Page 130 of Contentious

Carson put his phone on a table inside the front door and gestured for Cresley to do the same.

She felt like she was watching a TV show or something. This couldn’t be happening in real life. How had he found them and gotten into the house without being detected with the LAPD and FBI looking for him and Carson’s guys all over the place?

“Don’t try anything, or I swear to God, your precious kid will be the first to die.”

“We’re not trying anything,” Carson said. “We’re doing what you want us to do.”

They walked outside with Marlon following them.

Cresley saw Ty’s eyes go wide when he realized what was happening.

“You drive,” Marlon said to Carson.

Carson was in no condition to drive for hours. He could barely sit up.

He shook his head to discourage her from saying anything.

“Get in the back,” Marlon said to her. “And keep the brat quiet.”

“He’s not a brat, but you wouldn’t know that because you’re a terrible father.”

“Shut up before I shut you up forever.”

“Cresley, get in the car,” Carson said, his voice even but his eyes harder than she’d ever seen them.

Cresley trusted him with her life and Ty’s, and even though he was still recovering from grievous injuries, she had faith that he’d help get them through this.

She got in the car and reached for Ty’s hand.

His eyes were wild as his father turned to him, making sure the child saw the gun. “Behave or else.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because your mother is a selfish bitch. That’s why.”

“No, she isn’t.”

“Ty,” Cresley said, shaking her head.

“Get us out of here without being detected,” Marlon told Carson. “And be quick about it.”

“How are we supposed to get into Mexico without passports?” Carson asked.

“Get me close to the border. I’ll take it from there.”

* * *

Carson glanced in the mirror and caught Cresley’s gaze, hoping to offer some comfort. What he saw looking back at him was abject terror. How could Marlon talk so nonchalantly about killing his own child?

He wished he had the strength to push Marlon out of the moving car, but he wouldn’t dare risk failing to complete the job. His gun was locked in the glove box. If he could get Marlon out of the car, he might have a chance of getting to the weapon, but that was a very big if at this point.

His body ached fiercely from sitting upright for so long, as well as the tension gripping every muscle. He would get Cresley and Ty out of this alive if it was the last thing he ever did. Before long, someone would be looking for them. Their phones would be going right to voicemail. Julian had planned to stop by later. He’d call their grandfather, who tracked all their locations as a hobby.

Julian would sound an alert when he couldn’t find them.

Anthony would be curious about how Marlon’s capture had gone down and would realize right away that something was wrong when he didn’t find mention of it online.

Those thoughts gave Carson a measure of comfort.