Page 99 of Legacy

He lifted me in his arms and held me close. “They took Calista before I reached the estate.”

“I know.” I nodded and then said, “Tell me what happened.”

He carried me to the couch and shared all the details with Laya and me. From the moment he arrived at the estate, where he learned from the guard about the talkative recruits, which corroborated Laya’s account, to the events during Ozias’s party.

“I could have killed him. I wanted to,” he admitted, taking my hand. “But I couldn’t deprive you of that satisfaction.”

“Oh, isn’t it sweet? He’s giving you the top kill on your hit list as a present,” Laya cooed, and I narrowed my gaze at her.

Instead of commenting on Laya’s stupid words, I stated, “He lives until he reveals Calista’s location.”

Laya nodded. “And the details about the hits on us.”

“Ozias won’t crack easily. Plus, we need to find out what else he plans,” Eli added.

“I don’t care about Ozias right now.” The anxiety inside me bubbled up again. “We need to use our time and resources to find Calista.”

Eli turned me to face him on the couch and took my hands. “I want to make this clear and know that you understand me.”

I waited for him to continue.

“Our marriage is real, Avra.”

I stared into his intense eyes, seeing the true meaning behind his claims.

“It started as a business, an arrangement. We were openly using each other.”

I smirked. “That we were. I remember something about actions and consequences.”

His lips curved at my response, but then he grew serious.

“I love you, Avra.” He slid his hand around my neck until he cupped the back of my head. “I will never stop loving you.”

I drew in an unsteady breath and nodded.

“I swear to you, we will find Calista. I will do everything in my power to make it happen.”

I let his firm words settle into my frantic thoughts.

“I believe you.”

He crushed his mouth to mine, stealing thoughts and overwhelming my senses. And just as fast as he captured my lips, he pulled away. Anything more would come later.

I stood, still holding his hand and squeezing his fingers as he rose.

“I’ll call Vik and see what he can figure out.”

Elias nodded once. “I’ll start with Ozias. Time to give him a taste of his own medicine and see if we get some answers.”

“Make it hurt, Eli.” I held his gaze as his pupils dilated, and that attraction that lived as if it were a sentient being called out.

“The two of you can eye fuck later. We have work to do.”

Twenty-Six

Elias

“I fucking hate you,” I muttered to myself and gripped my hair. “Where did you hide, Calista? Where did you fucking go?”

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