“He’s an ex-Navy SEAL,” Bart said. Riley detected envy in his voice.
The phone continued to trill in the small space, and Riley’s heart proceeded to beat wildly. If her hands and ankles weren’t tied, she would’ve tackled the fat man.
Mr. Gansett chewed on his lip. “From what Liza has told me, he’s been injured in combat. He’s worthless. Besides, he can’t do anything over the phone.”
Growling, Riley used all the energy she could to kick the crate he was sitting on. The nice thing about gravity was that the heavier something was, the harder it fell. Gansett listed to one side, then his butt hit the floor.
She giggled. He didn’t.
Her phone slid under a blanket. The ringing stopped. So did her pulse, mainly because Mr. Gansett was primed to backhand her.
Riley stuck out her chin, ready to take whatever he was about to dish out. She would take the pain because in the end, she’d enjoyed seeing him fall. She also believed in karma. He would get what was coming to him. She just prayed it was before he killed her.
The ringing started up again.
While Mr. Gansett got back on the crate, Bart collected the phone, sneering at Riley in the process. “Hello.”
Silence rained down as Leo, Mr. Gansett, and Riley watched Bart’s expression morph into surprise.
Maybe Josh could be scary over the phone. Or maybe Agent Wallace was on the line.
Bart put the phone on speaker.
“Where is she?” Liza asked in a voice Riley didn’t recognize.
Riley sighed. “I’m right here.”
Scooting to the edge of his seat, Leo leaned in near the phone. “Love bug.”
Love bug?Riley snorted.
Bart shook his head as if disgusted. Mr. Gansett’s expression was blank.
“Leo,” Liza said. “How are you?”
“Aside from me missing you, my old man is deeply hurt that you would screw him.”
Liza tsked. “You know I kept my mouth shut when the FBI raided his office building. I’ve told you that every single time you’ve called me since I moved out here.”
Everyone was riveted to the conversation as if they were listening to a good radio show.
Leo frowned, reminding Riley of a sad puppy. “Until now. Love bug, I need that thumb drive. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You can’t hurt me anymore than you have,” Liza said in a tone Riley couldn’t quite decipher.
It was official. Riley didn’t know her best friend. Liza had never shared anything about Leo. Riley guessed she could see the attraction. He was handsome, in great physical shape, and could probably smile the panties off any woman except her. She wasn’t into big, beefy men. She didn’t know Liza was either.
“I don’t have it,” Liza replied. “Riley, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Riley shouted. She was surprised and tired, plus she missed home, her brother, and her mom. Above all else, she wanted to see Josh again.
“Riley, how in the world did they capture you?”
Riley laughed. “Mr. Gansett, do you want to tell her?”
“Wayne?” Shock rocked Liza’s tone. “You work for Moretti?”
“Love bug, your boss is my uncle,” Leo said. “His wife and my mom are sisters.”
