A shocked gasp left her lips as he dragged her onto her feet. “Uncle Ben? What are you doing?”
What was going on? What was he doing here? Why had he knocked Hux unconscious?
He dragged her away from Hux and towards the house, his grip on her arm was tight. “You’re hurting me!”
“I didn’t fly halfway around the world to find you and have you run off on me. You’ve caused a lot of trouble for me, niece of mine. Just like your fucking mother, aren’t you?”
“W-what? What are you talking about?” Why was he talking about her mother?
He dragged her over towards the swimming pool. “Did you see me that night?”
“What?” She gaped up at him in shock. She couldn’t keep up with him. Her foot twisted under her as he yanked at her and he let out a sigh.
“The night she died. Did you see me? I’ve often wondered, but you never showed any signs that you had so I left you alone. Until William involved you in his stupid scheme. Then I had to interfere. Why’d you do that, Genevieve? Why did you betray your father?”
“He’s not a good man!”
“Well, of course he’s not a good man. Do you really think he got to where he is by being good? No, he got there by being better. More powerful. More ruthless. We were nearly there, you know. We were on our way to the White House. Until William decided to betray us. And you.”
Us? So he was working with her father all along?
Did you see me? I’ve often wondered, but you never showed any signs that you had so I left you alone.
Why would she have seen him the night her mother died? Her stomach twisted. What was she going to do? She was here alone with him. And Hux? Was he still alive?
“I . . . I . . .” Shit, Vivi. Get it together. “Are you saying you were there the night my mother drowned?”
He sighed and shook his head. “Never were the smartest, were you?” He spoke in a voice she’d never heard from him. He’d always been kind and loving towards her. How many times had she wished she could go live with him instead of with her dad?
“I killed her, you idiot,” he confessed.
In the back of her head, a voice whispered that it wasn’t good he was telling her all this. That people didn’t confess to murder unless they were certain that the person they were confessing to wasn’t going to speak up.
And there was only one reason she wouldn’t speak up. No, maybe two. Death or a threat to her men.
But that whisper was drowned out by sheer, agonizing fury. “You killed my mother?”
“The bitch deserved it. She stuck her nose into things that weren’t her business. When she threatened to go to the cops, I knew I had to take care of her. It was almost too easy. I just threatened to kill you and she swallowed the drug concoction I gave her, then I threw her in the pool.
“You bastard!” she screamed.
He shook her, making her teeth snap. “Shut up. I’ve created enough distractions that no one should be around, but just in case they are I don’t need you screaming and bringing them over here. I was going to grab you in the mad dash as everyone left the palace, but you made it simpler for me, coming here. Much simpler.”
He looked to the pool. She stared over at it as well. What was he thinking? She was certain she didn’t want to know. Right now, all that mattered was getting answers. Then she could get away from him.
He was strong, though. Younger than her father. And Aleki had barely started teaching her self-defense moves.
“You put those boxes in the gardens? And set up the fog machine? How did you even get into Escana?”
“With a little help. I know a lot of powerful people. And the boxes and fog were a distraction. I needed a way to get you away from those three assholes you’ve hooked up with. Little slut. Tonight was the easiest night to do it. Thanks for having this ball, it really helped my plan. Oh, and for alienating that bitch who told your father where you were.”
Who? What bitch? Who would tell her father where she was? There was only one woman she’d had anything to do with since being here . . .
“Do you mean Marilyn?”
“I have no idea what her name is. I only know your father got a call from some woman telling him where you were. Gotta say, coming here was a smarter move than I gave you credit for. But then, I expected you to die in that underground garage.”
Her heart raced. She wanted to vomit. “I can’t . . . I can’t . . . you shot at me? It was you?”
“Well, not personally. I sent two of my men to grab you. One of them shot at you when you ran. I wasn’t pleased that they failed. You don’t want to know what happens when I’m not pleased. But then, you do know, don’t you? I wasn’t pleased when your mother got nosy and then threatened to go to the cops. I wasn’t pleased when William decided to betray your father. Idiot never realized that his reporter friend was double-crossing him.”
“What? He told you about what William was doing?”
“I have a number of reporters and cops on my payroll. Thankfully, William’s friend was one. Of course, none of them know who they actually work for. I have several middlemen. William’s friend contacted one of my men. I sent my man to meet with William and he made sure that William would never betray anyone else.”
“He killed him?” she whispered.
“Of course.”
He said it as though it was a normal. It made her feel sick.
“My man gave him something to make it look like he died of a heart attack. It was far less than he deserved. And it was a mistake. I should have had him tortured first for information. That would have been hard to explain though. Lieutenant Governor is tortured is not a headline we wanted. That would have too many eyes on your father.”
“T-tortured?” she stuttered.
“Yes. See, I never guessed that you were in on this with William. I thought your loyalty was tied to your father. Well, to be honest I thought you were suitably cowed and would do as he ordered. Then you texted William’s friend, saying you had the information for him.”
“So you set up that meeting with me and had your men go to get me?”
“Yes,” he replied. “I wanted you alive, as your death was another headline I didn’t need. But they got a bit carried away when you ran.”
“William wanted to take my father down for all the terrible things he’s done. But all along it was you.”
“Oh, don’t feel sorry for your father. He’s just as bad as I am. But not quite as smart. See, I never wanted the fame. I don’t need all those eyes on me. I work better in the shadows. I was the brains behind it all, your father the frontman. Your father was supposed to go all the way to the White House. But he didn’t have the ratings. He didn’t have enough of a story to get there.”
He tightened his hold on her and she let out a small cry of pain. He smiled. Evil bastard. “That’s when I figured you could help, dear niece. You and William. He knew the score. Your father, and in secret, me, would get him to the White House. He would do what we wanted. But then he went and got a fucking conscience. And you helped him.”
“The man who threatened me? Who is now Lieutenant Governor, is he . . .”
“One of my men? Yes. First, I needed to get rid of William and the evidence. Then I needed to figure out our next move. I still wanted someone in the White House. Roger isn’t perfect, but he’s close. Only there was just one loose end to take care of and I wanted to do it personally. Nobody betrays me and gets away with it. Not your mother. Not you.”
“People know my father is rotten!” she yelled out. “He won’t get away with everything he’s done. Neither will you.”
“Ahh, that’s where you’re wrong. I will get away with it, because no one but your father and my closest people know about my role. And my people wouldn’t betray me. Your father is nearly at the end of his usefulness. I just need him for a bit longer, so his death doesn’t look suspicious. Then he might have some health problems, leaving Roger’s path to the White House that much clearer.”
He was insane.
“You’d kill your own brother?” she asked.
“Nothing is going to stop me from getting what I want.”
He shoved her back another step until she was teetering on the edge of the pool, held up only by his hand around her arm and neck. Her air was being cut off, her eyes watering as she tried to pull his hand away from her neck.
“I’m sorry I don’t have time to chat, but I’m sure those assholes you’re fucking will come looking for you soon.” A smile lit his face. “You never did learn to swim, did you?”
With a shove, he sent her flying. She flailed in the water, her fear overwhelming her. She couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe. She took in a mouthful of water before her head reached the surface and she gasped in a breath then went under again. Her skirts were so heavy, weighing her down. She couldn’t do this. She was going to die.
Concentrate, jelly bean.
Don’t you drown, princess.
Baby girl, float!
Right. She could float. She could do this. Was he standing there, watching her? He thought she couldn’t swim. If she started to swim, would he hold her under the water to finish the job?
She pretended to move under the water as though fighting. She hoped she was putting on enough of a performance. Then she made herself relax and float. Her air was getting desperately low.
She needed out. Now! She couldn’t take much more.
Just a few minutes more, jelly bean.
You can do it, baby girl.
Get out, now!
Suddenly, an arm wrapped around her waist before she was shoved up to the surface. She tried to fight but she was weak. They broke through the water and she started to cough, spitting out water, her body so weak and chilled that she barely had the energy to shiver.
“It’s okay, princess. I got you. It’s okay.”
Wolfe.
He swam to the steps then picked her up in his arms, cradling her tight as he carried her out. Then he lay her on the ground and started to stand again.
“No! Don’t go! No!” She reached for him. She couldn’t let him leave.
“It’s okay. You’re all right. I have to check on Hux.”
“No, he’s here. He’ll hurt you. It’s my uncle. He did it all. He killed my mom. Be careful.”
She knew she sounded hysterical. She couldn’t help it. She didn’t know where he was. He was like the boogeyman, living in the shadows all this time.
She’d trusted him.
A sob wracked her body. Then suddenly, she found herself sitting on Wolfe’s lap. He rocked her back and forth. He wrapped his arms around her. One part of her was aware that he was hugging her. Actually hugging her. But most of her brain was still focused on the fact that her uncle tried to murder her. “Shh, princess. Shh. You’re safe. I’m here.”
“My uncle is here somewhere. He’s behind it all. He hit Hux. He tried to drown me.”
“Okay, princess. Shh. It’s all right. Everything will be all right. I’m going to get you somewhere safe. Then I’ll check on Hux and find your uncle.” He stood, cradling her in his arms.
“No, no. You can’t!”
“Hush, it will be all right, princess.” He carried her towards the house, deactivating the security then walking inside. They headed towards his office. She hadn’t been in this room and she didn’t want to take the time to look around now.
“Please, Wolfe. He’ll hurt you.”
“No, he won’t.” He set her down on her feet a few steps back from a bookcase. What was he doing? Then he grabbed a book and pulled it.
“Oh my God, it’s a secret door.” Her fear fled her momentarily. Behind the bookcase was a metal door. There was a security panel next to it. Wolfe held up his hand to the panel, it scanned his palm. Next, he bent down to eye level so it could scan his retina.
“What is this?” she asked, calming slightly.
“You’ll see,” he told her as the door opened to reveal a small room beyond it. He held out his hand to her and she walked inside. “This is a safe room. Every house here has one. The palace has three. However, no one knows where it’s located except for me, Aleki, and Caleb. When I leave, you press this button, and the door locks. The code to open it is zero, four, zero, eight, nine, two.”
“That’s my birthdate,” she whispered.
“It is.” He grabbed hold of her shoulders. “Listen to me. If someone is in here, then the door will only open if you put in that code. No matter who is on the other side. And you only open that door for me, Aleki, or Caleb, understand?”
“No, Wolfe, please don’t.”
“Understand?” He gave her a firm look. “Every minute we spend arguing, I could be getting help for Hux and finding your uncle.”
Oh God, he was right.
“There’s blankets, clothes, food. You will be fine. But I can only leave if I know you’re safe in here. If you don’t promise to stay in here then I’m not leaving. I can’t do this if I’m worrying about you.”
“You really want me to lock the door?” She knew how hard that was for him.
His mouth tightened. “Yes.”
If he could do this, so could she. “Go.”
“Promise.”
“I promise. Just don’t die.”
To her shock, he reached out and hugged her again. She soaked in his touch.
“I love you, Wolfe.”
“I’ll be back. I promise.”
And then he was gone. The door shut and locked behind him. She was alone. Terrified.
* * *
Wolfe was glad that Genevieve was safe so he could focus on other things. He crouched down and checked Hux’s pulse. Still alive. Good. Unconscious. Not good. He radioed his injury in as well as sending a code word to Aleki and Caleb from his phone. And then he smiled.
Time to go hunting.
44
Vivi stood shivering in the safe room.
She couldn’t believe he’d done it. He’d locked her in here. Alone. What if something happened to him? What if Ben hurt him?
She took a deep breath. She was being foolish. This was Wolfe, for God’s sake. He was downright scary.
Especially when someone he loved was threatened.
He might never say the words, but she knew that he felt them. He loved her.
She should find a towel to dry herself off. Maybe a change of clothes. But she couldn’t seem to move.
Shock. She was in shock.
Damn it. How much more could her body take? How much more until she unraveled?
If she did, they’d put her back together. They’d hold her, they’d help her, they’d be there for her. The family she’d always craved but never had.
Her uncle killed her mom. And her dad had known. That asshole. She didn’t care if he was just a puppet to be used by her uncle. He’d known.
And he’d done nothing.
She really wanted one of the guys. And Piggles. She wanted Piggles too. Please, please let them all be all right.
A beeping noise had her jumping.
What was that?
The beeping sounded again. Oh God, what if someone was trying to break in? What had Wolfe said? Nobody knew where the room was except the three of them. But no one could get in unless she unlocked it. She breathed a bit easier as she reminded herself of that.
But how did she figure out who was on the other side? Was there a camera or something? Wolfe hadn’t had enough time to tell her. Panic swelled again. Why was it so hard to think?
She chewed her nail. What to do? The beeping continued. Forcing herself to move to the door, she touched the pad to the right, jumping back as an image appeared. She took in a shaky breath of relief as she saw Aleki and Caleb on the other side.
Aleki looked frantic. Caleb was frowning as he checked something on his phone. But they both appeared unharmed.
They’d come for her.
Shaking so hard that she messed it up the first time, she finally managed to input the code and the
door slid open. Her knees went weak with relief and she slumped to the ground.
“Jelly bean!” Caleb cried out as Aleki leaped forward to grab her.
Aleki lifted her into his arms. “Fuck, she’s wet. She’s freezing.”
Caleb placed his hand over her forehead, then took hold of her wrist, feeling her pulse. “Her heartbeat is racing. We need to get Obian over here. I’ll start the shower. She needs to get out of that wet dress and warm.”
“No, no, I don’t want any of that,” she told them. “Wolfe, I need Wolfe.”
Aleki and Caleb shared a look. “Where is Wolfe? Jelly bean, what happened to Hux? What’s going on?” Caleb asked as Aleki carried her to her bedroom then through into her bathroom. Caleb started the shower as Aleki sat on the closed toilet seat with her on his lap. He started to strip off her dress but she slapped his hands away.
“He’s gone chasing after my uncle.”
“Your uncle?” Aleki asked. “What? Why would your uncle be here?”
She quickly told them everything. “He’s been behind everything all along. He killed my mother, he tried to kill me and now he might kill Wolfe.”
Caleb came and crouched down in front of her. “Jelly bean, if there’s one thing I know it’s that Wolfe can take care of himself. But you know what he’d want right now?”
She took in a sobbing breath.
“For us to take care of you,” Aleki told her.
Her entire body was shaking as she sobbed.
“If we go looking for him now, we’d likely just get in the way,” Caleb told her. “Wolfe will call for help if he needs it. But there will be no helping us if he gets back and finds you in this state, all right? Just let us take care of you.”
“All right.”
* * *
Benjamin Mason didn’t stand a chance.
He thought he was clever as he tried to sneak his way off the palace grounds. He thought he’d gotten away with it.
Ruled by her Daddies Page 41