AllFreeNovel
Share Us
EMMA
Itexted I love you back to Carter, but I knew he probably wouldn’t text again. My heart hurt seeing his words; it was almost like a goodbye. I didn’t want to think that way, but I was terrified of what was going to happen tonight. The uncertainty made me sick to my stomach.
Grabbing my purse and the keys to my dad’s Bentley, I walked out the front door and locked it behind me. I was supposed to be at my brother’s house thirty minutes ago, but I didn’t want to leave Carter’s.
I pressed the key fob to unlock the car door, but before I could grab the handle, my phone rang in my purse. Heart thudding in my chest, I prayed for it to be Carter, but that wasn’t who I got.
I accepted the call and brought the phone up to my ear. “What do you want?” I snapped.
Nikolai chuckled darkly. “Have you seen the news?”
Stomach clenching, I sucked in a breath. “No.”
“Look up ‘dead body in California warehouse’ and see what comes up.”
After pressing the speaker button, I searched the internet and a whole list of articles popped up, all of them about the execution-style killing of Marshall Gene Whittaker, who was just released from prison.
“Why do I need to look at that?” I huffed. “I already know Scar’s dead.”
“I just wanted to say that I’m sure your parents will be happy when they find out. If only they knew what their kids were up to.”
Rolling my eyes, I opened the car door and hopped inside for privacy. “Why did you kill Scar?”
Nikolai laughed. “I can explain that when I pick you up.”
Fear prickled my spine like tiny ice shards jabbing through my skin. “Pick me up? What for?”
“For the fight,” he explained. “I figured you’d want to give Reynolds your support. I mean, it could be the last time you see him.”
My throat tightened at the thought. It wouldn’t be the last time I saw Carter; I wouldn’t let it. Even if I had to jump in the ring myself to help, I’d do it. However, the one thing that came to my mind was that it had to be a trap. Nikolai would use me to taunt Carter. Why else would he want me there? But then, I didn’t want Carter to fight for his life alone in the lion’s den.
“Emma?”
I blew out a shaky breath. “I’m still here.”
“Do you want me to come get you?” Nikolai asked.
“Do I have a choice?”
He chuckled. “Of course. I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to.”
Did I believe him? Not in the least.
“Fine. Come get me,” I gave in.
I could hear the smile in Nikolai’s voice, and it pissed me off. “I’ll be there soon. Oh, and Emma?”
“What?” I huffed.
“Dress nice.”
I hung up and sat back in the driver’s seat, looking down at my jeans and pink tank top. “Dress nice, my ass,” I snarled in disgust. I wasn’t going to change a damn thing about my wardrobe. Nikolai’s going to get me the way I am.
* * *
About an hour later, Nikolai pulled up into the driveway in his black SUV. He got out, looking all dressed up in a fancy suit, and I could see the holster and gun strapped to his body. I was scared to get in the car with him, but I wasn’t about to let him see that.
Opening the door, I stepped out and locked it quickly behind me. There was no way I would let him inside Carter’s home.
