AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Maybe she’ll bargain for her release.” I was surprised at Daniel’s response, although there was no glee in his tone. In fact, quite the opposite.
“You’re crazy, all three of you.” I heard the ugliness in my tone and cringed. The worst thing I could do was egg them on, but it was my nature and had always been. I refused to succumb to their mental game of torture. They’d let me down for no other reason than they’d wanted to continue playing with me.
“That may be the case, Dahlia.” Alexander walked around the trap, heading closer to the shoreline, the other two following. All three men stood staring at the water, likely contemplating what horrors they’d inflict on me.
Brogan turned toward me first, the sun preventing me from seeing his expression, but I knew he was studying me like a side of prime beef. He was trying to solve the mystery of who I was. Of any of the three of them, he might figure it out, but I was entirely different, all grown up.
He walked closer, shoving his hands in his pockets. “In case you haven’t figured it out yet, this is a private island. There is no one else here but the four of us.” He allowed the words to sink in before continuing. “Since you are no one, there isn’t a soul on this earth looking for you. I doubt you told your family or friends about your intent to kill three prominent men in three different cities. Even if you had, my guess is that if you’d been successful in your efforts, you had plans of going somewhere quiet while whatever heat you caused surfaced, then died.”
Damn it. He was able to see right through me.
He took another two steps closer, allowing his gaze to fall from my eyes to my scrunched-up legs. “I suggest you be a good little girl and tell us why you were so intent on killing us.”
“Fuck you.”
Even with the harsh glint of sun, I could tell my sharp tongue had surprised him.
“Those aren’t very nice words for a beautiful, sophisticated temptress. At least that’s what you portrayed while helping me win a significant sum of money. I am surprised that you didn’t steal the voucher, claiming my chips. The money you helped me win could have afforded you a year’s worth or more of a lavish vacation.” He cocked his head, as if waiting for a response.
I looked away, biting my tongue. Little did he know I didn’t need his damn money.
At least a full minute passed. I noticed the wind was starting to pick up, the palm trees swaying.
“We’re going to ask you one last time. What is your name and who are you working for?” Daniel asked.
“You already know my name. Dahlia Black.”
Alexander huffed, taking long strides in my direction. “Have it your way, Dahlia. I think spending a night hanging here will likely change your mind.” He headed away, the other two stopping in front of the trap long enough to give me stern looks. Then all three of them disappeared into the trees.
I hissed, giving them my middle finger.
Then every emotion I’d had over the past few months came crashing down.
Sorrow. Anger. Despair. Blinding fury.
As I dropped my head into my hands, I finally understood a tiny bit of what Garrison must have felt all those years.
I felt nothing but hatred. For the men who’d refused to stand up for him.
For the ugly system.
And for myself for failing the single man who’d treated me with kindness and respect.
