Lost in Salvation

4. Kidnapper

Lorelei

The only thing I have the energy to do is stare at my father blankly.

What the fuck did he just say?

I blink repeatedly and I'm almost positive my mouth falls open. "Somewhere who can't find me?" My pulse is in my ears and the confusion is evident in my tone.

Dad leans against his desk, arms crossed. "I can't tell you much, it would defeat the purpose of this entire thing, but I have reason to believe what happened to your mother wasn't a mistake."

As soon as the words tumble from his mouth, I feel as though I can barely move. I'm not an, "in shock", kind of person, but my father's confirmation of what I prayed so hard wasn't true, has me almost trembling.

Our family is being targeted. Mom was killed, not by mistake, but because a hit was hired on her head.

The strong whoosh of emotion and pure rage is like a punch to the gut.

But something else angers me more. "Why am I leaving and where am I going?"

He shakes his head almost solemnly. "Like I said, there's a lot of information that can't be revealed. But I need to keep you safe, Lorelei."

"Safe from what?!" I can feel the fury starting to burn through my veins.

Dad ignores my questioning. "You have two hours to get back to your apartment and pack up your belongings. Bring only what you need, a car will find you and transport you to the safe house."

The anger and confusion bursts. "Safe house?! I'm not some fragile piece of glass, Dad! And there's no way in hell I'm getting into some random car to take me God only knows where,"

I'm not all that worried, I know my father would never place me in the care of someone dangerous. But this isn't happening, I'm not just going to up and leave.

He steps closer, eyes cast low. "I have never and will never underestimate you, but this is bigger than the two of us."

"You're speaking in riddles," I don't care how sad he is, everything he's saying right now is utter bullshit.

"Mom's death has hurt us both, the pain will probably eat away at us for the rest of our lives." He looks up finally, staring straight through my soul. There's enough emotion in my father's gaze to weaken even the strongest of men, it's as if I can see the world crumbling through his eyes. "Don't let me feel that pain for you too, don't let me lose you, Lori."

The words hit me with an onslaught of misery.

Why would he lose me? What is going on?

I shake my head and ball my fists, allowing my spine to straighten. "I can't leave, I understand that's what you want but our family doesn't run."

"You have no choice," Dad's voice keeps switching from unhappy to authoritative.

I scoff. "What do you mean I have no choice? I'm an adult,"

His back begins to straighten as well, a fire of protectiveness setting ablaze. "Your age has nothing to do with this. You will go with these people,"

"Who even are these people?!"

"Trust me when I say, they can keep you safe. That's all you need to know for now,"

"What about you?" I say, thrusting a hand in the direction of my father. "I'm just supposed to leave you in harm's way?"

"There's no need to worry about me, I've got everything handled." He tries to sound sure of himself but I catch the uncertainty just as he finishes speaking.