Series: Lee Savino
Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Vegas.
I’m in Vegas.
What the F? Did those guys toss me in the back of a van and drive me all the way here? No wonder my whole body aches.
This has to do with my dad. He used to live in Vegas, probably still does. Somehow, this has to do with him.
That thought should comfort me, but it doesn’t. Why would my dad kidnap me? I knew he ran with a bad crowd, but they’re all pretty stupid. This is an elaborate scheme that requires focus. A bunch of druggies couldn’t do this, could they?
And why would they do it?
I put a hand on my chest and belly and start deep breathing exercises before I have a panic attack and pass out. Whatever they used to drug me is still in my system, making me sluggish, but my heart is racing.
I look for a phone, so I can call 911. Or Matthias. For some reason, I’d rather call Matthias, which is illogical, since he’s back in New Mexico, and I’m in Las Vegas, but I need a dose of his cool, calm, and collected demeanor. I need him to tell me what to do.
I find the phone jack, but the phone has been removed. Dammit! Maybe I can bang on the door and attract some attention.
I start toward it, but just then, the handle turns, and the door swings in.
I gasp, taking a step back.
Chapter Seven
Maisy
The person who just entered switches on the lights, temporarily blinding me. I shrink back toward the windows, squinting at them until my vision clears.
“Dad?”
“Hey, flower girl.” My dad looks older than ever, even though he’s only mid-forties. He knocked my mom up when they were young twenty-somethings working at the casinos and partying hard. His face is red, his eyes bloodshot, but he doesn’t look drunk or high. He’s in a white button-down shirt and faded black slacks, which is dressed up for him.
“What’s going on? Why am I here?”
“What, no hug for your dear ole dad?” He opens his arms, showing the yellowed patches under his arms.
I’m speechless with an emotion I can’t name. And then I realize what I’m feeling.
Rage.
“No, Allen,” I use his name because he’s not a parent to me. He never was. It’s about time I made that clear. “I want to know why I’m in Vegas.” I harden my voice. “You’re going to tell me what’s going on, right now.”
Allen sighs and rubs a hand over his head, his gaze dropping to the carpet. “Yeah, this didn’t go how I’d like. You should’ve answered your phone,” he says accusingly. “I’ve been calling you.”
“I was busy,” I say. I don’t say the obvious–that I blocked him because I want him out of my life. Things have escalated into terrifying territory, and I need to play this smart. I might need to charm my dad long enough to get out of here.
Because I will escape. I promise myself that.
Good girl, I imagine Matthias saying. You’ve got this.
“Just tell me what’s going on.”
“Aww, it’s…” he mumbles and sighs. “I got myself in some trouble. I was working for a guy, and some stuff happened, and now I owe him a lot of money. He’s not a good guy, Daisy.” He uses my legal name.
“It’s Maisy,” I correct him, while I scramble to figure out what he just told me. When he was sober, Allen used to get work at casinos. Not the nice ones on the strip but the old ones off strip. Now I’m pretty sure he’s unhireable, except for working for criminals who are running drugs. “Let me get this straight. You owe money to someone powerful. Someone used to getting what he wants.”
Allen nods, and I curl my hands into fists.
Of course, this has to do with money. Even when I was ten, the sperm donor would tell me to ask Daisy for money. Once I gave him my birthday money, but Daisy found out and was upset, so I never did that again. “So what does he want from me?” I’m a manager of a cafe, not a millionaire.
He mumbles something, looking down at the carpet like he’s five and not forty-five.
“I need you to repeat that.” Before he says anything, I know it’s going to be bad.
“He wants to marry you.”
I’m sorry… what?
Matthias
“This is your captain speaking. Please take your seats; we’ll be landing in five minutes,” Teddy calls from the cockpit of the private jet.
I’m sitting rigid in my seat, but Hutch and Canyon scramble to wrap up the card game they were playing on the table. Six of my brothers are with me. Everyone except Everest. He’s refusing to shift to human, so we left him behind to keep an eye on Daisy and the mountain.
The triplets have behaved themselves this whole flight. Even Darius is helping Teddy in the cockpit, without their usual bickering. That’s how I know everyone is taking this mission seriously.