Page 52 of Ink's Devil

“Held?” I squeak. “Who by and where?”

“The first doesn’t matter, the second, I don’t know. I was unconscious when they brought me here. They let me have my phone, so I can arrange what I need to do to get me released.”

“Which is what, Con? What do you need from me? Shall I try to find you? Maybe I can locate you using the phone.” Maybe Ink’s friend Cad can do it. Or, “Have you an iPhone? I could use Find a Friend. I can come get you—”

“Beth, no. And I don’t have a fuckin’ fancy phone. No, the only way to get me out is to help me. That’s if you care about seeing me again.”

He’s an asshole, but he shares my blood. Of course I don’t want him hurt or worse, dead. “Anything, I’ve already told you. I’ll do anything to help.” My hand holding the phone is shaking.

“And you won’t tell anyone?”

It goes against the grain, but I can’t make his situation worse. “You promise, if I do whatever you ask me to, you’ll be safe?”

“Released straightaway. Beth, I hate to ask you, I should do this myself, but I can’t.”

“Just tell me, Con. The sooner I do it, the sooner you’ll be safe.” And then I’ll have to find a way to get him out of the life he’s living, get him away from the clutches of our father. He’s behind this, I’m certain. “What is it you need? Is it money?” I don’t have a lot, but it’s his if he needs it to save his life.

“Beth? You listening, Bethie?”

“I’m listening.”

“I don’t need money. That won’t help. I do need you to make a delivery for me. If you go into my old room, I left some packages at the back of the closet, under a pile of old clothes.”

Left some…“What the hell, Con? You said you were picking up your stuff…”

“No time to argue, Beth. I needed somewhere to store something. Now I need some of it taken somewhere else.”

“Is whatever it is stolen?” If so, perhaps the person who it was taken from wants it back.

“What? No. But someone wants it in trade for my life. I need you to make the exchange.”

“Connor. Are you lying to me? Are you just trying to get me to do your dirty work for you?”

“Bethie.” His childhood nickname for me drops again from his lips. “Bethie, I promise. This is the truth. I won’t get out of this unless you help. Please Beth, I’m begging you. They’ll kill me.”

His tone has the ring of truth to it. Can I afford to doubt him? My eyes are leaking as I realise, I have no choice. “Okay, I’ll go to your room. What do you want me to take?”

“Thank fuck. Thank you, Beth. Take two packages. Take them to this address.” He rattles off a location. “Hand them over. Once that’s done, I’ll be released. Beth, I’m relying on you. I need you to do this.”

“Who do I give them to? What if… What if they take me too?”

“Beth, this will be simple. You don’t need to know who he is, he’ll be the only one waiting for you. And no, you won’t be hurt or taken. I promise you that. It’s not a difficult task. I wouldn’t put my sister in danger.”

He sounds certain I’ll be safe. But even if there’s a chance I won’t, what choice have I got?Find out the details and ask Ink’s advice.Yes. That’s what I’ll do. Now I’ve a hastily thought up plan, feeling easier I ask, “When?”

“Now. The rendezvous time is 1 am.”

I glance at the clock. Shit! “You’ve not given me much time.” I’ll be pushed to make it by then, let alone waste precious minutes discussing what I’ve been asked to do with anyone else.

“And what time you’ve got you’re wasting. Are you going to do this, Beth? Or do we say a final goodbye?” He sounds desperate, and his new bout of coughing reminds me he’s hurt, or at least says he is.

I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at it for a second, wondering whether he’s being over dramatic. Worried about what low-life I’ll be handing whatever it is over to. But what if it’s all the truth? What if I say no and never see my brother in this life again?

There’s only one answer I can give. “I’ll do it.”

“Beth. You’re going to save my life. If there was any other way, I wouldn’t ask you, but there’s not. I love you, Sis.”

Then he’s gone.

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