Page 251 of Breaking Rosalind
“His legitimate daughter’s dead but he had another one with his stepdaughter. That’s the one I’m trying to save from the Moirai.”
“And the stepdaughter is?”
I glance at the rearview mirror, meeting Rosalind’s gaze through the gap in the privacy screen. She nods, giving her permission.
“Rosalind,” I rasp.
“The assassin?”
“Yes.”
Silence stretches out for several tense seconds as Benito tries to make sense of my story. He’s more likely to reply with something sarcastic than hang up, so I wait for him to speak.
“Tony and Gil have a small crew looking out for Roman,” Benito says. “I’ll come down to the marina with a few men, but if this is a diversion?—”
“It isn’t,” I say. “And thanks.”
“That went easier than I imagined,” Rosalind says from the back seat, her voice wavering with uncertainty.
“He’s hedging his bets and waiting to rescue Roman before he decides what to do next.”
With a sigh, she stretches a hand through the divider and grips my shoulder. Our eyes meet through the rearview mirror, and she says, “I know it wasn’t easy, and appreciate the sacrifice.”
“I would raze the whole world to death to protect you both. Miranda is my sister, and...” I stop myself before I say something she’ll deny. “Let’s just say, you’ve become equally precious.”
By the time I turn onto the road leading to the Marina, the Bella Lucia is bobbing in the moonlit waters and there isn’t a casino employee in sight.
My heart sinks. Did Benito change his mind about helping? I park the limo and step out, scanning the area for any sign of movement.
The back door opens, and Rosalind pokes out her head. “How are we getting there?”
“We don’t know what we’re walking into, so we’re taking the speedboat on the left.”
When I glance at Rosalind, her face shutters, the last thing she needs right now is to venture out into the ocean.
ONE HUNDRED ONE
ROSALIND
I step out of the limousine, and my ears fill with the roar of the crashing waves. Salty breeze hits me like a kick to the midsection, adding to my mounting dread. My eyes squeeze shut as they usually do when I’m around bodies of water. Memories of Gunther drowning me over and over rise to the forefront of my mind, making my stomach churn.
Miranda’s out there, in Gunther’s clutches. I can’t afford to succumb to my phobia, so I force my eyes open. Moonlight casts an eerie glow on the black ocean, its reflection dancing on the waves crashing against the yacht.
My palms itch before breaking out in a sweat, and my heart beats so hard and fast that it might burst through my chest.
I clench my teeth and curl my hands into fists. Terror is irrelevant. Miranda is out there on the ocean, hurt and terrified and confused. I need to reach her before Gunther escalates.
Cesare places a hand on the small of my back, his touch soothing my fraying nerves.
“Wait here for Benito and the others, while I get a head start.”
I whirl around, meeting his pale eyes. The marina lights cast harsh shadows over his face, emphasizing the sharpness of his jawline and the intensity of his scowl.
“You’re not leaving me behind. Nothing you say will stop me from saving my daughter.”
His lips tighten, but he has the good sense not to argue. “The keys to the speedboat are on the yacht. We can also pick up weapons, life jackets, and a medical kit.”
“Let’s go.”