Chapter Twenty-Three
Janea
As soon as Shannon left the room, I started to plan how to get out of here. Whatever my father had done, I knew I couldn’t depend on Eros or any of the guys from Savage Order to come and save me.
I’m on my own.
Both Shannon and my father have lost their fucking minds.
I didn’t know if they believed I’d just roll over and accept what they had planned.
However, my father should know better. He should know that wasn’t the woman he raised.
It would be a cold day in hell when I just accepted my death and not fight.
The world would find out what they did before that happened.
I’d make sure of it. But the only way I’d get out of this was to get Caleb and Gerald on my side.
They would have to help me get out of this.
How hard could it be?
“The Governor knows what my father has planned,” I said. “The FBI is probably already involved.”
Both Gerald and Caleb came back after Shannon disappeared, I guess to make sure I behaved until my father got here. But I believed I could get them on my side if I told them the truth about the situation, I just didn’t know if I had enough time.
“What does he have planned?” Caleb asked.
I didn’t think anyone close to my father knew of his plans.
I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t overhead him.
They just followed his orders because he was a good employer.
He took care of their families. Everything you thought a good employer would do, my father did.
But it was all fake. And I couldn’t wait until it crumbled in front of the world.
“Something that could send you and everyone else involved to prison for a long time.”
They both looked at each other with fear in their eyes.
“What did my father tell you about why he had you take me?”
“Nothing. He said he needed to talk to you. For us to listen to Ms. Stein, and he would be here as soon as he could,” Caleb said. “What’s going on Ms. Thorne?”
“I went to see the Governor a few days ago with some information I have on my father,” I said.
“What kind of information?” Caleb asked.
“He’s hired someone to kill the Governor and me.”
Caleb cursed under his breath and started pacing as Gerald couldn’t take his eyes off me.
“I can see you don’t believe me, Gerald. But it’s true. And he’s made you and Caleb an accessory.”
“He’s your father, Ms. Thorne,” Gerald said. “And I’ve known you most of your life. I don’t think your father would hurt you or do something to the Governor either.”
“Then, Gerald, please explain why the hell we’re not at our home having this discussion. Tell me why he has me at some random run-down house, tied to a goddamn chair, and will not let me go?”
“I think he just wants to talk to you about Ms. Stein, and we all know how resistant you have been to their relationship,” Gerald said.
“Seriously, Gerald? He has me tied up!”
I yanked at the ropes, but he said nothing, and I couldn’t do anything but shake my head.
“You two are so out of the loop.” I sighed. “My father has me here because he ordered a hit on the governor, and I overheard it. And now he’s trying to shut me up.”
“That can’t be true,” Gerald said with disbelief in his voice. “I don’t believe it.”
“But what if she’s telling the truth, Gerald?” Caleb asked him. “She had us tie her to the damn chair. That’s over the top, even for Mr. Thorne.”
“It’s true, Gerald,” I said. “And I went to the governor about what I heard and he pulled his entire security detail And when the fallback comes, guess who else will be caught up in this mess?”
“We’re only following orders,” Caleb said, shaking his head when he stopped pacing. “We didn’t know about any of this!”
I shrugged. “And do you think that will matter? Who always takes the fall when it comes to the rich and powerful, guys? Do you think Shannon or my father will not throw you under the bus and put this all on you? You have me here tied to a chair, after I’ve asked you to leave. That’s kidnapping.”
Caleb stared at Gerald with wide eyes. “She’s right.”
Gerald was shaking his head.
“Gerald, I’m right, and you know it. Who’s going to take care of Mira once all this comes out and the FBI arrests you?”
Mira was Gerald’s three-year-old granddaughter who he and his wife, Rosalyn, had custody of.
Gerald’s daughter, Sarah, died by an overdose last year, and no one knew who Mira’s father was, so her grandparents became her legal guardians.
It was fucked up that I brought his family into this, but what other choice did I have?
His loyalty to my father was strong. I needed a way to break it.
“And you, Caleb.”
I turn my attention to the other guard. He wasn’t as old as Gerald, but he had been employed by my father since I was a teenager. He had two kids who were in college.
“What about Ava and Aaron?” His eyes widen. “What happens to them when the FBI arrests you? How will they finish school? How will Sharon survive without you?”
“We haven’t done anything,” Gerald said, facing Caleb. “Calm down.”
“You’re holding me against my will,” I said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re following orders. I’m an adult. And by law, that’s kidnapping. I want to leave.”
Immediately, the weight of the situation landed square on their shoulders, and both their faces paled.
I think I got them.
“Look, I don’t won’t either of you to get in trouble for this, but that’s where this is headed.
My father won’t save you, but he will blame you when all this goes to hell.
And trust me, it will go to hell. I’ve set it up so that if anything happens to me, the world knows what he’s done.
And who do you think he’s going to blame this on? ”
“I can’t get arrested for this.” Caleb rushed over to me. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Thorne. We didn’t know.”
Thank God.
“I know, and when everything goes down, I’ll make sure to keep your names out of it.”
“This is going to cost us our jobs,” Gerald mumbled to himself as Caleb cut the rope wrapped around my wrist.
I rubbed my wrists where the rope had dug into my skin. “Don’t worry about your jobs. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”
“We’re so sorry, Ms. Thorne,” Gerald said, and I could hear the genuine regret in his voice. “We didn’t know.”
I smiled. “It’s fine. Now, could you please get me out of here before they come back?”
They both nodded and escorted me out. Hopefully, I can find out whatever my father had done with Eros and fix it before it was too late.