“She’s too stubborn, and scaring her isn’t going to be enough. I guarantee she’s not going to cooperate until they send the de?—”
“We’re out of money.” His father snapped, and my eyes blew wide with understanding. “And it’s not going to take them very long to figure out the rest of that damn payment is never coming.”
“I’ve done my part.” Tag shouted. “In fact, I’ve done everything you asked me to and more, for nearly a decade now!”
I jolted when Tag’s father grabbed him by the neck and slammed his face down onto the desk suddenly. “I will not be blackmailed by this organization any longer.” He growled, twisting Tag’s arm behind him as he continued. “I’ve lost everything I own, so you can waste time toying with your little mail-order bride.” Taggart grunted as his father released him. “I will give you one more chance to get that information,by any means necessary. If you can’t manage that, then I don’t see the need for either of you. Useless, just like your brother.”
I had to get the hell out of here.Now.Before I couldn’t.
My muscles were locked with fear, but I must have shifted, because the floor creaked mercilessly—both their eyes snapped up, and I launched myself down the wide hallway like my life depended on it, because horrifyinglyit did.
I suddenly wished I hadn’t let myself get so out of shape, but weak as I was, adrenaline kicked in and took over. My panic propelled me down one hallway after another, and hope filled me, realizing this might actually work.
Except as I came flying down a set of stairs, a bulky armed guard appeared at the bottom, aiming a gun at me, and he didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
I went down with a scream, and footsteps thundered down the stairs behind me. “I tried to warn you, Sarafina, this could have gone so differently, and now, you’ve given me no other choice.”
CHAPTER 54
The Three Stooges
CARTER
The smell of something musty was in my nose as I blinked to consciousness and pushed up to sit. I stared down at the stained cot, and then out the metal bars, into the concrete prison cell I was in. Everything came rushing back in a flood of horror as I registered the trail of crusted blood dried down my chest, the bullet wounds festering in my shoulder—I’d been stripped down to my underwear—bulletproof vest, clothes, the love of my life,all gone.
My eyes shuttered as the sound of her helpless cries filled my memories—the image of her so small and defenseless while Taggart threatened her at gunpoint—as he struck her soft precious body and then dragged her away unconscious, promising to do things that terrified me.
I had to get out of here, had to find her. There wasn’t a second to waste. Every minute she was with him—no, I couldn’t let my mind wander. My sweet, sweet girl, she was strong and clever, and she would fight to stay alive—I had to believe that.
Pain barked through my bruised and beaten body as I stumbled barefoot to the prison bars, feet stinging against the cold concrete floor while panic threatened to take me out at the knees—but that was a luxury I couldn’tafford.
I frantically and systematically started checking every seam of my prison cell, every nook and cranny, wondering how long I’d even been out. Hours? Days?
A buzzer rang as a heavy metal lock snapped open—the woman Richard had called Seven sauntered into the room, and I swallowed hard, realizing she was in different clothes.Not good.She carried a plastic lunch tray, looking mildly disgusted as she slid it through the food slot.
“Where is she?” I croaked, finding my throat dry, the taste of metal still coating my tongue.
“I wouldn’t touch the food if I were you, but I’d drink the water.” She nodded at the cup. “It’ll help with the headache—flush the sedatives out of your system.”
“Where?” I demanded hoarsely, hanging on the bars. “Is she?”
“Drink the water and then we’ll talk.” Seven droned, and I reluctantly stared into the clear liquid, wondering if it was poisoned. She raised a brow as I studied the thin plastic cup, wondering how far I could get with a shiv and no shoes.
Seven paced lazily across the long room while I took the first tentative sip—I knocked back the entire cup a moment later, realizing I was parched.Days.I’d been out for days.No.
“Your father took something that belongs to us. Bring it back and we’ll discuss Sarafina’s contract.”
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, knowing I had no other choice but to play these stupid, nonsensical games with them. “What is it?”
“Sensitive information.” She fussed over her nails.
“How very cryptic of you.” I countered, flexing the plastic cup in my palm, testing its give.
“Bring the information tome, and my employer will consider releasing Sarafina.” She shrugged. “Simple really.”
I narrowed my eyes. “The Director?” I cracked the cup.
“My employer.” She corrected, eyes dropping to my hands.Interesting.
