“My car broke down.”I shrug.“You have one hell of a place here.Surprised to find something this nice out in the country.”
“I appreciate the fresh air.”Peter’s eyes narrow on me.“You happened to be a few miles from here?”
“They don’t build cars like they used to.”I smile and adjust my arms behind me.“Is this really necessary, Peter?”
Peter looks over my shoulder.
“He didn’t have any weapons on him, sir.”
I think that’s the most Lurch has ever said.
“Release him.”Sitting back, Peter steeples his fingers on his lips as he studies me.“You haven’t brought me what I asked for.”
Lurch cuts the zip ties and I flash him a grin before rubbing my wrists.
“You asked for something?”I raise my eyebrow.
“Did Dante not show you Peabody’s new collar?”Peter shakes his head, even as he tries to suppress a smile.
I don’t think he’s buying my bullshit, but at least I’m entertaining him.
“Yeah, Dante and I…” I suck air between my teeth.“We’re not that close.”
“You’re on your own?No phone.No keys.No wallet.No shirt.”Peter leans on his desk.“What were you hoping to accomplish?”
“It’s such a lovely day.I thought a drive in the country would do me some good.Clear my head after some asshole stole my girl in the middle of the night.”I smile to cut the edge off that statement.“I was actually thinking about my family and what they might do if I told them someone had taken my girl from me.”
I lean back and watch Peter’s reaction carefully.There’s a twitch in his jaw.He’s familiar with my father.And the way he does business.
I hold my hands up like I have nothing to hide.“I mean, I could tell them, but then there would be all this fuss and mess to clean up after.Especially if I told him my girl is carrying the next Lawson heir.He might not be happy that my girl is being held by someone he considers a partner.For now.”
I smile and shrug as Peter swallows that bitter pill.Is Sara pregnant?Fuck no.Can anyone tell?Also fuck no.
“But if I tell them, I have to deal with the messy bits.”I glance over my shoulder at Lurch and grimace.“Yeah, lots of messy bits.So, instead, I took a drive in the country.Lurch here was nice enough to let me use the phone to call the towing company.I thought about calling my dad.He could be out here pretty fast.”
I rub the side of my mouth as if considering it.
Peter leans his forearms on the desk and takes me in.I’m a pretty guy, but that’s not what he’s checking out.I came here unarmed.With nothing on me.That could be stupidity, but with my name?That’s either arrogance or power.I don’t believe for a second that he’ll let us go, but he’s going to need to make arrangements and arrangements take time.
I turn to look at Lurch.“Do you guys have some crackers?She’s starting to get morning sickness and I want to make sure nothing happens to her or our baby.That would make Dad real fucking cranky and no one likes Dad…” I smirk and wink at Peter.“You know the rest.”
Peter nods to Lurch, who grunts at the other guy.The older gentleman leaves the room, probably in search of crackers.
“I’d love to take advantage of your hospitality, Peter.”
Peter smiles.“Of course, Finn.I’ll make sure you’re comfortable with your girl.But you know how it is in these situations.”
When he nods, Lurch grabs my elbow and makes me stand.Yes, kidnapping is tricky business when done right.
I pause in the doorway and turn back.“You know I didn’t call a tow, right?”
Peter cocks his head at me.“Of course.We just have to find your car.”
I give him a cocky grin.“You do that.”
I glance at the clock.It’s almost noon.We just need to make it eight to ten hours before the others get here.Before Lurch can take me from Peter’s sight, I clear my throat.
“Yes, Finn?”Peter looks up from his phone impatiently.
