Page 19 of Redemption

“Is this Johnny’s place?”

“One of them. Focus, Chloe. They won’t be far behind…”

“I’m in the bedroom. But this bed is huge, and I have like zero bicep muscles.”

“You can do it. You’re tiny. The bed’s on sliders.”

It takes everything I have to get the bed to move. I end up using my boney ass and squatting using my legs to power the movement, but the bed finally slides enough for me to get between it and the wall.

“Okay. I see the door.”

“Punch in the numbers 0007.”

“Are you serious? You are such a dork.”

The door opens and I step inside a small passage that leads to stairs. “This is the part where you’ll hate me. You’ll see me for the monster I am not the dark prince you hope me to be.”

“Now you are scaring me.”

“I’m sorry. I never wanted you to see this side of me…”

“What is it.”

“I need you to rescue Romina. She’s naked. Chained. Bloody, dirty… I fucked her.”

“Did she consent?”

“She hates herself because she always does. She’s in a room two floors down. You need to get her and hide until it’s clear.”

“Do you want me to keep her prisoner?”

“No, Chloe. I don’t want you getting mixed up in anything. Use the same code I just gave you to access the suite she’s in. I won’t blame you if you want out of this…our family and away from me. I’ll still pay for Switzerland.”

“Shut up. Just shut up and figure a way out of this mess.”

“I already have.”

“Okay. I’m here and I’m hanging up.”

“Chloe—"

My hands are slippery as I punch in the code from the hidden lair in the heart of his skyscraper. The door swings open. It would be pitch black, but the empty room is wall to ceiling windows. She’s crouched in a ball in a far corner with her back to me.

“Fuck off and die.”

“Ummm, I’m kind of here to rescue you…”

“Chloe? What are you doing here?”

I run forward, sobbing, suddenly terribly relieved to see an adult I know can get us both out of this. I try not to throw up at the condition he left her in. I look away from the residue left on her skin. Despite being naked, chained, and filthy she rises like a true queen. Her eyes are strong and sure. I believe in her, despite what Roque said about her betraying us. “The building is locked-down by the Feds. They came for Roque but somehow, he’s clear. They can’t find us.”

I dial Roque. “We need the key.”

“It’ s on the windowsill.” I cross to the floor, find the key and scurry back to Romina. “Put me on speaker when you release her.”

I do what he says. “Take this.” I unzip my hoodie and place it over her shoulders. The press speaker on my phone.

“Are you there?”

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