Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72421 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
When I hear them move around, I run back toward the bed but pause, changing direction. I can’t fake being asleep. They’re going to see my hands, and I’m not getting on the bed of my own free will. Instead, I back into a corner and wait.
Time ticks by. I don't know if it's slow or my mind is messing with me. I slide down to the floor onto my ass when the door doesn't open and keep trying to free my hands from the tape.
My stomach sinks when I see the door handle jiggle a moment before it swings open. I stare at two faces that I know. They'd been a part of the team that tried to use me as bait. When that all failed, they put me into the program.
"Look who's awake," Anderson says. He's taller than Kent and is in charge. That's the vibe I have always gotten.
Normally, they’re both in that classic suit people relate to when it comes to agents, which I have learned is very real. Kent does have on a button-up shirt with a collar, but the sleeves are rolled up, and he’s a wrinkled mess. Anderson is in jeans and a black shirt with dark circles under his eyes. They both look like shit. I guess I would too if I had the Marinos and a serial killer to worry about.
Kent has his phone pointed at me. I hear the clicks of him taking pictures. I don’t say a word. What is there to say? Whatever the reason may be that they are doing all this, it’s way past the point of no return.
I’m starting to think it has been for years now. That they stashed me away as collateral against my father. Not only that, I think they were wrapped up in my father before I was ever bait. All of what Naomi was telling me is making more sense by the second.
They may think drawing my dad out is going to help them, but not only do they have to survive him, they would need to outsmart the entire Marino family as well. If I’m being honest, my dad may be the least of their worries at this point. Eros would be at the top of their list.
“I’m not sure this second idea is a good one,” Kent says to answer.
“It’s too late. She had herself wrapped up in the Marinos. We can at least try and get money out of this.”
“We should have played it that way from the start, then. Do you want Silas or the money? We can’t have both.” Anderson is edgy, his movements jerky and animated. I can tell he's been running his fingers through his short dark hair. It’s pointed in a million directions. Both of them are coming apart at the seams.
“We can. We kill her father when he shows up and then get a wire from the Marinos. Once we have it, we run. We’ll have the money then and won’t have to worry about Silas any longer, and if we toss her back to the Marino family, they won’t chase us halfway across the world.”
I want to tell them good luck with that. That Eros won’t rest until he finds them and does whatever he sees fit. I’m sure, unlike me, they won’t be making it out of the hole. But I keep my mouth zipped shut, not wanting to provoke them.
“You’re nuts.” Kent shakes his head.
“I’m nuts? You’re the fucking dumbass who killed his wife and tried to frame a serial killer for it. Now take the pictures and shut the fuck up!” Anderson bellows.
"You started this shit." Kent starts backing up. "I'm out."
"You're out?" I feel like I'm watching a lovers spat and should be anywhere but here.
"Yes, I want out."
"Fine."
I gasp when Anderson pulls a gun out from behind him. He lifts it and fires, hitting Kent center forehead, blood splattering everywhere, hitting me. It's not a loud bang; the shot is muffled. Kent hitting the floor is louder. One down, one to go.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
EROS
Not really sure what to make of Bonte’s father, but I believe what he is telling us. We both want the same thing. It's not only about getting her back. It's also about eliminating threats, and these two agents are that.
“It’s an intriguing idea, but they should know better. Serial killers can be prickly about their kills. Including being framed or pinned for one that isn’t theirs,” Naomi says casually.
Do you call a serial killer that to their face? Suppose it doesn’t matter. Silas hasn’t flinched over any remarks that have been said.
"It worked. When I saw my name being tagged to kills that weren't mine, I got curious. I think the plan was twofold for them. They'd been working my case for a few years. One of them got the harebrained idea to pin a few kills of their own on me. People they needed eliminated. In doing so, it lured me out. Then they wanted to be able to catch me."