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The engine roars as large hands grab at me. I make more choking sounds and thrash from side to side.
“He’s fine. The kid’s probably fucking with us. Turn on some music so we don't have to hear him the whole way there.”
An upbeat song drowns out my sounds of distress. If only it did something to stop my heart from feeling like it's going to split in two. My chest is painfully tight and each breath I take scratches at my throat. I don't beg or ask questions because there's no point. It won't stop them from delivering me to Eddie and it won't stop whatever he has planned for me.
Antonio left me. He left me and now I'm theirs to do whatever they want with. I really may never see Ethan again this time. I don't know what's worse, having my last memory of him being my brother or the one where he pretends he isn't.
The car stops and then I'm being dragged again. Hands hook onto me, shoving me into what feels like inside of a house or building. It goes from hot to cold in a matter of minutes.
“Take him to the back. Eddie's waiting for him.”
Eddie. They finally say his name, confirming what I already know. I'm forced to sit down on what feels like a couch, the soft cushion bouncing beneath me.
“Look at you. My have you grown. I really didn't want it to come to this. Everything you got was never supposed to be yours. All those years I spent working with your dad and pretending to love him just to have you run away with what belonged to me.”
Love? What's he talking about? “Love? My dad?”
“Yes. Your dad and I had been together for years. Even when your mother was still alive. I didn't want her in the way anymore so he took care of it and we married in secret. I tried to get him to take care of you and your brothers but he took too long.”
“Why?”
He lowers the blindfold from my eyes, leaning forward in his chair. He's exactly how I remembered, except for more wrinkles. “Because your dad wouldn't have had half that money if it wasn't for me. I did him favors. Put him in contact with the right people and stood by his side.”
“If this is about the money, you can have it. I have no use for it anyway.” Nothing matters to me but Antonio. Nothing.
“Oh, I will. Right after you tell me where it is.”
The door creaks open behind me and Eddie looks over my shoulder, smiling. “There you are, lindo. Come here. Come meet my friend.”
Heels tap along the floor and my throat tightens when Ethan lowers himself on Eddie’s lap. “This is Phillip. He's going to make us very rich soon.” He slides his hand up Ethan's inner thigh, making me shudder.
Ethan’s smile fades when his eyes land on me. “Wait. I know this guy. He was at La Pista de Baile yesterday calling me some weird name.”
“Ah, I see. I guess you've met already then. Phillip, this is Gilly. My prized possession.”
Giggling, Ethan shies away when Eddie tries to kiss him. Bile rises in my throat. “What the hell is this? Are you doing this for the money too? Why Ethan, why?”
“There he goes calling me that weird name again. What is his deal? Is he missing a few screws in the head or something?”
“He's having a rough couple days is all, isn't that right, Phillip?” Eddie smiles at me, causing his scar to move closer to his eye.
“Yeah.” I shift, tugging against the restraints. “That's all.”
“See. He'll be better after some rest and food. How about you go fix him something.”
“Why me?” Ethan gasps, holding his hand to his chest.
“Because the sooner we get him settled and the information we need, the sooner you'll have me all to yourself.”
Ethan grins, rubbing a hand along Eddie's hairy chest, and my skin crawls. If all he wanted was the money then why is Ethan here? I don't understand what's happening. Ethan was never one to be money hungry before. He didn't need to be. We all had trust funds and money coming our way. Why does he need my half?
I look away when they kiss, my stomach unable to handle the view unfolding in front of me. Eddie schemed his way into my dad's life and now he's doing it to my younger brother. Ethan stands up, shooting me a tight-lipped smile on his way out of the room. It's a small office, covered in so much gray and smelling of cheap tequila and cigars.
Eddie doesn't speak again until the door closes behind me. “Nothing like a nice family reunion. I thought for sure he'dremember you if he saw you in person. It's a shame for you but good for us. It means I can keep him alive a little longer. I have quite enjoyed him warming my bed, and he brings in the most money at the club.”
“How? They found his clothes and remains.”
“Yes. They found burnt clothes but not remains. Confirming the clothes he was wearing that day was enough for the cops to assume he died in the fire. He came home early from school and ran inside when he saw the fire from the yard and I had to pull him out. Neither of you were supposed to die that day. I wanted you both alive long enough for the doctor I hired to extract your organs but my guys were unable to grab you from the bus stop as originally planned. You both fucked everything up.”
