I flip through the pictures again, paying more attention to her facial expression instead of the people and places surrounding her. I notice that even ones she smiles in, it never reaches her eyes. In some of them, I can see more than sadness… fear. She was scared of something, even before she was kidnapped. Is it possible someone was watching her before? How long has Timothy been planning this?
So many fucking questions. I still don’t understand how Timothy got caught up with these men. He wasn’t involved in anything criminal when I was with Victoria.
In fact, it was the opposite. He hated that I was in the mob. He pushed her to break up with me and find someone else.
A good guy like himself.
Apparently, her death changed not only my soul but his as well.
My phone buzzing in my pocket pulls me out of my dreadful thoughts. I grab it, expecting to find another update from Felix. Julie has been doing well, considering everything. She’s been eating and started talking a few days ago. I knew Felix would take good care of her; he’s always been more caring than me.
Checking the phone, I’m surprised to see a text from Lucca.
Even more surprising is what it says: I’m sorry. I had to.
What the hell is he talking about?
I’m about to text him back when my phone rings in my hand. This time, it is Felix calling. I push the green answer button and lift the device to my ear.
“Hey, any news?”
“Yes, I got a solid lead on Timothy.” Felix gets straight to the point.
I sit up straighter. “Spit it out.”
“Looks like he is in France, close to where the sister used to live. They never left the area. He is holding her there.”
“Fuck, I figured they would have moved her by now. They could have been anywhere in Europe. Why stay?”
“I was wondering the same. Are you going to send someone to get her?”
I almost laugh. “No, I’m going by myself.”
“You sure about this? Those men he is working with are hired guns but well trained. I’ve got a bunch of intel on them, and it’s not good. You definitely shouldn’t go in alone.”
“I’ll figure something out. You have a location?”
“Yes, I’ll email you everything I have. I would offer to come with you, but…” I already know what he’s going to say.
“You can’t leave Julie alone. I get it. Don’t worry, you’ve done enough. Thank you again.”
“No problem, I’m glad you called me for help.”
“Yeah, me too. Talk soon,” I end the call just as I feel Fallon’s presence enter the room. When I turn around, I find her standing at the entrance of the room.
“Was that Felix? How is Julie?”
“Yes, that was him, and she is doing better. Also, Felix found your sister.”
“What!” Fallon squeals while running toward me. “How? Where? When can we get her?” Questions shoot from her mouth like bullets from a machine gun.
“She is still in France, close to where she used to live with her boyfriend,” I explain. Fallon moves next to my chair, her hand landing on my shoulder like she is trying to hold me here, so I can’t get up and run off.
“She was there the whole time? So, wait, that means those guys lied. They said that they… they hurt her. If she was in France this whole time, then there is no way that’s true. I mean, unless they were there in Europe, but that’s unlikely, right?”
“Fallon, I don’t know. I want you to be prepared for the worst. Even if those guys didn’t hurt her, she has still been their prisoner for two months.”
Fallon takes in a sharp breath. “I know.” She nods, turning her head away to hide the pain etched into her features. Grabbing her wrist, I pull her down onto my lap and wrap my arms around her. The motion feels both foreign and natural. Two opposite emotions that shouldn’t go together, but somehow, they do.
I know she isn’t going to like what I say next, but I can’t risk her getting hurt. Her safety is my biggest priority, and I can’t focus on both her and her sister.
“I’m going to make some calls and get a plane to France. I’ll find her and deal with the rest.”
She pulls back from me, her eyes wide with shock. “What do you mean you? Wasn’t the plan all along for us to go together?”
“Fallon.” I sigh. How can I say this to her without her getting the wrong idea? Without her thinking deeper into things?
“Don’t Fallon me,” she growls, and it kind of reminds me of an angry kitten. “I’m going. She is my sister, and I want to be there when she is rescued. I didn’t come this far just to sit on the couch while you finish the job.”