Ruthless Heart

LILY

I’m in trouble.

I swallow hard, watching the dark city blur past outside the windows. My heart is beating rapidly with nerves, and all I can do is wonder, is it all over for me?

What does Chase know?

He’s a dangerous guy, I know that. He has to be in order to be Nero’s right-hand man. I’m terrified of what’s coming now, but I can’t let it show. A man like this gets off on instilling fear. And probably inflicting pain.

Yep, real trouble.

I run through my limited options in my head. I have my cell phone, but what good does that do me? There’s no one to call for help. For all I know, Nero has arranged this whole trip.

But why?

Does Nero know that I’ve been talking to the FBI? I feel a fresh shiver of fear. I haven’t said anything to them, but that doesn’t matter. If he knew that I was even meeting with Agent Greggs, he’d assume the worst.

“Where are we going?” I ask, making myself relax back into the seat so that I appear unconcerned. I subtly unclick my seatbelt just in case I somehow get an opportunity to run when the car stops. It’s not likely, but a girl can dream. “If you wanted to chat, we could have just done it at Nero’s place, you know. No need for the dramatics.”

“Quiet,” he snaps, with a scowl in the rearview mirror. “You’ll know soon enough.”

He takes a sharp turn, and I have to hang on. I look outside, my fear growing. We’ve left the buzz of the city behind, and we’re bumping along an unpaved track by the river, with run-down warehouses all around. There’s nobody around here; the place is deserted.

Nobody to hear a scream. Or a gunshot.

Or worse.

Chase pulls into the parking lot of one of the warehouses. We’re the only car here, and the single light coming from above the rusty metal door of the building falls across the lot, giving everything an eerie yellow glow now that it’s fully dark out.

He circles around and opens my door. “Get out.”

I hesitate. I could try to run, but Chase is fit and maybe even armed. I wouldn’t get far, especially not in these heels…

Listing the reasons that I couldn’t get away to myself isn’t doing me any good, so I get out, and follow him inside the warehouse, as he looks warily around, making sure nobody’s in sight.

Inside, the space is empty, with a few shipping containers stacked at one end. There’s a couple of bare industrial lights shining brightly on the stained concrete floors – stained with what, I don’t want to know.

I flinch at the sound of the door rattling shut behind us. Now I can’t keep back the terror that’s blooming, icy in my chest.

But I have to. I have to stay calm enough to figure this out.

So, taking a deep breath, I cross my arms in front of my chest and glare at him.

“Ready to talk?” I ask, proud of myself when I manage to sound bored and annoyed instead of terrified. “I have to say, your choice of a rendezvous spot leads something to be desired. I’m guessing there won’t be snacks.”

“Drop the attitude, Princess,” Chase scowls, stepping way too close to me. “This isn’t a fucking tea party.” He looms over me, broad muscle but with none of Nero’s natural grace. Chase is a blunt object, and the look in his eyes is burning resentment.

I force myself to stand tall. “Clearly,” I reply. “So why don’t you get to the point and save us both this delightful small talk.”

His eyes narrow, and I feel another shot of fear. Maybe I shouldn’t be baiting him.

“I’m on to you.” Chase says with a dangerous grin, and my stomach drops.

Fuck!

I panic. He knows about the Feds, about my secret meetings. It’s over. In a second, my life flashes before my eyes, all the dreams I’ll never get to see come true, and Teddy—

Teddy!