Page 89 of Desperate Measures

I ran down the hall, towards the stairs, and eventually, to the office I shared with Michaela.

But it was empty. Like I knew it would be.

I tried to walk inside, but I staggered.

Fuck. Oh fuck.

“Call everyone!” I shouted at Connor, and he nodded, already on it.

I was hardly aware of moving, but I found myself in front of the locked cabinet where I hid some of my artillery. Sure ODI was legit. But I knew violence. I grew up with it.

And before this, I liked to think I was prepared. As I opened the steel doors hiding my weapons, I grabbed guns, knives, and everything I could fit, strapping them on and nodding for Connor and his guys to help themselves.

As we headed to the cars waiting for us, I had one more call to make. But this one had to be from me.

Fuck. Someone was going to fucking pay for this.

After the Christmas party, I’d come to a temporary agreement with my father-in-law. He’d given me the usual warnings—threatened to cut my balls off if I hurt his daughter. And I told him the truth.

I never would knowingly hurt Michaela. It wasn’t possible. I loved her more than anything. She was my entire heart.

He wanted to talk business, but I told him we would talk after he learned to trust my intentions. ODI was mine and Michaela’s now. We were going to make it work.

Of course, I’d vowed to protect my wife. I would, of course. Always. I promised to give my life for hers anytime, anyplace.

But now I had to tell this man the unthinkable had happened.

“Adrik?”

“Yes?”

“Someone took her.”

“Are you tracking her?”

“Well,” I said, clearing my throat.

It wasn’t exactly the time to mince words, and since he asked.

“Yes. Her wedding ring has a tracking device installed.”

“Send me the coordinates. I will meet you there.”

Chapter 35-Michaela

Margaret O’Doyle must have lost her mind. It was the only reason I could imagine for her doing something like this.

How could someone value money and power over their families? Over love?

But the guards she left watching over me were still human, right? They didn’t stand to gain what she did, so maybe I could reach them.

“Did she tell you who I am? Liam O’Doyle is my husband. He’s already on his way. Do you know my father? Adrik Volkov? How about my uncles? Josef Aziz? Nico Fury? They will scorch the earth looking for me! It’s not too late to save yourselves,” I said, trying not to sound as scared as I felt.

“Shut up!”

“Should we drug her again?”

“No! Please don’t. I feel sick already,” I begged, hating the idea of being drugged all over again.