“Button, do as I say or I swear to god—”
“I’m sorry. I have to do this.”
“No, you don’t. He’s going to kill Cane anyway. You’re sacrificing yourself for no reason.”
I kept my voice calm because I didn’t our last conversation to be this terrible. “Crow, I’m going to do this. I have to save him. I’m sorry you don’t approve, but frankly, it’s my choice. But while I have you on the line I want to tell you I love you and I’ll do everything I can to escape.”
“Button…” His rage disappeared, and his voice shook. I’d never heard the kind of emotion in his voice. He might be crying. I didn’t know. “Don’t do this to me.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Button.”
“I love you, Crow.” I muffled my tears with my hand and remained as silent as possible. This conversation would be the death of me.
“Please turn the car around.”
“I have to go.”
“Button—”
“Tell me you love me before I hang up.” I gripped the steering wheel tighter so I wouldn’t crash off the side of the road.
Crow gave in because he knew he wouldn’t get his way. “I love you, Button. And I’m going to get you back.”
I had no doubt those words were true. All I had to do was fight and never give up until he rescued me. I did it once and I could do it again. I would do anything for this man and his family—because his family was my family. “I know.”
***
I arrived at the abandoned church and parked the car on the opposite street. The keys were left in the ignition and the phone was left in the cup holder. The church was mostly rubble, caused by an earthquake that happened nearly a decade before. The community didn’t want to tear it down because it was still a historical relic for the city. I thought it was the perfect site for the exchange because there many places to hide.
The phone rang right on cue.
I answered. “Where is?”
“The question is, where are you?” His voice was full of hunger, desperate to sink his claws into me. I could feel his arousal through the line, his desperation to claim me as his all over again. He wanted to wash away any trace of Crow that lingered on my skin.
“Parked on the south side. When Cane makes it to the car, I’ll get out.”
“If you drive away we’ll blow up the car.”
“I know.” Actually, I knew that was a lie. Bones would never hurt me, not when I was more valuable alive than dead.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you. It’s been too long.”
“I wish I could say the same.” I saw the round the corner, greasy men with rifles and machine guns. In the center was Bones, wearing a black suit and looking like a nightmare. Cane stood with his arms tied behind his back. He spotted me in the car and shook his head.
“Now we make the trade.”
“I’m waiting.” I wasn’t getting out of the car until Cane was safely in the passenger seat. Crow told me not to trust him, and I took his advice very seriously.
The man holding Cane untied him then shoved him forward, practically making him fall to the ground. He was thinner than he once was and much weaker. He slowly walked to the car, sporting an obvious limp in his stride. His face was covered in cuts and bruises, the aftermath of his ten days of torture. After an eternity he finally reached the car and got into the passenger door.
I stared at him, taking comfort in knowing he was alive.
He stared at me like he hated me. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Saving you.”
“You shouldn’t have done this,” he hissed. “I’m not worth it.”
“You are to me.”
His eyes immediately softened. “Sis, don’t do this.”
“You’re the only family he has left. I had to.”
He shook his head. “You’re his family too.”
“It’s not the same.”
“Pearl…” He shook his head, the tears in his eyes. “Don’t do this. You don’t deserve it.”
“I know. But sometimes…life isn’t fair.” I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a hug. “I’ll escape. Somehow, someway.”
“Crow and I will get you. I promise.”
I pulled away then turned my gaze so I couldn’t see him. Saying goodbye to him was much harder than I thought it would be. “Drive away. When you’re gone, I’ll walk over there.”
Cane didn’t agree, but his silence was agreement enough.
I finally got out of the car and shut the door behind me. I stared into the driver’s door and waited for Cane to start the engine. He did a moment later, and after a sad look he turned around and drove away. Once he was a safe distance away he would get a hold of Crow and tell him where I was. If they acted quickly enough, perhaps I could be spared.