Page 53 of The Forbidden Secret

A sharp pain shot through my entire body, and blackness overtook my vision.

* * * *

A throbbing headache was the first sensation I noted.

Then, the biting grip of metallic cuffs on my wrists.

And my ankles.

“You’re the one who took my daughter from her rightful home.”

The voice was the same one I had heard speaking to Clide on the upper mezzanine, and I forced my eyes open, squinting as the light only exemplified the throbbing in my head.

“She was going to a good home. A fair one. Mr. Newton here assured me that would be the case. But because of you, she will be living avastlydifferent life once we get her back.”

I cleared my throat. It felt like sandpaper had been wearing on my vocal cords.

“Alonzo,” I rasped, my lip turning up in disgust.

I could see the slight resemblance. Nothing substantial or outwardly shocking, but there was a clear indication that he was her father. The same face shape. A similar nose.

But he had none of the compassion I saw in her eyes. His were cold. Empty. Dead.

“I spent a lot of money on the girl. She was an investment, and I don’t give up on investments easily, Mr. Coleman.” Clide Newton stepped beside Alonzo Bianchi and crossed his arms. “But now that you have shown such a keenness to keepmyinvestment from me, I may take some notes from your father when I finally get my hands on her.”

I ground my teeth as I realized that he had done his research. He knew the buttons to press and how to make them most effective, but I wouldn’t show him that side of me. I wouldn’t let him know how much I cared for her.

“This is a job like any other,” I lied with a shrug. “My client was very keen on using the girl as leverage. He might take some notes from my father, too.”

Newton tipped his head back and laughed. It sickened me, but I couldn’t let him see the roiling in my stomach. My weakness would become his strength.

“Do whatever you need to.”

“Do you think she feels as nonchalant about you as you do about her?” Alonzo asked. “I’m just curious because I have a feeling we have a bargaining chip on our hands. We could kill you, and nobody would find you again. But… we could use you.”

He held up the phone that had been in my pocket—a locked and decrypted phone.

But I knew all too well how easy it would be for him to open it. It may take time—days or a week, even. But with the proper tech expert, they could unlock it and find my messages to Jaimie about Evelina. They could findher.

“Bastard,” I snarled.

“Ah, there it is. The reaction we were looking for,” Clide said, giving Alonzo a humorous pat on the arm. “We will kill you. Don’t worry about that. But first, we’re going to see if my new toy will come for you.”

No, no. This couldn’t be real. I thrashed and pulled on my bindings, but neither Clide nor Alonzo flinched at my efforts. They were going to use me. I hadn’t considered that outcome. I never would have thought that I would be anything other than dead if I broke in here. I had come so irrationally and quickly. I had not considered the outcome.

I had been too emotional going into this, and it had the potential to destroy both me and Evelina if she fell for the bait.

Knowing her, shewouldcome.

And everything I had done would be for nothing.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Evelina Bianchi

Thirty-two hours and fifty minutes.

I hadn’t seen or heard from Zeke for almostthirty-three hours.

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