Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“Shit,” I hiss, taking off down the long hall in a sprint. She mentioned the other day she needed to return a book to the professor of the teaching lab in this building. I was thinking it wasn’t a big deal, but she had her backpack with her this morning so the book was probably in there.
I hear the boots of the security guys behind me, and when I get to the end of the hall I go around the corner and there’s nothing. Just when I’m at a loss for what to do next, an older man comes stumbling out of his office.
One look at us and he steps backward, then takes off running.
“Hey!” I shout, chasing after him.
The old man is slow and falls into the walls as he loses his balance trying to get away. It’s not but a few long strides before I grab him by the back of his shirt and pull him up short.
“Where is she?” I say through clenched teeth, not bothering to control my anger.
“W-who?” He holds his arms up in defense as my hand goes around his neck.
“Where. Is. She.” My words are slow but my temper is anything but cool right now. Something has happened to Berkley and I’ll figure out what.
Screams pierce the quiet of the hall and I drop him and take off in that direction. Some of the men stay behind to watch him, but my concern is Berkley. By the time I make it to where I think the sound came from, I see a man holding her just make it through the emergency exit right before the door closes.
“Berkley!” I shout, running as fast as I can down the corridor that seems to be so far away. My legs are heavy and burning as I will them to move faster but I can’t. “Berkley!” I call out again just as I get to the door.
I burst through and right then I see her in the back window of a white van as it drives down a deserted alley. She’s beating on the glass and I can see the terror in her eyes as I try and chase it down. But the van is too fast and makes a turn before I can reach the edge of the road. By the time I get there it’s already gone.
My phone blares and I realize I’ve got it in my hand and the number calling me is blocked. I know immediately it can only be one person and I answer it.
“Where is she?” I say before I hear the cool voice of Peter Guzik on the other end.
“Vaughn, is it? The baby of the brothers. It’s a shame they sent you out like a sheep for the slaughter.”
“Don’t fuck with me, Peter. She doesn’t have anything to do with whatever it is you want. Let her go.” I’m starting to pace just as I see Sean pull the car up to the curb and I jump in. “Tell me where you’re taking her and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
“How about you get the fucking feds off of my ass,” he seethes, and his control breaks just a little. He takes a breath as Sean begins to drive. I can hear him trying to calm himself. “Your little co-ed should be fine for a few hours. At least I don’t think Amos will hurt her. He does love them to look innocent. Tell me, Vaughn, with all your time indoors, have you saved any of her virtue?”
“Goddamn it, just tell me what the fuck you want me to do. You know I can’t do a thing about the feds or their investigation.”
“True. But with enough money I can disappear forever just like your brothers. That’s what I want.”
“To disappear?” Sean is scanning the streets looking for any trace of the white van. He’s also on his phone and sending messages to people I’m hoping can help us.
“I want your fortune. All of it. I want your bank accounts drained and wired to my offshore account so I can get out of this fucking country.” He sucks on his teeth like he’s disgusted being here and then takes a breath. “I’m in need of a holiday.”
“Done,” I agree, because there is nothing I wouldn’t give for Berkley. I would give my own life without hesitation if he asked for it. “Now give her back.”
“I’m going to send over the wire instructions and as soon as the money is there, what’s left of her is all yours.”
I don’t miss the threat in his voice or the chill that rolls down my spine. “No, I want to see her and make sure she’s safe while the transfer happens. You could take the money and leave her with that psycho.”
“True.” He hums like he’s thinking over what to order on a menu. “I’m a reasonable man. How about we strike up a deal?”