our vendors that are already paid for."

Bridge's eyes go wide, "just like that?"

I nod my head, "just like that he was able to move the wedding up weeks without a fucking hitch."

"What about the guests? I mean surely there won't be as many people?" she asks.

I shake my head, "No, not as many but most don't want to miss Harrison Foster's daughter getting married. It's too big of an event."

"Why can't you guys just go to the police with what you already have on Vinny and Moore?"

I look around to make sure no one is eavesdropping, everyone seems to be engrossed in their own conversation. I lean in even further to make sure only Bridge can hear me. "The police need time to set it all up and Vinny and Moore are guaranteed to be at the same place at the same time. Another police team can carry out the raid on the warehouse while another does the arrests. It's the best time and place to ensure they get everyone and everything they need."

Bridge sets back in her chair with a look of astonishment. "What about Colin?"

“We have to find him before the wedding in two days. If we don’t, I won’t have a choice. I’ll have to marry Elliott. I won’t risk them hurting him because I didn't follow through with the wedding.”

“What if they already have?”

Her question is my biggest fear. We may be too late. Just the thought is too painful to bear. I hold on to what Donovan said. That they’d need him for leverage, so he’s likely fine for now. Still, my heart squeezes so tight in my chest that I think it might stop.

I face the kind woman currently painting my nails a classy nude color and clear my throat. “Then nothing matters anyway.”

Chapter 34

Jade

“Where the fuck is he, and why the hell haven’t you been able to find him?” I ask in desperation. The worry of knowing Colin is in grave danger feels like having an elephant sitting on me, crushing my insides and shattering my heart.

Donovan doesn’t answer right away, seemingly gathering himself. “We know Vinny has him. I’m using every damn connection I have, but we haven’t pinpointed the stash house yet. We are doing everything we can, Jade. He’s my brother. I want him back just as much as you do.”

My heart pounds in my chest, reminding me that it’s still beating and not smashed into a thousand pieces on the floor at my feet. It aches for the regret I see swimming in Donovan’s eyes. I don’t know what he regrets, but I do know he loves Colin, and I see how torn up he is.

“I don’t think I can do this,” I whisper. I’m scared I can’t do my part of the mission to bring Colin home. I don’t know how I’m supposed to walk down that aisle like nothing is wrong.

Everything is fucking wrong. Everything.

Bridge comes over and squeezes the top of my left shoulder. I’m supposed to be getting ready for my wedding in a few hours, but really, I’ve been sitting here in front of a full-length mirror trying to come up with another way I can help.

There has to be something more I can do.

“You have to, Jade. We need time, and you are the best way to buy us that time. I promise I won’t let you walk down that aisle. Whether we have Colin or not,” Donovan says.

I shake my head. I’m no longer concerned about marrying Elliott. I’ll do whatever I need to do to save Colin’s life. I’m more worried about trying not to punch the dumb fucker at the end of the aisle when I make it all the way down it to stand next to him.

“You don’t understand. The wedding doesn’t fucking matter anymore. I don’t care if I have to marry Elliott. I’m worried about failing to lie convincingly. Elliott can’t suspect anything. If he does, Colin is dead. That is what I’m scared as hell about. Screwing up.”

Bridge comes around to kneel in front of me. “Jade, you are the strongest woman I know. You’ve stared men down who were twice your size and age, had more money than God, and looked at you like you were an amusing little girl they wanted to eat up and spit back out, and you told them to go fuck themselves. Elliott Moore and this fucking Vinny guy don’t stand a chance against you.”

She has so much confidence that I almost believe her. Then I remember what’s at stake. Colin. This isn’t some boardroom deal that’s been thoroughly researched. I don’t know my opponent’s biggest weakness, and I don’t have an ace up my sleeve to seal the deal.

I don’t hold the cards in this situation. They have the man I love, and I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to keep him alive.

Even if that means sacrificing myself.

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