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“Lesi, are you in danger?” Arnold’s voice stuns me straight through my gut. My mouth remains agape, and it feels like a tub of ice water just poured down my back. I didn’t accidently click the button on my device, did I? No… I was careful.
Out of instinct, I take the gun, check the safety, and shove it in the long belly pocket of my sweater. I have no idea what the fuck is going on.
My steps are slow and cautious as I walk past the shrine room, down a narrow hallway, knowing I’ll eventually get to the two men in the front.
The old wood creaks underfoot.
“Lesi! Whoever’s there, announce yourself!”
“It’s me,” I say. My legs feel like there’s weighted cinderblocks attached to them.
“Are the other women safe? I hadn’t heard from you.” Arnold sounds unhinged.
“Fine. Everyone is fine.” I try as best I can to sound calm, but I gasp when I see a gun pointed at Leandro’s head.
My mind automatically goes to thoughts of my unborn child. This is how life would be. Every day a threat of Leandro dying. The baby’s father… I can’t.
To think I’m hiding a weapon so close to the little one baking inside me. A thin sheet of cloth separates that cold metal from my warm belly. I try not to think of it as me endangering the unborn life, but rather protecting it.
“Here we all are.” Leandro relaxes in a chair, not turning to face me. “The prisoner, the fed, and the hitman. Sounds like the beginning of a very painful joke.”
“Shut it, Rigiano,” Arnold hisses.
“That’s what’s so odd about you, Mr. Frick. Usually the feds want people like me to talk. What is it you’re hiding? Do we have a rogue agent on our hands?”
“I’m warning you. Remain silent!”
“I don’t think I will. This is my play, after all. Remember, one wrong move and the women below die. Tell him, Sia.”
Arnold’s eyes flick to mine, and I freeze.
How did Leandro know Arnold’s last name?
“Sia?” Leandro’s voice vibrates through me.
“Y—yes. No sudden moves. There are four down there.”
“Good girl.” Leandro nods. “Now, since we’re all here. Everyone is going to take a nice step back. One at a time, until you’re both in opposite corners of the room. That’s it. Easy does it.” Leandro’s smile is wide. He truly is a sick fuck.
“Now, I’m going to turn my seat slowly to face you both. As you can see by my bare-bones attire, I’m not armed.” Leandro extends two tattooed arms of muscle. “Are we in agreement?”
“Enough with the games!” Arnold’s voice is still unhinged and loud.
“We’re only just starting,” Leandro promises as he swerves his chair and drops it with a thud so he’s facing both of us. “Don’t worry, Arnold. When we’re done, there will be resolution. And if you cooperate, the women downstairs will remain safe.”
“Lesi, c’mere. It’s time to go.” Arnold outstretches his arm, pleading for me to run into his arms, but I remain in the corner and shake my head.
“Oh, Alessia.” Leandro eyes me, and I want to cry and run into his arms. “Remember that day we got our new car and junked our old one?”
Tingles web throughout my chest – I remember that being the first day I saw Arnold in the parking lot, then again in the woods.
“Yes, you remember. Do you think I left you to wander the woods alone?”
Another cold flash washes over me.
“The first thing I did was put my scope on you to see if you would dare run. Of course I was disappointed when you didn’t, but also intrigued at what Marissa sent lingering for you in the woods.”
My eyes widen. I forget how to breathe. He saw?
