A man stood in front of it, wearing a sport coat and a dark pair of jeans. He held up his hands to show he came in peace.
“Open the gates!” I shouted from inside the vehicle, more than happy to have Lawrence run him over if that was necessary.
“Mr. Sharp, your father has been expecting you.” He didn’t move, and I considered giving Lawrence the order. “He knows you’re here for your wife, though we can't let your entire...” he hesitated, trying to think of what to call my army, “...procession pass. I have permission to let your car and the occupants within, but only them.”
“Fuck that,” I answered, stepping out of the car and reaching for my gun.
“Your father said that he'll kill her if you don't do as he asks,” despite his gentle manner, he didn’t react to having a gun pointed at him. “His only wish is for the two of you to have a civilized conversation.” That sounded like the pompous bastard. Everything around him needed to be clean and perfect while he wallowed in filth.
I pulled out my phone and dialed James’. The phone rang only once before he answered.
“Tell the men to wait here for your signal. If we don't come out in half an hour and or you haven't heard from us, come in.” I spoke quietly enough for the man not to hear before I addressed him directly, “Fine. I’ll meet with him. Now, open the fucking gates!”
He ran to do as I asked. I climbed back in the car, shutting the door behind me in painful anticipation. I remembered how long this took, the fucking production that was entering the Sharp estate when the gate was locked. The seconds dragged as the iron finally cleared a large enough spot for the car. Lawrence gunned it, nearly scraping the still-opening gates. He was beside himself over Claire being taken. He had an avuncular affection for her and had never gotten over his guilt about the day Gains shot her.
The winding hill to the top of the estate was a quarter of a mile long. Cherry trees lined the drive, popping up at regular intervals. Spindly omens of death and no longer the trees my mother chose for her home. Dirt and gravel kicked up, throwing a huge cloud in our wake. The place was just as I remembered, only more miserable and austere.
We reached the top of the hill, and I jumped out of the car before Lawrence pulled it to a stop. Victor was behind me when we heard a voice say, “Baby Sharp only.” I looked to the door, finding someone I recognized, one ofDaniel’sbodyguards, Dimitri.What the fuck?
“I’m coming in.” Victor snapped at the man.
“Not if you want them to live.” Gerheart, Daniel’sotherbodyguard said.
“What do you meanthem?” he spit, stalking forward. I put out my hand to stop him.
“I was the one watching the cameras before we took her. You spend a lot of time with the blonde.” Victor’s cheeks flamed. Dimitri looked at me, “Never even kissed her,” he said it as if I would think less of Victor for him not trying to fuck a nineteen-year-old who was going through a lot.
Victor pushed my arm away from himself and turned toward me, grabbing my shoulders, “I need to be in there.”
“You can't.”
“It’s not like that between us, Mason. I just need to help her. Please, you have to believe me.”
“I do believe you, but that doesn’t matter.”
“I knew she was missing all this time. You didn’t believe me.”
“I’m sorry, Vick, but we don’t have time for this. If you go in, they may both die.” I pushed his hands off of me and kept walking.
“If she dies, I’ll never forgive you,” his voice choked with his emotion.
“If she dies, I’ll never forgive myself.” I didn’t know if he heard me.
This was a trap, but at least I had a shot at saving them. I had backup. My men were on a timer. In the worst-case scenario, I would buy us as much time as possible and seek cover while they shot it out. Claire was my priority, but I would do my best to save Mila too. I owed it to her, Casey and Victor.
I walked up the steps to the front door, not even caring that I would enter my childhood home for the first time in more than a decade and that I was going to see my father for the first time in nearly as much time. All I cared about was getting Claire out.
The goon pulled out his gun, “Stand back!”
“Let him in,” a familiar voice came from behind the door, stabbing into me like a knife and confirming my fears. Dimitri lowered the weapon and gave me a stern look before he held the door open for me.
Daniel stood there with a bound, gagged, and very frightened Claire. I barely saw him as my eyes ran over her. Her body shook aggressively, tears streaked her cheeks, and blood caked her hair. She looked awful. What the fuck did they do to her?
“Claire!” I lunged for her, but Daniel took a step back, “I’ll fucking kill you for this, Dan!”
“Not so fast, Mason. Your father wants a word with you.” His hand moved and a glint caught my eye, drawing attention to the knife placed to her throat. I held up my hands and took a step back, showing I wouldn't make another move. Daniel didn't lessen the pressure on her neck, but he didn't cut her either.
“Dan, what do you want?” my voice sounded