Page 81 of Wild Escape

“I wish I’d never met you,” she said.

“You’d be broke and bitching about your parents.”

“You didn’t have to shoot my dad. He might die. You didn’t have to kill Hayden.”

“Your father was going to kill me. I had no choice. Besides, you hate him anyway.”

“I don’t hate my father. We just don’t see eye to eye.” She paused. “You didn’t have to kill Hayden.”

“What did I tell you earlier? I said, hand over the Codex or Hayden dies. What did you do? Nothing. You let him die. This is your fault. Now that you know I’m not screwing around, I’m gonna tell you one more time. Give me that book. If I don’t get what I want, I’m going to kill your mother. Then I’m gonna come for you. But I’m not gonna kill you right away. I’m going to make it as excruciatingly painful as possible. Before it’s all over with, you’ll tell me where that book is. I risked my ass for this. I’m not walking away empty-handed.”

Kenzie said nothing as she contemplated her options. “How about I just go to the cops? Tell them everything. Tell them you shot my father.”

“You planned and coordinated this. If you think you’re going to get off with a slap on the wrist, you’re sadly mistaken. You’re gonna spend the rest of your life in prison, just like me if we get caught. Don’t lie to yourself.”

There was an uncomfortable silence.

“I’m going to come by the Nautilus in half an hour. You better have the book ready for me.”

“It’s not here.”

“Where is it?”

42

"You're out of your mind if you think I'm going to tell you where the book is," Kenzie said. "I've left instructions with the concierge not to let you into the building. After the break-in, my mother has hired a private security firm. So your threats don't mean shit to me. You'll get your cut. Don't worry about it.”

"I want more than my cut. I want half.”

"You don't get half just because you killed Hayden. I’ll take his share.”

"Bullshit. There's two of us. We split it 50-50 now. We're partners, remember?”

"We haven’t been partners since you shot my father. And you’re certainly not my partner now."

"It seems we’re at a bit of an impasse. I don't trust you to give me my money.”

"I've got a deal lined up tonight. You'll have your money by midnight.”

"And then what?"

"And then I never want to see you again."

"That can be arranged.” Levi added, "And if you think your mother's private security force or the concierge at your condo is going to stop me, you’re deluding yourself. I can get to anyone, anywhere.”

"Like I said, I'll have your share of the money tonight. Meet me in the parking lot of the Mega Mart at midnight. I'll give you your share.”

"No. I want to be there when the deal goes down. I want to see how much money is changing hands. I want to make sure I don't get shortchanged."

"You're not getting shortchanged. I'm getting $10 million for the book.”

"It's worth so much more.”

"No, it's not. Not under these circumstances. Not since you shot my father. It’s too hot right now. The buyer is willing to pay $10 million, after a 10% commission to the broker. I'll give you $3.3 million. Take it or leave it.”

"I want $5 million.”

"Yeah, well, we don't always get everything we want. I'll give you the broker’s number if you want to verify the sale price. He's a disinterested third-party.” After a pause, Kenzie said, "The parking lot of the Mega Mart. Midnight. Don't try anything funny.”