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was impressed by the man’s lack of fear. Nathan was sure that Vladek knew he was at a disadvantage. He was also sure the man knew that the Steeles were losing the war that they’d started. Regardless, he showed no weakness. Nathan respected him for that, but he also resented him for it.
    As long as Vladek kept his mouth shut, he was of no use to him. Nathan knew Vladek had the information he needed, he just didn’t know how he was going to get it out of him. The man was … well, he was steel.
    “Vladek?” When Nathan said his name, the man lifted his chin and brought his cold, blank green eyes a little higher. “I’m going to try and reason with you.”
    “Reason with me?” he asked, a German accent thickening his words.
    Nodding, Nathan sat down in a seat positioned in front of the prisoner. “Vladek, I want you to put yourself in my position.”
    “I am in your position!” Vladek snapped. “You killed men I love, my brothers!”
    “And you did some killing as well if I’m remembering correctly. You think I do not love my men, my friends, my family?”
    It had been a full-on war between two armies when they’d first arrived at the Steele’s estate. There was no mercy shown, and many men and woman—from both sides—lost their lives. Vladek and one other person were the only Steeles taken from the massacre before the police arrived on the scene.
    “You came to our home,” Vladek growled. “You expected us to let you come into our territory and make demands? You expect us to obey you, and not put up a fight?”
    Nathan sat back in his seat and frowned. “Of course not,” he said truthfully. “Just as I am sure you do not expect me not to fight for my family. Silas sent people into my territory. Not only did they attack my family, they took my wife.”
    “The only person Silas sent to retrieve his daughter was Adrien Stone. Silas did not order that attack on your family. He was going to kill you and then take his daughter—who is a Steele—and bring her home. After Adrien didn’t return, he found out you were her lover. He had no knowledge that you were her husband. He didn’t even take the time to learn that you were Angelo’s son.”
    Nathan took a deep, calming breath. Now Vladek was giving him information, but it wasn’t what he needed, nor did he want it. Normally Nathan was a stickler for educating himself on a situation before proceeding, but this particular issue was different. Nathan had no patience, nor did he have any more time to waste. It had been seven days since Carter was taken from New York, and with every passing second he didn’t have her with him, Nathan was slowly losing his mind, as well as losing himself.
    Squeezing his eyes shut, Nathan pinched the bridge of his nose, attempting to calm himself before it happened again. It was something that had been happening every day since Carter was taken by the same man that had taken away his mother. It always started with the light tap of his foot on the floor, and then the tense feeling would move to his hands. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides, and the veins in his neck pulsed angrily while every muscle in his body felt as if it would burst free from his skin.
    Using all of his willpower, he pulled himself together as much as he could. “Do you know where my wife is?” His voice was tight as he tried his absolute best not to snap. If he killed this man, then there was a chance that he’d never find his wife.
    Vladek glared at him, appearing disgusted. “Look at you,” he shook his head as if he was disappointed, “the great Russian, pining over some woman. You’re pathetic,” he spat. “Weak! Look at yourself. You reek of desperation. Consider the silence I will give you before you kill me a gift. This woman makes you weak. If you are to be a leader, you need nothing holding you back. You do not start a war over a woman, boy.”
    By the time the last word had left Vladek’s mouth, Nathan was hollow. For a