My phone is in my suit jacket, hanging on the back of my chair. Why didn’t I have my phone on me?
“How long ago?” I ask as I reach my car.
“An hour, maybe more. He went into the bathroom with a woman. They were pretty hot and heavy when they went in, but he must’ve slipped out at some point. She was passed out in astall when I went in to check. Apparently, there’s someone after him for a gambling debt. So, I don’t know if he was ducking me or them. Or both. I’m so sorry. I should’ve gone in sooner. I didn’t want to tip him off.”
It doesn’t matter. Getting to her is the only thing that does.
“Meet me at her house. I’m on my way now.”
“Will do. I’m fifteen minutes out though.”
That’s ten more than me. And all of it seems like too long. Anthony is in the passenger seat as he calls Ivy’s phone again. No answer.
“Pick up,” I yell.
“Ivy will be okay.” Anthony dials her again. “She’s resourceful and strong. Ivy will be okay.”
She has to be. If she’s gone, I’m gone. “Chad won’t hurt her. He wants money.” I tell myself to ease the sheer terror crawling up my spine.
Anthony continues trying to reach her. “Don’t underestimate his desperation.”
“I won’t.” But I’m not sure I can keep from gutting the motherfucker when I get to him. Will she forgive me if it comes to that?
Once we’re in her driveway, I bail from the car before it’s completely in park. The front door is locked as I punch in the new code.
I whisper to Anthony, “Stay here and wait on Troy.” Pierce is around here somewhere. But I don’t want to stop long enough to search for him. I need to find her.
While I carefully make my way through the house, I hear a muffled sob before she shrieks, “Luca, stop. He has a gun.”
The sound of him slapping her prevents me from doing anything except getting closer to her. I stop when I see him standing next to her, the pistol aimed directly at her.
His grin grows as he says, “Told you he’d come for you. But will he pay up?” He moves the barrel under her chin. “How much is she worth? Give me a dollar amount and maybe we can reach an agreement on her well-being.”
“He’s lying,” she states firmly. “He’s going to kill you whether you give him the money or not.”
“Stupid bitch. Shut your mouth.” He slams the butt of the gun against her jaw.
“Fuck you,” Ivy grunts out before she spits blood in his face then screams, “Run, Luca. Get out of here.”
“No. You fall, I fall. Remember?”
Chad laughs. “That cunt must really be great to be worth all this.”
I surge forward as he aims the gun at me. “Don’t get stupid, boy. Pussy is replaceable. Your beating heart, not so much.”
“You’re demented,” Ivy shrieks.
When Chad raises his hand, I step forward. “Don’t hit her again or you won’t get a fucking cent.”
His shoulders bounce as he laughs. “I don’t get it, but whatever. Just give me my money, and I’ll let the two of you live. After all, I’ll need more money eventually.”
“You won’t get anything,” Ivy quips.
“How about when I turn your boyfriend in for that hit-and-run?” Chad threatens.
“Be my guest,” I inform him that the little leverage he thought he had is gone. “They’ll have my full confession on record in the morning. Some of us don’t run from our debts, and I hear you owe a large amount to some dangerous people.”
Ivy snickers. “Good. I hope they bury your sorry ass.”
