She stepped farther into the room, casting about for potential weapons, escape, and information. Two dark-suited men stood in the corner, watching silently. They were going to make things more difficult. "What do you want? I'm in a really bad mood and I don't have any desire to spend my time with you or your Tutela friends. "
"Tutela?" He laughed heartily. "You aren't as well informed as I believed. "
"I doubt that. " In the back of her mind, Macey could hardly believe she was challenging and baiting Chicago's most dangerous criminal. Only a month ago, she would have been tryit the room. Sh
Chapter EIGHTEEN
~ A Battle Lost ~
"Damned good thing my men found you when they did. Another ten, fifteen minutes and Mr. Vioget-he'd be very uncomfortable. " The pungent scent of cigar smoke wafted through the air as Capone wandered across the rooftop.
Macey was already at Sebastian's side. His head hung upside down from the table, and he blinked groggily when she touched his arm. Bruises and cuts battered his bare torso and muscular arms. They'd sure as hell worked him over-they would have had to, in order to subdue a man with his cunning and strength. Even so, he was still strong and beautiful, like a golden lion ready to roar to action. And there was his vis bulla, settled like a tiny silver pool in the hollow of his navel. For a moment, she couldn't take her eyes off it.
"A pleasure to see you, Macey," Sebastian said, lifting his head to look at her with a crooked smile. Despite his obvious discomfort, his amber eyes were warm, glinting with levity and resolve. "No offense, but I was rather hoping you wouldn't make it in time. Then he'd have nothing with which to hold you. "
She was already working on the knots at the wrist nearest the sun, but froze when something poked her in the back. The barrel of a gun.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. " The cigar smoke curled around her. "Your friend will be freed as soon as you agree to my terms. "
"Forget it, Macey. It's time. I'm ready to go-though, admittedly, it's not the way I'd have chosen. I have an aversion to pain, you know. " Sebastian's voice was wry and strong. He grabbed at her hand with his left fingers, squeezing hard. "But it's best you're here to see it. And to take these. " She knew he meant the Rings of Jubai, on that very hand.
"You aren't going to fry," she said, squeezing back and surreptitiously picking at the knot. "I won't let you, and neither will Mr. Capone. "
The gangster had eased back around to face them while keeping the gun trained on her. "That's up to you, Miss Denton. Step away now or I'll use this. One bullet won't kill you, especially where I'll put it-but it'll slow you the fuck down. "
Macey edged away, her attention darting about the roof. Nothing looked promising-the chairs were flimsy and wooden. The flowerpots too ungainly. +mly picture
"Do you accept my proposal or not?" her host pressed.
"No. " She moved like lightning, grabbing a chair and spinning at the same time. She slammed it into Capone's gun arm, and the chair splintered as the weapon tumbled to the ground, skidding across the concrete floor.
To her surprise, instead of going after it, he lunged toward her. But Macey dodged and he caught only a fragment of her dress. It tore and she spun away, dashing into the penthouse. Candles went flying as she grabbed the metal candelabra from the piano and swung back to face him, holding it like a baseball bat.
The French doors slammed shut and Capone stood there, between her and the rooftop. "I suggest you reconsider. I might give you time to think, but the sun won't wait. "
Macey gritted her teeth. Sebastian. "Why? Why do you want me? I'm just a weak broad. Won't you look ridiculous with itty-bitty me standing next to you, protecting you?"
"Cut the shit. I don't know who you're tryin' to fool, Macey Gardella. You're the one. And your friend out there-he might have a death wish, but I doubt your boyfriend does. Or your other friend. Or. . . well, take a look. " He gestured to the desk.
Cold and numb, Macey walked over to find a slew of photos strewn over its surface. Pictu12;with Mrs. Gutchinson, with Chelle and Dottie. . . and Grady. Coming out of the Harper Library, talking to her co-worker Leena. And more.
"I hate it when people get caught in the crossfire," Capone commented as he poured himself a glass of whiskey. "But it happens. "
It happened with Grady's aunt.
It happened, in an entirely different but even uglier way, with Chelle and Mrs. G.
And Flora.
Her stomach rebelled and it was all she could do to hold back the bile.
She was trapped.
Capone had put down his gun and now held the whiskey. He was no longer standing in front of the French doors. "I trust you're convinced?"
"You're even more cold hearted than they say. "
He smiled thinly. "Don't believe the damned gossip, Macey Gardella. Believe the prophecy. "