I chose Rose because she seems to be in the most danger, and we have the best lead to get her back. I have no idea if I chose correctly or not. If I chose wrong, and we lose one of them because of me, then I’ll never forgive myself.
I’ve never been so terrified in my life, but I refuse to let Liesel know that. She’s been through enough. My job as her husband is to protect her the best I can. So that’s what I’m going to do—protect her and our kids at all costs.
I pull into the driveway of the old house that Enzo and Kai are keeping Phoenix. I don’t speak to Liesel as I climb out. She manages to get out of the car before I run around to her. I take her hand—the one that now has a real ring on it. A ring I thought could be the key to her starting to admit her true feelings for me. How stupid I was to think that giving her a ring would change anything, especially in a time like this.
I hold her hand all the same, and we race inside. I don’t knock; I just open the door, taking no notice of the color of the house, the decorations. Nothing but finding Enzo and Kai. Nothing but finding Phoenix. Nothing but finding my daughter.
She may not be my blood, but she’s mine nonetheless.
Enzo and Kai greet us as we rush through the house.
“Phoenix is in the basement. We haven’t gotten anything out of her yet, but being tortured by someone you know is always more effective than a stranger,” Enzo says.
I nod, agreeing.
My eyes cut to Liesel. She’s been through enough. I take both of her hands in mine as I face her. “Talk to Kai, get all the information she has. Drink some tea to settle your stomach, maybe eat something. I’ll get the information we need to find Rose.”
“I should talk to Phoenix.”
I shake my head. “You’re the huntress. You will hunt to the ends of the earth to find Rose.”
She nods, realizing what I’m saying. The whites of her eyes grow wide around her dark orbs. “You’re the killer.”
And I’ll kill Phoenix or anyone else who threatens my children.
Kai walks over and takes Liesel by her hand, leading her over to a small two-seat dining room table. I know Kai will take care of Liesel while I do what has to be done.
“Take me to the basement,” I say to Enzo.
He nods and heads to a door down the hallway. He opens it for me with focused attention. “Do you want me to go down with you?”
“No.”
I take the stairs two at a time. We have no time to waste. This woman knows where Rose is. She might know where Atlas and Declan are.
I hit the bottom step and then flick on the lights. Knowing what I’d see didn’t stop my heart from skipping a beat. Phoenix is beaten, bloodied, and crumpled on the floor with her wrists tied together. My jaw ticks in anger, and my body shakes.
I was once married to this woman—or fake married, whatever.
I thought she was the mother of my child. She acted like a great mother and stepmother. At least, that’s what I thought.
My concern quickly turns to rage at this woman.
She looks up, her eyes squinting because of the abrupt change from dark to light. She may think I’m the light about to come to save her, but she’d be very wrong.
I grab her by the back of her neck, yanking her hair and forcing her onto her feet.
Phoenix stares at her feet rather than look at me.
I tilt my head, trying to force her eyes on me with just my glare.
“Look at me, Phoenix.” My voice is low and sure. I won’t be leaving this basement without answers. Phoenix is the one who will decide if she lives or leaves this basement in pieces.
She still doesn’t lift her head to look at me, so I do it for her.
She groans, but I finally get to look her in the eyes. I want nothing but the truth from her, and the only way I can ensure that is if I look her in the eyes.
“Where is Rose?” I ask calmly. How am I calm? I have no idea. I just know I should start calm and collected. Then, if she doesn’t answer, I can turn wild.