Page 97 of Silent Ties

The voices talk on the other side, a conversation of some sort.

“She’s. . . she’s not. . .”

“Where the fuck are you?”

I can almost feel them startle back from the phone.

“Is the baby?” My feet begin to move.

“We don’t. . . just. . . she needs. . .”

“Marissa’s not gonna help her,” one of the voices quickly says. “Please just do something.”

The line drops dead.

Untethered. That’s what I am. It’s why my feet work on their own accord and it’s not until I’m standing in the perfectly organized closet before I pause.

My hand slaps a button, a drawer pulling out. Max keeps a collection of guns. I doubt it’s the only stash in the house but it’ll do.

Or will it?

Make a fucking bomb if you have to.The words taste bitter, but Nancy’s advice has never rung truer.

I should’ve asked the girls when it happened. How long has Daisy been hurt? If they’re at Marissa’s bar, it’s hard enough for the girls to get a phone to call. I’m lucky she had my number saved.

I argue with myself.

Call Max.

No.

The cold seeps away at the heat prickling my skin until it’s completely gone. I thought rage was always hot, but this is something entirely else.

This has nothing to do with the Zimins.

It’s no longer about a spat between the different criminal factions.

It’s me and Marissa. And I swear to God it only ends one way.

Once again it’s Nancy Mulligan’s voice in my head.Be smart, be cool.

As much as I’m ready to put a bullet in Marissa’s head, I’m currently standing in the closet of a penthouse in Manhattan.

First thing’s first I need to get to Daisy.

Cozy clothes get switched out for jeans. Slippers forclosed-toed shoes. It’s early autumn so I won’t look too out of place in a black trench coat.

I pick my gun of choice, then another, and conceal both.

“I’ll be back,” I lie to Jane.

Sergei meets me outside, catching me heading to the lobby thanks to the cameras.

“The car ma’am?” he asks.

“No, I’m going to walk. You stay here.”

He falls into step with me.

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