Page 86 of Seduced By a Billionaire

“Not to my knowledge. Dave?”

“No. It seemed straight forward. In hindsight with everything that has been happening with your firm we should have insisted.”

A vague memory was niggling the back of Kyle’s brain, a dream he’d had several times since the accident…one where he put his foot on the brakes, and they went straight to the floor. Was it only a dream or was it is subconscious trying to tell him something?

Dave had been clicking away on his computer and suddenly said, “Shit!”

“What?” Kyle said.

“Looks like your partner is in debt up to his eyeballs. That would be motive.”

“Like how much in debt?” Kyle asked.

“To the tune of a three and a half million. His house is in foreclosure…I’d say that moves him up a few notches. I think it’s worth checking him out. I’ll send one of my men over to his house and pay him a surprise visit. If there is something to find out, Chaz will get it out of him. Meanwhile we sit tight and brainstorm some more.”

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Ella wanted to climb out of her skin and volunteered to check on the puppies who were in an outdoor round pen set up in the back yard. Anything to keep busy.

“I’ll be right back,” she told Kyle.

When she saw Charlie, she burst into tears. All she could think about was Finn’s little face, his grin showing two missing front teeth, his joy when he finally got his wish and brought home his puppy. Something nagged the back of her brain, but she just couldn’t access it. It had something to do with Charlie.

* * *

Kyle’s phone signaled that a text message had been delivered and he quickly swiped the screen as he and Dave bent over to read it.

TEXT: Five Million deposited in an offshore account by noon tomorrow. Instructions to follow.

Reply: AGREED

“What should I do?” Kyle asked Dave.

“Tell them that you need to see proof that they have your son.”

KYLE: I need to see that my son is safe.Send a photo.

TEXT: I call the shots asshole.

KYLE: You want the money or not?

An image of Finn with his face paint came through Kyle’s phone, he choked back a sob. “That’s him… today…he had his face painted like a dog at the festival right before he disappeared.”

“Okay that’s good news. He’s alive. Now we just have to get him back. Text him that you agree with the five million.”

KYLE: AGREED, where?

TEXT: Instructions to follow. Remember no police or you won’t see your son again.

KYLE: Agreed

Kyle’s heart was pounding out of his chest. He was sweating and felt like he was going to suffocate. He couldn’t catch his breath. He wasn’t stupid…he knew the odds weren’t in Finn’s favor. The chances of them figuring this out or the kidnappers returning his son were slim to none. Hopelessness was settling in, but he knew he had to fight it. Now was not the time to give up.

When Ella returned her nose was red from crying and that managed to penetrate through Kyle’s protective armor.

He went to her, pulling her into his arms, holding her close. “I’m sorry I snapped at you Ella. It’s just that the guilt is eating me alive. If I hadn’t been distracted by us, this never would have happened. I’m a shitty father and I’m a shitty human in general. You deserve better than me. Please forgive me.”

“Nothing to forgive. This is a nightmare. We’re all doing the best we can under the circumstances. Have you heard anything from them yet?”

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