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I rubbed my aching nose as her fear from earlier floated to the surface. An irritating crease formed between my brows because it bothered me to see her fear. It wasn’t the usual, angry charm she threw at me every year. Her eyes had been consumed with pure terror.
An over-exaggerated response, really, because I’d hardly even touched her. I’d even emptied the gun before entering the mansion. But Sutton’s fear didn’t deliver the relief and satisfaction I got with my usual captives, which was annoying.
Perhaps it wasn’t true fear then.
With a sigh, I made my way to the kitchen and flicked on the lights, putting my cigarette out in a nearby ashtray.
The kitchen was all marble and dark steel, uninterrupted by clutter thanks to the maids. An island rested in the center, dark stone veined with gold and splashes of silver. Yet everything sparkled, as if I hardly even occupied the space. I was here the majority of the time, hunched over my office desk, splicing videos, and watching Sutton on two different screens.
Despite my pounding headache, I strode to the liquor cabinet and poured myself another whiskey. I peeled off my jacket, laid it over a chair, and opened a few buttons on my dress shirt.
Pretty soon, I’d have security posted outside the elevator.
I didn’t typically have them, but they’d be required to ensure Sutton didn’t try to escape, which she’d do given how tonight ended. I pulled my phone out.
Me: I’ll need a couple of you posted at the penthouse tomorrow morning.
Axell: New captive?
Me: Something like that.
Axell: Got it boss.
Considering I’d paid for his release from prison a few years ago, he’d grown loyal, and I wouldn’t want anyone else besides Axell to keep an eye on her. He’d listen and not overstep.
I rubbed my nose again, imagining how Sutton would react when she realized she couldn’t escape. Ice clinked in my glass as I walked toward the wall of windows and stepped onto the balcony. Vancouver stared back, its city lights shining like stars in a blackened sky.
I liked this view.
I liked how it made me feel as if I was intruding on everyone below me. But truly, I liked that it made me feel anything at all.
The whiskey burned my throat as it slid down, its warmth settling in my stomach and along my skin. Still, that did little to quiet my thoughts on how I was going to teach her everything I knew—how exactly I was going to break the news that her father was involved with one of the oldest mafia organizations in Vancouver.
Despite knowing her so well, I couldn’t predict how this would go. One thing was certain; I expected her unwillingness to learn. Sutton was stubborn, and I knew my father wouldn’t deter her from fighting against us. But…
She might cave once she saw the proof about her father. I’d have to say it bluntly, like ripping off a bandaid. Luka was no innocent man, and she’d soon realize that.
Sutton’s phone chimed, and I pulled it out to find Anna’s name on the screen—her mother. She bid Sutton goodnight, hoping to see her next week for lunch at one of the new fine dining restaurants downtown.
I grinned to myself, stuffed the phone into my pocket, and stared down at the city's glimmering lights. No, Mrs. Hale, your daughter would not be joining you.
Not anymore.
6
SUTTON
Nausea rose in tune with my pulse and pounding headache—entirely too fast. The sourness to my stomach twisted so fiercely that I held my breath and stifled a pained groan.
The blazing sun had me squinting, and I lifted my arm to shield my face. Slivers of light hit my cheek as I glanced at the long, unfamiliar black curtains cascading from the windows.
Even after a few deep breaths, my pulse still climbed, thudding relentlessly beneath my skin. The curtains grazed the floor, but beyond the elaborate, spotless windows was a cloudless sky.
Where the fuck was I?
My body tensed when last night’s events resurfaced, flooding my thoughts like an endless nightmare. Manic and Grave had kidnapped me—drugged me—in my parent’s car.
I choked on a ragged breath.
