Page 103 of Believing in a Billionaire
She held her breath, straining to listen for any other noises. Her heart stopped when a figure emerged from the darkness, casually shuffling toward Kyle as he scrolled on his phone.
The juxtaposition of the man’s casual behavior with the dire situation twisted her gut into a knot.
She pressed her lips together as her knees wobbled. She wanted to go back to find Alicia, but she couldn’t leave now. She had to stay in case anything happened.
The man slid his phone into his pocket before he crouched down in front of Kyle, resting his hands on his thighs. After a second, he reached forward and slapped Kyle’s cheeks a few times.
“Wakey, wakey, doc. It’s time to have more fun.”
Kyle sucked in a sharp breath, his head shooting up as he winced in pain.
Julia’s heart hammered in her chest as she sorted through options, her heart aching as she studied the bloody bruises on his face. How far away were the police? She stared at her screen wondering if Alex had any idea, though she couldn’t ask him, anyway.
Maybe she could text him. She tugged the phone closer to her, toggling into her text application when the conversation across the room resumed.
“You aren’t looking too good,” the man said to Kyle.
The shrilling ringing of the man’s phone cut off any potential response from Kyle. The man dug the phone from his pocket and answered, his eyes still trained on Kyle. “Yeah, boss, I’m here.”
His head bobbed a few times. “He’s still breathing…barely.”
Another pause that stretched an agonizingly long time before the man pulled the phone away from his ear and tapped on it a few times before he twisted it to face Kyle.
“Oh, he doesn’t look good.”
Julia’s nostrils flared as anger burned inside of her at hearing Lydia’s voice.
“Hello? Doctor Do-right? Can you hear me?”
The man shoved Kyle roughly. “Answer when the boss asks you a question.”
Kyle groaned in pain, squeezing his eyes closed. “Yes.”
“Oh good, you’re still able to communicate. Perfect. I just wanted to pass a few things along to you before we…part ways. Because you’re not going to make it past tonight. Sadly, no one will care though.”
Julia’s features twisted at the words.
“Your new family is happily moving on without you. Grant…well, he’ll soon be destroyed, but still, he’s got his sweet little wife–thanks to you saving her life. And they’ve got their sweet little daughter to dote on.
“No one wanted you around. They’re not even looking for you. Your precious Julia doesn’t care. All those sweet, sympathetic looks she gave you didn’t mean a thing. She’s glad she doesn’t have to deal with you.”
Julia’s jaw clenched as she fought the urge to shout that nothing Lydia taunted him with was true.
Lydia sucked in a breath and sighed. “You never should have betrayed me. Not that it would have helped you with Julia or Grant, but at least you wouldn’t be in the position you’re in right now.”
Kyle’s head lolled as she spoke, though a quick crack to his jaw brought him back to consciousness. Julia startled at the scene, her lower lip trembling as her stomach quivered. Where was Alicia? And where are the cops?
“Anyway,” Lydia continued, “I just thought you’d like to die knowing how unloved you really are. It’s really pathetic how you thought they’d accept you. Now, they won’t have to.”
The words chilled her as Lydia spoke now to her associate. “Brandon?”
“Yeah, boss?”
“You know what to do. Goodbye, Kyle. It’s been fun.”
The man offered a derisive laugh as he slid the phone into his pocket before he cracked his knuckles. “Looks like it’s the end of the line, doc. But not before we have a little more fun.”
He wiggled his fingers before he curled them into fists. “I’ve really enjoyed our time together. I hope you don’t mind if I make this as long and painful as possible.”
