Weird, right? The way your brain worked when put under levels of unimaginable stress. I thought I’d be one of those women who’d scream until their throat turned hoarse and raw. I’d pound my fists and beg for freedom.
Instead, I felt almost numb, and I kept having these weird thoughts. Like the timing of my period. I mean, whose mind went in that direction when being kept against your will, chained up in a basement, with the very real possibility of never seeing the sun again? Of being maimed and tortured, raped and killed?
Me. Athena Bancroft. I had those kinds of thoughts.
I could feel the anger building within me, like an inevitable bomb waiting to go off. How dare this man snatch me off the street, stick me with a needle that, for all I knew, could carry all manner of diseases. To chain me up like a fucking dog.
The lock rattled for the second time since I’d woken. This time, I didn’t cower against the wall with my knees protectively tucked up to my chest. No, I stood. Bring it, asshole. I’m ready.
He entered the room carrying a similar posture to last time. A little stooped, head bowed, a balaclava covering his cowardly face. Except unlike last time, I paid attention. I took note of the tuft of hair peeking out from underneath the mask—a dull brown—of his eyes peering through two peep holes—green—of his height, weight, the clothes he wore. Anything that might help to track down this motherfucking bastard when I got out of there.
Because I will. You can bet on it.
“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice a gravely rasp as though he’d smoked twenty cigarettes a day for years. Accent… definitely New York. Slightly dulled. Maybe he’d lived out of state for a while? But yeah, this guy originated from my hometown.
And anyway, what kind of a dumb fuck asked a kidnapping victim who they’d chained to a pipe and forced to pee in a bucket if they were okay?
“No, I’m not fucking all right,” I snapped. “I want to go home. I demand to go home.”
My captor pulled over the wonky chair from the corner of the room and set it in front of me, but not close enough for me to grab with my free arm. Hmm. Not so dumb after all.
He sat and crossed his legs. “I’m sorry it’s come to this.”
I frowned. “What? What’s come to this?”
He offered up a watery smile. “I’m not going to hurt you. If you behave.”
“You’ve already hurt me, asshole,” I spat. “You stuck a needle in my neck. For all I know, I could have HIV, or hepatitis. You bundled me into a car, and you’ve kept me chained up here against my will. Do tell, what’s your definition of not hurting me?”
I had no idea what made me so brave, to use such incendiary language. But I refused to cower.
“I am sorry. But it’s necessary.”
I shook my head. “I don’t get it. You’re not making any sense.”
“I’m owed. He owes me.”
“Who? Who owes you? What do they owe you?”
His chin dipped to his chest. “My life.”
Okay, this dude was either stark raving nuts, or… yeah, I had nothing. He’d clearly lost his mind.
“You’re going to have to give me more than that.”
“Your brother,” he snapped—the first flash of emotion I’d seen shooting from his eyes.
“Elliot? What’s he done?”
“He ruined my life. And now the time has come for him to pay his dues.”
“How did he ruin your life?” I asked, genuinely interested in the answer. There was something almost pathetic about this specimen. He wasn’t a scary monster. A little creepy, maybe, but far from the evil, violent kidnapper I’d built him up to be.
“What do you care?” He stood.
“Wait,” I said, not wanting to be left alone. “Please sit down. Tell me. Maybe I can help.”
He chuckled. “You are helping. You, my dear girl, are going to net me a very large sum indeed. Fifty million dollars to be exact.”
My jaw slackened. “That’s insane,” I whispered. “Elliot won’t pay that.”
“It’s nothing more than pocket change to him, and he’ll damn well pay it if he ever wants to see you alive again.”
I jutted out my chin. “You won’t hurt me. You don’t have the guts.”
He leaned into my personal space, his breath smelling of a hint of garlic that he’d tried to mask with mints. I pressed my spine flush to the damp wall.
“Don’t be so sure,” he said. “It isn’t my intention to hurt you, but underestimating me would be a mistake. I’ve given your brother twenty-four hours to come up with the money. For every hour beyond that, I’m going to send him a finger.” He grabbed my unshackled wrist. “Such pretty hands, too.”
Okay, for one thing, coming up with fifty mil in that amount of time was nigh on impossible. And secondly, I’d completely misread this guy. I pegged him for harmless crazy, but now, up close, he almost appeared sinister. I remember reading a story about a survivor of a kidnapping once. They said something about humanizing yourself because if you force your captor to see you as a real person, rather than a means to an end, it makes hurting you much harder.
“Please, tell me what Elliot did to you. Whatever it was, he had no right. I’m not like him.” Forgive me, brother.
“I believe you,” my captor said hoarsely. “I think you’re a good girl. Not like him. But don’t think that means I won’t do what’s necessary, because I will.”
He placed the chair back in the corner of the room and went over to the door. He glanced back over his shoulder. “If he pays, tomorrow you go home. And if he doesn’t…” He waggled his pinky in the air. “I think we’ll start with this one.”
The second the door closed, I screamed out of pure frustration. I spent the next five minutes hauling on those chains with every ounce of strength I possessed, all to no avail. Exhausted, I sank to the floor. Despite my determination to stay strong, a few tears leaked from the corners of my eyes.
Please get me out of here.
26
Ryker
“How the fuck are we going to pull fifty mil together in twenty-four hours?” Elliot said, raking a hand through his hair. “Doesn’t this asshole understand, that’s not how it works.”
“There must be a way though, darling. Please,” Judy begged. “I want my baby back.”
“I don’t advise paying the ransom,” Detective Peterson cut in. “It rarely ends well.”
Elliot’s head swiveled so fast it almost came off his neck. “Well, I don’t see you coming up with any bright ideas, Sherlock,” he spat at the detective. “What the fuck are you doing here, huh? You should be out there looking for my sister.”
“Elliot.” I placed a hand on his arm. He shook me off. “There are officers out there, but they don’t have a lot to go on.”
“Exactly,” Elliot bit out. “Which is why we pay. I don’t care about the money. It’s a pittance. I want my sister back.” He shot me a savage gaze. “I thought you’d feel the same. Maybe you don’t love her as much as you say you do.”
Despite the anger swelling from within my gut, I remained calm. “I’m going to forget you said that. We’re all under enormous stress. Lashing out at me isn’t going to help Athena.”
Elliot’s face crumpled, and he nodded.
“I will fix this,” I assured him. “Give me a few hours.”
I didn’t wait for Elliot to ask me how I planned to solve an unsolvable problem in such a short period of time. I left his parents’ house and jumped in my car. Finally alone, I crammed down a sense of despair that crawled up into my throat.
I couldn’t lose her.
Not now.
Not after all those years of denying our feelings.
My breathing escalated, my heart painfully pummeling against my ribcage. I gripped the steering wheel and took a calming breath. Athena was smart, resourceful, strong. She’d survive this.
Hang on, baby. I’m coming.
I started the engine and set off for my penthouse. On the
way I called Agility, a security firm we often used Stateside. I wanted eyes on Elliot’s parents, as well as the rest of the guys and their families until we knew what we were dealing with.
Speeding the entire way home, I arrived at my penthouse in less than twenty minutes. I bypassed the living area and headed straight for my study. I sat behind my desk, opened my laptop, and pulled up the relevant files. Then I began to make some calls.
Two hours later, I’d lost seventy-five percent on the market value of the assets I’d liquidated, but the money was sitting in my account ready to be transferred to Athena’s kidnapper. Gaining quick access to cash always resulted in the financial equivalent of being fucked in the ass. One day, I’d find a way to return the favor to any business associates who’d taken advantage, but for now, I had to be happy with achieving the impossible. All that mattered was getting Athena back.
My biggest worry? We’d pay the ransom and whoever had her would kill her anyway. That would be the reason why the police didn’t think submitting to the kidnapper’s demands was a good idea.
But we were out of options. And desperate men did desperate things.
By the time I arrived back at Elliot’s place, it had turned midnight. I walked into the kitchen, unsurprised they’d been joined by more detectives. Five of them were in a huddle speaking in hushed whispers. No doubt Peterson had called the ransom demand in to his superiors.
“Any news?”
Elliot glanced over at me wearily and shook his head. Judy had fallen asleep, her head resting on crossed arms. Karl sat beside her with a faraway look in his eyes.
I indicated for Elliot to follow me, then left the kitchen and strode down the hallway toward the formal living room. He closed the door behind me.
“I’ve got the money,” I said.
“You have?” An incredulous expression crossed his face, and once more I saw a spark of hope light his irises.
“Yeah.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “I don’t think we should tell the cops.”
“I’m with you there. Ever since you left, Peterson hasn’t stopped trying to convince me we’re doing the wrong thing. He thinks we should let their lead negotiator have a crack at him.”
“He’s got a point. We might be doing the wrong thing.”
“Possibly.” Elliot grazed a hand over his chin and gave me a rueful glimmer of a smile, the first he’d bestowed on me since finding out about me and his sister. “I’m willing to take the risk. And when we get her back, I won’t rest until I’ve followed the money trail. If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll find that bastard.”
“You and me both.”
“Lose much?”
I shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Did he say when he’d call again?”
“No.”
I kicked off my shoes and lay down on one of the several couches dotted around the room. “Then we wait.”
Neither Elliot nor I got much sleep. Judy came searching for us about two in the morning. Despite Elliot instructing her to go to bed, she refused. As dawn broke, we all gave up pretending we were getting any rest. We headed back to the kitchen. Judy made a fresh pot of coffee which soon emptied by the time she’d poured cups for me, Elliot, herself, and Karl. She made a further pot for the cops.
I dropped Elliot a text. I think we should hang out in a different room. If he calls, we can get the deal done without them being aware.
Even though it had been less than twelve hours since Athena’s captor had called, I knew he’d call back earlier. It was a well-known tactic in the business world to put pressure on your opponent and force them into rash decision-making.
Elliot glanced at his phone then picked it up and slipped it in his pocket. “Ryker, we need to go get the Addison’s deal finalized.”
Great excuse.
“Agreed,” I said, playing it up for the cops. “We’ll conference in the team on my phone, so your cell remains free.”
The cops didn’t even glance in our direction as we left. They were far too busy giving Judy their breakfast orders. I tried not to feel irked. They’d barely earned coffee, let alone pancakes, eggs, and bacon.
Me, I couldn’t stomach the thought of food. Not until Athena returned home safely.
And then a thought hit me. Tanaka. I knew when I ruined his life that there was a chance he’d want to exact his revenge one day. Scanning through my contacts, I found the PI I’d hired to dig up dirt. I sent a text. No point worrying Elliot unnecessarily. If he didn’t respond, I’d make an excuse to leave the room and call.
I need Tanaka’s whereabouts—now.
Thirty seconds later, he answered. Strange you should ask. I’m looking right at him.
I hit reply. Japan?
Yes. He’s bussing tables in a cheap-as-shit diner.
I breathed a sigh of relief. You’re off the clock. Why are you still following?
You’re not the only one pissed at this individual.
I suppressed a glimmer of a smile. Karma at its finest.
Time crawled by so slowly, I kept checking my watch to see if it had stopped working. I sat, stood, paced, the clawing ache in my stomach growing more uncomfortable with every minute that passed. Please be safe. Please don’t let him have hurt you. Please come back to me.
Right before noon, Oliver appeared looking exhausted and bedraggled. I shot him a grateful smile. Elliot had become more and more withdrawn as the morning dragged on, and the occasional glare he sent my way told me he’d far from forgiven what he saw as a betrayal of trust.
“Addison’s is done,” Oliver said, sounding anything but celebratory. He flopped into a chair. “Any news on Athena?”
I shook my head while Elliot’s pained expression tightened my chest.
“Still waiting for the bank account details,” I said. “I’ve got the money.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Jeez, that’s some fancy dealing.” He peered at me. “What happened to your face?”
I touched my bruised lip. “It doesn’t matter.”
“I hit him,” Elliot interjected. “He’s lucky that’s all he got.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and blew out a steadying breath, but before I could form a suitable response, Elliot’s phone rang. He snatched it off the table and put it on speaker.
“Yeah?”
“You got the money?”
Same altered voice as yesterday.
“Let me talk to my sister.”
“No.”
“How do I know she’s still alive?”
A false laugh came over the line. “You’ll have to trust me.”
“No,” Elliot insisted. “No conversation, no money.”
Elliot cut his gaze to mine. I nodded. This was the right approach to take and, apart from me, there wasn’t a tougher negotiator in the room.
The line went dead.
“Shit,” Elliot gritted out. “Did I just fuck up?”
“No,” I replied. “I’d have done the same. He’s probably considering your request and figuring out the right thing to do.”
“I hope so.”
Fifteen torturously long minutes passed before Elliot’s phone rang again and Athena’s wavering voice came over the line.
“Elliot.”
“Athena! God, are you okay? Has he hurt you?”
“No.”
A sob broke from her throat, the sound tearing a fucking great hole in my heart. I tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t form.
“I want to come home.”
“You’re coming home,” Elliot said. “You hear me, little sis?”
“The money, or she dies.”
Once again, the line went dead.
Elliot leaped to his feet and roared, the sound bringing Judy, Karl, and the police rushing into the living room.
“What’s the matter?” Judy cried. “Is it Athena?”
“No,” I interjected, cutting Elliot off. Last thing we needed was the cops figuring out we’d spoken to the kidnapper again. “We had a small work
issue, that’s all, and Elliot overreacted.”
Judy’s face crumpled, and her shoulders drooped. “Oh.”
“Sorry, Mom,” Elliot said, coming across to hug her. He kissed the top of her head.
“No news then?” Detective Peterson asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing.”
“There’s still time,” Peterson said. “We’re only sixteen or so hours in.”
“Indeed.” I fiddled with my cufflink, my gaze steady on the detective’s.
“We’ll leave you to it, then.”
The cops filed out as Elliot’s phone dinged with a text. I set my eyes on him, my message clear: get rid of your parents. He caught my drift, walking his mother to the door.
“I’d love something to eat, Mom. Do you think you could rustle up some sandwiches for us?”
“Of course, sweetheart. You will call me if you hear anything, won’t you?”
“You got it, Mom.”
The second Judy and Karl left, Elliot grabbed his phone. “Unknown number.” He tapped the screen. “It’s banking details.”
“The drop,” I said.
“Yep. We’ve got an hour to send the money.”
“Send me those details.”
He tapped on his phone. “Done. You set up the transfer. I’m going to see if I can trace the origin of this account.”
“You won’t be able to,” I said. “Unless this is the dumbest kidnapper in history.”
Elliot shrugged. “Gotta start somewhere. If this fucker thinks I’ll just let it go, he’s sadly mistaken.”
Amen to that, brother. Amen to that.
27
Athena
I grabbed a fistful of my hair and screamed as my abductor walked away with the lifeline to my family. Hearing Elliot’s voice, so near and yet so far, had cut me deeply. Had Ryker been with him? Did Elliot know about us? I needed more time to talk to them, to hear their voices, but that bastard denied me.
Despite the futility of my situation, a glimmer of hope sparked within me. If it was within Elliot’s and Ryker’s power to pull the money together, they would. And if they paid him, he might let me go. I wasn’t stupid. There was a distinct possibility they’d pay the ransom and I’d still end up dead. I pitied the bastard if he chose that path. He’d spend the rest of his life on the run. Elliot wouldn’t rest until he’d been found and punished, and neither would Ryker.
Entranced (The ROGUES Billionaire Series Book 1) Page 20
