128

128

KANE'S POV

The morning air was crisp as I parked a block away from the school, taking a moment to observe the surroundings through my rearview mirror. It was an ordinary day—parents dropping off children, teachers mingling at the entrance. Nothing out of the ordinary. And that’s exactly what I was counting on. Blending in was the first step to a successful operation, and today, everything needed to go smoothly. Vivian had made it clear that there was no room for error.

I glanced at the passenger seat beside me, where a pair of aviator sunglasses and a baseball cap sat, my chosen attire for this little “errand.” The fewer identifiable features, the better. Pulling on the cap, I checked my phone one last time. The confirmation from Vivian was there: Zara would be let out for her lunch break shortly. I had approximately ten minutes to get into position.

With a steadying breath, I exited the car, casually adjusting the cap over my face, and walked down the street, maintaining the appearance of someone with time to kill. As I neared the school, my gaze darted toward the playground where Zara would be, a few teachers overseeing the group of kids at recess.

Timing was everything. I’d mapped out the route, memorized every turn, and made arrangements for our destination. The location was an isolated cabin about thirty miles out—far enough that it would buy us time, close enough to ensure we got there without raising suspicion. I’d covered every angle, ensuring our trail would be cold by the time anyone realized she was missing.

The school bell rang, signaling the end of recess, and I moved closer, positioning myself near a side entrance as the teachers corralled the kids back inside. Zara was easy to spot, her small figure and bright blue backpack distinct among the others. She walked quietly, oblivious to the plan unfolding around her.

As the last child filed inside, I approached the main door, my pace calm, and greeted the receptionist at the front desk. “Hi there,” I said, keeping my voice steady and pleasant. “I’m here to pick up Zara. Bethany asked me to get her, said she had a family emergency and couldn’t make it herself.”

The receptionist, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, looked up from her computer. “Oh? I wasn’t notified, but let me just check with the teacher. What’s your name?”

“Mr. Chambers,” I replied smoothly, offering a fabricated story that Vivian and I had rehearsed in advance. “Bethany’s cousin.”

She gave me a brief once-over, likely assessing whether I seemed credible. Satisfied, she nodded. “One moment.”

As she made the call, I waited, maintaining a casual air. Within minutes, Zara appeared, escorted by one of the teachers, her face curious but calm. She looked at me, a hint of recognition in her eyes—Vivian had introduced me once or twice as a family friend, so I wasn’t a complete stranger to her.

“Are you taking me to Mommy?” Zara asked, her voice small.

I bent down, keeping my tone warm and reassuring. “Yes, sweetie. She had something important come up and asked me to pick you up. We’re going to meet her soon, okay?”

Zara nodded, clutching her backpack straps a little tighter. “Okay.”

I thanked the receptionist and guided Zara outside, my hand gently on her shoulder, leading her toward the car. Once we were a safe distance from the school, I opened the passenger door and helped her inside, securing her seatbelt. She settled in without question, her trust evident—a trust that I would use to my advantage, however necessary.

“Where are we going?” she asked as I pulled out of the parking spot and headed toward the highway.

“It’s a bit of a surprise,” I replied, keeping my tone light. “Your mom wanted to make it special.”

Zara smiled, her innocence almost unsettling in contrast to what was happening. I glanced at her in the rearview mirror, taking in her calm expression, and reminded myself to stay focused. This was business—nothing more. She was a means to an end, a pawn in a larger game that Vivian had orchestrated.

The drive was smooth, traffic light as we left the city limits and approached the remote roads leading to the cabin. I maintained a steady speed, ensuring no one took notice of us. In the backseat, Zara hummed quietly, gazing out the window, seemingly content with our little “adventure.”

We reached the cabin just after noon. It was nestled deep within the woods, secluded and hidden from the main road, exactly the kind of place no one would think to look. I’d ensured that the property was untraceable, rented under an alias, with no link back to me or Vivian.

I parked the car and got out, walking around to help Zara with her seatbelt. As she climbed out, she looked around, her brow furrowing slightly. “This doesn’t look like where Mommy usually takes me.”

I forced a smile, crouching down to her level. “It’s a new place we thought you’d like. Kind of like a secret hideout.” I gestured toward the cabin. “Come on, let’s go inside. There are some games and snacks waiting for you.”

Zara’s face lit up a bit at the mention of snacks, and she followed me inside, her small footsteps echoing against the wooden floor. Once we were in, I locked the door, double-checking the security measures I’d put in place. The windows were tinted, and the blinds were drawn—no one would see inside, and there was no chance she could slip away unnoticed.

The cabin was modest, with only a few basic furnishings—a couch, a small table, and a few chairs. I’d left a few items to keep her entertained: some coloring books, snacks, and a blanket in case she got cold. I wasn’t heartless. The goal wasn’t to hurt her—just to use her as leverage, to ensure that Bethany complied with our demands.

Zara looked around, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “Where’s Mommy?”

I took a deep breath, keeping my voice as calm as possible. “She’ll be here soon. For now, why don’t you have a snack and do some coloring? I bet you can draw something really nice for her.”

She nodded, though a hint of unease crept into her expression. I knew that look—it was the realization that something wasn’t quite right. But she was young, and her trust in adults was strong enough that she wouldn’t question me, not yet.

As Zara settled in, I stepped into the small adjoining room and pulled out my phone, sending a brief message to Vivian.

It’s done. She’s safe at the location.

Within seconds, her reply came.

Good. I’ll handle the rest from here. Keep her secure until I give further instructions.

I slid the phone back into my pocket, glancing through the crack in the door at Zara, who was now intently focused on her coloring book. This was the beginning of the end for Bethany. She’d never see this coming, and by the time she realized what had happened, it would be too late.

My gaze lingered on Zara for a moment, a strange mix of emotions swirling within me. I wasn’t a stranger to doing what was necessary, but there was something unsettling about seeing this child so unaware of the power struggle unfolding around her. She didn’t deserve to be in the middle of it, yet here she was, a pawn in a game she couldn’t understand.

But I pushed those thoughts aside. This was business, nothing personal. Vivian had made that clear, and so had I. The plan was set, and there was no turning back.

I stepped back into the main room, leaning against the wall as I watched Zara focus on her coloring book, oblivious to the weight of the plan unfolding around her. She hummed quietly to herself, filling in shapes with careful strokes, and for a brief moment, I felt a pang of something—guilt, maybe, or doubt. But I quickly shook it off. This was a necessary step to achieve what we needed. Bethany and Damien would soon understand that we weren’t people to ignore or trifle with.

Zara glanced up at me, her innocent smile catching me off guard. “Look! I’m drawing flowers for Mommy. She loves flowers.”

I forced a smile, nodding. “That’s wonderful, Zara. I’m sure she’ll love it.”

Her face lit up, her trust unwavering, and I felt an odd tightening in my chest. I turned away, forcing myself to stay focused. This was business, pure and simple, and personal feelings had no place here. She was simply leverage to ensure compliance.

Just then, my phone buzzed again. Another message from Vivian.

Make sure there are no loose ends. Keep her comfortable, but don’t let her out of your sight.

I typed back a quick confirmation, slipping my phone back into my pocket. I took a deep breath, steeling myself. This was only the beginning. By the time Bethany and Damien realized what had happened, they’d be left with no choice but to play by our rules.

As Zara continued to color, unaware of the storm gathering around her, I stood guard, determined to see this through. Bethany and Damien’s complacency was over. And now, I was in control.