“I… I…”
“Give me the phone now!”
By some miracle, I manage to stick my hand in my coat and retrieve the phone. I see Cole’s name across the screen. My thumb moves to slide to answer, but Brett snatches it away before I can open the line.
“Figures,” Brett mutters and tosses the phone away.
I watch it land with a crack on the cement. It’s no longer ringing.
“I’m not going to say it again, Willow. Get in the car.”
“You know my name,” I reply.
“I know a lot about you, you little bitch, now move.” He aims the gun at my head for good measure.
I have no choice but to do as I’m told, yet I’m not ready to go down without a fight either. I take a deep breath and nod at Jamie. “What about my friend?”
“He’ll live. I just conked him on the head.”
“You have to call 911 and?—”
“Did I stutter?”
This is the end of the line.
Cautious with every step and every movement, I walk over to the black SUV and attempt to get in the passenger seat.
“Oh, no, you’re driving,” Brett says. “Key’s in the ignition.”
I give him a startledlook. “What?”
“Get in the driver’s seat.”
Brett rides shotgun, weapon pointing at me.
“Seat belt,” he says, and I calmly obey.
Strapped in, I look at him and ask, “Why are you doing this?”
“Hands on the wheel,” he says, then shifts the gear into Drive. “Now, move.”
“Where are we going?”
“Just follow my lead, and you’ll be fine. I’m having you drive because that way I know you won’t do anything stupid to escape,” he replies. “Follow my instructions, and I won’t hurt you.”
“Hurt me,” I notice the repetition, “not kill me, right?”
Brett groans softly, clearly displeased with the situation. My interest is further piqued as to the reason he’s holding me at gunpoint like this.
“Just drive,” he says.
“No, I deserve to know that much. Are you going to kill me?”
“I’m not the one who’s going to kill you. I’m supposed to take you in alive. Now fucking drive, Willow.”
Oh God.
I don’t know where we’re going or what’s going to happen next. I can’t scream or signal anyone for help. All Brett has to do is hit me or shoot me in order to subdue me or worse, and I can’t risk it, not while I’m pregnant. My only choice is to play along until I find a way out.
