Page 85 of Submission

As I walk across the marble floor, I see a glint of something. Making my way over to it, I recognize the diamond earring Megan was wearing. Looking around, I see the pair dangling from an artificial potted tree. The large plant is next to a door that leads into what looks like a basement area.

I pull my gun from the back of my waistband, send a message to Vaughn before putting my phone on silent, and then proceed to find out what the fuck has happened to my girls.

Gun steady in my hands, I open the door, grateful that it doesn’t creak, and start descending the steps.

Basements of art galleries are usually quite massive and they serve as a storage unit for pieces that are often rotated or have newly arrived. I see the large containers and shelves and slowly walk past them.

I notice a faraway portion of the basement is illuminated, and I make my way there.

It’s difficult to keep my emotions in check right now, with fear for both Megan and my sister at the forefront.

I can only blame myself for this sickening feeling I have in my chest. A few months ago, I would have never made a mistake like this. This is what it means to have a weakness. Being connected to me has put them both in danger. And what’s worse is that it’s happening right under my nose.

I make sure that I’m walking in the shadows of the pallet next to me, which is why I’m not seen immediately. Containers havebeen pushed back against the wall to make a large space in the center, and the lamps have all been turned on.

My heart crawls up and inside my throat when I see Megan and Lena standing still, their arms at their sides. It looks like it’s just the two of them, but of course, I know better.

My eyes dart toward the shadows, and I can make out the forms of armed men standing there. It looks like a prepared stage just waiting for its last actors.

Then, out of nowhere, I hear the sounds of arrogant clapping, and Jonathan’s voice reaches my ears.

“I know you’re here, Hunter. It took you long enough. You might as well come out. I just want to talk for now.”

If I walk in there, it’s possibly a death sentence for me, but Jonathan is unpredictable enough to harm Megan or Lena if I don’t comply.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, and I take it out. The message I receive makes me smile grimly.

Gun in hand. I tuck my phone back and walk into the spotlight.

Megan sees me and doesn’t react, her face erased of emotions. It’s almost as if she’s now desensitized to the violence around me. Lena, however, is new to my chaos and is struggling to compose herself. I can see the tear tracks on her face. Thankfully, they both seem to be unharmed.

“Hunter!”

“It’s going to be fine,” I tell them, my eyes flickering towards Megan, who watches me steadily. I can see that something is going on in her brain. She either wants to tell me something, or there’s some sort of plan percolating in that head of hers. Either way, I need her to fall back.

I’ve got this.

“Well, aren’t you going to come out and greet me?” I raise a brow, speaking out loud. “It’s been a long time.”

The sound of footsteps from behind Megan makes me look up. In the dim light, I can see Jonathan’s face. There doesn’t seem to be much wrong with it, but then I notice the red patch on his forehead. It’s an odd color of red and it has traces of a greenish and yellowish hue to it.

“How’ve you been?” I ask casually. “And where the fuck is my money?”

“Where it belongs,” he sneers at me. “You seem awfully calm for someone who couldn’t keep tabs on the two most important women in his life. Shouldn’t you be groveling?”

“You know better than anyone, Jonathan,” I smirk. “I don’t grovel. It’s unsightly.”

Jonathan’s eyes flicker and I can see his wariness at my calm reaction, so he attempts to goad me. “You know, I was so disappointed when I discovered that Lena doesn’t recognize me. I mean, overlooking the current situation, I used to babysit her. Remember how she used to follow me around all the time like a little baby duck?”

Lena turns her head towards me, but I’m careful not to show a reaction. “Well, times change, don’t they? Children grow up.”

Jonathan scratches his chin with the muzzle of his gun, a mocking expression on his face.

“I always wondered whether I should have apologized for framing you all those years ago, and then I thought that maybe it made more sense to apologize for leading those gang members to your home. I mean, I was quite attached to your mother and sister, but I did enjoy hearing what those men did to them.”

My smile stiffens at his sudden confession, and the last missing pieces of the puzzle come together. I’ve always wondered how they found my family so easily when I’d made sure to be so careful. I was young, but I wasn’t stupid. Two of the men in my circle swore that they hadn’t done anything to my sister. I still killed them viciously, but both of their versions ofevents had lined up, leading me to believe that Lena’s remains were unable to be found in the fire wreckage or, later on, that someone had rescued her and was too afraid to contact me.

I never, not even once, suspected Jonathan.

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