“And Kennedy?”
I wasn’t about to let him catch a glimpse of my cards. “She’s safe.” It was all I was willing to share. It was a power play I dared to employ.
“What is she going to do when she sees this press conference?” He pointed to the live feed on his phone of Crew’s parents behind a podium outside the station. It didn’t matter what they said now—they had gone public.
“She’s going to do what she always does—lead her family out of the crisis.”
“But you’re controlling how she does it.”
My jaw locked. “I don’t control Kennedy. No one does.”
“Then where are you keeping her?”
I ran my palm against the side of my face. I hadn’t shaved this morning. It felt rough and untamed. “Maybe I am controlling some of this.” I huffed. “If it keeps her safe, then I’m good with it.” I turned for the door. “Lock up when you leave.”
After a few blocks I turned off one of the waterfront streets. I pulled my sunglasses over my eyes. The sun’s reflection off the water was sharp. One of the barges sounded its horn. It was haunting as it traveled across the river.
The first time I’d really been given an important job in my father’s organization was when I had to oversee cargo shipments at the docks. He thought it built character. Gave me a chance to understand the hard work people put in to work for our family. I watched the vessel heading out to sea, and wondered if that was one of the ships he used to own that now was part of Kennedy’s fleet. I sped up, putting the container ship behind me. If it was possible, he’d find a way to scratch and crawl his way out of hell if it stopped me from being with her. Damn it. I pulled into the driveway of the Martin compound.
I tucked my sunglasses into the inside pocket of my jacket. I opened the door and placed one foot on the concrete. It was all I had time to do before I heard tires squealing, doors slamming, and lights flashing in every direction.
I closed my eyes, slowly raising my hands in the air. I didn’t make any other movements. I waited for the words that were inevitable going to be spoken.
“Knight Corban, we need you to come with us. You’re under arrest for the disappearance of Crew West.”
15
Kennedy
I glared across the room at the radiator. It had started hissing again. I left the files on the table and walked over to the device. I knew better than to use my hand this time. I wrapped a towel around the handle and twisted it back to the off position. It was as if the damn thing only had two temperatures—on and off. I needed off. The heat in this place was stifling.
I had turned it back on when Knight left this morning. He took the warmth with him.
The key he had given me to the locks rested on the corner of the table. I returned to the files I had opened.
I had read the same contract five times. The same top paragraph at least ten. Every time I started it over, I thought I’d retain some of it, but it wouldn’t stick. Not when he was gone. Not when the stakes were so high.
I paced in the small cabin, making a lap around the couch and back around again.
Renee had given me the docs to go over about the treasure tech. It was the most valuable asset Knight had, and I wanted it under my company’s umbrella. I sat at the formica table, ready to give the files one more chance.
Renee had attached a hand-written note to the inside flap of the file. I read something about how the Lieutenant Governor was forming some alliances. When were politicians not forming alliances? Tomorrow, he’d have new allies and new enemies. I hated the political world. I preferred the organizations.
I flipped the top page and started to read about the treasure tech.
Was this possible? Could I pull this off? Bring the tech into my media department and partner with Knight. It would have global implications. I’d have a foot in every market. It was the one thing that could l
aunch a thousand more arms of my company. I twisted my lips together.
Knight was going to hand it over. He was clear about that. After Raphael Corban spent faster than he could profit, this was the only legitimate asset Knight had. Under my development though it could be incredibly powerful.
There was another offer he had put on the table. Merge our two companies. Join forces.
I sighed. We should be able to take on the world. We could knock down anyone who came after us. But at what cost did I go into a partnership with him? What did I have to give up to start sharing? What did I gain in the process? My head hurt. I stood from the table.
What time was it?
I picked up my phone. Oh my God. It was after two o’clock.