Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15443 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 77(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15443 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 77(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Sitting in his chair, I spot a file with my name on it. Since it has my name, I scour through the pages and it makes my stomach turn. It’s my entire life summed up in a dozen pages or less. He lied about the deal with my stepbrother. He was prepared for me. I feel like a fool for buying into his lies. Maybe I hoped to get away from Rudy so badly that I let myself believe Maddox was serious. Pissed and unable to sit still, I stand and pace around the room contemplating my next move and if I can get out of this.
I freeze and focus on the wall of security cameras that are hidden behind a sliding paneled door. They are perfectly placed around the entire compound. The center camera is the largest, showing the vehicles arriving with guests.
I nearly jump out of my skin when I see Big John exiting his chauffeured car. I stumble backward, landing on Maddox’s chair crookedly and falling onto the floor. Standing quickly, so I don’t miss anything, I focus my attention back on the cameras. That’s when I see something much worse—Maddox and Big John shaking hands with a smile on both faces. Oh, my God. It can’t be.
He can’t be willing to do business with that unscrupulous bastard after what I told him. I dash from the seat and out of the office. I can’t just go outside, so I decide the best place is the party hall. Once he doesn’t see me, I can leave…shit. I can’t even do that. My sister’s life is at stake. What am I going to do? Maybe he can still bring my sister, and then I can run with her. I’ll do whatever I can to get away from these monsters.
The main hall is crowded with lots of well-dressed people. I recognize the mayor and his wife, but they have a large group of people talking to them. “Miss, would you care for a glass?”
“Yes, please.” I know I’m not old enough, but it’s okay in a private residence. Besides, I need all the liquid courage I can get. Taking it to my lips while trying not to breathe, I toss back the glass and hand it back to one of the waiters. Another server comes by a moment later, so I snag a second glass from her. I’m already spinning because I’ve never touched alcohol, or maybe it’s the realization that I’ve been played.
“Hello. Wow.” Oh shit. I close my eyes, hoping that it’s not the person I think it is.
“He’s dressed you very well.” I cringe and turn to see Big John. I’d recognize that bastard’s voice anywhere. He makes my skin crawl and bile rise up in my throat.
I take a step toward a nearby cocktail table, but he follows. The place is too crowded for me to escape his reach. I look for an exit, but it’s all the way across the room. I’d managed to have gotten too far deep into the fray.
“Well, soon, you’ll get to trade up for me. Your stepbrother owes me too, and I don’t think I can wait until your sister’s old enough when there’s something so sexy in my grasp. You, on the other hand, are so damn fuckable.” He reaches out to touch me and I flinch backward, but he’s relentless. His large meaty hand grabs my bicep and pulls me to him.
“And you’re a dead man,” Maddox growls. John drops his hand on me, and Maddox pushes me behind him.
Chapter 8
Maddox
Shaking McDowell’s hand had been the most disgusting thing I’ve probably ever done. Knowing what I know now, trying to play it cool was difficult. I wanted to bust his head open right there. Instead, I point to the entrance of my home, letting the fucker darken my door.
There’s nothing I can do with so many witnesses on my own property, especially with him holding Aurora’s sister captive.
As soon as McDowell’s inside, I send my men on their mission. Now to greet my woman and finish our interrupted moment. First, though, I have to wash my hands because I’m not touching Aurora with these filthy hands. I come out of the main hall’s bathroom and walk to my office.
A sinking feeling hits me when I see the door ajar. I enter, and Aurora’s not in the room at all. Fucking hell. I see my chair overturned. At first, I think someone snatched her, but the file on the desk is open. I turn my head and realize that I left the camera case open. “Shit.” On the main screen is the spot where I was talking to McDowell. I doubt she’s been kidnapped. She must have seen me talking to John.
“Fuck.” I scan the security and alert the front gates that Aurora doesn’t leave. I scan the cameras, searching for her. I need to find her. It takes everything in me not to storm through the house. I can’t make a scene, but at the same time, I’m worried about losing Aurora.