Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
She turned down the next street and in the distance could see the lights of downtown. Brody would be there in the morning, working at the office, trying to find her. Or perhaps he would be so angry with her, he’d simply take Nate and walk away.
Where was it? Had they already left? What would she do? She sniffled, trying to stop the stupid tears from running down her face.
There it was. A big van sat at the end of the block, its brake lights a beacon in the darkness. Like two red eyes watching for her, waiting in the darkness to scoop her up. Once she stepped into that van, she wouldn’t see her son again. Wouldn’t feel Brody’s arms around her. She would be alone for the rest of her short life.
But Nate would live. Brody would live. He would get over her and find a proper mother for Nate. A mom who could teach him joy and happiness. A mom who would love him with her whole heart because she knew Brody wouldn’t choose anyone else.
Her son was safe with him.
The door to the back of the van opened. A tall man wearing all black stepped out. “I was beginning to worry you would not show, Dr. Gibson. We were about to leave without you.”
She stopped in front of him, trying to catch her breath. “I want you to promise you won’t hurt my son or Brody Carter.”
Fedor Shadrova bowed his head slightly, a courtly gesture. “We had a deal. I always honor my deals. No harm will come to your loved ones. And you should understand that if something goes wrong, I will consider all the responsibility on de Vries. You have honored our deal.” His arm came up, gun metal flashing in the low light. “Although part of that deal was you coming alone.”
She turned and Tucker stood behind her. His hands came up, showing that he carried no weapons. “What are you doing?”
“Yes, I remember you from the club. You did not come back to the office with us,” Fedor said. “I assumed you weren’t an important employee.”
“I’m not. I’m not even an employee,” Tucker replied. “I’m more like a burden.”
Why was he here? Did he think he could take on Fedor and his men all alone? “He’s no one. He’s not important and he won’t hurt anyone.”
“Excellent.” Even in the darkness she could see Fedor’s predatory smirk. “Then no one will miss him.”
“I know where the flash drive is,” Tucker said, his tone perfectly calm.
Fedor stopped, going still. “The one they wish to exchange for my sister?”
Tucker stood tall. “Yes, that one. But I’m only going to talk to de Vries. Take me to him and we’ll all get what we want. You get your sister. Stephanie gets to be a martyr, and I get what I want, too.”
“And what is that?” Fedor asked.
“A shit ton of cash. Lots and lots of cash,” Tucker replied.
“I should kill you where you stand,” Fedor said.
Tucker’s head shook. “And then you’ll never get your sister back because if you think de Vries is going to be satisfied with the doc and Alfi Dauterre, you’re wrong about him. He wants everything. He needs everything. His employer won’t be satisfied without it.”
“You seem to know a lot about this.” Fedor’s gun didn’t waver.
“I listen. Even when people think I’m not listening, I get the gist of what’s happening. A smart man knows how to handle his responsibilities,” Tucker replied. “And don’t bother searching me. I put it in a safe place.”
“Get in,” Fedor ordered. “We’ll see how you handle torture.”
Tucker’s lips quirked up in a savage grin. “I think I’m a professional at that. I don’t know. Sometimes it’s hard to remember, but I think I’ll be good at this.”
Fedor pulled her into the van and she realized he wasn’t alone. There was a man driving, and two more inside.
Was Tucker telling the truth? He knew where the drive was and he wanted money? It wouldn’t be the first time she’d been betrayed, but she couldn’t stand to think about how Brody would take the news. He would be devastated.
All this time Tucker had been pretending to be his friend.
She heard the sickening sound of bone meeting metal and when she managed to turn, Tucker’s unconscious body was being hauled in.
The doors closed again and the van started to pull away.
She tried to glance out the window, but she couldn’t see anything.
“Time for you to rest as well, Doctor. I don’t like it when my plans are upended.” Fedor’s voice came out of the darkness and then something came down hard on her head.
Pain flared, but it was only for a moment. Then darkness was all she could see.
Chapter Fourteen
“Someone got to her.” Liam O’Donnell paced the floor of the conference room. “That fucker Ukrainian did it. Sometime last night, he got to her and he convinced her to do this.”