“Me?” I probably knew enough, but I had no intention of assisting in whatever illegal drug my dad was making. And I was pretty damn certain it was illegal and that was why he’d never mentioned it to me—for years. “I’m not experienced enough.”
“Oh, I think you are, London.” My breath hitched as he stepped closer so he was a mere arm’s length away. God, he sounded so certain. What pissed me off was that he was right. I’d do anything to help my father. “And if he doesn’t have something ready for us in a week, there will be consequences.”
I stiffened. “What kind of consequences?”
“If I told you that, then you’d have time to prepare for the… unpleasantness.”
Holy shit. What the fuck? Who was this guy? “Will you kill him?” My stomach lurched as I said the words.
He watched me for a second not saying anything and I held my breath waiting for his answer. “That isn’t my decision to make.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. Kai seemed like the type of guy who did whatever he wanted.
I was calling the police the second he let me go. I didn’t care what he threatened me with. He couldn’t get away with this. Whoever he was or whomever he worked for, the police could deal with it and my dad and I could go in protective custody or something.
The warm breeze played with his dark, thick strands causing them to fall in front of his right eye. He didn’t bother to push them away as his eyes narrowed in on me.
“I can see your brilliant mind working hard at trying to come up with something, but there is nothing you can do here. If you decide going to the authorities is a wise choice, then by all means. Except know it will snowball into something you and your father won’t like. Consequences, London… and there is nowhere you can hide where you can’t be found.” He sighed. “I’d rather this end nicely for you.”
My fingernails curled into my blouse so hard I heard a tear. I believed him. I believed every terrifying word out of his mouth. But I had to help my father. He was all I had left. No other family. No close friends since all I did was focus on school. I’d had my nanny, Lila, who lived with us after my mother died until I was eighteen. Lila hadn’t been much of a communicator as her English was poor. But she loved to cook and let me do what I wanted, which was spend time with my head buried in my books. When I was eighteen and started university, she moved back home to Sweden and I never heard from her again.
“What will help him?” The man had to want something else.
“Nothing.”
“Why the hell would you kidnap me only to tell me I can’t do anything? Why bring me out in the middle of nowhere?”
“I knew the police would’ve been the second call you made after your father. As I said, that is not in your best interest and you needed to be warned of that. Besides, this is not a kidnapping, merely a business meeting.”
I huffed.
He laughed, the green in his eyes lightening and a mild wrinkle appearing around them. I was betting he was one of those guys who became better looking with age, if that were possible; he was already very attractive—unfortunately.
All laughter left his face. “Be careful, London. You are a pawn in a dangerous game that can get you hurt. And when I say hurt, it is beyond anything you’ve ever imagined.”
“Then why not just kill me now?” I shouted.
“I told you, I’d prefer if you lived.”
“What am I supposed to do, damn it?”
“Nothing. You need to do nothing, London. That’s the point. You mention this to anyone, including your father, this will not end well. I need you to stay as far away from this as you can.” He tossed my car keys to me then said, “I can’t protect you if you don’t follow the rules.”
Protect me? What was he talking about? And why the hell would he want to protect me?
He turned, walked to his car, and folded in. Not once did he look back at me. I could’ve had a gun in my car—which I’d never have as it was highly illegal—and shot him in the back, and it was like he didn’t care.
Regardless, I wasn’t a killer. I’d never held a gun, never threatened anyone, and I never would. My whole life was about studying science in order to help people. To save lives. I volunteered at one of the homeless shelters at least once a week. I’d even gotten to know a few of the less fortunate, those like Ernie who I saw every day near my building.
There had to be something I could do to help my father. Were they worried he’d not finish whatever he was working on? Why not give him the two months he required? And what happened when he was done? Would they kill him because they had what they wanted?
His car started and I had seconds to decide if what I was thinking was a good idea. But it was all I had. God, I knew nothing good could come of what I was about to do, but my dad’s life was at stake and I’d do anything to help him. And despite what Kai said, I think he could make decisions if he chose to.