45. Kovu
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
KOVU
T he ache in the back of my head is the first thing I notice as I come to.
The next is the fact I’m in a moving vehicle, and the only reason I know that is because when we turn a corner, I roll straight into hard metal.
A van, probably.
And then it’s the low voices a few feet away from me that pique my attention.
“How long is he going to be out?”
“No fucking clue. He’s a big fucker, so probably not long.”
“Are you sure those ties are going to hold?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Do you think this is the first time I’ve done this shit?”
I don’t recognize either of their voices, but they sound like low-level thugs. That’s the kind of guy you send for a job like this. Transporting an unconscious person from point A to point B.
“Will you two shut up?” someone else snaps, the familiar voice causing bile to rise up the back of my throat as it all comes rushing back to me.
Joel.
The man who tormented me for years.
The one who tortured me right alongside my parents.
The one I always vowed to kill, but that was long gone after he found out what I did to my parents while he was away visiting some family member that was unfortunate enough to be related to him.
We spent years looking for him whenever we had the time and resources, until a few years ago, when I finally called it. I thought for sure he was dead. The amount of drugs and alcohol he consumed should make a long life impossible.
“We’re almost there,” one of the first guys says, and I force my body to relax. It’s better if they think I’m still out.
The van comes to a halt, and the door slides open almost immediately.
“He cause you any trouble?” Caleb asks. Of course, this fucker is responsible for all of this. The sooner I can put him six feet deep for real this time, the better.
“He’s been out the whole time.”
“I want him right over there for when the others arrive.”
Someone grabs me under the arms and drags me toward the edge of the van, and when my shoulders are no longer pressed to the cool metal floor of the van, I force my body to remain lax as I hit the ground.
I need to think quick. They’re luring the others into a trap, that much is obvious without ever having to open my eyes. But the question is, where are we?
Dampness seeps into the back of my shirt, and cool grass brushes against the backs of my arms. Someone grasps me around the ankles, and both men groan under my weight as they lift me, giving me a chance to take stock of myself.
My head hurts, but I’ve had worse head injuries and have been able to fight my way through, so I’m not worried about it.
My face aches, making me think the asshole roughed me up after pistol whipping me like a coward. I shouldn’t be surprised that the man who got off on torturing a child can only go toe to toe with me when I’m unconscious.
Both my hands and feet are tied, making escape that much more difficult, but not impossible.
The knife is noticeably absent from its holster at my hip, but I have a backup in my boot if I can just reach for it without them noticing.
I swallow a grunt of pain as they drop me to the cold grass and drag me into a sitting position with my hands tied in my lap.
Not the worst position they could put me in.
Footsteps move away from me, and as slowly as I can manage, I open one eye and take in my surroundings as confusion falls over me.
Why are we in a cemetery?
There are three SUVs parked along the road that weaves through the graves, and if I’m not mistaken, my back is pressed against a headstone.
If this is Caleb’s idea of some sick joke, he’s really outdone himself on this one.
“Has the girl left the panic room yet?” Joel asks.
“Not yet, but we have a guy outside the office that will grab her the second she steps out,” Caleb replies, and my stomach sinks. If she’s still locked up tight, there’s a good chance she doesn’t know I’ve been taken, which is for the best.
My little lamb is too brave for her own good, and the last thing I want is for her to get hurt trying to save me.
“And the others?”
“They’re on their way. My son was doing a pretty shitty job of tailing us on the way here so he won’t be far away. I have our men spreading throughout the cemetery for when they inevitably split up.”
Fuck.
They’re walking straight into a trap, and there’s not a damn thing I can do to stop them.