Her eyes widen, and she stutters, “I, uh, I’m not sure. I wasn’t here last night. I can call the facility manager to discuss this with you further, if you would like.”
My chest heaves. I know it isn’t her fault. It’s no one’s fault but Benny’s. He made this choice, and they can’t legally keep him here against his will. I shake my head, unable to say anything without starting to cry. I stumble back outside and call Benny’s cell. It goes straight to voicemail.
Frustration and a new wave of heartbreak weigh heavily as I drive back to my apartment. I’m not religious, but I say a quick prayer that I find him there, hopefully in a better state than I found him in the last time.
As I climb the stairs to my apartment, my phone vibrates again. I yank it from my back pocket.
Nate. Again.
I’m disappointed that it isn’t Benny, but I can’t deny the flare of cautious reassurance that maybe not all hope is lost with Nate since he’s trying again to get a hold of me. Unfortunately, I can’t talk to him right now. The second I hear his voice, I might just break down, and I don’t have time for a breakdown. I send him to voicemail again. Maybe I can call him back later.
Unlocking my door, I step into my apartment. A yelp rips from my chest when I lock eyes with a man sitting on my couch. Before I can turn and run out, my nerves going haywire, I’m yanked farther inside, and the door swings closed behind me. An arm wraps around my shoulders, and I’m pulled back onto a firm wall of a chest. The faint smells of cigarette smoke and body odor fill my nostrils.
The man on the couch smirks. “Olive.”
The way he says my name makes my skin crawl. I’m shocked by how steady my voice is when I ask, “Who are you?”
He stands. He’s tall, well over six feet and wide. He’s not as defined and muscular as Nate, but he’s not a small man. I swallow hard and struggle against the hold on my shoulder, only to be pulled tighter into whoever’s holding me.
“It doesn’t really matter my name. But I’m an acquaintance of your brother.”
A shaky breath huffs out of me. “Where’s my brother?”
Another smirk. “I think the more important question is...” He circles the coffee table. “Where’s the rest of my boss’s money? He would even take the missing drugs. No questions asked.”
I don’t believe that for one second, but I plead, “I’mdoing the best I can to get him the money. I didn’t know what my brother was up to until Marcus contacted me. I don’t know anything about the drugs. But I’m trying. I swear.”
The man stops in front of me, staring down into my eyes, and I have to suppress a shiver at the darkness there. “I sure hope so. Until then…we’re keeping your brother safe.”
Bile threatens to rise as I try to swallow down the nausea. “Please don’t hurt him.”
A low hum rattles in his chest as he runs a fingertip down my cheek. My body trembles in fear. “I love it when a woman begs.” His hand drops, and his voice hardens. “No promises.”
I start to struggle harder against the hold on me. The man in front of me steps back a little, watching me with amusement lining his features.
“Will you fucking stop?” A gruff voice vibrates against my back.
The fear and fury form an explosive mixture to rocket through me. I can only assume that’s to blame for what my body instinctively does next. As I struggle against the man holding me tight, I whip my head back. The loud crack as the back of my head connects with what I can only assume is the man’s nose has me gritting my teeth. Pain makes me forget about any other feeling momentarily as I squint against the explosion happening in my skull.
“You fucking bitch!” he howls as he spins me around.
I barely have time to take in his face when he backhands me hard across the cheek. My body slams into the floor as my hand goes to the stinging sensation, heart now pounding in my throat. Tears form in my eyes as I try to catch my breath from the pain rocketing from my abused face.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see his boots take a steptoward me before the sound of someone slapping a hand to his chest hits my ringing ears.
“No, leave her alone. You fucking idiot.”
“I think she broke my nose!”
“You’re fine. Go outside and wait for me.”
My stomach twists. I don’t want the man who hit me to stay, but I’m also terrified to be alone with the one who was on my couch.
I stay where I’m curled up on the floor when I hear my door shut. Footsteps approach until the first man squats down in front of me. I flinch when he raises his hand and reaches toward me.
“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” Smoothing my hair back, he gently lifts my hand from my cheek. I watch him take in my face, and he frowns. “Get the money, and no one has to get hurt.”
Anger roils in my gut, and I mumble, “Too fucking late.”
