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Ready to rip Ruby a new one, I spin toward her. But this time, she’s holding a gun aimed straight at me.
I freeze, my heart racing like it’s trying to escape. “What the fuck is going on, Ruby?”
She swallows, her gaze flicking around the back alley. “We don’t have much time, so I need you to listen to me very carefully, okay?”
I stare at her, not moving a muscle.
“We will get into the car behind me right now, and you’ll follow the GPS directions. If you don’t listen or try something stupid with me, something bad will happen to Evie.” Her eyes are glassy, her voice monotone.
I don’t hesitate for a second. I hold up my hands, walk toward the black Honda, and do exactly what she said. I could disarm her in seconds, but it’s not worth the risk.
Eve’s safety is my number one priority, and before anything else, I need to know where she is and make sure she’s okay. One thing is for certain, though: whoever took Eve will pay—with their life.
Ruby joins me in the car with the gun trained on me the entire time. I turn the key, and the car comes to life with a roar. We leave the back alley in the opposite direction of where Holden is parked. There goes my small hope of driving past him and alerting him somehow.
When we enter the freeway, I watch her out of the corner of my eye. “Why are you doing this, Ruby?”
She’s pushed against the door with her back, her right hand pointing at me with the gun. And I could be mistaken, but I’m pretty sure her entire arm is shaking. Is this her first time holding a gun?
“You know I will kill you if something happens to her, right?” I keep my gaze on the road, my hands crushing the steering wheel. “No one will touch her and get away with it.”
She doesn’t say anything.
We get off the freeway a few minutes later and enter a neighborhood with large properties, winding down road after road until the robotic voice says, “In two hundred feet, turn right.”
The GPS leads us to a modern two-story family home, and the garage opens as we approach.
Fuck. I don’t want to be so compliant, but what other choice do I have? I’d never forgive myself if something happened to Eve because of me.
The same thing Eve has done for years. Do things she’d never do otherwise to keep her loved ones safe.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
It can’t be.
Damn it. No.
That fucking bastard.
I drive inside the garage and park next to the family van.
“Empty your pockets and leave everything on the seat.” Ruby opens her door. “Eve is in the basement. Let’s go.”
Eve is in the basement.
Ruby just said Eve is in the motherfucking basement. If a single hair on her head is out of place, I will take my time killing her.
But first, I need to get to Eve.
I unbuckle and exit the car, leaving my wallet, phone, and keys on the seat. My body is taut. On edge.
Sometimes, you have to be patient and let the other player make their move first so you can destroy them.
My father’s words slice into my brain, and I clamp my jaw together.
Patience, my ass.
I’m barely holding on to my damn sanity but follow Ruby’s vague instructions toward the staircases that lead upstairs and downstairs.