Once past, he picked up speed. He called Simone, again. Still, no answer. In his gut, he knew something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong.
Simone’s walked into another ambush.
SIMONE
Hirzog beamed.“I love the disguise and I love the name,Dante. Very impressive. I’m ecstatic to see you. I want us to work things out.”
“Shhh, honey baby,” Dante said. “We’ll have lots of time for chatting once we take care of business.” He glanced over at Nikki, then glared at Simone. “First, those annoying officers out front are down.”
Peter stilled. “Down, as in dead?”
“Of course,” Dante replied. “Killingis my specialty,notall the blowjobs I gave you. That was Dante doing whatever it took to get the job done.” Dante bowed. “Mission accomplished.”
Dante regarded Simone and his eyes turned black with hatred. “Red, Red, Red.” He pointed his gun at her. “You just wouldn’t stop coming after me, no matter how many times I warned you. Now, you’re going to pay, which is a bummer, ‘cause I really like you. And thank you, honey, for confiding in me. That made me so happy. I get that we’re friends—well, you’re friends with Jerod—but Dante is all business, so don’t take this personally.”
Simone’s heart was pounding out of her chest, but she refused to surrender to the fear. She would fight to her death if she had to.
“You’re insane,” she snapped. “Fucking insane.”
“I’m just leading two very different lives, but I can assure you I’m sane. Very sane and very, very evil.” His satanic grin sent a shiver whipping down her spine.
“And don’t get me started on Becca,” Dante continued. “She can’t wait to move here so you two can become buds.” He made a sad face. “You don’t get to be her friend because you’ll be DEAD!”
Simone lunged for him, but Hirzog grabbed her. “You need to have a seat.” He shoved her down on the chair.
“Actually, I need our lovely Simone to do me a favor,” Dante cooed.
She wanted to spit in his face, but she needed to stay calm. Her first priority? Find her Glock or take Dante’s from him.
He pulled rope from his shoulder bag, held it out to her. “Tie up my lover.”
“What?” Hirzog bellowed. “Are you out of your mind?”
Dante pointed the gun at him, his cold eyes spewing venom. “Sit, your ass down, you old fucker.”
Hirzog dropped into the kitchen chair.
“Tie him up, sweetie.”
Hirzog put his hands behind the chair and Simone loosely tied them together, then she tapped his wrists hoping he would know. Though a risk, she still believed he was the lesser of two evils.
“Sit,” Dante instructed her. “We have to get caught up.”
Dante glanced over at Nikki still slumped on the kitchen table. “What’s her story?”
“I drugged her, like you told me,” Hirzog said.
Dammit. Jerod got to him.
“Is she dead?”
Simone stifled a gasp.
“No, she’s passed out,” Hirzog said. “What is up with you?”
“Do you know who I am?” Dante asked.
“Yes,” Hirzog replied. “You’re Jerod in disguise.”
