Rachael closed her fingers into a fist, imagining she gripped the mic. She turned to face her audience. “I said, you will not intimidate me. I will go where I want, when I want, with whomever I want. You can’t stop me. I’m not your little girl anymore.”
Daddy pursed his lips into a fat, puffy ‘O’. “All grown up, huh? Too big for her Daddy now. Aren’t you even curious how I know your plans?”
“I don’t care. You probably sent one of your thugs to follow me. If you did, I hope he loved my show.”
Daddy laughed. “Guess again.”
“Then you’ve got Jake’s apartment bugged and he said or did something.”
Daddy shrugged. “Course I’ve got his place bugged. But that boy’s tight-lipped and boring as fuck at home.”
“Then I don’t fucking care how you know. All I care is that you’re not going to stop me from singing. You’re not going to stand in my way, you aren’t…”
Rachael’s heart sank and all the air went out of her lungs as Daddy reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a familiar cell phone and waved it at her.
“Where did you get that?”
He ignored her, tapping out the code that unlocked it, then scrolling through Elena’s messages. “He’s the one! We’re going back there tonight. Don’t ever wanna come home.” Daddy read Rachael’s messages to Elena in a mocking falsetto.
Rachael gripped her tote. “Why do you have Elena’s phone?”
“Question you need to ask, darling daughter, is where do I have Elena? And her daughter, Tina. And what are you willing to do to get them back?”
Rachael swallowed hard, trying to push the panic down deep. It was her fault that her best friend and her daughter were now in terrible danger. People sometimes disappeared around Daddy. Rachael knew that all too well. “What do you want from me?”
Daddy’s eyes turned hard and cold. “You know exactly what I want. I want the book you stole, Rachael.”
“The bookIstole?” Rachael shook her head. “It wasn’t me. I don’t have it. Hank does.”
Daddy grinned. “Really? Hank’s the one who told me you took it. How do you explain that?”
“Hank had it in for you from day one. He used me to try and get to you. You want the book, you go shake him down. I don’t have it.”
“Bullshit, baby girl. I know how bad you want out. You think you can hold that book over my head? How does it feel to have me hold your friend and her daughter overyourhead?”
“Please. I don’t have it. Let Elena and Tina go, and I’ll…I’ll help you find it, okay?”
Daddy laughed. “So you’re gonna help me now? See? Like I was saying, you’re just a piece on the chessboard and I can play you any way I want.” Daddy took a step forward. “Maybe you don’t have the book. Maybe Jake does.”
“What?” Rachael gripped the door frame. “No. He’s not involved. Jake’s not in this. I’m telling you, Hank’s got it. He’s been hiding it.”
Jake. If she could reach him...
Rachael took a deep breath. “I said I’ll help you. But I want to see that Elena and Tina are all right first. Take me to them.” Rachael turned and stepped into the hall. “Where are they? Your house?”
“Hell no. I wouldn’t want them in my house.”
Daddy closed ranks behind her, sending ice water shivers down her spine as she moved all the way to the end of the hall. She would walk carefully down the staircase, then bolt once she hit the ground floor. No way could he keep up, and if he called for someone to grab her, they might be surprised enough that she’d have the advantage.
Three steps…two…one…
Rachael ran like hell, dodging men on the floor, expecting any minute for one of them to grab her, but Daddy never yelled for help.
He didn’t have to. Hank blocked the front door.
Rachael skidded to a stop the moment she saw him. She turned and thought to head for the back exit, took a few running steps, but it was too late. Hank ran, lunged, and grabbed her. He picked her up, kicking and screaming, as Daddy sauntered into the lobby.
“Yup. Just a pawn on the board, little girl, and I’m gonna use you to my advantage. Because pawns are easily sacrificed for bigger players.” Daddy reached out. “Now give me your phone.”
