Page 3 of Bad Kind of Love

Closing my eyes, I take in a deep breath. “Please.” I say a little louder this time. “Don’t hurt him.”

I wait and wait for an answer or at least for something, but all I get in response is a long sigh.

“Bec, stay out of it.” My dad interjects.

“No, no, no.” Black mask turns me around till I’m gazing into his wicked eyes. His face was mostly covered besides his mouth, so there was no use in trying to memorize his features for later. “How old are you little one?”

Never wavering from his intense stare, I gulp. “Eleven.”

“You seem like a smart girl, Bec.” He goes on. “Are you?”

My brows furrow from his question. “I.. I don’t know.”

“Tell me, what would you do if someone stole something very important to you?” He asked, taking a strand of my dirty blonde hair in between his fingers, coating them in blood.

Shaking my head, I knew I didn’t want to answer the trick question. “I.. I don’t know.” I reply with the same words again.

“Now, now, Bec.” He drops down till he’s eye level. “I know that’s not true. Don’t lie to me.” He growls. “What’s important to you?”

Licking my bottom lip, I glance over at my dad who’s observing our interaction with a close eye and scowl that’s directed at black mask. “My dad.” I answer truthfully.

“Not someone, something. An object.”

I was tired of answering his meaningless questions, but I knew if I didn’t, he’d focus his attention back on my dad. “My... my headphones.”

He grins. “Now, if someone stole your headphones and you were never able to get them back, what would you do?” He gauges my reaction with a straight face.

“Buy another pair.”

“And what if you couldn’t get the same ones.” He asks.

What answer was he looking for here?

“Buy something similar to that pair.” I say in a low whisper.

“And the thief? You’d let them keep and enjoy what’s most important to you?” He questioned with a surprised tone.

Shrugging, I mulled over the question. “Yes.” I state. “Obviously they needed it more than I did.”

He stared and stared, studying me till he finally rose up.

“Take the handcuffs off.” He motions toward the man behind my dad.

“But boss…”

“Now!” He shouts, causing the man to hurriedly unlock the cuffs and remove them. Rushing over to my dad, I fall to my knees and wrap my arms around him.

“It’s okay. I’m okay.” He reassures in my ear, as tears fall down my face. His weak arm wraps around me protectively.

“It’s your lucky day, O’Connor.” Black mask announces. My tear-filled eyes lift and capture him. I wanted to thank him, but he was the villain, and you never thank the villain. He was the monster in my story, even if he did spare my dad’s life.

Shoving his hands in his pockets, he holds my stare for a few more seconds before nodding to his men. Turning on his heel, he stalks off and out the front door, slamming it closed behind him.

Burying my head in my dad’s neck, I let it all out. The fear, worry, and anger from what I had just witnessed.

“Shhh.” My dad cooed, running his hand down my head. “It’s over. It’s all over.”

But it wasn’t over, it was just the beginning.

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