Chapter 40
The door closed to the room where Emma had seen the children and women. Her gaze flew to Uncle Tommy, and finally some emotion showed as he looked her right in the eye and gave the smallest shake of his head.
He’s not happy about what’s happening.
Emma didn’t understand why he didn’t do something about it. Then she realized he was the only man—besides the hostages—who didn’t have a weapon.
It didn’t make sense.
The baby crying in the other room suddenly went quiet, and one of the men on the floor slumped his shoulders, shaking his head.
It must be his child.
Ezra came out of the room, a dark look on his face.
“What did you do?” The shout was barely understandable behind the man’s gag. It was the one Emma thought was the father. He lurched forward, trying to get his legs and feet underneath him.
“If you ever want to see your family again, sit down!” ordered Mark. He pointed his pistol at the man on the floor. “What happened?” he asked Ezra.
“She’s nursing the baby now. That shut it up.” Ezra leered at the father. “She’s got great boobs.”
The father collapsed back to sitting and refused to look at Ezra.
A movement in the corner of her eye made Emma look out the large windows to the wraparound deck. A guard had paused outside, his rifle on his shoulder. He continued his stroll after watching through the glass for a few moments.
It’s like a prison.
Mark strode over and kicked the knee of one hostage. “Holtz! Your judicial immunity doesn’t exist here. You’re at our level now. We will take the accountability we’re owed.”
The blond man looked up at Mark but didn’t say anything.
Mark squatted in front of him, and Emma knew he was showing off for the other men in the room.
He’s enjoying this.
“Now who’s got the upper hand?” Mark whispered loudly, leaning toward the man Emma assumed was a judge. “How’s that make you feel?” His voice made her skin crawl. “How would you like to be locked up at my whim?”
A large man in pajama bottoms next to Holtz shifted and coughed behind his gag.
He did that on purpose.
Mark turned his attention on him. “What’s that, Guv’ner?
You don’t like the way I talk to one of your lackeys?
” Mark spit on the man’s bare feet, making him flinch.
“You’re no different than me. But you believe your power makes you better than me.
” He stood and glared at the six men. “Abuse of power,” he shouted as more spit flew from his mouth.
“I declare all of you guilty!” He raised his hands and turned to his men.
“See how easy that was? Anyone can pass judgment. But first we need to get rid of the current abusers. We’ve all been waiting for that sign that it’s time for a change.
” He looked at the six men. “And this is my sign.”
What’s he going to do?
“Get the other judge and the DA out here,” he ordered Ezra, who headed back to the room where the baby had cried.
Mark stopped in front of one of the gagged men and shook his head. “Don’t know what two of you were thinking by marrying women like that. They walk around with your balls in their purses, and you let them.”
Ezra returned with two women, both gagged but with their hands zip-tied in front. One was in red flannel pajamas and the other in yoga pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt.
“On the floor!” ordered Mark.
The women awkwardly dropped down, exchanging looks with the male hostages. One woman eyed Emma with surprise and then concern in her gaze.
“Now you two without balls can go in with the other women and kids.” Mark chuckled, his eyes sparkling as the men got to their feet.
“You too.” He pointed at Emma. “Follow them. Zip-tie her,” he told Acne Man.
“Leave her hands in front,” added Uncle Tommy.
Acne Man roughly grabbed for her hands and then yanked the zip tie too tight, and Emma gasped. Uncle Tommy was immediately on his feet. “Do it right, you shithead!” he roared at Acne Man.
Acne Man looked at Mark, who nodded. He dug a knife out of his pocket, flicked the blade open, and sawed through the ties. Emma stood frozen, expecting to be cut. A second zip tie went on, and Mark shoved her in the back. She stumbled toward the door where Ezra waited.
He slammed the door behind her, and Emma found herself in a small room. Three women, two men, and six children. Everyone stared at her.
A woman holding a baby slipped her own gag out of her mouth. “Where did you come from, honey?” she whispered.