Page 59 of Gabe

I knew a gun barrel when I felt one.

CHAPTER 22

Frankie

I clenched my fists so tightly within their ropes that the tips of my fingers went numb. Senator McLeod sat at the desk in front of us, looking down on us as we knelt on the floor where we’d been dumped. A pair of armed bodyguards stood around him as Ozias carefully approached the desk.

“I did as you asked, sir. I brought you something useful.”

Senator McLeod regarded Ozias for a moment, heavy brows furrowed, and fingers balanced like a steeple in front of him.

“I’ll decide what’s useful.”

His chair creaked when he stood. The armed bodyguards moved with him as he approached, always at his back like a choreographed dance.

Beside me, I could feel Newt tremble.

The Senator grabbed Newt’s chin and forced him to look up.

“Prettier than I thought they’d be. Our clients might even like this one. Despite his age, he’s still got an innocent look to him.”

Newt shook harder.

I snarled and pictured sinking my teeth into the man’s wrist to remove his disgusting touch from my friend. With my hands bound it was all I could do, even in my imagination.

Yet, my silent threat only made the Senator laugh. He let go of Newt to grab my hair instead, and then tipped my head back as far as it would go. He brushed his fingers over the scar on the back of my head and I shivered with revulsion. Other than Newt, Gabe was the only person who I had allowed to touch that painful memory written on my skin. I hated how it felt, but was at least glad to have the Senator’s attention as it meant the man was no longer paying attention to Newt.

The Senator was right. Newt’s personality and wide blue eyes would be just the kind of thing these monsters would enjoy destroying.

As if sensing my thoughts, the Senator smiled and leaned closer until I could feel his breath on my face.

“This one’s too feisty, but I know others with my exotic taste who would pay good money for him.”

I was just considering the merits of spitting in his face—if the momentary satisfaction be worth the pain it would probably cause me later—when the Senator thankfully let me go and turned back to face Ozias.

“We can definitely profit off of them, but that’s not my main concern. You’re certain that they’ll work as hostages for our targets?”

“Oh, yes,” Ozias said, standing stiff as a board like a soldier presented before his drill sergeant. “Sebastian Roth will do anything for the redhead. And the FBI agent who’s been protecting him seems to be fond of the other one. I’ve seen them together before.”

“Good.” Senator McLeod returned to his desk and leaned back in his chair. “What about the other Roth brother? Damien? He wasn’t the one originally investigating us, but he’s recently been involved. Plus, Russo would owe us for dealing with one of his problems for him. Something strange is going on with the Mariano family right now. This might be a good chance to push our advantage with that den of snakes.”

I nearly laughed out loud.

Who was this man to throw shade on the morality of anyone else?

He and the David Russo were practically cut from the same cloth. In fact, if I had to choose between the two, I might choose the infamous Mafia Boss over the Senator. At least Russo didn’t hold an official seat of power in the government.

Ozias shook his head with urgent, jerky motions, like he didn’t want to be caught moving for too long. For the first time since entering the office at the top of the building, I noticed that Ozias’s gaze kept trailing off to the side toward the boy sleeping on the couch. He seemed distracted, but quickly snapped himself back to attention to answer the Senator’s question.

“There was no sign of Damien Roth, and as far as I can tell, he doesn’t have any personal connection to these two.”

“Pity.” The Senator tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Still, we can at least get rid of one headache. I’ve already sent someone out to take care of Sebastian Roth and his FBI protector, so you’d better hope your assessment is correct, Ozias. I’ll be very disappointed if these two don’t turn out to be as useful as you’ve promised.”

“They will be,” Ozias instantly promised. “I’m certain of it.”

Silence fell between the two men, each waiting for the other to say or do something. The tension hung so heavy between them it seemed to reach right down my throat and steal the air from my lungs.

I pressed closer to Newt, pretending it was to comfort my friend since he hadn’t stopped trembling, but I knew it was just as much to comfort myself.

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