Page 37 of Unlocking Hope

Cindy stopped pacing and stood in front of Zoey. “See, this is the good part. I’m going to meet with my son, but he won’t make it to you in time.”

Nathan glared at her. “You won’t win.”

“I always win. How do you think our family got Walker Oil when you guys were just kids? You think your father was going to take that over with how much his dad hated him? No, it was my plan that took him out and made sure your father was in a position to take over. If I would’ve taken his parents out quicker, they wouldn’t have made that stupid will that gave you three most of the family money. That was our money, not yours.”

Zoey’s heart hurt for the people this woman killed and for what Cole and his brothers had to go through growing up. She didn’t know how this woman could have produced three good boys.

"We have an insurance policy out on you, so when you die along with Cole’s whore, we will collect even more money. Come on, dear. Time to go.” Cindy grabbed her purse off the desk and looked around the home. “I will miss this place, but sometimes, we have to sacrifice things for the greater good.” She turned and walked toward the door. Marcus followed, never looking Zoey in the eyes. “Nice knowing you son, and I’m going to enjoy watching my son fall apart at your funeral because the bomb will be going off soon.”

She left the room, and right before stepping out the door, Marcus pulled out a phone and slid it across the floor to Nathan. He quickly shut the door. A loud crash followed by the sound of metal sliding together echoed through the room.. She couldn’t worry about the crash yet. She was secured to a chair anyway. Nathan was also drifting in and out of consciousness.

“Nathan.”

His eyes popped open. “I’m not sure how much time we have, and they locked us in the panic room.”

“Wait, I thought you were almost dead.”

He let out a huff. “It would take a lot more than her lackeys to kill me. I notified Bryson you might be taken earlier—we need to stop them from meeting her.”

She looked around the room, trying to figure out how to get out of the chair. It barely moved as she threw her weight to the side.Damn rich people and good-quality furniture.If a poor person had kidnapped her and tied her to an Ikea chair, she could have easily broken it.At least if I’m going to die, it will be in style.

Zoey felt a hand on her arm and screamed.

“Damn, not so loud,” Nathan complained.

“How did you get out?”

“Do you want a lesson, or do you want out of here?”

“Where is the bomb?”

Nathan gave her a sad smile before looking at her chest. “It’s still around your chest.”

He untied her quickly, and they ran to the door. It was locked. She looked around the room. When she pulled the curtain back, metal bars covered the window. They were in a panic room with no way out and no clue how to disarm the bomb attached to her chest.

Cole

At six thirty,they were still no closer to finding Zoey. He’d never felt time move so fast, and they hadn’t seen any information on where his mom had taken Zoey. Brock was working on a mission that had gone south, but he’d promised to look for Zoey.

Bella handed everyone sodas.

Cole wanted something harder but knew he shouldn’t when he was going to need all of his senses. “Why hasn’t Brock called us back? I need something, anything.”

Bryson placed a hand on his shoulder. “Give it time. I know it’s hard.”

Cole took his drink and threw it across the room. It did nothing to cool his mind and only annoyed him that he’d made a mess in the kitchen. Bella had jumped, and he felt terrible for making her scared. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

Ian walked over to Bella and wrapped her in a hug, glaring at Cole. He would get an earful later, after they found Zoey.Fuck—ifwe find Zoey.His crazy mother wanted his money, which he didn’t even know about.One billion dollars. Who the hell needs that much money?

Cole’s phone vibrated on the kitchen counter. Everyone stopped and looked as Cole reached for the phone. An unknown number flashed across the screen.

“Brock?”

“Hello, son.” His mother’s voice echoed in the room, and Cole’s fingers tightened around it. He worried for a second that he might break his own phone in half.

“Where is she?” Cole gritted out.

She cleared her throat. “See here, son.”

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