AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He stands and approaches me, rubbing his hands together and pushing his gaze into me so deep I can feel it in my soul. “Because.Everyonehas secrets. You know, just like everyone has scars on their fucking hearts. Now give me the real, unedited version of why you were in my office last week and what the hell you’re doing here in California.”
Ben’s stare is making me break out in a hot sweat. All over my face, hands, and feet. But I’m afraid to look away. Because I know whoever looks away first loses.
“I’m looking for someone. And I was told that you know where he is.”
“Who are you looking for?”
I grind my teeth, swallow the chill. “King.”
His brown eyes flicker, roam over my face, like he’s searching for something more. “What do you know about King?”
“So … you do know where he is?”
“No. Why are you looking for him?”
“That I can’t tell you. It’s deeply personal.”
Several veins thrum along his forehead. “And who told you I knew where he was?”
I pulse out a breath. “Can’t tell you that either. For my own protection. But I can tell you that this person said you two were business partners in this app thing. Which is why I went to your office, and why I tried to get you to set up a meeting with him.”
His forehead creases and he finally looks away, brushing fingers roughly through his hair.
“You said he lives in La Jolla,” I continue. “Can you at least tell me if King is his real name? A last name? Nickname? Anything?”
When he looks back at me his expression is swirling with so many questions. And I’m still so confused about his role in all this.
“He is your partner, isn’t he? I just want to talk to him. It’s … about my mother.”
“He’s not my partner,” Ben grits out. His eyes move over me and he moves back by several steps. Like I’m the one who can’t be trusted.
“If you do know him, there’s no point in protecting him. I will eventually find him.”
With a deep laugh, he turns his back to me. I start to quake, the feeling that he’s telling me the truth taking root.
“What makes you think I’d protect that piece of shit,” he spits out.
I feel like I’m stumbling as I try to maintain composure. “There are lots of reason to protect his privacy. And let me reiterate that money is no—”
“I don’t know where he is!” Ben’s voice explodes over the silence, making me jerk. His chest rises and falls as he takes a few breaths. “Believe me, if I did that sonofabitch would be long dead by now.”
I shudder, not just at his words but the look of pure grief upon his face. It’s in his eyes. “Why? What did he do to you?”
I know. And the knowledge makes me sick. I want to see if Ben will tell me.
“He took my son, raped him, and let him drown in the Colorado River,” he rasps, teeth clenched. “Murdered my nephew too. And I realize you don’t know me that well but I’m not the kind of man to let someone get away with torturing and murdering my family.”
I flinch.
My body, my heart, all of it flinches. Hearing the anguish in his voice brings back all of my own.
“So you’re looking for him too?”
“Yes,” he grinds out. “And when I find him … let’s just say he won’t be answering any questions. Not about your mother, not about a goddamnthing. That motherfucker will be permanently silenced.”
I feel the floor slip out from under me, more confused than I’ve ever been.
Why would Snowden give me Ben’s name? It doesn’t make sense if he and King aren’t involved in any sort of business arrangement. If they don’t know each other. If they aren’t trafficking together. If anything, they are enemies.
