Once she was inside, I ran her seat belt across her then clicked it into place. After shutting the door, I went around the front then got into my seat and started the car. Without the headlights to avoid notice until we passed a few houses, we pulled out slowly to avoid attracting attention.
“We both know he won’t call the cops. What’s he going to say? He was holding you hostage, but I took you from him? And even if he calls in a tip that he saw me with you, it won’t matter.” We had the chief of police in our pocket, but that wasn’t information I was going to share. I weaved through the streets, uncaring of my speed, and closed in on the entrance to the highway.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Funny how your little plan backfired.” I laughed and floored it as we merged onto the highway and headed toward my lakefront house. My body thrummed with electricity from touching her. For the second time since Teresa died, I felt like I was alive, and I didn’t want that to end.
I was taking her to my place in the city. What she and Justin had concocted intrigued me too much to expose them for the liars they were to Allen. The ride was quiet, and I let her sit with her thoughts. I could only imagine what was running through her head. After witnessing the little scene in the basement, she was obviously rebelling and taking her stepfather for a run for his money.
When we arrived at the underground entrance to my greystone across from Lake Michigan and off Lake Shore Drive, I rolled down my window and motioned for the guards to leave. I did not need them, as I had my own men monitoring the perimeter. They waited until we passed the gated entry before pulling away.
Once we were parked, I got out of the car and opened her door. Sam, the head of my guards, approached, and I told him to have someone take the loaner car back and return with my Maserati.
I led her to the elevator with a firm but gentle grasp on her arm. We rode it to the top. The doors parted with a soft swoosh into my living room. The kitchen was to the left, and a fireplace was situated across from a large sectional to our right. Directly before us were floor-to-ceiling windows and an accordion glass slider with a stunning view of the lake. It was my favorite part of my home. My sister, Sofia, had worked with an interior designer and decorated it in a way she knew I would like with dusty blue-gray and natural stone. I loved it, and for some strange reason, I wanted Hailey to like it too.
Hailey stood between the kitchen and living room, her gaze trained on the water. I released her and went to grab a bottle of wine and two glasses. I couldn’t have cared less if she had any, but I needed it after my shift at the hospital. Once I was on the board, I would cut my hours drastically. I didn’t have even the small amount of time off that a typical ER surgeon had, given my obligation to family.
The sound of the cork’s extraction must have pulled Hailey from her thoughts, and she turned in my direction with wide eyes. I couldn’t help but smirk. I motioned for her to join me, nudging one of the wineglasses to the opposite side of the island, closer to her. With measured steps, she inched over. Her trepidation was in direct conflict with her earlier bravado.
I waited for her to take a sip before I got down to business. “There are a few things you need to be aware of—there is no escaping. Even if you managed to take the elevator to the garage, guards will stop you.”
The spunk from earlier returned, and the corner of her mouth quirked up. “You’ll have to leave at some point. There are other ways I can get help.”
“Your purse, coat, and shoes are back at Justin’s. So no phone. There isn’t a landline in here for you to access. You won’t be able to break my password to send an email.” I held up my hand to stop her protest. “And even if you do manage to scream from the penthouse balcony, no one will hear you. The front of this building and those on either side have construction and detours set up for anyone who tries to walk even close to the perimeter. No one will hear you.”
“You’re forgetting one major factor—Justin.”
“And what do you think he’s going to do? I’m aware he’s your friend. We’ve already discussed the police situation and how even if he went to report that I had you, nothing would be done.”
“Justin will find a way.” She lifted her glass in a silent toast to my downfall. “And when he does, I’ll be laughing all the way to the door while they drag you away in handcuffs.”
I took a sip of my wine, held her gaze, and didn’t say a word. A few minutes passed while we simply drank and sized each other up. Her fingers toyed with the glass stem. I didn’t want to argue with her about her friend.
“Why did Allen send you?” She squared her shoulders aggressively and adopted a commanding voice.
Brave. Not once had she cowered, and I secretly loved every second of her strength. But it only heightened the attraction I had for her, something I would have to be very careful to keep in check. “Why?” That was an excellent question, considering that her stunt reeked of rebellion and a lack of a healthy relationship between the two. “The only answer I can come up with is that the ransom demand said no cops. Maybe he cared enough that he didn’t want you delivered to him in pieces. Nice touch with that threat, by the way.”
The corners of her lips twitched, but she schooled her features before giving in to the emotion entirely. My gaze dropped to her full lower lip, and I wondered how she would react if I ran my tongue over it then tugged it between my teeth before exploring her mouth until she clung to me, begging for more. I pushed off the back counter where I had been leaning to shift so that I stood at the island, hiding my arousal from view. That was going to be a problem.
“You won’t know for sure what happened this morning. Maybe I got away? Or the kidnapper wasn’t there when you broke into Justin’s house?”
“I saw the security tapes. One person in the van happened to fit Justin’s height and build. So cut the crap. What are your plans for the money? I can’t imagine you’re hurting for cash, based on who your mother is.”
“Why do you want to know?” She tilted her head to the side, a mass of curls tumbling over her shoulder. I wanted to thread my fingers through it and see if the strands would curl around them. Would they be as silky as they looked?
I closed my eyes briefly, working hard to get myself under control. It had to have been the long hours I’d put in lately. I was tired. That had to be the reason for my response to her. “I know your mother and what she’s worth. Not only that, but I know how much you have in your trust fund to the penny. So I’ll ask again. What did you hope to gain by ransoming the money from Allen? Was it a stunt to get his attention?”
Her head jerked back. “How old do you think I am?”
“Twenty-two. Dropped out of MIT after a year and a half, and you haven’t done anything with your life other than hang out with your best friend and play video games in his basement.”
An angry flush darkened her cheeks. “I see you’ve been talking to my mom. You’re not the only one. I’ve spoken with Sofia, and I know all about what you do, what family you come from.”
“Then you’re aware that provoking me isn’t a good option.” I wasn’t getting the information from her that I needed, but I was sure as hell enjoying sparring with her.
She shrugged then took a sip of her wine. When she set it down, a slow smile curved her lips. “You may be Mafia, but you’re a doctor, and you’ve sworn an oath.”
I laughed. “That’s naïve of you. I might save people, but I also kill them.” I put my drink down, fatigue clouding the edges of my vision. Caffeine was a better option, and I pivoted to where the Nespresso machine sat on the coffee bar that Sofia had insisted upon.