Page 53 of Edge of Desperation

Thomas: How the fuck do I unsubscribe to this shit

Jaxson: LMAO… You can’t

Bennett: You’re stuck here… Forever… With US

Thomas: AURORA. GET ME OUT OF THIS CHAT HELL

Me: Sorry, Thomas. No can do. If I have to suffer, so do you.

Thomas: FML

Carver: So can I have Willow’s number

Me: No

Carver: Please! I’m begging here

Me: Fine! I have to ask her first. Now, leave me alone.

Carver: Woohoo

Bennett: Did you just woohoo

Me: Enough! I’m trying to sleep

It’s almost eleven, so my lie is believable. My cell immediately quiets, and I reach over to pet Lykos as my heart thumps wildly in anticipation. The doors of the building fly open, and people flock to their vehicles in droves. An hour later, the senator exits the building with this team. I wait a few minutes before I start my car and slowly follow.

We drive for about thirty minutes before stopping in front of a gated community. I didn’t consider this and mentally smack myself. I lift the binoculars and focus on the guard shack. It’s empty! The SUV pulls up and waits a moment before the steel pole rises, allowing them entry.

The fence surrounding the community is wrought iron, so I watch as the vehicle drives down the road and pulls into thedriveway of a large colonial home. The senator waves off his escorts and enters his house as the SUV pulls away and heads back in our direction. I push Lykos’ head down and wait for them to pass before I open my car door.

My foot barely touches the pavement when I glance up and see the senator’s garage door open. I yank my foot back in, and close the door. A large truck backs out of his drive and toward the gate.

Where the fuck is he going?

Luckily, he turns in the opposite direction of where I’m parked. I keep my headlights off and follow him at a safe distance. We drive to a bunch of old abandoned warehouses at the edge of Richmond. He eventually stops in front of one of the buildings that has a few lights on. I slowly ease my car out of sight where I have the perfect view of the front door.

A scream pierces the silence, causing the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and my heart beats rapidly. Another man appears, dragging a female toward the now-open door the senator entered moments earlier. The man whips around and backhands the woman, reaches into his jacket for something, and stabs her in the arm. She slumps to the ground, and he picks her up as if she weighs nothing and tosses her over his shoulder.

Grabbing my duffel bag, I climb out of the car, sling it over my chest, and tap my leg for Lykos to follow.

“Quiet,” I tell him. “Guard.” His hackles rise, and he bares his teeth but makes no sound.

I’m dressed in all black from head to toe, and my hair is pulled back into a tight bun so no one can grab it. My six-piece throwing knife set is strapped to my leg, and I have four magazine clips on my belt to go with the Springfield XDM in my hand. We move quickly and quietly toward the building.

I slowly open the door, praying it doesn’t make any noise. There’s a slight squeak, but no one comes running in ourdirection. I stick to the shadows, keeping my back along the wall with Lykos right beside me.

“You gave her too fucking much!” Tim yells.

“She was fighting too much,” someone argues.

“You can’t handle one little girl?” Tim snarls. “You know Ineedtheir screams. Ineedthe fight.”

Someone grunts. “Give her an hour. She’ll be ready.”

“I want to fuck her now!” Tim shouts.

“We can fuck her now,” the man says. “After she wakes up, she’ll wish she never did.”

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