Page 109 of Liberated By Sin

Soft whimpers filtered through before she came back. “I can’t, Santi,” she sobbed. “There’s too much blood…I can’t make it work.”

“Fuck!”

“I’m s-sorry.”

“No,preziosa, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you like I promised.” My voice cracked, and tears flooded my eyes as I let myself slide to the floor. Her silence tore me apart until she finally uttered a faint whisper, but it was a truth worse than death. “He’s coming.”

Fire raged hot in my chest, propelling me to my feet. I’d waited my whole life for Amara, and I’d be damned if I lost her without a fight.

“Listen to me, leave the line open, and hide the phone. I will find you even if I have to tear this whole city apart. Do you hear me? I’mcoming. Hold on for me,preziosa.”

I reluctantly set the phone down and ripped open a metal closet, slinging two black duffel bags over my shoulder. “Kai, Evangelina, trace that call and find her location. Derek and Amalia, get the cars.”

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Way Down We Go - KALEO

Wesplit into two separate cars as soon as we learned Athena’s location. Santino, Eva, and I took the lead as we sped through rush-hour traffic. The cell phone she used pinged at some remote home about an hour outside the city. I’d offered to drive because, as upset as I was at losing her again, merely hours after finding out she was alive, Santino was in worse shape. Years ago, I’d been in his shoes. I understood the desperation, the sense of hopelessness, and the utter devastation that came with knowing the person who meant everything in the world was in danger.

Reaching across the console, I took my girl’s hand, letting her touch anchor me as it always does when the demons from that time in my life begin to surface. I was dealt a shitty hand as a kid, but none of those atrocities could compare to the anguish of not knowing if I’d ever see her again. My worst nightmares didn’t consist of my past and the monsters who’d get off on beating and stripping my dignity. The nights when I’d wake up screaming, sweat beads on my forehead, andunshed tears in my eyes were those when the image of my little girl faded into ash. One moment, a heartbeat, one goddamn slip to the left or the right, could have altered my entire existence.

My whole heart existed within two people. Losing them was an unfathomable reality.

“Derek.” Eva’s tender voice pulled me from my thoughts as the tips of her nails feathered along my skin. “We’re going to find her.”

With a nod, I lifted my eyes to the rearview mirror, where Santino sat, his posture rigid, jaw clenched. He stared out the window, but it was evident the world raced by in vain, as I knew his thoughts were occupied with Athena.

“Five minutes out,” I said, grabbing his attention and meeting him in the reflection.

“Do we have a game plan? We don’t know what we’re walking into. This is Ronan,” Eva said, a grave look on her face. “Whoever has been helping him through the years probably has their hands all over this, too.”

I veered onto an embankment, cut the engine, and held my wife’s hand. “There’s no time to strategize. Athena is hurt, she’s…” I trailed off, conscious that Santino was listening. “We work with what we got.” When I paused again, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “You’re staying.”

“I’m not.”

“Angel, like you said, we don’t know what we’re walking into. It’s too dangerous.”

“Derek, that’s bullshit! Stop trying to sideline me like I can’t handle myself.”

“Eva—”

“No, would you say the same to Amalia? Would Kai?”

The car door slammed shut when Santino stepped out and started down the gravel driveway.

I framed her face. “There’s no time for arguments. I know you’re capable, but Vali needs one of her parents. I refuse to let her grow up the way I did.”

That was all it took—the mention of our girl. “Derek Cain, I swear to god, if you die in there…” She fisted my collar and slammed her lips against mine.

Time stood still with Eva. I had long committed her taste to memory, the way she felt, and how she melted into my arms, but every second with her felt like the very first. Electric, warm—home.

“One hour, tops,” she murmured against my mouth. “Go find her and come back to us.”

“I love you,” I said, exiting the vehicle before regret could set it.

Kai and Amalia followed Santino as I caught up.

“I pulled the blueprints. It’s an old manor. Pretty straightforward. Three floors and a basement. Except…” Amalia pulled out her cell. “This back corner is unaccounted for. This floor plan is missing about one thousand square feet. It’s not a guarantee she’ll be down there because if he doesn’t think anyone will find him, there’s no point in going through the trouble.”

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