61. Staked

River thought about the young woman calmly asking him for snacks as he walked down the hall. Riley Torres, the daughter of his enemy Alexander, seemed completely unfazed by the fact that she had just been kidnapped and her life was in danger. She met his gaze evenly, not a trace of fear in her hazel eyes.

River clenched his jaw, both perplexed and irritated by her nonchalant attitude. How could she be so calm in a situation like this? Was she crazy or just naive?

Probably just naive. She was ten years younger than him, after all.

Shaking off his musings, River reached for his phone. It was time to make the call he'd been waiting for, the one that would finally force Alexander's hand. His fingers punched in the number.

The line clicked, and a familiar voice filled his ear. "Torres."

"Alexander," River drawled, letting the name drip with disdain. "I believe I have something of yours."

A pause, heavy with tension. Then, "If you've touched a single hair on her head, I swear I'll-"

"Spare