Chapter 15
Sea clung to me as Ryan trailed behind us, heading outside.
The patio was drenched in golden sunlight, making the pool glisten. The air smelled faintly of freshly cut grass and chlorine, cool. Sea wriggled in my arms until I had no choice but to set her down.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, she stepped back, her face scrunched up in a frown. She crossed her tiny arms over her stomach, her Barbie doll dangling awkwardly from one hand. “Why did I think any differently?” she muttered. “They always leave.”
The words struck me. My daughter rarely displayed such frustration, especially over people leaving. She barely batted an eye when her nannies quit one after another, declaring her “too much to handle.” But now, there was a new disappointing tone to her words that made me freeze.
“Sea,” I started, but before I could say another word, she turned sharply on her heel, walking away with as much purpose as her little legs could muster.
Sea marched past Ryan without so much as a glance, her small hand waving dismissively in his direction as if to say, “Don’t follow me.” Ryan stopped in his tracks, watching her retreating figure with so much confusion and helplessness.
Ryan stepped forward, concern etched on his face. “Why’s Sea so angry?” he cautiously asked me.
“That’s a great question,” I muttered, still processing what had just happened. “I don’t know.”
The persistent vibration of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts, its irritating buzz demanding attention. I reached into my pocket and pulled it out, glancing at the screen. A call from one of my inside men.
“This better be good,” I growled as I answered, forgoing any pleasantries.
The voice on the other end was more of a whisper, and he spoke in a hurry. “Boss, we’ve got a problem. A woman–she’s contacted the police. She’s spilling everything. She gave up your name and has been able to describe your location. She’s talking about her kidnapping, and from the sound of it, the authorities are listening.”
My grip tightened around the phone. “What woman?” I asked, though I already had a sinking suspicion.
“Her name is Avery.”
My jaw clenched. That tiny bitch. She didn’t just run; she was
a mess by running her
mouth.
She might create a wave, Boss,” the informant continued. “The government’s eyes will be on you now. The heat might get real. I’d recommend lying low, going ghost for a while until this blows over.”
A dark laugh rumbled from my chest, cold and humorless. “Go ghost?” I repeated, my am the government.”
There was silence at the other end.
dangerously calm. “I don’t think you understand who I am. I
“Where is she?” I demanded.
He hesitated for a moment before rattling off the details. A hospital of some sort.
I ended the call without another word, my mind already spinning with plans.
“She’s been found.” I informed Ryan, slipping my phone back into my pocket. My voice was steady, but my blood was boiling. “She’s staying in a hospital. Send two men to bring her back, I don’t care how. Just get her here. Someone will forward the details of the location to you shortly.”
Ryan nodded, his expression unreadable. He knew better than to question me when I was like this.
As I started walking away, my chest constricted painfully, the sensation sharp and unrelenting. I stopped in my tracks, pressing a hand against my side as the ache spread, I couldn’t help it anymore.
1/2
Chapter 15
51%
+5
“Call my doctor,” I ordered Ryan, forcing the words out through gritted teeth. “I need him here. Now.”
Ryan’s brows furrowed with concern, but he didn’t argue. “I’ll handle it.”
“And oversee the offloading from Cambodia tonight,” I added. My voice was quieter now, strained. “I won’t be there.”
“Understood,” Ryan replied.
I didn’t wait for further acknowledgment. The pain in my chest was becoming unbearable, and I needed a moment to gather myself. But first, I needed to find out what was going on with Sea.
The house was quiet as I made my way back inside, the faint hum of the central air the only sound. My footsteps echoed lightly against the floor. When I reached the hallway leading to Sea’s playroom, I paused, listening.
The door was slightly ajar, and through the gap, I could see her sitting on the floor, cross–legged, her Barbie doll discarded beside her. She was staring at the wall, her expression distant.
“Princess,” I called softly, stepping inside.
She didn’t look up, but I could see the tears pooling in her eyes, threatening to spill over. My heart ached at the sight.
Kneeling beside her, I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong, darling? Talk to me.”
She sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “Why does everyone leave, Daddy?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“Everyone?” I repeated, my brows knitting together. “What do you mean?”
She looked up at me then, her big, innocent eyes filled with a sadness that no child her age should ever feel. “Mommy left. The nannies leave. And now Avery’s gone, too. Do they not like me? Did I make Avery go away? But, she’s been here only for a few hours.”
This hurt. My strong, spirited little girl–reduced to questioning her worth because of the adults who had failed her.
“Oh, sweetheart,” I said, pulling her into my arms. She clung to me tightly, her small body shaking with quiet sobs. “It’s not your fault. None of it is. Sometimes people leave because of their own problems, not because of anything you’ve done.”
She buried her face in my shoulder, her tears dampening my shirt. “But I liked Avery’s hair and eyes,” she whispered. “She sounded kind too. I wanted to talk to her some more. Maybe play with her.
I held her tighter. This was the first time Sea would actually have any sort of emotions for anyone except Ryan, She didn’t even show much concern towards Katie, who had been her caregiver since birth.
I had
my reasons for bringing Avery into our lives, but I hadn’t anticipated the bond she’d form with my daughter so quickly.
Having more reassuring conversations about Avery might complicate things just in case I decide to kill her, which I’m tempted to do at this point.
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AD
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