Page 55 of A Captive Situation

I’d done a lot of shitty things in life—being on Ashton’s payroll as a detective in the organized crime unit hit pretty high on that list—but there’d been reasons. Ashton was aware that I walked the line. I had still been a cop but, knowing if the Walden and West family businesses fell, they’d be replaced with worse families, I gave them information at times to keep them where they were. I’d gotten a glimpse of who wanted to take over from them and I chose the devil I knew. Trace and Ashton weren’t bad men. They just did bad things, and somewhere down the road, Ashton and I became friends. Reluctantly.

I respected him, liked him, but loathed him at the same time.

I also never wanted to see him or talk to him again, but this was the second reach-out we’d had about my current problem. He’d reached out first. I reached out now.

I also couldn’t deny those two had happened for a reason, but when it came to his best friend, I hated Trace West. There was a personal history that I would never get over. Ashton was also aware of this, hence why he showed up without his self-indignant asshole of a best friend and business partner.

“Jake,” Ashton clipped out. He took a step toward me but stopped. His hands were in fists, pressed at his sides. His jaw clenched. “What are you planning? Lane’s a different sort of beast.”

I shook my head, a whole new feeling of exhaustion hitting me at the moment. “I don’t have one fucking idea. I can’t operate withthis contract on my head so I’ll have to get him to take it down, somehow.”

Ashton’s eyes were shrewd and I knew I had only three options. I’d either give Lane what he wanted from the family, kill him, or let the contract be fulfilled. He said, “Lane took control of Cincinnati through a cultlike worship of followers. He went after the gang leaders, corrupt politicians, and law enforcement, and rival organized crime organizations, then gave their money to people on the streets. He is protected by a million followers. You won’t be able to bribe your way to him.”

Fuck. I knew Creighton Lane was different, but hearing this—fuck. I raked a hand over my face. “I’m going to have to try, or I don’t know what I’m going to do. He’s decided he wants my family. He made his demands known to them a while ago.”

Ashton’s jaw clenched again. “Don’t choose the same door your cousin Nicolai chose. Don’t open that door.”

I knew. I fucking knew I couldn’t. “Don’t worry, but if you know of a way to get to Lane, I’d appreciate it. Until then, I need to go and track down the current pain in my ass.”

“I know of a way you can get his attention.”

Ashton had stepped to the door, stopping it before I could close it. A starkness on his face had me pausing, questioning for a slight second if I wanted to know his idea. He didn’t seem keen on it himself.

I said lightly, “Why does it look like this idea of yours is probably a suicide mission?”

His eyes flared, but his hand fell away from the door. He moved back, shutting down. “Because it probably is, but it’s Lane’s only weakness that I’m aware of.”

My gut flared, not liking this, wherever it was going, but I couldn’t afford not to hear it. “What’s his weakness?”

“A girl. He’s obsessed with her, but she’s not in the life. You want to get his attention, take the girl. I’ll send you the information I have on her.” He shut the door for me and headed to his own car.

I took off, not happy with how that conversation had gone, but resigned at the same time.

A bitter and harsh laugh rippled up my chest at the thought of how far I’d fallen in this world. My new career as a criminal was already budding.

Now I had to kidnap a different woman.

Chapter Nineteen

Sawyer

I could totallyGone Girlmy way if I ever needed to. A whole buzz of victory went through me, growing the farther I got. After going through two towns, I pulled into a public library and used their computer to DM my cousin.

SawyerMatsenNottotallyoriginal1: This is your cousin. I’m hoping you check your messages?? I got your text, but I can’t reply on my phone. I need your help. I’ll wait to see if you respond before I send more information.

I hit send, then switched to my email, typing one out right away to my mother.

Mom, I lost my phone. All is good!! I’m so sorry. I’m trying to get a hold of Graham to see if he can help or not. Can you message him and ask him to check his Instagram messages? He might need to check the other folder. Once I get connected with him and get a new phone, I’ll give you a call. Don’t panic. NewYork is amazing. I’m so glad I came here. Let Clara and Bess know that I’m safe. I just lost my phone. That’s all.Love You So Much—Sawyer

My mom was not normally glued to her email, but since I’d gone on the missing train, I had a feeling she would be this time.

An email hit my inbox almost immediately from her.

I clicked on it, holding my breath against what her reaction would be.

Sawyer Kathleen Matsen, you are in so much troubleYou Lost Your Phone? We called your hotel. You’ve not been back to check out. They have all your things. You have never, not once, in your life lost your phone. What is going on in that city over there? You have never been late for a checkout either. Your aunts have already booked their flights. They’re flying to see your cousin. They were going to start canvassing the city with flyers with your picture on them.We Were Worried Sick! Beck has been so distraught.

I got hot at reading that. Hot in an angry way.

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