Chapter 27
M y head was fucking killing me and I was infuriated.
I’d returned to consciousness with my hands tied behind my back, and my legs tied to the legs of the chair I was in. I shook my hair out of my eyes and moved my wrists to try to loosen whatever was keeping them restrained. There was one lightbulb hanging from the ceiling and the air felt damp. I had to be in a basement somewhere. Obviously nowhere near the fire.
My heart was pounding wondering where I’d been taken, but panicking even more at the thought of Monica in that truck by herself. I’d essentially left her alone. I should’ve listened to her. I craned my neck trying to look behind me but everything was black. The lightbulb was barely hanging by its last threads and hardly illuminated the space around me. The only other light shone dimly through a small, dirty window across the room.
I grunted and kicked the bucket in front of me in frustration, and anger.
The noise echoed throughout the room and more light flooded in as a door opened at the top of, what I could now see were, the wooden stairs. A thumping echoed throughout the cellar-type area where I was. It was musty and cold. Two sets of feet were making their way down towards me, making noises as if they were struggling.
Rage built in me, simmering when I saw the source of their efforts.
Mike and Chuck were struggling their way down the rickety stairs. Chuck had Monica’s arms caught under the shoulders while Mike gripped her knees, placing himself between her thighs and making his way backwards to the basement where I was. Just the image of her unconscious form and Mike’s placement caused me to see red.
My wrists strained against the ropes tying them together, cursing
“Let her go right fucking now, assholes. Monica had nothing to do with this. I’ll kill you both.”
Chuck laughed at me as they both made it off the stairs. They let go, dropping Monica carelessly. I cringed watching her head bounce off the concrete floor. Grateful for the messy ponytail she’d thrown her brunette hair back in. Providing some cushion to the back of her head, she lay still, unmoving. I couldn’t even tell if she was breathing because of the lighting and my heart rate picked up. My breaths were coming in rapid pants with my rising fury.
“Doesn’t look like you’re in a state to be killing anyone, Trevor.” Mike said, turning and narrowing his dark eyes on my face.
“Looks like we can do whatever the fuck we want.”
“What are y’all going to gain from this?” I asked, strategies switching. “All you’ve ever gone down for is theft and drug charges. You really wanna go down for kidnapping, arson, and causing harm? Murder? For what? Some small-town drug lord?”
“We got plans. Richard promised us. Something big’s gonna—” Chuck started.
“Would you shut the fuck up, moron?” Mike warned through clenched teeth.
My eyes darted between them. Either Richard had fed his two minions a line of shit or something else was going down in Reading, Pennsylvania. I was just hoping Monica’s call to nine-one-one had been enough to get someone out here immediately. Although, I wasn’t sure where we even were anymore.
“Boss say what to do with the body?”
My muscles clenched, thinking they were talking about Monica.
“Just let me check her. Do whatever you want to me afterwards. Let me make sure she can’t be helped.” I begged, not too proud when it came to her life. I’d just gotten her back into mine and we hadn’t had long enough.
Mike barked a rough laugh.
“Wrong body.” he spoke coldly.
Brain racing, I just stared at them both. Wondering what other poor soul had been—
Jackson. Fuck.
“What the fuck did you two idiots do?” I yelled.
Chuck looked like he may say something, slight trepidation in his gaze as he took me in. Mike smacked him in the back of the head and pointed back up the stairs.
“We’ll give you two some time alone.” Grinned Mike, disappearing back up them behind his accomplice.
I heard the door shut with a slam, locks clicking into place. Heavy footsteps echoed above me and my eyes trailed them on the ceiling, listening until another door opened and shut. Glancing around the basement again my stomach sank at what little there was to use around me.
My eyes shifted downward, taking in Monica’s too still form.
“Monica,” I urged. “Baby, please, wake up.”
I heard a faint groan, sure I saw her shoulders raise and lower with a breath. Relief stole through me quickly as I took her in.
“Monica!” I hissed, louder. Terrified someone would hear me.
“Shut up.” Monica groaned softly, hands coming up to her head. “I have a horrible headache, Trev. What—” her voice broke off and I knew she’d opened her eyes. Her brain coming back on board with the situation.
“Oh my God.” she gasped, sitting up and swaying slightly.
“Are you okay?” I begged, my voice cracking.
Her panicked eyes met mine as she stood shakily.
“They didn’t tie me up?” she questioned.
“Mon, baby, focus. Are you okay?”
“I think…” she was trembling all over. “They shot Jackson.” her voice broke. “Right in front of me. I tried to run. They put some cloth over my face…I don’t remember anything after that.”
I clenched my teeth, my jaw groaning under the force.
I was going to kill anyone who’d had a hand in this.
“Listen. They probably didn’t tie you up because they figure we can’t get out of here. They locked the door when they went back upstairs. They don’t want me loose because I’d fight them. But now that you’re here they know I won’t risk doing anything. You gotta untie me, Monica. I gotta get you out the window.”
Her head jerked up, ponytail bouncing.
“ We have to get out the window. WE , Trevor.” she emphasized.
“Sure. We.” I placated, knowing there was no way I was going to get out that tiny window with my frame. Monica may not even fit. Whatever I needed to tell her to get her out of here.
Monica hurried over, moving to my back, working at the knots they’d tied around my wrists. I felt them loosening and her fingers gently brushed over the places where I’d rubbed skin raw trying to get free.
I heard her sniffle as I bent untying my ankles so I could stand knowing she was close to breaking. I spared a minute, spinning to yank her into my arms, holding her tight, even for just a moment.
“It’ll be okay. I’m going to get you out of this.” I whispered. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry my choices brought this to your life.”
Her hands worked between us, planting on my chest and shoving me backwards.
“Stop. You don’t get to keep apologizing for other people’s mistakes. You’re getting out of here too.” her eyes narrowed on my own. “I’m not leaving without you.”
My fingers pinched her chin, tilting her head up.
“You’re my priority. Getting you out and to your girls. Our girls . Is my priority. If you get out that window. You don’t stop and you don’t look around. You run. I’ll work on getting to you. I made promises, Monica. I promised I’d keep you safe and keep those girls safe. You’re my fucking priority. Don’t argue with me about this.”
Tears were trailing down her face, even as she shook her head. But I knew I’d won this battle. I knew she’d listen. Playing the highest card I had with a mother’s children. She couldn't leave them orphans. They each couldn’t lose two parents.
Turning, my eyes scanned the room, looking for anything useful. I saw the wall crumbling and walked over searching for a big enough piece of the cement they’d poured for walls.
“Stand back here.” I ordered, walking over to the window. I peered up out of it, trying to gauge surroundings. Get a feel of where we were located. Drawing my arm back, I threw the cement through the window. As it shattered and glass flew my breath froze. Listening for any movement or commotion to tell me that it had alerted our captors to what we were doing.
I held a hand up, stopping Monica from speaking, as my head tilted. Nothing.
“Come here.” I whispered.
She moved quickly over to me and I couldn’t help it. I drew her into me and tilted her head up kissing her. Her fingers threaded through my hair, holding on tight, and kissing me back with everything that was in her. I could sense her trying to tell me everything we didn’t have time for. I could feel that she didn’t want to let go or stop. I was going to have to be strong enough for both of us.
Moving my large hands down her arms, pulling her back gently, she looked up at me, eyes watery and terrified.
“I’m gonna lift you through the window—”
“Trevor—” she started to argue.
“Hush,” shaking my head, “I’m lifting you to the window and I’ll push you through as far as I can.” I continued. “You’re gonna have to pull yourself out the rest of the way. I don’t know what you’re going into. Just run. Get coverage. Then run. Get as far away as fast as you can. When you think you’ve gotten far enough, run some more. Then get help.”
“Trevor, I can’t just leave you…”
“You can. You’re going to. You have to.”
She sobbed and my heart broke, knowing I probably wouldn’t see her again. See Lacey or Lexi. But I’d be keeping my promise to Paul.
“Tell Lacey to fucking be good and cut you some slack. That’s an order. Tell her I love her. Tell Lexi I love her too. It's going to be okay, Mon.”
My head jerked to the side. She fucking slapped me.
“I’m not the mailman. You’re going to tell them yourself.” She was infuriated, belligerent and crying. Denial was in her eyes. I’d let her sit in it. But I’d said my peace. I knew when it came down to it, she’d tell them.
Leaning down I kissed her again, swiftly, before crouching and holding my hands in a cradle for her foot.