Page 26

CHAPTER 26

Brooklyn struggled against the men restraining her as one of them reached into her pocket. She twisted violently, aiming a sharp kick at his knee, but he shifted just in time, dodging her strike. In retaliation, he backhanded her across the face, sending an explosion of white-hot pain through her skull. Stars burst in her vision, and she bit back a cry.

“You really shouldn’t make this so hard on yourself,” Leilani said coolly as a young Asian man approached with a laptop. Her voice was calm and detached, as if she were discussing the weather. “Seriously, you’re wasting your time. Die with dignity.”

Brooklyn spat blood onto the floor, her breath ragged. “No way in hell am I going to make this easier on you.”

Leilani shrugged, unfazed. “Suit yourself.”

The man yanked the small car-shaped USB from Brooklyn’s pocket and handed it to Leilani. She turned away, setting the laptop on a nearby wooden pallet. The glow of the screen cast eerie shadows across the dimly lit warehouse.

Panic clawed through Brooklyn’s chest, but she forced herself to think. She needed to buy time. Get Leilani talking. Gone was the friendly, smiling neighbor she once knew. In her place stood a ruthless businesswoman, calculating and unyielding.

And what did all-powerful businesspeople have in common? Ego.

Brooklyn latched onto the only weapon she had—Leilani’s pride. “What’s on the drive?” She forced curiosity into her tone. “What is so damn important? And how did you let your own nephew get his hands on it? Seems like someone fell down on the job there.”

Leilani’s fingers stilled on the keyboard and her gaze flicked toward Brooklyn, irritation flashing across her face. The emotion was subtle, but Brooklyn caught it.

“My husband,” Leilani muttered, exhaling sharply. “He caused this entire mess.”

Brooklyn schooled her face into a neutral expression. This was what she needed—an opening. She was giving Leilani a chance to brag, to paint herself as the brilliant mind who had everything under control. Businesspeople loved to talk about themselves.

“What did he do?” Brooklyn pressed, pleased that her voice remained steady despite the rapid thudding of her heart.

“He left our nephew alone in the house without locking up the thumb drive. That stupid fucking car USB. What kind of grown man uses something like that?” Leilani said, her tone edged with irritation. “I should have realized sooner that Keoni was up to something, but Rikishi is supposed to monitor him.” Her lips curled in distaste. “I did ask Keoni about it, but he denied any knowledge.” She almost smiled. “I must admit, Keoni is far more resourceful than I gave him credit for. Rarely do I underestimate someone but I believed him when he said he didn’t take it. Rikishi, on the other hand, never fails to disappoint. I assumed he had lost it somewhere. But no, my nephew was the problem. I won’t underestimate him again.”

She turned back to the laptop, fingers clicking rapidly across the keys.

Brooklyn’s mind raced. She needed to keep Leilani talking. She needed to stall. “What is so important on the drive that you needed to kidnap a child?” she asked again, injecting casual interest into her tone. “What does it matter if I know? You’re going to kill me anyway. Humor me—what did Keoni find?”

Leilani sighed as if indulging a petulant child. “He downloaded a list of original files detailing our holdings in certain countries.”

Brooklyn’s stomach churned. “Front companies,” she murmured.

Leilani inclined her head. “Yes. They make business operations easier, and if that list were to fall into the wrong hands… well, let’s just say it would not be good for business.”

Brooklyn’s mind reeled, but before she could formulate another question, Leilani’s eyes sharpened as the screen flickered. The verification was complete.

Leilani’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk. “Looks like it’s all here.” She snapped the laptop shut and turned to the two men holding Brooklyn. “Take her out to the ocean. Make sure her body disappears.”

Brooklyn knew this was coming the minute Leilani pulled a gun on her. But the knowledge didn’t stop the icy terror flooding her veins. The men tightened their grip on her arms, dragging her toward the exit. The humid night air hit her like a sauna as they stepped outside, the sound of crashing waves in the distance.

She thrashed violently, her breath coming in panicked gasps. This couldn’t be how it ended.

“Move,” one of the men growled, yanking her forward.

Brooklyn’s mind raced. She needed a way out. Now.