King Maker (King Maker 3)

“Like I said, I’ve got her.”

That time it was clear he hadn’t been speaking to me.

“How can I be sure?” he said to the person on the other end of the line as if there shouldn’t be a question. “What’s your name?” That time he was speaking to me.

I hadn’t decided yet what I should say, if anything, until he approached.

He reached out and caught my ankle, but his hands didn’t stay still. They began a slow perusal upward.

“Bailey,” I snapped, deciding that lying wouldn’t gain me any favors.

His determined gazed promised I’d be useful one way or the other.

“See. I have her,” he said to the unknown person.

He turned and walked toward the farthest end of the room opposite the door. He spoke softly, muting his words.

Revulsion still coursed through me from the feeling of his creepy fingers on my skin. Death seemed like the least I should be afraid of.

“I expect to be paid,” my kidnapper said, no longer being stealthy. “You better. You have twenty-four hours.”

He ended the call and spun to face me.

I hid my disgust as his eyes roamed over me.

“These are the rules. You be a good girl or you’ll be punished. Simple. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind finding out if Amish girls wear underwear.” I couldn’t hide my loathing. “Don’t give me that look. You women have the same curiosity about men in kilts.”

I felt sick. Had he made the reference to kilts as a hint that this was somehow tied to Kalen?

Lost in my thoughts, he added, “And you better hope this contract comes through. Otherwise, I’ll have to make my money somehow. I’m sure there are plenty who would pay to know if sweet Amish girls are as pure as everyone thinks they are.”

He moved to touch me again and I scooted as far away as I could. He only laughed and it was as wicked as he looked.

One thing I knew for sure: I would die before I let him touch me again. Only his reflexes were better than mine. In a move that would make an action hero proud, he caught my arm and I felt the needle as it pierced my skin. Darkness took me captive before I had another thought.

Four

Unfortunately, Griffin hadn’t called with an update. He wanted one from me. I gave him the plan so far and stood like a man caged while watching the team make an impression of the tire tread.

The frustration of doing nothing was starting to get to me.

“Jeremy.”

I turned around to find Bailey’s father studiously standing a few feet away.

“Do you have any news about my daughter?”

“No, sir.”

The respectful terms slipped easily from my tongue. My mother’s upbringing held fast despite my age.

“Might I ask what’s being done?”

I explained what the team was doing and why.

“Turner is out with Matt combing the area for any potential cameras that might have caught the car she was taken in.”

He bobbed his head but didn’t seem all that bothered.

“You don’t seem worried,” I said.

“I have all the faith that you will bring her home if she can’t do it herself.”

When I raised a brow, he added, “I’m a father of five daughters. Beautiful daughters, I might add.” From what I’d seen, I couldn’t dispute. “I’m not a stupid man not to see the desire in men’s eyes as the first three grew older. Especially Bailey, who was a woman in body long before she was a woman in years.”

I nodded.

“I haven’t always lived here. I met my wife outside of this life. Much like Bailey, I grew restless in my youth and longed for adventure. I served our county and traveled the world. When I met Bailey’s mother, I knew it was time to return home.”

“Does Bailey know?”

He shook his head. “I learned skills I passed on to all my children, including my youngest. You don’t need size to bring someone to their knees. Just ask my youngest to show you the trick of the wrist.”

I wanted to laugh, ever surprised by the Glicks.

“I believe you.”

I’d grown up in a world where I had to fight for everything I had. Many of those fights I was outweighed, but never outclassed.

“Then you should know, I pity the man that’s taken my daughter.”

“Aye.”

For the first time in hours, I felt slightly calmer. But only a little. What I didn’t mention was that Bailey had been taken by surprise. Most likely she’d been drugged. Someone like that could keep her docile with any number of drugs. No matter what skill she had, she wouldn’t be able to fight against that.

“Still, I want her to be found quickly. And if you can’t do it, I will. I don’t want to leave my family unprotected, but I also won’t leave my daughter any more vulnerable than she already is.”

It appeared I was wrong. He too had considered all possibilities.