"Get to the point," I press, my patience hanging by a thread.
It's been said that you shouldn't be on point or even involved in any kind of mission if a loved one or even an acquaintance is in harm's way. I never gave it any thought because I never thought I'd ever be in that position.
Now, like a sledgehammer to the chest, I get it. I'm useless, unable to think clearly or see two steps ahead. Every breath, every thought is consumed by her. Carys. My only focus is to get her out of here.
"Well, you're snooping around what's mine, so I thought I'd return the favor."
With another snap of his fingers, Anna is brought in from a side door, another no-neck holding her by the arm. What the fuck?
For a split second, all the potential scenarios of how the hell they got their hands on my sister run through my mind, some more deadly than others, and my concern for Ma and my friends at the bar sits heavily, like a stone sinking to the bottom of my gut.
Fuck, is that why Ry isn't here? My blood pressure rises as I clench my jaw and try to get a hold of myself. This is exactly what Mari wants.
Anna's fine, worried and a bit annoyed as she's deposited beside her grandfather, but she glances my way, quick and reassuring-at least I think that's what I see. Is she letting me know everyone else is okay?
Franco doesn't acknowledge his granddaughter's presence; his full attention is on me. His smile is now a big sneer, and he's enjoying my discomfort. If nothing else, watching me squirm is getting him off.
"So, I'm going to ask you once, as a courtesy, because contrary to what people think, I'm a reasonable man. Why are you talking to Gianna? Why are you having her watched?"
Anna's eyes widen, then narrow on me. I hadn't told her that my men were also watching her. It's for her protection. She likely thinks I'm no different than the man holding her hostage right now.
"She's my sister. I wanted to make sure she was safe."
"She is my business, not yours. Her safety is my concern. As for being your sister, she isn't anything to you. I'll give you one chance to walk away from this. Leave Gianna alone. Never talk to her again or so much as look at her and you can leave right now with your sweetness."
His ghost of a smile and the ruthless glint in his eyes reinforce his display of pure joy at the position he has put me in. I'm caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, both options unknown and possibly treacherous.
He's asking me to choose between my heart, the love of my life, and a piece of me I never knew was missing until I found her, my sister. Fuck.
Before this moment, hands down, I'd have said Carys. Without a doubt, I still will, but looking at the petite woman I'm getting to know, my heart jerks in turmoil. Except for her dying aunt, everyone's neglected her. I won't be another person she can add to that list.
Anna looks on. At first, anger swims in her gaze, but then it morphs into a frown of disappointment, as if she knows what I'm going to do, knows I'll leave her like everyone else has. She may be wary of me, of letting me in, but she just wants to be loved, to be chosen.
Carys's heavy gaze bores into me, loaded with so many emotions and declarations. I can read her thoughts like she's whispering in my ear. She wants me to fight for both of them, and of course I will-there isn't any other choice.
///
"Let's make a deal," I offer, surprising him. His eyes open wider and he pinches his lips at the turn of events.
Ry is then escorted in by another man. He only has eyes for Carys, and like me, he's distressed and beyond pissed.
"This isn't going to end well, Franco," he threatens, as the man heartily laughs without a care in the world.
"Mr. Wolfe, I'm so glad you could join us. I knew things would get entertaining once you arrived. I was just telling Mr. Hart here that I'm willing to let this all go, if he agrees to leave Gianna alone. No contact, no surveillance, nothing, as if she doesn't exist-and she doesn't, not to him anyway."
I observe Anna as her grandfather callously drones on about her insignificance. Her gaze is tangled with Coop's. She's caught in a spell as he motions with his eyes to her, telling her something I'm not able to understand.
"Not going to happen," I interject, stepping closer, as Franco pulls Carys tighter to him. She whimpers ever so slightly.
Both Ry and I emit low animalistic sounds of attack. He's got us exactly where he wants us.
"Gentlemen, you'll forgive me, but my patience is running thin. Mr. Hart, you were saying? What deal could you possibly offer that I'd even be mildly intrigued by?"