Page 148 of An Enigma for the Lycan Crown Prince
Even without having any comparison, I know they are the worst kidnappers to wander the planet.
“I am so sorry for this,” Cindy says, while I shuffle through the kitchen to help with dinner.
She points at my collar, but I make sure to smile at her. “It’s okay,” I say. “I understand. Are you also from a pack?”
“No, we are not… I mean, we are not from a pack,” she says evasively.
Of course not, because you aren’t wolves. I don’t tell her that I know they are humans and instead keep playing my role.
Since I am out of my room for the first time, I make sure to look at everything in detail. The house is small, but surprisingly cozy. It almost feels warm and as if a family lives here. Everything is well attended to, the furniture is tasteful, and there are pictures on the wall and some standing on shelves. One inparticular stands out to me. Cindy is on it, and one of the men; I think Gary was his name. Between them, there is a young boy.
I take it in my hands, eyeing it curiously. “I hope you don’t mind asking,” I look at Cindy with innocent curiosity. “Who is this?”
“It’s my boy,” she says with a smile.
“He is so cute,” I squeal. “How old is he?”
“Five,” she looks at the picture fondly. It’s that moment that I realize what’s in it for her. “You need the money for him, don’t you? He is the reason you got pulled into this?”
Cindy looks away.
“You are doing it for him,” I repeat quietly. “They didn’t abduct him, did they?”
She shakes her head.
“Then you need the money…because he is sick?”
Cindy looks at me, shocked. “How did you know?”
“I think, when decent people do something terrible, there has to be a reason.” I take her hands. “The men who abducted me, they weren’t any of you three, were they?”
“No,” she whispers. She looks sincerely terrified at hearing me mention them. “They are… they are not nice,” she adds quietly. “When they drop by, you have to stay in your room and keep quiet.”
“Cindy,” I say. “What did they promise you? Just money?”
“No, they promised a brand-new treatment for River. He has leukemia, and they have contacts.”
My heart sinks to new depths. Maybe I am stupid for feeling bad for her; initially, she is my captor; but I know she is just being tricked. I am taking a wild guess that the men behind this don’t give a shit about her or her child, and that they would lie to her just to get what they want. I doubt there is any new treatment.
“How did you get to know them?” I ask carefully.
“One of them is my cousin.” She rubs over her head. “I know it’s bad, Flora. I know I am bad. And you are so nice and sweet, which makes it even worse. I am hurting someone to save my child. But Robert promised me, he promised-“ she pauses. “He has always done shady and questionable business.”
“So, that’s how you began working together with him,” I sigh sadly. “And Gary?”
“Gary is my husband,” she says. “And Hank, that’s the other man you saw, my brother. They would do everything for River and for me.”
This woman has so little criminal energy that she willingly tells me everything. Someone truly shady would have made sure not to share any information at all.
I continue with helping Cindy clean the kitchen when Hank suddenly rushes in. “Cindy!” he calls out. “Make sure to hide the girl-“ he pauses when he sees me, his expression softening. “I am sorry,” he mutters. “I didn’t know you were here.”
I smile brightly at him. “That’s okay.”
“Maybe you should go to your room,” he says.
I make sure to look at him with deep sorrow. “You want to lock me in there again?”
“No, no,” he hurries to reassure me. “Just for an hour or so. We are getting visitors.”
