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23
JASE
Ithanked all the gods listening that Victoria had been in New York when I called her. She told me she’d been due to head to London later tonight, but immediately canceled her plans when I told her what had happened to Emilia.
When the phone rang again a few minutes after we’d ended the call, I thought it was Victoria calling back about something, but my heart thumped against my ribcage when I saw the name on the screen. “It’s Emilia.”
“Put it on speakerphone.”
I answered the call and did as Connor suggested. “Emilia!”
“Wrong family member, darling. It’s Janet Edwards here.”
“Let me talk to Emilia. You better not have done anything to hurt her or I’ll fucking kill you with my bare hands.”
The laugh she let loose made me even angrier. “Calm down there, mister. She’s just fine. Whether she stays that way will be up to you. Now, let’s negotiate.”
The anger rapidly building inside me had me wanting to hurl the phone against the nearest wall, but I didn’t. I needed to hear Emilia’s voice. Connor placed a hand on my arm to get my attention and held up his phone. He’d typed the words, Demand proof of life before you agree to negotiate anything.
I nodded. “I need to know Emilia is still alive before I agree to anything. Put her on the phone right now.” I kept my tone calm but cold, the same one I used when making crucial business deals.
There was a pause before Janet responded, “Fine. Hold on a minute.”
Silence ensued before a very familiar voice spoke, one that made my heart soar. “Jase.” Emilia’s voice was croaky and dry, but strong.
“Emilia, thank God. Are you okay, sweetheart? Please tell me they haven’t hurt you.”
“I’m okay.” Something about her tone didn’t sit right with me and I knew she was lying. Fuck. What had they done to her?
“You hold on, baby. I’m coming for you. Do whatever they say.”
“I will. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Em—”
“Jase!” Her voice was now distant, as though the phone had been pulled away from her.
A few seconds later, Janet was back on the line. “What the fuck have you done to her, you bitch?”
“Oh, calm down. She’s fine.”
“She doesn’t sound fine.”
Connor held up his phone again. Demand a photo.
“I don’t believe you. Text me a photo of her right now.”
“You’re not in a position to demand anything, Jason Bennett, and you’d best remember that.” Janet’s tone had suddenly gone cold, and goosebumps formed on my skin.
“Please, Janet.” I wasn’t above begging at this point. “I’ll give you anything you want. Just send me a photo.”
“Let’s talk about what I want first, and then I’ll send the photo.”
“Fine. I’m listening.”
Connor and I stood still as she laid out her demands. There were only two, and they weren’t surprising. I’d been right all along. She wanted money; ten million dollars. The only other thing she wanted was a helicopter to take her and her daughter safely to a private jet that would whisk them anywhere in the world, and she refused to tell me their destination when I asked.
I didn’t bother pointing out a flight plan needed to be filed, because she wasn’t getting on a fucking plane. The only place these conniving bitches would be going was prison.
