“I will get her back.” I nodded in the direction of the team. “In fact, the four of them will be staying, if you allow it, until this is resolved. They can be discreet and put up the invisible perimeter we discussed.”
It was an electronic fence that would send up an alarm when crossed. The poles could be placed near natural barriers like the stalks or trees to hide them.
He pointed out in the direction of Turner’s place.
“Not too far from Turner’s is old man Fisher’s cabin. It’s been abandoned since he died. No one has wanted to take it on because it’s so far from town.”
“Sounds good. The team can monitor things from there.”
“When are you leaving?” he asked.
That was something to consider, especially since I promised my son I’d be home soon.
“I can take command too you if you like,” he offered.
Given his implied skills, it seemed like an easy choice.
“We can work something out if it comes to it.”
He nodded. “Find my daughter, Mr. King. And whoever took her better pray she hasn’t been harmed.”
My sentiments exactly.
After he was gone, I was left to pace to work out my frustration.
What I didn’t need was the next call that came through.
“Jeremy.”
“Father.”
Now here was a man I would never call sir. He hadn’t earned or deserved my respect.
“Tell me you have not canceled all your meetings over the next few days.”
I didn’t want to think that Connor had ratted me out, but he was the go-between our father and me.
“They’ve been rescheduled,” I said, brooking no argument.
“Listen here, boy. I won’t tolerate that tone. I’m still your father and the CEO of this company. I’m not dead yet.”
“Too bad for both of us.”
He sputtered as I considered disconnecting the call.
“I can still remove you from my will.”
“Do whatever you like. I don’t need your money.”
“You’ll need me when the SEC crawls up your ass. I already know about the missing money. Don’t think I don’t. The only reason you’re not out on your ass is because the reputation of the company means more than your betrayal.”
I could picture him red-faced as he spoke.
“Believe what you want.”
“I don’t have to believe anything when the facts are right there. You get your ass back to New York and play the dutiful son. Stop acting like a pussy-whipped boy or I’ll let the team of spin doctors question the legitimacy of your birth. In fact, you could be an imposter pretending to be my son.”
If he thought I could be hurt by his barbs, he was wrong.
“Do what you have to do,” I said and hung up.
Not five minutes later, my brother called.
“What the fuck did you say to Father? I bet his hair was on fire the way he spit out curses.”
“I don’t have time for this.”
“Really, because shit is hitting the fan and this is your gig, not mine. I have no desire to be crowned king in the family.”
I wanted to believe him.
“I’m pretty sure it’s too late for that.”
“It isn’t. Father’s pissed, but he’s the King Maker and wants you here.”
Father still had control of the company and who would take over for him.
“Did I ever tell you I heard him fighting with Mother over you more than once when I was growing up?” Connor asked. “He wanted to bring you here, but Mother convinced him it was best that he leave you with yours.”
Now that, I couldn’t believe and doubted it more, considering the timing of the revelation. Yes, Connor’s mother was a class A bitch, but the father I knew wouldn’t ever let a woman decide anything for him.
One of the team signaled me.
“I have to go,” I told my brother.
“Wai—”
But I’d hung up and strode over to the guy who had flagged me over.
What he had to say was what I’d been waiting for.
“I think we have something.”
Five
I woke with nausea clawing at my throat. I coughed as the need to vomit overtook me.
“Please,” I begged. “I’m going to be sick.”
Not that I cared if I messed up the bed except it was likely I would be kept in my own filth and I needed the toilet too.
Somewhere from the shadows of the room, my captor spoke.
“I can be nice and grant you your request. But you have one shot. You break my trust and I’ll break you.”
A thin yellow beam emanated from the back of the room where the bathroom likely was. He stepped into it to loom over me.
“And you’ll like it. I’ve got a dose of heroin I’ll use instead of a sedative and you’ll be begging for it. My camera is ready too. Plenty of sick fucks who will pay to watch me defile you.”
I gagged again, unable to hold it back because I didn’t doubt him. The last thing I wanted was that. From what I knew about the drug, you could get hooked after one try.