“Of course I care! I didn’t mean for her to . . .” she sucked in a breath.
Enough.
No matter what she said to him, he wouldn’t believe her.
She’d never suspected that the other woman would go looking for her.
Oh Lord.
What had she done?
“Were you hoping that she’d pay your debt for you? That the Iron Shadows would turn their attention on Eden? Were you aware that Bartolli would then become fixated on her?”
“What?”
She sat up. Or she tried to. Fiery pain shot through her as the ropes slammed her back against the bed. She tried to breathe through the agony, but it was nearly impossible.
“We think someone who works for him overheard her asking about you. He likely thinks she can lead him to you and this envelope.”
“She’s in danger? Because of me?”
Oh God. Oh God. She just couldn’t.
“I have to . . . I have to leave. I need to . . . find Bartolli . . . the images, he wants the images? And the money . . . I don’t have all the money. I don’t know where it is.”
She was aware that tears were streaming down her face, clouding her vision. Panic was making it hard for her to think. What should she do?
“Interesting.”
Interesting? What was interesting? How could that be his reaction?
“What is wrong with you?” she asked.
“Lots of things, I’m sure. I find it interesting that you are having such a strong reaction. Almost as though you care about Eden.”
Of course she fucking did. She bit her lip until she tasted blood. The pain managed to get through the cloud of fear and worry.
“Can you take me to Bartolli?” she asked.
“I could.”
“Good. I need to do that before he finds Eden.”
“He won’t find Eden. Do you really think her brothers and Zeke are going to allow her to be in danger?” His voice was filled with scorn.
Right. One of her brothers owned a private security company. But Bartolli . . .
“He could still find her. Bartolli could. She won’t be safe unless I go back. With those images.”
“And the money?”
“I’ll tell him Carl has the rest of it.”
“No honor among thieves, huh?”
“I’m not—” she bit her lip before she said anything more. Because the fact was, she was a thief.
Zander tapped the envelope against his thigh, still watching her.