Dane

Chris patted his back and Dane almost punched him. He really was wound tightly. He turned his attention back to the gathered staff and prepared to put a fox among the chickens.

​​

"We don't know where Lila is. We don't know what's been done to her so far. But what we do know for certain is that there is at least one other staff member under my father's instruction, still in our ranks. We do not know who they are. But since he's gotten his claws into my wife, which was his ultimate goal, at this point there's little reason not to tell you: Trust no one. Use the resources we have. But pay attention. If you are not working for my father, you are my best weapon against him. Watch your colleagues. Do not accuse. Do not stop doing your jobs—or stop them from doing theirs. Until we know for sure who we're looking for, everyone of you is a trusted member of this staff. But if you see anything suspicious, please report it to myself, or to Chris.

"Keep in mind that we're running a security business, so people gathering information isn't suspicious. But please give some serious thought to any times you may have seen someone sharing information in suspicious ways—unnecessary logs into the intelligence systems, inaccurate statements, different accounts of the same information, or any kind of meetings or information sharing with people outside of this organization should be noted and passed on to us to investigate. Until we find out who has been sharing our information and plans with my father, we're working with one hand tied behind our backs. Is that clear?"

There was a murmur of agreement in the room, and Dane heaved a sigh of relief. "I do not want to see you all turn on each other. Like I said, the gathering of information for our work is completely normal and shouldn't be looked at sideways. What we want to know is who has been taking that information elsewhere—or twisting it. If you think of anything, write it down on paper, not on a computer, and bring it to me, personally.

"And as we work through trying to locate and retrieve Lila, please, please remember to keep your own personal safety as your primary concern. Do not take any risks. While I believe you are safe, that my father's attention is solely focused on me and my-my wife… I will not risk your lives. Please use the cars to get to and from the apartment building. If you're assigned a lead to follow, go with partners, or a team. No one should stay here in the office late alone. And if you're headed into the city, especially at night, use the cars. That's what they're for."

He hesitated, but there seemed little point in avoiding the issue. "Lila was… I had her hidden after the original attempt from Tish to abduct her. But he found her. I don't want to scare you, and like I said, I really do believe he has his attention fully on her and me. But I also don't want any of you to underestimate the level of danger when dealing with my father. He is ruthless. He is lethal. And he has been protected by very powerful people in the past, so he is… unafraid. Take no risks. Am I understood?"

The wave of agreement was tense, but firm. Dane sighed. "I know you have a lot of questions, but I have to ask you to trust me that more information won't help you at this point. There is a very fine line between understanding who you're dealing with, and having enough information to make you a target. So, no, I won't be telling you his name. Consider your normal avenues of investigation, be certain that he and his people are already on our radar in a variety of ways. Nothing about your job or goal has changed. Except… except that we're now hunting for the life of someone who is innocent… and important to us all." His voice broke and he closed his eyes and swallowed. "Help me find her. Please."

There were more sniffs, and it was too much. Dane muttered his thanks and pushed his way out of the room, ignoring the passing hands, and shoulder pats that tried to reach out and offer comfort. He saw Tonya at the side of the room, her eyes red and swollen and she broke into tears when their eyes met.

He couldn't do this!

He got out of that crowd and into his office, locking the door behind him and leaning on it until he could breathe again.

The meeting wasn't over. They were still going to talk strategy and assign teams. He'd meant to stay, to know who was going where. But he couldn't do it. He'd have to look at the team lists on the system later.

Just then he needed to go back over what he and John had discussed, make sure he was set up for Harry, and work out how to avoid Chris when the time came.

Because the thing no one else knew was that Dane knew exactly where to go to find his father. He always had.

And he wasn't going to leave this to chance—or the Police. It was too late for that now.

Oh, he'd use Harry for back up, and maybe the Detective might even have some good ideas to help him. But in the end, Dane Daniels was walking into the Lion's Den unaided, unsupported, and willing to do anything to get his wife out of his father's clutches.

No matter what it cost.

He just had to figure out what his father's deepest desire was, and give it to him in exchange for Lila.

*****

Lila

Lila felt incredibly tired. She was beginning to have trouble focusing on Dane's dad, sitting in front of her. But he didn't seem to notice how her eyelids fluttered. He was still trying to convince her that Dane was a monster, just like him.

She shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, trying to clear her head.

"Would you be willing to make a bet?" the handsome man asked.

"Sure," she said to keep him talking.

He smiled. "Tell me, how long do you think it will take Dane to try to save you?"

"He's already working on it." If she knew him, he'd been working on it before she even disappeared.

His father nodded. "But I'm curious if you know—or would like to guess—who he'll send after you? Who do you, his wife, think will be the first person to show up on my doorstep looking for you?"

She could feel her face pale, and in the same moment her vision blurred. But he must have seen her face before she brought her hands up to rub her eyes, because he was chuckling.

"Yes, Lila, I think maybe you do know my son almost as well as me… are you okay?" he asked, his voice gently concerned.

She nodded, but her head spun and he frowned.

"I know it's been a tiring time for you, Lila, if you need more rest, I'd be happy to return later to discuss these things with you."

She nodded again, but this time her head stayed down when she was done. Her limbs felt heavy, so heavy, almost as heavy as her eyes.

What had he done to her?

He smiled and started to get up from his chair just as her eyes slid closed for the last time, refusing to be lifted again.

She felt his hands as he arranged her on the bed and pulled the quilt over her, patting her hair and whispering something to her as she drifted off.

But she was too tired to catch it.