Page 45 of Eros
“We’re only following orders,” Caleb said, shaking his head when he stopped pacing. “We didn’t know about any of this!”
I shrugged. “And do you think that will matter? Who always takes the fall when it comes to the rich and powerful, guys? Do you think Shannon or my father will not throw you under the bus and put this all on you? You have me here tied to a chair, after I’ve asked you to leave. That’s kidnapping.”
Caleb stared at Gerald with wide eyes. “She’s right.”
Gerald was shaking his head.
“Gerald, I’m right, and you know it. Who’s going to take care of Mira once all this comes out and the FBI arrests you?”
Mira was Gerald’s three-year-old granddaughter who he and his wife, Rosalyn, had custody of. Gerald’s daughter, Sarah, died by an overdose last year, and no one knew who Mira’s father was, so her grandparents became her legal guardians. It wasfucked up that I brought his family into this, but what other choice did I have? His loyalty to my father was strong. I needed a way to break it.
“And you, Caleb.”
I turn my attention to the other guard. He wasn’t as old as Gerald, but he had been employed by my father since I was a teenager. He had two kids who were in college.
“What about Ava and Aaron?” His eyes widen. “What happens to them when the FBI arrests you? How will they finish school? How will Sharon survive without you?”
“We haven’t done anything,” Gerald said, facing Caleb. “Calm down.”
“You’re holding me against my will,” I said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re following orders. I’m an adult. And by law, that’s kidnapping. I want to leave.”
Immediately, the weight of the situation landed square on their shoulders, and both their faces paled.
I think I got them.
“Look, I don’t won’t either of you to get in trouble for this, but that’s where this is headed. My father won’t save you, but he will blame you when all this goes to hell. And trust me, it will go to hell. I’ve set it up so that if anything happens to me, the world knows what he’s done. And who do you think he’s going to blame this on?”
“I can’t get arrested for this.” Caleb rushed over to me. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Thorne. We didn’t know.”
Thank God.
“I know, and when everything goes down, I’ll make sure to keep your names out of it.”
“This is going to cost us our jobs,” Gerald mumbled to himself as Caleb cut the rope wrapped around my wrist.
I rubbed my wrists where the rope had dug into my skin. “Don’t worry about your jobs. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”
“We’re so sorry, Ms. Thorne,” Gerald said, and I could hear the genuine regret in his voice. “We didn’t know.”
I smiled. “It’s fine. Now, could you please get me out of here before they come back?”
They both nodded and escorted me out. Hopefully, I can find out whatever my father had done with Eros and fix it before it was too late.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Eros
Onlyafewhoursout of the slammer and Knox had been searching non-stop through every camera in the area of the park to pick up Janea’s trail. While he searched, I paced his room, losing my mind. I didn’t know if she was safe, but from the video of the park, she willingly left. However, she told Lydia the two men were her father’s men. That was enough to let me know she was in danger.
“Anything?”
Knox exhaled with a loud, frustrated sigh. “No, Prez. But if you’d stop asking me every five damn minutes, I can concentrate on what the fuck I’m doing.”
“Sorry, man.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “This just has me fucked up.”
“I know it does because you love her and she’s in danger. And I’m doing everything in my power to find her. But I’m tapping into systems I have to be careful with, especially since we’vealready been raided once today. We don’t need the cops or Feds busting in on us again because I was careless.”
I loved her. I didn’t know when it happened or if it would even last long between us, but Janea meant the world to me. I wanted her in my life. And not knowing where she was had me pushing my guys to act more reckless than they should.
