Page 55 of Bait Wolf
“I’m going to send a contract over to your agent,” he said.
“No, send it straight to me. I’ve cut Harvey out.”
“Brutal,” he muttered, but his obvious lack of knowledge over what had happened gave me a modicum of peace. At least not everyone had been involved in Asha’s kidnapping. Not everyone had been trying to make a quick buck off of fucking me over. Then again, he was still doing that now in his own way, with Ember.
I bit my lip to hold in any comments that might make him change his mind and hung up.
Downstairs, I settled on making eggs and toast. We could probably both do with some carbs and protein. Normally I made pancakes because Asha requested them at least once a week. I smiled at the thought, but my heart twisted in pain.
I should be out there, searching for her myself... but in a city like this one, with its dense streets, multitude of back alleys, skyscrapers, Asha could be anywhere.
The detective had said he knew where to start looking. If I didn’t hear from him by this afternoon, I would be taking matters into my own hands.
I had until Monday. That meant I had the rest of today to get her back the wayIwanted to. Otherwise, I would show up with the deeds to the house and everything in my bank account to get her back.
I’d started from scratch before. As a family, we could do it again if we needed to.
Sighing, I turned my attention back to the meal I was preparing just as my phone started ringing.
My heart sped up, sure for a moment that it was the detective calling with Asha’s whereabouts. It was an unknown number, though, and a video call.
The moment I answered it, tears stung my eyes at the sight of my little girl.
“Asha,” I choked.
“Hi Daddy Coal,” she said, big, sad eyes fixed on me.
“What’s wrong, baby? What happened? Did someone hurt you?”
My claws were out, digging into my palms, drawing blood. Depending on the next words out of her mouth...
“No. I just want to come home. I miss you,” she said and then started sniffling, tears filling her eyes as she looked at me, her childish gaze accusatory. “Why can’t I come home yet?”
I bit my lip, trying to calm myself.
“I want you home too. I miss you so much.”
My traitorous voice broke. Whoever was with her would hear how much I cared, but for her sake, I didn’t mind. It didn’t matter if they knew how much he wanted her home again.
“Wool said you don’t want me to come home yet.”
“Wool?” I demanded. “Is that who you’re with?”
Before she could answer, the phone was pulled from her hands and Kai’s face appeared, smarmy grin and all. It was like he took the position of younger brother to heart, attempting to be the more unsettling of the two gang leaders. I couldn’t believe it, but I actuallypreferreddealing with Alek.
“Listen up, you bastard—”
“I don’t think you’re in a position to talk to me in that tone,” Kai said, smiling. He tilted the camera, showing the way he stroked the silky waves of Asha’s caramel hair while he spoke. She looked up but didn’t seem to notice the claws he allowed to extend, so near her delicate flesh.
I went very still.
“We’re just calling to check in,” he said, voice pleasant as he turned the camera back to his smiling face. “We wanted to remind you that Asha wants to come home.”
“I thought I had until tomorrow to get the money,” I said. My voice sounded hallow and distant to my own ears.
“You do,” Kai agreed. “But only until then. She’s very eager to be with her big brother again. Isn’t that right, dear?”
“Yeah! I want to come home Daddy!”
