Total pages in book: 209
Estimated words: 196085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 980(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 980(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
My strongest memories of my grandfather are of him berating everyone around him. My earliest recollection of him is a time when I was around five years old. He was standing there, so stern it made me cry, instructing my mother to portion out my food because baby fat no longer would be an excuse.
He was a charmer for sure.
My grandmother’s lips purse and she lowers one eyebrow. “He was a good man. A successful man, who provided for you and your family. Your own father certainly never did that. When your mother showed up pregnant, unmarried, with your…father, it was your grandfather’s benevolent nature that saved your family. You should show more respect.”
I watch as a strange look passes between the two, then he takes over the conversation.
“Okay.” The man breaks into our back and forth. “Enough. Here’s the story. You,” He nods toward me, “are going back home with your grandmother. And I will use you to be sure I get what I want from your precious Stas. It’s not much really, just need him to see things my way. He’s stubborn, as you probably know. So, you will go home and you will help me get what I want.”
“Not likely unless I’m in a body bag.” I push the limits again, biding my time, hoping Daddy somehow figures out what’s going on and rides in to save the day.
His laugh is devoid of humor. “In life, when you want to get something,” he picks at his fingernails as he speaks, “you find a weakness in your opponent. Something they care about more than themselves. You and your Stas, both have a weakness. It’s each other.. You also have a soft spot for your furry creatures. Wouldn’t want to see them suffer would you? We—” He nods towards my Grandmother. “—both have things we need. And because of some wonderful twist of fate, what we want and your weaknesses fit together like milk and cocoa. None of us will be leaving here until we both get what we want.”
The room feels colder.
His energy shifts and I wonder if my smart-ass tactics may have been the wrong move. I swallow, looking at my Grandmother to see if there is any softness there. Anything I can plead to. But I see only faded blue eyes set on the man to my right.
“So, this still doesn’t tell me what it is you want from me. I don’t have anything to give.” I glance between them. “I mean, look at me, I can’t give you a win in the Miss America pageant anymore than I can perform brain surgery. And I can’t give you Stas.”
My grandmother moves to the black bag she set on the counter. She roots around inside as I glance back and forth between my two captors.
“You have very much to give.” He runs a hand down his face, gripping his chin. “And I will extract it by whatever means necessary. Now, let me tell you a few things about your precious Stas.”
“Stas will never leave me. He will come and take me back. This is stupid.” I press, unwilling to hear any more of the propaganda.
Grandmother looks at the man who sniffs on a laugh into which there is zero humor.
“Stupid girl. Stas will not come for you. Trust me. When I say I win, I win. That means I have leverage on everyone. Including your Daddy.”
His emphasis on that last word has me frozen.
How does this stranger know so much?
“How do you know this guy?” I implore to my grandmother, hoping there is some element of sympathetic family loyalty deep down in her black soul.
Grandmother looks out the window, closing her eyes for a moment, before turning her attention back to me.
“None of your business.” Her lack of an answer is more of an answer than she knows. It just reinforces for me, this isn’t just about money, this is personal for everyone.
The man’s face darkens as he looks at my grandmother, but she doesn’t react. Something in his look tells me there is history here, but whatever it is, neither one is spilling right now.
I choke out a dark laugh. “Well, however you knew each other, now adding kidnapping and other various felonies to the fun, there’s got to be some payoff for everyone. I’m wondering if you two know each other. Like, biblically.” I mock, trying to push them to give me something that will help.
Grandmother stabs a finger at me as the man continues to quietly fume. I dart my own narrow eyes between them both.
“Stop it.” Grandmother spits at me, her usual stoic façade breaking. “Can’t you for once—for once—just do as your told, you spiteful little girl? Since you were a baby you’ve insisted on being a pain in the behind. Always being contrary.”