Holding her breath and waiting for whatever was about to be slid through, all she could think about was how she really wanted to go home right now and be with her father. He had to be so worried about her.
How long have I even been here?
A tray was pushed through the opening, and Neeka briefly saw a pair of large, dark boots before the opening in the door slid shut again. The tray had an array of food on it, but as the scents wafted toward her, it was nausea that came forward.
She rushed to the toilet just as she emptied the contents of her stomach. Sitting on the floor when she was finished, she leaned against the wall and looked at the tray. The memories of what happened assaulted her.
She’d been drugged, kidnapped, and who knew where in the hell she was, or what they planned on doing with her.
The cold, hard ground beneath her was unforgiving, and she started to shake uncontrollably. Although everything seemed clean and untouched, a feeling of dirtiness coursed through her.
Looking at the camera again, she stared into the small lens, wondering if the person behind it right now liked watching her break.
The tears finally broke through, and she didn’t stop them. Neeka just covered her face with her hands and cried.
Chapter
Two
Gage Mack leaned back in his chair, and he stared at the man in front of him. Edward McCarthy was one of the wealthiest men in America, even his company being in Forbes billionaire list.
He was nearing sixty, but he appeared much older than that as he lay in bed, his face an ashen color and his eyes sunken in. Edward coughed between sentences.
“Thank you for coming, Mr. Mack.” He held his handkerchief to his mouth, and he coughed again, splatters of blood covering the white fabric. “You have no idea how grateful I am that you took my offer and will help me in finding my daughter.”
It wasn’t as if Gage had any choice in the matter. This was his job, being hired to not only find people, but to take them out if need be, as well.
It wasn’t something he saw himself doing when growing up, but he was good at what he did, stealthy, silent, and when someone needed to be killed he was called.
But this was more of a search and rescue mission, that was, until he found the person or people responsible for kidnapping Neeka. Once they were found his real talents would be put to use.
Gage knew everything about Edward McCarthy and his only child, Neeka. He had to know the ins and outs of how Edward’s family and business ran if he had any hope of finding out who took her, who might have a vendetta for the older man.
“Your gratitude isn’t necessary, Mr. McCarthy.”
“Please, call me Edward.” He coughed again, awkwardly trying to adjust his position on the bed, but making it look like it was very painful. “I didn’t know what to do. After the police came up with nothing in terms of finding my daughter, I knew I had to go to more drastic measures.”
Gage’s organization wasn’t widely known. In fact, unless the person needing their help had underground contacts, it was impossible to get a hold of them.
Gage let his gaze travel to an unidentified man sitting in the corner, the shadows partially concealing him, but his presence still apparent.
“For nearly two weeks the search has been going on for her, with no sign of where she’s been taken or if … she’s still alive.” Edward choked up on the last word. “It doesn’t matter how much money I have or who I know, nobody seems to have any information on her whereabouts. I’m at a loss. I’ve tried everything, bribed, pleaded, and even threatened people for information on where she is.”
He tried to pull himself up even more, but grimaced from the act.
“I’m a weak and frail man, sick and won’t live as long as I’d like, Mr. Mack. If my cancer wasn’t this advanced, I would be out there myself searching for her.”
Gage was unmoving, listening to what Edward said, and aware that this man was desperate. Desperation created recklessness, but Gage and the men that were contract killers and trackers were anything but that.
They made sure to be calm, collected, and act when needed.
“You and your men are the best of the best, and I will pay you anything to find my Neeka.” He coughed again, his breath wheezing in and out of his lungs. “I want my daughter’s abductor’s head.” There was anger and conviction in McCarthy’s voice, his words laced with strength.
Edward had already paid a fortune to Gage’s organization, and he was here because he’d already accepted the job. “Mr. McCarthy, this is what I do. I track and hunt, and if I need to take someone out I don’t hesitate.”