Page 140 of Every Broken Piece
He ends the call and pulls his finger away from my lips, then yanks the tape off. I gasp at the sting but refuse to be the first to look away. If I’m going to die, I’m doing it forcing my executioner to look me in the eye. Although I doubt Ryan Carter has a regretful bone in his body.
He pulls his gun from the back of his waistband and taps my cheek with the cold muzzle.
“Do it.” My voice is raspy from terror. “Kill me and get it over with.” I’m ready to die. I’m ready to end this. I’m ready to stop running.
He grins as he slides the muzzle down my cheek, my throat, over my breast. He watches the journey of that black metal, his lids lowering as the gun lowers. I shiver in revulsion.
“I could kill you right now but what fun would that be?” He grins. “Nah. It’s more fun to shoot you in front of your man so he can watch you die. Besides, I won't get the money if you're dead."
“I thought you were collecting twenty thousand.”
“You don’t have twenty thousand, Theresa. But your boyfriend, he has millions, and I want some of that.”
“He won’t give you a million dollars for me.”
He tips his head. “No? Then I guess you better right yourself with the Lord, because times running out.”
Chapter sixty-two
Gabe
Istep out the side door of the police department and take my first breath of fresh air in hours. The sun is peeking up above the mountains, reminding me of the sunset Tess and I witnessed the day I told her I loved her.
She’s been gone fifteen hours. It feels like fifteen years.
I have eight hours to get the money together. I’m not waiting that long.
I'm going to go get my girl and when I find her, I’m going to wrap her in my arms and never let her out of my sight. She’ll hate it but I don’t give a shit. I can’t breathe without her. I can’t think straight without her.
Davies talked me out of racing to the subdivision where her computer is still broadcasting its location from. He said we need backup, a plan. I don’t regret the things I called him or the fuss I made, but I was outvoted, and I know when to step back and regroup.
Emily arrived around five in the morning, looking fresh in a black power suit, ready to do battle. She called a pressconference at seven and to my surprise most of the major media showed up. Like I knew she would, she handled them like a pro, describing what happened, that we believe the O’Malley crime family is involved and if anyone has any information to let us know.A billionaire, his missing girlfriend and a crime family? The press ate it up and the story is now trending on every news and social media outlet.
Tess will hate it when she discovers she’s a minor celebrity with the whole country using the hashtag #taketessback, something Emily came up with.
I blow out a stale breath that condenses in the cold morning. I need to check in on Pax. I’ve been in the same clothes for over twenty-four hours. I should shower and change, but I don’t move. I watch the sun rise, bathing the mountains in streaks of gold and orange and wish Tess was beside me, seeing the spectacle Mother Nature has blessed us with.
My phone pings.
Jack: Pax slept through most of the night (I feel like we’re back to the baby stage when I type that). Woke up about an hour ago and flirted with the nurse. I think he’s going to be just fine
For the first time in eighteen hours I smile, so damn grateful for my brother.
Me: Tell him to keep his hands off the nurses
Jack: You tell him. I’m not spoiling his fun. I saw the news. You sure kicking the hornets nest of the O’Malley’s is the right call?
Me: No, but I’m out of options
I know the common belief that the longer this goes on the less likely the chance of finding her alive. I won’t allow my mind to go there.
I head to my car but stop short when I see a man casually leaning against it, arms and ankles crossed, watching me with emotionless, gray eyes.
His charcoal suit is tailor made for that big body and rivals anything I have in my closet. Same as his black dress shirt. Colorful tattoos crawl up his neck and into his closely cropped hair. More decorate his hands.
“Gabriel Strong,” he states in a deep, dark voice.
“That’s me.”
