Page 79 of Forgotten Vows

"You need antibiotics," I say. "And probably a blood transfusion."

"I'll live." He looks at me, and there's something in his expression that makes my chest tighten. "You remember that summer when we were kids? When you told me about her?"

I remember. We were both barely eighteen, and I'd just met Adriana for the first time. She was sixteen and the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, off-limits because of her father and for at least two years because of her age. I'd told Declan about her because I had to tell someone or I was going to explode.

"I remember," I say.

"You said you were going to marry her someday." He laughs, but it's a weak sound. "I told you that you were crazy. That her father would never allow it. That you were just a kid with a crush."

"You were right."

"No, I wasn't." He reaches out and grabs my arm, his grip surprisingly strong. "You did marry her. You went back for her. You kept your promise."

I look away. "I don't know if she sees it that way."

"She will." His grip tightens. "Just don't fuck it up."

My phone rings. The sound cuts through the moment like a knife, and I pull it out of my pocket, already thinking I know who it is before I see the name on the screen.

Gio.

I answer, bringing the phone to my ear. "You're a dead man."

"Am I?" His voice is amused, like we're old friends catching up. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're the one who's fucked, Gallagher. You came all the way to New York to kill me, and I'm not even there. Must be embarrassing."

"Where the fuck are you?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" He pauses, and I can hear the smile in his voice. "But I found something of yours. Or should I say, someone."

My blood turns to ice. Every muscle in my body goes rigid, and I can feel Declan watching me. "What are you talking about?"

"Your wife, Lachlan. And your son. They're with me now." He lets that sink in for a moment. "And if you ever want to see them again, you're going to do exactly what I tell you."

The world tilts. I grip the phone so hard I'm surprised it doesn't shatter in my hand. "If you touch her?—"

"You'll what? Kill me? You can't even find me." He laughs, and the sound makes me want to rip his throat out with my bare hands. "Here's what's going to happen. You're going to come back to Chicago. You're going to wait for my call. And when I'm ready, I'll tell you where to meet me. You come alone, unarmed, and maybe I'll let them live. Although I'm sure you can imagine how pleasant I'll make life for your beautiful bride. But if you try anything, if you bring your men, if you so much as think about double-crossing me, I'll put a bullet in your wife's head and make your son watch. Do you understand me?"

I can't breathe. All I can see is Adriana's face when she smiled at me. The way Matteo laughed when we were out exploring the city. "I understand," I say, and my voice is flat. Like hell am I going to go in there alone. But he doesn't need to know that.

"Good. I'll be in touch." He hangs up.

I stand there for a moment, staring at the phone in my hand. Then I turn and put my fist through the wall.

The pain barely registers. All I can feel is rage, white-hot and consuming, mixed with terror so profound it makes me want to vomit. Someone betrayed me. Someone told Gio I was coming. Someone gave him the opportunity to take Adriana and Matteo while I was here, chasing ghosts, while Declan was being betrayed, too.

And I'm going to find out who.

"Boss." Rian's voice cuts through the haze of fury. He's standing inthe doorway, his expression grim. "We need to move. Declan needs medical attention."

"No hospitals," Declan says again, but his voice is weaker now.

"I know." I holster my gun and move to his side, helping him to his feet. "We're going back to Chicago. I've got a doctor there who won't ask questions."

"What about Gio?" Jack asks.

"He's gone. And he has Adriana and Matteo. We're going back. And we're going to find out who the fuck sold us out."

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