Page 46 of Fourteen Years

“Just let me check her. Do whatever you want to me afterwards. Let me make sure she can’t be helped.” I begged, not too proud when it came to her life. I’d just gotten her back into mine and we hadn’t had long enough.

Mike barked a rough laugh.

“Wrong body.” he spoke coldly.

Brain racing, I just stared at them both. Wondering what other poor soul had been—

Jackson. Fuck.

“What the fuck did you two idiots do?” I yelled.

Chuck looked like he may say something, slight trepidation in his gaze as he took me in. Mike smacked him in the back of the head and pointed back up the stairs.

“We’ll give you two some time alone.” Grinned Mike, disappearing back up them behind his accomplice.

I heard the door shut with a slam, locks clicking into place. Heavy footsteps echoed above me and my eyes trailed them on the ceiling, listening until another door opened and shut. Glancing around the basement again my stomach sank at what little there was to use around me.

My eyes shifted downward, taking in Monica’s too still form.

“Monica,” I urged. “Baby, please, wake up.”

I heard a faint groan, sure I saw her shoulders raise and lower with a breath. Relief stole through me quickly as I took her in.

“Monica!” I hissed, louder. Terrified someone would hear me.

“Shut up.” Monica groaned softly, hands coming up to her head. “I have a horrible headache, Trev. What—” her voice broke off and I knew she’d opened her eyes. Her brain coming back on board with the situation.

“Oh my God.” she gasped, sitting up and swaying slightly.

“Are you okay?” I begged, my voice cracking.

Her panicked eyes met mine as she stood shakily.

“They didn’t tie me up?” she questioned.

“Mon, baby, focus. Are you okay?”

“I think…” she was trembling all over. “They shot Jackson.” her voice broke. “Right in front of me. I tried to run. They put some cloth over my face…I don’t remember anything after that.”

I clenched my teeth, my jaw groaning under the force.

I was going to kill anyone who’d had a hand in this.

“Listen. They probably didn’t tie you up because they figure we can’t get out of here. They locked the door when they went back upstairs. They don’t want me loose because I’d fight them. But now that you’re here they know I won’t risk doing anything. You gotta untie me, Monica. I gotta get you out the window.”

Her head jerked up, ponytail bouncing.

“Wehave to get out the window.WE, Trevor.” she emphasized.

“Sure. We.” I placated, knowing there was no way I was going to get out that tiny window with my frame. Monica may not even fit. Whatever I needed to tell her to get her out of here.

Monica hurried over, moving to my back, working at the knots they’d tied around my wrists. I felt them loosening and her fingers gently brushed over the places where I’d rubbed skin raw trying to get free.

I heard her sniffle as I bent untying my ankles so I could stand knowing she was close to breaking. I spared a minute, spinning to yank her into my arms, holding her tight, even for just a moment.

“It’ll be okay. I’m going to get you out of this.” I whispered. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry my choices brought this to your life.”

Her hands worked between us, planting on my chest and shoving me backwards.

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