Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
JUNIE
The motel room smells of stale cigarettes and body odor.
My wrists are tied behind my back with rough rope that bites into my skin.
My ankles are bound too. The room is dim, curtains drawn tight against the daylight.
Two men sit in chairs near the door, watching me.
One is tall and thin with a scar across his cheek.
The other is stocky with a shaved head and cold eyes.
They do not speak when they see me stir. They just stare.
My heart races. I remember the gas station. The phone call. The black SUV. The men who grabbed me and brought me here. I remember giving them Wyatt's name. I remember the way my voice shook when I said it. I remember the guilt that hit me the second the words left my mouth.
I did what they asked. I gave them the hacker. I betrayed the man I love. Now I want my brother back.
"Where’s Caleb?" I ask, my voice hoarse. "I did everything you wanted. I told you about Wyatt Henry. Now give me my brother."
The stocky man laughs, a low, ugly sound. "You think it’s that easy? We still need your help. Your brother isn’t going anywhere until we’re sure you’re not holding back."
I pull against the ropes, but they only dig deeper. "I’m not holding back. I gave you the name. I did what you asked. Let me see him. Please."
The tall man leans forward. "You’re not in a position to make demands. Sit tight. We’ll tell you what to do next."
I feel the tears start to come. I can’t stop them.
I think about Wyatt waking up alone. I think about the way he held me last night.
The way he kissed me like I was the only thing that mattered.
The way he whispered that he loved me. I betrayed him.
I gave his name to these men. I wish I had never said it.
I wish I had found another way. I wish I had been stronger.
What is wrong with me?
The guilt is crushing. I cannot stop crying.
The tears run down my cheeks and soak into the collar of my sweater.
I think about the way Wyatt looked at me when he carried me back to the cabin.
The way he fed me soup and made me tea. The way he held me when I was scared.
He trusted me. He protected me. And I repaid him by handing him over to the people who want him dead.
I hate myself for it. I hate every second of it. I want to go back. I want to tell him I’m sorry. I want to tell him I love him. I want to tell him I never meant to hurt him.
I need a do-over.
But I can’t. I’m tied up in this motel room with two men who don’t care if I live or die. All they care about is using me to get what they want.
I look at them again. "What do you want from me? I gave you the name. What else do you need?"
The stocky man shrugs. "Shut up and sit still. When we get our orders… you’ll get yours."
I shake my head. "I hate you."
The tall man smiles. It’s not a nice smile. "Good."
I close my eyes. The tears keep coming. I think about Caleb. I think about the way he used to make me laugh when we were kids. The way he stayed up late with me when I was scared of the dark. The way he promised he’d always protect me. I can’t let him die. I can’t.
The door opens. A tall man with glasses steps into the room. He is wearing a dark suit and carries a briefcase. He looks at me with a calm, almost polite expression. He is the same man who was on the phone. The one who told me to stay where I was.
"You’ve been very good," he says. His voice is smooth and professional. "You did exactly what we needed."
I stare at him. "Who are you?"
He smiles slightly. "I’m with the FBI. Special Agent Jacob Michaels. We’ve been working on your father's case for a long time. Your brother has key evidence that can put Thomas Tremblay away for good. He’s being moved into witness protection as we speak. You don’t have to worry about him anymore."
I feel the world tilt. FBI. Witness protection. Thomas Tremblay. What does all of this mean?
I’m shocked. I can’t speak. I can’t move. I just stare at the man with the glasses, trying to understand what he just said.
The agent looks at the two men who were watching me. "Untie her. She’s done here."
They cut the ropes. I rub my wrists, feeling the burn where the rope dug in. I look at the agent again.
"What happens now?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
And before the man can answer me, Wyatt Henry walks into the room. I swear his presence sucks all the air from the room. And from my lungs. Seeing him crushes me. I’m completely destroyed.
“Hi, Junie,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper.
More tears stream down my face. I want to run into his arms, but I know he’d only push me away. Which I completely deserve.