Jack’s nostrils flared. “You first, Mason. Who the fuck is in the box?”
The woman gawked at me. “The resemblance to your father is uncanny.” The blonde had hair down to her shoulders. Her eyelashes were covered with a thick coat of black mascara, bringing out her green eyes even more. Her makeup was painted on to perfection, and she had a beauty mark near the corner of her right eye.
“And you must be Kendra,” I replied.
Her light-brown eyebrows rose. “You know who I am?”
“Enough,” Jack snapped. “Who is in this box?” His tone was colder than the day outside.
Steven crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s not your son. This was here when we came in. Now tell us why this young lady is here.”
“He brought Kendra for me,” I said. “That’s why I’m here, isn’t it, Jack?”
“You wanted to talk to her,” Jack said. “I’m giving you that opportunity.”
“Yeah, before we burn her to a crisp,” Ray added quickly.
I was itching to lunge for him, which would have been easy since he stood across from me.
He jerked his head at Jo as he clutched his throat.
It took me a second to realize what Jo was doing.
She had her hand raised, palm facing up, fingers slightly curled and aimed at Ray. “We’re not here to throw threats around. I suggest you keep your mouth shut, or I’ll make sure you leave here in this box.”
As he choked, Ray’s face deepened to red.
“Ease up, Jo,” Steven said.
She lowered her arms. “Next time a derogatory comment comes out of his mouth, he won’t like my next move.”
The lethal tone she used gave me chills, and if Ray didn’t heed the warning, he was an idiot.
Jack glared daggers at Ray, who hadn’t stopped rubbing his throat. “Take the restraints off her.”
Reluctantly, Ray obeyed as he coughed.
“Kendra, can you wait outside? Or rather in the plane, which will be better for you,” Steven said in a polite, gentlemanly tone.
She massaged her wrists, giving Steven a warm smile. “Thank you.” Then she left at the speed of light. Whether she would wait or not, it didn’t matter. My intuition told me she would find me when she thought it was safe for her.
“You wanted to meet. You said we had many things to discuss,” Steven said to Jack. “So talk.”
“Where’s your son?” Ray tossed a look over his shoulder. “I’m sure he’s around here somewhere.”
Jo shook her head. “He’s here to kill Sam. Unbelievable.”
“What? Is that what you read in his mind?” I gaped at Jack. “Is that the real reason you’re here? To start a war?”
A muscle ticked in Jack’s jaw. “I’m here to ask for help and to discuss other matters. And Layla, you should know I never ask for help.”
“Stupidest thing ever,” Ray mumbled.
“Jack is telling the truth,” Jo said, not taking her eyes off Ray.
Ray was about to suffer a worse fate than a severed limb if he didn’t shut his brain down.
Jack regarded Steven with concern. “I’m worried Roman took Noah and Rianne. Let’s face it. Ray and I can hunt all day long, but we don’t have the tools you do to find Roman. Which is another topic for discussion. I want to help you find Roman regardless of whether he has my son and niece or not.”
