Page 41 of Pitbull
“Because right now even as the world burns, all I want to do is throw you on this bed.” Pitbull kissed the side of her neck. “I’d love to take you out on a real date. You deserve that.”
“Maybe after this is over you can ask me out—official like, I mean.”
Pitbull’s smile didn’t reach his beautiful eyes. “Maybe.
Barbie shouted from the living room and though Anke wanted to ask for a few more minutes but she tapped a hand to Pitbull’s chest and opened the door. She stopped in the bedroom she’d been using to grab a shawl, her cell and wallet, then met the others in the living room. They hustled her out the door and after Zero and Barbie checked the immediate area, she was escorted into Pitbull’s.
“Your truck was in an accident?” Anke asked.
“Very long story.” Pitbull sighed.
Zero flanked her on one side, Pitbull on the other in the backseat while Barbie handled the beast of a truck as if she was meant to do it.
“Tell me the truth,” Anke said. “This isn’t about the missing girl anymore, is it?”
“No,” Pitbull said, his voice cracking.
“They want Claudia,” Zero offered. “And now they know we have her, they are willing to do anything to send us a message.”
“What message?” Anke asked.
Pitbull cleared his throat. “Hand her over or die.”
“I was afraid you’d say that.” Anke groaned.
12
Anke watched the way Pitbull was as he walked her into the holding room. The stiffness in his body was hard to ignore. Was it weird that all she wanted to do was take away his pain?
She sighed.
He didn’t say hello to Claudia. He merely turned to cradle Anke’s face. “When you’re ready to leave, just tap on the wall.”
She nodded and with a final, intense look, Pitbull left the room. Anke inhaled before turning to look at her friend. Claudia was handcuffed to the table and it broke Anke’s heart. “Congratulations,” Anke said. “You’ve managed to ruin your life, my life and will most certainly get CIRO killed.”
“I’m not in the mood for sarcasm right now.”
“Well, it’s all you’re getting.” Anke folded her arms across her chest. “Do you know what your new charges mean? It means you’re facingseriousjail time.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Claudia, kidnapping is not a misdemeanor. It’s a federal offence. You’re looking at anywhere from four years to life. Do you understand?”
Claudia turned her head away.
“One last time, Claudia.” Anke pulled out the empty chair and sat. She leaned forward and slapped Claudia against the shoulder. “One last, fucking time. If you don’t start talking now—your life is over. Do you think Daniel wants you to be here? Do you think I want to be in some locked room talking to my best friend who’s chained to the table? You’ve lost your brother. You’re okay with that?”
“I lost him a long time ago.”
“We both know that’s a bullshit thing to say.” Anke snapped. “If you’d lost him long ago, when I went calling for his help, he wouldn’t have cut his vacation short to come save your dumb-ass.”
Claudia said nothing.
“You know what?” Anke rose and shoved the chair hard across the room. “Sit there. Rot in prison. Daniel was right—you’re dumb as shit and there’s nothing we can do about it.” Anke leaned in. “Although he doesn’t know it yet, Daniel Hunt is mine. And if because you refuse to talk, I lose him, I’ll be coming for you. Trust me, my wrath is worse than anything you’ll ever come across in the prison system. Do you understand?”
Claudia met her eyes.
Anke slammed her fists into the table making her friend jump. “Do you—understand?” She growled.
