“He’s not dead.” Jaxon’s announcement stops them both in their tracks, and Julia scoffs.
“Of course he is! I killed him myself.”
“We only found one body, and that was identified as his father. If what you say is true, and you killed them both in here, where did Dragos’ body go?”
She’s shaking her head in denial, though at this point I’m not sure whether it’s due to her actual belief or a tactic for survival. With the fury radiating off of Peter, she’d better pray she convinces him she didn’t fuck up.
“No, I shot them both! They must have been in here.”
Jaxon shrugs, playing it cool. “You may have shot them, but that doesn't mean you killed them. Dragos could still be alive. If you had the chance to disappear, wouldn’t you take it?”
The sound of the gun shot is deafening. I watch in shock as a bullet hole blooms in the middle of Julia’s forehead. In what feels like slow motion, my aunt’s body tumbles to the ground, a small pool of blood gathering around her head.
“Useless fucking bitch.” Peter snarls, then roots around in her pockets for her phone, shoving it in his before turning on us. “Well, if that’s the case, I have no use for you. Looks like we’re going back to ransoming you, Harlow.” I know the next bullet is going between my lover’s eyes if I don't do something. My mind races, trying to figure out my angle, then I remember something that they had talked about in the basement with Raquel. Fuck, I hope Jaxon has as much faith in me as I did in him.
“Wait, wait!” I shout, ignoring Jaxon’s protests when I step in front of him. “I think I know where it is, what you’re looking for. It’s upstairs in the panic room safe.”
The fury leaves his eyes, replaced with surprise. “There’s a panic room?”
“Ah yeah, it’s off of the secret sex room.”
“Do you know the codes?” He’s laser focused on me now that he knows I might have what he wants.
“I do, but I want a cut.” He blinks at me in surprise, and I bring a sultry smile to my face and lower my voice so it’s husky and sexy.
“Look, let’s be real now that it’s just you and me. I can’t stand these pretty boys. They were just my ticket to what I really wanted. If I can get a cut of whatever it is that you’re selling those books for, I won’t have to keep spreading my legs for these assholes.” I inwardly cross my fingers in the hope that I’m speaking his language. Men like Peter only see women as a commodity or a drain. Appealing to his inner misogynist may be enough to keep Jaxon and me alive for a little longer.
“I mean, I was hoping to get knocked up by this one so that my baby would be the new heir to the Bucataru fortune, but his bitch sister is still in the way. If I help you with this, and you help me with that, I’ll split my stuff with you, too.” I play my final card, hoping that it will seal the deal and keep us both alive.
I can see the wheels turning in Peter’s head while I hold my breath. All of this is so fucked up. I cannot believe how messed up these people are. I swear if we get out of this alive, I’m going to make sure Chuck and Melinda know how grateful I am for them and their love. I shudder when I think of how easily I could have ended up like Raquel and Cecelia.
“I like how you think, Harlow. You’ve got a bit of your mom in you after all. She liked to spread her legs for cash too.” He chuckles, and I cringe as I remember this guy was one of my mom’s clients.
But then his smile drops. “But what do you have any need for him for? You’ve got access to all of Brad’s fortune.”
My mind races as I try to come up with a reason. “Yeah, but I have to split it eight ways, probably nine now that my fucking father has adopted another child. That much money doesn't go as far when that needs to happen. If my mother had been honest with him, there would be no splitting it. She fucked it up for me, made me suffer, and now I want what I’m due. If I can produce an heir to this fortune with no other family around, it, and by defaultme, will be the sole beneficiary. “ I feel ill speaking those kinds of words out loud, but I can see that they really resonate with the vile man in front of me.
He considers my words carefully, and finally he nods. “Fine, but don’t even think of double crossing me. You now know what happens to people who fuck things up for me.” His eyes slide to the rapidly cooling body of my aunt, her blood pooling around her head. He waves his gun at the two of us. “Let’s get moving. We’re going to go upstairs and find that black book. If you give me the book, I’ll support you in your bid to get pregnant with the heir. Then we’ll kill off Jaxon, and Jacinta can have a mysterious accident.”
I bite my lip with worry as I turn to walk out of the vault, pleading with my eyes for Jaxon to go along with this.
“But, Harlow…” I turn and look back at Peter. “As soon as I have that book, youaregoing to fuck. I will watch, and I’m not letting you out of my sight until I have you confirmed knocked up and Jaxon is dead. Don’t fuck me over because I won’t hesitate to kill you.” He waves his gun at me, then points it at Jaxon who is still slightly behind me. “Then him, and then I’ll kill the rest of your family. Actually, I might do it the other way so I can make you watch.”
I want to vomit, but I swallow it down and saunter out of the vault. Or try to. Turning, I hold my hands out. “Untie me, and I’ll call down the elevator.”
He narrows his eyes with suspicion but leans forward and does as I’ve asked—one handed since he keeps the gun on Jaxon the whole time. I could try to fight him, but he wouldn't need to be accurate to actually hit Jax, so I bide my time.
I hurry to the elevator and put in the code, bringing it down to us. The sooner I can get him the black book, the better. There was also a gun in that safe, so I’m hoping he’s distracted enough that I can get my hands on it and use it.
The elevator arrives, and the three of us step onto it, moving upward once I put in the code.
“So, Jaxon, how does it feel to be betrayed by yet another woman? First Raquel and now Harlow. You’ve really got to start questioning your taste in women. Maybe you should be like your fag brothers.”
My fists clench at my side when he mentions Oli and Holden in such a derogatory way. I can’t wait to get my hands on that gun.
Jaxon is quiet, but Peter doesn’t like that. He pistol whips him across the face, and I can’t stop the cry that leaves my mouth.
“Fuck, why did you do that? He’s already messed up enough. How do you expect me to fuck him if you damage him?”
