Everyone looked at me, but I couldn’t speak.
My lungs on fire, my brain a storm of panic and doubt, I retreated into myself, my imagination holding my words hostage with worst-case scenarios.
I needed him safe. I needed to see him again so I could . . . so I could . . . damn it.
“Give her a minute.” Elizabeth wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a hug. Wally whined, jumping up on the couch like he wanted to get on my lap.
That’s when Ashley ransacked my purse and handed me the knitting. I always carried knitting. Always.
Ten minutes later, Wally at my feet, my mind was clearer, now absorbed in plotting revenge schemes against my cousin.
And that brings us to the present.
“Are you ready to review options?”
I glanced up from my project and found Alex crouching in front of me, petting Wally. His blue eyes were gentle and sympathetic. Elizabeth was on one side of me, Sandra was on the other, and they were sitting very close, as though to provide a warm, protective cocoon of support.
“I am.” I nodded. “I am ready to discuss options.”
I felt Sandra’s hand on my shoulder, drawing my attention to her. “When you’re finished discussing options, we should spend some time commiserating.”
Commiserating was Sandra’s code word for please allow me to help you deal with your feelings.
“Sounds good,” I said, and I meant it. I had so many thoughts, fears, and feelings about what was happening, I felt like—any minute—I would shatter. “Commiseration sounds good.”
But first, Dan.
And then, revenge.
Her hand dropped away from my shoulder and I stood. Wally also stood, as did Alex. After a moment’s hesitation, he offered me his elbow.
I glanced between him and his arm, not quite sure what to make of the gesture.
“Here,” he said, giving me a pained expression, making me think he was a little embarrassed. “Obviously, you can walk on your own. But I thought you might want someone to lean on. I know I would if I were you.”
I returned his smile with a grateful one and slipped my hand into the crook of his arm. “Thanks, Alex.”
“You’re welcome, Kat,” he said, his deep voice soothing.
He walked me over to where Quinn, Fiona, and Greg—who was holding his sleeping, infant daughter—were gathered around the high countertop of the suite’s wet bar, speaking in hushed tones. Wally followed behind, bumping my leg with his nose every few steps. When they saw us approach, they all straightened and waited for us to join them.
Fiona studied me, a concerned expression pulling her eyebrows together. “I’m not going to ask if you’re okay, because I know something of what you’re feeling. Instead, we’re going to jump right to the point, okay?”
I nodded. “Yes. Please.”
Gathering a deep breath, she began, “Here are the options: Quinn’s team goes into the warehouse and tries to extract Dan.”
“No.” I ignored the frustrated scowl on Quinn’s face and shook my head vehemently. “I can’t take the risk that he’d be hurt in the cross fire. Next option.”
“We contact the police,”—Fiona looked to Quinn, who seemed to tense even further—“and bring them up to speed, relying on their resources to extract Dan.”
“No.” I rejected that plan as well. “For the same reason as before, plus Dan said he’s related to several people on the force. We don’t need this turning into a circus.”
“I agree with Kat on this one.” Quinn lifted his chin towards me. “He is related to a lot of guys here. However, our goal is to get Dan back safely, as soon as possible. The police’s goal will be to get Dan back, but they’ll also be focused on capturing those responsible. As far as I’m concerned, capturing Seamus and Caleb is low priority to Dan’s safety.”
“Agreed,” everyone said in unison.
“But at some point,” Quinn addressed this comment to me, “we’ll need to call the police, even if we only do it once Dan is safe.”
“Okay. Fine,” I agreed, then to Fiona, I said, “Next option?”
“You pay the ransom,” Fiona sounded resigned, “and trust Seamus to let him go.”
“But it’s not just up to Seamus, is it?” I knew my voice was high and tight, belying the panic I felt, but I didn’t care how I sounded. “Caleb and Seamus are working together. Seamus wants the money, but what does Caleb want?”
“What if you don’t pay the ransom?” Greg asked. “You could use the financial records from Caleb’s venture capital firm to force him to cooperate.”