Page 42 of Trapped

“Thank you.”Not that the cell was much brighter than the hood had been, but at least I was finally rid of the damn cloth.“That helps a lot.”

“Rosen?”

My head snapped around at the sound of my name, my eyes wide as I made out the look of the man bound to the chair.“Baron?”

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.The manI’d messaged to help Erin and me out in the cabin—the one who used to be Hawkins’ boss—was the other guy locked in the gloomy cell.“Wh-what are you doing here?”

“Hawkins?”He smirked as though it was the most preposterous thing he’d ever heard.“Ever heard of him?”

“Yeah.”I blew out a breath, abruptly more aware of the ache in my shoulders without the hood to focus on.“He’s an asshole.”

And just like that, the whole sordid backdrop fell into place in my head.The reason Baron hadn’t replied.Thereason Hawkins had known the exact location of the cabin.Everything made sense.

“Yes, he fucking is.”Baron’s jaw clenched.“Are you okay?Looks like he’s really fucked up your pretty face.”

“Right.”I glanced up at the dark ceiling, acknowledging my tender jaw.“I guess that modelling career will have to wait.”

Baron grinned, his expression in the shadows exploding a hundred old memories.He’d been Hawkins’ boss in the chain of command, while I’d reported directly to Hawkins, but despite the hierarchy, I’d still considered Baron a friend.

“Shame you’re still cuffed.”He shook his head.“I could do with some help here.”

He signaled to the ropes wound around his wrists.

“Tell me about it,” I grumbled.“At least yours are rope.I need a key for these fuckers.”

“True.”Baron smiled.“Everything is relative.Thanks for the reminder.”

“You’re welcome.”I sniggered at his dry tone.“It’s been a while, boss man.I didn’t expect to stumble into you in a shithole like this.”

He laughed.“Technically, I wasn’t your boss, Rosen.”

“True, but I always respected you more than Hawkins.”

“Gee, thanks.”He snorted.“That’s not a high bar for comparison.”

“Yeah.”Locking gazes with him, I nodded.“I’m just saying, it’s good to see you.I only wish it wasn’t here.”

“We have our mutual friend to thank for that…” His voice trailed away as he no doubt dwelled on the obvious conclusion.

Hawkins was no one’s friend.

“What does he want with you?”I asked.“Has he said?”

Baron shook his head.“He was typically vague.Just said I was phase one.”

“So, I guess we’re phase two.”That did little to reassure me.

“We?” Baron prompted.

“It’s a long story.”I settled on my backside, trying to get as comfortable as I could on a cold, hard floor.“But I guess all we have right now is time.”

“Sounds about right.”Baron sounded wistful.“God knows how long I’ve been stuck here.Tell me your story.”

“Is that an order, sir?”I chuckled.“Because I’m pretty sure I don’t work for you anymore.”

Though, the only thing that was certain in the shadowy confines of the cell was that if we were going to outplay Hawkins, Baron and I would need to work together.

Baron tutted.“I’m listening.”

---