Page 80 of August

Rami cursed and Toth folded his arms across his chest. “I agree. We need some kind of assurance he’s going to follow through. Text him. Ask for a picture of Gigi.”

He wanted more than a picture. He sent Alvarez a text.

I need proof you have Gigi and she’s okay.

His mouth went dry as he hit the send button. Looking from Rami to Toth, worry bubbled in his stomach.

Toth spoke first. “It’ll be fine. If he really wants to trade, which he must or he wouldn’t have called you, then he’ll respond.”

“In the meantime, let’s load up.” Rami drew a circle with his index finger in the air.

“Wait, what about me?” Todd moaned from his chair.

August scoffed, Toth smirked, and Rami laid a hand on the idiot’s shoulder. “You’re getting what’s coming to you. But you should feel good about this. If all goes well, Gigi will be free of the control your actions have had over her life.”

August tried to swallow the fear welling in his throat. If all goes well...

He had his anxiety and doubts, but he also had one thing Alvarez wanted more than anything: Todd. There was no reason to believe the cartel leader would back out or refuse to give proof of Gigi being alive and well.

This was a win-win situation. Gigi wouldn’t provide Alvarez with enough satisfaction—he’d want Todd ten times over. August just had to keep reminding himself Gigi wasn’t the real target here. Once Alvarez had what he wanted, he’d disappear.

Rami and Toth began scooping up their bags of ammunition and guns, just in case. They also packed Taschen’s drone. August’s phone vibrated in his hand and adrenaline swelled his muscles. He glanced down at the screen, and the image of Gigi kneeling on the floor in a nasty bedroom with her hands behind her back, duct tape over her mouth, and horror bright in her eyes made his breath hitch.

A burning sensation started deep behind his solar plexus and fired through his chest.

He had his confirmation.

Now he’d kill whoever had put that terrified look in her eyes.

***

As Alec took her picture, Gigi wanted to scream. If it weren’t for the damn tape she would have.

He slammed the door and locked it again, and she let out a frustrated grunt. Micha stopped chewing her bone and looked at her questioningly then went back to work. At least the dog had growled when Alec got close.

I won’t blame you if you chew off his face, Micha.

Realization struck her. He’d taken a picture of her. Why? Her mind spun through the possibilities.

Maybe to prove to his boss that they’d accomplished the task. Or was it more than that? Why was a photo necessary? Clearly he was trying to show she was in captivity—and unharmed.

Little bursts of hope erupted inside her. Maybe Alvarez was going to make a deal. After all, August had gone to fetch Todd while she’d been kidnapped. What if August was negotiating her rescue?

She closed her eyes on a prayer. Yes, yes, please, God.

August would fight for her. He’d do everything in his power to keep her safe and by now, he’d be back from the senator’s place.

But could Alvarez be trusted? Could Alec and Marko? No, of course not. Especially not Alec. He might not kill her without instructions, but he could do a lot more—a lot worse.

Music bumped from the living room and Micha whined, clearly not liking the noise. Gigi glanced at the window. If she tried to escape, she might piss off her captors. If she twiddled her thumbs, she could be awaiting her death.

She couldn’t take the risk of assuming that the photo had been for August. After all, the cartel was into human trafficking. She knew that because of what had happened to her sister. It was very possible the photo was for a buyer.

Panic shot her to her feet. She had to get out of there. The constant vibration of the music was enough to give her a headache. Hopefully it was loud enough to cover the sounds of the dresser moving and the window opening.

Yanking her hands apart as much as possible, she stretched and pulled at the tape. Her shoulders burned, the muscles and tendons already strained from the awkward position. Slouching on an exasperated breath, she looked around the room. The tape wasn’t too tight. With enough work she could pull it off, but if she could find something to dig underneath the restraint, she’d loosen it easier.

Her gaze landed on the knob of the wooden dresser. She moved across the room, turned her back to the dresser, and felt around for the metal nub. Working her hands beneath the knob, she got it hooked underneath the tape and then jammed down her wrists.

---