Page 92 of Worth the Risk

DAN SANK INTO HIS CHAIR, legs weak and trembling. “According to the detective, Caden wasn’t at soccer practice when his mother went to pick him up. Witnesses report seeing him forced into a black sedan by a black-haired man with a scar on his left cheek.”

“Ernesto,” Bella whispered.

Dan’s tormented eyes met hers before they shot to Cap. “Where and when?”

“The text didn’t say. Only that they wanted a meet with Bella.”

“Why did they text your phone and not Dan’s?” Lil T asked.

“I use a burner,” Bella explained.

“And they know about Dan, and who he works for. I’m easily contacted through our website. All inquiries come directly to me.”

In a burst of frustrated energy, Dan surged from his chair, needing to move, feeling like he was coming out of his skin.

“We have to do something,” he said, spearing his hands into his hair with frustration. “I can’t just sit here and wait for them to make their next move.”

“I have an idea,” Bella said, barely above a whisper.

Dan turned to her, his eyes narrowing with suspicion, disliking whatever it was without even hearing it. “What kind of idea?”

She took a deep breath.

“No.”

“But you haven’t let me tell you what it is yet,” she protested. “I’ll call my uncle and tell him I’m willing to make an exchange. Myself for Caden.”

“Absolutely not.” He repeated hisnomore emphatically, his heart skipping a beat. He couldn’t conceive of risking her life like that. Because if Giordano got his hands on her, it would be over.

“Please, Dan, hear me out. You can give me a vest, and while they’re distracted, you and the team can rescue Caden.”

“They won’t stop until they kill you, Bella,” Cap warned, his voice and expression reflecting his deep concern.

“I’ve thought of that, too. You’ll have to shoot me.”

Dan’s eyes widened in shock. “What the fuck, Bella?”

“Not for real. I’ll have the vest on and fake it.”

“You’re not acting as bait for the mob.”

“It’s the only way. They won’t expect it. They’ll be thrown off guard. And we can use that to our advantage.” She whirled and faced Cap. “Who’s your best sniper?”

“T,” Cap stated at the same time Lil T said, “I am.”

“Shoot me in the chest. And fix me up with one of those blood things they use in the movies to make it look real. Word will get back to Lorenzo that I’m dead and not a threat to him anymore.”

“You’re talking about a blood squib with an igniter.” They all looked at Eric who was still in town for his sister’s wedding and had joined them to problem solve. “What?” he asked when they stared. “I live in LA. I’ve picked up a few things.”

“It’s risky, but it could work,” Jonas stated.

Dan couldn’t believe they were actually considering her plan. “For the fourth time, no! You are not doing this.”

Bella reached out for him, fingers curling around his forearm. He only vaguely noticed the bite of her nails, fear for his son, and now her, eclipsing everything else.

“I’m the reason Caden was taken. Without me, none of you would be involved with Lorenzo Giordano and his hired guns. I need to do this for Caden, and Marcy, and Lisa, and so no one else gets hurt.”

“It’s too dangerous,” Dan said, shaking his head. “There’s got to be another way.”

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