Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 132834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
I had always known they had kidnapped me because I was a Sawyer. I couldn’t complain about growing up wealthy, but it sure as hell puts a target on your back in all kinds of ways. Kidnapping was just the most dangerous. It had never crossed my mind that my kidnapping had been related to a specific business deal. I’d never been involved in Prentice’s business dealings. What could I have to do with anything? It didn’t make sense.
“These contracts,” I said, gesturing to the briefcase. “Griffen said the earliest one was dated 2012. That was after I was kidnapped.”
Cole nodded slowly. “Yes, your kidnapping was part of the—” He looked at the ceiling as if searching for a word. “The negotiation phase of the deal.”
“They kidnapped my brother as a negotiating tactic?” Royal demanded. “Who the fuck does that?”
Cole opened the topmost file folder and flipped through the contract inside. Setting the signature page in front of Griffen, he pointed to Ford’s notes. “It looks like Ford figured it out. He never said anything, but this is old news compared to being prosecuted for Prentice’s murder. Ford probably forgot about it.”
He tapped his finger on the company name by Ford’s question marks. “I don’t recognize this one. I can’t tell you anything about it. But this.” His finger moved to Chiapas Co. “This is the American front for a”—he paused again as if searching for a word—“gang would be the best description. They operate out of Mexico.”
“Gang or cartel?” Griffen asked sharply.
Cole must have understood the distinction he was getting at. “Gang. Not one of the cartels.”
Griffen nodded. “Do you know what these contracts are for? The numbers are clear, but whatever they’re negotiating over is just referred to as the Product.”
“Is that even legal?” Hope asked. “Do you know what the Product was?”
Cole shook his head. “It doesn’t matter how legal it is. These contracts were never going to see a courtroom. And I don’t know what they were into with Chiapas Co.” He scanned the room, looking at all of us before going on.
“Look, I’m not going to say my hands are perfectly clean. I’ve made some decisions I regret, but I wouldn’t have gotten involved in anything illegal. Based on the way this contract is written and Chiapas Co.’s involvement, Prentice and Ford had good reasons to keep their mouths shut. I had my suspicions that this wasn’t above board, but I don’t know anything.”
“What were your suspicions?” I had to ask.
Cole just shook his head. “Nothing that matters now. This was all over almost a decade ago.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “My guess is that your father was being tight-fisted, as usual, and Chiapas didn’t like it, but I can’t say for sure. When they found out you were in Mexico, they had a chance for leverage they couldn’t pass up.”
“Why would Dad have let him go on spring break in Mexico knowing he could be a target?” Griffen asked, glaring at Cole as if he’d been the one to buy my plane tickets.
Cole shifted, his arms dropping to his sides. He shoved one hand in his pocket, then crossed his arms again. Finally, he said, “Look, I’m your brother’s attorney. I also consider him a friend. Your dad was an asshole, but we had business together over the years. I don’t feel great talking about this when neither of them is here to defend themselves, but—”
He raised his hand and rubbed the side of his thumb across his forehead. Crossing his arms again, he let out a huff of air. “They called me in after Finn was taken. Prentice and Ford admitted that they’d considered Finn could be a target and that if something happened, it could be an opportunity for them.”
The last words came out in a rush, a direct punch to my gut. An opportunity. Memories flashed through my head. The raw, bloody stripes on my wrists from the rope. The way the skin had burned, the coarse rope tearing at it every time I moved. The darkness. Hours and hours in the hot, fetid dark. Fists and hot flashes of light.
I’d never been that thirsty or that afraid. Hearing voices I couldn’t understand shouting, waving guns at me. How dark and deep the barrel of a pistol looks when it’s shoved in your face. When it was all I could see. Waiting, waiting for the bullet. It had been weeks before I could move without pain.
And all of that had been an opportunity for them. For what? What was my life worth to my father and Ford?
I was lost in my head, my memories, and then Savannah was there, her arm sliding around my waist. I didn’t want to need her. I didn’t want her to see me like this, with the worst thing that had ever happened to me thrown in our faces. I didn’t want her, want anyone, to hear that my own father and brother had thrown me away.