Page 162 of Serving the Mogul

“Either put her on the phone or I’ll hang up.”

Static in the background prevented me from clearly hearing what was said, but then I heard Tina’s voice.

“James. I’m…I’m fine. Listen, I don’t want you—ow!”

“I told you she was fine.” The distorted voice was back.

I snarled. Surging upright, I paced to the window. “What the fuck do you want?”

“Five hundred thousand dollars. Unmarked bills. Put it in a black bag and meet us at the address I’m gonna send. Expect it in the morning. I’ll tell you where to go when I contact you—I’ll call at ten. The drop will be at noon.” My phone vibrated, signaling in an incoming text. “I’ve sent the location. You’ll get the final address once you’re on the road. And remember…no cops.”

The line went dead.

I shot a look at Gianni, then Joyner. “Do we know where he is?”

“He?” Gianni asked.

“That wasn’t Simone.” I shook my head. “I know her speech, her…rhythm and that wasn’t it.”

“Not an exact location, but a manageable grid. We can use Gianni’s team to help,” Joyner said. “Together with the officers I requested as back-up, we should be good.”

Good? Fuck no. We wouldn’t begooduntil this was over, and Tina was safe next to me.

Fifty-Eight

Tina

I watchedCecil pace as he made the ransom call to James, my gut a mix of hope and terror. I was confident James was looking for me and he wouldn’t stop until he found me.

I tried to remain optimistic, but my gut was sending red alerts and the sly glint in Cecil’s eyes unnerved me.

He had a strange expression, even now, as he ended the call and shoved the phone into his pocket. Simone was pacing in front of him, her cropped top falling off her left shoulder, her hair in a high, tight ponytail.

“Why did you let himtalkto her?” Simone demanded, glaring at Cecil.

“Expediency, sweetheart.” Cecil flashed her too bright, too-wide smile. “We need for him to know our demands and the best way to shut up a person like that is to let himthinkyou’re giving in.”

Simone sniffed. “You didn’t ask for enough money. Five hundred grand is nothing to him. Once we dump her, we’re going to have to run, and fast. It’d be smarter to ask for more.”

I couldn’t help it. I snorted out a laugh, my lips and tongue so parched, the noises were reed-thin.

But they both heard.

Simone spun around and glared, her hands clenched into fists. “Shut up, bitch!” She stomped over to me and shoved her face into mine. “Otherwise, I’ll do what I’ve wanted to do since the day James let you takemyplace.”

Her breath reeked of alcohol.

“You took my place,” she said. She blinked slowly, then shook her head as if to clear it. “Who do you think you are takingmyplace? And why the fuck does James care so much?”

She shoved back, using enough force that the wobbly chair swayed. I thought I might topple over for a few seconds, but the chair steadied and held. Simone began pacing again. “He wasmine,” she said, her voice cracking. “He wantedme. All the time, he wantedme. Then you showed up.”

I braced myself as she spun with her hands up like she wanted to claw my eyes out. Jerking my feet, I managed to kick her in the midsection. She doubled over and fell.

So did I, the chair finally losing the battle as two legs broke. I hit hard, swallowing my groan as I scrambled backward.

Cecil helped Simone to her feet, but his eyes were on me, lips curved in amusement—as though he’d enjoyed the violence.

“Get…off,” Simone snapped, brushing her hands once she was steady on her feet.

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