He was strong, though. Younger than her father. And Aleki had barely started teaching her self-defense moves.
“You put those boxes in the gardens? And set up the fog machine? How did you even get into Escana?”
“With a little help. I know a lot of powerful people. And the boxes and fog were a distraction. I needed a way to get you away from those three assholes you’ve hooked up with. Little slut. Tonight was the easiest night to do it. Thanks for having this ball, it really helped my plan. Oh, and for alienating that bitch who told your father where you were.”
Who? What bitch? Who would tell her father where she was? There was only one woman she’d had anything to do with since being here . . .
“Do you mean Marilyn?”
“I have no idea what her name is. I only know your father got a call from some woman telling him where you were. Gotta say, coming here was a smarter move than I gave you credit for. But then, I expected you to die in that underground garage.”
Her heart raced. She wanted to vomit. “I can’t . . . I can’t . . . you shot at me? It was you?”
“Well, not personally. I sent two of my men to grab you. One of them shot at you when you ran. I wasn’t pleased that they failed. You don’t want to know what happens when I’m not pleased. But then, you do know, don’t you? I wasn’t pleased when your mother got nosy and then threatened to go to the cops. I wasn’t pleased when William decided to betray your father. Idiot never realized that his reporter friend was double-crossing him.”
“What? He told you about what William was doing?”
“I have a number of reporters and cops on my payroll. Thankfully, William’s friend was one. Of course, none of them know who they actually work for. I have several middlemen. William’s friend contacted one of my men. I sent my man to meet with William and he made sure that William would never betray anyone else.”
“He killed him?” she whispered.
“Of course.”
He said it as though it was a normal. It made her feel sick.
“My man gave him something to make it look like he died of a heart attack. It was far less than he deserved. And it was a mistake. I should have had him tortured first for information. That would have been hard to explain though. Lieutenant Governor is tortured is not a headline we wanted. That would have too many eyes on your father.”
“T-tortured?” she stuttered.
“Yes. See, I never guessed that you were in on this with William. I thought your loyalty was tied to your father. Well, to be honest I thought you were suitably cowed and would do as he ordered. Then you texted William’s friend, saying you had the information for him.”
“So you set up that meeting with me and had your men go to get me?”
“Yes,” he replied. “I wanted you alive, as your death was another headline I didn’t need. But they got a bit carried away when you ran.”
“William wanted to take my father down for all the terrible things he’s done. But all along it was you.”
“Oh, don’t feel sorry for your father. He’s just as bad as I am. But not quite as smart. See, I never wanted the fame. I don’t need all those eyes on me. I work better in the shadows. I was the brains behind it all, your father the frontman. Your father was supposed to go all the way to the White House. But he didn’t have the ratings. He didn’t have enough of a story to get there.”
He tightened his hold on her and she let out a small cry of pain. He smiled. Evil bastard. “That’s when I figured you could help, dear niece. You and William. He knew the score. Your father, and in secret, me, would get him to the White House. He would do what we wanted. But then he went and got a fucking conscience. And you helped him.”
“The man who threatened me? Who is now Lieutenant Governor, is he . . .”
“One of my men? Yes. First, I needed to get rid of William and the evidence. Then I needed to figure out our next move. I still wanted someone in the White House. Roger isn’t perfect, but he’s close. Only there was just one loose end to take care of and I wanted to do it personally. Nobody betrays me and gets away with it. Not your mother. Not you.”
“People know my father is rotten!” she yelled out. “He won’t get away with everything he’s done. Neither will you.”
“Ahh, that’s where you’re wrong. I will get away with it, because no one but your father and my closest people know about my role. And my people wouldn’t betray me. Your father is nearly at the end of his usefulness. I just need him for a bit longer, so his death doesn’t look suspicious. Then he might have some health problems, leaving Roger’s path to the White House that much clearer.”
He was insane.
“You’d kill your own brother?” she asked.
“Nothing is going to stop me from getting what I want.”
He shoved her back another step until she was teetering on the edge of the pool, held up only by his hand around her arm and neck. Her air was being cut off, her eyes watering as she tried to pull his hand away from her neck.
“I’m sorry I don’t have time to chat, but I’m sure those assholes you’re fucking will come looking for you soon.” A smile lit his face. “You never did learn to swim, did you?”
With a shove, he sent her flying. She flailed in the water, her fear overwhelming her. She couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe. She took in a mouthful of water before her head reached the surface and she gasped in a breath then went under again. Her skirts were so heavy, weighing her down. She couldn’t do this. She was going to die.
Concentrate, jelly bean.
Don’t you drown, princess.
Baby girl, float!
Right. She could float. She could do this. Was he standing there, watching her? He thought she couldn’t swim. If she started to swim, would he hold her under the water to finish the job?
She pretended to move under the water as though fighting. She hoped she was putting on enough of a performance. Then she made herself relax and float. Her air was getting desperately low.
She needed out. Now! She couldn’t take much more.
Just a few minutes more, jelly bean.
You can do it, baby girl.
Get out, now!
Suddenly, an arm wrapped around her waist before she was shoved up to the surface. She tried to fight but she was weak. They broke through the water and she started to cough, spitting out water, her body so weak and chilled that she barely had the energy to shiver.
“It’s okay, princess. I got you. It’s okay.”
Wolfe.
He swam to the steps then picked her up in his arms, cradling her tight as he carried her out. Then he lay her on the ground and started to stand again.
“No! Don’t go! No!” She reached for him. She couldn’t let him leave.
“It’s okay. You’re all right. I have to check on Hux.”
“No, he’s here. He’ll hurt you. It’s my uncle. He did it all. He killed my mom. Be careful.”
She knew she sounded hysterical. She couldn’t help it. She didn’t know where he was. He was like the boogeyman, living in the shadows all this time.
She’d trusted him.
A sob wracked her body. Then suddenly, she found herself sitting on Wolfe’s lap. He rocked her back and forth. He wrapped his arms around her. One part of her was aware that he was hugging her. Actually hugging her. But most of her brain was still focused on the fact that her uncle tried to murder her. “Shh, princess. Shh. You’re safe. I’m here.”