Page 13 of Billionaire’s Promise

My arms reached for my chest, folded tightly. That usually helped sooth the panic attack that was creeping up on me. I had thought about seeing a therapist for a while, but I just couldn’t seem to bring myself to do it. There was no way I would let my family even know about the mere thought of attending therapy sessions – they would see it as weakness – not a desired quality for the heir of their Li Empire. That’s why I envied Jenny’s courage for seeking help.

“Gun!” Clare shouted. “The asshole’s got a gun.”

Damn it. My newer bodyguard’s tendency to loudly narrate everything wasn’t good for my anxiety. I had lost my ability to think.

I tried not to look but my curiosity took over and I couldn’t help it. Looking out the window, I saw a guy standing next to the driver side of the car, pointing his gun at the window, and the next second the car door opened slowly.

Should I help? I was in a great position to help. Clare and Dave should be able to handle any average guy. Again, my mother’s words were ringing louder now in my head, reminding me that I shouldn’t put myself and my team in danger. And this right here, definitely smelled and tasted like danger.

“Hurry. Drive faster,” Clare instructed Dave, her voice was so loud that I wondered if the asshole outside could hear her.

My anxiety was sky high now. I could feel it as my lungs struggled to secure me oxygen. Another flashback – someone pointed their gun at my driver and me. He unlocked the door, and they helped themselves to the terrified boy sitting at the back of the car. Then before I knew it, chloroform was on my face, and I woke up with a black bag over my head in a smelly place where no one could hear me for days no matter how loud I screamed. I knew my assailants were there watching but they just decided to ignore me.

My mind was split in two.

Help or walk away.

“We should let Trevon know.” My lips trembled, but that was all I could do. I felt like a coward.

Should we call the police and let them handle it? Or would it be too late?

Back then, I was taken in broad daylight outside of school. If someone had tried to help me, maybe I wouldn’t have been taken, and I wouldn’t have the scars on my body as a souvenir.

Our car drove past without any issues. Whoever it was, didn’t really care that he was spotted pointing a gun at someone in the middle of the day. Much like my kidnappers. I sat up straight, adjusting my collapsing posture which did nothing for my confidence. Then I saw it, her, in the rearview mirror.

“Turn around!” I shouted.

“Sir,” Clare complained. I didn’t know how I knew, but I could just tell that Clare wouldn’t like what we were about to do.

Well, last time I checked, I was the boss. “Get ready. Now.”

“Sir.” Clare again, louder this time.

“Shut the fuck up or get the fuck out.” She wasn’t expecting me to snap. She had never seen this side of me before. She had gotten used to bossing everyone around, including me. But guess what? Mr. Nice Guy had left the building.

I suddenly realized what Dave meant a few moments earlier.

I did know the driver. Very well indeed.

June Bennet.

The driver in the red Tesla.

The trouble that I was told to stay away from.

3

June

I didn’t expect Mack to point a gun at me. The Mack I knew had always been fun and cool. How much of that had to do with the drugs though? Perhaps his coolness wasn’t a projection of his real personality; I clearly didn’t know him that well.

He wasn’t a nice guy. That much I knew.

Mack ran a lot of “errands” for my ex, Dannie Wu. Dannie never told me what exactly Mack did for him, but those errands definitely weren’t legal. One time, he rushed into Dannie’s apartment panicking and covered in blood that wasn’t his. Dannie wasn’t a nice guy either, but I didn’t know that until much later.

“Calm down.” I lowered my voice, hoping that it would somehow help soothe Mack’s nerves. My pulse was racing but I tried my best not to show it.

“I’m here,” I whispered to my phone and wondered when the help would arrive. Wendy seemed to have gone completely quiet on the other end.