Chapter 37 #3
“Are you sure?” Lyle asks.
“Yeah. Is this going to affect your running for mayor?”
“No. If anyone asks, I will remind them victim blaming is gross and shut them the fuck up. Are you coming home?”
“Yeah. Maybe we can go out for ice cream or a tattoo or something,” I laugh. “I miss you guys when I travel. It’ll be nice to be able to stay in one place. I’ll figure out the rest. I haven’t used any of last year’s salary, so it’s sitting in a savings account gathering interest.”
“Easton is pretty great at the stock game,” Lyle says. “You’ll never have to work again if you don’t want to. And if you do, you’ll have the capital to start whatever you want. Either way, pack money is your money, Troy.”
In a past life, I’d be berated for losing my job. There’s none of that here. I have a small amount of sadness as I say goodbye to a profession I love, but I have a small idea beginning to gain traction in my mind.
“Thanks, Lyle.”
“I love you. Are you coming straight home?”
“Yeah… Fuck. Stupid elevator.”
I glare as the elevator bypasses the first floor and continues moving toward the underground parking lot. The only reason I didn’t park there initially is because garages creep me out. I pull out the stun gun Alisa gave me and blow out a frustrated breath.
“What’s wrong?”
“Detour. The elevator isn’t going to let me off where I want. I’ll be home soon.”
“Wait, Troy—”
“It’s not a big deal,” I promise, stepping out as the doors open. “I love you too.”
I tuck my phone away in my back pocket, hurrying through the semi dark garage. I can see the ramp to exit, and plan to leave that way as well. Unfortunately, the elevator is on the opposite side. So fucking annoying.
I keep my strides long to avoid running into people, keeping my head moving around me to be aware of my surroundings. Ugh, I would rather walk through my old neighborhood any day compared to this.
I can hear alarms beep on the far side of the garage as people leave for their lunch breaks, but I wouldn’t say it’s overly crowded.
Ugh, why does it feel like the exit is so far away?
The squeal of tires coming around a corner has me starting to jog, and I don’t fucking care if someone thinks I’m being paranoid.
“Troy!”
I turn despite the fact that no one should know I’m here. A panel door is open and a woman with dark hair grins at me as she blows something in my face. Even as I try to close my eyes, I know it’s too late. Fuck.
Shaking my head as I force myself to keep walking away, I use the skills I’ve learned while playing hockey. Ice being thrown in my face is something I no longer flinch at, but I’m almost positive this is a little grimmer than that.
“Help!” I yell, knowing I’ve heard people in the garage. Being silent helps whoever this is. I’m not going to fucking help her. I’m dizzy and my muscles feel as if they’re melting. They won’t respond to me soon and then I’ll be fucked. “Help me! I’m being fucking kidnapped!”
“I did the hard part, go get him,” the woman with the soulless eyes complains. “Preferably before someone notices his yelling.”
Hands grab at me and I push the stun gun’s button down and jab at my attackers while I continue to yell. I’m not going quietly.
“So dramatic. Knock him out. Carefully. I don’t want to wait forever for him to wake up.”
Nothing good comes from those words and I buck, kick, and fight. My vision comes back suddenly as I blink, though it’s blurry, only for me to find I’m way outnumbered.
“Fuck, who carries a tiny stun gun around? It’s so little.”
I thank god I chose sneakers today as he tries to pinch a nerve in my hand to get me to let go of my weapon. I stomp on his foot and throw my head back, pulling my hand away to shove the “tiny” stun gun into another man’s eye.
“I do,” I growl, losing my mind as I continue to fight. Something hits the back of my head and I know it’s fucking over.
“What’s going on? Leave him alone!”
I can hear someone yelling, and the voice is vaguely familiar as I slump into the men’s arms. The drug is working faster now that I’m no longer fighting. My fingers open as my ears ring from the pain of getting hit, and I hear my weapon drop to the ground.
I’m so fucking fucked.
“Hurry. God, I hate do-gooders. There’s nothing to see here. Just a little kidnapping.”
My head hits a hard floor with a clang as I’m dropped into the van, and I groan as the van door is slammed shut.
“We’re going to have so much fun, baby.”
Blinking hard, I groan as I force myself to look at the woman speaking to me. My wrists are zip tied behind my back with efficiency, and a gag is forcibly tied around my mouth.
The van is crowded, but the woman doesn’t seem put out by it.
“No need to talk,” she giggles. “I have no need for that part of your anatomy. Get rid of his phone, boys. He doesn’t need that either. I don’t want anyone to ruin our fun.”
My eyes slam shut as the van drives toward the exit, and I feel fingers pulling out my phone from the pocket on my ass. The world falls away while I scream for help in my mind, knowing no one will come in time.