Chapter 10 - Cornered
|
Nathaniel sprinted out of the Plaza, ignoring the shouts of the paparazzi. He dialed Clare's number repeatedly as his driver sped toward the penthouse, but it went straight to voicemail.
Panic clawed at his throat.
When he reached the penthouse, the front door was slightly ajar.
"Clare!" Nathaniel yelled, bursting into the apartment.
The living room was empty. The television was on, tuned to a local news channel discussing the scandal.
He ran to the bedroom. Empty. The bathroom. Empty.
Then he saw it. A piece of heavy, embossed Ashcroft stationery sitting on the kitchen island.
Nathaniel,
Your father’s men came to the apartment. They said if I didn't come with them to the family estate, they would release 'evidence' that I committed federal fraud. I can't go to jail, Nathaniel. I can't have our baby in prison. I'm sorry. I had to go with them.
— Clare
Nathaniel crushed the note in his fist, his knuckles turning white.
His parents hadn't just leaked the story. They had kidnapped her. They were holding her hostage at the family estate in the Hamptons to force his hand.
He pulled out his phone and dialed his father's private line.
Douglas answered immediately, sounding immensely satisfied. "Did you enjoy the gala, Nathaniel?"
"If you touch one hair on her head, Douglas, I will bury you," Nathaniel snarled, walking toward his private elevator.
"She is perfectly safe," Douglas replied smoothly. "She is currently having tea with your mother and Victoria. We are simply having a discussion about her future. And yours."
"I'm coming for her."
May you like
"I expect you to. We have much to discuss. Oh, and Nathaniel?" Douglas added, his tone dripping with malice. "Drive carefully. The roads are quite dark tonight."
The line clicked dead. Nathaniel stepped into the elevator, his eyes burning with a murderous rage.
