AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My throat is itching. The rational part of my brain tells me that I need to play my cards well here. Maybe slow walk him to get what I need out of him.
I hardly have the patience for it, but this situation is so delicate.
I'm gripping my phone so tight I hear the case groan in my grip. "I needed to sort some things out on my end."
There’s a chuckle on his end. “I see. Were you busy trying to convince Alize to help you get to her father?”
I’m silent for long enough that the tension becomes palpable. He’s brought her up, but it’s not an admission of guilt.
“She agreed,” I say. It’s decent information to give him. “But there’s been a complication.”
“Complication?” He sounds like his interest is piqued. “She hasn’t changed her mind, I hope?”
“She’s not as receptive as before,” I lie.
How he answers this will tell me everything I need to know.
He sounds like he stands and moves to another room, as the ambient noise in the background cuts the zero.
“She’s your fiancée, isn’t she?” Lev’s voice gains some urgency. “You should be able to convince her.” He huffs a breath.
“That’s proving to be a little difficult.”
“And why is that?” Lev’s tone is measured.
I suck in a breath through my nose, willing it to steady me and keep me calm. “She’s been kidnapped, Lev. I would hate to think you had something to do with it.”
"You fucking lost her?" Lev question is like a stab to the gut.
So far, nobody has verbalised my deepest fear.
It was Wesley's incompetence, but it still boils down to my irresponsibility.
She's my fiancée. My child’s mum. I'm the only person truly accountable for her safety. And I let her slip through my fingers like that. Alize is somewhere unknown, with a murderer. She's hurt. Scared out of her mind.
And it's all my fault.
I don’t need another reminder of that.
“Alexander, I sent you those DNA test results as a courtesy, a show of goodwill. I gave you the time you needed to evaluate the situation, as well.” He’s stewing on the other end. “If I wanted to kidnap Alize, I would have days ago.”
Hm, so much for that theory. I am slightly relieved that Lev isn’t involved. He’s much better to have as an ally than an enemy.
“How did you manage to let that happen?”
"She was taken from Carlton Castle two hours ago." I'm working my jaw to distract myself from the mix of rage and sadness brewing in my throat. "I was in an important meeting, and my security team was compromised."
That sounds a lot less embarrassing than the truth.
Lev doesn't continue his accusatory line of questioning. "Do you have footage?”
“I’ll send it to you.”
He sees her as the only avenue to getting his revenge.
But to me, she's my entire world. I need to get her back.
THIRTY-THREE
