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The man in the doorway glares at me and shakes his head. I wonder why the old man lied, why he insists I did something when we both know he did it. Is it because he has to keep his men in line? His men who very much want to go against him and kill me. Perhaps.
“You never answered my question,” I tell the old man. I stare at him, not averting my gaze for a moment.
“And which question was that?” He knows exactly what it was, but he’s fucking with me right now.
“How long do you plan on keeping me here?” I speak slowly, enunciating every word.
The old man loses his patience and comes charging at me. He grabs me by the dirty shirt I’ve been in since I’ve been captive and rears his fist back, clocking me directly in the face. A stinging sensation floods over the bridge of my nose and out either side, then I notice blood. Motherfucker.
“I will keep you here however long I want! I don’t know why you think you’re able to question me, but you’re not. You are subjected to my rules and treatment. Don’t you think it’s best if you try and not piss me off for once?” The old man walks away from me and heads for the door.
“That would be hard to do, considering you hate that I’m here. I’m a traitor, remember?” I don’t hold back my anger from the old man, and he charges at me once more. But he stops and rushes out of the room when a ruckus comes from around the door.
The hallway has to be packed to the brim because it sounds like things are falling off tables or the walls. For a few minutes, the commotion continues, and the old man comes back into the room. His nostrils are flaring, and his face is beet red. Something’s obviously upset him.
Maybe this is it. Maybe this is when the cavalry has finally arrived. Then, I spot a familiar sight. My brother, Lom.
His expression is tight, and he keeps his lips in a firm line. Lom points his gun at the old man, and I know he’s about to shoot him. “No, he’s mine,” I hiss at my brother, and so he goes up to the old man and smashes the back of the gun against his face. The old man stumbles to the ground, somehow still conscious. Lom hits him again, and finally, he passes out.
Lom comes over to the bed and begins unstrapping my ankles. “How did you find me?”
My brother cackles lightly. “I’m afraid you’re not the only one with connections, brother.”
“It took you long enough to find me,” I poke fun at Lom, but there’s a sense of seriousness in my voice. If he were in my position, I wouldn’t have let him go a few days without finding him. So, why did it take so long for Lom to find me?
“You weren’t exactly easy to find. They did a good job at keeping you tucked away and out of sight, but there’s always someone who knows something. Come now. We can discuss this all later.” Lom holds an arm out, and I take it. It’s the first time I’ve stood in so long, and my legs feel like jelly. It’s harder than I want to admit to support my own body weight, but I’m trying.
As Lom walks, I’m forcing my legs to move as quickly as he is, and he’s doing a great job at keeping me upright. It has to be because of the lack of calories and water I’ve had. I know the people here have only been giving me the bare minimum to keep me alive. Nothing more.
Lom heads to the right, and there are men in suits who I know work for the family. We get to the end of the hall, and there’s a doorway. Lom pushes it open, and we walk outside. God, the sunlight feels so good against my face. I doubted if I was ever going to feel it ever again.
I stare off into the distance and see blacked-out SUVs, no doubt owned by my family. Then I spot a familiar face. One I know should be back in Atlanta—Danill.
A car comes flying up to the location, and I know it’s not one of ours. Four men exit the vehicle, and Lom wastes no time shooting them down one by one, not leaving any of them alive.
Danill approaches Lom and me. “That must be the last of them. The team’s cleared out everyone else.”
“Everyone except one. The old man in the building with the beard, bring him,” I hoarsely instruct Danill, and he nods, heading for the building to do as I’ve ordered him. I’ll find out why he’s here soon enough, but first, I need a drink and something to eat.
Lom walks me up to the closest SUV and puts me in the passenger side. I revel in the feeling of luxury, the seats are so plush, but they’re so hard as well. “We’ll be getting out of here in just a few minutes, brother. All you have to do is wait a little longer.”
“As long as you get me a cool drink and something to eat, I don’t care how long you take. Do as much as you’d like.” I wave my brother off, and he cackles, probably because of my mood. I have a lot of anger inside me, but Danill’s getting the old man, and I can deal with him when I’m at my best again. Until then, I need to get strong and get back to my life.
Fuck, I don’t even know how long it’s been. Amelia’s probably worried sick about me or thinks I abandoned her. I shake my head and then look at my brother. “How long has it been since I went missing, Lom?”
“About seven weeks. I’m sorry I couldn’t find you sooner. They did a good job, and I just got help last week when Danill showed up.”
“Danill showed up a week ago?”
“Yes, and he brought two women with him. One who’s quite taken with you, I might add.”
“Amelia.” Saying her name causes a smile to tug at my lips. God, how I’ve missed her. “I need to get back to her.”
“And you will. We have at least a ten-hour drive back home, and once we get there, we’ll get a doctor to look you over. I want to make sure you don’t get any infections from these.” Lom points to my hands where the old man had cut me.
“Well, I’m not dead yet. I’m sure infection would’ve settled in by now.”
“Still, I’m not taking any chances. I promised the woman I’d get you back safe and sound, and I plan on making sure you stay alive once I get you back to her.”
