Page 13 of The Rebel King

“We don’t have time to waste, Grim.”

“Believe me, I’m aware.”

“You have to let me handle this.”

I nod and keep my face straight when Grim says it. If he suspects how close I am to completely losing my mind, he’ll try to lock me out of the room. And I refuse to miss even one second of this negotiation call. I douse my whole being inNamasteand hope Grim doesn’t detect the shackled demon under the three-piece suit.

“Maxim, excuse me,” Jin Lei says from the office door. “Kimba’s here, and she has Mr. Hunter with her.”

I thought the first time I met Nix’s father would be at Christmas or some special occasion. She’d introduce me. Her dad and I would get to know each other over a beer and maybe a football game. I’d be nervous in that way a man is when he meets the father of the womanhe loves. I’d have time to convince him I was worthy of his daughter, even though I know I’ll never be good enough for Lennix.

Now, I just don’t give a damn. When I get her back, I’m keeping her. I’m nervous about this first time meeting her father, but there’s a lot more at stake than his blessing.

“Mr. Hunter,” I say, stepping forward with an outstretched hand. “Thank you for coming right away.”

“Of course. Thank you for the, uh…plane.”

His uncertain smile reminds me I’m not the guy most girls bring home. In some ways, there’s less mystery because he feels he already knows me, but most of what he’s heard is probably bullshit, so he knows less than he thinks he does. It will take time to sort the truth of who I am from the gossip and speculation. And right now, time is one thing we don’t have.

“Glad you made it,” I tell Mr. Hunter, splitting a glance between him and Kimba. “Grim’s about to speak with Abe.”

“Abe?” Kimba’s dark brows crinkle.

“What else should I call him? Coward, maybe? Hiding behind that mask.”

Grim walks over to shake hands with Mr. Hunter and Kimba.

“We’re expecting the call in the next minute or so.” Grim gestures to a table in the middle of my office. “You’ll hear us on speaker, but I’ll use the handset so he’s only actually speaking to me. We’ll also be recording the conversation to review it later in case he gives anything away about their location or any other pertinent details.”

“So there’s no lead on where they might be?” Anxiety spikes Mr. Hunter’s voice.

Grim and I exchange a look, silently asking each other how much we should divulge. Hell, if Nix was my daughter, I’d want to know it all.

“We’re working on a lead,” I say. “I, um, gave Nix a bracelet before she left.”

“I saw it,” Kimba says with a smile. “It was beautiful.”

“There’s a tracking device in it,” I say, refusing to look away when her eyes widen then narrow.

“Does she know?” Kimba’s tone turns starchy.

“No, I hadn’t activated it. I wanted to discuss it with her before I took that step.”

“Considerate of you,” she drawls.

“It’s standard practice for the significant others, wives, and girlfriends of men like Maxim to wear such devices,” Grim says absently, not looking at us but checking the telecommunications setup.

“Girlfriend?” Mr. Hunter asks, brows lifted.

“Oh.” Grim glances up and looks between Mr. Hunter and me. He shrugs. “Sorry.”

Thanks for that, Grim.

“Here we go.” Grim presses a button, which switches on a green light, and he picks up the phone. “Hello.”

“Well, hello,” the caller says. I recognize the taunting voice. “I heard you want to discuss my little squaw.”

I nearly lunge at the phone.This motherfucker.

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