Page 4 of Seeking Vengeance

I do, however, recognize his vibe. The ruffled dark-blond hair and perfectly smooth skin do nothing to assuage the distinct edge of malice I’ve been surrounded by since birth.

“Sit,” he growls.

Shit. Shit.Shit.

“I’m confused. Are you a member of staff?” I raise a brow, feigning ignorance. “Did I not leave a big enough tip?”

He steps closer, his upper lip curling as he leans threateningly close. “Sit before you make your intentions more obvious, and tell me exactly what you have planned.”

2

Layla

Two years ago

I pacethe carpet of the Sacramento hotel penthouse, every limb trembling, every thought brittle and panicked.

They took my daughter.

Abducted my baby girl as she slept.

Right from my brother’s home.

I can’t stop shaking, can’t cease the bile-inducing mania that hisses through my mind on a loop of building desperation.

The things they could be doing to her… The things they could’ve already done.

I fight against the bile clogging my throat and shove my hands through my hair, tug, tug, tugging, wishing the burn of the pulled strands could distract from the madness. It only adds to my onslaught.

“It’s going to be okay.” My sister, Keira, approaches with caution. “They’re following the kids. Nobody will let them out of their sight.”

They—my husband, Benji, his brother, Luca, our enforcer, Hunter, and his woman, Sarah. Then there’s the Fed, Anissa, who seems to have worked her way under my brother’s skin to steal a heart I never knew existed.

“Is that meant to make me feel better?” I glare. “Have you spared a thought as to what could’ve already been done to them? They were sedated, Keira. Their babysitter murdered.”

My baby girl and my half brother, Tobias, who I’ve only just met.

Keira winces, stopping a few feet away as if scared to get within striking distance. “Maybe a sedative will help—”

“Fuck you and your sedatives.”

They forced enough of those pills down my throat yesterday, giving me no choice but to sleep through my daughter’s suffering. But I won’t take any more, not even when the allure of escaping this nightmare calls my name.

“They’ve found Cole.”

My head snaps to Decker on the sofa, my sister’s partner raising his cell in front of him.

“Where?” I ask. “Are they still following the children?”

I rush toward him and snatch the phone.

Found Cole. We’re out of town. Will keep you posted.

“Out of town where?” My hands ache from trembling. “I want to go. We should follow.”

“I know as much as you do.” Decker grabs the cell from me and slumps back into the sofa. “We’re not going anywhere. Just try to relax and let them handle this.”

Relax?

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