Page 121 of Ethan & Grace

“I just want to talk to you.”

“You could’ve just taken me out for coffee,” I shot back, braver than I felt. I was terrified, scared for my life.

He gave a derisive laugh. “And let you find out who I am? I don’t think so. But if you cooperate and we can find a solution to this delicate situation together, you’ll be back with your family and Ethan in no time.”

Mum. Dad. Jason. Ethan. Had they noticed I was missing yet? Were they worried about me? Part of me hoped Ethan and my parents hadn’t realised I was gone yet. My family had already been through so much these past few months, and Ethan’s life wasn’t exactly easy at the moment. Perhaps I could escape before they caught wind of what was happening.

“What exactly do you mean by ‘cooperate’?” I asked.

“First of all, I’d like to say how deeply sorry I am about what happened to your sister. No one wanted this to happen. My sincerest condolences to you and your family. But I can’t stand by and allow you to ruin more lives because of an accident. So I’d like to make you an offer: You let the matter rest. Stop asking questions and persuade Ethan to put this whole thing behind him. In return, I’ll give you ten million pounds.”

“Forget it!” I’d suspected something like this would happen, but I refused to be bought. Not over this. This was about Amy, and her life was worth more than any sum of money.

“Miss Claymore. Think about it for a moment,” my captor said, seeming completely unfazed by my refusal. “Ten million pounds is a lot of money. You could get your own place and buy your family a generous flat. Your brother would have room for a piano. With that kind of money, he could afford a truly beautiful instrument. And of course, proper lessons. He wouldn’t have to rely on online tutorials. Doesn’t that sound tempting?”

My stomach twisted. The bastard wasn’t just trying to buy my silence; he was making it painfully clear how much he knew about me and my family. Every word was an unspoken threat. “I won’t be bought!”

“Everyone has a price. Only the number changes.”

Silence.

“How much do you want?”

“I want my sister back.”

“That’s not possible, I’m afraid. And it won’t become possible even if the person responsible for the accident is brought to trial. Amy is dead, and you have to live with that. But I can make sure it will be a very comfortable life. Don’t you think your sister would have wanted that for you?”

I knew it was true, but it didn’t change my mind. I would never be able to look at myself in the mirror again if I profited from my sister’s death. The sum was irrelevant, be it ten pounds or a hundred million.

“I won’t be bribed.”

My captor hesitated, as if he didn’t quite know how to reply. It said a great deal about what kind of person he was. It clearly hadn’t occurred to him that his money might not be enough.

“Miss Claymore, I understand you’re upset and in a great deal of pain. But this is the most sensible solution for everyone involved.”

“No, it’s just the easiest solution for you.”

“And it’s the most prudent and safest solution for you,” said the voice close to my ear.

I shuddered. Not because of the chill in the cellar, but because of what his words implied. What did safest mean? Would he kill me if I refused to take the deal?

A fresh wave of panic and fear swept through me.

“I’ll leave you alone now, so you can think in peace,” the bastard said into the silence that had followed his words.

A moment later, the gag was back in my mouth. His footsteps receded; a door opened and closed. I was alone again. Trapped in this damn cellar with no way out. But now I had a choice: betray Amy, or put my own life on the line.

49

Any news on Grace?

Message from Rose to Ethan

Ethan

I raced back into the city. It annoyed me that I’d wasted so much precious time driving out to the Asterdam villa only to return empty-handed. Fortunately, Claude had agreed to talk to the police, who had already been alerted by Mr. Jensen, to clear up the misunderstanding. He wouldn’t do anything about my little tussle with him, either, probably out of fear that I might expose his illegal transfers. But if I was honest, I couldn’t care less about those. All that mattered was Grace. I wanted to hold her in my arms again, unharmed. The rest was unimportant.

I called Henry on the hands-free to let him know what had happened. In the meantime, Mr. and Mrs. Claymore had arrived at the hotel, but I didn’t head back to The Darlington. Instead, I drove out to a small villa in the heart of Mayfair. It was the house where my dad had been living with my mum since Henry had thrown him out. I didn’t want to see or talk to him, but unfortunately, he was my last hope.