When it was shut my dad motioned for me to spill.
“I need your help finding people who have the means to execute an extraction mission. Tactical training, maybe some old military buddies who do this kind of thing for hire. And I need them available like yesterday.”
If he was shocked, his face didn’t show it. He licked his lips and nodded slowly. “Okay. I’m gonna need some more details than that. Like who are we rescuing?”
“We,” I said, motioning between him and I, “aren’t doing anything. You’re gonna be involved as minimally as possible so I don’t have to worry about you getting hurt.We,” I emphasized, pointing a thumb at Jae, “are rescuing my girlfriend.”
My dad blinked. “Your girlfriend.”
I nodded.
“And where is she?”
“In Texas.”
“In Texas,” my dad parroted, steepling his hands beneath his chin as he leaned his elbows on the table.
“Yes.”
He narrowed his eyes, glancing between Jae and I for a disconcertingly long minute.
“Why exactly does your girlfriend need a contract extraction team?”
“She’s been kidnapped by her ex-husband, a leader of a cult.”
My dad sighed, the only sign that he was processing any of the information I was giving him.
“Right. And law enforcement isn’t enough because…?”
“Because…” I trailed off, trying to think of a vague enough reason but failing. “Because…fuck. Because we can’t involve them, okay? For numerous reasons that I can’t share with you without putting you in unnecessary danger.”
My dad scratched at the stubble on his chin and swung his eyes to Jae.
“And you’re in on all of this?”
Jae swallowed and sat up straighter, “Um, yes, sir. I’m fully aware ofmostof the details, yes.”
My dad tapped his finger against the table.
“Please, Dad,” I breathed. “You’ve got to have at least a couple ex-military contacts that are doing contract work like this that can help.”
“Where you getting the money for this kind of job, Enoch?”
“Shit,” I muttered, looking down at my lap. “I…I’ll sell everything I own, fuck, I’ll sell both my kidneys and live on dialysis for the rest of my life if—”
My dad put up his hand to shut me up. “I believe that you believe that this is really happening, but I’m sorry, bud, this sounds like a scam. Why aren’t her parents dealing with this? And really, why no cops? Is that what the kidnapper demanded?”
I fisted my hands, anything to prevent myself from throwing the glass in front of me at the wall.
“We’re her only family. She’s got no one else.No one. If we don’t do this, she’ll—” I cut myself off, clenching my jaw. “I’m going to get her back with or without your help. I just thought I’d ask first, before I tried to do this alone.”
My dad shook his head. “You’ve gotta give me something more here, bud. I’m not letting you throw your life savings and potentially your life out the window for someone that may or may not even be missing. Where’s the proof? How do you know, hold on, what’s her name?”
“Emory.”
“Right, Emory, how do you know that she’s even missing? Did this ex-husband contact you? Demand money?”
“No! Fuck, we don’t have time for this,” I moved to stand but Jae fisted the collar of my shirt and shove me back onto the bench.
