“Nixon?!” I shout excitedly, bursting through the doorway. He whirls around with a handgun pointed directly at my forehead, his blue eyes wide with shock and confusion.
“Avery? Where, what…what were you thinking, I could have killed you!” I can’t help but smile, dropping the shotgun as I run into his body for a hug. I was so worried I wouldn’t see him for so long and with everything that’s happened, he’ll know what to do. His strong hands land on my shoulders, pushing me back a step so he can assess me. “What are you doing here?” he growls.
“It’s mum’s birthday,” I shrug like that’s the most rational thing in the world. “I had to visit the makeshift grave I made for her by the honey blossom tree.” Nixon’s eyes flick to the smart watch on his wrist to confirm today’s date which makes him frown. He never forgets an important date, but if that’s the case this time, why is he here? I glance between the duffle bag and the open safe on the opposite wall, most of its contents cleared out. Holy shit, this is what I’ve been waiting for.
“They’ve contacted you, haven’t they? You’re going to pay a ransom to get Meg back.” I beam widely, relief washing over me. Nixon doesn’t seem as optimistic though, the creases in his forehead deepening.
“Wait, Megan’s missing? How did that happen and why aren’t you in the safe house where I left you?” The way he said the last bit makes it sound like he wasn’t planning on ever coming back.
“Wyatt tricked us. He kidnapped Meg and took her to Perelli. I’ve been trying to think of a way to save her but you can help me. Where does he live?” The full bellied, sinister laugh Nixon releases makes me feel two inches tall.
“Avery, sweetheart,” he pulls me around to perch on the edge of the bed and tucks me beneath his arm. “I’m sorry, but if Perelli has Meg then there is nothing we can do. But maybe this is a blessing, you finding me here. I have a private jet leaving for Tokyo in two hours and I’ve had false documents for you since we brought you back home. Come with me, we can live without fear.” Rising and crossing the room, Nixon pulls out a handful of forged documents and hands them to me, each one with my face but a different name on.
“But Meg needs us. We can’t run away and leave her.”
“I know it won’t be easy, but I think it is best to accept she might already be gone. We have a chance to get out of here, she’d have wanted that for you.” I’m already shaking my head, refusing to believe his words. Fury as hot as lava bubbles in my chest that he dared to use the past tense while speaking of her. Meg is a part of my soul; we share a spirit and I can feel she’s still alive.
“What kind of cowardly piece of shi- “A crash bellows through the building, the ground beneath our feet shaking viciously. Brick flying and glass shattering are quickly followed by a man shouting, ordering others to fan out and ‘find her.’ Nixon whirls on me, his features livid and fingers biting into my upper arms.
“Who did you tell you were coming here?” A hiss escapes me from his grip, the man I thought I knew glaring at me as if I’ve ruined his plans. My eyes land back on the duffle bag as it dawns on me, he hasn’t been drawing Perelli’s attention away from us like he said – he’s been running and hiding this whole time. Leaving us to fend for ourselves in his fight.
“No one,” I snarl back, shoving his hands off me. Thunderous footfalls are racing up the stairs, doors banging open as they get closer. My eyes dart to the safe, the large rectangular space probably just deep enough for me to squeeze into. Without wasting any time, I run across and hoist myself into the steel box, pulling my knees up to my chest and cranking my neck. Nixon is there in a second, pushing the door closed with a millimetre gap spare. Replacing the portrait of my mum on the wall, the tiny crack of light I had dissolves a second before the door to the room bursts open.
“Where is she?” A gruff man’s voice shouts, a smash reverberating through the wall as I imagine Nixon is thrown against it. More men enter, the sound of shouting becoming deafeningly loud until I’m forced to cover my ears. My mind goes wild, flashing images to match the scuffles and crashes I can still hear. My heart is pounding, a rising panic attack threatening to consume me, but I just about keep it shimmering for now. Nixon’s shouts grow quieter until they disappear altogether, leaving me alone and unsure what to do.
“She’s not here,” the same gruff voice booms through the mansion’s walls. I remain wedged in the safe, not wanting to leave in case it’s a trick. The darkness around me filters into my soul, a bitter taste left in my mouth. I’m utterly alone now. Every one of my family has gone – mum, Meg, Nixon and even Wyatt, and
