“Oh, look who’s here,” she sing-songs as she walks into the foyer.
“Give her back to me and you’ll never hear from me again.” I step forward, my fingers twitching to grab the knife but begging it won’t come to that. “And I won’t seek vengeance.”
She clicks her tongue as she shakes her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Her smile is sickly sweet, and it turns my stomach.
“You had Cookie taken.” I take a step forward, and her eyes narrow. “And I want her back.”
I feel Miller close on my heels, and I can’t imagine a woman her size isn’t intimidated by our presence. But maybe she’s been rotting for so long she doesn’t feel fear like a normal person would.
“Come with me,” she says and turns around, not waiting to see if we follow.
She walks past our father in the sitting room without giving him a sideways glance. His eyes are fully closed now, and when I get closer to him, I see prescription bottles scattered around him.
I look at Miller, who shakes his head, and we keep walking. We make our way to the back of the house where the sunroom is. It’s surrounded by glass, and there are plants everywhere with a fountain in the corner. This used to be my favorite room in the house, but seeing my mother in it ruins it for me.
She takes a seat behind a little desk and smiles like it’s time to conduct business. “This is a simple math equation.”
“We will not play games,” Miller interrupts, but Mother keeps going like he hasn’t spoken.
“I have something you want, and you have something I want.” She straightens the piece of paper in front of her. “Let’s see if we can make this as simple as possible.”
“You tell me where she is and you get to live,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Frost, you were always the dramatic one.” She smiles, cocking her head to the side. “I know exactly where she is.” She nudges a piece of paper closer to me, and it’s then I see it’s an upside-down photo.
I reach for it, and when I look at the images it’s a punch to the gut.
“Lies,” Miller hisses as he looks at the photos.
All I can see is another man with his hands all over my precious Cookie, and I vow to rip his arms from his body as payback.
“If I get what I want, she’ll be released.” She narrows her eyes, and I can see a tightness in her mouth. “You will marry Chel.”
“Nyet.” I shake my head and toss the pictures on her desk.
“I don’t think you’ve measured the magnitude of what will happen to her if you don’t.” She taps the photos and then grins. “Because this wolf is hungry.”
“What keeps me from marrying Chel and then divorcing her as soon as I get Cookie back?” I place my knuckles on her desk and lean forward.
“Because if you try and find her, I’ll make sure the wolf is fed.” She leans in closer in challenge. “And trust me, you don’t want her back after what he’s going to do to her.”
I slam my fist on her desk. “So that’s it? I marry Chel and you’ll release her, but if I go after her you’ll have her killed?”
“I need you and Chel to marry and produce an heir.” She looks at her manicure like she isn’t blackmailing me. “Once she has a healthy baby, then you’re free to get a divorce and do whatever you want.” She waves her hand dismissively like my life is meaningless to her.
“Why?” I hiss, asking the question that I need to understand the most.
Miller lets out a humorless laugh from beside me. “For your fortune,” he says, and I glance over at him. “Isn’t that right? If Chel is married and produces a blood heir, then she can ask for half of your billions.” He nods to our mother. “She will take her cut.”
She shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Our family money isn’t what it once was after your father squandered it. You boys made billions hand over fist and have never taken care of us. I’ve finally got your attention, and now I’m demanding what’s owed to me.”
I huff as I back away. I can’t be this close to her when she’s spouting lies.
“You will do as I say.” She rises from her desk and points to the picture. “Or I will slit her throat myself tonight.”
“Enough!” I shout, and she doesn’t even flinch. That’s how I know she’s sick enough to do it.
“Frost, there is only one choice to be made. Take the deal or leave it.” She shrugs as she comes around the desk and straightens her pink suit. “You have until the morning to decide.”
“If you would have asked for the money I would have freely given it,” I say solemnly. “You didn’t have to do this.”