Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Sydney
“This is going to be an epic first birthday with all your planning.” Lydia laughs at me as I change out of my uniform into black slacks, a cream-and-black polka-dot sleeveless blouse, and black-and-cream heels.
My ankle is going to kill me later, but I want to look professional when I meet this man.
I don’t know who he is, but I know he has to be the man in the video clips. I know he’s cultured, and I won’t let him make me feel inferior. I’m fairly certain he’s the reason my team was attacked.
I pull my hair from the bun and let it fall down my back. I brush it out, letting the waves created from the bun give it a slight bend. I look at myself in the mirror and try to ignore Lydia. I hate keeping secrets from her and everyone, but I’m doing this to protect them.
“Hey, do I need to worry you are getting another job, or are you meeting a lunch date?” She waves her hand at my outfit.
I finally look at her through the mirror. “Nope, my employment with you is secure. Just want to look more put together than usual.”
“Why?”
“Just because.”
She moves to stand next to me at the counter. “Syd, tell me what’s going on. I know you asked Poseidon to move out. I know you are going through something more.”
“I can’t talk about it right now, and as for Tucker, he’s the one staying away because he says I’m not sharing all of myself with him.”
I turn and move back over to my locker to grab my purse. I look down into the bag and see the recorder I have stashed in there. I’m going to record today’s meeting to protect myself.
“Syd, we all feel like you are holding things back. I don’t know all of it, but I know some now that your attorneys have talked to the board. I wish you had told me. I only know that whatever happened on that last expedition was bad.”
“Bad?” I can’t help the pain that comes through my voice. I turn to look at her. “Bad? That’s what you think? It was the worst. Now, I have to go.”
I swing my bag onto my shoulder and pull my keys out as I make my way to my car. Tears try to break through, but I don’t let them.
I make my way to the hotel, feeling like everyone around me knows what I’m doing. I pull up to the valet and give him the keys as I step out of my car. I reach into my bag and click on the recorder as I make my way into the elegant hotel.
I head to the dining room, where the tea service is being held. At the hostess stand, I pause and look around. My eyes land on the man from the video, and I find it hard to move.
I don’t want him to know I recognize him or know what he did. I smile slightly and move my eyes around again, pretending I’m not looking for him.
“Miles, please,” I say to the attendant, and she leads me to the man from the video.
I take him in, trying to figure out where I know him from besides the video.
He’s dressed in a three-piece suit with a bowtie, all in black, almost like a tuxedo.
Confidence rolls off him in waves. His dark hair is brushed back from his face.
His mustache has touches of gray interspersed through it.
He stands from the table. He’s at least over six feet tall, close to six-two. He’s thin but not in a sickly way, more trim than athletic. He reaches for my hand.
“Miles Kant.” His voice is gravelly, rough but proper. He’s very formal and has a slight Texan accent that I recognize.
“Sydney Parrish.” My voice quivers slightly from his chilling grip. I want to recoil from him.
“Please have a seat.” He waves to the chair across from him.
I set my purse next to me in the chair as I sit. I know from past experience the recorder will pick up his voice and mine perfectly. I’ve used one like it before when I was doing filming.
I watch as he directs someone to come pour our teas.
He tells them to add two cubes of sugar to his and nods toward me.
I’m not used to someone waiting over me and want to make my tea the way I like it, but I don’t want to anger him.
I need to remember that my daughter’s and mother’s lives are in his hands.
For now. I hold all the cards, though, and I know it.
“Two sugars and a splash of milk,” I say to the server.
She nods and does as I ask.
I take the spoon and stir my tea just as he is doing.
I watch him carefully tap his spoon clean before he sets it on the side of the saucer.
He lifts the delicate cup and takes a sip.
A part of me thinks this is all a play to try to put me at ease.
To make me think he’s nicer than what he really is.
But I saw the footage. I know he’s evil.
I don’t know how he figured out about my camera or why he had to attack our camp, but I know he did it.
I take a small sip and wait for him to start. I’m not going to rush into this. I’m not going to beg, because I already know I’m not supposed to be sitting across from him. I’m not supposed to have lived that night. One thought hits me, and I want to ask, but I hold the question back.
“Ms. Parrish, I asked you here today to discuss a mutual situation we have found ourselves a part of.”
I nod, not saying anything. What do I say to that?
“I believe you have acquired something that belongs to me.”
“I don’t know what you mean, Mr. Kant—”
“Don’t lie,” he hisses as he leans across the table toward me. “I know you have it. I know it was you who took it that night. I want it back, now.” His voice is quiet but deadly.
I lean back in my chair as fear almost overwhelms me.
“Mr. Kant, I don’t have anything from that night. My clothes were destroyed because of the evidence.”
“Ms. Parrish, I know the South African government said you’d died, but until I saw that coverage of you at the zoo, I’d wondered. I even had it confirmed by a mutual friend of ours.” He leans back and sits up straight, looking down his nose at me.
I scoff at his comment of “mutual friend.”
“He’s not my friend. He’s the one who was threatening me in the hospital, wasn’t he?” I ask one of my questions.
“Yes, but he didn’t want to do it. I had to talk him into it. He’s been punished for not telling me you were indeed alive or when you came to the States.”
The only punishment suitable for him is death now, but I keep that to myself.
“Like I said, I don’t have whatever it is you want.”
Again, he leans forward and his eyes squint, his jaw tightens.
“Ms. Parrish, we aren’t playing here. You know exactly what it is that I want.
Information like that can’t get out, or my reputation will be tarnished.
I’ll give you some time to get your hands on it again, or I will be coming after you.
I’ve hired many men who have come after you or kept an eye on you.
You won’t know who to trust ever again if you run from me. ”
He stands from the table and walks to my side. He leans down.
“I’ll be in Nashville for two more weeks.
Don’t disappoint me. I’d hate to hurt Bahati’s child.
He was such a good soldier. By the way, speaking of soldiers, I know yours rides around on those death machines along with his real brothers and nephew.
It would be too easy to hurt him.” He moves away as a chill works its way down my body.
Tucker, no. Jace is too young. He’s just beginning to become an adult. Tucker’s family didn’t ask for my past to threaten them. My heart clenches in my chest.
I sit there for a moment, trying to figure out what I’m going to do now.
I stand on shaky legs and make my way out of the hotel. When I reach the valet stand, I give him my ticket. A chill runs down my body. I’m being watched. I know it. I slip into my car and take off for Mari as fast as I can. I need to make her safe. I need to protect my mom.
On the drive home, I come up with a plan that will protect everyone, even the man I’ve fallen in love with. I know I love him because the thought of him getting hurt makes my blood run cold. These last couple of weeks without him, I’ve missed him so much.
My vision clears. and I know what I have to do.
Poseidon
“She met with a man at a hotel today.” Carter’s voice comes across the line without a “Hello, how the fuck are you?”
“She wouldn’t do that,” I growl into the phone.
“Not like that.” He sighs. “If I ever fucking find a woman, make sure I don’t become a raving lunatic like you.” He chuckles.
“I’ve heard from Ghost there is a little dancer driving you crazy.”
“Don’t tease about her. Besides, she’s touring, and I don’t like the spotlight, and my family would never approve of her. I have to deal with my sister first.” He groans.
I know he cares for this girl, and because of his mother and sisters, he won’t ever chase after her. Because of his job and the fact he thinks everyone treats him differently since his injury, he won’t go claim her. As for his twin sister, she disappeared some time ago.
“Tell me what you saw.”
“She left work early and headed into downtown Nashville to a ritzy hotel. She had a proper tea, and believe me, after living abroad for as long as I have, I’ve seen proper English tea service.
The man, I’ll have information on him soon.
But I sent images to Titan too.” He pauses for a moment.
“He left before her. She was being followed by someone besides me, and she’s spooked. ”
“Fuck. I’m heading to her place tomorrow for Mari’s birthday party. My dad, brothers, and nephew will be there too. Between them and the club, we can help with keeping an eye on her, but this comes to an end tomorrow.”
“I’ll have some info for you by then, but maybe a kid’s party isn’t the place for you to bring all this up to her.”
“I’m not going to. I’m going to wait until afterward. I’m getting my woman back. It’s time.” I disconnect the call, tempted to throw my phone, but I hold it in my hand.