“Where is it, Alyssa?”
“In my file cabinet in my office. I labeled itCase 220907,” I said through gritted teeth.
Gregory stood in front of us while his henchman probably tore apart my office to get that disgusting flash drive. It was all I had. I didn’t have a chance to make a copy. Everything happened so fast after that night.
“Play it on your laptop. Make sure it’s the one,” he barked into the phone.
Gracie sat in the corner of the bed in a ball, not daring to look at Gregory. I felt her small shoulders tremble when he entered the room. I hated that she was so terrified. This was not the life I’d wanted for my daughter or myself. I thought about those years when she was a baby, living with my parents, the love and adoration she was always shown by them. I thought of Meredith and how worried sick she must be, not just for Gracie but for me too.
Luke was probably back home, and he’d likely been in touch with her.
I, on the other hand, glared at Gregory, wishing he’d fall over dead. I thought of using the Glock on him, but I had no idea how many guards were out there. The last thing I wanted was to endanger my daughter’s life anymore.
Carmen rushed into the room, and I couldn’t warn her in time. “Tonight,” she whispered, only to be met with a blow to the side of the face. She let out a cry of anguish, falling before me. Gregory was merciless as he kicked her until she moaned on the floor.
“Stop it!” I shouted, rushing over to Carmen.
“Stand back, Alyssa. It’s best you take care of your own.” I left Carmen and ran to where Gracie was still huddled in the corner. She hadn’t said a word. I stood in front of her knowing I would do anything to protect her from him.
“What do we have here?” he turned his attention to Carmen, turning her over.
He grinned up at me. “You managed to turn her against me, have you?”
“She did nothing. I wanted to do this on my own.” Carmen’s face was already reddening, and I knew it would swell in a matter of minutes.
“Am I a fool, Carmen?” he asked as he slapped her hard across her face, the sound causing an echo in the room. “Do I look like a fool to you?” He gripped her shirt, shouting into her face.
I backed up to the bed and reached under the pillow for my Glock. I was not about to let him hurt the only person who was willing to help us out of this hellhole.
I aimed the gun.
“Let her go, or I’ll shoot.” He didn’t look remotely surprised. “I didn’t know you had that on you, but I do know you would have used it already if you had the guts to. Put the gun down, Alyssa.”
He underestimated me, and that was the thing about Malcolm too. He thought he had me all figured out. That I’d remain quiet while he led a double life. Gracie shook with fear and turned away. I aimed at his chest and fired, missing him by inches as he moved to the left. He instantly lurched forward, grabbing the gun from my hand. He aimed it at me, and I felt my blood run cold.
Was this it?
Was this how my life ended?
He pointed it toward Gracie, and I moved in front of her. “You will not touch her, Gregory.”
“Very well.” His focus turned on Carmen as she cowered away. He gave her a pitying glance and shot.
“You should have known your place.” A shot echoed through the room. Gracie covered her ears and screamed.
“I am going to teach you and everyone else what happens when you mess with my plans.”
He rushed out and closed the door behind him. I ran over and pounded on it.
“Let us go, Gregory!”
I sat on the bed, my head in my hands as I wept for the woman lying bleeding on the floor and for my teenage daughter, who had to witness this kind of brutality at such a young age.
He’d shot Carmen in the head, and she lay bleeding out on the floor. She never once brought Marley’s name into it. I could only pray Marley was safe out there.
Gracie pulled a blanket off the bed and covered Carmen, then she walked over and wrapped an arm around me. “This isn’t your fault, Mom.” She hadn’t spoken since that man walked into this room and here she was offering me comfort.
I held onto her tightly, reminding myself why I was surviving.
