Raiden (The Kent Brothers #2) - A.M. Hargrove Page 0,71

snoop around. We found the third story staircase, which was concealed by a door no one had opened. There were several rooms up there the owner built for servant quarters, or a nanny or two. The rooms were empty, so we used sheets to cover the walls and windows, not wanting to give any clues of our location away. Then we brought in some chairs, but the one she’d be sitting on had arms and was a ladderback style so we could tie her up.

Huff called that afternoon and said he had a package for us. It would be delivered in the morning.

“Is it our blood?” I asked.

He chuckled. “That and other goodies. You’ll love what we found.”

“Oooh, we can’t wait.”

The next morning our package arrived. It held all kinds of makeup, but he sent us ski masks for the video and black suits. We both cackled.

Gemini held one ski mask up. “It’s not like we’ll be in the video. Besides, they already know what we look like.”

“I think it’s brilliant. I want to scare the little shit.”

“You’re so mean.”

“Maybe, but that kid is spoiled rotten.”

“Hey, how would you act if someone kidnapped you?” She asked a valid question, and perhaps I was too harsh on the child.

“Now you’re making me feel guilty.”

“I have a confession to make. I’ve felt guilty about this all along.”

“You have?”

“Yes. I had the worst childhood. My mother was fearful someone would come and kidnap me any time, so I was never allowed to do anything. And here I am a kidnapper myself.”

“Wow. I didn’t know that about you.” There was a lot more she wasn’t telling me. Why would her mom be so concerned about that? What was in her past she wasn’t sharing? I didn’t pursue it though. I figured if she wanted me to know, she’d tell me when the time was right.

“Yeah. I feel for the kid. You don’t get a choice in life who your parents are. She just had bad luck in having an O’Brien as a grandfather.”

“You’re right. I’ll try to be kinder to her.”

“And her mother?” Gem asked.

“Her too. If you’re worried about your kid, you’ll do just about anything to save them.”

She took my hand in hers. “I’m sure. You would know too.”

And did I ever. My heart twisted in pain as I thought about my daughter, the one I’d never see again. Who had her? Did they love her when she needed it? Did they hold her when she was afraid or sick? Were they good parents to her?

“Hey, you okay?”

“Sorry.” I shook myself out of the past. “I’m back. I couldn’t help thinking about…” My voice drifted off.

“I’m sorry I mentioned it.”

“You shouldn’t be. I’m sorry I’ve been so insensitive to the girl. This has opened my eyes.”

“Hey, when we do this tomorrow, we have to clear the house. No one can see us bring her up here.”

Gem was right. We didn’t need that, and with Reynolds coming, it might make things more complicated. Isla could distract them. I told Gem, and she agreed.

“We can talk it over with Isla when they get back.”

Raiden was waiting for me when I got back downstairs.

“Everything okay?”

“We have it all set. The only thing, we’ll need the women to be away so they don’t see us bringing her to the third level.”

He agreed.

“How about a walk? There’s a beautiful garden out back.”

“I’d love it.”

We left and meandered through the flower garden and then further out.

“This property is vast.”

He stopped and took both of my hands in his. “Would you enjoy living out in the country? I mean, when everything is behind us?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve never lived this far away from things before. What about you?”

“I’m the same. While the house is grand and it’s beautiful, I like the conveniences of restaurants and things to do the city offers.”

“Like work.”

“Ha, yes. I love my work. It doesn’t feel like work to me. I enjoy getting new business too. I never thought of myself as a salesperson, but together, Cruze and I make a killer team.”

That was easy to believe, especially if their clients were women. “I’m sure. You certainly sold me on you.”

“I did?”

“You sure did.”

“You didn’t have to sell me. I fell hard before I knew what hit me. You wielded a serious weapon, Scottie.”

“Weapon? I have no weapon.”

“Oh, yeah, you do and it’s right between your legs.”

I had no response for him.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Raiden

When Reynolds walked off the plane, she was a ghost of her former