“Back bedroom.”
I walk away. I wasn’t going to hit her. I’m not a monster, after all. I don’t beat on women, even when they fucking deserve it.
But I’m not above scaring the shit out of her.
I find Amber lying on the bed with her wrists tied in front of her. She starts crying as soon as I step into the room.
“Amber,” I say, running over. I undo the ropes and she sits up and throws her arms around me. I hug her tight. “I’m so sorry.”
“They threw a bag over my head and dragged me out—”
“You’re safe now.”
“They wanted the money.” Her eyes go wide as she pulls back. “They called my dad already. He knows I’m here.”
I stare at her. “How long ago?”
“An hour. Maybe. I don’t know.”
“You’ve been gone for about three hours now.”
“Then longer than an hour.”
I get her up. “Come on.”
She stumbles and I lift her. I don’t see her cane anywhere and finally find it in the living room. Hannah stands in my way before I can leave.
“Don’t you take her,” she hisses. “We need that girl. We need the money.”
“Fuck off,” I say, pushing her aside.
Collin’s sitting up, blood pouring from his nose. He’s trying to stop the bleeding with his shirt. He flinches when I look at him.
“Wait,” Hannah says. “Please. I’ll split it with you.”
“What the fuck?” Collin says.
“We’re in debt, Brent. We need money. And you know we don’t have endless cash like you do. We just—”
I turn to her. “You thought you’d kidnap Amber? You thought you’d give her back to her abusive asshole father? That’s much better, you scum. You could’ve asked me. I would’ve given you money.”
“It’s embarrassing,” she says.
“You’re sick.”
“Uh, Brent?” Amber says. “We should probably go. Also, don’t forget I’m here.”
I glare at Hannah before turning away.
“He’s on his way already,” she groans. “Please. Don’t take her.”
“Fuck off, Hannah. Clean up your own mess.”
I carry Amber out. We get down the steps before I put her down. “Are you okay to walk?”
“I’m okay. Can I lean on you?”
“Absolutely.”
I take most of her weight as we limp back out onto the sidewalk. Johnson and Patricks appears nearby. Johnson looks relieved and Patricks is frowning.
“You got her,” he says.
“Hannah and Collin have an apartment in there. I guess they’ve had it for a while. One of their neighbors hates them.”
“Wow.” He reaches into his belt and takes out a gun. “Now, hand the girl over.”
We all stare at him. His face is calm.
“What the fuck?” Johnson says. “Patricks?”
“Shut up,” Patricks snaps. “That girl is worth a million dollars. What the fuck do you care about this shitty job? We can get a million for her. I’ll split it with you.”
“Patricks,” Johnson says softly. “Shit, man.”
“Put the gun down,” I say, stepping in front of Amber. “Put it down, Patricks. We’re in public. You can’t just take her.”
“I can fucking do what I want. I have the gun and I know how to kill you with it.” He stares at me and I can see the fear in his eyes. He’s rethinking his decision, but he’s come too far. “Give her to me or I’ll end you.”
I take a step closer. “Go ahead. But you can’t have her.”
Johnson throws himself at Patricks. He slams into the man. The gun goes off, a deafening roar. I stand there for half a beat before I jump on the struggling duo. I manage to grab the gun and wrench it from Patricks’s hand before it can go off again.
I look at Amber. “Are you okay?”
She nods. “I’m… fine.”
“Anyone shot?”
“I’m fine,” Johnson grunts.
“Fuck you,” Patricks cries. “Fuck you, traitor, you fucking traitor. Why do you give a shit about these rich bastards?”
“I like this job,” Johnson growls then looks at me. “I’ll handle him. We’re square?”
I stand and slip the gun into my belt. “We’re square.”
“Good.”
Patricks struggles but Johnson keeps him pinned. I grab Amber and we walk away. She leans on me still and looks back at them.
“That was insane,” she says.
“I know. Keep going.”
We make it to the black sedan. I hustle her inside before running around, getting behind the wheel, and pulling out.
As I drive away, an enormous black truck drives slowly past. My gaze meets with the driver.
Amber’s father smiles and waves.
I hit the gas and drive as fast as I can.
“Was that…” she trails off.
I don’t answer. No need to. She knows it was him just as well as I do.
“Minutes,” she says. “Minutes and he would’ve had me.”
“This ends.” I say it through clenched teeth. “This fucking ends now.”
“Okay.” She blinks at me. “God, this is insane.”
I take her hand and hold it tight.
We can’t keep going like this. It doesn’t matter where we run.
Her father’s money will chase us.
There’s no hiding. There’s nothing else but to solve this problem, and I suspect I know how to do it.