Page 3 of The Perfect Kiss
Pulling my phone from my back pocket, I brought up McCall’s contact information. It only rang once when he answered. “You’re a dead man, Cross. You will never see Reyna again. You fucking killed my brother.”
I didn’t have a chance to make a deal with him before he hung up. Instead, I found myself on the floor, holding Reyna’s ring in my hand. Everything about her flashed before me—her beautiful brown eyes, her hair, her scent, everything. I had to get her back.
Patton walked up to me before taking a seat on the floor next to me. “You know, that ring looked pretty good on Reyna’s finger. I don’t know how she put up with your shit, but how about we figure out a plan to find her?”
Pushing to my feet, I shoved her ring on my little finger and wiped the moisture from my face. McCall wanted his diamonds, and once the mourning for his brother’s death passed, he would realize that. There was one thing I knew for sure. McCall loved his wife, and she was the only chance I had to get Reyna back. McCall wouldn’t be stupid enough to tell Delilah about his wicked ways. Once I told her everything about her beloved husband and his part in taking Gwen from her, she would do anything to get her daughter back.
Turning to face Patton, I gave him a steely look and said, “Damn straight. McCall isn’t going to know what hit him. We are going to use the only thing he has ever cared about to get Reyna back.”
“We better get to work then.”
~1~
Three days ago
Gwen
If someone had told me five years ago that I would be kidnapped and placed in a cell with no light coming inside except for the low-wattage bulb hanging out of reach from the ceiling, I would have told them they were crazy. But that was exactly what happened. I spent six months in that crummy cell waiting out a sentence like I was a criminal. Thinking back, I should have fought the man that took me from my friends that night. I thought for sure my life was over, but then that all changed. I didn’t know Rui Salko by name, but when he took hold of my hand and helped me to my feet, there was something about his gentle gray eyes that drew me in.
My most cherished memory was the night I stepped through the doors of the large ballroom at The Ritz. Rui was conversing with a group of gentlemen, looking more handsome than ever in his tuxedo. It had been four and a half years since Rui saved me from that God-forsaken place. On that day, he was my knight in shining armor, literally. So, taking me to the gala, in part, was a celebration of the day he rescued me. He was so handsome, and even though Rui was much older than me, it didn’t matter. Fate had brought us together.
Smiling at my memories, I knew I would never forget the Valentino gown he bought for me earlier that day for the gala and how beautiful it made me feel. Like it was yesterday, I recalled every man looking at me with intent stares of voracity while all the women stabbed me with glares of jealousy. That night, I understood what Cinderella felt like when she made her way down the stairs with all eyes upon her.
“Every man here wishes you were his. You look beautiful.”These words Rui spoke stuck with me every day. If he only knew how beautiful he made me feel.
Even though it was a magical night, something else stuck with me about it. Rui had taken two flutes from the tray the server carried and handed one to me. As Rui held his champagne glass high in a toast, the three men standing around us also lifted their glasses.“Here is to another profitable year. May our plethora of good fortune continue.”It wasn’t the toast Rui gave, but what was said afterward by the man standing next to me.
“Here, here.If we continue to secure the exquisite merchandise as we have been, I do not doubt that next year will be our best year yet.”
I remember feeling uncomfortable when the words ‘exquisite merchandise’ left his lips and with the way his eyes were studying my body from top to bottom. I felt like I was the merchandise he was referring to.
To this day, I still didn’t know what his comment meant. As I continued reminiscing about that night, something else struck me as odd. All of the men, including Rui, leaving for a male-only auction held in another hotel ballroom. Rui wasn’t forthcoming on what the auction was for, but said it wouldn’t interest the other women or me. So instead of allowing me to go with him, he ordered me to stay in the ballroom with women I did know and enjoy the fashion show arranged for the women during the auction. Thinking back, it was the highlight of the evening. The company wasn’t too bad either. I learned the names of the four women that shared my table. One of them even told me how the fashion show worked. I ended up purchasing two designer dresses with her help.
The gala filled every expectation possible. I had attended so many galas and fundraisers with my father and mother that I thought for sure it wouldn’t be anything special. This particular gala I enjoyed exponentially. I couldn’t have had a more enjoyable evening. That all changed when I entered the condo that Rui and I shared. Something was off. Two large black suitcases were in the entry, which I found odd since they weren’t there when we left. I would never forget Rui’s words. He told me it was time to be reunited with my parents. I felt torn. I had always wondered when the day would come that I would be back with my parents. But it also meant I would have to leave Rui. Swiping away the tears that had fallen, I was afraid I would never see him again.
∞
Hugo stayed with me most of the night until Rui returned from his meeting. It was strange how afraid I was of him, but in the same breath, I felt comforted by his presence. Hugo was Rui’s right-hand man, someone Rui relied on to carry out his every demand, even if that included dealing with me. The night I met with Davian at the pier being one of those times. I should have never gone against Rui’s instructions, even if my emotions got in the way.
Even away, Rui still made sure nothing happened to me, and someone would be there to look after me. It was just like the day he showed up at The Four Seasons. Somehow, I knew we would be together again.
Jumping from his seat, Hugo moved to answer the knock on the door. When he opened the suite door, it surprised me to find my father on the other side. The last time I saw him was at the Four Seasons. To this day, I still believe Davian said something to him to cause him to leave so quickly. I knew my father well. He would have rescheduled any appointments he had if it meant he could spend time with me.
I was so excited to see him, and without hesitation, I pushed from the couch and ran to the door. In an instant, my father’s arms were around me, shielding me in comfort. “Hey, baby girl. It’s so good to see you.”
“Mr. McCall, sir,” Hugo began reluctantly. “We really need to go.”
My father released his hold on me. “Can you hurry and pack a few things, baby girl?”
Nodding my head, I said. “Yes. But where are we going?”
“I have a cabin just outside of Atlanta. You’ll be safe there.”
“Why would I need to be kept safe? Rui should be back soon.”
“Please, Gwen. Just do as I ask.” My father swiped his thumb across my cheek and gave me an endearing smile. “Rui had some unfinished business. He will be joining us at the end of the week. Now go.”
As I headed to the bedroom to pack a small bag, I realized I didn’t remember ever going to a cabin growing up. I was gone for five years. Maybe my father had purchased it during that time. Turning around just shy of the bedroom door, I looked at my father still standing by the door next to Hugo. “Have I ever been there? I don’t remember going to a cabin as a child.”
