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Chapter 20
Sophie
My night has been going amazing so far, the interview with the press went swimmingly, everyone loved the speeches, the food and drink are flowing, and everyone is happy. Cahill moved Aoife, Lauren and me to the VIP section. I think something minor has gone on, but he is spooked and won’t tell me. I know he doesn’t want to ruin my night.
Lauren has broken up with Ruairi. We are going for cocktails and dinner in a few nights to catch up, but she is all over this Marco dude. I think she is trying to piss Ruairi off, and by the look on his face it’s working. Marco seems to be playing along but I don’t think he is really interested, not sure if he doesn’t want to piss off Ruairi, or Lauren isn’t his type. Marco asked Lauren to join him at the tables, and she follows without a second thought.
Aoife and I laugh, order another cocktail each, and talk about Cahill. It’s so nice to have another female around that I can call my friend.
“Aoife, I just need to run back to the kitchens to make sure everything is ok, and we have enough food for the platters. Want to come with me or you happy to stay?”
“Aye I’ll come, I don’t wanna go with Lauren.” She laughs.
I let one of the VIP guys, I think it’s one of Cahill’s men, know that we’re heading back to the kitchen if anyone is looking for Aoife and me.
Everything is running like clockwork, and the chef Jones recommended is a dream. I will have to thank Jones later. I thought he was coming tonight, maybe I just haven’t seen him yet. As we are heading back to the VIP area, Aoife stops in her tracks. I look around her and see a trail of blood. I step in front of Aoife to shield her because she looks like she is going to faint on me.
“It’s ok. I am sure it was just one of the kitchen staff who gave themself a little nick. Come on, don’t look. I will get us back to our cocktails, and we can put this behind us,” I tell her calmly because I know it’s not from the kitchen staff, someone has been hurt here. The way the blood has sprayed, and the amount, it doesn't look good for whoever got injured. I grab her hand and we take a step before I see him. The brute, Jonathon. I stare at him. I haven’t seen him in ages. Cahill thinks he is working with my dad to harm me. I look him up and down, he has bruised and bloody knuckles, his hair is a mess, there’s very dark circles under his eyes, and he is dressed so grubbily.
“Are you ok, Jonathon? Are you looking for Cahill? I can call him for you.” I say gently. Aoife is squeezing my hand and shaking.
“Nope. I’m looking for you,bitch,” he snarls at me.
“Me? Do you need help finding somewhere since the casino was re-vamped?” I am just trying to act dumb.
“Nope. It’s time to pay.” Jonathon’s eyes are looking more and more crazed the longer we stand here. He takes a step forward and I push Aoife back so I can swing my bag at him. It’s not the first time I’ve hit him with my bag, but this one doesn’t have a book in it. Just as I swing it, he catches it and throws it to the ground. He stands on it too for good measure. I think he’s trying to crush my phone so Cahill can’t call or track me.
“Aoife,run!” I squeal at her as I push her back again. I try to run but I feel his fat fingers grab my arm. Fuck! I know he has me, but Aoife needs to get going. I stand on his toe with my heel, hoping pain will loosen his grip, but it does nothing. He pulls me flush against his body. I stand on his other foot hoping I can maybe do more damage there when I feel something cold against my neck.
“I want to drag this out, don’t make me end my fun so soon, bitch. I told you I was going to kill you. I lied about it being quick and painless.” His voice sounds familiar to me. Oh my God, he was the one that tried to kidnap me outside McCarthy’s.
He points a gun at Aoife, but I know it’s me he wants.
“Jonathon, please let Aoife go. It’s me you want. You have me. She isn’t going to do anything. You have her scared shitless. Just take me.” I am silently begging he will just let her go.
“Fine, you have three seconds to run, or I blow your brains out!” Johnathon spits at Aoife. She isn’t moving. My heart is in my throat for her.
“Aoife,RUN!” Helpless, all I can do is scream at her. She is still standing there for a heartbeat, then I see her legs move.
“Three… Two… One!” Just as Aoife clears the corner, he fired the gun, I thought the sound would be deafening at this range or I would feel the recoil of the gun as it went off like you see in the movies, but I got nothing. He must have a silencer on it. But I know shit all about guns.
“Hmm, she got away. I was looking forward to watching her fall face first and seeing you feel the guilt over your friend’s death. But not to worry, your death will be enough for me tonight.”
That is the last thing I hear before everything in my world goes black.
My head’s bouncing.
My eyes want to open, but they feel like they are stuck together. My mouth is so dry, I need water badly. I feel like I am floating a little.
Where am I?
What is—what’s going on?
I was doing my open night for the casino. I had a few drinks with the girls. Went to check on the kitchen and then… him. I ran into him. The man from my nightmares.
How did he get me? I thought I was safe.
My eyes spring open. I dart my eyes about everywhere. With a sinking sensation I realize I’m hanging from a hook and I'm only an inch off the ground, my arms are tied above my head, and they are numb. How long have I been hanging here for? Does anyone know I am missing yet?
