call. We have just enough time to make a visit to our good friend Donovan before we meet with them.”
Christian’s face fell. He glanced at his watch then toward his office door. “I’m not sure I can go anywhere. You need to handle this.”
“This is important, Christian. This has to be a joint effort. Whatever Donovan tells us will be vital. I have no authority to do this alone. We have limited time before our offices are going to be raided. This must be done today.”
When he continued to stall, I knew something was terribly wrong.
“Tell me what is going on, Christian. I’m your brother.”
He rubbed his eyes before answering. “I’ll meet you at the car. Just give me a few minutes.”
“All right.” I watched as he walked out, his face riddled with pain. Whatever was going on with Stephanie was significant.
If anything happened to her, it would crush him.
* * *
We found Donovan O’Brien in his office alone when we walked in. My eyes were immediately drawn to the weapon placed on the middle of his desk.
“Donovan,” Christian said in an even voice.
He jerked up, tugging the gun into his hand. “Don’t. Just get out of here, both of you.”
I closed the door walking closer. “You don’t want to do that. We’re just here to talk.” I shot a glance toward Christian, who’d managed to plaster a smile on his face.
“We’re your family, Donovan. We want to help you, nothing more.”
“You can’t help me. They will never stop coming,” Donovan hissed.
“Who? The Taglionis?” I asked as I moved a few inches closer.
He threw his arm in my direction, his hand shaking. “I said, don’t come any closer.”
I eased my hands into the air, giving him a nod. “That’s fine. I’ll stay right here. Have you been threatened?”
Donovan sighed, lowering the gun a few inches. “Even with your protection, they were able to get to my wife. They issued a direct threat while she was out of the house, demanding to know where Winter was. She was told that if Winter wasn’t presented in twenty-four hours, my wife would be... I can’t even say the words.”
“Where is Emily now?” Christian asked, also moving closer.
“I sent her away. She has some friends from a long time ago, but you know they are going to find her.” Sweat trickled down both sides of Donovan’s face.
“Why didn’t you call me?” Christian asked, giving me a slight glance.
“Because all of this is my fault. If I hadn’t been so damn stupid, I...” Donovan’s voice trailed off.
“Let’s talk about this. What exactly do the Taglionis have on you?” Christian continued to smile.
Donovan was shaking all over, beads of sweat dripping into his eyes. “It won’t matter if I’m dead.” He pointed the barrel against his temple, his breathing heavy.
“Don’t do that! That’s not going to help the situation,” I stated, exhaling. The man was on the edge. Shit. This was completely out of hand. Christian had already moved within one foot of Donovan’s desk.
“Matteo is right. They won’t stop until they get what they want. Tell us what happened. We’ll know what to do.”
“It’s all my fault. I just can’t,” he wailed.
There was no time to wait. I could tell the man was going to pull the trigger. With one look shared between us, Christian and I moved at the same time, Christian wrestling the gun away while I pulled him into a hard embrace.
“Don’t! You don’t understand. I’ll lose everything. They won’t let the wedding occur. They won’t allow that to happen. They will take her and hurt her.”
I exhaled, keeping my grip firm. “You need to listen to me. Nothing is going to happen to Winter. I promise you with my life. Tell us what hold the Taglionis have on you.”
As Donovan sagged in my arms, I eased him onto his office chair, sitting on the desk in front of him.
“Everything will be all right, Donovan. The sect will not let you or your family down,” Christian added.
“You are the informant, aren’t you? You supplied the information about your friend, the senator. Didn’t you?” I knew I was right the second he glanced into my eyes.
He nodded, once again looking at the floor. “My good buddy. I felt I had no other choice because he...”
“Betrayed you,” I half whispered.
Donovan began to cry, words spilling from his mouth, and as I glanced at Christian, I realized how thankful I was to have a brother. Even if he was my half-brother.
* * *
Betrayal came in