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“Frankie has never had all of his eggs in one basket.” It was strange for Charlie to use any type of metaphor to describe someone. He usually just got straight to the point. For some reason, this relaxed me a little and let me know that our conversation had become a more personal one.
“He committed a great transgression when he stole from me. I have been chasing after him for quite some time, but he has never been worthy enough for me to call in the necessary reinforcements to capture him. He surrounded himself with people to protect him, and every attempt I made to bring him here, failed. I decided it was time to use some leverage against him, so I chose the only thing that he loved.”
“Maddie,” I confirmed, still not quite understanding where this was going.
“Yes, Maddie. I told him that if he came willingly, I would leave her alone. If he didn’t, I would take her and he would never see her again,” he paused, letting his words sink in. His plan was to take Maddie all along. “He agreed and at the same time Luke called asking for my help. I knew Luke must be pretty desperate to call on me. He knows I don’t do favors without something in return. He would owe me ten times more than the information I was going to give him. I made some calls and found out about your kidnapping, although I didn’t know all of the details. Frankie didn’t take my threat seriously and tried to run. He thought that I wouldn’t mess with Maddie. As you already know, Dallas, I do not bluff. My guys caught up with him, and then went to Luke’s to retrieve Maddie. I told Luke that I would give him Frankie in exchange for you.” I froze at his words. Luke had been set up.
“I was going to kill Frankie anyway. His life was owed to me, but I wanted to see where Luke’s loyalties lie. I wanted to see if he was willing to give up everything he had worked so hard for, for a woman that he claimed to love,” Charlie took a moment to light his cigar and I thought he looked a little perturbed.
“Why would you do that?” I asked, my voice was not accusatory, only curious.
“Luke and I have history. When we parted, it was not on the best of terms. I let him live, because I knew that one day he would need me. I underestimated him. I thought he would call me much sooner than he did. I wasn’t aware of the history he had with you, or the connection between you and Maddie. Frankie was going to die at my hands and his daughter would forever pay for his sins.”
Maddie. Even if I never would have met Frankie, this still would have happened. If Luke had not called on Charlie, it would have been her sitting here and not me. “Of course, I would have offered her the same life I have offered you, but she would have spent her life knowing that her father betrayed her and she was responsible for his shortcomings. After hearing all of this, you can imagine my surprise when Luke chose Maddie over you. I knew then that Luke was not aware of the problems between Frankie and I, but I now understand why he did it. You made him promise to choose her, because you felt indebted to her.” He had hit the nail on the head. Maddie had suffered enough. I would not let her miss out on the life she deserved.
“Her whole life has been in my shadow. I promised myself that if I ever got the chance to make it up to her, I would,” I said, playing with the now empty glass that sat in my lap.
“I made a deal, and I plan to keep it. I promised Maddie would be left alone if Frankie came willingly. Even after everything that has happened, my offer still stands. Now I have an innocent woman here, who is guilty of nothing more than protecting the ones she loves. I will allow you to leave, Dallas. I will give you back to Luke, unharmed in exchange for Frankie, but it will come with a price.” I felt my body come to life, as I sat up in my chair, full of hope and anticipation.
“You already know my question, but I will ask it anyway. What is the price of my freedom?” My voice came out strong and clear, without a trace of fear. Charlie smiled as he rolled the last bit of cognac around in his glass before finishing it. His eyes met mine with a look only a heartless man could wear. When he spoke his voice was cold and full of challenge.
