Page 77 of August

“Roy was hiding Todd from you this whole time.”

Alvarez clicked his tongue. “You must think I’m stupid to believe that.”

“You know as well as I do Todd was laundering for both you and Radcliffe. If you killed Todd, then Roy would be without a launderer. Sure worked in his favor to have Todd right under his roof.”

“You’re lying.”

“If you pay Roy a visit, or hell, make a video-call to him, you’ll see his face is swollen. I punched him.”

Alvarez’s breath huffed like an angry bull’s. “I want that motherfucker Todd,” he spat. “That piece of shit stole millions from me.”

August sent his gaze toward the car. Rami was guiding Todd inside. Pacing in a small circle, August weighed his words. Alvarez was caught in the middle. He might not want to give up Gigi, but he wanted Todd more. And Radcliffe’s dishonesty was a cherry on top of the shit sundae.

“Tell me where Gigi is and we’ll trade.” Urgency pushed the words from his mouth.

Silence.

“Alvarez?”

“I’ll be in touch.”

Click

August let out a hiss of rage. Goddammit!

He couldn’t wait until he’d heard from Alvarez to do something. For all August knew they’d already killed Gigi. The thought made sweat form between his shoulder blades. No, he couldn’t believe that. God wasn’t so cruel as to bring Gigi into his life only to have her murdered. He wouldn’t accept the possibility as a reality.

Fuck Todd and Fuck Alvarez. He’d find Gigi himself.

***

Standing in the gross bedroom, Gigi turned in a circle, her wrists still melded together. Above the mattress was a window about four feet from the floor. Cardboard covered the glass and duct tape secured the perimeter. She inched onto the bed. Her feet sank into the stained material, and she toppled on the loose springs. Without her hands for balance, she almost fell on her face on the disgusting surface.

Eww.

She’d rather throw out her back than pick up whatever diseases infested the mattress. After toddling to the window, she leaned her abdomen against the wall so she wouldn’t fall then edged herself toward the side of the window, where there was a small gap between the cardboard and the sill.

Without the use of her fingers, she couldn’t peel back the cardboard. Although Bandana Guy hadn’t tied her wrists tight, she didn’t want to attempt an escape until she had a good chance of success.

The last thing she needed was for one of the men to see she’d gotten out of her bindings again. They’d probably wrap her in chains and she’d never escape. Crouching low, she got her eyes as close as she could to the small gap. The room overlooked the backyard, and from what she could tell, the window was a slider with no screen.

Backing away, she hobbled over the uneven surface. With each step she took, the wretched stench of urine wafted upwards. She gagged. But then she reminded herself that there were worse things than disgusting mattresses—like dying. She had to focus on getting out of here.

A dresser was pushed up against the wall next to the door. If she could slide it in front of the door without the guys hearing her, she might be able to rip off the cardboard and jump out the window.

The walls were thin enough that she could hear the men speaking, in Spanish, in the living room and kitchen areas. Without some kind of background noise, they’d hear her moving furniture around. She could only hope that they’d leave.

Frustration burrowed inside her. She was stuck. If she made her escape prematurely and got caught, she’d not only face Alec’s wrath but might piss off Bandana Guy, too. Then she’d have no ally—if she could even call him that.

The dog barked and Gigi’s hope floundered. Slowly, she sank to the floor and her eyes welled with tears. Even if she was lucky enough to get out without the men spotting her, there was the dog, Micha, to contend with. Surely she’d bark at any strange noises or at someone lurking in the backyard.

She inhaled a shuddering breath. There was another option. She could try to buy or befriend Bandana Guy. Which was probably a longer shot than trying to escape with bound hands.

Footsteps pounded down the hall. Gigi plastered her back against the wall. The acidic taste of fear filled her mouth. She glanced around the messy room in search of a weapon, but there wasn’t a damn thing she could do with her hands behind her back. The door banged open and Alec strode in.

A roll of duct tape hung in his hand. He swept his gaze around the room and his eyes narrowed. “Why isn’t she tied up, Marko?” he demanded. The fact that he was speaking English told her he wanted her to hear and understand him.

To make her more afraid?

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