lead me to your parents or repay what my mother lost.” The gun flew up, fixed on me. “You’re no good to me. I do pray you meet your sister again, sweet Ember.”
I didn’t have a chance to beg or scream. Rio set his aim and pulled the trigger.
Chapter One
“No!”
Royal shoved his father’s arm up, careening the bullet over my head in a whoosh of air that jostled my strands.
Terror struck me speechless. He would have killed me.
Rio’s expression as he beheld his son was terrible to behold. “What do you think you’re doing, boy?” he hissed low.
“You can’t kill her.” Royal shielded me, crossing the line of fatal defiance by blocking the bullet’s path. “We need her, Dad. We— We can still get the money.”
“Oh? And what do you suggest?”
Rio advanced on him. Royal retreated, bumping into my knees and staying between me and his father.
“Ransom her.”
“Ransom?”
Through my fear-fogged mind, I picked up his interest. Rio was listening.
“This is about Gran, right? Eighty-four thousand dollars. She can’t lead us to her parents or the money they stole, but her aunt and uncle are right here and they have plenty.” Royal spun on me. I shook as he brushed the tears from my cheek. “We tell them we got her and if they don’t hand over the money, they’ll never see her again.”
Rio made a harsh sound. “Interesting idea, but you’re well aware the Horsemen don’t deal in kidnapping and ransom. Too many things can go wrong. Too many variables to account for. And police search harder for those who kidnap pretty rich girls than they do for car thieves.” A hand gripped Royal’s shoulder. “Move aside, boy.”
My heart jumped in my throat.
“Let me handle it,” Royal said, planting his feet. “I’ll get in the Estate to deliver the message. I’ll stay on them and make sure they don’t call the police. One hundred grand is nothing to people like them. They probably have that much in their sock drawer. The Bancrofts will dump it in a trash can at Oleander Park, I’ll pick it up, and this will be done.”
“Why Oleander Park? They can make the drop at a park in the Outer Borough.”
Rio changed his tune from the guy who didn’t want in on this game.
“They have to know this is a simple, pain-free transaction or they might do something stupid,” said Royal. “Raveners are afraid to go into the OB. Her aunt and uncle will think it’s a trap or something. Plus, they’d stand out.” He shook his head. “It makes sense for them to drop it in their park and I’ll bring it out.”
“They can just as easily set a trap for you,” Rio argued.
“Not if I make it clear I’m watching them and any hint of the cops will get her killed.” Royal’s touch was gentle on my goose-pimpled skin. “Her little brother was just beaten for ignoring a blackmailer. By now they know people aren’t messing around.”
He grunted. “I’d be just as pleased to have the full amount. If we’re taking this route, why wouldn’t I charge Frank and Leonora Bancroft to transfer that money into my offshore account.”
Royal turned on him. “Because if those shits cared about their children, they wouldn’t have abandoned them to us. The aunt and uncle took them in. They care enough to keep her off the street. They’ll care enough to keep her alive.”
I couldn’t see Rio’s face. I imagined it reflected little as he considered his son’s plan.
It’s my hope that he’s considering.
“You say your patience is out on being forced to handle business yourself,” Royal went on. “But you’re the one who dragged us down here for no fucking reason. You want me to step up, Dad? Get out of the way. I will deal with my crew and I will get Gran’s money. If I fail, you can shoot me.”
My eyes bugged. What the hell was he saying?!
“Is that right?” Rio laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. No one will hurt you. My boy. My only son.” He grasped the back of his neck. “But I will concede I did not give you the chance to correct the matter yourself.” Rio’s gentleman persona was sliding back into place. “Go to the Estate. Make clear the situation. Tell me the time of the drop. We’ll be there.”
Royal didn’t move. “When it’s done, Clay and Cas will be forgiven.”
“I will agree to that,” Rio replied.
“And Hiro goes to the doctor. Now.”
Rio came fully into view, moving to the side.