Page 94 of Switch
“I don’t, but my boyfriend does.”Ex.Whatever.I can pretend for now.
Evans finally cuts the zip ties off the first kid and moves on to the second.“Well, he said he’d pay me to spend the week with him.I figured I’d text later to tell you, but his security guys took my phone.By the time I’d been here a few days, I got clued in to his business, and I realized he wasn’t going to let me go.”
Until my lungs expand in a desperate attempt to fill, I don’t realize I’ve been holding my breath.“Evans, shit.I wish I’d known.”
He’s got two people released and he’s working on a third.Since we’ve only got one knife, I look around for anything else I can use.
“It wouldn’t have mattered,” he says.“Once I knew what was going on, I made the decision to get on Eric’s good side.Convinced him he needed me.I figured if I could stay useful to him, I could find a way to help some of these people.Get evidence and then get to the police.At the least, I hoped I could help some escape.”
He makes it through another zip tie and moves on.The untied people are restless, not sure if they should wait or run.
“I didn’t expect to be here this long, but he did an excellent job of keeping tabs on me,” Evans explains.“I couldn’t even let you know where I was without risking us both.God, Peej, so many times I spotted you when I was out running errands for him, and I wanted to say something.But it would’ve put you in danger.”
Goddammit.“I would have handled the risk, Evans.I would’ve done anything to help you.I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
“That’s what I was afraid of.The night I saw you outside of that flower shop, I almost said something.Wanted to let you know I was okay.Or mostly okay, since you’d fucking stabbed me.But you don’t know Eric like I do.He doesn’t have any kind of conscience.”
I stabbed him?“You’re the one who tried to kill Fallon?”
“It’s not like I wanted to.Eric had me following him.He’s had a real hate-on for the dude since we met.Something about some money that was supposed to be his.Guy likes to play with his food before he eats it, though.Gets off on the mind-fuck.”
Evans rubs absently at his arm.That’s when I realize they’re covered in dozens of scars.Jesus, and he’s been sleeping with this guy?Acting like his boyfriend?After everything Fallon’s told me about him, it gives me the shivers.
“It makes sense,” I manage.“Fallon was married to Eric’s sister.She tried to kill him.I’ve gotten the impression a lot of Fallon’s money came from her family, so that’s probably what he meant.”
Shit.Fallon needs to know about this.I fumble with my phone, hitting dial on Fallon’s number.It goes to voicemail.
“Oh fuck.”In the middle of cutting a zip tie, Evans seems to forget his task.“That’s who that is?”He grabs my wrist, smearing more blood on my arm.“PJ, he’s going to kill him.”
I try to dial Fallon again.“I know he’s been threatening him.It’s why we’re here.To take Eric down.”
Well, it’s definitely my highest priority.I look around, surprised the slimy weasel hasn’t popped his head up in response to all the noise.
Maybe he’s outside.Maybe Brennan’s picked him off by now.It’s not ideal, but in the end I’ll be happy he’s dead.
“No, PJ.”Evans’s eyes are wide.“I mean, he’s goingnow.To the guy’s house.Tonight.He left here a little bit before you showed up.That’s why I’m trying to cut these people loose while he’s gone.Before they get shipped out.”
No.No, no, no.That can’t be right.Fallon can’t be alone in his house with an unknown psycho headed his way while I’m all the way on the other side of town.
My insides go cold.“When?When did he leave?”
Evans winces.“I don’t know.An hour?”He gestures to his face.“I was a little bit messed up, so I wasn’t watching the time.But, PJ, if you know how to get to him, you need to get the fuck out of here.”
Shit.My attention bounces between Evans, these people being kept prisoner, and the door.I’ve finally found my best friend again.I can’t just leave him.But I have to get to Fallon.I have to.
I can’t save everyone.
“I have to go,” I agree.
Evans gestures to his bleeding face.“You do.You see this?I pissed him off, so he smashed my face into a desk.And, PJ, I think he actually kind of likes me.”
More gunfire.“Brennan’s out there,” I tell Evans.“He can help you.Tell them who you are and where I went, okay?”
“Got it.And, PJ?Love you, Brother.”
I call a hasty “You too!”over my shoulder as I race for the door.
Luckily Brennan left the keys in his SUV.He’ll probably murder me when he realizes I took it, but it’s my only option.If I can get to Fallon, it’s worth it.
