I knew there was a reason to keep him alive. I just don’t know why he saved me.
I look around the tarmac, but I don’t see Langston.
A man appears, standing less than ten feet away from me in suit pants, a jacket, and an unbuttoned collar without a tie. His hair is slicked back with a few gray strands. He looks so similar to Waylon that I know who he is at once.
“Corbin Brown,” I say as I stand.
Maxwell stands, too, cradling his bleeding wrist.
“What do you want?” I demand.
“I thought my letter made my demands clear.”
My eyes scan the tarmac until I spot a body lying face-first on the ground.
No!
Corbin laughs, drawing my attention back to him. “Don’t worry,
your husband isn’t dead. Just knocked out.”
I don’t react. I don’t want Corbin to think he can use Langston to control me in any way. He already has a child he can use to do that. He doesn’t need Langston.
“If you think I care about him, you haven’t studied me very well. I only married him to get the treasure. I was about to marry Maxwell; Langston just ended up being closer.”
Corbin’s dark eyes glance from me to Langston, trying to decide if I’m lying or not.
“I don’t have the treasure yet,” I say.
“I know. I’m here to ensure you give it to me when you do.”
I see Langston stirring out of the corner of my eye. A man stands over him with a gun pointed at his head.
I have to save him. How?
Maxwell is still standing to my left. He protected me from a stray bullet. He seems on our side. And as soon as Langston comes to, he’ll try to fight. I have to protect him.
“I may not care about Langston, but you can’t kill him. I have to remain married to him to complete the clues to get the treasure,” I say, demanding that Corbin not harm Langston.
“I wasn’t planning on killing him.”
“Then, why are you here? You sent your minion to watch over us while we got the treasure. You kidnapped my child to ensure my cooperation. I’ll give you the treasure; I just need more time.”
Corbin’s eyes run up and down my body, telling me exactly what he wants in addition to the treasure—me. I know exactly what I have to do to earn a little of Corbin’s trust while destroying Langston’s. Somehow, I have to use this opportunity to get the upper hand on Corbin.
I give him a wicked smile back as I run my tongue over my bottom lip slowly. Then I bite it as I sway my hips and start walking toward him. I rake my eyes over his body, pretending he’s the hottest man I know.
When I reach him, he sucks in a breath, not expecting my reaction.
“I loved Waylon. It may have started off as him blackmailing me, but I fell for him. I always fall for the bad guys, the villains. I prefer the darkness to the light. I’m sure I could fall for you too.” I pause, digging my nails into his chest. “If you want me, all you have to do is ask.” And tell me where you’re keeping an innocent child.
I wink as I let my nails dig down his chest, and then I strut toward his Bentley sedan behind him. I resist the undeniable urge to look at Langston. To see if he heard my words. To see if I’ve already broken him. To see if my cruel lies destroyed him.
22
Langston
Liesel winked at Corbin.