Page 55 of Embracing the Consequences

“Jameson.” Johnny paused when he saw Noah walking his way. The man was in another impeccable suit, navy blue this time. He looked like he was headed to a board meeting, not about to be illegally transporting two bound prisoners.

“Taylor,” Noah greeted and shook Johnny’s hand. “Jack said you found the bastards?”

Johnny smirked. “Sure did. Gonna find out what they know before we turn ’em over. You got a problem with that?” he questioned, already knowing the man’s answer.

“I’d help you kill ’em if that’s what the missus wanted,” he vowed, completely serious.

Johnny nodded and slapped him on the shoulder. “Appreciate that. If only I could convince her,” he grumbled.

Noah nodded, and both men turned to see Derrick and Kevin march Carmichael and a now conscious Laraway down the stairs.

Johnny headed over to help, and Noah got back behind the wheel to make a fast getaway.

Laraway grumbled through his gag, but Carmichael was utterly silent.

Johnny stared at the fucker, wondering if the man was just that calm, cool, and collected. Is that where Kara got it from? Or was the man in a state of shock, dazed and confused?

They wouldn’t know until they started laying into the men.

Good thing Johnny and his boys were good at getting answers.

And today, they had just a little more motivation.

Kara shifted in hercorner. Mr. Dead Eyes was still watching her. She had to pee, and she was shivering steadily. The cold was unrelenting. She wanted to go home. She wanted Johnny, and Kevin, and Derrick. She wanted to be wrapped in their arms and held tight, needed the safety and security they gave her.

She wanted her brother too. Fucking Marcos and his stupid overbearing nature—she would do anything to listen to him snip at her now.

Most of all, she wanted Mr. Dead Eyes to STOP. FUCKING. STARING.

His unblinking stares were unnerving.

Was this some kind of psychological warfare? Were they trying to dehumanize her? What was the point of this? Who were these people?

She slammed her eyes closed as she felt tears starting to well. She forced herself to do her therapy breathing. Her structured breathing…that she hadn’t had to practice as often since she started dating her guys. Her mind flashed back to that day with Derrick in the basement of Carmichael and Associates when he caught her in the middle of a panic attack and how he hadn’t even questioned her as he calmed her with his presence.

Her anxiety attacks had been few and far between since her guys came into her life. Even when she and Johnny were at each other’s throats, he was still a source of calm and security for her. Now she only felt any kind of overwhelming anxiety when life was out of her control.

The thought only made her panic rise further.

She kept her eyes closed and focused on her breathing. Breathe in for four seconds and hold for seven seconds, then slowly release the breath for eight seconds.

Breathe in for four seconds.

Hold for seven.

Release for eight.

Breathe in four.

Hold for seven.

Release for eight.

~*~

She must have dozed off or fallen into a meditative state, because when she came to, she was still tucked into the corner with her knees against her chest, but her head was resting on her knees and her body felt cramped, like she had stayed in the position for too long.

The lights in the room were off, plunging the room into complete darkness. The small blinking red light of the security camera was the only source of light.

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