Page 44 of No Turning Back
I take him in, trying to figure out where I know him from besides the video. He’s dressed in a three-piece suit with a bowtie, all in black, almost like a tuxedo. Confidence rolls off him in waves. His dark hair is brushed back from his face. His mustache has touches of gray interspersed through it.
He stands from the table. He’s at least over six feet tall, close to six-two. He’s thin but not in a sickly way, more trim than athletic. He reaches for my hand.
“Miles Kant.” His voice is gravelly, rough but proper. He’s very formal and has a slight Texan accent that I recognize.
“Sydney Parrish.” My voice quivers slightly from his chilling grip. I want to recoil from him.
“Please have a seat.” He waves to the chair across from him.
I set my purse next to me in the chair as I sit. I know from past experience the recorder will pick up his voice and mine perfectly. I’ve used one like it before when I was doing filming.
I watch as he directs someone to come pour our teas. He tells them to add two cubes of sugar to his and nods toward me. I’m not used to someone waiting over me and want to make my tea the way I like it, but I don’t want to anger him. I need to remember that my daughter’s and mother’s lives are in his hands. For now. I hold all the cards, though, and I know it.
“Two sugars and a splash of milk,” I say to the server.
She nods and does as I ask.
I take the spoon and stir my tea just as he is doing. I watch him carefully tap his spoon clean before he sets it on the side of the saucer. He lifts the delicate cup and takes a sip. A part of me thinks this is all a play to try to put me at ease. To make me think he’s nicer than what he really is. But I saw the footage. I know he’s evil. I don’t know how he figured out about my camera or why he had to attack our camp, but I know he did it.
I take a small sip and wait for him to start. I’m not going to rush into this. I’m not going to beg, because I already know I’m not supposed to be sitting across from him. I’m not supposed to have lived that night. One thought hits me, and I want to ask, but I hold the question back.
“Ms. Parrish, I asked you here today to discuss a mutual situation we have found ourselves a part of.”
I nod, not saying anything. What do I say to that?
“I believe you have acquired something that belongs to me.”
“I don’t know what you mean, Mr. Kant?—”
“Don’t lie,” he hisses as he leans across the table toward me. “I know you have it. I know it was you who took it that night. I want it back, now.” His voice is quiet but deadly.
I lean back in my chair as fear almost overwhelms me.
“Mr. Kant, I don’t have anything from that night. My clothes were destroyed because of the evidence.”
“Ms. Parrish, I know the South African government said you’d died, but until I saw that coverage of you at the zoo, I’d wondered. I even had it confirmed by a mutual friend of ours.” He leans back and sits up straight, looking down his nose at me.
I scoff at his comment of “mutual friend.”
“He’s not my friend. He’s the one who was threatening me in the hospital, wasn’t he?” I ask one of my questions.
“Yes, but he didn’t want to do it. I had to talk him into it. He’s been punished for not telling me you were indeed alive or when you came to the States.”
The only punishment suitable for him is death now, but I keep that to myself.
“Like I said, I don’t have whatever it is you want.”
Again, he leans forward and his eyes squint, his jaw tightens. “Ms. Parrish, we aren’t playing here. You know exactly what it is that I want. Information like that can’t get out, or my reputation will be tarnished. I’ll give you some time to get your hands on it again, or I will be coming after you. I’ve hired many men who have come after you or kept an eye on you. You won’t know who to trust ever again if you run from me.”
He stands from the table and walks to my side. He leans down.
“I’ll be in Nashville for two more weeks. Don’t disappoint me. I’d hate to hurt Bahati’s child. He was such a good soldier. By the way, speaking of soldiers, I know yours rides around on those death machines along with his real brothers and nephew. It would be too easy to hurt him.” He moves away as a chill works its way down my body.
Tucker, no. Jace is too young. He’s just beginning to become an adult. Tucker’s family didn’t ask for my past to threaten them. My heart clenches in my chest.
I sit there for a moment, trying to figure out what I’m going to do now.
I stand on shaky legs and make my way out of the hotel. When I reach the valet stand, I give him my ticket. A chill runs down my body. I’m being watched. I know it. I slip into my car and take off for Mari as fast as I can. I need to make her safe. I need to protect my mom.
