ZEPHYR
I hadn't slept all night.
It was impossible to rest when your rival had abducted the woman you cared about.
Troy had secured the boy in a safe location, but I'd told him not to reveal where. The less I knew, the better. For now.
He'd checked in to confirm Lyla was still alive. That knowledge brought me some relief, no matter how fleeting. I could only truly be at rest when she was safe in my arms.
Maxim had been silent. Troy said if he didn't get a response in the next half hour, he'd send another video of the boy being "tortured."
Well, not real torture, just something convincing enough to make Maxim cave in.
They were undoubtedly searching for him, but Troy had chosen a hiding place they wouldn't think to check.
I trusted his judgment.
The morning wore on. I sat in the
