"Shut the fuck up!" He screams. "You really think I'm afraid of a child?"
The answer to that is yes, a loud resounding yes. I don't say it because I don't know how much more of a beating I can take without passing out.
He has my hands handcuffed behind me and I'm strapped to a chair. My face and upper body have been at the mercy of his fists and each breath feels like someone is ripping my ribs out of my chest.
He storms out of the room and slams the large steel door behind him. I try to figure out where we are but nothing looks familiar. I'm definitely in a basement, there are no windows and the musky smell of moisture is thick in the air.
I know we are still in Whitsborough because I saw us going deeper into town before he pulled a bag over my head. This place doesn't feel residential, more of a commercial or industrial feeling and I can't figure out where we could be.
All the buildings in Whitsborough are old and there's nothing remarkable about this space that makes it stand out. It's quiet but every so often I hear multiple sets of footsteps above me.
He's not here alone and that makes me more nervous for Em and my family. I worry they may be walking into a trap and knowing Em, she won't care about the destruction it leaves in her wake, as long as I get out.
I hear the door opening and try to focus my one good eye on Moore as he enters the room.
"Looks like your girlfriend called in reinforcements." He shakes his head. "Is she planning a war?"
She must've called in Carm and I bet Moore placed an unmarked car to watch her house. I can only hope Em knows that and this is all part of her plan.
"Nothing?" He sneers at me.
"How can I know what she's doing? I'm here, not there." I try to raise a brow but the swelling makes it difficult.
"Who would come to her rescue? Maybe someone from New York? That's where she was found, right? Covered in blood with a loaded gun in her hand?"
So, he remembers what happened to Em. He was part of the investigation into her kidnapping and basically wrote it off as nothing more than a suspicious runaway.
"Must be." He answers his own question. "She grew up there, with a single mother, and penniless. See? I did my homework too."
Not enough of it, at least I don't think he did, unless he's hiding some of what he knows. He hasn't mentioned the Eastside Rampage or the fact that Em's father was a kingpin. He hasn’t said anything about a brother in New York either.
“If she hasn’t found you in a few days, let’s send her a finger, shall we?”
I don’t care how many pieces of me he sends, I just worry about Em leading with her anger and not with her head. My girl is a genius until her anger clouds every conscious thought.
“Not afraid? Maybe I’ll do to you what she did to Halbert. I bet that’s enough to put the fear of God into you.”
Is he trying to get off on my fear? Not going to fucking happen.
“Boss.” Someone knocks on the door. “We have movement.”
Moore shoots me a look and winks. “Looks like something is happening… finally.”
I watch him exit and pray that Em is being safe.
21
“Emmett should head out now. How far is this cottage?” Carm asks as he paces the kitchen.
“Three hours and twenty-six minutes.” I answer him.
My nails are chewed and my nerves are frayed.
“Travis is your team ready to hit up Moore’s residence?” Carm asks him.
I’m just glad he’s here and taking the helm. I've come to the end of my patience reserve and I can feel myself on the brink of an internal explosion.
“Hermanita,” Carm looks at me with sadness in his eyes. “Do you have a mailbox?”
“What?” I screw my face up in question.
“Mailbox. Do you have one?”
“It’s at the end of the driveway.” Travis answers for me.
“That’s perfect.” Carm nods.
What the fuck does he need the mailbox for? Maybe some sort of surveillance? Right now, I don’t fucking care, I need to get to Vin.
“Not much longer.” Carm puts his hand on my shoulder. “Everything will be okay. I promise.”
I believe him, he’s my blood and he’s always been here when I needed him.
“It’s been twelve hours.” I whisper.
“Soon, I promise.” He gathers me in for a hug.
I turn and watch as Emmett leads a group of six men out the front door.
“Emmett!” I call and break away from Carm’s hold.
Emmett turns and gives me that lopsided grin identical to mine and my heart crashes against my ribs. I rush to him and he sweeps me up in his arms.
“It’ll be okay, Ember. I promise.”
“Please be safe,” I pull away and hastily wipe the tears from my cheeks. “I love you.”
“Don’t say it like that.” His face falls.
“Like what?”
“Like you won’t see me again. Please Ember, don’t do anything that gets you killed.”
I nod and he hugs me again.
“Hermano,” he calls out to Carm. “I am trusting you with her safety.”
“I won't let you down, Hermanito.”
"Ember, we all need you. I won't survive without you, do you understand?" His words make my eyes cloud with tears and I nod.
He kisses the top of my head and squeezes me in a hug once more.
He turns and blows a kiss to both Travis and Adri who are sitting on the stairs, then he's out the door.
I lock eyes with Travis and he gives me a stern look. "I second what he said, I can't live this life without you, E."
Adri has tears coursing down her cheeks as she nods, "all for five and five for all."
"Travis," Carm calls out. "I have four
