35. Nova
CHAPTER 35
NOVA
T he car comes to a stop, and I jolt, rolling slightly in the trunk. There was nothing in here but carpet, so if it comes to a fight, all I have is myself. Not terrible odds, but not great given they’re all going to be armed.
The earpiece I’d pulled out before I’d stepped from the trees is tucked safely in my bra, hidden even if I get patted down. I can only hope we’re not out of range when it comes time to use it.
I have mere minutes to get to Crew because as soon, as Brett has the drive that’s in my pocket, I’m no good to him. And neither is my friend.
Lord, keep me steady, I pray. Help me stay strong so Crew and I can get out of this. Please, Lord, free us from this trial. Amen.
The trunk pops open, and a light momentarily blinds me as two sets of hands reach in and rip me from the trunk. I blink rapidly, trying to clear the white spots from my vision as I’m dragged up a sidewalk and onto a porch where a man I’d hoped never to see again waits.
Neal Austin, Ivan’s second-in-command, crosses his arms as he glares back at me. His hair is shaved to the scalp, just as it was the last time I’d seen him, though there’s a jagged scar over his right eye from the coffeepot I broke over his face when he’d tried to force me into his bedroom.
Memories continue to assault me, but I can’t even enjoy the fact that I remember. Not yet, anyway.
“Nova,” he greets with a sadistic smile. “How great to see you again.”
“I wish I could say the same, Neal.”
He chuckles. “Search her.”
Swift hands travel over my body, checking for any concealed weapons. “She’s clean,” a man growls.
“Good. Bring her in.” He steps out of the way so the two men can drag me into the house. Once we’re in the light, I study them both. They’re new, likely brought in after Brett was supposed to kill me and failed.
I’d seriously hoped this place would be just like Ivan’s old compound—uninhabited—but it seems I’m not that lucky.
No problem.
I’ll pivot.
“What are your names?” I ask the men, trying to keep my tone level as they practically drag me down the hall. “Not chatty, then?” I add when they both refuse to answer. The one to my right, an angry-looking man in his early twenties, releases my arm to pull open a door to the right.
The man to the left, who looks to be about the same age as the other one, his expression less twisted, tightens his grip. His blue eyes dart to my face nervously. He doesn’t want to be here. Interesting. This could work.
“What’s your name?” I ask as he guides me through the door.
“You don’t ask the questions,” Brett says. He stands from behind a mahogany desk. “Let her go and leave us,” he orders. The men do as he says, and the door closes behind them. Brett comes around the desk and crosses his arms. He looks different than before, more stable—his expression less wild.
“Where is Crew?” I demand.
“Where is the evidence?”
I reach into my pocket and take it out.
He holds out his hand. I note the bruises on his knuckles. Crew. What shape is my friend going to be in when I finally find him?
“Not until I see Crew.”
“You do realize I can take it from you, right?”
“You can try,” I retort.
“Do you really want to taunt me? Don’t you remember what happened in your apartment?”
“Before I knew who I was, sure. But I remember all of it now, Brett,” I growl. “I remember every single detail. Which means I also recall just how easy it’s always been for me to beat you. Brawn doesn’t beat skill after all.”
His expression darkens, and he taps the pistol holstered at his shoulder. “I won’t miss this time.”
“What, you’re not going to try and charm me anymore?”
“It won’t work, so why waste my breath? We both know you’ve already decided on the cowboy.”
“Didn’t stop you before,” I reply, trying my best to keep my head level. I’d counted—as twisted as it is—on his attachment to me. If he considers himself in love with me, then maybe he won’t be so eager to put a bullet in me. Then again, it’s not like that worked the first time around.
But this cool demeanor is worrisome.
“I’m far less patient this time,” he replies. “Now.” He holds out his hand. “Give me the evidence, or I’ll kill you and take it.”
“What’s going to keep you from doing just that the second I hand it to you?”
“Nothing. But if you give it willingly, I’ll at least let you speak to Crew before Ivan decides what he’s going to do with the both of you.”
Knowing I don’t have much choice, I hold out my hand. If I don’t give it to him, then he’s going to do just as he threatened. I won’t even have a chance to find Crew before they start tossing dirt over my body.
Brett plucks the drive from my hand and shoves it into his pocket then painfully grips my arm and rips the door open. “For your sake, I hope that’s what we’re looking for,” he growls as he leads me down a hall and pulls open a door on the right.
My heart plummets when I see a bruised and bloodied Crew strapped to a chair. The floor beneath him is covered in blood-splattered plastic, and when he raises his head to look at me, I see that Brett’s bruised fists were in fact caused by my friend’s damaged face.
“You shouldn’t have given him the satisfaction of showing up,” Crew snarls, his gaze murderous as he glares at Brett.
“You know me better than that,” I reply. “You have the drive,” I tell Brett. “Let Crew go.”
Brett doesn’t answer as he leads me over toward a bed then withdraws a set of cuffs and handcuffs me to the old iron bed frame. “I’ll go check the drive. If it has what I’m looking for, then I’ll tell Ivan that you’re requesting Crew go free. Though I can’t say that’s what I’ll be pulling for.” He glares at my friend. “And unless Ivan thinks he can make good use of Crew alive, I wouldn’t count on it.”
“Five minutes,” Crew says. “Let me free for five minutes, and let’s fight fairly.”
“Not a chance. I have nothing to prove.” Brett turns back to me then reaches up and cups my cheek. I fight the urge to withdraw from his touch. “I really am sorry it came to this, Nova. I really am.”
“No,” I reply. “It’s me who’s sorry. Sorry that I ever trusted you.” Even though the relationship has been over for quite some time, knowing just how twisted the man I’d once believed myself in love with hurts. It hurts bad.
But not as bad as his face will as soon as I get a fist free.
Brett withdraws his hand and steps out of the room, closing the door behind him. A lock clicks, so I start checking the room for cameras. “Are we being watched?” I ask Crew.
“Not that I’m aware of,” he replies.
“Okay. It’s a risk I’ll have to take. Close your eyes.” I lean forward over the bed as best I can then pull my hands as close as I can. After tugging the front of my shirt down, I’m able to shake the earpiece loose. It falls to the bed, so I grab it with my lips then drop it into my hands. “You’re good,” I tell Crew.
He opens his eyes and studies me curiously. “What is that?”
“Help,” I tell him with a smile as I press the button and slip it back into my ear. “Hello?” I say. “Can anyone hear me?”
“Nova?” Elliot’s voice is heaven in my ear.
“Yes. It’s me.”
“Thank God.”
“I don’t know how much time I have. But Crew and I are chained in a bedroom in some old house. I was in the trunk maybe an hour before we stopped moving. Do you know where we are?” I ask Crew. He shakes his head.
“No worries,” Elliot says. “Now that the earpiece is active, Tucker can track it. Can you hide it somewhere again but leave it on? Just in case they find it.”
“Yeah. I can do that.” I swallow hard, tears burning in my eyes as reality sets in. “I don’t know if I’m going to survive this,” I tell him. “And if I don’t?—”
“You will,” Elliot interrupts. “Tucker has a fix on you. We’re coming, Nova. And I’ll be right here the entire time.”
“Okay.” Even as I know I should do as he suggested and remove it from my ear, I can’t bring myself to do it. Because even though he’s miles away from me, having his voice right there makes me feel less alone.
“Are you still there, Nova?”
“Yes. I don’t want to say goodbye yet.”
“Me neither.” I can tell he’s moving, likely getting packed up and in his truck to come for me. “How bad is Crew?” he asks.
“How badly hurt are you?” I ask Crew.
“Not as bad as I look,” he replies. “I’ve been worse off.”
“He says he’s been worse,” I repeat into the earpiece.
“Okay,” Elliot says. “How far out are we?” he asks one of his brothers—likely Tucker. I can’t hear the response, but a second later, Elliot says, “We’re forty-seven minutes from you.”
I want to cry in relief. Less than an hour. He’s less than an hour away. “Don’t alert local police,” I warn him, remembering just how deep I’d discovered Ivan’s pockets to be. “Ivan will have ears everywhere.”
“We’re not dealing with local police,” Elliot replies. “The five of us are coming for you,” he says. “Bradyn also called in a favor, so we’ve got backup coming from Dallas.”
“How far out are they?” I ask, lowering my voice as soon as I hear heavy bootsteps outside the door.
“They’re a bit closer,” he says. “But I have more motivation. Either way, someone will get to you. Just stay alive. Please, Nova.”
“I’ll do my best. I—” I trail off when the door opens and Brett steps in.
“Is this the only copy?” he demands.
“Yes.” It’s a lie, and one I hope doesn’t show on my face.
“Are you lying to me?” He grips the front of Crew’s shirt then slams his fist into my friend’s face.
“Hey, stop!” I yell. “I told you it was the only copy!”
Brett withdraws a knife and holds it to Crew’s throat.
“Do it, you coward,” Crew growls.
“Tell me the truth, Nova, or I start cutting.”
“It’s the only copy,” I insist. “I gave it to Milo to keep and didn’t have time to do anything other than confirm what’s on it.”
Brett stares at me then releases Crew and sheathes his knife. “Fine.”
“Stay calm, Nova,” Elliot whispers into my ear. “We’re coming to you.”
“Let him go. You have what you want,” I say again. It won’t work, I’m sure of it, but I have to try.
“Ivan’s not back yet,” Brett replies. “As I said, he gets to decide whether or not to give in to your request. If it were up to me, he’d be dead already.” He glares back at Crew. “You’ll have a decision to make if he does.”
“I won’t be a dirty cop,” Crew spits out.
“There’s nothing a man won’t do if given the right motivation.” Brett leans forward. “And it just so happens I know of three pressure points that would make you fall to your knees and kiss my ring.”
Crew’s eyes widen. “If you touch them, I’ll rip you apart. I swear, Brett. There will be nothing left of you when I’m finished.”
“From where I’m standing, you have no grounds to make threats.” He pulls back and turns to me. “As for you, I wouldn’t count on such mercy. You’ve already betrayed Ivan once, and he’s made it clear to me there won’t be a second time.”
Which is why he’s distancing himself from me. Because he knows what I feared—I was dead the moment I got in that trunk. Focus, Nova. Crew can make it out of this even if you can’t. “When is Ivan going to be back?” I ask.
“Any minute now,” Brett replies. “So I’d start coming to terms with yourself. Get right with God and all that.”
“I’m already right with God,” I tell him. “But am I allowed to make a phone call?”
“No.”
“Not even just one?”
“Why?” he asks, taking a step closer. “So you can say goodbye to your cowboy? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he knows what happened to you. Maybe I’ll drop your body back in that creek. Let it wash up on his ranch again. This time though, there will be no saving you.”
I swallow hard as Elliot growls in my ear.
God, please. If I can’t be saved, let them be safe. Let Crew be safe.
“I’m not afraid to die,” I tell him honestly. “I know where I’m going when I do.”
“So certain.” Brett clicks his tongue. “Then tell me why your God isn’t saving you right now? Why would He let you die?”
“I don’t know. But I do know there’s a reason for everything, and if my life ends here and now, something good will come from it. Maybe not right away, but eventually.” I smile at him. “Who knows, maybe Elliot dealing with you will be the good that comes from it.”
“He won’t be able to touch me,” Brett replies. “Not without losing everything he cares about.”
“I don’t think he wants to count on that,” Elliot snarls in my earpiece.
I grin at Brett, a carnal smile I hope shows him just how unafraid I am. “He’s going to come for you. And you won’t be able to do anything about it.”
Brett charges forward and grips me by the throat. Pain chokes me as he squeezes.
“Let her go!” Crew roars.
“Maybe I’ll keep you alive long enough for me to deal with your cowboy. Then we’ll see who’s the last one standing.”
“He will be,” I manage, choking on the words. “There’s no wondering for me.”
“Stop taunting him, Nova,” Elliot says, keeping his voice low so it’s barely a whisper in my ear. “It’s not worth it.”
But it will be worth it. Because my fingers grip the keys barely sticking out of his pocket. I cling to them, keeping my gaze firmly locked on Brett.
After a few heartbeats, Brett releases me and steps back. The keys slip from his pocket, so I hide them in my hands. Someone knocks on the door. “What is it?” he calls out.
“Ivan is here,” a man calls through the door. “He’s requesting you in his office.”
“I’ll be right there.” Brett turns away from me then pauses by the door. “I wouldn’t count on breathing much longer,” he says to me then leaves the room.
I suck in a deep breath, my throat burning.
“Why would you do that?” Crew demands.
“Because of this,” I choke out then show him my hands.
Crew smiles. “You’re brilliant, O’Conner.”
“I try.”
“What is it?” Elliot asks.
“I have the keys to my cuffs,” I tell him as I work to remove them from my wrists then rush over to free Crew. I untie the ropes binding his arms behind his back then work on one of his legs while he frees the other. “Get here fast, Elliot, and we’ll hold them off as long as we can.”