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“Explains why my mom won’t come here anymore.” She slumps into a chair at one of the tables. “Fuck.” She holds her head in her hands. “Anyone that sick in the head needs...” she trails off, swallowing hard.
“Needs what?” I press, wondering if she agrees with my opinion that her dad needs to be stopped for good.
“It’s bad to say, because he’s my dad. But anyone who hurts children needs to be murdered and die a painful death.”
I force my expression into neutral, unable to agree with that outright. It’s like she’s trying to lead me into a trap, as she’s suspicious about my intentions already, let alone me agreeing that her dad deserves to be killed slowly and painfully.
When her dad suggested she come, I did wonder if she knew about the auction. It’s clear she has no idea. “Do you want a drink?” I ask.
She nods. “I think I need one.”
My feet move me away from Bella, desperate to get away. My fists clench tight, white-knuckled, as I struggle not to succumb to the rage brewing inside me, as one question repeats over and over in my mind.
Why the hell did I tell her?
The bar is crowded, and as I make my way to the front, I turn to my right and spot Alastair. My blood boils the moment he notices me and gives me a smarmy smile.
“Hey, Isiah. How are you?”
I grind my teeth together in an attempt not to smash this guy’s face in. It was merely two weeks ago when he demanded two kids be delivered to him, and now he’s here, no doubt, to bid on more innocent children.
“Fine,” I mutter, moving my gaze back to the bar, as I can’t stand looking at him. The guy should be behind bars, not a senator in the fucking government running the country.
The bartender notices me. “What can I get you?”
“Whiskey on the rocks and a pinot noir.”
“Put it on my tab,” Alastair chimes in, but I shake my head, refusing to accept his charity.
“No, I can buy my own drink. Thank you.” My voice drips with loathing as I give him a cold stare.
The guy laughs it off, clapping me on the shoulder. “I know you can, but I want to get it for you.”
The mere sensation of his touch sends a wave of nausea rolling through me, and all I want to do is break his arm in two. But I maintain control. There’s no other choice. Losing my cool now and attacking Alastair for no reason will be suspicious, especially considering right now I’ve got three men breaking in downstairs to steal the children this asshole wants to bid on.
“Thanks, but no. I’ll pay.” I pull a fifty-dollar bill out of my pocket and pass it to the bartender as she returns with my drink. “Keep the change.”
She smiles warmly. “Thanks.”
I take my drink and take a sip, relishing the warm burn of alcohol. And then I grab Bella’s wine and turn to Alastair. “Good to see you,” I lie, holding up the glass of wine. “I need to deliver this to my fiancée.”
He smiles. “Oh, of course. The beautiful Bella.” He winks, and I hate how badly I want to destroy this man and can’t. The need for violence tearing at my insides.
“See you around,” I say, before turning and walking in the opposite direction.
“Boss, we’ve got a problem,” Jane says in my ear.
I come to a halt, adrenaline pulsing through my veins as I press the intercom in my ear. “What kind of problem?” I hiss.
“The guys are struggling to find a way to get close to the kids.” There’s a few moments’ delay before she says, “It could get messy.”
“How messy?”
She doesn’t answer right away, which only winds me up.
“Jane. Answer me.”
“The guys are suggesting the only way to get them out safely is a distraction. They’re going to start a fire and nothing I say or do will stop them.”
