Rose In Bloom (29 page)

“I saw him myself. I went to see Mikey again. We found him in the warehouse where Brandon’s been staying. He’s definitely the one who has Skylar.”

“You mean you’ve been talking with the enemy?” I say, charging towards him.

“No! Goddamn it! Mikey’s not involved in this. Besides, I didn’t have a choice. This came for you today in the mail.” He pulls out a bloody stuffed animal.

“Oh my God!” I gasp, feeling like I am about to throw up.

“I knew when I saw it that I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to do something.”

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me about this?”

“Because you’re losing your mind, that’s why! Look at all this broken shit around the house! You can’t think rationally, let alone act with a clear mind. I had to do this on my own. I was barely able to keep my cool, and I knew there was no way you would’ve been able to.”

“What the fuck do we do now? I’m supposed to meet him tomorrow for the drop off.”

“Where are you supposed to meet him?”

Harrison gives him the address, and he nods, returning the piece of paper back to him.

“That’s the warehouse we went to today. It’s where he’s been holding her. He’s gotten nervous and moved. Mikey called around, but no one knows where he is. If I go with you tomorrow, I can get in there and back you up. I know the layout of the place.”

“Here, draw out the warehouse floor the best you can, and we’ll get an idea of how you can get in there unnoticed. If this is going to go down, you two are going to have to listen to me carefully. Got it?” Harrison asks, taking charge.

We’re both nervous as hell, no denying it. We’d be stupid not to be scared out of our minds. One wrong move and everything is ruined. I’ve run this plan over and over in my head. It’s got to go right! I can’t lose her.

“Remember, I’m going to make my way inside, but it may take me a while to get set up. Keep your eyes on him at all times. Like Harrison warned us, even the slightest shift in your eyes can give me away,” Lucas reminds me.

“Whatever you do, Lucas, don’t take a shot unless it’s a clear one.”

“I won’t, trust me. But this is shoot to kill, not shoot to wound. So, if you get a shot on him before I do, take him down, Sebastian. He has to die.”

“Trust me, I have no intention of leaving the fucker alive,” I reply. Popping the magazine in, I unlock the slide and tuck the gun in the back of my jeans.

“You ready for this?” he asks, adding an extra clip in my pocket. Lucas nods as he opens his car door.

“Let’s bring her home, then,” I reply, moving to my vehicle. Harrison has arranged for us both to a have a vehicle with a ghost tag. Ghost tags have bogus registration and titles, so if something goes wrong at the warehouse, there will be no way of tracing the vehicle back to one of us.

“Larson, it’s me,” I yell, slamming my fists into the door. Within moments, the door rolls up, and I walk inside. Out of the shadows, I see him moving towards me.

“Well? Aren’t you glad to see me?” His sly smile greets me and he lifts his hands in a questioning manner.

I want to pull the gun out and end everything, but I’ve got to play it cool. I don’t know where she is. Like Harrison said, I’ve got to get a visual on her.

“Drop the act. Where’s your father?” I ask, playing stupid.

“I’m afraid my father won’t be joining us for this. It’s just me and you.”

“I want to see her,” I demand, holding the bag close to me.

“I don’t think you are in the position to make orders now, do you? Besides, what’s the rush? We’ve got so much catching up to do.”

“I’ve brought you the money, but if you want the rest of it, I need proof she’s still alive.” I demand.

Laughing, he shakes his head and turns to walk over to another door that’s nearby and opens it up. “Come on, baby, he’s here now. It’s time to tell him everything.” He calmly takes her arm.

The fact he’s touching her at all is enough to send me into a murderous rage. The minute I see her face, relief rushes over me. She looks completely exhausted. Our eyes meet, and I see how terrified she is. Scanning every inch of her body, I check to make sure she isn’t hurt. The way she rests her hand over her stomach reminds me of how careful I have to be to make sure this all goes as planned.

Calm down, Sebastian.
She’s safe. Right now, both of them are safe.

“See? She’s safe and sound. Now, where’s the rest of the money?”

“The wire transfers are complete. Part of the cash is here, and the rest is out in the car. Just release her and you can have it all,” I say, throwing the bag down in front of him.

“Well, as flattering as that sounds, my plans have changed.” He pulls out the Glock from behind him and holds it down to his side. “So, do you want to tell him or shall I, babe?” Brandon says, wrapping his arm around her hip. She cringes and tries to push away from him. Her beautiful eyes search mine, begging me to help her.

“Don’t be shy. Tell him.”

“Sebastian, I’m so sorry. I had to,” she cries. My stomach drops.

What does she mean she had to? What had that fucker made her do?

“Don’t apologize to him for loving me,” Brandon warns her, tightening his grip on her waist.

“What are you talking about? What did you do to her?” I shout angrily.

“This has all been a plan from the beginning. She and I were meant to be together, Thorne. She loves me, and I sure as fuck love her. This kid was all a ploy to bring you down. Go on! Tell him you love me!” he says, pointing the gun at me.

“I love you, Sebastian. I will always love only you.” she answers, her eyes full of tears.

Slinging her around to face him, Brandon turns his attention to her just long enough for me to pull my gun and aim it at him. Just as I go to pull the trigger, he jerks Skylar in front of him, shielding himself from me as he digs the barrel of the gun into her temple.

In that one moment, I know every single move I make will be risking both her and the baby’s life. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Lucas’ figure as he moves in the far back of the warehouse. I want to reassure her right now, but I’m afraid that’s only going to make Brandon do something stupid. Swallowing the knot of fear in my throat, I pray this doesn’t end badly. I’m prepared to die for her, but I’ll never make it without her.

Lucas

I hug the concrete wall, quietly inching closer to where he is holding Skylar. Even from over here, I can see how damn terrified she is. It’s killing me, and I wish to God I could get to her faster, but that will give me away before I’m ready. Brandon can’t know I’m here with Sebastian and I can’t get a close enough shot from this far away.

“Drop it, Larson! It’s over!” Sebastian screams, lifting up his gun.

“Oh, it’s not even close to being over, Thorne. You and I have unfinished business, and I’m going to have fun watching you pay.” Brandon pulls Skylar against his body and aims the gun at her head.

“NO!” Sebastian screams, lifting his gun.

“Throw down your weapon, or so help me, I’ll end her right now!” He digs the barrel deep into her temple.

Raising his hands, Sebastian lowers the weapon to the floor and backs away.

Dragging Skylar with him, Brandon moves to kick the gun across the room.

“Leave her out of it, Larson. This is between you and me.”

“Oh, I think that this has EVERYTHING to do with this young. Beautiful. Creature.” He licks down her neck and gropes her breast.

“She likes it when I do that, you know. We’ve shared a bed for days, Thorne. I’ve tasted every part of her body until she’s begged for more. Do you really want my sloppy seconds?”

“Sebastian, NO! He’s lying! It’s not true.” Skylar screams, trying to wiggle free from his hold.

“Shut up, you fucking cunt! I’m going to make you pay for all of this!”

He pushes her and I watch in horror as she falls to the concrete floor. Brandon rears his leg back and kicks her square in her stomach, landing two hard blows. I see it playing out in front of me, but I can’t do a damn thing to stop it in time. She screams out in pain.

Oh GOD! Baby!! Dear God, please let her be all right!

“NO! STOP! PLEASE!” Sebastian screams, running towards them.

Raising the gun, Brandon points it directly at Skylar. Sebastian stops dead in his tracks, holding his hands up in the air.

“I suggest you back the fuck down because I will kill her!”

“Baby, oh God! Are you all right?”

She’s in so much agony that she can’t answer him. Grabbing her stomach in pain, Skylar’s screams are slicing into my heart.

Hang on, baby. I’m coming.

“What do you want, Larson? Money? I’ll give you every dime I have! You want me to turn myself in to the police? Fine! Just don’t hurt her, please! You have me, so just let her go!”

“You want to make a deal, then?” he says, approaching Sebastian. “Well, you’ll have to put these on first if you want to talk deals with me.” Pulling a pair of handcuffs from his back pocket, he tosses them on the floor in front of Sebastian.

“I’m not putting those on. You will have to kill me first!”

Crouching down, he places the gun to Skylar’s head and looks back at Sebastian.

“Cuff yourself to the pole, or I end her!”

Yanking at his hair, Sebastian struggles with what to do.

“I’m not telling you again! NOW!” Brandon screams.

Sebastian picks up the cuffs and secures them to his wrist before turning and attaching the other end to the pole behind him.

“Fine, I’ve done what you asked, now let her go!”

Brandon reaches down and grabs a fistful of Skylar’s long hair, pulling her up off the floor.

“NO! YOU MOTHERFUCKER! LET HER GO!” Sebastian thrashes at the cuffs. Blood drips down his arm from where he fights to free himself.

Skylar stumbles back to the floor in pain, but Brandon doesn’t stop, continuing to drag her by the hair towards an old desk in the middle of the room. Desperate to end this, I take aim, but I can’t get a clear enough shot without risking the possibility of hitting Skylar.

“P-please,” Skylar begs. Her sobs are like daggers to my heart.

“Shhhh. Don’t cry, my love. I promise to let you go, but not before I make the pain go away. Trust me, you’re not going to want to be awake for this next part.” Raising his hand, he slams the handle of the gun down on her head. I watch helplessly as a limp Skylar falls back. Brandon moves to the other side of her, placing him completely out of range for me.