30
Nathaniel
WhenIwasmakingplans for the extra guns we needed to fly to Italy, and getting things in motion to secure The Omen Mansion with Donovan and Hazel, my son informed me that Oren had taken off to Italy on an impromptu suicide mission.
Someone who had been hired by the Riccis to watch after Malia had come to give us her location. We were already en route to Lion’s hangar when Donovan let me in on the idiot’s plan to save Malia on his own. I had not shared this bit of information with Liam, not wanting him distracted by concern for his friend. Liam might feel betrayed by Oren, more than anyone else I had planted in his life, but Oren is important to him nonetheless.
I reach out and lower the weapon Liam is pointing at Oren, intent and betrayal in his eyes. I imagine when he saw him, his mind likely went straight to deception. When Liam turns to glare at me I shake my head, silently telling him it is not what he thinks it is.
He releases a slow deep breath, then we stand when the two men reach us.
“Where is she?” Liam hisses, then jerks his head at the stranger. “The fuck is that?”
The newcomer looks between us, finally settling on Liam, assuming he is the bigger threat of the two of us. Bushes rustle to our left and all four of us draw our weapons when a woman with dark skin and long red hair steps out onto the cobblestone.
She takes in our weapons and raises an eyebrow at the man we have yet to be introduced to. He is the first to lower his gun and I cannot help but wonder if Oren might have trusted this man’s word too easily. Which is unlike him and shows just how desperate Oren is for Malia’s return.
I keep my gun trained, letting the scene unfold before acting and giving away the element of surprise I hope we still have. Malia’s life depends on it.
“It’s alright,” the unknown man says in a hushed tone, thickened by a heavy English accent. “Lower your weapons.”
None of us moves to do as directed and we hold our positions.
“My name is Griffin Williams,” the man says. “This is Tyjae Carter, my partner. She has been working the closest to Malia since she’s been here.”
The three of us share a look and slowly lower our weapons.
“Elio will throw her in the cell once he knows you’re here,” she says. “Turn right when you get through the doors. Follow the hall; there’s a secret room behind the bookshelf. Pull The Holy Bible and it will unlock the latch.”
Oren, Liam, and I turn to start moving closer to the house.
“Wait, Omen,” the woman called Tyjae hisses.
Liam and Oren do not stop, their focus on getting to Malia. I round on her and pin her with a glare for keeping me from my baby girl.
“I’ll follow and cover them,” Griffin says. “Make sure they get to her. I had a key made anyway, in case we needed it someday.”
Tyjae nods and the man takes off in the direction the boys had taken.
“My daughter needs me,” I growl. “You have ten seconds to tell me why you are further keeping me from her.”
Tyjae shakes her head and her mouth turns down into a frown.
“There’s something you should know before you see her,” she says, and my monster stands at attention as sadness fills Tyjae’s brown eyes.
“Go on then,” I say impatiently.
Tyjae takes in a deep breath and releases it in a whoosh. “Malia was beaten pretty bad by Elio.”
It takes everything in me not to go barreling through the front door, but something about Tyjae’s hesitation makes me take pause.
“She lost her memories,” she rasps. “Griffin and I tried to help her escape and it backfired. She almost got away, but Elio shot her.”
“I need to see her.”
I turn to move in the direction that leads me to my daughter and a small hand wraps firmly around my arm.
“That’s not the worst part, Omen,” Tyjae rushes out.