The kidnapped family
25: 25.
The kidnapped family Theo’s POV
I came here to talk to Ivy about the meeting but also to spend some time with her.
I keep thinking that we can work through her doubts and find our way back together.
My faith in that is strong.
Now, it’s all wavering.
I feel glued in place.
I knew there was a boyfriend somewhere but now to see him in the flesh is too much.
How can Ivy love another?
Kiss another?
I want to leave but I can’t.
I feel like I need to do something, but what?
I hear a noise outside and it knocks me out of my thoughts.
I look and, to my surprise, a boy comes rushing into the room.
“Mummy, we saw fish and a turtle and heron at the lake!” the boy says diving into Ivy’s lap.
“That’s quite exciting,” Ivy says.
“Sounds like a good trip.”
Who is this?
I can’t keep my eyes off of the boy.
There’s something abut him.
I look at Ivy and I can see she’s upset.
She didn’t want me to see this child, that’s clear.
Why?
“You have a son?” I ask, not able to stop myself.
First a fiancé and then a son?
“Yes. I have a son,Theodore,” she says.
“Noah, this is the Alpha of Silver Claw Pack. Go and greet him.”
The boy comes to me and reaches out his hand, a solemn look on his face.
I shake it.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sir,” the boy says.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Noah,” I say.
He’s so polite and cute.
Thomas stands and takes Noah’s hand.
The boy lets go of his hand and rushes out the door ahead of him full of endless energy.
They leave and I watch the small boy go.
“You never told me you have a child, Ivy,” I say when they’re gone.
“That’s a very important thing for me to know.”
“Why? There are many things you don’t know about my life, things you don’t need to know. I’ve been away for five years. Do you think I was locked in a wardrobe for all of that time? I have a life, a life separate from yours.”
“But a child, Ivy?” I can’t believe she’s taking such a lackadaisical attitude about it.
I ask the question I fear.
“Is he mine?”
Ivy jumps to her feet.
“Your arrogance shows no bounds! No! He;s not yours. He’s four years old. How on earth could he be yours? He’s Thomas’ son, if you must know — even though it is none of your business!”
Thomas’ son?
Can it be?
Why would I feel so attracted to the child?
Or is it just that he’s Ivy’s and Ivy is my fated mate?
I’m finding it hard to sort out my thoughts, to understand what all of this means.
“I think it’s time you leave, Theodore. I’ll see you tomorrow at 2pm,” Ivy says sternly.
I walk out to my car still confused by everything that I just saw.
Everything between Ivy and Thomas is more serious than I ever imagined it was.
They’re engaged and they have a son together.
Maybe it is as Ivy says —we are done.
***
Kingsley, the detective, arrives for our meeting that afternoon.
I’ve asked him to find out who was behind Ivy’s kidnapping.
“Have a seat, Kingsley. What have you found out?”
“We know who took her. The 29s. Do you know about them?” he asks.
“They’re an extortionist gang, right? They get money from businesses, for protection,” I say.
“Yes, that’s it. They kidnapped the princess. They were the ones you saw at the dock. The ones who took her out to sea and dumped her.”
Are they even known for kidnapping?”
“Rarely. They have taken kids, girlfriends, sometime wives of business people who are reluctant to pay their protection fee. But only for leverage. The business person agrees to pay the fee and the kidnapped family member is returned. They never kill the person.”
“Everything about this is highly uncharacteristic of the way they operate,” he adds.
“Maybe you’re wrong. Maybe it was someone else,” I suggest.
“Nope. I have photo evidence as well as eyewitnesses. It was them. But you’re right, it makes no sense.”
“So what’s your theory?” I ask.
“What could force the 29s to get involved in this?”
“Honestly I’m confused. The other thing, they asked for no ransom money. The 29s are all about the cash. My guys on the ground think that the 29s would only get involved in such a high profile kidnapping if they were forced to.”
“Forced to by whom?” Would the Luna, Tiffany, have enough power to get a massive criminal syndicate to kidnap Ivy?
“For me it’s clear it was not a normal sort of kidnapping,” Kingsley says.“The point of the 29s taking Ivy was not to make money or to force someone’s hand. They were meant to kill her. If you hadn’t been there they would have been successful.”
“So the question to ask is— who wants Ivy dead?” Kingsley asks.
“I think we need to answer that question quickly because that person is still out there. If they were willing and able to get the 29s to do the job, you can rest assured that the person or people involved are powerful and extremely dangerous.”
Could Tiffany be that person?
I don’t think so.
She’s not that powerful.
But who else wants Ivy dead?
I think of that beautiful sweet little boy losing his mother.
It should never happen.
“We need to find out who the people are who hired the 29s. You tell me everything you need to do that. I have all of the resources that you require. Just find the person!”
“I’m on it, Boss.”
Kingsley leaves and I think about how easily the ending of this could have been fishing Ivy’s lifeless body out of the sea.
It could still happen.
I won’t allow it!
Never!