“He is not here,” I said, looking directly into his eyes. “He doesn’t care about me. He only wanted to use me to get to you.”

Moretti laughed, a dry, coughing sound.

“Do you think I am stupid, girl?” he asked. “Russo doesn’t let his assets walk into the dark alone.”

Behind Moretti, near the edge of the shipping container, I saw a shadow move.

It was quick, almost invisible in the swirling fog.

A faint hiss, like a tire losing air, sounded from the darkness behind the SUV.

One of the guards turned his head, his brow furrowing.

“Did you hear that?” the guard whispered.

“It is just the wind,” Moretti said impatiently. “Keep your eyes on her.”

I stepped to the right, drawing their attention away from the shadow.

“James told me you would give her back if I came alone,” I said loudly.

“James is a fool,” Moretti said. “He thinks he can buy his way out of his debts with a baby.”

From the shadows, a man in a dark tactical vest lunged forward.