The driver’s door slammed, the car started moving again and I tried to think of a way out. I could hear Butchy muttering to himself angrily but couldn’t make out the words over the road noise as he drove. It was night and the windows of the SUV were tinted as dark as possible so there was no way I could signal any passing drivers without alerting Butchy.
My eyes burned as I desperately scanned the back of the SUV for something to aid in my escape, but the vehicle’s all-black interior wasn’t helping. It also didn’t help that the Escalade was showroom fresh, therefore devoid of any loose items lying around that might be useful.
Butchy’s muttering increased in volume and intensity and I flinched as he slammed his hand down on the steering wheel. Fortunately, Butchy didn’t appear to notice my involuntary movement as he raged on in the darkness of the SUV’s cab. Whatever he and Graham had been arguing about had clearly got him worked up, which meant he wasn’t paying attention to me.
“This is my plan! I put all of this together!” Butchy shouted angrily.
A streetlight beamed through the window, catching the corner of a box hidden underneath the driver’s seat. It could’ve easily been missed if I hadn’t been laying at the exact angle I was, as it, like everything else in the Escalade, was black. I waited until Butchy’s next outburst and reached underneath his seat as carefully as possible. My hand was barely able to reach it from where I was, but it felt like some sort of cardboard box. I pulled my hand back before Butchy could see me and waited for my next opportunity. I didn’t have to wait long as Butchy’s phone rang through the Escalade’s hand’s-free system.
“What is it now?” Butchy answered in a sharp tone.
“Don’t be that way,” Graham responded.
“Unless you’ve called to apologize, I’m not interested—”
“I’m sorry,” Graham replied.
“I don’t believe you,” Butchy said, and I made my move. I stretched out my arm, extending my reach as far as possible without being detected. I was just barely able to grasp the end of the long, heavy box with my fingertips, and once I did, slowly pull it towards me.
“I’m not going to grovel, Butchy. I’ve said I’m sorry and you can choose to believe that I’m sincere or not.”
Peeking down at the floor, I could now see it was a decorative wine box, adorned with the Cadillac logo. No doubt a gift from the dealership, that was shoved under the seat, not to be seen again. Until now. Not that it would do me much good now. What was I going to do with it? Get Butchy drunk and make a break for it? Maybe I could hit him on the head with it. Knocking people out in the movies always looked so easy, but the lack of swinging room and my feet being bound made it feel like a risky move to try. However, right now it was the only plan I had.
“I’m doing all of this for you,” Butchy said. “Months of planning, and you’re being ungrateful.”
“Don’t act like this isn’t everything you’ve ever wanted.”
What in the hell were these two talking about?
As my head was clearing, my panic was increasing. As a certified control freak, this was my worst possible nightmare. I was at the mercy of two insane men. Men with a plan. A plan that involved me, yet I knew nothing about.
“But I’m doing it now and in this way for you.”
“All I’m saying is this isn’t all about me,” Graham said. “You’re getting what you want out of this as well. That’s the point of this whole thing.”
“Fine. Apology accepted,” Butchy said.
“I’ll meet you at our spot as soon as I’m done here.Don’t start without me.”
“I know.”
“I mean it, Butchy. Don’t lay a hand on her until I get there.”
A chill ran up my spine and I fought back the urge to cry.
“The drugs should wear off right around the time we reach the cabin. If she wakes up any sooner, I’ll hit her with another shot. So far, there hasn’t been a peep from Sleeping Beauty,” Butchy said, casually glancing back at me.
“She’ll be peeping soon enough...is your car clean?” Graham asked abruptly.
“You see. It’s those kinds of questions that make my blood boil. I’m the head of a private security company. Do you honestly think I wouldn’t have already disabled my own car’s GPS and emergency services?”
“I know you’re the best at what you do. I just get worried sometimes because this one is more than just a job to you. This one is personal, and when things get personal...mistakes can happen.”
I laid perfectly still, my eyes shut, my heart pounding so loud I could barely hear what Butchy said next.
“I’ve waited for this for a long time and I want this to last as long as possible. I’m going to make sure Harmony Morgan experiences every possible emotion and sensation a human being can feel, all by my hand.”
“And once you’re done with her?” Graham asked.
