Devil Take the Hindmost by S. G. Wong

Author:S. G. Wong [Wong, SG]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Indie Author Project
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

twenty

Ms. Sam.” Jay’s eyes widened. He straightened up in haste.

“Alejandro.” Anna stepped inside fully, assessing his shaky demeanour with a clinical eye. “My little birds told me you were on the lot, but no one thought to mention what shape you’re in. Sit, please.”

Nicky shifted where he stood next to the sofa. “Ms. Sam.”

“Mr. Lo. You seem in good health.”

Lola placed herself in front of Kane.

Anna cocked her head slightly. “And you must be Butch Starke’s daughter.” She scanned Lola from hair to shoes and back again. “You have your mother’s face and your father’s height.” She offered a polite smile. “A pleasure under other circumstances.”

The crunch of footsteps on the gravel outside pre-empted Lola’s reply.

“Nathaniel? Are you in there? Nathaniel?” A woman’s voice, clear and strident. The woman herself clattered through the doorway and stopped abruptly. Her delicate oval face was balanced by a small, upturned nose and light brown eyes, and framed by black hair cut artfully to her jawline. Her yellow linen dress was creased, her matching low-heeled shoes dusty.

“Eloise.” Anna took a small step away. “He’s not here.”

Eloise’s eyes bulged for a moment. “What are you doing here, Anna?” She surveyed the room. “Mr. Lo? Why are you—? What’s going on? Where’s Nathaniel? And Lewis Kane? Is he all right?”

Lola felt Kane stand up behind her. She turned, met his glare. She obliged him, stepping away toward the window. He turned his scowl on Anna and Eloise. “What in the eighteen hells gives you the right to manipulate my life like this?”

Eloise bowed, her face mask-like. “Mr. Kane. I’m truly so sorry for the drastic measures.” She flicked a glance at Anna, beside her. “I’d only meant to delay your work. Nathaniel had instructions to treat you with the utmost care and consideration. He assured me you were fine.”

“Drastic measures, she calls them.” Kane’s scowl deepened. “Is that the euphemism for kidnapping these days?” He pointed. “You had Tsoh trick me into coming here, worrying my wife—” His shoulders sagged, his face twisting with pain. “Why aren’t you doing anything to get my wife back?”

Eloise blinked rapidly several times. “I…I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She looked from him to Anna to Nicky. “What’s this about? Where’s Nathaniel?”

Lola watched Anna, wondering if she would explain the situation to her rival. Behind Anna, Jay stood, haggard and tense.

Anna’s face was unreadable, her gaze on Kane.

Kane stared at Eloise, his expression stony.

Aubrey muttered, “Gods, what a hash.”

Lola said, “Mrs. Kane has been kidnapped by Carmen Hsieh, held hostage to force Mr. Kane to render a positive report for this acquisition of Studio Eight.”

Eloise gasped sharply, her eyes filling with tears. “My gods, I’m so terribly, horribly, sorry. I had no idea. I—” She gulped. “I’ve been so myopic…” She closed her eyes for a moment, swiped at the wetness on her cheeks. “I never dreamed my plan would harm anyone.” She covered her mouth with the back of a hand, eyes going wide. She swallowed several times and dropped her hand.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.