I know I should stop this, somehow curb the barbs my tongue seems intent on hurling at him, but when it comes to defending the only family I have left, reason claims a slippery place on my tongue. “My father is a good, kind, loyal man, a man dedicated to his work and loving to his family.”
His laughter is harsh. “It seems we are talking about two different people—the saint his daughter thinks he is and the monster the rest of us believe him to be.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about. “Whatever issues you have with my father, take them up with him.”
“Oh, I will.”
Wait, no, I take that back. I don’t want this delusional psychopath anywhere near my father.
“You leave him alone,” I whisper.
“Not a chance. I have plans for him.”
Terror tightens my chest. I can’t draw in enough air. “What plans?”
“Graham Hutchinson will be executed.”
At his words, rage and fear flood me so completely I attack him without thinking, pummeling his chest, screaming at him. Not that I can do any damage. I’m so weak my attack must seem laughable. He catches my wrists and forces them to my sides. He waits in silence until my sobs abate, until I calm down sufficiently to draw a breath that doesn’t choke me.
“Relax,” he drawls, “we’re not planning on harming him.”
“Then why did you—” I stop, unableto say the words aloud.
“I wanted to confirm how you feel about him. Which gives us an indication of how he feels about you.”
Stunned, I simply stare at him. There’s no sympathy in his tone. How can he be so cruel? What kind of person says such a thing, purely as a test?
His eyes rake my face. I know my nose is running, my eyes no doubt red and swollen, but for once in my life I don’t care what I look like. All I can think of is how much I hate this man.
He loosens his hold and I jerk out of his grasp. “What do you want with me?”
He stands. “You’ll find out in time.”
“I want to know now.”
“You’re not in a position to make demands.”
“But I have questions.”
“I’ll answer them when I’m ready. If I answer them at all.”
“Wait! You can’t just leave!”
He gives me a disparaging salute. “Use the time to tour your surroundings. It should prove educational.”
The door closes behind him. I hear the click of a lock. Sitting helplessly on the bed, I wonder what I did to deserve this. And what does this man think my father’s done?
I bury my face in my hands. Whatever it is, I have a feeling it doesn’t matter. It appears our fate has already been decided.
8
KANE
––––––––
When I enter the living room, Nolene is sprawled on the couch, scrolling through her phone. She looks up at my approach. “How’d it go?”
Tugging off my ski mask, I sit next to her, tilting my head back so it rests against the cushion. “All right.”
