Simon Says Die

together in frustration. Damon was openly admitting he’d abducted her, and no one else could hear him. “You can’t hurt my family. They’re all in protective custody.”
    â€œHow is that wonderful mother-in-law of mine?” he asked. “And my new sister-in-law. Amanda, isn’t it? She’s quite the stunner, if you only look at her from the left side of course.” He winced. “That jagged scar down the right side of her face is a bit off-putting, but I suppose I could warm up to her in a pinch.”
    Madison jerked against her restraints. “What do you want?” she hissed.
    â€œOne million dollars.”
    â€œI’m not paying my father’s murderer,” she repeated.
    â€œEither pay, or your mother dies, along with her new husband. Then Amanda. And, lastly, that precious brother of yours. They can’t stay in protective custody for the rest of their lives.” He smiled. “Then again, maybe they will. Because the minute they’re out of custody, their lives are over. Unless you pay me.”
    â€œWhy are you doing this? Why did you choose me as your target? Did you ever care about me at all?”
    â€œYou were struggling middle-class when I met you. Of course I cared about you or I wouldn’t have bothered with you. But the money started to run out. I had to make alternate plans. The only reason you’re still alive is because I care about you. I could have killed you and kept your money, all of it. A million dollars isn’t much to ask when you have far more than that, and your life, because I allowed you to keep both.”
    She squeezed her hands together. “And my father? Why did you kill him?”
    He frowned. “Lower your voice.”
    â€œTell me, please,” she whispered. “I need to know.”
    He glanced back toward Hamilton and seemed to consider. “If I, hypothetically, were involved in your father’s death, it would have been because I knew you would come into millions when he died.” His face twisted into a snarl. “But you were suspicious, even back then. You couldn’t leave well enough alone, and you confronted me with your damned suspicions. Because of you I had to run.” He rolled his shoulder. “I should pay you back for that little nick you gave me. Hurts like hell in the winter.”
    She gritted her teeth. “I’d shoot you again if given the chance. And this time I wouldn’t aim for your shoulder. If you didn’t want to kill me, and that’s why you left after I confronted you, then why fake your death?”
    â€œI didn’t want you to convince your cop brother to go on a hunt for me. I knew you’d tell him your suspicions if I stayed. I have an aversion to prison my dear. Been there, done that. I’m not going back again, no matter what.”
    â€œYou’ve been in prison?”
    His nostrils flared. “Well, I didn’t exactly mean to tell you that, but yes.”
    â€œWhy are you back now? You faked your death. Now you’re faking your injury. Why announce to the world that you’re not really dead? Especially if you’re concerned my brother would go after you to prove you killed my father.”
    He shrugged. “Simple. My money ran out. You forced me to leave New York before I was ready. I tried to look you up several months ago and tracked you, along with your lover , to Jacksonville. Later I followed you to Savannah, where you bought your very nice house. Then you were accommodating enough to go back to New York, leaving that luxurious house empty for me. I decided to give you another chance. Instead of killing you, I moved in.”
    He tapped the arm of his chair. “I must say, I was thoroughly enjoying my . . . pleasures here, when you decided to come back, and ruined everything. So it’s only logical that I get my money from you. You want to live here in Savannah—fine. I’ll go somewhere else, but I will not be a pauper again. I left you sitting pretty with my own money, not to mention what you got from your father. I think you should be grateful that I’m only asking for my portion of the money. I could demand all of your money.”
    She frowned. “What do you mean, you had to leave New York before you were ready? Have you done this before? Ruined someone’s life the way you ruined mine?”
    He scrunched his mouth together and glared at her.