Page 67 of Cinderella and the Daddy
“You with me,” I order Tony, who has just come back in.
“Everything is clear,” he says.
“Good. You’re with my son. Do you understand what that means?”
He nods. “Yes, sir.”
Normally, I would have Viktor watch Leo, but I need him guarding the estate.
“Leo, you’re going to hang out with Tony in our special room,” I tell him.
He seems intrigued. “Okay. Is Cindy coming, too?”
The question hits me like a physical blow. “Not right now.”
I lead him and Tony to the room and make sure Tony understands just how damn serious I am about keeping my son safe.
Back upstairs, I gather my remaining men in the main room. Their faces are grim as I outline the situation. I can see the same questions in their eyes that are eating at me.
"I want her found," I tell them. "Alive. Unharmed. Anyone who hurts her answers to me personally."
My phone rings.Charles Tremaine.
My stomach drops.
This can’t be a coincidence.
“Tremaine.”
"Luka. We need to talk."
"Where is she, Charles?"
"Who?”
“Don’t play games with me. Where the fuck is she?”
There's a long pause. "Cindy's missing?"
"You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
“You think I'd use that girl against you? You took her!"
“Where. Is. She.”
"It wasn't me. I haven't seen her since you walked her out of here.”
I believe him, which narrows my list of suspects but doesn't eliminate the problem. "If not you, then who?"
"I don't know. But Luka?" His voice takes on a desperate edge. "If someone's taken her, if they're using her to get to you, let me help. I'll give you anything."
The offer catches me off guard. He actually sounds worried.
"Why?" I ask.
"Because she's a good girl. I never did right by her. Because I'm the reason she's in your world in the first place. And because..." He takes a shaky breath. "Because if something happens to her because of choices I made, I'll never forgive myself."
Seems a little late to develop a conscience.
