I wanted to jump in the chair and steal my phone back, but he was already in an animated conversation with my cousin before the idea struck.
“Why do you still have two men stationed in Pelican Bay?” Frankie asked my cousin. He was definitely obsessed with this weirdly named town.
Whatever my cousin responded didn’t seem to be an appropriate answer, because Frankie’s smile turned into a scowl for the first time that evening. Even if I couldn’t tell what Westley said, I knew it definitely wasn’t what Frankie wanted to hear.
“Yes, I’m staring at your favorite cousin now. She has quite a mouth on her. Doesn’t she?” he quipped. I didn’t make out what Westley responded, but I definitely heard the remnants filter out from my phone. They didn’t seem to upset Frankie in the same manner. “No, I’m not looking to get into a war with your ragtag team of bandits, but I wanted you to see what it feels like when people play in your business. You’re not the only one who has a plane and can travel.”
Frankie spoke as if he had a personal relationship with my cousin, and it gave me more questions about their relationship. Westley obviously pissed Frankie off somehow.
“I will give you back your princess for five million dollars. Small bills only. You know the drill. We will meet at the open bathrooms at the Navy Pier in twenty-four hours. Okay.”
I scoffed at his comment. Five million. My cousin probably had it in his safe. Frankie forgot his phone conversation as he looked at me with questioning eyes.
“I am worth a hell of a lot more than five million,” I sputtered out. I was definitely going to end up with a full-time bodyguard if I survived.
Frankie laughed. “It seems your cousin finds herself exceptionally delightful. She’s appalled by my first offer, so let me make it an even ten million,” he said, staring at me as he spoke.
Double shit. My hand waved frantically in front of me, trying to get him to go back to the original amount, but it was hopeless. Criminals weren’t known for being generous and forgiving.
“Of course she will be safe with me. I won’t hurt a single hair on her head,” he said, but from the look on his face, more was coming. “And to guarantee her helpful cooperation and make sure she feels no need to attempt an escape…” Frankie looked right at me, his words obviously more for me than my cousin. “I’ll use a bit of leverage to ensure her cooperation.”
Frankie waved over two of his men, who stood at the back part of the hotel suite. Each one carried an iPad and stopped next to the boss before they came to stand in front of me and showed their screens one at a time. The scene ripped the breath from my lungs, and I squeaked out a response.
Frankie laughed, sounding evil for the first time. His good looks no longer covered his true nature. On the screen was my worst nightmare. Worse than me being kidnapped. The screen to the left pulled an image of video feed. I saw her breathing. The sheets moving up and down as she slept peacefully in her bed. My mother was wrapped up in a big white comforter—the one I bought her for her birthday.
On the next screen was an almost identical picture of my aunt asleep in her own home.
Frankie gave me a few seconds to take in the images, and I yelled at my cousin, hoping he’d hear me on the phone, “He’s got our moms.”
Frankie shook his head again and waved his finger at me like I’d broken a rule. “No, your mother and aunt are safe. I’m only keeping a watchful eye on them. It’s important to remind everyone how easy it is to get access to certain people in their life. Although, Westley, your mother’s bedroom decorating leaves a bit to be desired,” he said, fanning his fingers back and waving away his henchmen.
“You monster,” I sneered, ready to lunge out of my chair and attack, but one of the big men working for Frankie stepped in my direction with a clear warning in his eyes. I settled back in my seat but fumed. The first chance I got, I’d claw his eyes out.
“I’ll call tomorrow with specifics for our meeting,” Frankie said and disconnected the call.
“If you hurt my mom or aunt, you’ll definitely be sorry.”
“I have no plans to hurt your family as long as you cooperate. If something happens to them, it’s on you,” Frankie said, staring hard again.
“Westley will never let you touch them.”
“I got to you easily enough.”
His words stung, mostly because of their truth.
Frankie, whatever his last name, may have been hot, but he was also insane. No one attacked the Grandmaster with such cocky confidence without being crazy.
“In a way, I am sorry,” Frankie started. “I’d hoped matters would not get this far, but it seems your cousin needs reminders of which area of the world he’s allowed to operate. But let’s worry about that later.” He flicked his wrist and checked his watch. “It’s after four. It looks like you need sleep, so we can talk about it later in the day.
“And just exactly where do you expect me to sleep?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest for any kind of protection. Exhaustion was setting in, but I refused to look weak in his presence.
“With me, of course,” he said with a smirk.
CHAPTER 4
The blood in my veins turned cold. He said I should trust him. He promised my safety, but he lied. Sleep with him? No way. When would I finally realize most criminals did not have a decent bone in their body? They weren’t like my cousin.
“You told me to trust you,” I said, with the last remaining bit of my breath.
