Page 83 of Crimson Fate

“Change of plans!” he exclaims, and all heads turn toward him.” Everything goes back on the trucks. Thanks to young Vincent’s arrogance, opportunity has come knocking.”

“Whatever you’re thinking, it won’t work,” I snap. A cold dread settles in my stomach, the kind that roots you to the spot even as your mind screams to run.

“We’ll see. You three, keep your hands up and head in there,” Anthony instructs us, waving toward the sliding door on the yacht’s deck. “Gia, why don’t you make yourself useful and lead the way.”

Marco, Nico, and I file past Anthony and follow Gia through the slider. Matthew and the man I didn’t recognize but heard Anthony refer to as Jackie follow at our rear with guns pointed at our backs. I can hear Anthony relaying additional instructions to the remaining crew on the docks. “That’s right, I want every last bit of it loaded back up on the truck and taken back to the warehouse.”

Clearly, we have altered his plans, and based on the smug grin on his face, he feels it was for the better.

We file inside, and I see her—Eva, slumped over in a chair, bindings at her wrists and ankles, her head lolled to one side.

“Eva!” My voice is hoarse as I stumble toward her, every instinct revolting against the sight. I fall on my knees beside her, checking her from head to toe. “What have you done to her?”

“Relax, Vincent.” Gia’s hand is on my shoulder, restraining, her voice eerily composed. “She’s been sedated. It’s for her own safety—to keep her from hurting herself.”

“You two, sit over there,” Anthony’s men instruct Marco and Nico, motioning toward the couch. They do as they’re told.

“Her safety?” I ask, looking up at Gia. “I was so fucking wrong about you.” I spit out the words, each one tainted with disgust and disbelief.

“Clearly, we were wrong about each other,” she snaps. Gia’s gaze shifts back to Eva, and I can see the conflict raging behind her eyes.

Anthony steps inside and issues a command to Matthew and Jackie to help the rest of the crew.

“Are you sure you don’t need my help here, boss?” Jackie asks, clearly hesitant about the orders.

“Did you take their weapons?” Anthony asks in a belittling tone.

Jackie and Matthew both nod in the affirmative. “Yes, sir.”

“Then since I am the only one with a gun, I think I’ll be fine. Now go, I plan to handle this myself.” Anthony seems elated with the proposition of being the one to bring an end to my life.

I lock eyes with him as his men exit. “You spineless worm,” I hiss. “You use your own flesh and blood as leverage in some sick power game? You’re no father; you’re a monster.”

Anthony’s laugh is a dark rumble devoid of humor. He steps closer. “Monster? No, Vincent. I’m a businessman. And Gia”—he gestures flippantly toward his daughter—“is my greatest asset.”

Rage erupts within me, scalding my veins. “You’re nothing but a liar!” I lunge forward, ready to pounce, but Anthony is quicker. His hand flies out, connecting with my cheek in a stinging slap that echoes across the silent water.

“Will you shut the fuck up already?” Anthony shouts.

The taste of iron floods my mouth, and I touch my split lip, feeling the warm trickle of blood. My gaze flickers over to Eva, still and pale in the chair, and my heart throbs painfully in my chest.

“You’ve lost. Your arrogance not only got yourself killed but your friends and your little girlfriend too.”

Gia watches this exchange from the sidelines, her eyes darkening with each cruel word that tumbles from her father’s lips.

“Are you just going to stand there and do nothing? You heard what he said,” I say to Gia.

“Of course, she will do nothing,” Anthony snarls. “She knows she needs me.”

I glance up at Gia, the strong woman I met and got to know, replaced by someone I don’t even recognize. Anthony has every intention of hurting all the people I care about, and nobody can help me. If I’m going to get them out of here, it has to be me.

I stand upright, my fists balled at my side.

Anthony laughs, his gun trained on me. “Sit back down, boy. I’m not done with you.”

“What else could you possibly want from me? You’ve already taken everything I care about,” I state, stepping closer to Anthony.

His laughter fills the room, a sinister sound echoing off the walls. “That’s your problem. You don’t know when to quit. You’ve seen too many movies.”