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“He is a tough one though. We couldn’t break him. I love a man with that kind of fight in him.” The man shook his head and smiled looking from me, to Maddie and then Luke. “Come on fellows, get around here so you can see that I stayed true to my word and they are unharmed.”
I watched as the club, with their hands behind their heads, gathered around behind Luke, Ronnie and Regg. It was then that I noticed about six other goons holding guns, pointed at each of them. I counted each of them, fifteen total. They were all here and other than Luke, appeared to be without a hair out of place. Regg had a black eye and some scuff marks on his face, but they looked like older wounds. He managed to hold Luke up without struggling, so he must have been okay.
“We are okay,” I said, my voice catching Luke’s attention. He held his head higher, trying to focus on me with his one good eye.
“Let ‘em go,” he said, his voice breathy and low. The fight was not gone from Luke and I knew if they didn’t get out of here, he would be killed.
“Always in such a hurry. One leaves, one stays. You choose who goes back with you,” the white haired man said, not seeming to care who it was.
“Charlie, please. I’m begging you, let them go,” Luke pleaded. It killed me to see him like this. I hated to see how bruised and battered he was, but I knew no amount of physical hurt could compare to the blow he took to his pride.
“I’m not going to hurt them, Luke. I’m going to keep one and give you one. Fifty-fifty. Actually, you are getting the better end of the deal here. You are getting Frankie, and a hostage. I’m being more than fair,” Charlie said, actually believing that what he was doing was benefiting Luke.
“Please, I can’t,” Luke said in a final attempt to bargain with him. Charlie did not feel like negotiating. He pulled a gun from his back and pointed it at me and Maddie.
“Choose now, or they both die. Your decision,” he said. Instead of screaming like I wanted to, or freaking out from the sight of a gun in my face, I looked into Luke’s shining blue eye. Begging him to make good on his promise and choose the right one. I mouthed the word ‘please’ just as Charlie spoke.
“Times up. Whose is it going to be Luke? You have three seconds. Three, two…”
“Maddie,” Luke said, his voice defeated. The guys behind him stood motionless, their faces full of sympathy, remorse and even a few tears. Luke had sealed my fate, but saved the life of my sister. I would forever be grateful, however long forever was. Charlie placed his gun at his back and gave the order to untie Maddie. Her limbs hung limply as Tiny came forward and curled her into his arms. He looked to me and I knew there was nothing he could say. There was no reason to cry now, or to scream and beg for my life. I knew what I wanted and I smiled a weak smile at Tiny with a nod of my head.
“Luke, I never go back on my word. I will tell you this, and although it won’t make it any easier for you, at least you will know. Dallas will be safe. My home will be her home and in no way will I hurt or mistreat her, other than holding her against her will. But, if you come looking for her, if you so much as cross into the state of Texas, I will kill her. I will beat her until she is within an inch of her life. I will record her final words and they will be ones that you don’t want to hear.” Luke nodded his head in understanding, his body sagging until his knees hit the ground.
“Just don’t hurt her,” He said, looking at me. “I will find a way, baby. I swear it on my life. I will find a way.”
Tears poured out of every eye in front of me. I barely noticed as they cut my hands and feet loose; my stiff muscles aching so badly I couldn’t function on my own. One of the goons carried me in his arms to another waiting SUV. I was placed in the back seat, Charlie sliding in next to me. I turned my head to look out of the back glass, into the faces of the ones that I loved. Luke’s eyes found mine and he held my gaze. In this moment, I only wanted one thing. The love of my life, the man that owned my body and soul, the one that knew more about me than anyone; this man gave me exactly what I needed. As we pulled away, I was left with the vision of his beautiful face, even battered and bruised, and on it he wore his signature smirk.
