Chapter 17
Lily
“Go on. Hold on to her arm, you know you want to.”
A tear streamed down my face as I looked between the wooden arm of the chair where I was tied to Alec’s pale face. He’d lost so much blood already. I couldn’t stop my heart from breaking at seeing the torture he was going through before me. I wanted nothing more than to comfort him with words, but with my mouth gagged with cloth, all I could do was plead with my eyes for forgiveness. If he wouldn’t have become involved with me, if he wouldn’t have been nice to me, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.
“Go ahead, scar her up a bit more. She doesn’t mind, do you Lily?”
“Uh-uh,” I tried to say. My head shook impatiently as I looked at Alec. Really, I didn’t care. If he could use me to ease his suffering, I’d take whatever damage was caused. It would help the guilt I knew would follow.
“You have to stop this, Jonathon. You have to—”
A scream echoed through the room and blood rushed out at the slice across Alec’s upper chest. I jerked against the rope restraining me, screaming. Not from fear, more a silent threat. Alec didn’t deserve this.
“You’re going to tell me what to do? After you turned your back on your family,” he exploded. “You’re a Brighton, Alec. This cunt ruined everything. She killed our father and brother, and you try to date her? To fuck her!” His eyes widened as he looked down at Alec’s wound. It drove his hand up again, causing Alec’s forearm to shoot off the table he was bound to. Only a few inches gave way before the hemp caught and his body jerked.
“Let her go. Lily didn’t do anything wrong. She’s paid for what she’s done.”
“Two months in a mental health facility for murder? That’s a slap in the face and you know it.”
Jonathon’s eyes lifted to mine. It was like I was staring at Jordan all over again. Only…a younger version. They almost looked like twins. From their same perfect, thin noses, to their full lips. Even Jonathon’s hair was cut short like Jordan’s had been.
“You took what was rightfully ours. Brighton Corp should have been left to us! We should have been taken care of, but were we? No,” he said between clenched teeth. “Your brother bought out what my father worked his whole life building. All for what? To sell it off piece by fucking piece?”
Jonathon’s large frame flew around the table and I moved back and forth against the chair, wishing I could run. I’d never been afraid to hold my own, but not being able to protect myself was the worst. Another beating was coming and there was nothing I could do about it.
“Do you know what you’ve done?” he roared. Pressure tightened around my throat as his fingers grasped onto my neck tightly. “You ruined our lives! You turned my mother into an alcoholic whore who’s looking to marry herself off to anyone who will take care of her. My sister, her reputation is destroyed because of what you exposed. No one wants to date the daughter of a criminal.”
A gargling sound came from deep within as I fought for air. Darkness edged in while I tried my best to thrash.
“You’re going to die before this is over with, Lily. Both you, and my traitor brother. And you know what?” he asked, forcing my stare to meet his. “There’s nothing you can do about it. If you think you’ll be saved, you’re wrong. No one will find you here. And they’ll never know it was me. As for Alec, there’s a chance the suspicion might lead back to him due to his disappearance. That’ll depend on my big surprise, of course. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
The grip on my face loosened just in time for him to remove it and follow through with a hard slap to my cheek. The force sent my head spinning to the side. Blinding pain left me trying to curl into myself, no matter how hard I fought it. I’d been here before. Saul used to beat me every chance he got.
“Oh, how much fun it is watching you suffer. Now, grab her fucking arm,” he yelled at Alec, turning away from me. With a quick movement, he reached toward his brother’s fighting body, only to pull his hand toward mine. “Leave it here or else I’ll cut it off.”
My wrist tried to rotate and we somehow managed to clasp to each other’s fingers. A sound was muffled through my gag as Jonathan walked around and picked the knife back up. His gaze stayed fixed on my and Alec’s connection. In one swift downward motion, he buried the blade in what looked to be his brother’s shoulder. An agonizing cry had my chest wracking with heavy sobs. Not just from seeing Alec suffer, but because of the crushing grip he had on my fingers. The combination left my walls crumbling.
“I said to grab her fucking arm, not to hold her hand. God dammit. Does she mean so much that even now, facing death, you’d try to comfort her? Let go.” The last word was barely audible through his anger. The pure malice from what he was seeing between us was evident on his face. The hate he held left me pushing more into my chair, but for the life of me, I couldn’t rip my hand from Alec’s. He’d have to be the one to let go. I wasn’t turning my back on him as he went through this pain. It was all because of me. I should have never gone on that date with him.
“I said!” His arms lifted over his head while he clutched the handle of the knife.” Let go!” The blade disappeared in Alec’s chest and I wasn’t sure who screamed louder. Me, or Alec. Nothing registered as I fought against the ropes. The pressure on my hand was so tight, I couldn’t feel my fingers anymore. The throbbing ache that was in tune with my pulse was the only reminder that they even existed anymore.
“Nnnnnn.” My protest was blocked by the fabric, but it was still loud. Jonathan paused, the side of his mouth pulling up just seconds before he brought the weapon down again, in what looked to be dead center of his brother’s chest. Bile burned my throat and I gagged, lowering my head so I could try to breathe. The pressure from Alec’s grip loosened from mine and a gush of warmth surged to my fingertip where the circulation rushed in. Panicked, my fingers fumbled to hold his hand again. To try to elicit any response I could. Alec was facing away now. I wasn’t sure when he’d turned his head. I’d been so fixated on Jonathan, I hadn’t even noticed.
The knife remained in Alec’s chest as his brother stepped away and grabbed a cloth, wiping the blood from his hands. Not once did he say anything to me as he continued to stare. Evil radiated between us and I could feel myself shaking almost violently in my chair. The door slamming had both of our heads turning toward the front. All of my fear extinguished as my stare connected with the one person who started it all.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Jonathon walked over, grabbing Bethany by the bicep and dragging her to the wall while she fought to break his hold. Blonde hair swayed around her shoulders as she tried to look around him at me.
“I told you I wanted to watch.”
“Stupid, stupid, fucking bitch,” he said, slamming her even more into the wooden surface. “When I give you an order, you follow it. How do I know you weren’t followed?”
The tall blonde jerked from his grasp, slapping him. “I don’t think you know who you’re talking to. Don’t ever insult me like that.” She started toward me, revenge written in her glare, when he grabbed her hair, pushing her back against the wall. The kiss he gave her was far from sweet. She fought against it only to submit halfway. My eyes widened as she pulled at his shirt, whispering in his ear.
Jonathan’s head pulled back and he turned to look at me. What looked to be amusement had him smiling before he turned back to her. “Bedroom, huh? You want me?” he asked, pushing her legs apart with his knee. “Hmm? Say it, you fucking slut. This turns you on?” He kissed her again. “Say you want my cock.” His hand gripped tighter in her hair and he pulled her head back so he could nip at her neck.
“Please,” she moaned. “Let’s go to the back before we start this.”
“Your husband? Where does he think you are?” He pulled harder.
“I kicked him out the night the detective left the house. He’s gone for good this time.”
Jonathan’s fingers eased under her short white dress and I tore my gaze from them while I squeezed Alec’s hand.
Nothing
. I didn’t want to let go, but I couldn’t continue this. I needed to try to escape. Days had gone by without any luck on getting free while they waited for Alec to take vacation. My time was running out, and fast.
Movement had my eyes darting up. Jonathan pushed his hands deeper between her legs while she moaned. It made me sick. If I could get out of these ropes, I’d grab that knife and slice them to pieces. As it was, my hand could barely move. Deep within, I knew I was in a losing battle. If they left me as I was, my life was as good as gone.
“Fuck me,” she breathed out, pulling at his shoulders. “I know you want to. It’s been so long.”
One minute, they were all over each other, the next, Bethany was being thrown across the room, as if she were nothing. A grunt left her as she landed half on the sofa, half on the floor.
“Don’t presume to know what I want. Fucking whore. I can’t believe you’re even here.” He walked over, grabbing the knife out of his brother’s chest. My stomach flipped and I breathed through the nausea.
“I ended things with my husband for you.” She struggled to stand on her four inch heels as she began to stalk forward. “And you’re going to treat me like this? I’m a Hagen,” she screamed, advancing.
Jonathon laughed. “You’re still a whore. And I never asked you to leave your husband. Why would I? It’s not like I’d marry you.”
Bethany slowed, her eyes going from narrow to wide and enraged in a mere second. Harder, I tugged at the ropes. Shit was about to get bad really fast. I could feel it.
“Is that all you see me as? Someone to screw while you plotted murder? What the fuck were those
I love yous
you whispered in my ear? You…” her head shook. “You led me on! You…”
“Got you right where I wanted you,” he said, laughing quietly. “Did you really think I didn’t expect you to come, pumpkin? Why would I give you the address of where I was staying if I didn’t? Sure, I made you beg for it, but don’t I make you beg for everything?”
I grew still at his words, feeling my heart start to race.
“Think about it, Bethy. Let everything sink in. Why would I pretend not to want you here when all along, I really did?”
The determination on her face melted and her eyebrows drew in. She looked over to me, then back to him.
“Oh, come on. It’s not that hard.”
“This is one of your sick games. You wouldn’t dare,” she breathed out.
He glanced down at Alec and then turned back to her. “No? He was my brother and I think he’s pretty much dead. You…you’re no one, baby. Trash. A has-been who only wishes she was what she used to be in her prime. And let’s face it, buttercup, we both know you’re not even close to the Bethany Hagen you used to be. Lack of money has left you a little…aged.”
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A yell tore from her throat as she rushed toward him. I could have cursed her stupidity had I not hated her so much. She never stood a chance.
“There we go,” he said, wrapping his bicep around her neck and tightening his grip. Bethany’s face turned red as she fought against him. ‘Time to go to sleep for a while. When you awake, the real games will begin.”
Chapter 18
Zain
“No, use the code with forty-one-eight-thirty-two at the end.” My finger pointed to Brace’s monitor, though I already knew he was on to what I was talking about.
“I’ve never heard of that code, what will it do?”
Brace’s question had Slade’s head turning in our direction. He put the coffee cup down and stood, walking over. My mouth wanted to purse at his sudden interest, but I tried to pretend it didn’t affect me. Shit. Not good.
“Hey…” His head lowered closer to us. “What the hell? That’s Mary’s phone number. Those are my phone records. What are you two doing?”
Brace’s jaw tightened as he looked over at me.
“I need Blake’s number,” I rushed in, grabbing Slade’s phone from the counter. “And now I have it. Thank you, Brace.”
The guard’s eyes widened. “I swear, I didn’t know what he was having me do, Boss.” Brace turned back to me. “What was that code again?”
“I’ll tell you in a minute.” I punched in the number as Slade cursed.
“I could have told you the damn number if you would have asked. You didn’t have to break into my personal records to get it.”
My head shook as I entered the last digit. “Wrong. What you have isn’t his real number. I mean, it is, but not his true one. You call that number and it won’t cause his phone to ring if he has it rejecting calls or on silent. It’s like…a spare, tied into his device. With
this
number and the ones I’ll add to the end, it’ll ring no matter what. He could have it off and it’ll turn on and force my call through. That’s the bad thing about these Smart phones. They’re very easy to manipulate, if you know what you’re doing.” I looked up at Brace. “Go back into that main system and get into your tracking software. Then enter seventeen-one-one-four-nine-two. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I said, standing and turning to the side for privacy.
Ring.
Ring.
“How the hell did you get this number?” I turned in time to see the screen turn into a map. It zoomed in and continued to do so until we were watching a moving dot. Slade waved his hand and I put it on speakerphone.
“Hello, Blake. This is Zain. Tell me what you have on Lily.”
A large exhale rushed over the phone. “Zain. I should have guessed. I knew you weren’t to be trusted.”
I did purse my lips then. “Wrong. I’m one of the few people you can trust. Now, tell me about Lily.”
Silence.
I looked down at the map, brushing Brace’s hand aside as I punched in numbers to get his exact address.
“You’re just outside of Portland, Oregon. What the fuck are you doing up there?”
“You’re tracking me?”
The threat was there, but so was the surprise.
“You’re not the only tracker, Blake. Now, I’m not going to ask you again. Please.”
The one word that would have been like acid in my mouth concerning another man came easily. He was searching for Lily. That made him more than okay in my book.
“The cabin she was at before was empty, minus three dead bodies. I was under the impression from the recording that she only killed two. That means whoever took her killed off the man attacking her at the end of the tape. Unless it was the other way around, which wouldn’t be very good in Lily’s case.”
I processed the information, letting it sink in. The anger swirled and I clenched my fist to stay in control. “So, one of them has her alone. Fuck,” I said, beginning to pace. “What else have you learned? Do you have any suspects? Theories?”
A sigh came over the speaker. “I don’t usually give a play by play on my investigations, Zain. I like to have evidence before I start saying anything.”
My jaw tightened as reality carried in his tone. “You know nothing more on Lily’s location and we both know it. At least, not yet. Instead of wasting time getting further away, come back and let all of us lay out your evidence and work together. We might have better luck that way.”
“I like that idea,” Slade said, interrupting.
Blake made an aggravated sound. “I work alone, dammit.”
“Not all the time,” I rushed in. “I know who you are. I mean, I’ve heard of you before. Everyone in the trafficking world has, Blake. You’re a killer. And not in the sense of having to protect yourself. You enjoy killing. Look for reasons to do it, even. You’re a serial killer, but you hide it well by what you do.”
“You’re walking on
very, very
thin ice, Mr. Cook.”
“Collins,” I corrected. “Zain Cook has been dead since he was a child. Listen, you have to come back. We’ll go over the evidence and…I’ll give you what you need. Help me kill my father and his men. They have a deal going down with a transaction of slaves either tonight or tomorrow. I’ve heard two different accounts of how they’ll meet. My father probably regrets me hearing that now, but it’s worth a try. And we have to act fast if we want to be ready. They know I killed two of my uncles and they had every intention of getting rid of me. I want to take them out first. Before those girls end up gone for good. I have locations of other traffickers, Mr. Morgan. I can feed your deepest cravings for months to come. I’m a wealth of information. You help me and I will supply you with more names that you’ll know what to do with. But after that,” I looked over to Slade, “after we kill them tonight, you’re taking me with you to find Lily.”
The line disconnected and I closed my eyes, gripping the phone hard. He had to take me with him. I couldn’t just sit here and wait for any information she might feed us. Lily belonged to me. I needed to be there to find and protect her. Not to mention, make whoever did this pay for what they’ve done.
“If he doesn’t have any leads, he’ll come back.” Slade walked over, pouring himself another Scotch.
Brace was still watching the map when I moved in to sit down.
“Yep, he’s turning around. Guess your deal was too good to pass up. Don’t you think your information would be better with someone like Gaige? The FBI might be able to bring the girls home.”
The thought was dismissed almost instantly. “No. The FBI won’t save them before the word gets out. They’ll move those girls so fast, they’ll never be found again. Blake is the only one who can save them. Besides, those bastards deserve what’s coming to them.”
“I’m with you.” Slade handed me a glass. “How are those pills working? You still hurting?”
My first instinct was to play the tough guy, but I shook my head. “I’m a lot better now, thank you. The pain is—”
Ring.
I glanced down, my eyes narrowing at the blocked call. “Does Blake’s number show up when he calls?”
Slade slammed his glass on the counter. “We’re not chancing it. Brace.”
“One second, boss.”
The guard’s fingers pressed keys quickly and he nodded.
Ring
I swallowed hard and hit the button for speakerphone. “Hello?” Slade and I spoke at the same time and he twisted his mouth to me.
“Hello?” he repeated.
“Twenty million, wired into my account or she dies.”
The woman’s voice sounded monotone, but…shaky.
“Who is this?” Slade snapped. “Where’s my sister?”
“Lily is fine,” she said, annoyed. “Are you going to send me the money or not?”
Slade and I stared at each other and I motioned with my hand to keep going. As I turned, Brace’s fingers were still working.
He’s not picking up a location. Fuck!
I shoved the phone toward Slade and spun around, nearly knocking Brace out of the way. When it came to searching people out, I knew what I was doing. It was my life. My father wasn’t only in the human trafficking business, he dealt in drugs and illegal weapons, too. People owed him more money than most could imagine. I was the one who searched them out and collected when they neglected to pay.
“Let me talk to Lily. I want to hear that she’s okay before I agree to pay you anything.”
Shuffling sounded and heavy panting broke through. I hit the last button just as I turned to face the phone.
“Slade?” A sob tore into my heart.
“Lily,” I yelled. “Baby, we’re going to get you back. I promise.”
“Zain?” Another sob broke through and a scream immediately followed. I could hear the struggle of them trying to get her quiet again.
“Lily!”
“I’ll be sending you the information on where to send the money.” A sniffle. “You have two days.”
The line went dead and I spun around to look at the computer.
“Amateurs,” I said, shaking my head. “Let’s get ready. We’re leaving.”
“Wait, wait…” Slade was already next to the screen. “That can’t be right,” he breathed out.
My head shook. “Why not? It says right there that they’re in Washington. See,” I said, pointing to the exact address. “Let’s go.”
“It can’t be right,” he exploded. “That’s
my
fucking address and I know for a fact they’re not at my estate. I would have been called if anyone even entered my road. It’s private and almost impossible to get down. I fly in and out to the grounds directly because I keep it that way for a reason. I can say, almost for certain, no one flew in there. Something isn’t right.” He turned to Brace. “Get the exact coordinates of the estate and how close this location is to the actual house.”
“Already on it, Boss.”
“Slade tapped his finger against his thigh as he paced. “Play that recording back, too. I want to hear it again.”
As it began, I closed my eyes, forcing myself to listen to every single sound I could hear.
“Twenty million, wired into my account or she dies.”
The woman’s voice sounded devoid of emotion, but I could still detect shakiness. Was it because she was nervous?
“Who is this?”
Slade rushed in. “Where’s my sister?”
“Lily is fine.”
The annoyance was clear. She didn’t like Lily. Her instant distaste was laced deep in each word.
“Are you going to send me the money or not?”
As it played on, nothing about the woman changed that I could hear. She seemed very detached. My mind kept getting sucked in to every sound Lily was making. I strained to memorize each breath. Every sound I thought might be her.
“I’ll be sending you the information on where to send the money.” A sniffle. “You have two days.”
Shattering glass had me spinning around. Mary was standing there paler than I had ever seen her. Slade was already rushing over.
“Hey, talk to me, baby, you okay?” His hand cupped her face as she clung to the front of his suit jacket. “Mary, honey, talk to me. Is it the baby?” I could see her legs giving out. If it weren’t for Slade’s arm wrapped around her lower back, I had no doubt she’d be on the floor. “Mary,” he growled. “Talk to me.”
“Play it again,” she whispered. “Play back the tape.”
Slade’s head tilted as he peered down at her. Before he turned, Brace was already on it.
“Twenty million, wired into my account or she dies.”
Mary’s hand lifted to her mouth. The voice continued while tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I’ll be sending you the information on where to send the money.” A sniffle. “You have two days.”
“Bethany, I’m positive,” she said, breaking down even more. “Oh God, Slade, she’s going to kill her. I know my sister. She’s going to kill Lily.
He held her tighter to the side of his body as he walked her over to the sofa. “I had a feeling it was her.”
“You have to call Gaige,” she pleaded. “You have to report this right now. Lily is in serious danger. No more waiting.”
Slade turned and looked at me, but brought his attention back to her. “I’ll take care of it. You trust me, yes?”
“Of course.”
He nodded, walking over and taking his phone from me. I could see the battle that played on his face. I wasn’t sure what he was planning to do, but I knew the police getting involved wasn’t going to be good for the revenge I had planned. For the life of me, I couldn’t see letting them handle it turning out well. I could find her first. I could save her.
“Boss, the coordinates match up with your estate. Unless they’re inside, I’m pretty sure this is fake.”
“Routed,” I repeated the word, walking over. “Let me see what I can do.” I hadn’t once been outsmarted on tracking a person. It wasn’t about to start now.