Page 19 of Reckless Desires

“You’ve proven yourself as a leader, but if we don’t have money and power, then we have nothing. You let them kill more than half of our men, and they won’t help us push out the Russians.”

I can’t argue the truth. “We secured the docks in Providence. We have more territory now than when Reilly was in power. And now we have leverage.” I nod to the car. “That’s one of Tomasso Andretti’s daughters. The Andretti family ties with the Costellos are unbreakable. So you’re going back to Rhode Island while I stay here. Don’t speak a word of this to anyone. I’m going to wait until Cameron calls me. I know he will when they can’t find her.”

“Won’t it look suspicious to our men when you don’t return with me?”

“Tell them I’m working on something to really put us on the map.”

He huffs, hesitating, but has no choice but to agree. “You’re able to handle that one?” he nods to the car. “She can put up a fight. Thought I was going to have to come save you in the back seat.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll sedate her if needed.”

Walking over to the other side of the car, I open the door and yank her, letting her stumble out. Donal doesn’t wait to peel away once the passenger door shuts.

Chapter Twelve

Lily

“Welcome home,” Killian says, his tone mocking as he shoves open the door, dragging me into a house in the middle of nowhere.

“Where are we?” I ask, trying to get out of his grip, but he pushes me to the ground.

“Rostrevor.” He removes his jacket and tosses it somewhere.

I look up with rage. “Be more specific.”

He turns his focus on me, and I bring my knees to my chest as he looks down at me. “Somewhere far from Providence, Rhode Island.”

There’s something eerie in the calmness of his voice and demeanor.

“Are you going to untie me?” I snap.

“Are you going to put up a fight?” His cold stare sends a chill down my spine.

“Guess that’s a risk you’ll have to take.”

He bends down, feet solid on the floor, his forearms propped on his knees as he examines me. “Do you know who I am?”

Of course I do. He was at Selene’s wedding when she pointed out that he had helped Cameron save her. Stasia said he’d known Darius a long time, and she warned me that he came with strings attached, someone you want in your corner but keep at arm’s length. There was something about him that made me want to get under his skin. “Someone’s lackey. Who put you up to this?”

“Right.” He smiles, charming yet dangerous. “Your actions will determine how soon you’ll get to go home.”

“I’m not scared of you. I’m not stupid either. I’m here as leverage. If you kill me, you gain nothing.”

“Well then, I hope you’re worth the price I paid.”

Killian strides toward me, pulling out a pocketknife. Pulling me off the floor, he spins me around and frees my wrists that were bound together. However, I don’t feel any freer than before. The massive windows surrounding the main floor do nothing to ease the feeling of being trapped.

I feel him behind me, his mouth touching my ear as he whispers, “If you make things difficult for me, then I’m going to be sure your life is as miserable as possible. I will dismantle anything you find joy in, and at the end of it all, you’re going to be wishing for the cage I rescued you from. And if you really test my limits, Liliana, I’ll gut you and tear your limbs piece by piece to feed you to the pigs.”

Turning around, Killian’s eyes lock with mine. His stare is cold and lifeless. I could bolt right now. Thrust the palm of my hand upward into his nose, breaking it, and run. But if he is willing to untie me, it means he’s not scared. Which tells me there are only darker things out there.

“You’re going to be staying here,” Killian says, his deep voice a little unsettling as he leads the way to the kitchen. “The alarms are going to be engaged at all times. You won’t be able to come or go as you please, but you have access to all the rooms here.”

“You’re really doing this then. Kidnapping me. You’re going to screw up everything you have with the Costellos.”

“Do I look concerned?” He stops and stands there, effortlessly casual, with his hands in his pockets.

My stomach turns as I look up at him, my ears ringing. The thought of being trapped within the walls of his house has my skin crawling and my heart racing. I let out a slow breath and drag another one in, trying to keep the panic from setting in. This has to be better than living inside a cage… right?