Flawed Perfection (An Eve Sumptor Novel) (21 page)

I want you to lose everything. You’re going to watch as those you love are taken away from you.

Bile rose in Eve’s throat, and she swallowed multiple times to keep it down.

Who are you? What did I do to you? I’m begging you, please let my husband go. Take me.

Think Eve. Think, think, think. Who could hate you this much? She couldn’t imagine anyone other than Tony, and he was dead.

Tempting offer. Come say goodbye, Eve. Be here at 9pm, and make sure no one follows you. If I see anyone with you, he dies.

The text included an address that wasn’t familiar to Eve. She sat there staring at the text. It could only have been a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity before she was able to move.
Come say goodbye, Eve
.

No. She would find a way out of this. At least for Adam. She would be damned if she let anything happen to him because of someone’s hatred for her.

Her mind was reeling. If she wanted to do something for Adam, she was going to have to calm herself down and think. Easier said than done, she thought bitterly as she fought nausea, tears and a complete and utter break down.

Do it for Adam! Eve’s inner scolding helped a little, and she found herself wondering where the hell Adam’s security had been. How was he taken? Damn it. If something had happened to them as well, that was just more for Eve to take responsibility for. Her body count was rising.

Bella tugged on Eve’s pant leg, and looking down at her daughter, Eve knew exactly what she needed to do. She checked the time on the phone. She had a little more than an hour to get everything she needed to do done.

Eve stooped to pick Bella up, and took her to the desk in the kitchen. She gave Bella a piece of paper and a crayon, sitting her on the floor next to her. Grabbing a piece of paper herself, she scribbled precise instructions. Eve read over it, and when she was satisfied, she stuffed it in an envelope, snapped up the three letters she wrote earlier, and picked Bella up. Bella grasped on to her mom’s shirt collar, keeping her crayon with her, as Eve raced upstairs.

Eve threw Bella’s diaper bag onto the changing table, and started packing clothes for her. She couldn’t make it obvious, so the packing had to be light. Anything else that was needed could be bought. She slipped the letters in the side pocket, and zipped it closed.

Eve took out her phone, scrolled down to the name she needed, and made the call. Once that was done, she once again found the name she needed, pressed it and waited with fear struggling to take her over.

“Eve? Hey.”

“Hi, Lainey. I need you to do me a favor.”

“Of course.”

“In five minutes, I need you to meet me outside and tell me that you’re glad I could come over and keep you company since Jack has to leave.”

There was silence on the other end.

“Lainey! Please, can you do this for me?”

“Eve, what’s going on?”

“I will explain what I can when I get there, just please. Five minutes. Make sure you’re loud enough for the security guys to hear you.”

“Okay,” Lainey responded tentatively.

Eve ended the call, and situated Bella and her diaper bag. Trekking back downstairs, Eve slipped on her sneakers. She was glad now that she had changed into jeans and a t-shirt when she got home. Not knowing what she was up against, any bit of comfort was welcome. She checked the phone again. It was time. Squaring her shoulders, she took a breath, plastered on a smile and walked out the front door.

Her heart was hammering in her chest. This had to work, or Adam could die. When she saw Lainey walking towards her, she ramped up her smile, hoping Lainey would follow suit. Eve sent up a silent prayer of thank you when she did.

“Hey!” Lainey called. “Thank you so much for keeping me company. I didn’t want to be alone while Jack had to go out.”

Lainey took the diaper bag from Eve, and even though the questions were in her eyes, she kept her smile and easiness. Eve wouldn’t be able to thank her enough.

“Not a problem. It’s my pleasure.”

They walked to Lainey’s front door together, two women, carefree and happy. That’s how they would look to the eyes watching them. Once inside, Eve’s façade faltered. She could stand there and crumble, or she could do what she needed to do.

Lainey closed them in, immediately turning to Eve.

“What is going on?”

“They have Adam.” Eve’s voice trembled saying it out loud. Focus! You said it, now you have to fix it!

“Oh my God! Did you call Charlie?”

“No!” Eve winced at the harshness of her voice, and took a steady—or a steady as she could get—breath. “I can’t call anyone. If they see me with anyone, they’ll …” her voice hitched. Eve couldn’t bring herself to say the words, so she left it hanging.

“What do you mean if they see you? Eve, you can’t go after them by yourself!”

“I don’t have a choice, Lainey.”

“You’ll get killed!”

“If I don’t go, they’ll ki … goddammit!” One more not-so-steady breath. “They want me to lose everything.”

“Who!”

“I don’t know! God, I wish I knew.” Eve crushed Bella to her, hugging her fiercely. “
Momma loves you, baby girl
,” she whispered before handing her to Lainey. “Take her.”

“Eve …”

“Lainey? What’s … Oh, Eve, I didn’t know you were here.” Jack looked from Eve to Lainey to Bella and back again. The fear in the room was almost palpable. “What’s going on?”

“Jack,” Eve tried to hold back the desperation in her voice, but didn’t succeed. “You have to get the boys, take them and Lainey, and … Bella out of here.”

“I don’t understand.”

“They have Adam. They’re threatening everyone I hold dear. Please, I don’t have much time.”

Jack instantly went after the boys, calling them to pack get dressed.

Eve took the instructions out of the diaper bag, and handed them over to Lainey. “You’re going to get on my plane. Steve is picking the destination. I won’t know.”

“Eve, there has to be another way.”

“There isn’t. Once you’re on the plane, wait ten minutes, then open this and follow the instructions. Ten minutes, Lainey. Do not do it before. I need to know you understand this. I need to keep Bella, and you, safe. In order to do that, you have to do exactly what I ask.”

Lainey nodded, unable to speak over the lump that formed in her throat.

“I’m going to borrow Jack’s truck. It’s the only one they’re not following.”

Lainey nodded again.

“Give me a five minute head start, then load everyone up and get to the plane. Once you’re in the hangar, there will be people there to hold off security. Steve is instructed to take off as soon as you get there. Are you clear so far?”

“
Yes
.”

“There are a few clothes for Bella, but Steve will give you the money you need to buy other things. Clothes, necessities and anything else.”

“We can take care of that.”

“I don’t have time to argue with you, honey. Just do as I ask.”

Lainey nodded, again. Her entire body seemed to shake uncontrollably, and she clutched Bella tighter to her.

Eve saw the movement, and tears sprang to her eyes. Lainey would keep her safe. She moved closer, taking Bella’s face in her palms. “I love you.” She kissed Bella gently on the cheek, then glanced over Lainey’s shoulders. Jack and the boys were still getting things ready. Eve hugged both Lainey and Bella to her, holding on as though it was the last time she would see them. God, she hoped it wasn’t. “
I love you, both
.” She whispered, kissing Lainey’s cheek. “Take care of her.”

“You take care of yourself, Eve.”

“I have to go. Explain everything to Jack. Explain that the instructions need to be followed or something will happen to Adam.”

“I will. Jack’s keys are by the garage door.”

Eve nodded. When she made a move to leave, Lainey grasped her arm. “Come back. Both of you. Please, Eve, I’m begging you.”

“I’ll do my best, Lainey.

Eve pulled her hair into a messy bun, and borrowed one of Jack’s caps to pull over her head. Please work. The mantra kept repeating in her head, over and over, as the garage door lifted and she carefully backed out Jack’s Ford F150. The windows were tinted enough where she thought she had a chance to get past the sedans without being noticed. Please work.

When she turned off her street, she checked the rearview mirror constantly to see if she was being followed. It was only when she made it to the expressway without a sign of anyone trailing her, that she gunned it. Traffic was surprisingly light, and, again, she sent up a silent prayer. She had a little more than thirty minutes to get to her destination, and according to the GPS, she was only twenty minutes away.

Eve tried coming up with a plan, but there was nothing for her to go on. With Bella and Lainey, she knew what she needed to do. Just get them out of here. With Adam, she had no idea what or who she was up against, so trying to plan anything was a waste of time. She could only do what she was told. She would walk into this blindly, and then do everything she possibly could to keep Adam alive. She could only hope that Lainey would follow her instructions exactly.

When the building she was ordered to come to came into view, Eve killed the lights on Jack’s truck and pulled in. The tires crunched over the rocks and dirt, making it that more ominous to Eve. With ten minutes to spare, Eve cut the engine and took in her surroundings with the help of street lamps.

It was an old, dilapidated warehouse, encompassed by a chain link fence topped with rusted barbed-wire. Behind the building, the river. Whomever was fucking with her, just led her into a trap. There was nowhere for Adam and her to go if they got out, except the way she goes in. She left the key in the ignition, the doors unlocked and the windows down.

Eve tucked her phone into her pocket, took off the cap she had borrowed from Jack, drew in a breath and stepped out of the truck. She listened carefully to every sound, not knowing how many people she would be up against. She heard nothing but the faint noise of distant traffic and honking horns. It did nothing to help her confidence that someone would be around to help. Checking the phone once more for the time, she carefully pushed through the rusted door, hating how it creaked to announce her arrival.

She stood just inside the door, her eyes trying to adjust to darkness. It was eerily quiet, but she could feel Adam’s presence. It killed every bit of hope she had that this was just a ploy to get her alone.

“I’m here,” she called, her voice echoing back to her. When she wasn’t acknowledged, she tried again. “I’m here! I’m alone! I did what you asked, now where is my husband?!”

The bright light blinded her, and Eve raised a hand to shield her eyes. Once they adjusted, she squinted around her and saw him.

“Oh God! Adam!”

He was strapped to a chair, his beautiful face bloodied. All she wanted to do was get to him, but when her legs started moving Adam cried out in pain. Eve stopped abruptly. “Stop! Please, don’t hurt him!”

Eve’s phone chimed, and she scolded herself for not turning off the sound. She was so afraid that the sound would lead to Adam getting hurt again, that she considered throwing the phone across the room.

“He wants you to check the phone, baby.”

Adam’s voice sounded so small and filled with pain it made Eve flinch. She almost didn’t comprehend what he said until the phone chimed again. Quickly, she took the phone out and checked the text.

Don’t come near him. What I want from you now is for you to tell him the truth.

Eve frowned. Adam knew everything about her. What was she supposed to say?

“I don’t understand. What do you want me to say?” Eve called out again.

Adam gritted his teeth as the pain seared through him. He tried so hard to hold in the agonizing sound that wanted to escape for Eve’s sake. Unfortunately, he was too weak and the howl ripped through him.

“Please! Stop! I’m begging you. I will tell him whatever you want. Just tell me what to say!” Eve’s voice came out as a sobbing plea, but seeing Adam in pain drained her of courage.