Alle Kapitel von The Hostage (Book 2 of The Arrangement Series): Kapitel 61 – Kapitel 70

Moral support and company weren’t all Amberleigh had to offer Leo while he sorted through the billionaire’s accounts and other financial records. At eight a.m., under the guise of needing to pee, Amber left Leo to actually try and whip him up something to put in his stomach. She had enough cooking lessons under her belt to make a couple editable omelets at least.She wound up overthinking it and throwing out her first batch altogether. It wasn’t like Leo would really critique or really taste her creation at a troubled time like this. Right now, food was merely fuel to keep him upright and grinding away at that computer. She carried the tray of omelets into the office, his contained peppers, mushrooms, Swiss cheese and spicy sausage, hers the same fixings save for the Swiss cheese of course as it was one of the few cheeses she disliked.Leo looked up and gave her a grateful smile when she presented him with the tray. He also gave her a kiss on the cheek.“Thanks Love. You didn’t have t

Amberleigh was super proud of her man as Leo was quite the calm and professional businessman over the next few hours as he sold off most of his worldly possessions. Not even a sheen of tears as he handed over the keys of his beloved Porsche to an Asian businessman. Leo had just made his warehouse his selling hub and also met some buyers for Grayson’s weapon collectibles by the docks as Amber had suggested. A centralized location just made things easier.Most of the buyers were legit. They did get a few bullshitters who cruised by with ridiculous low ball offers. Even in his desperation, Leo wasn’t going to put up with that shit of entitled people wanting handouts. One man even got irate when Leo refused to accept his offer on the Mercedes for twenty grand less than asking price, which the chef had already set well below market value as it was. The Mercedes was in mint condition, purchased just last year, with low miles. Leo threatened to call the marshals if the man didn’t leave his

Amberleigh took a few seconds to let the chef’s words sink in as he whipped the Ferrari into a parking spot behind the club. “Leo, you can’t be serious. You could be arrested or worse, shot. Get yourself killed. It’s far too dangerous. I don’t like it one bit.”He slid his hand atop hers, “Actually I’ve been thinking over the logistics of it, and it’s totally do able. The building should be empty except for a security guard through the holidays. There should be plenty of cash on hand in the safe because they’re taking donations at stores and other businesses around the city. And they are preparing for the auction at the first of the year. Easy in and out. Piece of cake.” “Okay, Leo so how do you plan to get past the security guard and crack the safe huh?” she pressed. “Simple. Glad you asked Love. I’ve been in that building a million times. They know me. I’ll call up Mama V and tell her I forgot something there the last time me and G-

Amberleigh laid on the dingy, metal floor for quite a while as she lost her shit. The last several hours had been building to this moment. Ever since Leo had gotten that call in their Paris suite from that backstabbing, uber cunt. All her life, Amber had been told crying was a sign of weakness, useless, and pathetic. But fuck that shit, there was no holding this in. Her grief refused to be contained. But then something else happened. Her watch chimed, vibrating loudly against the metal beneath her. And Amber took a breath. Then another. She sat up. Breathed some more. Her viewpoint was blurred and hazy. Her breathing still tore its way from her lips. Her watched chimed a second time. Also helping to bring her back down to reality. Through tear-glazed eyes, she read the screen. Don’t be mad Love. But I got the money from the safe with no trouble. I knew the guard. He suspects nothing. Are you ready to be picked up? His second text was I love you. We’ll have him home in no time

Amberleigh followed Leo inside the building. They were greeted by a cheerful and light-yellow lobby with stained windows. It was quite lovely the way the light filtered in and cast the colors on the wall. The furniture looked cozy and clean, not stiff and hard. There was even a child sized table and building blocks. A self-service latte bar for the grownups. And a minifridge with apple juice and water for the kiddies.A few people waited in the lobby, a couple most likely looking to buy a home as they glanced through a catalog, and a man appearing to be here for a job interview. He clutched his briefcase and tapped his fingers nervously, a sheen of sweat across his brow. Leo put on an award winning smile as he swaggered up to the receptionist. She was maybe late twenties, appeared to be of Indian descent with caramel skin and long black hair braid on the side. Her brown eyes were large and luminous. She was a ten easily. “Good afternoon. Welcome to Clemonte Development. I’m Aadhi