Page 116 of Flame
“Foxx?”
I pause for a split second with my hand on the doorknob. “It’s going to be fine.” I hope.Please God… “Do what I asked you to do. If you hear anything else, call the police. But not until then.”
“Okay.”
I duck out of the house and around the side, the hot sun on my face. I jog behind the house and then dash across the open space between them. I take a moment beside the door leading into the hallway downstairs, using the moment to say another quick prayer.Thank fuck I still had my keys on me. Then I creep inside and shut the door behind me.
Chills race down my spine as Reid’s voice bellows from above me.He’s unhinged. I listen closely for Bianca, holding my breath until I hear her respond to one of his rants.Oh, thank God.
Her tone is calm and even, barely showing signs of the stress she must be under. She’s poised as she tries to talk him down.
I slip through the bottom level and to the base of the stairs. I ensure I’m out of visibility.
“Dad, I can’t just call and transfer that kind of money,” Bianca says. “You know that, or you would’ve already done it.”
“I don’t have the authority to move that much cash. Only you and your mother.”
That’s it, baby. Keep him talking.
“Well, no offense, Dad, but that seems to have been a good idea, doesn’t it?” Bianca asks.
Don’t prickle his feathers. Now isn’t the time for your smart little mouth.
“You’re turning into her, you know,” Reid says. “I used to think you would grow up and be like me. Smart. Ruthless. Strong. But you’re really a better-educated version of her.”
“Whatever you say, Dad.”
“Think about it, Bianca. Think about what your mother would’ve been capable of if she hadn’t stepped away from work to raise you kids. At one point in time, she was a better businessperson than I was. I see her brilliance from back then in you. But you have the same weakness, the same damn propensity not to want it enough—to let your ridiculous dreams get in the way of success.”
“What’s success to you, Dad?This? Isthissuccess? You’re standing by the fireplace with a gun in your right hand, threatening your daughter to move money to a thug or you’ll kill her mother.”
“By the fireplace with a gun in your right hand.” That’s my girl. Keep it coming, Bianca.
“What’s success?” Reid booms, his voice echoing through the house. “Money. Power. Control.”
“Pardon me for being rude, but you don’t have much of any of those right now.”
“We’ll see about that. Get on the phone and transfer the money, Bianca.”
“It doesn’t work like that, Dad. You know that.”
“Now.”
Bianca moves by the staircase. She glances quickly to the bottom, catching a glimpse of me.
I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.
“Who do you want me to call?” she asks, her voice calm. “The bank? Fine. How much do you want me to transfer?”
“Twenty million to start.”
Play along, Bianca. Keep him talking.
“Okay,” she says, moving through the room. “I need my phone. I’ll have to call and get our account number and a number to the main office at the bank.”
“Make it quick.”
A shadow slips across the stairwell. I duck behind the corner and watch Reid come into focus. His back is to me.
