“Then you should investigate! If you took three seconds to ask what I want, I would tell you it is to go with them!” Tears roll down my cheeks, because even though I’m fucking terrified, I’m also heartbroken that my grandfather would go to such lengths to get what he wants. “This is an illegal arrest.”
“Not my problem, honey.”
I open my mouth to argue again, to tell them they’ve got it all wrong, that it’s all a misunderstanding, but instead I watch as Rowan and Asher are shoved onto their knees roughly.
“Stop!” I scream.
An officer steps behind each of them with their guns raised to the backs of their heads, and a fresh wave of terror hits me so hard I can barely breathe.
Are they going to kill the men I love in front of me?
Is this how Jeffrey forces my submission?
I never really understood when people used to tell me how corrupt law enforcement can be, but right now, with a dozen cops looking on as their colleagues hold the lives of my men in their hands, I realize they were right.
This isn’t justice. This isn’t protection of the community.
This is corruption.
“Bring me my granddaughter,” Jeffrey demands.
I try to fight when I’m pushed forward. I try to plead and beg with every single person who watches as I’m led toward my own demise with my heart in my throat and terror thrumming through my veins, but not one of them does anything to stop it.
“Walk!” the cop barks at me when I try to fight against him, my view of the guys falling away past a sea of cars.
Hot tears stream down my cheeks. I thought I knew what hopeless felt like, but I had no fucking clue.
I can’t help them. I can’t even help myself, and somehow, I know whatever awaits me on the other side of this car ride is going to be so much worse than even my own imagination can summon.
“Uncuff her,” Granddad barks the order, and the cop doesn’t hesitate to follow the command. He does, however, make a point of making it hurt, and I can’t help but flinch when he bends my wrist back painfully.
“Such a weak whore. Clearly never been fucked by a real man,” he mutters under his breath, sending a fresh wave of anxiety through me.
Jesus.
Who treats people like this?
Once my wrists are free, he shoves my purse into my shaking hands and pushes me forward once again, but this time I don’t manage to catch myself before I fall.
Concrete slices into my palms and tears straight through my leggings, causing me to yelp despite myself. I know better than to show weakness, especially around heartless men.
“Pathetic,” he spits, watching as I scramble to my feet. He turns his attention back to Grandad. “Anything else you need, sir?”
“Take care of them.” He nods in the direction of where Rowan and Asher are being held, and my stomach sinks.
He doesn’t mean kill them, does he?
Of course he does. They’re on their knees with guns to their heads,I remind myself, which only drags another violent sob from my chest.
“God, you’re a disgrace.” Granddad pushes me toward the town car.
Now that my hands are free, I could make a run for it, but what good would it do?
It would just get me shot, and that would make it even harder to escape.
No, I have to bide my time.
I’m being shoved into the car when two gunshots fill the afternoon air.
