Page 14 of Vengeful Reign

I doubt my father was involved in my brother’s kidnapping, but I’m positive he’s not as upset as he pretends to be. More digging needs to be done into the men who kidnapped my brother. There have been no leads on the white vans. There are so many of them littered throughout the city that my men are searching every single one for any trace, dent, or scratch that matches the ones in the video. My bet is they’ve been torched, painted, or sent to another state by now.

Long motherfucking gone.

Stressed and frustrated, I strip out of my suit and head to the bathroom to get clean. After I shower off the nanny’s blood and change my clothes, I find six missed calls from Connor.

I call his annoyed ass back as I walk downstairs. “What’s going on?”

“I’m just making sure you weren’t in that fucking building,” he says, chuckling with relief.

“Of course fucking not. I wasn’t stupid enough to enter without checking.”

“Good. I didn’t think you would have underestimated her or who she’s working with, but the emergency crews have surrounded the place. So many of our vehicles are there. It’sgoing to be a shit storm when the governor gets word of this. We need to cover it up.”

“Damn it. Whoever lives needs to go away.”

“Already way ahead of you, Brother. They’ll all be buried by tomorrow.”

“I’m not giving up on John. I know he’s alive. She told me he was better off without our family.”

“That doesn’t mean he’s alive.”

“Trust me. She made it clear that he was still alive, and she was about to tell me. He ruined it. Don’t let him talk you out of believing it.”

“I won’t, but I want you to stay strong and remember that it may not result in a positive end.” Connor’s definitely being more levelheaded about it because he’s not the one who feels guilt. He loves John, but he also doesn’t want children, or the burden that comes with caring for them.

“Trust me. I want to find him. Dead or alive. I won’t have him alone without his family.”

There’s a long sigh, and then Connor adds, “Jack, Dad’s worried that they might have sold him to a trafficker.”

“I doubt his nanny would do a thing like that.” She didn’t have it in her. That’s what upsets me about her death. Above all, she loved John.

“No, she wouldn’t have, but maybe the person she gave him to might have.”

“They’ll die for it.” I can’t believe it. I refuse to, but I might not have a choice.

For all around, he’d better be alive, or hell will be unleashed. Vengeance will be had. Every day that he’s gonewill be paid in spades. The longer he’s gone, the more vile I’ll become.

I crack my knuckles and then walk over to the mini bar in my living room. Pouring myself two fingers of whiskey, I toss it back and think about where to begin. Her work history is going to be my first search, but unfortunately, the cops are going to be all over the area given the explosion at her place.

I don’t waste any time and head to work, pushing open the doors to my study. My contacts need to be swift and cunning while continuing to search. Sliding into the chair behind my desk, I dial my brother Ian. “What’s going on, Jack?”

“We found the nanny, and your asshole father killed her before she fucking told us where John was.”

“I hate that bastard. He’s never been a father to me.” Ian and my father have always had tension between them. Ian didn’t act like Connor or myself, so my father took it out on him. Ian didn’t give a shit, though. “Do you think he’s involved?”

“I don’t know. I’ve looked for any evidence, but nothing points directly to him, although I have nothing that says he isn’t involved either. Where are you?”

“I’m in Vegas, enjoying myself for the weekend.”

“Well, have a good time. I’m going to head to bed before the police show up here in the morning. I have a feeling they’ll be looking for me with questions about vehicles and dead bodies.”

“Let me know if you need me for anything. Anything at all.”

“I will.” I end the call, staring at the screen on my computer. It’s a picture of John and me. He’s not facing the camera, but it’s the best picture I have because I’m happy. Iremember that day because it was the first time he hugged me for no reason. If only he’d learn to speak, it would be wonderful.

Chapter Five

Nora

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