AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I miss home. I miss the garage. I miss . . . I miss Mason.
God, I hope he’s okay.
I hope he doesn’t forget about me. I hope he finds someone to settle down with. Has babies because I know he’d make the cutest ones. I hope they all have his eyes.
A tear falls down my cheek, but I hastily wipe it away because I’ll be damned if this asshole sees me cry. I suck in a deep breath, willing my emotions to dissipate and focus on placing one foot in front of the other, even if it means marching toward my own death.
“Through the doors.”
Two double metal doors sit at the end of the hall and with a sinking feeling in my gut, I push through them, stepping into what is definitely an exuberant, destructed church. There are holes in the ceiling showcasing the sunlight outside. The walls are peeling from being painted a long time ago and there are piles of dust and dead plants growing through the concrete under our feet.
“Well, well, well . . .”
My spine stiffens at the voice that greets me from the other end of the room.
Cortez.
“There youare,” he beams, holding out his arms as if I’m the prized pig at the local fair. My escort shoves me to my knees on the hard concrete and I wince, but crumple to the ground under his weight. “Let me tell you, Ms. Gaines, you are one tough cookie to kidnap. You killed my mole.”
I shrug. “He deserved it.”
Cortez chuckles, shaking his head. “He probably did. I mean, who rats on the man that’s like their brother? That’s low, even for me.”
“Can’t imagine many things are lower than you.”
He only smiles. “I like you. I can see why Carpenter was so adamant about keeping you.”
“What do you want?”
“Well, it’s not a matter of what I want, but what the people want.” The escort kneels behind me, wrapping an arm around my neck to hold me still while the other bands my arms behind my back. Cortez watches on, cocking his head with that same arrogant smile.
“I’m not heartless. I got you a present.” He looks to the back of the room. “Bring out contestant number two!” he yells like a gameshow host.
A scream echoes throughout the room, followed by the movement of footsteps on the concrete.
“Get your hands off me you lousy son of a bitch!”
Oh, great . . .
My mother.
“I always hated presents. Especially when they’re wrapped in sinister lies.”
“Well, I don’t think you’ll be getting any more after today, so you better start showing some appreciation now. I know we will.”
My mother is shoved to her knees beside me, her expensive Alexander McQueen pantsuit stained with blood splatter and scuffed.
If she was close enough, I’d bite her.
“This wasn’t the deal,” she spits, completely disregarding me.
“We made a new deal.”
“You think I didn’t plan for your treason?” Mom’s face grows red with rage out of the corner of my eye. Can’t really move my head when it’s in a headlock. “You don’t think the entire country isn’t going to come looking for me?”
“Funnily enough,” Cortez chimes. “I don’t actually give a fuck. If they do manage to find you, it’ll be in pieces scattered from here to the equator. Same with your daughter.”
“Do it, then,” she challenges and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Shoot her. Let me go and I’ll make you a very wealthy man, Cortez.”
