Jeanie
Benedict tosses my bags into the trunk and puts the file folder on the passenger seat before we start driving again.
I try to throw the door open, but Benedict’s got one of his fellow goons in the back with me. The big man’s heavyset and angry looking, and he shoves me back against the seat and slaps my face when I try to grab the handle.
“Don’t do that again,” he grunts and flips open a knife, pressing the cold metal to my neck. “I wouldn’t want to mess up this lovely interior, but I will.”
“Walter,” Benedict says warningly.
Walter cackles and puts the knife away.
I sit there breathing hard, looking from Benedict to the creepy asshole Walter as Benedict starts to drive off. “How did you find me?”
“We’ve been watching Jimmy’s place ever since you stole those hard drives. Wasn’t hard to figure out what you’d do next.” Benedict laughs, an ugly and grating sound. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you, Jeanie?”
“You’re sick.”
“Watch your mouth,” Walter snaps, but Benedict waves him off.
“It’s okay, Walter. She’s angry and afraid, and can you blame her?”
“No, boss, I really can’t.” Walter giggles again, covering his mouth. “Gosh, she’s in trouble, isn’t she?”
“She most certainly is.”
I feel sick. This little display is disturbing and the way Walter’s looking at me gives me the creeps. He’s almost vibrating with the chance to slap me and cut me.
Benedict must like keeping creeps around him at all times to make him look less like a monster.
“But I wonder where Gavino is,” Benedict says, driving along slowly. I don’t know where we’re headed and I’m so scared I could cry. “He left you to your fate, I take it? That’s typical Gavino. He doesn’t give a damn about anyone but himself, not even his own family. You were better off never meeting him at all.”
I grind my teeth. I hate this asshole for saying that. Gavino gave me something I never thought would be mine again—purpose, lightness, joy. He gave me a chance at something better. I ruined it by keeping my identity a secret, but for one brief moment, I was happy. Truly happy and fulfilled in a way so few people ever are.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask, glancing at Walter, who only leers in my direction.
“Somewhere private. Somewhere we can have some fun.” Benedict laughs and snaps his fingers. “Walter, put the bag on, if you please.”
“Gladly.”
“What are you—” My words are cut off as Walter grabs my hair, slaps my hands away, and shoves a black hood over my head. I suck as the stinking, sweat-reeking cloth invades my mouth and nose, and my vision’s completely cut off. I flail blindly until my arms are grabbed and shoved together and a zip-tie is wrapped around my wrists and tightened until I can’t pull them apart. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Quiet now,” Benedict says. “If you say another word, I’ll let Walter here start cutting you, and I promise Walter will not be as careful or as loving as I will be. He’s a messy boy, isn’t he?”
“Yes, I’m very messy,” Walter says, giggling again, childish and gross. I’m horrified and so scared I think I might pass out. Sweat pools under my arms, and I keep thinking about Gavino, and all the mistakes that led me to this moment.
We drive in silence. I try not to make any noise, but I’m breathing hard and whimpering softly. I feel Walter breathing on my neck like his teeth are inches from my throat and I try not to scream as the SUV makes a sharp turn and I bump into him. He giggles and pushes me away, his hands lingering for longer than they need to on my arms and thigh.
Tears roll down my face. They soak into the hood, making it damp and heavy. It’s hard to breathe and the air’s humid and disgusting, but I try to keep myself together. Benedict and this Walter creep want to see me break into pieces. They get off on torturing people like this.
I can’t give them the satisfaction.
But I’m panicking. They have me, and Gavino’s not coming, not anytime soon. Why would he, even if he knew where I was? I’m a traitor and a liar. Why not just let them have me?
After the longest ride of my life, the SUV parks. Benedict gets out, comes around, and opens my door. He helps me out and I stagger onto blacktop. I don’t know where Walter is, and I don’t want to know. Benedict leads me by the arm, his grip firm on my bicep.
“Now, Jeanie, I need you to behave. Be quiet, say nothing, and you might survive a little longer. Do you understand?”
I nod, not speaking.