The Billionaire's Marriage Proposal (Billionaire Bachelors #4)(42)
Jennifer looked right through him, the terror overwhelming her. She couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to kidnap Molly. There was no need, Jennifer was a nobody, with nothing to give. She couldn’t even put the pieces together that she was married to a very powerful man and there’d be people who’d want to attack her because of that. Her brain finally shut down and she sunk into blackness as her body refused to face reality anymore.
Trenton swore as he caught Jennifer in his arms. He couldn’t believe he’d been so stupid as to not have assigned security to both her and Molly. He knew with his amount of money there were always people who resented him and would take from him if they got the opportunity. He had a wife and child to think about and couldn’t believe he’d allowed Molly to possibly be harmed.
He lifted Jennifer into his arms, carrying her to his car and drove quickly back to the house and carried her inside. She was starting to stir again as he laid her down on the couch and immediately placed a rag on her forehead.
“Molly,” she said hopefully, hoping for a moment it was nothing more than a bad dream.
“We’ll hear soon,” he told her and felt physical pain as he saw the terror enter her eyes again. He wished he would’ve been able to tell her everything was okay. He wished he could make it all go away and have the two most important females in his life be safe.
The officer was right, because they barely got the phone system set up when a call came in. Jennifer sat on the couch, shivering, caving in on herself, with silent tears streaming down her cheeks. Trenton wanted to fall apart himself. He was so scared something would happen to Molly, but he knew one of them had to stay strong and keep their head. He also knew Jennifer loved Molly more than her own life and was dealing with her terror by withdrawing. It was the only way she could survive the ordeal.
“Just answer the phone, stay calm, ask as many questions as you can without angering the kidnapper, and give them whatever they want. Her life is worth more than any amount of money,” the agent told him seconds before he picked up the phone.
“I understand,” Trenton told him and then picked up the phone with a slight tremor to his own hand. He couldn’t mess up the phone call. He’d do whatever it took to get her back. He picked up the phone and spoke a curt hello into the piece.
“Trenton Anderson?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“I have Molly with me and for now she’s safe, but if you don’t do exactly what I say, then you’ll be the one responsible for her death. Do I make myself clear?” the caller asked.
“I understand,” Trenton said, having to control his rage. He heard the front door open and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of his father, siblings and cousins. His entire family had arrived to support him and Jennifer.
He watched his cousins’ spouses immediately go over to the couch and surround Jennifer, pulling her into their arms and letting her cry on their shoulders. The women sat there crying together, while his family circled him, showing a wall of support that nearly brought him to his knees.
“I’m glad you’re not a stupid man. I want two million dollars in unmarked bills, non-consecutive numbers,” the man started. He gave dropping instructions, and a timeline for delivery. “If you do as I ask, you’ll be with Molly by the end of the evening, if not then you’ll be attending her funeral,” the man sneered. Trenton wanted to rip the man limb from limb and was amazed he was able to keep his voice calm.
Trenton hung up the phone and felt his father’s hand on his shoulder. He was amazed at the comfort he felt from the simple gesture. He hung his head and took a few deep breaths, trying to control his rage. He explained everything to his family. He looked over at Jennifer, who had her eyes on him, seeming more alert, but still filled with terror.
He walked over to the couch, needing to hold Jennifer in his arms. He didn’t say a word, just sat down next to her and pulled her onto his lap. She laid her head on his shoulder and he ran his hands through her hair, both of them comforting each other.
“Please bring her back,” she finally whispered, making his heart ache with the trust she placed upon him.
“I will,” he promised and vowed to himself it would be one promise he’d make sure to follow through on, no matter what it took.
His father secured the money and then he was soon leaving the house, praying when he walked back in those doors it would be with Molly. He was terrified, not for himself but that he’d fail. He could care less about the money, it meant nothing to him. He only wanted Molly home. When she was, he and Jennifer needed to sit down together, because if he’d learned anything about the experience, it was Jennifer and Molly were his family now and he couldn’t live without them, not even one more day.
He followed the instructions the kidnapper set and soon was waiting in the designated spot, holding a bag filled with two million dollars. A child approached him and handed him a note saying to hand the bag over and walk down to the coffee shop a block away. He did as the note said and quickly made his way to the shop.
He walked in the doors and there at a back table was Molly, sitting by herself, drinking a glass of hot chocolate. He rushed to the table and pulled her into his arms.
“Uncle Trenton, you’re late,” she said as she took another sip from her cup.
“I’m sorry,” he told her, while taking his phone out and calling the agent, letting them know he had Molly and they could go after the kidnapper. He didn’t even care what happened at that point. He just wanted to get Molly home, back into Jennifer’s arms.