He Folded for a Fraud

When I got back to the Laurent estate, Shane texted me:

[Something came up. I can't be with you the next couple days. Sorry.]

I let out a cold laugh and blocked him right away.

Disgusting.

What "something"?

He and Irene were probably wrecking my bed.

Fine.

Those two days gave me time to pack and get ready to leave Carmoria.

The next day, a staff member rushed in. "Ms. Laurent, Mr. Wade's here. He's at the gate, won't leave until he sees you."

I frowned. Bad feeling, instant.

My father never showed unless he wanted something.

"Did he say why?"

She shook her head. "No. Just anxious. Won't leave."

I paused, then decided not to let him in.

I walked to the gate. "What is it?"

My father had his back to me, arguing with the guards. The second he heard my voice, he grabbed the iron gate.

"Lana, you're finally here! Hurry—come with me. Something bad happened!"

I frowned. Didn't open the gate. Stepped back. "Then call the police. Not me. I can't help you."

He shook the gate harder, frantic. "No! Only you can help me! Open it!"

"What happened?"

He hesitated, dodged it, just kept pushing me to go with him.

I was done with the act.

I turned to leave—

Footsteps rushed up.

"Lana!"

Shane.

He spoke fast, panic clear.

"Your dad's not lying. It's serious. Complicated—come with us. I'll explain on the way."

I hesitated.

Then I saw his uniform and chose to trust it.

I nodded to the guard. "Open the gate."

Shane grabbed my hand and pulled me out, like I might bolt.

I stumbled into the car. "What's going on? Tell me now."

He stiffened for a beat, then brushed me off. "You'll know when we get there."

My frown deepened.

Quietly, I edited a few messages and sent them out.

The car screeched to a stop in front of a half-built, abandoned site.

I stepped out—and froze.

A masked man stood ahead, holding Irene. He shouted, "Jacob, where's my money? You got it? Try anything, I kill your daughter! You said you'd bring a trade. I've waited long enough. I'm done waiting. Pay up!"

I knew exactly what they were planning.

I turned to run, but Shane grabbed me from behind.

My dad shouted at the kidnapper, "You know my investments tanked. I can't pull that kind of money right now! But I brought Lana! Look—take her. She's worth more than Irene. She's mine and Winona Laurent's—Laurent blood. Her mom's loaded. Whatever you want! I'll trade her. Let Irene go!"

The second the kidnapper heard "Laurent," his eyes lit up. "Fine! Bring her over. We trade!"

I stared at my father, trying to process it.

"Jacob Wade, you're a damn monster! Irene's your daughter—what am I?"

He knew he was wrong.

Didn't even dare to face me.

I snapped to Shane, fighting his grip. "Shane, let me go! Are you insane? I'm your fiancée! You're trading me for her?"

My voice tore out of me.

Shane looked away, guilt all over his face. "I'm sorry, Lana. This is the best option. Irene's fragile—she can't handle this. The knife already cut her. Keep this up, she'll be traumatized. But you're different. Stronger. Calmer."

He paused, like he was convincing me—or himself. "Trust me. I'm a detective captain. I won't let anything happen to you. But we need to stabilize him first. We switch Irene out. She... She can't hold on much longer."

As he talked, he dragged me toward the kidnapper.

"No—Shane, don't! Please! I don't want to die! I really don't want to die!"

My voice cracked into sobs as I struggled.

Shane said nothing.

A few steps away, he finally spoke. "On three. We switch."

The kidnapper nodded.

Shane shoved me forward, his hand firm against my back.

"Three! Two! One!"