Page 159 of Voices

I shake my head repeatedly as my fingers struggle to pull up Shane’s number. They’re shaking so bad that I drop my phone. I watch it fall between my legs to the dark floor. I bend to pick it up when another knock hits my window, only this time it wasn’t his fist. Slowly turning my head, I freeze when I realize that I’m looking down the barrel of a gun.

“This is the last time I’ll ask nicely. Open. Thefucking. Door.”

When I’m too shell shocked to move, he pulls his phone out and holds it up to the window. There’s a picture of Shane laughing, winged by the guys. They’re all wearing the same clothes they were in when I saw them earlier. Meaning…

“That’s right, you little piece of shit. I know where your faggot boyfriend is, along with all his little buddies. I have eyes on him right now.”

He swipes his phone then turns it back to me, showing Shane with glassy eyes leaning into…no! He wouldn’t! Conrad swipes to another picture that has my lunch threatening to make a reappearance. Shane has his hands on Katie’s hips and his face is hidden by her blonde wavy hair.

“Get out of the car right now Charles and I’ll call my men off. If you don’t, his death, along with anyone who gets in my marksmen’s way, will be on your hands.”

With a shaking hand, I pull the handle to open my door. It’s ripped from my hand the second the lock disengages andthen I’m being yanked out. Conrad drags me by the collar of my hoodie and throws me into the backseat of his car before slamming the door shut. He climbs into the driver’s seat and speeds away.

The overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke triggers an old memory that does have my lunch coming back up.

“You son of a bitch! That’s premium leather!” The car swerves then comes to an abrupt stop.

The door closest to my head opens, letting in the bitter cold. I glance up through teary eyes as the butt of his gun comes down on my temple and the world goes black.

I’m jerked awake when ice cold water is poured over my head. The room spins as I slowly raise my aching head, my temple throbbing. Blinking the room into view, I quickly close my eyes and wish I was anywhere but here.

“Open your eyes, boy. We have business to discuss.” My father’s stern voice comes from in front of me.

I hesitantly open my eyes to my father sitting in his large leather wingback chair behind his office desk, but we aren’t in his office at home.

No, we’re at the place where my worst nightmares live.

Looking around, I spot the leather couch that holds my screams, the ugly carpet that scratched my skin, and the floor to ceiling window I beat on with my fists.

“You have disobeyed me for the last time, Charles.”

I turn my attention back to him, knowing it’ll only anger him more if I don’t.

“I explicitly told you that you are not to leave Indiana or Illinois. I cannot have my son running around this country with a widely known hockey player. Do you know what kind of questions I have received from countless partners asking why they saw you all the way in FLORIDA,” he yells. “Thisis why youare to stay where I can control you!” His face is beet red as he stands and loosens his tie. “I’ve been watching you play house with Shane Hawkins and Ryder Kingston.”

I shrink down into the chair at the mention of their names. I knew he had me being followed, he always has. But I always thought his spy was Benji.

“You’ll be surprised how easy it is to get a few college kids to send me your location for a few hundred dollars.” His laugh is pure evil. “That dumb girl at your townhouse didn’t even hesitate to kick you out when I flashed her two hundred dollar bills. She called maintenance and had your unit empty within fifteen minutes.” He flashes his white teeth. “I just sent her another two hundred after she let me know you were there.”

That explains the creepy smile.

“Now that you’re homeless and your boyfriend has moved on to a much better choice, it seems your luck has ran out.”

“Wha-”

Conrad steps into the room and stands next to my father with a smirk.

“It looks like you’re behind on a few things. Conrad tells me you haven’t been holding up your end of the deal.”

Confused, I look from him to Conrad then back to him. “I-I don’t know wh-what you mean.”

He stands up, straightens his tie, and pats Conrad on the shoulder before walking over to me. My heart rate doubles as he stops right in front of me and leans down, leveling me with the same brown eyes he gave me.

“I know, Charles. I’ve always known.” His voice is hauntingly steady. “It’s been your punishment from the start. It’s a shame that no matter how many times you came here, you still didn’t get it. Maybe this time it’ll stick, and you’ll start to earn your place in this company.” He stands up to his full height, looking down his nose at me. “No son of mine will ever be known for hischildish coloring or for being gay,” his lip lifts in a sneer. “It’s time to grow up Charles.”

My vision starts to swim as his words start to click.

He’s known the whole time.

---