Page 47 of Absolution

“Why?” Kenner’s answer was equally brusque.

“Because she’s my fucking daughter!”

Bennett pressed his palm against the glass, unable to fathom Kenner’s question. Sure, he didn’t think Kenner had any kids of his own—he’d certainly never mentioned any—but he couldn’t be that dim, could he? Surely, he understood why not knowing Ella’s whereabouts would cause Bennett concern.

“Careful how you talk to me.” Kenner’s tone lowered. “You owe me a lot of fucking favors, Bennett.”

“I know.” Bennett’s stomach clenched at the thinly veiled warning. “I realize, and I’m thankful.”

“Good.”

“But I’m worried about Ella.” Bennett sounded pitiful, but he couldn’t deny the truth of his words. He might be the cause of his daughter’s woes, but hewasworried. “I need to know if she’s okay.”

“She’s still holed up with Bowman as I hear it.” Kenner’s voice rang out with indifference. “But I understand their pairing is more consensual than ‘captor and captive’ these days.”

“What?” Bennett blinked at the back of the blue couch. “What do you mean by that?”

“I think it’s pretty self-explanatory.”

Though he couldn’t see Kenner’s face, Bennett had the distinct impression the bastard was smirking.

“I can’t believe this.” Bennett’s head was as thick with clouds as the skies outside his window, and he wasn’t sure if he’d said the words aloud or not. “Can you tell me where she is?”

“Why?” Kenner snorted. “Isn’t it a bit late to rush in and play Daddy?”

Kenner’s question stung more than it had the right to. Aside from his financial backing, Kenner meant nothing to him, and he shouldn’t care what a worm like him thought about his parenting style, yet somehow, his criticism hurt.

“I’d like to see her.” Bennett swallowed down his upset, determined to get what he’d called for. He’d find out where Ella was and go to her. It was the only way he’d be able to reassure himself that she was okay. As for the idea that she was somehow emotionally attached to the asshole, Bowman, he didn’t believe that for a moment, but he supposed he’d discover the truth for himself.

“Fine.” Kenner blew out a breath. “I’ll message you the address where he has her. Anything else?”

“No.” Despite Bennett’s growing loathing of Kenner, he was grateful for his cooperation. “Thanks.”

“Sooner or later, we’re going to have to talk about how you’ll repay me, Bennett.”

“Yeah.” Bennett closed his eyes, trying not to imagine what Kenner had in mind. He’d been expecting a comment like that one for a while. It was only a matter of time before his luck ran out. “I guess we will.”

The line went dead before he had time to dwell on what his reparations might look like, his device buzzing in his hand before he’d even had time to lower it from his ear.

That’s Kenner!Bennett’s heart sped up.He’s messaging with Ella’s address!

“That was fast,” he muttered. Kenner wasn’t usually so efficient, but hell, Bennett wasn’t complaining. Once he knew where she was, he could plan to reach out to her. He might not deserve another chance with Ella, but he desperately hoped for one.

Flicking into his messages, his pulse accelerated as he took in the incoming missive. It wasn’t from Kenner at all but from someone he hadn’t heard from for years.

“Collins.” He scowled as a mental image of his former associate popped into his mind. “What do you want?”

Hey, dickhead!The idiot who’d once hung around Kenner like a fly around a bad smell conveyed all the grace Bennett recalled him having.Long time no see.

Bennett didn’t like to point out that Collins still couldn’t technically ‘see’ him. He figured that might be stretching Collins’ brainpower a little far.

What do you want?

Bennett fired off his irritated reply, clutching his phone as he strode to the sofa and collapsed onto the soft cushions. He didn’t know how Collins got his number, but he’d rather not have to deal with morons like him, especially when he was so concerned about Ella.

I know something you don’t.

Collins’ reply arrived almost immediately, exuding the kind of smug glee Bennett associated with Kenner and all his associates.

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