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“Lola woke me when she didn’t find you in your room. I knew you had gone to see Charles earlier tonight. I took a chance and went to his house. I followed him here. The police are on their way,” I said, low enough that only she would hear me. I didn’t want Charles and his father getting desperate and doing something rash.
Charles’ father didn’t hesitate, though. He stepped up and put the barrel of the gun against my forehead. When he spoke, his English wasn’t quite fluent, but he got the point across.
“Get the fuck out of here,” he said.
“Afraid I can’t do that.”
“Then you die too.”
Charles reached out and put his hand on his father's arm, forcing him to lower the weapon. I breathed out a silent sigh of relief.
“Why are you doing this, Charles?”
He shook his head and looked around. He looked confused, actually. It was as if he was searching for an answer to that question himself.
“I – I don't know,” he said. “I – she said she wasn't going to see me and I just got so angry. I'm not a man who enjoys hearing the word no. When she told me she wanted to be with you and not me, I snapped.”
” “You’re psychotic, you know that?” Avery hissed.
“I really wish you hadn't come tonight, Spencer,” Charles said, a note of genuine regret in his voice. “I didn't want you to have to die too.”
“Nobody has to die tonight, Charles,” I said.
He shook his head. “No, that's not true,” he said. “As I told Avery before, I can't risk either of you going to the police.”
“We won't,” I said. “Charles, we're business partners. You know my word is my bond. If I tell you, we all walk away right now and nobody goes to the police, you know it's true. You know I don't lie.”
Charles looked like he was starting to be convinced, but then his dad spoke to him in hushed tones, and his demeanor changed once more. Charles shook his head, genuine sorrow on his face.
“I am sorry, my friend. But, my father is right,” he said. “I'm an important businessman and have many deals that would fall through if my name were even linked with a scandal such as this. I would be ruined. There's too much to risk. I'm sorry.”
“Charles –”
“Enough,” his father roared. “You both die.”
“Let him go,” Avery said, stepping out from behind me. “He's not part of this. Let him go and I'll do whatever you want me to do.”
“Avery,” I snapped. “No. You can't do that. The girls would be devastated if anything happened to you.”
She shook her head. “They can't afford to lose another parent,” she said. “I'm replaceable. You're not.”
I looked her in the eye, holding her gaze, and put every ounce of the emotion I felt for her into my words.
“You are not replaceable,” I said. “Losing you would destroy me.”
Her eyes filled with tears and when she looked at me, I could see the emotion she felt for me in her eyes as well.
“This is all very touching,” Charles said. “I'm happy that you both found each other and all. But, you're missing the point. Neither one of you will be allowed to –”
Charles never got to finish his statement because I drew my hand back and punched him flush in the face with as much force as I could muster. The crack of flesh meeting flesh echoed around the ground floor of the warehouse like a gunshot. Charles' head snapped back and he stumbled backward, falling on his ass. Blood poured from his nose and his face darkened with rage.
Stepping forward, I pressed my advantage, seeing the slow reaction and confusion on his father's face. But, when I closed on him, he brought the gun up. I grabbed hold of his wrist and the fight was on. For an older man, he was surprisingly strong.
“Avery,” I called out. “Run. Run now. Get to my car. The keys are in it.”
“I don't want to leave y –”
“Get out of here now, goddamit!” I shouted. “Run!”
