AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Life is strange. Mine is a mess. And not just because I got shot with a sedative one fine Brooklyn night or fell for my shooter.
This—my entire life or how I came about—was never revealed to me in so many details, not even by my mom. Instead, I get bits and pieces from an international criminal wanted by the government.
“Seth Gordon wasn’t nothing,” Uncle continues. “He was already wealthy back then. Your mother didn’t tell him about you. And, oh, did I want to break every one of his fucking bones just for getting lucky with her. That’s how young and stupid I was. And I would’ve still married her and taken care of you!”
His low chuckle is edged with slight madness. He could be unstable. I never spent enough time with him to get to know him.
“But then,” he continues, his jaw tightening. “Right, fucking Mike. When I learned she chose him over me, even though she barely knew him, I saw red. I knew, I fucking knew she wasn’t worth it. And still, still!” His expression changes to rage. “Fucking still!” he roars, then grunts and exhales heavily, his mouth twitching in a smirk.
I sink into the seat in dread.
He looks dangerous. Could be a psychopath. He’s not over it.
His goons hush their chatter, the warehouse a silent vacuum.
Uncle licks his lips. “I’ve been plotting revenge against Seth Gordon for years. Not your mom, no. I could’ve destroyed her in a second, but I wanted her to see how high I can climb. I was preparing a surprise for her. And you, sweetie, were gonna be the cherry on top. I was planning on kidnapping you the night we met in Dumbo. Then in Brighton when you were shopping. Then at your condo. But that fucking sniper kid”—Uncle’s lips curl in an ugly smirk—“he was everywhere you were, messing up my every plan.”
There’s spite in his stare, but I feel pride for Jace.
“So today,” Uncle continues, taking a step closer to me, hands in his pockets. “Today I will finally get what I want.”
“Which is?” I say in a whisper.
“Seth Gordon and your mother on their knees, begging me to let you go.”
“My mother?” My heart stills.
“Oh, she got the picture of her little Lu all sad. Just like Gordon.”
Asshole.
I wish I was a fictional character. Brave like Emily Aberdeen, who shot a gun and set buildings on fire when John Temple was in danger.
I’m not. There’s nothing I can do against the seven goons who carry guns.
Uncle checks his phone and sucks his teeth. “Alright. The show is on.” He takes out his gun and motions to his men. “Get in position. This guy might have some tricks up his sleeve.”
This guy?
Uncle scowls at me. “Your sniper boyfriend is here.”
The front door opens, and Jace is pushed in by another goon.
If only we knew back thenis the most overused phrase. Usually, etched with sadness or regret.
But my heart aches at the thought when I see Jace.MyJace.
He didn’t need to lie to me when we met. He’s my hero, and I admire him for his past and what it made him into.
My heart flutters with worry and glee at seeing him.
Uncle turns to him and spreads his arms. “Welcome to our humble gathering, Mr. Reed.”
Jace’s worried eyes find me across the warehouse, and Uncle right away snaps his fingers at me.
“??????. ? ?? ?????2,” he hisses. “Mr. Reed,” he says loudly. “What do you have for me?”
The goon behind Jace rips the backpack off his shoulders and dumps the contents onto the floor. He rummages through what looks like wads of bills, then curses.
