A/n: the promised update.
Thanks for sharing your opinions with me. Keep it up and maybe I'll reward you with some mush at the end. Or possibly even a sequel…
Sim's First Law: More reviews mean more updates.
Chapter 9: Family Ties
"Hi, I'm here to see Jonas Cale? Got a delivery for him." Max flashed her Jam Pony ID at the butler or whatever who answered the door.
"This way, miss," he grinned, eyeing her appreciatively as he led her to a stuffy study. "Package for you, sir," he said, showing her in. Logan's uncle was sitting behind a huge desk sipping a Bloody Mary. He glanced up at the interruption.
"Hi, Jonas, you probably don't remember me. I'm Max Guavera, we met at Bennet's wedding?"
"Oh, yes, that's right," he drawled. "You were there with Junior. I'd never forget a face as lovely as yours. To what do I owe this pleasure?" The butler withdrew discreetly to eavesdrop from outside.
Max dropped the banter, her voice becoming deadly serious. "I need your help. Logan's been kidnapped. This videotape was sent to his apartment this afternoon. Either you sell this stealth drone widget you've been developing to the Feds for ten mil or they kill him."
"Really? I didn't think Junior'd be a target. He's never shown any interest in joining the family business."
"You knew this might happen and you didn't warn him?" She eyed him with contempt, then sighed. "Never mind. Logan only has another… 21 hours and 36 minutes. Call your people and have them get the stuff together."
"And why would I want to do that?" Jonas leaned casually back in his overstuffed leather chair, stirring his drink with a celery stick. "I could get at least a hundred million from the Russians. More, if they get into a bidding war with the British."
"You're serious, aren't you? For the sake of money you'd let your own nephew die. I can't believe something like you is related to a nice guy like Logan."
"We've never been close. I'm sure Junior doesn't expect me to go along with the ransom. I don't see why it would bother you. You're young and pretty enough to find yourself another rich boyfriend." Max leapt across the room and seized him by the throat, trying to restrain herself from snapping his neck.
"Logan is not my boyfriend. And you are going to make the call and give up the stealth drone or I will slap you like the bitch that you are. Understand?"
"I don't think so," Jonas managed to sound smug despite his restricted airway. "I just called security." Max just lifted him out of his chair with one hand. His face turned from red to purple from lack of oxygen.
Just then the promised security team burst through the door, four heavily built men holding guns. They paused in astonishment at seeing a woman as small as Max holding their employer in the air without apparent effort. That second was just enough.
Max dropped Jonas and blurred towards the men. The first went down to a spinning kick, the second to a chop across his windpipe. Three was dropped by a foot to the groin and a punch that broke his nose. The last managed to point his gun at her but she kicked it out of his hand before he could pull the trigger. She grabbed him in a headlock and compressed his carotid artery, restricting the blood flow to his brain so he lost consciousness. Then she spoke to Jonas as if nothing had happened, hand on hip, not even out of breath.
"Please. There isn't a security team in the world that can match me when I'm this pissed. Now you make the call and I won't kill you." Max raised a finely plucked eyebrow. "Do we have a deal?"
"What are you?" He breathed, staring at her like she'd suddenly sprouted horns and a tail.
"Let's just say I'm Logan's guardian angel. Now are you going to help him or do I have to hurt you?"
"I'll do it, I'll give them what they want. Just please don't kill me."
"Good boy. Now pick up that phone and get me Logan back."
Sim's First Law: More reviews mean more updates.
Slightly longer than the last one; am I forgiven?
Let me know what you thought.