Chapter 199
Chapter 199:
“You gave her the ring,” Skye said, her voice dead.
“Skye, wait—” Alistair reached for her. “It’s a replica! It has a tracker in it p>
“I’m done,” Skye said.
She pushed past him. She walked past the sobbing Victoria, past the flashing cameras. She held her head high, but inside, she was shattering.
Liam stepped out of the shadows near the door. “Skye p>
“Don’t,” she warned him. “Just don’t p>
She ran down the stairs, out the front door, and into the cool night air. She got into her car, locking the doors. Only then did she let the tears fall.
Her phone rang.
She ignored it. It rang again. And again.
She looked at the screen.
Aunt Petunia.
She answered, furious. “What do you want? I told you to leave the country p>
“Skye! Help!” Petunia was screaming. “They took Arthur! They took your father p>
Skye froze. “Who p>
“Men in masks! They came to the hotel! They said they want the ledger back or they’ll kill him! They’re at the Hilton, room 1208! Please, Skye! He’s your father p>
Skye stared at the phone. She hated Arthur. He was weak and greedy. But he was her father. And if he died because of her revenge…
“I’m calling the police,” Skye said.
“No! They said no police! Or they’ll shoot him!” Petunia sobbed. “Just bring the ledger! Please! They’re watching the lobby! Come alone or he’s dead p>
Skye glanced at the passenger seat, where her laptop bag sat.
The digital ledger was inside.
She wiped her eyes and started the car.
𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲.𝗰𝗼𝗺
“I’m coming,” she said.
She drove fast, her mind racing. She didn’t call Alistair. She texted her head of security, instructing them to surround the hotel but stay out of sight until she gave the signal. She wouldn’t be stupid enough to walk in unprotected, but she had to get into that room to verify Arthur was alive.
The hallway of the Hilton was quiet. The carpet muffled Skye’s footsteps as she approached room 1208. She adjusted her sunglasses, though her eyes were red from crying. She gripped her heavy purse, her hand on the pepper spray inside. Her bodyguards were in the stairwell, waiting for her text.
She knocked.
The door opened instantly.
Victor Sterling stood there. He didn’t look scared. He looked smug. “Come in, cousin,” he said, grabbing her arm and yanking her inside.
“Where is he?” Skye demanded, stumbling into the room.
There were no kidnappers. Arthur was sitting on the bed, slumped over, his eyes glazed. A syringe lay on the nightstand.
“You drugged him,” Skye realized, horror dawning on her.
Petunia was sitting in the chair, smoking a cigarette.