Page 158 of Maddox
“What? You think I had something to do with Draven? I’ve got more important shit to worry about then what your sister is doing, asshole.”
At my bitter words, silence descends between us before he says, “What’s going on?”
Apparently, my acting skills are not up to par and tapping my finger against the wheel, I wince when my navigation app blares at me to make a right turn.
Slowing until I see the poor excuse for a road I’m supposed to turn down, I grab for my phone as he says, “Where the fuck are you?”
It’s too late for Maddox to intervene and I’m hoping that if I explain my suspicions to Ice, this won’t be as horrible as my mind has conjured all the way here.
Besides, I can’t bring Maddox into this mess. It’s sordid and horrible enough already which is why I mumble, “What are you talking about?”
“Delaney,” he says, and I shiver at the low tone. He means business but I’m tired of running from Ice. I’m tired of this man ruling what happens to me.
I’m just fucking tired…
“Maybe I can make this better somehow?” I whisper. “Maybe you won’t hate me. I’m sorry, Maddox. I’msosorry…”
I trail off when tears clog my throat which is just as well because he says, just before I lose cell service, “Princess, I don’t–”
Although I wish I could have heard his words, even if they were a lie, there’s not much that I can do about it. The distance between us is insurmountable and I’m not talking about physical miles.
It’s so fucking dark, I almost miss the turn and as soon as I do, I spy an old, faded sign that proclaims this a wildlife sanctuaryalthough the gates are broken down and hopefully the animals long gone.
My car bumps along the unmaintained road and I clutch the steering wheel tightly as I round a bend where more trees greet me. I’m relieved for the reprieve, although I know it won’t last for long.
All too soon, I round another curve, and a squat building comes into sight, spreading across an open space with gates falling off the hinges.
A single light shines above the old doors with two men, to my dismay, standing before them, holding rifles in their hands.
The one to the right holds up his palm and I slow to a stop.
He cocks his head and makes a lewd gesture with his tongue before the second dude waves me out of the car.
I don’t see Draven and now I feel stupid because I didn’t ask for proof of life or some shit, except Maddox has her phone. She is missing.
As soon as I exit, the man to the left, sporting a greasy mullet and porn ‘stache says, “Well, well, well. Can’t wait to get a piece of that.”
I hide my shudder behind a shrug of the shoulders and say, “Whatever. Where’s Ice?”
The other dude chuckles and points toward the door. “Your funeral. Gimme your keys.”
It takes the last of my flagging courage to march inside that building, but I’m not prepared for what greets me.
Based on the layout, I’m assuming this used to be the cafe and while I wish I was here to order a greasy snack and watch wild animals roam the area, instead I’m greeted by an animal of the human variety.
“‘Bout time you got here,” Ice says while I stagger in shock at the sight of Kidd laying on the concrete floor before a booth.
With his hands and feet tied behind his back, his body is forced into a weird arc that looks super uncomfortable.
Even worse, save for the blue, blue eyes and mop of shaggy hair, his face is beaten so badly, I can’t make out his features.
“What?” I gasp, covering my mouth.
“Huh?” Ice says following my gaze. “Oh him? Got what he deserved.”
“B-But he’s your son,” I whisper, and he chuckles.
The cruel sound sends a shiver down my spine as he spits, “He ain’t nothing but a little traitor. Right, boy?”
