“Morning, Da.” River smiles as I go over and hug him.
“Morning, son. What are you having for breakfast?”
“Maimeó is making me pancakes. You want some too?”
“That sounds yummy.”
We all sit down and thank my mama for breakfast. It’s so easy to get spoiled here. My mama has always taken care of all of us. Sawyer reminds me of my mama in the way she takes care of River and me. They both put us first and themselves second. I hope I make her as happy as she makes me.
After we finish breakfast, River plays for a bit then goes down for a nap. We use this time to get everything together for our picnic. I also make sure I have the ring in my pocket. I’m surprised she hasn’t seen it. I kept moving it around the room, trying to hide it from her.
A couple of hours later, the three of us are headed to the campground with Georgíos. Sometimes, it’s still a little odd to have him around all the time. But it also gives me peace of mind to know that my family will always be safe. The plan is for everyone to come around in about half an hour. That way we can get settled first.
“So, this is where you’ve been hiding?” we hear a voice say. I whip my head around and I see Palmer standing there with Steve.
Both of them are pointing guns at us. I stand in front of Sawyer, who’s keeping River behind us. Georgíos is standing on the side of us.
“Holy shit, you are a whore,” he says as he looks at me and Georgíos. “Now, I’ll tell you how this is going to go. You’re going to hand my son over to me. Then you’re going to make sure that we get off this disgusting property without any trouble.”
“You do realize he’s not your son, right? And even if he was, this is kidnapping and you wouldn’t get far.”
“You can’t really be that dumb. That little shit is my son and I’m taking him with me today.” He laughs as he cocks his gun.
Steve looks like he’s tweaking on some drug. His eyes are darting all around and he’s starting to shake.
“You didn’t say we were going to kill anyone,” Steve stutters out.
“Shut the fuck up,” Palmer snaps at him.
For a second, he turns to look at Steve and I see Salvatore and a few of his deputies coming up behind them. I’m not sure how they got here so fast. But I’m happy they did.
“This isn’t worth the money you promised me. And besides, I can’t spend it, we’re going to prison. Not even jail. Prison. I’ve been to prison, it’s not the same.”
Steve’s babbling and starting to turn around in circles to look around, like something’s coming to get him.
“Why do you even want my son? Steve’s right, you’re all spending the next five years in prison. What’s your plan? Kidnap him and go on the run?”
“Why not? At least I’ll have my money. Maybe I’ll even get rid of the little shit after I get the money I’m owed. I don’t need him for anything else.”
I don’t know what the fuck he’s talking about. But I feel like if I can get him to talk, it’ll help Salvatore and his men to get closer.
“What are you talking about? You have money. Why do you need my son to get money?”
“You’re an idiot. I need that little shit so that I can unlock my inheritance.”
Holy shit. Francesco had said that he found some information on a will that was drawn up by Palmer’s great-grandfather. It stated that in order to get the full inheritance, he had to have a son, an heir. We thought that it was a fluke and maybe it was just his great-grandfather who expected that. But maybe it’s part of every will that’s drawn up in his family? That’s fucking wild.
“Well, I’m not sure what your real plan is, but I’m not going to just hand my son over to you.”
“He’s not your fucking son. He’s mine and if you don’t give him to me, then you’ll die today. It’s that simple.”
I hear Sawyer gasp behind me. I reach back and touch her. I can’t tell her not to worry, because I don’t really know Palmer’s state of mind. Would he really shoot me? Probably. The look in his eyes tells me he’s desperate. And desperate people can do crazy things.
“Why don’t you just have a kid with someone? I’m sure you have enough money to pay someone off.”
“I did that. And the bitch is pregnant with a girl. For fuck’s sake, how hard is it to just have a boy?”
Holy fuck, he’s delusional.
