AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Correct. I didn’t know that until I finally discovered the truth. About six months ago, a friend of mine called for advice on a small problem he had getting girls out of the country. He knew I had extensive experience in the area, and that’s when I remembered the woman named Charlie Rochedale who ruined a very successful operation I had going.”
“You’re not Aniel Soto,” Charlotte said. “He looks nothing like you.”
“I haven’t been called that name in a while. But you’re right. I look nothing like him. Not anymore.” He touched a hand to his face. “I never liked my nose, so the plastic surgery was a simple choice. Your little stunt meant I had the authorities after me. It was easier to change my name and my appearance than try to evade capture all the time. And I changed careers. Drugs and guns were easier to move than people.”
“So you’ve been chasing Charlie this whole time?” Will said.
“I sent some of my guys to find her back then, but it was only half-hearted. When I had no luck, I was too busy with other things to worry about it. But Maddison’s face was so familiar, and I never forget an injury. Charlie, you cost me millions. It was a lot of time, money, and effort wasted. When I saw my chance, I took it.”
“But how did you know it wasn’t my sister? We look the same.”
“Ah, yes. At first I did think it was her, but then I discovered she was in Europe when Charlie Rochedale was in Venezuela, and I recalled at one of our early meetings, Maddison happened to mention she had a twin.”
“But why go through all of this? Why not just come and get me?”
“I would have, but like I said, you are a hard woman to track down. Even after I knew who Maddison was, I still couldn’t find you. So I improvised.”
Charlotte thought of Maddy laying injured in bed. “Were you the one who assaulted her?”
“Yes.”
“But you didn’t kill her.”
“If I wanted her dead, she’d be dead. Murder was never my intention. Not yet anyway. I was concerned that, if she was dead, the operation would cease. I couldn’t have that, and I believed that Maddison was stubborn enough to find a way, even if she couldn’t do it. When Will agreed to continue the meeting at the arranged time, I knew my plan had worked.”
“That was a very long shot.”
“I agree, and, to be honest, I’m amazed it worked. I had other options available to me, but I’ve enjoyed this little game we’ve been playing, haven’t you?”
“What is it you want from me?”
“I’m not really sure. I haven’t decided yet. I’ve spent so much time planning to get to this point, I haven’t bothered working out the rest. For now, you’ll remain my guest. Will, unfortunately, your usefulness is over.” He nodded at the guard closest, who lifted a gun.
“No. You can’t,” Charlotte said. “Please. You have to let him go.”
“No, I don’t.”
Will used the hesitation Charlotte created and pushed her aside before swinging a chair up as the guard fired. Then, he dove for the bushes.
More shots were fired at the hedge as Antonio yelled for backup and grabbed Charlotte, pulling her toward the house. She fought back, but he hit her hard enough that her vision blurred, and she struggled to keep her footing. When she could focus again, she strained to look out the door but was pulled out of view.
Please, God. Save him,she cried out in her mind as she was hauled toward the elegant staircase.
“A gallant effort from your friend, but he won’t make it out of here alive. Regrettably, neither will your sister.”
Charlotte tried to wrestle from his grip again, but when he raised his arm to hit her, she sagged. “Don’t do this. You have me. Let them go. They have nothing to do with it.”
“Nothing to do with you, perhaps, but don’t forget, they were attempting to deceive and trap me. There is a reason I’m still alive today to continue with my business ventures, and it’s because I show no mercy. I kill everyone who interferes. I won’t change my ways just because a pretty girl asks nicely.”
“But Maddison doesn’t know who you are. She can’t do anything to you.”
“Do you know your sister at all? She is relentless. It won’t take her long to realize I’ve got you, and then I’ll have to deal with her as a nuisance. I’ve got enough of those already. It’s better if I deal with her now. Remove the infection before it spreads.”
“You’re a monster.”
“I suppose you could say that. But look at it this way. You should be grateful Maddison lived as long as she did. I could have shot her through the head when I first discovered she was working undercover. In a way, I was gracious to let her have a few more precious moments of life.”
“Please.”
