CharlotteConstantinebelongs to me.
Seamus steers her around and escorts her out of the lobby, the two of them walking side by side, leaving through the double doors. One second, they’re there and the next…
They’re gone. Never to be seen again.
The video stops and a ragged exhale leaves me.
“I say we call the police,” Grant suggests once the video is finished. “This is fucking crazy. We don’t know where she’s at, or what his mental state is. What if he’s—hurt her? Or plans on it? Have we heard from him? Has he made any demands yet? Asked for money?”
“All I received were the photos. That’s it,” I remind Grant. “Maybe we should call the—”
“No. No cops should be involved. Then the media will find out and her kidnapping will be everywhere. All over gossip sites, the news—we can’t risk it. And this isn’t about money,” Winston interrupts, scrubbing his hand along his jaw. “It’s personal.”
“Give me a break that this is some personal beef made up between two warring families. I don’t fucking believe it.” Out of nowhere Grant shoves at my shoulder, sending me stumbling back. “You versus the Morellis aren’t mobsters or whatever the fuck. That is some silly shit and somehow your stupid ass got my sister involved. She’s not a pawn to be used in your fight. There’s more to this than you’re telling us.”
“Tell that to your father,” I shout, marching right up to him and thrusting my face in his. “He’s the one who’s been using her as a pawn ever since this entire plan was launched. He forced her to marry me.”
“And who the fuck forced you to marry her?” he throws back at me.
I snap my lips shut, glaring. No one forced me. I did it of my own free will. I might’ve been against it at first, but eventually I got over it. Getting to know my future bride helped. My attraction toward her helped as well.
Not that I can admit any of that out loud, in front of her brothers. They don’t want to hear it.
Grant’s nostrils flare as he stares at me, his expression pure intimidation. I’m sure he’s sent many a man scurrying away with their tails tucked between their legs with that look, but fuck it. I’m not scared. I’m not going to back down. He thinks he’s got something to lose here? I do too.
“I don’t think it has anything to do with Constantines versus Morellis and everything to do with her being the one who got away from him,” Finn says, sounding logical as fuck.
We all turn to glare at him, Grant speaking first.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Finn shoves his hands into his pants’ pockets. “They had a torrid affair in Paris, right?”
I hate hearing the words but damn it—
“Yes,” I bite out.
“And then she found out he was a lying bastard who had a girlfriend. Charlotte was devastated and ran home a disgraced mess. Never to speak to him again. We know she was distraught. After she came back, she was never the same. She was always quiet, but she completely withdrew into herself. Maybe he was upset too. I’ve done a little investigating on this guy. He sort of dropped off the face of the earth after the incident with Charlotte happened.”
I noticed that too, when I tried to dig up information on him. “He went back to Ireland. Where the girlfriend lived. His time in Paris was never supposed to be permanent, from what I could tell.”
“Father had him fired,” Grant admits. “He moved to Paris and took that job on a permanent basis, trust me. He was fired and sent back to Ireland. The girlfriend dumped him soon after. I’m sure he views all the Lancasters as the ones who destroyed his life.”
“What the hell? Who the fuck is this guy? And why did your father have him fired?” I feel like I’m completely in the dark. “Did Charlotte know about this?”
Grant shrugs. “Not sure. And our father had him fired because he ruined Charlotte’s reputation. He might not think—much of our sister, but he would never allow someone to tarnish her image without punishment.”
Unbelievable. No wonder the guy is unhinged. To McKidnapper, she looks like the one who ruined his life completely, even if she’s not solely responsible.
“Well damn. I had no idea.” Finn shrugs, sweeping his assessing gaze around the room. “Want my opinion? Y’all need to focus. We put all four of our heads together, we’re definitely going to find her.”
So easy for him to say.
“Finn, you have no idea what you’re talking about,” Grant says, his tone dismissive. Damn, he gives me serious Winston vibes. “We should call the police. I know a few detectives, have some connections. I could talk to them. Make sure they’d be discreet.”
“No way,” Winston says.
“Not yet,” I agree, glancing over at Winston. “Myron send you that address?”