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“It’s obvious that you two care deeply for your grandchild,” I spoke slowly. The tension had to ease. The temperature in the room needed to cool. “It’s also clear that Crew and Seraphina love each other, this baby, and are planning a future as a family. I think we all agree that’s going to be wonderful. We all want and need Crew home. But I agree with Seraphina, I know Knight Corban to be a man of his word. And he is not the one responsible for Crew’s disappearance. The police are wrong about him. Absolutely wrong.”
“How can you be so sure?” Rebecca pressed. “How do you know?”
The only two people who knew the truth weren’t here. I didn’t know that I could trust the Wests. Their emotions were erratic. Unpredictable. But I had to get them to back off Knight. If not for the future family that was developing.
I exhaled. “Because I was in a business meeting with Knight.” God damnit, I didn’t want to tell my story. I never wanted to speak about it again. I looked them in the eyes when I spoke, so I only had to say it once. I chose clear words. Direct words.
“It was a partnership meeting. A personal one. About our future together. Crew was waiting for me downstairs.”
Rebecca gasped. Seraphina took her hands to steady her.
I kept going. “We wanted to bring Crew into the meeting. Knight wants to help Seraphina and Crew set up a new life. So I went downstairs to bring him back up. And I was attacked.”
“Oh, Kennedy,” Seraphina whispered.
I cut her a nasty stare. I didn’t want sympathy. I didn’t want tears.
“I saw Crew hauled off. I managed to escape with just a few bruises, and some of my clothes.” I cleared my throat. I stared at Crew’s parents. “So I know with complete certainty that Knight Corban would not have attacked your son and me. Not when he wants to marry me.”
The room fell silent.
“You didn’t report to the police.” Kyle’s voice trembled.
“No.” I shook my head. “It was an in-house matter,” I explained. “And I know that brings you no comfort right now. But I swear to you, I am trying to find him. I am responsible for his disappearance. He is my right-hand. My person. And I want to bring my person back.”
“In house?” Rebecca choked. “What does that mean.”
“Exactly what we though, honey.” Kyle turned to her. “She’s exactly what we thought.”
I didn’t know if Kyle was trying to shame me. The guilt was broad enough to swallow up everything else I felt. I wasn’t going to take on more emotions.
“They tried to take you too. I’m so sorry, Kennedy. And after what happened to you—”
I shook my head at Seraphina. “Don’t. I’m fine. And I have a lot of work to do.” I stood, alerting Renee it was time to get back to my office.
“Mr. and Mrs. West, stay as long as you like. I think Seraphina could use the company.”
I smiled at the three of them as I walked out of the parlor. Renee was quick to follow. She locked my office door.
“Are you okay?” She scanned my face.
“No.” I shook my head, and she pulled me into a hug. It was the first time I let myself fall apart.
Chapter25
Knight
The tunnels were as confusing as they were rumored to be. I hadn’t been in them in years and it was five years since I had seen the schematics for them. I tried to mark the turns in my head but following behind the giant and without control of the flashlight it wasn’t easy to commit the path to memory. Fuck, if I’d ever be able to get out of here and back to the cargo lift.
Kimble held up his fist and I stopped. He pointed ahead. The flashlight went dark, and I realized he had spotted something or someone.
I readied my gun. The flashlight turned back on. I groaned. False alarm. My shoulders relaxed and then I heard shouting.
Kimble yelled at me to get back. He pointed the flashlight like a spotlight as someone charged toward us. The man ran at a full sprint, tackling Kimble to the ground. They both groaned and started pounding on the other. I couldn’t see who had the advantage. I’d always put my money on Kimble’s training and his size.
“Get the light!” Kimble screamed. “He’s here.” I retrieved it and pointed it ahead.
“Shit.” I saw a man’s legs tied together. I ran toward him, praying he was alive. On the other side of a black tarp, Crew was tied to a stake in the floor of the tunnel. There was a gag in his mouth.
