Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Henry
I leaned against the doorframe of the bathroom, watching Ariana drag her fingers through a bowl of mud. The earthy smell filled the room as she smeared another streak across her cheek, studying her reflection with intense concentration.
I thought it was excruciating to watch her do this earlier in preparation to take the photos to send to this bastard.
Now it felt unbearable.
Because this wasn’t just a shot in the dark.
This was real.
In a matter of minutes, I’d watch Ariana leave this house in the hopes of leading me to my daughter.
I wanted to fucking vomit.
It felt like someone had reached into my chest and ripped out my heart, putting it on full display while it was still beating.
“What do you think?” Ariana asked, meeting my eyes in the mirror. “Is it close enough to the photo?” She glanced at the phone in front of her, the image we’d sent earlier blown up.
I didn’t want to look at it. I hated seeing her like this. But I needed to get my shit together. I couldn’t let my fear control me. Not with Ariana’s life at stake.
“I doubt this guy will spend time over-analyzing the streaks of dirt on your skin.”
“I know. I just…” She blew out a long breath, spinning around on the stool. “We only have one shot at this.”
I swallowed hard at the reminder. Not because I was worried about Sarah. But because of what might happen to Ariana if this guy learned it was a trap. Maybe he already knew. Maybe that was why he responded to Victor’s encrypted message. Maybe he knew he was dead and was just playing us.
But there were no other options. We had no leads except for this one. We had to do this. At least she’d have a tracker. No matter what, I’d find her. I’d protect her. I’d keep her safe.
Erasing the distance between us, I curved toward her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “It looks perfect.” I lingered there for a moment, breathing her in until Blake’s voice cut through.
“Sorry to interrupt, but it’s time.”
I reluctantly stepped back, doing my best to stay strong for Ariana’s sake. After all, she was the one putting her goddamn life at risk.
“Have you checked the tracker?” I asked Blake.
He showed me his cell phone, a red dot blinking in the precise location we were standing. “The signal is strong.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way.”
“It will.”
Ariana lifted her hand toward the spot where we’d hidden the tracker behind her ear. We decided it was the safest place, since her hair would cover up the incision we had to make in order to insert the tiny chip under her skin. I just prayed it was enough.
“Are you sure about this?” I asked Ariana one last time, squeezing her biceps. “It’s okay if you’ve changed your mind. You don’t—”
“I’m sure.” Her tone was unwavering. “I’m doing this.”
I stared into her brilliant blue eyes for what felt like an eternity. I didn’t want to let her go. Wished I could come up with some other plan that didn’t involve using her. But we didn’t have one. Right now, Ariana was our only hope.
“Henry,” Blake said, clearing his throat. “There isn’t much time.”
“Of course.” I dropped my hold on Ariana and touched a hand to her lower back, guiding her down the stairs and into the living room where Mikhail and Tattoo were already waiting for us.
While making plans for tonight, Blake suggested I ask Mikhail for yet another favor.
I was hesitant at first, but he reminded me Victor’s buyer was most likely expecting to see a Bratva soldier do the drop.
If I showed up, it could raise suspicion.
So I grudgingly called Mikhail. Much to my surprise, he was more than willing to assist in the drop.
“Ms. Summers,” Mikhail greeted Ariana as we approached. “I’d like to offer my sincerest apologies for the role my uncle played in…all of this.”
“I appreciate that. But I’d rather you apologize for what you did to Henry.”
“Ariana,” I ground out under my breath.
Mikhail simply chuckled. “While I’m not usually one to give in to such demands, I’ll make an exception for you. I’m sorry for what I did to Henry.”
She held her head high. “Apology accepted.”
Mikhail looked from Ariana toward me, a look of almost disbelief on his face. “And I thought you had some serious balls.”
“She’s a tough one,” I replied proudly.
He gestured at Tattoo, who handed him a small container. “Shall I do the honors?” He removed a syringe.
“Honors?” I furrowed my brow.
“She needs to be unconscious.”
I blinked repeatedly. I knew this. It just hadn’t sunk in until this moment.
“Right. Of course.” I took the syringe from Mikhail and just stared at it for several protracted seconds.
During my lifetime, I’d handled my fair share of weapons.
But this syringe felt heavier than any weapon I’d ever held.
Approaching Ariana, I linked my fingers with hers and led her toward the couch, sitting beside her.
“I’ll come for you,” I whispered through the tightness in my throat, my eyes glued to hers for fear this might be the last time I’d ever peer into them.
She forced a shaky smile, pressing her hand to my cheek. “I know you will, my King of Shadows.”
“My Queen of the Underworld.” I covered her hand with mine, resting my forehead against hers. “I love you.”
She closed her eyes. “And I love you. I’ll see you soon.”
I pulled my lips between my teeth, my muscles tensing. Then I brought the syringe up to her bicep and carefully injected the drugs into her. It took a few seconds, but she eventually went slack in my embrace.
Tattoo stepped toward us to pick her up, but I shook him off.
“I’ll do it,” I all but growled, and he held his hands up in surrender.
Standing, I gently arranged Ariana in my arms and carried her toward the garage, the sight of her like this cracking me open. It wasn’t the first time I’d carried her unconscious body. I’d done the same thing when I first rescued her.
But this was different. I wasn’t carrying her to safety.
I was carrying her to a fucking van so she could be delivered into the hands of the devil himself.
The back door of the van was already open when I stepped into the garage, and I carefully placed her body on the blankets, pushing her hair out of her face to admire her one last time.
No. Not one last time. I couldn’t think this way. I’d see her again. I had to see her again.
When I turned, Mikhail stood behind me, holding a pair of zipties.
“I assume you want to do it?”
I nodded, snatching the ties from him. Blake handed me the rag we’d used earlier, and I slipped back into the van.
I thought binding and gagging her earlier today was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do. But this was so much worse.
Even though we’d discussed this so she knew what to expect once she woke up, I hated doing this while she was unconscious. Earlier today, her consent was the only thing that helped me get through it. Her raw determination. Her strength.
But right now, I needed to be strong for both of us.
Once I’d secured the ziptie to her wrists and the rag over her mouth, I stepped back, my gaze lingering on her for one more moment.
Then I closed the door.
“All set?” Tattoo asked in his thick Russian accent.
“All set,” I replied, albeit reluctantly.
He started toward the driver’s side door, but I stepped in front of him.
“If anything happens to her between now and the time you do the drop, I will fucking gut you. Do you understand? I will string you up and make you beg for me to put you out of your misery. Is that clear?”
His muscles tensed, and he reached for his pocket. But before he had a chance to pull his gun on me, Mikhail stepped between us.
“You have my word. We’ll make sure she arrives at the drop point unscathed. After that…” He tilted his head back, pointing toward the ceiling. “He’s in charge.”
He probably said it to make me feel better. So I’d put my faith in a higher power.
It didn’t.
Because once that van drove off into the night, Ariana would be beyond my reach.
And for the first time since I’d rescued her, protecting her would depend on someone other than me.