Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 109086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109086 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Fuck. I knew Creighton Lane was different, but hearing this—fuck. I raked a hand over my face. “I’m going to have to try, or I don’t know what I’m going to do. He’s decided he wants my family. He made his demands known to them a while ago.”
Ashton’s jaw clenched again. “Don’t choose the same door your cousin Nicolai chose. Don’t open that door.”
I knew. I fucking knew I couldn’t. “Don’t worry, but if you know of a way to get to Lane, I’d appreciate it. Until then, I need to go and track down the current pain in my ass.”
“I know of a way you can get his attention.”
Ashton had stepped to the door, stopping it before I could close it. A starkness on his face had me pausing, questioning for a slight second if I wanted to know his idea. He didn’t seem keen on it himself.
I said lightly, “Why does it look like this idea of yours is probably a suicide mission?”
His eyes flared, but his hand fell away from the door. He moved back, shutting down. “Because it probably is, but it’s Lane’s only weakness that I’m aware of.”
My gut flared, not liking this, wherever it was going, but I couldn’t afford not to hear it. “What’s his weakness?”
“A girl. He’s obsessed with her, but she’s not in the life. You want to get his attention, take the girl. I’ll send you the information I have on her.” He shut the door for me and headed to his own car.
I took off, not happy with how that conversation had gone, but resigned at the same time.
A bitter and harsh laugh rippled up my chest at the thought of how far I’d fallen in this world. My new career as a criminal was already budding.
Now I had to kidnap a different woman.
Chapter Nineteen
Sawyer
I could totally Gone Girl my way if I ever needed to. A whole buzz of victory went through me, growing the farther I got. After going through two towns, I pulled into a public library and used their computer to DM my cousin.
SawyerMatsenNottotallyoriginal1: This is your cousin. I’m hoping you check your messages?? I got your text, but I can’t reply on my phone. I need your help. I’ll wait to see if you respond before I send more information.
I hit send, then switched to my email, typing one out right away to my mother.
Mom, I lost my phone. All is good!! I’m so sorry. I’m trying to get a hold of Graham to see if he can help or not. Can you message him and ask him to check his Instagram messages? He might need to check the other folder. Once I get connected with him and get a new phone, I’ll give you a call. Don’t panic. New York is amazing. I’m so glad I came here. Let Clara and Bess know that I’m safe. I just lost my phone. That’s all. Love You So Much—Sawyer
My mom was not normally glued to her email, but since I’d gone on the missing train, I had a feeling she would be this time.
An email hit my inbox almost immediately from her.
I clicked on it, holding my breath against what her reaction would be.
Sawyer Kathleen Matsen, you are in so much trouble You Lost Your Phone? We called your hotel. You’ve not been back to check out. They have all your things. You have never, not once, in your life lost your phone. What is going on in that city over there? You have never been late for a checkout either. Your aunts have already booked their flights. They’re flying to see your cousin. They were going to start canvassing the city with flyers with your picture on them. We Were Worried Sick! Beck has been so distraught.
I got hot at reading that. Hot in an angry way.
Beck and Jake. Both were on my shit list.
I yelped before frantically replying, not reading the rest of her email.
Do Not Tell Beck Anything!
Her reply was just as quick.
I didn’t, but Maude did. The three of us stonewalled him so he went to her. He’s been calling me ever since.
I growled, typing back, Just block him.
It was as easy as that. What was my mom doing? Yes, she was stonewalling him, but why hadn’t she already blocked him? We lived in a small town. I also got that. Beck was there. He ran a business there, and my mom was into the local town’s high society, which Beck was also into. But still. Fucking block him. Everyone would understand.
Ding!
I heard the notification and checked the other tab.
GrahamM.ArchitectGalligFirm: Sawyer! Is this really you? Your mother told me to check my messages here. Yes. I’m here. Where are you? You need a phone?
Nerves fluttered in my belly because how I maneuvered with him, knowing my aunts were on their way to him, would need to be handled with care. What should I say? I couldn’t believe I was involving him, but also, I couldn’t stay with Jake. He might’ve been lying about the whole thing. Maybe? I didn’t know anymore.