Chapter 79
But I’m wearing pajama shorts and a gray tank top that clearly shows the size of my chest. I curse myself internally.
“I hope you’re not thinking I don’t have the balls to shoot you, because that’d be a big mistake. Taking your life won’t cost me a minute of sleep.”
“Oh, I know you’ve got balls when it comes to pulling the trigger. It wouldn’t be your first time, Inara.”
I’m sure I’ve never heard this voice before. How does he know my name?
He can’t be someone sent by Khalid or Mr. X–they weren’t after me. If I hadn’t come downstairs, he wouldn’t have known I was even here.
“You’re wondering how I know your name, aren’t you?”
“Who sent you?”
“Your name’s just the beginning. I also know you’re twenty, living with Alexander due to a fallout with your father. I know the necklace you wear came from your mother, and that the only people on Earth you’d kill for are your housekeeper and Samuel Cruz.”
Those are far too personal to be known by just anyone.
“What’s your housekeeper’s name again? Very common Hispanic name… Oh right, Maria.”
I stop myself from putting a bullet in his head. I tense.
“You memorized your lines well. Want a lollipop as a reward?”
“A lollipop? I’d rather you suck on my treat.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“I don’t touch anything under three centimeters.”
He gives a smirk.
“I hope you’re not trying to hurt my feelings–it’s not working. You’re sharp with your words. I actually find it pretty hot.”
“Oh yeah? Does it turn you on to know I could blow a hole in you in one second?”
“You have no idea.”
Sick bastard.
“What are you here to find?”
No response.
“Not gonna talk? Fine, then you can die.”
There’s a playful, almost teasing glint in his eye–strange for someone about to die.
1/5
Chapter 79
What the hell is so valuable that he’d rather die than talk?
linch my finger closer to the trigger as his mocking eyes stare at me.
I’m just about to shoot when-
I suddenly feel a strong pressure in my back.
I glance at the masked man.
I get it the moment I meet his eyes.
There’s a gun pressed against my back.
There are two of them. He was confident because he knew his partner would show up.
I take my finger off the trigger and sigh in frustration as the masked man walks toward me. I grunt in annoyance.
“Took you long enough,” he says to his partner.
His colleague says nothing.
He steps up, grabs the two weapons I’m holding, and pulls off his mask.
If he’s taking it off, it means he plans to kill me.
Caucasian male, around forty, brown eyes, a large scar on his left ear, receding brown hair, and another scar running from the side of his mouth to his ear. His yellow teeth are in horrible shape.
“You think we’re stupid? Who the hell would come to Alexander Graves’s house alone?”
“Back off, your breath stinks.”
I stare at him calmly.
“Trying to piss me off so I’ll make a mistake? I was warned about your manipulation tactics. I’m ready for all your insults.”
I shrug, pretending not to care.
“Guess my reputation precedes me.”
“I’m so rude I forgot to introduce myself. Call me Jafar.”
“Like in Aladdin?”
“Exactly. And the guy with a gun to your back–that’s Jared.”
Compared to Jafar, Jared is very quiet. That doesn’t make him less dangerous.
“Did you ask your buddy for permission before revealing his name?”
“Don’t try to turn us against each other, it won’t work.”
“He’s got a gun on me We’re pretty close, don’t you think? So I can speak for him.”
2/5
22 Aug
“You’re wasting your breath, you know why? Because the one who can take your life isn’t my partner–it’s my son. He’s mute. I think you understand the loyalty between a father and his son.”
Shit.
“I love watching the expression of someone completely at my mercy.”
Is Alexander ever coming back? All this just because I wanted to help stop these men from robbing him.
“Jared, did you find what we came for?”
I guess he shook his head, based on Jafar’s frustrated reaction.
“We can’t leave empty–handed. I looked everywhere in this office, but that bastard knows how to hide stuff!”
He starts pacing while I remain still, the gun still against my back.
“He’ll be back soon. We need to hurry! We’re out of time!”
He walks up to a wall and punches it hard. Ridiculous.
This thing must be really important for him to be this desperate to get it.
“Tell me what you’re looking for, maybe I can help.”
“You don’t need to know! You think I’m an idiot?”
Ishrug.
“Actually, yeah–I do.”
He stares at me for a few seconds, then breaks into a wide smile.
“You want to help? You’re going to call Alexander and tell him you’re about to get raped. Tell him if he doesn’t want that to happen, he better give up the hiding place. Don’t worry–he’ll know what I mean.”
I burst out laughing.
“Whatever that thing is, you seriously think Alexander will give it up for me? You’ve been misinformed about our relationship.”
“If he knows you’re in danger, he’ll do anything to save you.”
“You really think I’m going to cry and beg just so you can get something I don’t even know about? Dream on.”
He clenches his jaw and glares at me.
“You think I’m giving you a choice?”
“Call him yourself, if you want. Alexander knows I handle myself just fine and I’m not the type to ask for help. He’ll laugh in your
face”
Jafar tries to tell if i’m lying. I’m not. But he doesn’t know that.
“You’re just a little bitch.”
3/5
Aug
OF
11
1 give a smug smile.
“I’d rather be a bitch than a man with nothing in his pants. What are you so afraid of–going home empty handed? You work for someone, don’t you? I bet they’ve got your balls in a vice. If I were you, I’d be scared too.”
His face stays expressionless. I know I’m close to the truth.
“This wasn’t part of the plan. We’ll improvise.”
He’s not talking to me but to his son–they exchange looks.
“You were right about one thing, Inara. I can’t go back empty–handed. You’re coming with us.”
I keep a straight face, but my heart starts racing.
I find myself tied up, blindfolded, sitting on a chair, my hands and feet bound. I can’t hear anything except the sound of water dripping from the ceiling.
I can’t see a thing; it’s the worst sensation–being plunged into total darkness. I have no idea where I am. I can’t even describe or analyze the place to see if there’s any chance of escape.
They drove for about twenty minutes after handcuffing me to their car to make sure I wouldn’t jump out. Then they put a piece of tape over my mouth to stop me from speaking.
Jafar sat in the front–it was him who drove–while Jared stayed in the back with me, pointing his gun at my stomach, ready to shoot at the slightest sign of resistance.
They blindfolded me when we got out of the car. Since then, I have no idea what’s happening.
I’m so cold, and my feet are in terrible shape because they forced me to walk barefoot outside to get here.
I hear a voice approaching, probably Jafar’s since his son is mute. I smell his nauseating odor filling my nostrils. He’s close, but he
doesn’t touch me.
“You’re not so cocky now, are you? How does it feel to be tied up like a bitch?”
“I can’t see you, so it’s not that bad.”
“You’re really a little pest.”
“What do you want? You think I’m going to pity myself, is that it?”
“I’d love that, but I was told you were tough. I’ll admit, it would be satisfying to see you on your knees, begging me not to kill you.”
“That’s not the plan, otherwise you would’ve given your son the green light back at Alexander’s villa.”
“Smart girl.”
He runs his hand through my hair. I stay stoic, I can’t move to defend myself or push him away. The feel of his hand disgusts me.
“You have very soft skin for a woman so cold and harsh.”
I let out a nervous laugh.
4/5
“Careful you might fall in love if you keep touching me like that.”
You think you’re irresistible?”
Where’s your son?”
“Why do you care? Did you fall for him or something? I don’t think you’re his type.”
“He seemed nicer than you.”
“That’s just an impression. He’s just like his father.”
7mst ve been wrong. Maybe it’s just because he doesn’t run his mouth for nothing. Oh right, he’s mute.”
“My son’s handicap amuses you?”
I sense a hint of bitterness in his voice. I shrug, smiling a little.
Tim not the type to mock disabilities. I just find it sad he follows his father, the son of a bitch.”
5/5
