Page 91 of Gilded Shackles

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"Boss." His voice is thin. Shaking around the words like paper in wind. "Boss, it's Elle. She's been taken."

The floor drops away.

For a beat, I hear nothing but the slow, obscene thump ofmy own heart. Then the world comes back with sharp edges.

"What the hell do you mean she's been taken?"

"I was waiting by the car. Igor and Vlad were with them inside. There were gunshots. Igor's dead. Vlad's hurt bad. The girls are gone."

"Girls?"

"Elle and Natalia."

The air between my ribs goes thin, like someone's pulling a wire tighter and tighter and I'm about to snap. I drop onto the bench, my body shaking with grief and rage.

Natalia was with her. Fuck. This is on me. I should have kicked her out when Viktor told me to.

"Who took them?" I hiss.

"We don't know."

"Get our men on it. Secure the area. Hack every CCTV in the periphery. We need to find Elle. Now."

I hang up and force myself to stand. My head is a wreck. I need to call Viktor. I need someone who thinks straight when I can't. I need to get in my car and drive to the scene.

I grab the spare gun from the foyer cabinet, feet hitting gravel as I slide into the car.

I'm about to call Viktor when my phone rings again.

Every hair on my body stands up. I answer because my gut already knows who it is.

"Hello, son-in-law. I'd wager you've heard."

Gayle.

That cold, cunning snake.

"Where is she?" I snarl.

"Such dramatics. Elle is perfectly fine and back at my place. For now."

My teeth grind so hard the pain shoots straight to my skull. "Put her on."

"All in good time. First, we discuss terms."

"You're using your daughter as a bargaining chip?" My voice is ice.

"She's the most precious thing in the world to me." I can hear her smile through the phone.

"Name it." Even though I'd rather rip her throat out through the receiver.

"Ten million. Cash. Twenty-four hours."

"You're delusional."

"Then your pretty wife becomes someone else's problem. I have buyers who'd pay double."

The steering wheel creaks under my grip. "Touch her and there won't be a hole deep enough."

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