Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
She looked bad, even though she was trying to hide it. I would even say sickly. Shoving down my concern, I rushed to her, putting my arms around her as we collided. She hugged me back, her arms trembling.
“What the hell are you doing here, Lena?” she said in my ear.
“I was trying to find you.” My voice broke, trying to keep more tears from falling.
She released me, closing the door behind us and locking it.
Then she drew me over to the couch. Even though she looked ill, with dark circles under her eyes and a faint bruise on her cheek, she was still stunning.
Her black hair was styled in waves down her back and she wore a creamy-white knee-high dress that fit to her figure.
There was also a layer of studded jewelry around her neck, gold white chain and diamonds, paired with a set of earrings.
“How did you even know where to look?” she asked.
“Long story.”
“We have time.”
I told her about Luke and how we found the footage at her apartment. Mom, Dad, and Art were working with police to find her. But I kind of took…a less conventional route.
She gave me a suspicious look. “What kind of route?”
I decided she deserved to know at least a little. “I had connections with this group who are rivals to your ex’s gang. They helped me track you down.”
She covered her eyes. “Lena, tell me you did not get involved with some gang too.”
Here it was. Even in a dire situation she couldn’t help chastising me. “They’re not like the Brotherhood of the Serpent. They are…” I was about to say good. But that wasn’t exactly accurate. “They care, that’s all.”
“Yeah, cared enough to get you involved in this. Now you’re here with me. Oh, god…” She wiped a tear from her face and that scared me. Trish rarely cried. “You shouldn’t be here.”
I took her hand and wrapped it in mine. “Why didn’t you tell me about Trevor and Luke?”
“I couldn't. It was…it all happened so fast. I made a mistake. Trevor caught sight of me and I just…I got weak, Lena. I’m sorry. I liked him too much for my own good and he got me involved in all this bullshit. I tried to get out but…” She wiped away another tear.
“He wasn’t having it. I thought it was better not to fight after I heard about Luke.
I thought maybe eventually he’d let me go… ”
I squeezed her hand. “It’ll be okay. We’re together now.”
“But we shouldn’t be. You’re supposed to be safe. He promised me he wouldn’t mess with my family. That son of a bitch,” she whispered. She studied my face. “They hurt you?”
I couldn’t hide it. She had to see the bruises there too, faint like hers. She got up from the couch as if ready to storm out, then she stopped.
“We stick together. You do whatever I say, you understand, Lena?” she demanded. “You stay silent and do as told and I’ll—I’ll convince him to let you go.”
“I’m not going anywhere without you, Trish.”
“You have to,” she snapped. Then her expression dropped. “Please, Lena. You need to go.”
I gave her a sad look back. She knew I was stubborn too.
There was a knock on the door. Trish gave me one last pleading glance before opening the door. A shorter man in a red suit came in and set a dress down on the couch, similar to the one Trish had on.
“He wants you down for dinner in half an hour,” the man said, turning to Trish. “Dress is for her.” He pointed to me. When he left without another word, closing the door behind him, Trish rubbed at her mouth nervously.
“Fuck,” she whispered. She walked over and picked up the dress. “Put this on and I’ll fix your hair.”
“Why? What’s the point—”
“Please, Lena. Just trust me.”
I stared at her and saw the fear in her eyes with little to none of the fire I recognized. Nothing usually scared Trish. Not this bad. But this man terrified her.
Hesitantly, I did as she asked. They hadn’t given me any shoes to go with the dress so I kept on my boots.
When I was done fixing myself, Trish called for one of the men outside to grab her some hair products and they came back with a small comb and one large studded hair clip.
She sat me in a chair and did my hair as best she could. When she was done, the man returned.
My hand was tight in hers as she led me out of the room, following the man downstairs. Everything was made of that fine polished wood like a hunting lodge. Some of Simon’s men were hanging around, eyeing us, making me hold Trish even closer.
When we turned into the dining room, Trish halted at the entrance as the man in red went over to the long table where Simon was talking with another man in a fine black suit.
“Come on over, Trish,” the man in the fine suit said.
Trish reluctantly brought me inside. The room was like the rest of the house except filled with dozens of taxidermized animals.
There were deer heads hanging on the walls, a moose head, even a huge ass grizzly bear in the corner.
There were antlers everywhere. Even the chandeliers were made of them.
Above the fireplace was a set of hunting rifles.
There were also a pair of glass doors leading to a balcony which looked over the yard and the woods beyond.
"So you're Trish's little sister," the man leaned in, offering his hand as we came to the table. I took his hand, tensing as he squeezed firmly. "Lena, right?"
"T-that's right."
He grinned at me with too perfect teeth, his dark blond hair slicked back. He had those cold blue eyes that reminded me of Jasper's. "I'm Trevor. Have a seat where you like."
I sat down next to Trish opposite Simon who was watching me carefully with a little smirk on his face. I wanted to smack it right off.
"I've heard you know Simon," Trevor said.
"New acquaintances," Simon grinned, leaning back in his seat.
Glaring at him, I forced myself not to say a word, knowing if I did, I might put me and Trish in danger. A couple of men came out with plates of food, setting one down in front of me, a slab of steak and veggies.
"Not a vegetarian are you?" Trevor asked when I didn't touch the food.
I shook my head. "Just…not very hungry."
"Trish is never hungry either, are you sweetheart? It's a shame. She's lost all this weight, but I liked her curvy. Had to get strict though when I caught her throwing up in the spare bathroom, didn't I Trish?"
Trish didn't say a word as she cut her steak and took a bite. Trevor shook his head as if disappointed. I didn't want to think about how he got strict with her or forced her to eat.
"Go ahead, it's good," he said.
Hesitantly I cut into the steak and saw the pink layer underneath. I took a bite and chewed thoroughly before swallowing, my stomach twisting as it went down.
"We've got a spare bedroom set up for you, top floor with a nice view," he smiled. "It will only be for tonight then we'll have something more personal set up down south."
What the hell was he talking about?
I glanced at Trish, who gave me a warning look, but I was too curious. "Down south?"
"We are heading to Brazil for a month, but Trish likes the heat, and I figured…" he cut at his steak and took a bite and swallowed. "Why not let her stay down there when I return? I'll visit often and now that she has you, she won't get so lonely." He smiled again, almost smugly.
I gripped the fork and knife in my hands. Was he serious? Brazil?
"What about our family?" I blurted. Trish kicked me but I ignored it.
Trevor shrugged as he took another bite. "What about them?"
"They…don't know where we are. How will we contact them?"
"You don't," he said casually, cutting into his steak.
"But you'll have plenty of my family down there to keep you company when they visit.
I told them not to touch Trish but you look like you're fun at parties.
You could probably get on pretty well with my brothers.
Carl needs a new girl in his life actually.
Guy is a little weird but he's funny. I'll introduce you.
Just don't let him take you down to the pool alone.
" He pointed his knife at me. "He almost drowned this one girl, can't remember her name.
Whatever. He doesn't like when girls laugh or talk too loudly. "
This felt like a joke. The way he smiled and his eyes lit up made me think he had to be fucking with us. Simon was laughing as he picked up his beer. I knew I was supposed to shut up and let it go but the words just slipped out of me.
"We can't go."
Trish bowed her head. "Lena, be quiet."
Trevor frowned. "Well, you have options. You can go down or you can stay here."
I gaped at him, confused. "We want to stay here."
He raised his brows as if that was somehow shocking. "You just won't be in one piece if you stay here."
The silence washed over us. I heard the clinking of glass from the kitchen nearby and a TV playing somewhere.
"What?" I said softly.
He turned his head in the direction of the yard.
"They've got a pig farm just up the road, could throw you in their pen and have you gone before morning.
It would be simple if cliche—Oh!" he waved his knife.
"My uncle just shot a couple of young deer the other day, they are hanging up in the garage being drained.
We take the intestines out and stuff you in before they get put on display in the living room.
I heard they did something like that to Hoffa only it was in a statue. "
Simon shook his head. "Nah. Would stink up the place in less than a week.
I say you do it like the cartels. Kill her then use her as a mule, stuff her insides with money and drugs to take down.
Or use her like a doll. Your brother Carl will like that more, she'll be quiet and pliable at least until she's too rotted out. "
Trevor seemed to think it over. "Sounds like too much of a hassle."
I felt sick, the food turning in my stomach.
"Trevor," Trish said. "Please don't."
"It's a joke, Trish, lighten up."
Men appeared from the kitchen to take the plates while another brought over two empty glasses, a bottle of wine, and a small silver pill box, setting them down in front of Trevor.
Trevor uncorked the bottle and filled the glasses, then he opened the pill box and sprinkled something into one of the glasses, swirling it around.
"How about we make this more exciting instead, and I give you a chance.
" He took the wine I assumed was now laced with drugs and got up, walking over to Trish and setting it before her.
"Trish will go to bed while you stay up and play a game with us.
If you win we won't leave and you get to stay all intact, okay? "
I met Trish's gaze and saw the fear in them again. "Trevor…" she said. "Let me play, leave my sister out of this."
Trevor gripped the back of her neck firmly. "Shut up, sweetheart and drink your wine. Or I'll forget about it and cut your sister's throat right here."
"You fucking—Ah!" He yanked her hair, tilting her head back.
"Trishy, I didn't ask for your thoughts. Drink your wine." He released her and waited.
Hand trembling, she gripped the wine. "It's going to be okay." I wasn't sure if she was saying that for me or for herself. "I'll…I'll see you soon. Please, Trevor, don't hurt her. You promised." She lifted the wine and gulped it down.
Trevor patted her shoulder then kissed her head. As he sat back down and poured his own glass of wine, Trish started to sag in her seat.
"Trish!" I lunged to catch her before she banged her head on the table, forced to hold her as she started to slip from the chair. "You asshole," I barked at Trevor. "You didn't have to drug her."
"It's better for her to be quiet, she gets restless at night. And now we can play our game without her bitching about it." He took a drink then set his glass down.
"What's the game?"
"The most dangerous game of hide and seek you ever played."
I tensed as I looked over at him, unable to believe he was serious.
He peered at me as if it should be obvious. "A hunting game, sweetheart. We'll give you till midnight. You stay hidden until then you get to be with your sister."
"And if I get caught…"
He tilted his head toward Simon, shoulders shaking with laughter. "Maybe we weren't joking about stuffing you somewhere."
I didn't try to hide my horrified and appalled expression. Simon had the nerve to wink at me.
"Make it better, whoever catches her first gets dibs on what they wanna do with her, dead or alive."
The blood drained from my face.
Trevor clapped his hands in satisfaction. "You're weird, Simon." He drained his glass and tossed it into the fireplace. "Go get your boys."
Simon left the room while two of Trevor's men appeared from the hallway. I clung to Trish as they attempted to separate us.
"Come on, you're wasting time," Trevor scolded. "She'll be safe and sound upstairs."
The men surrounded me, ripping me away from her. One of them swung me around forcefully while the other picked Trish up and swept her out of the room.
"Get off! Get off me! Trish!" I screamed, elbowing the guy who held me firmly. He twisted me toward Trevor who closed the distance between us.
"I'll give you a good head start." He lifted his hand, brushing his knuckles over my cheek.
I jerked away in disgust. In response, he took hold of my jaw in a painful grip, keeping me from moving.
"For Trish's sake, I won't kill you. I'll just let the guys play with you a bit, okay?
Might leave a few scars. Just so Trish knows not to fuck with me again and try to leave.
She has to understand there are consequences.
And you'll understand too." His gaze drifted over me.
"You remind me of her…" His thumb caressed my bottom lip.
I tried to pull away but his grip only tightened.
He leaned in and kissed me, slipping his tongue between my teeth.
I struggled in his grip, trying to turn my head away. As his tongue left my mouth, I bit down on his lip hard. He released me, jerking back as he barked in pain. "Fuck. You cunt." He struck me, the punch knocking me back, my head hitting the other man's shoulder.
My vision went black for a mere second then returned, making me see stars. Pain seared up my cheek as my head rolled to one side, the taste of iron in my mouth.
"Put her on the couch in the back room and give her a minute," Trevor ordered. "After that, tell her she's got thirty seconds to run."
The man lifted me off my feet and hauled me out of the dining room.