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Rebecca hadn’t spoken to Penelope in days, so she decided to call. “So, Penelope, how’s life with my future son–in–law?”
Penelope’s voice wavered, thick with unshed tears. “Mom, stop saying stuff like that. Gene wouldn’t like it.”
“What’s there to be afraid of? You’ve been together this long, and now you’ve got a kid. He’ll propose sooner or later,” Rebecca said, her voice dripping with smug reassurance.
The memory of Eugene avoiding the subject earlier that day stabbed through Penelope’s chest.
“Propose? As long as Jacklyn’s around, Gene’s never marrying me!” Her voice broke as she fought back a sob. “Mom, please, you have to help me. He’ll never love me if she’s still around.”
The bitterness inside her burned like acid.
Why did Jacklyn get to have his love? Why was she the one stuck being the side piece?
When Penelope started sobbing over the phone, Rebecca and George were stunned. They’d been sure Eugene taking her on that trip would finally make her his rightful wife, but somehow, she’d still ended up wounded.
“Sweetheart, don’t cry. Don’t worry. We’ll take care of this. Just focus on becoming the wealthy Mrs. Lloyd!”
It took a lot of soothing before Penelope finally hung up.
Now, Rebecca and George had a problem on their hands. After all, Jacklyn was their biological daughter, too. She wasn’t as sweet as Penelope, but she’d never done anything terrible.
George thought for a moment. “Ever since Jackie married Eugene, she has had eyes only for him and doesn’t give us a second thought. But Penelope? She remembers how to show respect, even while she’s with Eugene.
“Here’s my idea–we make sure Eugene can’t locate Jackie. Once he’s married to Penelope, we’ll set Jackie free.”
Rebecca agreed, saying, “All or nothing.”
Jacklyn was barely out of the yoga studio when strangers closed in around her.
Before she could react, someone shoved a black hood over her head. Her pulse jumped, and she instinctively pressed a hand to her stomach.
“Who the hell are you?” she spat.
No one answered.
Then, someone dragged her into a waiting car. Her lungs seized up almost instantly as everything began to spin. That was when she realized that the hood was drenched in something meant to knock her out.
Blinking awake, Jacklyn found herself in an unknown room. She was lying on a couch with a blanket covering her and could see warm meals waiting on the table nearby.
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The place didn’t seem dangerous. If anything, the decor was almost cozy, and the fact that they’d given her a blanket suggested this wasn’t a life–or–death scenario
So what did the abductors want? A ransom?
Before she could dwell on it, the door creaked open from the outside.
A bald man named Owen Burke walked in with a grin. His bare shoulders were covered in scars and grotesque tattoos.
Jacklyn frowned. “Why am I here?”
Owen chuckled and moved closer, his eyes crawling over her with a sleazy look. “Damn, you’re a pretty one! It’s a shame I’m already getting paid. Otherwise…”
He left the rest unsaid.
“Who hired you?” Jacklyn asked.
Owen pushed himself up. “Look. A job’s a job. I don’t give names. So go ahead and figure it out. Guess right, and it’s on them, not me.“.
Jacklyn could tell he was desperate for the money. Straightening up, she shifted tactics. “I’ll double
whatever they’re paying you.”
Owen flexed his arms. “Oh, I know you’ve got the money, Mrs. Lloyd. But in my line of work, reputation’s everything. Take your offer, and I’m done.”
Irritated, he gave her a sharp kick and growled, “Don’t think about trying anything. You’re getting shipped, out tomorrow, so you’d better behave, or else…”
Owen rubbed his chin and grinned, his expression full of menace. “Hell, I’ve been so damn lonely these days Maybe I’ll get some fun out of you before handing you over.”
A cold knot of fear tightened in Jacklyn’s gut. She turned her face away, saying nothing. Her jaw clenched, her eyes going dull with dread.
Was Penelope behind this?
“What a load of crap! The minute I get paid, any woman’s mine for the taking!” Owen growled, yanking the door shut behind him with a bang.
The moment he left, Jacklyn hurried to the window but didn’t see anyone outside.
The next morning, Owen woke Jacklyn. Before she could even gather her thoughts, two burly men behind him yanked her up and hauled her out.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked.
“Shut your mouth,” Owen snapped, his voice dripping with irritation.
They forced Jacklyn downstairs and shoved her into the same van she’d ridden the day before.
As the van rolled on, the scenery outside grew more and more unfamiliar. Finally, it stopped near the
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shoreline.
Jacklyn’s eyes widened. “Out to sea? You’re sending me out to sea?”
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These men didn’t want her life or her money. They just wanted her gone, shipped off somewhere far away. But why?
Jacklyn stepped back and gave her wrist a subtle twist. A razor blade slid out from her sleeve. She’d discovered it the night before while searching the room It was tucked deep between the bed frames.
Owen barked, “Get her out of here!”
This was Jacklyn’s only chance!
She twisted violently, breaking free from the ropes. A flash of her hidden blade cut down the man rushing her. Then, she turned and ran for the shoreline.
“Damned bitch!”
Jacklyn didn’t make it far before Owen caught her. Pure adrenaline kicked in. She spun around and slammed her foot straight into his groin.
Owen doubled over with a sharp gasp.
Before his men could react, Jacklyn bolted. But weighed down by her pregnancy, she couldn’t outrun them. They caught up in seconds.
This time, Owen’s men didn’t hold back. They grabbed her roughly, yanking her arms as they dragged her toward the idling car.
Jacklyn was certain it was over until a thunderous bang exploded through the air.
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