Chapter 6 - The Blood Rabbit
Julian did not approach them on the dance floor.
He simply stood by the champagne tower, watching Elena with the cold, dead eyes of a predator.
Adrian felt Elena trembling violently against his chest.
"Do you know him?" Adrian asked, his voice hardening into a dangerous edge.
"That is my husband's brother," Elena whispered, her throat dry.
Adrian’s grip on her waist tightened instantly.
He signaled across the room to Carlo, who immediately began moving through the crowd toward the Russian.
But Julian was already turning away, slipping seamlessly through the kitchen service doors and disappearing.
Adrian didn't waste another second on the dance floor.
He grabbed Elena's hand and pulled her quickly up the private back staircase.
"We need to get Mia," Adrian ordered as they rushed down the carpeted hallway toward the east wing.
When they reached the suite, the two armed guards stationed outside were lying unconscious on the floor.
Elena let out a terrified scream and burst through the heavy doors.
The suite was completely empty.
The crib was empty.
Mia was gone.
"Mia!" Elena shrieked, tearing through the bathroom, the closets, and the massive king-sized bed.
Adrian pulled his gun and swept the rooms, his face a mask of pure, lethal fury.
Sitting perfectly in the center of the white duvet cover was Mia's stuffed rabbit.
The soft, pink plush toy was soaked in fresh, dark red blood.
Pinned to the rabbit's ear was a small white note.
Elena collapsed onto her knees, sobbing hysterically as she stared at the ruined toy.
Adrian ripped the note off the rabbit and read it.
His jaw locked so tightly the muscles jumped beneath his skin.
"What does it say?" Elena begged, grabbing his pant leg.
Adrian looked down at her, his dark eyes filled with a terrifying, violent promise.
"They want to trade the ledger for the girl," Adrian said.
"They are giving me exactly one hour to bring the book to the old shipyard."
Elena scrambled to her feet, her beautiful emerald gown dragging on the floor.
"Give them the book, Adrian," Elena cried frantically.
"It doesn't matter, just give it to them to save her!"
Adrian turned away, walking toward a hidden wall safe behind a large painting.
He punched in a code, and the safe swung open, revealing rows of tactical weapons and stacks of cash.
"I can't give them the book, Elena," Adrian said, his voice terrifyingly flat.
Elena froze.
"Why not?" she demanded.
Adrian pulled a heavy assault rifle from the safe and loaded a magazine.
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"Because the ledger doesn't just have your husband's kills in it," Adrian confessed.
"It has mine, too."
