Chapter 24
Mikey
Ipull up to the warehouse and put the Jeep in park. This place looks worse the second time. I can see more of the structure rotting away, and all the rust on the metal.
I grab the burner phone and my bag, then step into the cold air. My boots crunch on gravel as I walk toward the entrance.
I am hoping with everything in my body that this works. I need this to work.
I push open the already cracked metal door and step in before I hear a slow clapping echo through the space.
"Michael," De Luca's voice carries through the warehouse. "Always punctual."
He stepped out from behind a stack of crates, looking immaculate as always. He has a dark coat on with polished shoes, and not a speck of dust on him, even though we are in a place full of it.
Two men flank him, and three more fan out behind me. I don't turn around, but I can feel their stares on the back of my skull.
"I told you I'd bring her," I say evenly.
His head tilts to the side. "I don't see her, but I do see you brought something."
I slide the bag off my shoulder and drop it at my feet, and slowly unzip it. I pull out Julia's hoodie--My hoodie that she was wearing-- and her phone.
I place every piece down on the ground carefully.
De Luca's eyes sharpen at the items and then look back up at me.
"She ran," I say. "She panicked. I tried to stop her." I twisted the lie in just enough truth to make it believable.
He steps closer, looming over the items, studying them like they are an ancient artifact. He lifts the hoodie and presses it to his nose briefly.
"She always did hate being caged," he murmurs under his breath. His gaze snaps up to me. "Where?"
"I don't know," I say. "Not exactly. She talked about leaving the city. Said she couldn't breathe here anymore. Said she has been planning this for a while."
He smiles at me, then. You can tell he is not pleased.
"You failed to control her," He says, dangerously soft. "That was your only task."
"I'm aware."
His hand comes out of nowhere, slapping me across the face. Pain exploded through my cheek, and I staggered. Blood fills my mouth, but I swallow it. I refuse to show him any weakness.
De Luca exhales, disappointed. "You should have broken her. Fear keeps women obedient."
My vision goes red at his comment. I will never make Julia fear me.
I keep my voice steady. "You told me to bring her. I couldn't drag her here without tipping her off."
"I guess you did what you could," he says. "Which means you're still useful."
His men step up behind me and grab my arms before I can react, then force me to my knees, with a loud crack as my bones hit the concrete. A fist slams into my ribs, and this time I can't hide the grunt of pain.
"This," De Luca continues calmly, "is what happens when you disappoint me."
Another hit... then another. They don't rush the hits; they pause between each one, stretching out the punishment for their enjoyment.
I focus on my breathing and staying conscious. I focus on the clock that is ticking in Kai's head until I return, on Julia asleep, peacefully unaware of the fact that De Luca is still invested.
Which means our trap is holding.
When they finally stop, I'm breathing hard, and my hands are shaking on the concrete.
De Luca crouches in front of me and grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him.
"You will find her," he says. "And when you do, you will bring her directly to me. Willingly... or in pieces. Do you understand?"
I nod once.
Once he is satisfied, he releases me and stands to his full height.
"One way or another, my daughter will come home."
They leave me there, bleeding and bruised, but alive, which was the goal.
I stay on my knees until I hear the last car pull away, then stand. I smile through the pain because he now thinks she ran, and he thinks he's chasing.
I just hope it’s enough.