Page 51 of In His Veins

“We really don’t have time for this. I have a new address for you. You’re going to come here alone and you’re not going to tell any of your little friends about it because your phone is tapped. If I so much as suspect that you’ve told someone else or you’re bringing someone along, I’ll fuck your sweet Ava, butcher her pretty body, and then fuck her mangled corpse for good measure. I’ll be sure to record it too, because I know how much you love your videos. Do you understand what I expect of you?”

I don’t remember the last time I felt real, unbridled fear, but it has full control over me now. I try to choke out an answer and have to start again.

“Yes.”

“Marvelous. Texting you the address now. I’ll see you soon.” The call disconnects and I stare at the screen. My brain feels horrifically blank as I wait for the text. I get a notification, but it’s not Kiel. It’s Chase.

Anything?

I can’t risk a response, even though I would like a chance to say goodbye. I know why Kiel only singled me out. Chase was just there on those fateful days. I was the one who ruined Kiel’s life. Even though my plan was horrible and maybe a little crazy, Chase stood by me, just like always. I’d never had a friend like him before, and I’m glad to have known him.

My phone chimes again, this time with the new address from Kiel. I don’t know if anyone is listening, but I pray he lets Ava go. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I won’t have a future with her, but I’ve never been so desperate for someone else to live.

I follow the new directions further downtown, but I hardly see where I’m going. There’s a smaller warehouse tucked nearby some larger buildings. I somehow know she’s there. My GPS tells me I’ve arrived as I’m already out of the car and striding forward.

The street is deserted, barely lit with scattered streetlights. A fresh breeze sweeps past, bringing with it the distinct scent of the river. I must have traveled further than I initially thought.

I imagine Ava’s bright, honey eyes and her easy smile as I push into the warehouse, gun raised.

“DROP IT!” I look left and right to see I’m absolutely surrounded. Nearly fifteen men fill the front end of the warehouse, at least ten of which have their guns trained on me. I do what they say, certain they won’t hesitate to

shoot and detain. I hold my hands up, slowly setting my pistol onto the floor.

A stocky man comes closer, gun pointed to my chest. He kicks my gun behind him and further from reach before crossing behind me. I cross my hands behind my back, expecting cuffs or zip ties. I’m ready to comply for the time being, but the man doesn’t reach for my hands. Instead, I feel a sharp pinch at my neck, and the world goes dark.

30

CALLUM

My mouth feels like it’s full of cotton when I awaken, and it feels like the room is shifting. So much that I can’t find a stable point as I scan the area wildly. I try to move my legs, but I’m strapped to a chair by my forearms and ankles.

“Well, hello there!” I hear a falsely cheerful voice exclaim. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to wake up there. This batch seems to be a little strong. It would have been such a bummer if you had died before we even had a chance to talk. And I want to talk to you so badly, Callum.” A figure emerges from the shadows, but he’s spinning with the room. I groan and try to clear my throat.

“Kiel,” I manage to say before vomiting onto the floor. The longer I keep my eyes open, the slower the room seems to move, so I try to force my eyes to take in the space. Kiel’s mouth is twisted in a frown as he surveys the mess in front of him.

The vicious scar looks harsh in this dim light, and I imagine how he would look with a matching one. His eyes are so wide I can see the white around his iris as he draws closer.

“Callum Alexander Drake,” he purrs. “You’re a tricky man to hunt down. You’re erased in almost every system imaginable. The government did their jobs well in that regard. You’re practically a ghost.” He chuckles wryly as he walks in a slow circle around my chair.

“Chase, too, but we both know that I just want you.” He gives me a wide grin, and I look at him blankly.

“Where’s Ava? You promised you’d let her go.”

Kiel laughs. “You didn’t really think I’d let her go, did you?”

I didn’t, but I was trying to remain hopeful. Knowing this sick fuck has her somewhere nearby has me thrashing in my restraints.

“Easy there, big guy. If you don’t stop moving, you’ll get another one of these,” he sings, holding up a syringe.

“What’s in that?” I ask, dreading the answer.

“My finest and strongest heroin.” He grins. “Hope you enjoyed the freebie. It’s done quite well on the market. Killed a few people, but at least they died feeling good.”

“One of them was a kid,” I say, my voice stronger now. He shrugs and places the syringe back on the table in the far corner of the room.

“It was all worth it. That kid’s death brought us to this moment. I needed to draw you out, and something horrible like that was sure to do the trick. You and the Giovanni brothers practically jumped at the opportunity.” He’s pacing the front of the room and I feel a rising trepidation. “I thought I’d have to use one of them to get to you, but it turns out you have a much easier weakness.” He stalks toward me, his stare unblinking.

“Savannah Renee Channing. Ava. Such a pretty, breakable girl. Do you remember how you broke my wife?” He whispers, now only inches away. He still hasn’t blinked and suddenly spits in my face. “I’ve thought about those few days frequently over the past several years. My wife didn’t deserve what you did to her.”

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