Queen of Hearts (Wonderland 2)

Bryant raises a black eyebrow, and I see in his dark gaze a phantom of Lyriope’s own seriousness. “Forty-eight hours. That’s all my patience can stand. Don’t push on this, Nick. You won’t like the outcome.”

“I don’t do well with threats, Bryant. You should know this by now.”

I can feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I’m choosing to ignore it, but I also notice that the men at the table who are now getting up to leave are also picking up their phones and looking at them. I notice Harrison is reading his phone and frowning. Martha rushes into the room and whispers something into Harrison’s ear as he raises his eyes to meet mine. I see all I need to see.

Something is wrong. Something is seriously wrong.

“What the fuck is this?” Bryant booms as he holds up his phone to me as if I can read what’s on the screen.

I’ve yet to look at my phone, but Harrison rushes by my side and whispers in my ear, “Lyriope was taken from El Boro. The Sidorovs walked in and kidnapped her. They’ve just sent out the texts to all parties that have shown interest in her that there will be an auction tomorrow night for her, highest bidder wins.”

“You better start explaining,” Bryant shouts. “What the fuck is going on?”

“How the hell should I know?” I answer, feeling my head spin as I swallow back the bile in the back of my throat. “Those fuckers entered my property… motherfuckers…”

My ears are ringing as I look at my phone so I can actually read the words sent out by the Sidorovs myself. I see missed calls from Cora and 911 texts as well.

“Cora?” I ask Harrison, ignoring how the Morellis are glaring at me for answers.

“Calling her now,” Harrison says as he moves to a far corner of the room to give himself some privacy.

Lucian is on the phone with someone, and Bryant is staring at me. “This won’t be forgotten, asshole. When we get Lyriope back, which we will do, you are to stay the fuck away from her. I don’t ever want to see your face again. Are we clear on that?”

I can’t focus on anything until I see Harrison nod at me and give me the thumbs-up as he speaks into the phone. Cora is okay… Jesus fuck… I need to hear that to be able to take my next breath.

“We’re leaving now,” Bryant says as his son follows. He looks over his shoulder at me. “I mean what I say. I’m done playing nice. We aren’t in Wonderland anymore. You are in my world. Mine.”