Page 125 of Corrupt Game

Kathy sighed, her face a picture of mild exasperation. "It’s not even about them wanting more money; it’s some personal nonsense. The wife mentioned a 'bad feeling' about selling the land."

“We’re brainstorming ways to reassure her?”

Kathy nodded. “Other than asking a priest to exorcize the grounds, I’ve got no idea.”

I nodded. "We’re dealing with emotions, not logic. Fighting fire with fire isn’t a bad idea"

Before Kathy could reply, a knock sounded at the door. Room service. She moved to the peephole and looked out, then smiled. “It’s Donal, he’s been the one bringing room service this past week. We’re good.”

She opened the door and a young man in dark jeans and white shirt wheeled in a small cart, laden with neatly arranged plates and a jug of bright orange juice.

“Ma’am,” he said with a polite smile, “your breakfast.”

Kathy passed him a tip.

I texted Ian and Rossi the food was ready.

Kathy poured two glasses of juice, sliding one toward me. "Vitamins will help with the jet lag too.”.

"Cheers," I replied, clinking her glass lightly before taking a sip.

The orange juice was sweet, with a tart edge that was oddly refreshing. I missed Ian giving it to me though. Kathy grabbed a roll and spread bright yellow butter on it.

I’d wait for Ian to get here to actually eat.

"You know," Kathy said between bites, "I bet if we called—"

She stopped mid-sentence, shaking her head.

"Something wrong?" The world tilted and I tried to stand up. It hit me like a wave—my limbs grew heavy, and the room spun as if I were on a carousel. Kathy slumped, falling out of sight.

"Ian…" I whispered, reaching for my phone.

My vision blurred, and I slid sideways in my chair, dropping the phone.

I tried to catch myself, but darkness pulled me under before any words got out.

Chapter 44 Ian

I walked down the hall, only to find Colette and Kathy gone.The door was slightly off the hinges and the faint smell of orange juice lingered in the air. A trolly sat by the desk, full of breakfast food. It looked almost mocking.

Rossi inhaled sharply next to me.

“Colette’s gone. Someone came and snatched her.” I wanted to keep the desperation out of my voice, but I knew that it was close to the surface.

“Let me take a look.” His words were crisp.

Fear gutted me as my mind went to all the possible scenarios of what could happen to Collette. Barely leashing my anger I fought the urge to punch something, anything. Going into a rage would serve no purpose.

After priding myself on always keeping a cool head, I worried about my strong reaction to Colette having gone missing. What would I do if she was lost to me forever?

Who might have known that we were there? I was pacing when Rossi came through the door.

“There's blood on the carpet and Kathy’s door is ajar as well?” I said.

“We need to leave.” He moved double time down the hall, his gun out. “They’re going to want something from you. If it was to kill you, they wouldn’t have stopped with taking Colette and Kathy. ”

It was time to face reality. “Edmond Kelly has her. He’ll torture her to get at me. Or Segi Petrov will get her as a reward.”

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