Page 2 of Bad Kind of Love

“Don’t try anything stupid.” He barked, seizing my arm. Peering up, he wore an off-white skull mask that covered half his face. All the men wore the same mask, except the dark-haired man.

“Now that I have your attention.” The man in front of my dad went on. “Where the fuck is my shit?”

“Fuck off.” My dad spits, glaring in resistance. The man softly chuckles before rising to his feet.

“So, that’s how this is gonna go?” He shakes his head from side to side as he removes the gloves from his hand.

Jesus dad. Just tell them where whatever they're looking for is.

I wanted to shout to him so badly.

I was beginning to shake uncontrollably, terrified by what was going to happen to both of us. By the looks of it, it wasn’t going to end well.

He cracks each knuckle on his hand before landing a harsh blow across the side of my dad’s face, sending him falling onto his side in a loud thud.

“Dad!” I cry out trying to wiggle out of the hold on my arm but it was no use. I was no match against a man twice my age and size.

“What the fuck did I say?” He yanks me back harshly, sending a sharp pain down my arm.

Tears began to fall freely as I watched my dad lay limp on the ground.

Get up.

Get up.

Seeing a slight movement of his head, I feel a rush of relief as he slowly turns his head towards me, revealing his bloody mouth that’s gushing down his face and onto the hardwood floor.

“That’s only a taste of what I can do.” The man kneels back down. “Now, I’ll give you one last chance to tell me where my drugs are.”

Drugs?

Why the heck would my dad have this guy’s drugs?

Spitting out excess blood from his mouth, my dad searches for me and mouths the words “I’m sorry.”

“Bring the girl down here.” He motioned towards the man next to me.

Dragging me down the stairs, I unwillingly let him pull me to where we were now standing directly in front of my dad. My eyes move over his helpless body, taking in the puddle of blood in front of him. His eyes capture mine, and I can see the worry and sorrow that he’s conveying. It broke my heart to see him like this.

“Now.” Black mask announces. Reaching for my shoulder, he pulls me in close to his side. Towering over my short frame, he glances down at me, giving me a view of his sinister mask. How could something appear darker than black? It sent a chill down my spine as I stared back into his dark soulless eyes. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Pushing me till we’re standing his front to my back, he squeezes onto my shoulders with just enough pressure that causes my dad to snarl.

“Leave her out of this!” He groans flailing on the ground, sending blood flying onto my bare feet.

“Then tell me where my drugs are, O’Connor. You didn’t think you could steal my shit, and I wouldn’t find out about it?” Leaning his head down, I can feel his warm breath hit the side of my face. The pungent smell of cigars mixed with mint soon hits my nostrils.

My dad lifts his eyes, glancing at me before he closes them in defeat. “It’s gone.”

There was a moment of silence. No one spoke, no one moved until I felt the grip on my shoulders tighten. “You stupid motherfucker.” He chuckled under his breath. But it was anything but a normal laugh that escaped from his lips, it was dark and menacing, just like him.

“I can…I can…” My dad stumbled over his words, trying to come up with something, but was interrupted.

“You can what?” Black mask roared behind me.

Startled, I feel my body start trembling under his harsh grip.

“Please.” I whisper shakily. I wasn’t naive or clueless, I knew what happened to the guy in movies that stole something from the bad guy. I knew if I didn’t say anything, my dad was as good as dead.

“What was that?” His voice dropped an octave. “Did any of you hear anything?” He asks his men trying to taunt me. They all shake their heads no.

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