AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Giving him my deadliest of smiles, I say, “Make your plans, asshole. I’ll make mine.”
Declan regards me intensely. Without taking his eyes off me, he says, “Axle, call Mr. Valdez. Tell him I’ve just moved up the date to today.”
“Valdez doesn’t like plan changes.” Axle, who’s been lurking in the shadows as usual, watching silently, takes a step closer. His gaze goes from me to Declan and back. “He specifically said he needed at least a twenty-four-hour notice for any changes.”
“Make the call. I’m sure that for this, he’ll make an exception.”
“Yes, sir.” He scurries out, giving me one last glance before he disappears from sight.
All the other men go too, leaving only Declan behind. “Don’t be too disappointed. Valdez might find you pretty, and he doesn’t beat the women he fucks.” Chuckling, he exits and shuts the door behind him.
I’m once again left in the darkness, left to cradle my wounds and hope there’s not some serious injury. Left with the idea that I’ll be sold to one of the most dangerous men in Mexico.
I need to find a way to alert my father. I need to make those plans I warned Declan about. But all I do once the door shuts out the light again is hold my knees to my chest and wait.
* * *
I’m not sure how much time has passed when I hear someone at the door. I stiffen, aware that this is it. Whoever is out there is taking me to Valdez and certain death.
After allowing myself to wallow in self-pity and a good dose of regret, I remembered who I am. And Louisa Duran doesn’t go down without a fight.
Adrenaline fills my veins, preparing me for that fight-or-flight mode. But either one would be a stupid move. Even if I managed to slip past the person about to enter, there are at least ten or fifteen armed men in the garage at all times.
The smart thing would be to assess my situation and wait for the perfect opportunity. Escaping without being killed might be tough, but it isn’t impossible.
But it seems my body has a completely different opinion of what the smart thing to do is, because the moment light spills in through the opening door, I bolt.
I don’t get far, of course. There are two men blocking my path and I’m quickly detained and shoved back in. The much larger one wraps his huge arm around my chest and pins me back against him, his meaty hand covering my mouth to prevent me from screaming.
Axle is the other one, standing with a frail-looking finger to his lips. “Shh.”
I kick at him, but the beast holding me pulls me away before my feet can make contact.
“Stop fighting,” he says. “We’re here to help you.”
“But we must hurry,” Axle adds. “We don’t have much time.”
Regaining physical control, I allow myself to relax. As soon as I’m released, I whip around to see who had me. It’s Phil, Rowan’s personal guard.
“You’re here?” I say, shocked. “Alive.”
“Declan doesn’t have as many allies as he believes.” He nods toward Axle.
“You saved him?” I ask the reedy man. “But I thought—”
“I have my loyalties,” Axle cuts me off.
“But—”
“There’s no time. We have to go.” He turns and starts for the door.
Phil pushes me, forcing me to follow whether I believe they’re here to save me or not. There’s no time to consider if my fate will be better or worse when I run behind Axle, past the dead guards that secured this place. I don’t even search Axle or Phil for blood to determine which of the two was responsible for so many bodies.
Instead, I allow myself to move on instinct, slipping quickly between cars, making our way to Rowan’s Jag. That’s when the sound of the elevator descending alerts us to someone’s arrival.
I’m instantly pressed down near the closest vehicle. Across from Phil and me, only a few feet away, Axle crouches down low and almost melts into the side of a van.
The elevator dings and the doors slide open. Axle makes a gesture and Phil nods. He takes my hand and squeezes as he adjusts his position slightly. It lets me know he’s preparing to take off, and when he does, he’s taking me with him.
