Page 57 of Dust to Dust

Franco knew what he was doing. I wanted to hide my pain from him. I'd wager he liked to see others in pain. It fed his control and excitement. Franco's type didn't get scared because they didn't feel fear, only excitement.

I bit down so hard on my tongue that it bled, but I remained frozen in my seat. I would not scream or beg. Once he finished with my right leg, he did the same on my left.

Then…well, everything changed. The ball was in my court because, like most men, Franco underestimated the woman in front of him.

Chapter 44

Franco was a lot of things. A sociopath. A troubled boy who was now a very sick man. He was powerful and, no doubt, highly educated. But Franco was a naive fool. Like so many men in power. They thought they could wave their weapons in the air and have the world shake in their boots.

This bitch didn't quiver. I didn't shake in fear in my combat boots; I conquered in them, and I'd only beg one man!

Franco placed his finger on a small sensor on my right cuff. A blinking green light flashed, and they opened.The guard was a good twenty feet behind me, giving me a few seconds to make a move before he reached me. Therefore my move had to be good.

Was he so stupid to uncage the lioness?

He was. Ghost beamed.

I still needed to wait. My prey wasn't ripe for the picking yet. If I lunged too early, he'd get away. I need to buy some time. He was the one with the weapon.

"Stand up," he ordered.

As I stood, I felt the burn as my skin stretched over the cuts. Little trickles of blood ran down my legs. My jeans fell and pooled on the floor. I looked into his chocolate brown eyes. Franco, who tried to act nonchalant, was teetering on the edge. His eyes were feral, like a wild stallion trying to resist being broken in.

He liked to play with his victims. How predictable…

At least we have time to think before he starts to cut us up.Ghost murmured.

He's not going to cube us up into perfect bites like his steak…not just yet anyway. If there is one thing men in control like to see, it's watching someone fight a battle they can't win. He has the upper hand here, Ghost. I've played right into it. I just need to find the escape button.

And the kill button,Ghost added.

Franco eyed my sweater and started to cut it off, this time not cutting any skin. He looked at my body, now just covered in my panties and a bra. "You think I'd ever entertain a whore like you." He scowled. His upper lip twitched in disgust as his forehead wrinkled.

"You need more botox. Your forehead is wrinkling. Not very pretty, Frank." I chimed Purposely, not calling him by his name.

Yeah, It's not looking good, Ghost. It was worth a try. I'd play this game again and again if it meant I could have saved them all. Unfortunately, in these games of life, there is no reset button.I confessed to my best friend, who always remained by my side. I wasn't going to cower. I'd give Franco my complete bitch.

His hand mindless touched his forehead as if lost in an old memory. "Aww." I continued, "So it isn't a mommy issue. More like daddy cheated on mommy with one too many whores. Are they your main targets Franco." I probed. "That's so typical. The sociopath that kills hookers."

Franco's skin flushed. I hit the nail on the head. He lunged fast, and a searing pain stabbed me deep in the gut.

Ding, dong, the bitch is dead.

Chapter 45

Ipaced the aisle of the private jet, knowing we would never make it in time.She called him over me.It fucked with my head. I understand why she called Damian, but I couldn't accept it; that and the small letter she left behind.

Hubby,

You know as well as I do that love drives people insane, and, well, insane people do insane things. I promised myself that if anyone were going to kill you, it would be me. So I've got no other options.

Love your wifey, and all the voices inside of my head

-Elsa & Nova.

I pulled at my hair again. If she managed to get close to Franco after her phone call with Damian, he would have two hours with her until we arrived. I knew what people could do in two hours.

"You're going to be bald if you keep fucking with your hair like that," Anders shouted. He took a seat next to the cockpit door. His ax was in his right hand as it rested on his lap. He tried to pretend he was at ease, but he wasn't. He was eager to shed blood.