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I nod in response, opening a small bottle of water and throwing it back. Richard Lexington won’t be walking out of this building tonight. No matter what happens. I’ll make sure that he won’t get away with what he’s done. Attempted murder, kidnapping, and god knows what else he has done to Rebecca since he took her for himself. It’s unforgiveable, so I’m taking him out, no matter what plan Jones has for him.
We look out the window and see the men across from us dropping like flies. There’s a man at the front of our vehicle, lifting his hand and making a clenched fist, waving it slightly from side to side, before lowering it.
“That’s our cue.” I don’t even wait for Jones to exit first; I try the handle again and this time it’s unlocked. I push out and jog across the road to meet the other agents waiting for us.
Smith comes to the front. “There are two ways up, the elevator and the stairs. We have a key for the lift thanks to one of the men out here.” He pulls out a key card from his pocket.
I lay out my plan, taking control of the situation, just like I would if it were any of the hundreds of arms deals I’ve conducted over the years.
“Harold, Jones, and I will go up first. Then you follow us up when Jones gives the go ahead.”
“Mr. Black, I don’t think—”
I cut Smith off before he can finish his thought. “She is my fiancée. He shot me. He wants me more than anyone else. Trust me, I’m not staying down here, no matter what you say. This is the best move. I’m suggesting that Jones comes with us. As one of your agents he has told me the rules when we go in there.”
Smith looks across at Jones. “Are you in agreeance with this? After all, this is your case, boss.”
I look down at Jones, silently pleading with him with my eyes. “Yes, we will use the key to go up, while the rest of you use the stairs to join us. You’ve all got earpieces in. Listen out for my go. That will be your cue to come in.”
Smith and the other agents behind him all nod. Their boss has given them an order and they will obey it. I take the key from Smith’s grip and make my way past the warehouse, using it as cover to get to the door of the building Rebecca is being held in. When I reach the lift, I push the call button. The doors open and Harold, Jones, and I enter. I slide the key into the slot and press the button for the penthouse level. The doors close around us, and we ride up in silence. I close my eyes. Inhaling twice, I steady myself like I do before every gun deal. You never know exactly what you’re going to walk into when you wade in muddy waters, and tonight will be no exception.
As the elevator pings, I open my eyes and look directly ahead, waiting for the doors to open. As they do, a deadly calm spreads over me. Richard Lexington III won’t be walking out of here. The only way he leaves is in a body bag.
The doors now fully open, I stand tall, and take my first step into whatever horror awaits me.
~ Chapter Twenty-Four ~
Rebecca
I hear the door openand close again somewhere behind me. I take a deep breath, needing to get my tears under control. If he does, he will just cause me more pain to try and break me. Little does he know that no matter how hard he tries, I won’t break.
I feel the bite of the whip against my flesh and I can’t help but screech in pain. It is way more excruciating now than it was before, probably due to my back already being sliced open many times.
“Ahhh, that’s better,” he croons. “I love seeing blood being drawn from your body.” He whips me again. And I let out an ear-piercing scream. He continues his lashing at such a quick pace, there is no time in between to even breathe, to prepare for the next strike.
“Stop, please.” I cry out between sobs. I hear the hum of mechanics and feel the metal underneath moving—I know what’s happening before I start spinning. Once I am facing up again, he doesn’t move the support at my back, instead he strikes my torso with the whip and I see the metal spike on the end of the leather as it bites my stomach. With the metal not holding me in place, I reel away from the touch of the whip and my arms scream in pain. Another strike comes down on me, this time on my upper thigh. I must sound like a banshee. And yet Richard’s face is contorted into a smile. He loves seeing me in pain, he loves inflicting it. I wonder how many other women have had to suffer this fate. Just as another bite of the whip hits my flesh, I hear the door open, but I don’t have the strength to even look.
A tear rolls down my cheek as I realize it must be time for his men to join in. Instead of dwelling on that, I look at Richard and watch the smile disappear from his features; it’s replaced by shock.
“It can’t be, I killed you,” he whispers.
At the mention of someone coming back from the dead, hope creeps in. I whip my head around to see who has appeared at the door and I can’t believe my eyes. Alexander stands there with Harold and Agent Jones, all three have their guns raised and pointed directly at Richard. Even from across the room I can see his eyes are dancing with rage. I see Agent Jones whisper something to Alexander before they shake hands. He closes the door behind him as he leaves.
“Step away from her if you want to live, Richard.” Alexander’s voice thunders through the room with his command.
“How are you even alive? I shot you straight in the heart, there should be no way you are up and walking around right now, even if I missed by an inch or two. And just how the fuck did you find me?” Richard stammers.
Alexander’s lips curl up into a cruel smile. One I have never seen on his beautiful features before. And if Richard wasn’t scared before, he should be now. Alexander doesn’t answer any of Richard’s questions, instead taking calculated steps closer, while Harold’s steps bring him closer to me, his eyes trained on Richard and Alexander.
“I asked you to step away from her, Richard. This is your last chance to walk out of here alive.”
Richard lunges for me and rips my head back with force so I am looking at the ceiling. There’s the press of something hard at my throat. “I don’t think so Black. I’ll kill her while you watch, I think. Now step back, or I cut her throat right now. Don’t think I won’t do it either, after all, look at everywhere else I have cut her, what’s a little more blood?”
I don’t know what Alexander does, as I can no longer see him. The pressure of the knife increases so I presume Alexander hasn’t stepped back. “Please, Alexander.” I beg, “save yourself.”
“Shut up, slut,” Richard yells above me.
A gun shot rings out above me, and I feel the pressure of the knife against my neck disappear. The door opens again. “Is everything okay in here?” Agent Jones’s voice rings through the room.
