Page 116 of Vow to Hate You

He scowled. “If you try to fight me,you’llregret it. Stand there and be quiet.”

Soon, the elevator door opened on the thirteenth floor, and Jack’s hand remained on my arm as he led me out. I scanned the large area, my heart in my throat. The entire floor was under construction. Battery-operated lights made it possible to look around.

Large pillars spanned the space, and the only things that weren’t still getting worked on were the floor-to-ceiling windows. Unpainted drywall was up in random spots where the apartments were being built. One look at the cement floor, where nails and other rubble were scattered around, proved I wouldn’t be able to take off my heels. It would be impossible for me to run even if I had the chance.

“Sit.”

Jack pushed me toward a solo folding chair. I sank down rigidly, flinching from the pain still radiating through my ribs. Percy paced in front of me as Jack retreated farther away, putting his phone to his ear. I tracked Percy’s moves, debating on what to do. Jack was the mastermind behind this. The man in front of me was nothing but the help. What if I could drive a wedge between them?

“He’s going to get you put in prison,” I said softly, keeping my voice low. “Or killed. I might not know much about my father’s business, but I do know he has friends who do things outside the law. You really think Jude Rutherford won’t do whatever he needs to get his daughter back?” I paused. “And Damian? He’ll come after you.”

“Quiet,” Percy hissed, his eyes darting to Jack, who had his back to us.

“I have money,” I continued in a whisper. “Enough where you can leave and start fresh. You can have a new life somewhere far away. You don’t need Jack. I’ll give it only to you.”

“You don’t have any money.”

“I do,” I corrected him. “I took money from Damian when I left years ago and never used it. Plus, I’ve saved up the entire time I was gone. You can have it all.”

My pulse thudded when he remained silent. Maybe I could get him to change his mind. He shook his head, beginning to pace again. I blew out a shaky breath, searching for the stairs since Jack was hovering near the elevator.

“You really have over a million dollars?” he asked under his breath, halting in front of me.

I nodded. “If you give me my phone, I can prove it to you.”

“So you can call for help,” he accused.

“No, I don’t need help.” I forced a small smile. “Only a promise. If I give you the money, you’ll let me go.”

“Percy,” Jack barked. “Come here.”

“He’s going to bring you down,” I pressed, trying to get into his head. “He’s not doing this for money—he has enough. You heard him. He’s doing this for revenge. It won’t end well.”

His eyes swam with distrust for a moment before he backed away, jogging toward Jack. I watched them warily, biting my tongue. Everything in me screamed to get up and run. But my stupid heels would alert them to my movements before I took two steps.

“I think we should take her money.” Percy’s voice drifted as he spoke louder. “Jude and Christian have friends all over this city. It’s a mistake to be here.”

Jack glared at him. “We’ll be fine. Calm down.”

“No,” Percy nearly shouted, growing hysterical. “It was my idea to take her. Yet you never trust my decisions. You came to me for help. You promised me Club Facade. How the hell am Isupposed to keep it if I have to leave the city?” He pointed at me. “She knows who I am. You think she won’t tell her husband?”

“It’s all figured out, trust me.” Jack’s voice crawled with annoyance. “We’ve had this planned for a month.”

“Idon’ttrust you,” Percy admitted, reaching behind his back under his jacket. “I want to do this my way.”

“No.”

Jack’s answer was barely out of his mouth when Percy raised the gun that was now in his hand. My eyes widened, and I sat there frozen as he aimed it at Jack.

“What the hell are you doing?” Jack raised his hands when Percy clicked off the safety on his gun.

“This was a mistake,” Percy stumbled out, his hands shaking. “I never should have made this deal with you.”

“Then walk away,” Jack said hoarsely. “No one has to know you were involved.”

“No,” Percy yelled, spit flying from his mouth. “I need the money. The people I owe aren’t waiting anymore.”

My stomach dropped.This wasn’t good. I didn’t know how desperate Percy was, and it was going to make him act irrationally.

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