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“Shania! What the hell is going on?” I snapped, turning to face her even as I put space between me and the guy.
“This is Duke. He’s my new beau. And sorry, Dana, what Duke said was true. See, I’ve got a problem, and you’re going to help me out. I’m not facing community service. I’m going to do jail time and at least ten years. There’s no way I could survive in prison. Can you imagine those horrendous uniforms?”
“Shania, whatever plan you have, it won’t work,” I warned. I eyed the door, but Duke was blocking it.
“Oh, it will. Duke and I plan to escape to a country without extradition. But to do that, we need money. Lots of it. You ain’t the only one who can do research, sis. I know Ezra’s sister is filthy rich, and he has plenty put away as well. And then there’s Dylan. He’s super loaded, too. I thought, why not take advantage?
“I saw how they swarmed to protect you, so you’re going to be a guest for a few days. Just enough to worry them, and then, once we get the cash, we’ll leave you somewhere for them to find. While Duke and I head off to the life we deserve,” Shania explained.
Disbelief must have been written all over my face because I certainly felt it.
“Are you seriously saying you intend to hold me prisoner while you extort money from Ezra and Dylan?”
“Yup. Now, if you play nicely, it won’t hurt much. Just be a good girl, and it will soon be over. Trust me, you don’t want to upset Duke,” Shania said.
“Fuck Duke, and fuck you!” I exploded.
Shania was beyond belief. There was no doubt that Dylan and Ezra would come for me. But they wouldn’t be bringing a ransom. No, they’d come with all guns firing.
“That’s enough!” Duke growled out.
“Really? You do know who you’re messing with? Dylan and Ezra won’t bow to any blackmail or ransom demand. They’ll come for me and kill you. Rage doesn’t take prisoners, Shania; you know their reputation. Feel free to mess with the boys, including Dylan. But when they’re making sure you disappear, regrets will be too late. Now I’m leaving, and I suggest you do the same. I won’t tell anyone until tonight about your stupid plan. I’ll give you and Duke here time to run,” I snarled and moved towards the door.
Duke’s fist snapped out and hit me on the cheek before I even saw him raise it.
A cry left my lips, and I held a hand to my face. My shoulder screamed at the jolt I’d been given.
Shania stared, uninterested.
“Dana, you had a chance to be a good girl, and I hoped you wouldn’t play ball. In fact, I knew you wouldn’t. This, I’m going to enjoy,” Shania said.
Duke lashed out again, not holding back, and knocked me to the floor. The blow had dazed me, and then a kick to my stomach made me scream. Punches rained down, and I curled into a ball like Dylan had often told me to if I was attacked. I hooked a hand behind my neck and buried my face between my elbows. It didn’t stop Duke in the slightest. He kicked my wounded shoulder so many times, I vomited from the pain.
He launched punches and kicks like he was a pro kick boxer.
Finally, a blow to the head made black spots appear, and the cries and screams I’d uttered faded.
Duke bent down and grabbed my hair, dragging my battered body up. He sneered into my face and then literally threw me across the room.
My head hit the wall hard, and I sank willingly into the approaching darkness. Despite my efforts, Duke continued to punch me, landing blows now on my unprotected face and body.
???
“I didn’t say to kill her,” Shania whined from somewhere. The darkness was hard to fight as it kept swirling around me.
“Bitch is breathing, ain’t she?” Duke replied.
“Hawthorne’s will want proof of life!” Shania snapped.
“So put a sheet of paper over her mouth, and when it flutters, they’ll get it. State she is in now, they’ll move quick to get the ten million,” Duke answered, not bothered.
Ten million? For me? They’d never get that money, but Shania and Duke would soon pay for their crime. Dylan and Ezra would come for me like they had Marissa. I just had to hold on.
Ezra
He was beginning to get worried. Dana should have been back three hours ago, and not wanting to be clingy after he’d held off calling her. But now Ezra was pacing as he dialled Dana’s number. Phoe and Marsha had run to Windfells, but Dana wasn’t there. Ezra had sent the prospects out to search for her, but there was no news. His head snapped up as Dana’s phone was finally answered.
“Baby, where the hell are you, and why have you been ignoring my calls?” Ezra demanded as Drake and Ace closed in. Fish stood at his side.
