2. Antonio

Iget a message from Lucas as the boat pulls ashore some distance from where the explosion happened. Your phone has been populated from the backup. Safe to use.

Anything on Cristiano?

Nothing.

I scroll through my contacts, and press Send when I get to the bastard’s name. “You fucking sonofabitch,” I shout into the phone.

“I told you I’d send your traitor on a silver platter. It’s a figure of speech, not to be taken literally.” Fedorov clucks. “I thought you were smarter than that.”

“Do you realize how many people might have died because of your little stunt?”

“The timing was unfortunate, but I assure you the tardy messenger has been dealt with decisively. I understand no one died.”

“Where’s Cristiano?”

“Nikitin has him.”

The oligarch. Fuck.

“Alvarez is the traitor?” I spit out, failing to keep my fury in check. The bastard had access to my wife.

“He is.” Fedorov sighs deeply. “Always a punch to the gut when it’s someone close.”

Alvarez wouldn’t be the worst punch to the gut. “Is Cristiano involved in any way?”

“Doubtful.” He pauses. “Although I can’t say for certain.”

Fedorov’s playing me. He wants to plant a kernel of doubt about Cristiano. Or maybe he’s telling the truth. I push the thought away, but an uneasiness lingers.

“You’re going to help me get him back, or you will never see another shipment move through Porto. I’ll do everything in my power to destroy you.”

“Calm down,” he tuts, pissing me off even more than I already am.

“Don’t tell me to fucking calm down. Who set off the bomb?”

“Unclear.”

“What’s your best guess?”

He sighs. “My best guess is that Alvarez planted the bomb on Nikitin’s order. But if that’s accurate, there was some sort of hiccup.”

“What do you mean?”

“From what I’ve heard, neither you nor your wife were on the boat when it exploded. It seems like a lot of trouble to kill a couple of kids and your crew. Other than embarrassing you, it would serve little purpose. Unless…” His voice drifts off.

“Unless, what?”

“Unless the girl was the target.”

My blood runs cold. He knows something about Valentina. Although, with Tomas dead, why is Valentina an issue? Doesn’t make sense. I keep quiet and let him talk.

“Her father’s powerful. He has more enemies than both of us combined.”

He’s not talking about Valentina.He’s talking about Alexis.

“That’s far-fetched.”

“I suppose.”

“I want Cristiano.”

“I’m prepared to help return him to you, but I want one thing in exchange.”

“What?”

“I want to have dinner with your lovely bride.”

I want to have dinner with your lovely bride? He can’t possibly have just said that.

“I’m getting off a boat. I missed the last thing you said.”

“I want to have dinner with your lovely bride.”

My blood begins to boil. Not a slow simmer. It’s bubbling vigorously, about to spill over. “No,” I growl. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“That’s my price. Nonnegotiable.”

“You’ll need to come up with something else, because I was deadly serious about destroying you.”

“There’s nothing I want more than to meet the woman who’s cast a spell on the king of a Port empire. You rule the region with an iron fist. Yet you’ve let this young thing under your skin—maybe even into your dark heart. Unwise, but entirely human, I might add. Nevertheless, I want to experience her magic firsthand.”

“You fucking...”

“Not like that. Don’t be a jackass. I want to have dinner with her. Just dinner. You can be there, of course. Maybe I’ll even include Raisa, if that makes your princesa more comfortable.”

“I’m done.” He’s lucky I can’t get my hands on him right now, because the only people he’d be having dinner with are his ancestors.

“Think carefully before you hang up in a jealous rage.” His tone has changed from doddering fool to sober Pakhan, on a dime. “You’re asking for an enormous favor. You want me to betray my countrymen, perhaps even my president. There’s no telling from how far up the order to abduct Cristiano came. I’m just asking for a couple of hours with some good food and better vodka.”

And my wife. That’s a deal breaker.

I don’t respond. Fedorov might be an asshole, but he’s right about one thing: I’m asking for a huge favor.

There’s got to be another way to get Cristiano out of there.

“Think about my proposal, but don’t take too long. There’s no telling the circumstances under which your friend is being held.”

I end the call without pleasantries and stride up the ramp to Daniela. When I make the final turn, she lunges toward me, but Thiago grabs her elbow and says something. She nods, and he releases her. His orders were to keep Daniela exactly where she was until I arrived, and to protect her with his life, if necessary. I also instructed him to shoot Alvarez if he got anywhere near her.

When I’m a few feet away, Daniela leaps into my arms. I am so goddamn grateful that I didn’t have to give her bad news.

I hold her against my body and extend my hand to my driver. I’ve always prized loyalty, but after today, I have an even greater appreciation for it.

Thiago and several guards flank us, but they turn their backs to give us a private moment.

“You’re hurt,” Daniela murmurs, her brow furrowed as she examines my shoulder. “Your shirt’s charred. That looks like a terrible burn.”

The explosion occurred just as we surfaced, and I was hit by some smoldering debris. At the time, I was so hopped up on adrenaline that I didn’t even feel it. Now my wet shirt’s stuck to the lesion and it’s burning like a sonofabitch.

“It’s nothing. Just a few scratches.” I hear the helicopter landing on the pier. I’ll breathe easier once she’s on it, and we’re in the air.

“You need to see a doctor. Do the girls need to be checked? Are you sure they’re okay?”

I want to taste her, but if I do, I’ll only want more, and there’s no damn time for more. “I’m sure.”

She sinks her teeth into her plump lip.

Fuck it.I slide my fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck and take her mouth roughly. The kiss is quick and demanding—and nowhere near enough.

“They’ll see a doctor,” I assure her, through a ragged breath. “It’s already been arranged. But we need to get to the pier. The helicopter is waiting to take us back.”

Daniela cradles my jaw in her hands. “Thank you for staying with her. For keeping her safe.” Her eyes are glazed with unshed tears. “And for coming back to me in one piece.”

I bring her fingers to my mouth. “I’ll always keep her safe. And I’ll always come back to you, Princesa. I’ll find you wherever you are. Never doubt it.”

I hold her against my side as we climb the short distance to the pier. She’s soft and warm against my damp skin. She’s also strong. It must have been hell for her as she waited for news. I would have done anything to spare her that heartache. She’s had enough tragedy and upheaval in her life. She deserves peace. I need to find a way to give it to her.

I would have done anything for Cristiano. Maybe I still would. But I won’t take a risk with Daniela. I’m not letting Fedorov anywhere near her. I don’t trust him.

There has to be something else he wants.