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Jessica draws her breath to answer but stops herself. She looks like it takes physical effort to force down the reflex, and she doesn’t look happy about it. I don't know what kind of hold he's got on her, but there's gotta be something.
Taking care of his daughter. Living in his house. That’s not a part time job at the mall you stick with just to pay the bills. She’s been there for fuckingyears, and she’s only twenty-one.
"Kane," says Hellfire, his voice full of false smiles. "So glad you could talk. You’ve been a hard man to track down."
"Do you have a normal name you can give me, or are you going to force me to call you by some ridiculous biker name? I don’t know how anyone is supposed to take you idiots seriously when you’re all walking around sounding like cartoon villains."
Hellfire laughs, not rising to the bait. “You took us seriously enough when you were running with your tail between your legs and piss in your shoes. The name’s Hellfire, but you can call me whatever the fuck you want. Unless you want to call me Daddy. Gonna have to pay extra for that.”
“Classy as expected. My daughter and the nanny, both alive?"
"Of course. Unlike you, we take care of our women."
Kane literally growls. "Prove it. They’re the only ones that could’ve given you this number, but a little torture would be easy for animals like you, wouldn’t it? Proof of life before you get one more word."
Jessica visibly flinches. She pulls Anne closer, and turns to Ghost for support. He puts a hand on her back, and it makes me feel… jealous isn’t quite right, but it ain’t wrong, either. I don’t know what happened between them after he took her back to his room, but feels like there’s something building there.
Hellfire nods to Jessica.
She nods back. Her hands are shaking enough that Anne is starting to look scared. "I’m here. So is Anne. We’re both safe. They haven't hurt us." She nudges Anne.
“I’m here, Daddy.” Anne’s chin wobbles, but she’s a tough kid. I guess growing up with Kane as a father would make you that way.
"Anne was your responsibility, Jessica. If anything happens to her, I’m holding you personally accountable."
"I'm sorry, sir. I’m doing my best." Jessica doesn’t even look surprised. She flinches like a fucking dog that’s used to getting swatted.
I didn’t like the guy before, and he’s not exactly winning me over now. What the fuck did he expect her to do? Ghost frowns, and Tex looks pissed.
“Jessica’s taking good care of me,” Anne blurts out.
“Not good enough.”
Hellfire holds up a hand, signaling for everyone to shut up, and pointing to Jessica and then the door. Ghost nods, leading them back out of the office. "There you go. Maybe not happy, but safe and sound. Your turn. Put Cooper on. I want to know where we stand before we go any further."
"He's on his way. I haven't kept him in my office just in case you'd call,” Kane sneers. “Besides, all the bitching and crying gets old. Blah blah blah. Maybe I let the wrong idiot fall."
"He’s not the only one that keeps bitching. Just get him on the fucking line." Hellfire's tone is even. Unbothered. There's a reason Hellfire was General's second in command.
A minute, maybe two, pass while we wait. No one says anything, but each passing second raises the tension in the room. Give me a fight any day over sitting around waiting. If I could reach through the phone and choke the life outta Kane, I would.
"Hellfire? It's me. I—I’m fine."
Hellfire has to let out a little sigh. "You okay?"
"A little worse for wear, but all ten fingers and toes. Service and food could be better, though." He's trying to keep a light tone, but there's a note of embarrassment that's easy to pick out, even for me. I don't blame him. I'd feel like a dumbshit, too.
"Take him back," Kane snaps to someone on the other side. "There, are you happy? You showed me yours so I showed you mine. Now tell me how you see this going."
"Easy. Cooper for your little girl.”
“And Jessica.”
“We'll let the nanny go as soon as your kid is out of our hands. I'm sure she's dying to get back to her life."
Kane chuckles darkly. "No deal. I’d be trading you a man who wants me dead and has proven he’s willing to pay for it. The girls are a package deal. I want them both. That's non-negotiable."
"Why does the fucking nanny matter?" I ask out loud before catching myself. That does get me an annoyed glare from Hellfire, but I already opened my big mouth. "What? I can’t be the only one wondering."
