“Then why aren’t you calling in the guys? It’s pouring rain out. It’s got be freezing for them. Have they even eaten lunch?” I see a smile grow on his face in the reflection of the window.
“They have huts to protect them from the rain, and proper rain gear. These aren’t mall security guards.” He chuckles. “A stormy night is a walk in the park for these men. Besides, it’s their job, and they do it well.”
“But we’re not in any danger, right? I mean, you said only a handful of people know where we are, so why do they have to be out there?”
“Just because we can’t see danger doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist,” he explains, cutting me off. Folding his arms, he comes to stand next to me. “The men who took you are part of the Cartels, a network that openly kills their own people in broad daylight in the middle of busy streets. The police have no control over them. Shadows has been doing this for almost three generations…just think how many people we’ve pissed off.” He looks down at me over his shoulder. His eyes soften. “Don’t worry. I make sure they get fed properly, and their shift ends in two hours.”
I nod, feeling a little better about the guys, but not so much about what he just said. “Abigail mentioned that you’re updating the security equipment. Is that just protocol or because I’m here and I bring extra baggage because of who is after me?”
“A bit of both.”
I figure since he’s on a roll answering my questions, I might as well go for the one that’s been eating me alive since I arrived.
“Did my father ask you to come for me?” A crack of thunder makes me stumble over the last word.
“I can’t answer that,” he says. “I’m sorry.”
“When will I be able to speak with him?”
“Soon, when we know it’s safe.”
“There’s that word again,” I mutter, jumping at another clap of thunder. Christ, my nerves are shot! I hate feeling so jumpy. I start to grow angry as my emotions twist around. “How much did those bastards ask for my ransom? Tell me—what am I worth?”
“Savannah,” he turns to face me, “don’t think like that.”
I stare him point blank in the eye. Now I know I’m angry.
“Fifty thousand,” he murmurs quietly. I feel my stomach drop, tuck, and roll over the hardwood floor.
“Nice to know I missed my life for seven months and I’m only worth fifty thousand! So that’s, what—roughly over seven grand a month.” I shake my head. “No wonder they barely fed me.” I’m bitter, angry, and sad. I try to fight back the tears, but it’s no use.
He touches my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. He is struggling with something, I guess about having to tell me my total net worth.
Suddenly, it hits me. “If I was only worth fifty grand, why didn’t my father pay it? Why did I have to rot away in that cell for almost a year?”
“It’s not as simple as handing someone the money, Savannah. There are always tricks and schemes, and in a lot of cases the victim is killed long before the families even agree to pay to have them returned. They make a fake proof of life video or take pictures before the victim is killed and use them throughout the negotiations.”
My blood drains from my face as another flashback plays out in front of me.
He grabs the tops of my arms, holding me steady. “Whoa. You should sit down.”
I shake my head, not listening. “W-why was I spared, then? Why not kill me? Then collect. It doesn’t make sense.”
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out. When we came for you, we planted evidence setting up Rodrigo’s brother. There’s been some bad blood between them in the past, and we hoped to throw them off our trail. We knew it wouldn’t stand up for long, but it should take the heat off for a while. We need more time to figure out exactly what is going on.”
Evidence, fake proof of life, fifty thousand dollars—my head is swimming. Before I know what is happening, I’m placed on the couch and told to put my head between my legs.
“Breathe, Savannah.” He runs his strong hand over my back. “You’re getting too much information too fast. You’ve been through a lot, and your body and brain need time to catch up. I promise I’ll answer all your questions in time, but that’s it for now.”
He is right; it is too much. I start to sob.
He pulls me into him, holding me close. His smell engulfs me. It’s been years since I had a man hold me, other than my father, and it feels nice…almost safe.
I wake to a booming sound that could restart a heart. I lie on the couch, staring at the fire, and try to catch my breath. Lightning fills the room, followed by another earth-shaking boom. I sit up and look around. I’m alone in this very large house in the middle of a freakin’ battle-of-the-gods storm. I make my way slowly toward the kitchen. Abigail must have left the light on for me. The clock reads eleven. I glance outside when the lightning flickers, illuminating the entire lake. I squeeze my eyes and cover my ears, waiting for the next—
“Ahhh,” I yelp when it rumbles all around me like a speeding train. It is so unpredictable. I hate it!
I hear voices coming from downstairs and follow them, hoping to find Abigail. I could really use some company right now. They become louder when I reach the entertainment room. The door is partially open. I take a deep breath and step inside. Logan, Mark, York, and three other men I recognize but don’t know by name are sitting around a poker table, drinking beer.