Riot(21)

“That’s Oceane Fournier and her husband, Dalton Andrews.”

“How do you know who they are?” Max asked Jackal.

“Because I watch his movies,” Jackal answered.

Max stared hard at the screen while Grace stood, her face going ashen.

“He’s the one in those car movies?”

“Yes. Now shut the fuck up so I can hear what the fuck they’re saying.”

“Please, release Adrienne. We will pay any amount of money you want.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ice move to see the television.

“Who in the hell is Adrienne?” Max asked, staring around the room while everyone else’s eyes came to her.

“I am.”





Chapter 8



The reporter on the television screen began talking, thankfully directing everyone’s attention from her.

“If everyone remembers, Adrienne Graciene was the upcoming model who was taking the runways by storm in Paris when she was kidnapped during a vacation with her parents. She was held for six weeks before the authorities finally were able to locate her and rescue her. The two other models she was with were not found alive.”

Grace grasped the chair she was standing behind, praying she wouldn’t pass out as the two women’s pictures were shown, followed by a much younger picture of herself, looking carefree and happy.

“Fuck!” Ice’s harsh exclamation had her wincing, but she couldn’t take her attention away from the screen¸ as the next image was one which had haunted her for years. Leon Winston’s mug shot with his grin for the camera had no regrets for the lives he had destroyed.

“I remember that, the sick fuck,” Jackal growled. “Your dad was the one on TV then, begging for your return.”

Grace nodded yet didn’t answer.

“Please, please, let her go. She’s already been through so much. Don’t put her through any more.” Her mother broke down crying.

Her father moved away from the camera and her brother stepped forward.

“My parents and I would like to thank each of you for your support and any help you may provide for my sister’s safe return. I have personally talked to the warden, and he has assured me he wants an amicable resolution to this difficult situation. I will personally give two million dollars to be divided to those inside who are able to guarantee her safe release. If my sister is hurt in any way, there will be no hole you can hide in. I will destroy you.”

The reporters began screaming questions, but Dax stepped away. The news then started recapping the conference.

“Your brother is Dax Andrews, the movie producer?” Ice asked.

“Yes.”

He picked up one of the chairs and threw it across the room. “Damn it to Hell.”

He paced around the room as the men began talking among themselves. Jackal and Max moved closer, edging her away to the table she had been sitting at before her parents had come on the television.#p#分页标题#e#

Ice finally came to stand before her, furious. “That’s why you were so calm. This isn’t the first time your life’s been in danger.”

“No, it isn’t. I’m afraid I have a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Sadness filled her at the memories of her close friends.

“That’s a fucking understatement.” Ice’s snide voice raised her hackles.

“What do you want, for me to apologize for being taken hostage? If you hadn’t planned this lame-brained scheme, I would be safe and sound at my home.” She was practically screaming at Ice.

Ice jerked her up from the chair. “Calm down, baby. Don’t lose your cool now when you’re going to need it the most.”

“What I need is to be released.”

“Why would we let you go now? You’re our biggest bargaining chip,” Ice reasoned harshly.

“When I get out of here, my brother is going to whip your ass,” she threatened.

“He has to catch me first. Besides, I think I can handle a producer who doesn’t do anything except give orders all day.” His hand went to her throat as if he wanted to strangle her. He had just said he needed her, didn’t he? Surely he wouldn’t sabotage his own plans and harm her.

“Like you?” she said tartly.

His rigid body showed he wasn’t happy with the comparison. She waited for him to bark back another caustic retort; instead, she found herself battling her emotions once again.

“Jackal isn’t the only one who watched your dad’s movies. I remember when you were kidnapped, too. The bastard’s fortunate all they did to him was stick him in a mental hospital.”

“That’s where he needed to be. He’s ill.” That was what she told herself every morning and every night to regain the life he had stolen from her.