Behind those icy blue eyes

Chapter 26 Pay back, and a message in just one word.

Grayson 

  Consciousness came back to him slowly. For a moment, his vision was blurry and unfocused. As he became aware of his surroundings, he realized that he was tightly bound hand and foot to a tall, very uncomfortable, wooden chair. He was in a medium size room that consisted of plain walls and concrete floors. 

    His body ached and he was developing a headache from the drug he had been given. The only light source was from a dusty, dimly lit ceiling fan above his head. Even though he couldn't see behind him, he knew someone was there.

     "Finally, you're awake." a mocking sounded voice from the shadows in font of Grayson said. The person stepped forward into the light.

     He was a tall man with dark brown hair and cold green eyes. He was simply dressed in a pair of black slacks and white button-down shirt. An evil smile played on his thin light pink lips.

     "I'm sure you're wondering who I am." he said.

     Grayson was but wasn't going to let the man get the satisfaction of seeing him puzzled or scared. He lifted his head up, like he wasn't tied to some chair, and stared the man down. Not a trace of emotion or fear on his face. 

     For a moment, they engaged in a silent staring contest. Grayson didn't like staring contests, but that didn't mean he had his fair share with his brothers. Keeping eye contact with this man would be no problem. In the end, the man looked away first. Grayson tried not to smirk at his little victory, whatever that may be.

    The man decided to answer the comment he had made before. If he was angry or frustrated that Grayson hadn't asked, he didn't show.

     "My name is Edward Anderson. You probably have no idea who I am, and I don't care if you did." he then began to explain who he was and why he had kidnapped Grayson. "I worked for your grandfather as one of his financial advisers. For a long time, I thought I had the best job in the world. I planned all the trips, helped with where the best places to use the money would be, and much more. And then, I was laid off. No explanation was given, just that my services were no longer required. I was given a very generous amount of money and left. It lasted me about a year. I tried to find other jobs, but no one would hire me. I managed a few odd jobs here and there, but not enough to live by, especially with a daughter who had cancer and needed treatment."

    Grayson had a feeling he knew where this was going.

    "She died." Edward continued. "My precious baby girl died because of your grandfather." he stepped menacingly toward Grayson.  "When I couldn't find any work, I came back to him, begging to be brought back. My girl was dying, and the money I had made when working with him would have saved her. He said no, and one week later she was gone. Died in my arms." Untold anger and resentment burned in his eyes.  "So, I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine."

     Grayson stiffened in his chair. "Killing me is not the answer."

    He smiled wickedly. "Oh, I don't intend to kill you. I intend to use you as bait. If I had one wish, it would be to have my little girl back, but that can't happen. My next wish would be to see your grandfather pay for what he did to me. I know what you and your brothers mean to him. He adores all of you, and someone taking something that is his will certainly make him mad."

    Grayson could think of a few more adjectives then mad to describe what his grandfather was probably feeling. "Five million dollars isn't going to get you very far." he said, his voice steady even though his body was fraught with tension.

     Edward sinisterly laughed. "Who told you that? Robert or Sean?"

     Grayson guessed they were the henchmen, who had kidnapped him, names. He didn't answer, but his silence told his captor that he had been right."

    "Well, you are wrong. They are getting five million dollars. I am getting one billion dollars! I will never go through what I did, and if I have any more children, they will never wonder if they will eat that day or die because I didn't have enough money to save them."

    "And if my grandfather doesn't?"

   "Then he will be quite sorry. I'd hate to give him a dead, beaten grandson, but I will do what I have to do." he shrugged, like having Grayson beaten to death was not going to bother him. Grayson said nothing, and then a thought came to him, "How long was I out?"

    "About six hours. I called your grandfather shortly after, telling him my agreement for your safety. I gave him twelve hours. If he doesn't call back in that time, then Robert here will have to convince him otherwise."

    Grayson tried not to think of what that might entail for him. Just then, a phone rang. "Ah, the man of the hour." Edward said, and then commanded roughly, "Robert."

    Before Grayson knew what was happening, a knotted handkerchief was forced into his mouth, with Robert tying it painfully tight the back. He fought, but to no avail. With the gag stifling him, he watched as Edward answered the phone, putting it on speakerphone.

     "Well," he said silkily, "I trust you have what I want."

     "I do." Grayson heard his grandfather's low, gruff voice over the phone. Even though hard to hear, he heard the anger and underlying danger in his grandfather's words. "But before we go any further, I want proof of life."

    "That's not part of the deal."

    "Its part of mine!" the old man's voice shouted. "I hear my grandson's voice, or you don't get your money. Simple as that."

    Edward sighed. "You wait I moment." he pushed mute. He walked over to where Grayson sat. "You say his name and that's it. You got me? Because if you don't, I swear you are going to wish I would give you another sedative, then what I will let Robert do to you."

    Grayson nodded, and the gag was removed. Putting the phone toward Grayson's mouth, he unmuted it. His grandfather's name. That's all he could say. How do you give a message in an ordinary name? He knew, even before he spoke.

    "Grandfather." He said the word in a clear, steady voice. He hoped his grandfather heard the underlying message that he was fine. There was no fear or apprehension. Assurance and bullet proof confidence was what he wanted his grandfather to hear.

    The gag was immediately put back on, stifling him once again.  

    "You got your proof of life, now its time for you to hold up your end of the bargain. I will text you the address. You come alone. If you don't, the boy will very slowly and painfully die." Grayson couldn't help the feeling of disgust when Edward lightly traced a hand over his face. "He is quite handsome. I'd hate to be the one to make him ugly." He ended the call before the old man said anything.

    He texted the address and waited for a response. A minute later he got it. "Well," he said, looking at Grayson's bound and gagged figure. "Let's get this party started."

PART 2 WILL BE ON THE WAY!! SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING! I STARTED WORK AND WAS TO TIRED AT NIGHT TO WRITE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? AM I BEING TO FAST OR RUSHED? HONESTLY, I COULD MAKE A MINI STORY OUT OF THIS PLOT, BUT AM TRYING TO KEEP IT TO JUST A FEW CHAPTERS.

 DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT I LOVE A GOOD HEROINE OR HERO IN DISTRESS. IT ADDS MYSTERY AND TENTION TO THE STORY.

ENJOY!!