Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 96404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“This isn’t the Yakuza, Kai. Brian Weaver is a politician.”
“Which is another word for a mobster.” He motions inside. “Come on.”
We walk from the gate to the entrance, and although it’s not really far, it feels like it takes forever.
A petite woman with a guarded expression opens the door and welcomes us inside.
As soon as we step in, Nate appears in the entrance. He’s aged like fine wine and is heading in the silver fox category with flying colors. I’ll always respect and adore him for the role he played and continues to do so in Sebastian’s life.
He stares at Kai for a beat with his critical gaze, then directs it at me. “Remember what I told you on the phone. Don’t try to play on their sympathy. Just their pride.”
I nod, even though I have no clue how I would do that. One would think that when they realize their grandson is in danger, the most logical thing would be to try to save him, regardless of the price.
Apparently, that doesn’t apply to the Weavers.
Nate leads me and Kai to what appears to be a reception area. Brian Weaver, who’s wearing khaki pants with a white shirt, sits on a chair and is reading from a newspaper. His wife, Debra, is glowing in a designer skirt suit. Pearls surround her neck and dangle from her ears and her golden hair is gathered in a sophisticated bun.
She’s sipping from a cup of tea that she places on the table next to her upon our arrival. Brian stares at us from over the top of his newspaper, but he doesn’t put it down.
“Hello there,” Debra says in a honeyed voice, with a smile that is so fake yet she doesn’t attempt to hide. “After your audacious appearance in the charity event, I didn’t believe we’d meet again under these circumstances, or any circumstances, really. Don’t you think you have some nerve to show up here?”
Nate stands in the middle of the room between us and his parents, his jaw flexing. “Naomi is here because Sebastian has been abducted again, and she knows of a way to save him.”
“Save him, then.” Brian pierces me with his gaze. “You’re obviously the reason he’s in this predicament, and the least you can do is get him out of it.”
I grind my teeth to hold on to my patience. “If it were that easy, I wouldn’t have shown up at your door.”
“Why have you, then?” Debra clicks her tongue as she takes a sip of her tea and mutters under her breath, “I told Sebastian a seamstress’s daughter isn’t fit for him, but he never listens.”
“Tsk.” Kai shakes his head at them. “Don’t talk to her that way or disrespect her again, or you won’t live to see the headlines written about you.”
Brian folds the newspaper as a red mist crawls up his skin. “Are you threatening me and my wife in my own house?”
“I’m merely relaying ground rules. Naomi has a family behind her, one that is a lot more powerful than your little senate. If you and your wife wish to escape our wrath, do not speak to her in a holier-than-thou tone.”
I elbow Kai. I know where he’s coming from, but threatening the people whose help I need isn’t how I planned to go about this.
Surprisingly, though, Brian straightens and Debra clears her throat. Nate smiles a little, seeming to be enjoying their discomfort a bit too much.
“What do you want?” Brian asks me.
“I know of a way to help Sebastian, and that can be done by blocking my husband’s business ventures. You’re the only one with enough power to do it fast and efficiently.”
“Why should we do that?” It’s Debra who asks, her voice hardening with every word. “From what Nathaniel told us, it’s your father’s doing. The same man who not only murdered my eldest son but has also been threatening my only grandson’s life.”
“You’re not doing this for me, you’re doing it for your grandson. Your own flesh and blood whom you gloat about all the time. You owe him that.”
“Do not lecture us, young lady.” Brian stands up, his shoulders crowding with tension.
“I’m not lecturing you. I’m asking you to do the right thing and help Sebastian.”
“And then what?” Debra takes a sip of her tea. “Say we do as you suggest, will you leave this time?”
“Mom…” Nate warns.
“What? Her father killed Nicholas!”
“After you sent him away. After you disowned him because of your foolish pride. You’re as guilty as the killer.”
Her lips tremble. “Blame me all you like, but the murderer’s daughter doesn’t get to be with my grandson. Surely even you can see how messed up this whole thing is.”
“That’s for her and Sebastian to decide, not you. Stop meddling, stop trying to make your word law, and stop being an unpleasant presence. Just stop.”