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“What the hell.” I groaned, putting down my pile of sheets and pulling my phone out. “Hello?”
A familiar smoker’s laugh echoed through the line and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. “Well hey there, D, where the hell ya been?”
“Taz.” I put my hand flat on the counter in front of me as my head swam with fear.
“Hmm,” He groaned, “My voice on your lips sounds so good, baby.”
“What do you want?” I hissed, standing up right as I tried to figure out how to call Fox in the same moment as I was speaking to Taz.
“I want what you took from me.” He sneered back and I felt the anger in his voice through the phone.
“I didn’t do anything to you. I already told you, the fight with the Eagles wasn’t my fault. But you sealed your own death certificate when you attacked me at Cherry’s. What the fuck did you expect to happen?”
“You stole my life, I’m on the run like a fucking coward.” He hissed and I swallowed, “You’re going to make it right.”
“How?” I snapped, “I don’t owe you anything, Taz. And you know what? I’m not even going to entertain this conversation for another second.”
“Oh, see that’d be a mistake, D.” He crooned, “Because if you don’t give me what I want, I’m going to take it out of this sweet little angel that looks like her daddy and has your firecracker sass.”
My blood ran cold, and I froze solid. “What are you talking about?”
“I wonder what kind of noises Penelope will make when she feels my knife.”
“Don’t you dare.” I whispered as blinding fury raced up my spine.
“You’re not really in a great place to make demands, D.” He said and then there was a rustling on the other end of the phone before silence.
“Mama?” Penelope’s terrified voice carried through the line and my knees gave out. “Mama, are you there?”
“I’m here,” I sobbed, covering my mouth as I sank to the floor. “I’m right here baby.”
“Mama, I’m scared.”
Tears poured from my eyes as nausea burned in my throat, “Don’t be scared, P. Mama’s right here. I promise you, you’re safe.” More rustling and then I heard a hiss and Maddie cry out, “Maddie?” I yelled, “Maddie, talk to me, what’s happening?” I pressed my phone so close to my ear trying to make out the noises on the other end.
“Don’t touch her!” My Aunt Suzie screamed, and Penelope cried as Maddie hissed again.
“Taz!” I screamed, “Taz! Don’t touch them! Taz!”
I couldn’t breathe as panic overtook me, dragging me under into darkness.
His sick laughter filled the phone again as I panted, “God, that sister of yours is a spitfire.” He laughed again and I cried harder. “You with me, D?” He asked when I was silently sobbing on my end, “Should I turn my interest to Penelope to get your attention?”
“What do you want?” I whispered as cold numbness filled my heart.
“I want money. Something I’m told your lover boy has plenty of. You’re going to get it for me without letting him know what’s going on.”
“How am I supposed to get it to you?” I hissed, “I don’t have it.”
“You’re going to use your fucking brain, D.” He snapped as his anger surfaced again, “You’re going to leave the hospital and go to Fox’s house. There’s a safe in his office. You’re going to clear it out and bring it to me on the ranch. Then I’ll let your sweet baby sister, your daughter, and the old bitch go.”
“I can’t-.” I whispered, “I don’t know the code.” I didn’t even know there was a safe in the house, until he told me. How was I supposed to get it open and get to Kansas without Fox knowing.
“You’re going to figure it out, D. Or I’m going to rip open your sister and let your daughter watch before I start taking chunks out of her young skin. You have thirty minutes before I check back in, and when I do, you’d better have my fucking money and be on your way. Or I’m going to start carving.”
“Please, Taz,” I begged. The door to the linen closet opened and I whipped my head around as Oliver walked in with a concerned look on his face. I turned back around, “Please don’t do this.”
“Twenty-nine minutes, D.” He ignored me, “And if you tell your fucking boyfriend, I’m going to take my time with both of them. I’m going to start with my dick first, and then I’ll break out my knife.” He laughed again as Maddie screamed at him in anger in the background. “Tick tock, baby.” Without further delay, the line went dead.
