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Huxley pulls out his phone about halfway to the car.Perfect.The more distracted he is when he enters, the better.
I hold my breath as he opens the door. He slides into the backseat without even looking up, and it’s not until he’s closed into the car that he realizes his mistake.
“What—”
“Don’t move,” Elliot says smoothly. He keeps his gun low, but it’s pointed in Huxley’s direction. “Do exactly what we say, or you won’t make it out of this car alive.”
Huxley gulps, his gaze never leaving Elliot’s weapon. “Who do you work for?”
“Who do you think?” Rhett says as he pulls the car around the driveway. “Get him cuffed.”
“I—I’ll cooperate,” Huxley says. “Please, there’s no need. I just want to make it back home to my wife.”
It’s a little difficult, but I turn around in my seat and cuff his hands. It’s either me or Elliot, and he’s got a more important job right now.
“Where are you keeping Aubrey?” Rhett asks. Odds are, Ludo is going to interrogate him, so we need to keep up appearances.
“What?” Huxley sputters. “Why would I know that?”
“We know it was you who tried to have her kidnapped when she was in Florida,” I say, “so just give it up. Where are you hiding her, and where’s the hard drive?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about!”
“You really want to lie to us?” Elliot taunts.
We slow to a stop at a red light. Panic flashes in Huxley’s eyes, and before he’s even reaching for the door handle, Elliot grabs the collar of his shirt.
“Don’t even think about it. Give us her location and the location of the hard drive, and maybe then Ludo will let you go.”
“Please,” Huxley cries. “I didn’t kidnap her! I’ll admit, I tried to, but I failed. My men couldn’t get past Holloway’s security. Whoever has her now, it’s not me.”
“Fine,” Rhett grits out. “Keep lying. It’ll only make Ludo angrier, but that’s a you problem.”
“I didn’t kidnap her. Please, I’m telling the truth!”
Peter spends the rest of the drive trying to convince us of what we already know. He offers us money, reminds us of his wife, and even promises to help us find Aubrey. By the time we’re pulling into Ludo’s driveway, I’m ready to gag him to shut him up.
Rhett and I get Peter out of the car, and Elliot keeps his gun out just in case. It’d be foolish to try to run now, but Huxley is getting more desperate.
“I’m innocent,” he pleads.
“Shut up,” Rhett snaps.
Axel opens the front door. A smug look takes over his face when he sees us. “No Aubrey? And I’m assuming no hard drive?”
“Just take us to Ludo,” Rhett says impatiently. After their interaction last night, I’m surprised he’s not ruder. I have half a mind to kick Axel in the shins as I step past him and into the house.
“Wait here. And shut him up.” Axel glares at Huxley, who’s dissolved into tears, before sauntering away.
“Wait,” Huxley calls. “Please don’t do this to me.”
Axel turns and gives him a burning glare. Something passes between the two of them that I can’t figure out before Axel spins on his heel and disappears into the house.
Huxley sniffles. “I promise I didn’t take her. I promise.”
The image of Peter’s wife waving to him from their doorstep flits through my mind. Guilt slithers across my skin. She looked so happy.
“Just keep your mouth shut, and maybe he’ll let you live.” Most likely, I’m giving him false hope, but I don’t know how else to calm him down.
