AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Fredo nodded. “Let me get him some food while you talk.” Then my butler ducked out of theroom.
“This is my brother, Mishal.” I jerked my thumb over myshoulder.
“Are you sure? You look nothing alike.” Malcolm frowned as he picked apart our differences. “You’re dark. He’slight.”
“Yes, we know. I take after father, while he more closely resembles a very rugged and manly version of our mother.” I forced a laugh. Clapping my hands together, I began, “Now let’s talk about Maggie. And promise you’ll remaincalm.”
The man nodded hesitantly. I knew I was asking much ofhim.
“Maggie was kidnapped. She opened the gate against our warnings and was snatched. We’re working to get her back.” I leaned on the edge of the desk and crossed my legs at the ankles in an effort to appear more relaxed than I actuallyfelt.
“Do you know where she is?” He studied mecarefully.
Mishal snorted and I glared at him before responding. “Yes. We do.” I licked my lips. “They claim they will call with ransomdemands.”
“What do they want?” His eyes widened. “I have nothing. How will we get herback?”
My eyes closed while I inhaled deeply. “My guess? This is about your program. They’re so determined to get it they used a child to lure Maggieout.”
Malcolm scowled. “Then it sounds like they’re already usingit.”
I uncrossed my ankles and stiffened. “What do youmean?”
“They knew Maggie’s buttons. And if they took Maggie, they know yours too.” He nodded sadly. Tilting his head, he mused, “I wonder how they would even get this far. The technology is completely different than anything anyone has ever invented before.” He scratched his head. “They’d need someone who knew what I was already working on. Other than Maggie…oh boy.” His eyeswidened.
“What, Malcolm?” I gripped the desk with myhands.
“My old assistant, Joel. He has to be working with them.” He shook his head sadly. “Maybe I should have kept him on. I just…ran out of money.” Malcolm stared at me with watery eyes. “He was angry when he left. I never thought he’d be this angrythough.”
“Are you sure it’s him?” Ifrowned.
Standing, Malcolm nodded. “There’s no otherway.”
An hour later, we’d managed to collect all the technology we needed for this mission, but none of the manpower. Only Mishal and I could be involved. As we packed my trunk, Malcolm stormedover.
“I’m going with you.” He had his laptop in a bag, slung over his shoulder. “I have a hotspot. You’ll need technical support. I’ll stay in the car, but I’m going.” Malcolm crossed his arms over his chest. For a split second, I half-expected him to threaten to hold hisbreath.
I was too tired and scared to argue. “Do not leave the vehicle,” I growled. “I don’t have time to save you too. Got it?” I stared at himsternly.
He nodded once while wearing what I can only assume was his gameface.
“Fine. Hop in.” I pointed to the passenger seat and watched as he scrambled toward the door and hopped in. Mishal and I exchanged looks before he pulled on his helmet and I hopped in the car. Glancing at Malcolm, I murmured, “Let’s go save yourdaughter.”
* * *
Maggie
“Thinkwe’ve made him stew long enough?” Sterling sneered as he pulled his cell out of hispocket.
“I doubt he has given this a second thought.” I shrugged, then grew serious. “So, what’s a girl gotta do to get a bathroom break around here? I’m seriously strugglinghere.”
“Let me call him. He may want proof of life. Then Ira will take you to go potty.” He spoke in his most condescendingtone.
As long as I had a chance to pee, he could sound however he wanted. “Thanks,” I replied brightly. “I mean, I have no idea where I am. My feet are bound, which we’ll have to fix long enough for me to pee, by the way, and my hands are too. Again…a problem for peeing. I have no desire to run away, and only partially because I don’t run.” I tilted my head. “Also because I couldn’t find my way out of a paper bag. I’d be dead in a ditch before I was rescued.” I sighed while Sterling glared atme.
“Are you finished?” Hehuffed.
“With my pontification about why I’m not a flight risk? Sure. But man, do I have to pee.” I pasted a smile on myface.
