Chapter 128

The clearing was dotted with a few makeshift tents, and a handful of guys stood around outside, looking restless.

"What took you so long? We're starving over here."

"Oh please, you try hauling all that water and see how fast you walk."

"Whatever, just hand over the food already."

The guys crowded in, tearing into the packets of instant noodles and snacks.

"Did you bring beer?"

"Yeah right. You think this is a barbecue? Be grateful we even have bottled water."

A short, chubby man dug through the bags. "That brat wouldn't stop whining about wanting roast goose leg. Did you get it?"

"We got it, alright."

"He's so spoiled. Seriously, making us buy roast goose leg just for him.”

"He's our ticket out of here. Let him eat what he wants. Once his dad wires over those two billion, we're set for life."

The chubby man grinned, pulled out a box with the goose leg and a bottle of water, and ducked into one of the tents.

"Mr. Heath, your roast goose is here. Come eat."

Inside the tent, Cody hugged a teddy bear, looking small and scared. "Didn't you say we were going to find Aunt Shannon? When are we going to find her?"

The man handed him the boxed food. "Right after you eat up, okay?"

Cody pouted, his face scrunched up with frustration. "You're lying. You're all lying! I want to go home. Take me home right now!"

"Heh. As soon as your daddy pays up, we'll send you home. If not, well, this might be your last stop."

At just over three years old, Cody didn't really understand what was happening.

Yesterday afternoon, he'd hopped out of the car to buy a balloon. He was sure he'd seen Aunt Shannon waving at him from the park, holding his favorite toy and motioning for a game of hide and seek He loved playing that game with her. Usually, the bodyguards and housekeepers would search all over for him.

But this time, the game was taking too long. Why weren't they coming to find him?

"Eat up," the man said.

Cody's stomach grumbled, so he opened the box and took a bite of the then spit out in disgust "Yuck, this gross. It's all stinky."

se leg. He chewed once net

is

He flung the box to the ground, refusing to eat another bite. The roast goose at home was always crispy and delicious, the meat soft and juicy. This tasted awful.

"Hey! You little brat! Do you know how hard it was to get you that goose leg? And you just throw it away? You're really asking for it!"

"If you hit me, I'll tell my daddy to fire

you! Marian, Ava, where are you?

want to go home, I want to go home"

Cody walled, calling out for

His nanny and the maids who always took care of him.

Tears streaming down his face, Cody made a break for the tent entrance.

The chubby man lunged and snatched him up. "Where do you think you're going, huh?"

"Let me go! Let me go!" Cody sobbed, kicking and struggling.

Hidden behind the trees, Lucie and Elio watched, stunned.

"That's Cody. Why is he here?" Lucie whispered, barely breathing.

"Shh, keep it down. Those guys are definitely kidnappers," Elio whispered back.

A chill ran down Lucie's spine, icy and sharp. Steven had called her to say Cody was missing.

She'd thought he was just making it up.