Page 55 of Saving Bonnie

“Whaaat?”

“Dante can take care of Conrado,” I assure her. “It’s his right.”

“Sooo, you’re going to…?”

“I’m going to check on Bonnie.” I end the call and check the tracking software. He’s across town, headed to the old warehouse district.

*****

Bunny

We make a hard turn, and I tighten my hold on the shelves. We’re moving at a crawl now, and my heart’s about to come through my throat. The truck stops, with Rick cutting the engine a second later. Gaining my footing, I straighten and pry my numb fingers from the slanted shelves, taking deep breaths. The smell of diesel hangs heavy in the air.

Seconds tick by as I wait for something to happen. I curl and uncurl my fingers, hoping to get feeling back to them before... Well, I’m not even sure what to expect.

Metal clanks then the door handle shifts. Fear shoots through me, but I force my legs to move. Whatever he plans, my shrinking against the wall isn’t going to make much of a difference.

Rick cracks the door open, blocking the exit. Picking apart his expression, I find it’s regret that takes the forefront. Oh Lord, I may throw up.

A scene fromThe 13th Warriorflashes through my mind. Antonio Banderas is praying to live the next few minutes well. In keeping with the theme, Mom, Grandma, and Grandpa flash through my mind. Poor Mom may end up alone, not knowing what happened to me. Which will be a hell of its own.

Tino. Everything he went through to keep me alive, and I unknowingly walk into a trap. How utterly stupid.

“Come on, Bonnie. I don’t want to hurt you.” He moves aside, leaving me space to step down.

This time, I don’t accept his help. Instead, I study my surroundings. We’re alongside a warehouse dock, tagged by a neighborhood gang. A trailer’s sitting at the nearest rollup door, blocking any view of the street.

From what I could tell, he followed San Bernardo, across the railroad tracks, then eventually turned left. So we’re in the old business district. This area is full of brokers and warehouses, many of them empty. Likely not much going on this late, but there may be a guard somewhere.

His palm lands in the middle of my back, urging me forward. I flinch, shrugging away from his touch.

“Weren’t you all hot for me just a couple of days ago?”

The mocking tone rankles, but I can’t dispute what he says. In fact, I could kick myself for being so stupid.

“Maybe you just wanted my hands somewhere else,” he says next to my temple.

“Screw you, asshole.” I jam my elbow into his side.

He grunts, curling a hand around my biceps. “Come on. Bring your fine ass over here.”

“Let me go.” I pull, trying to break free, but he tightens his hold. Pushing against him doesn’t do much to slow his pace. I kick, aiming for his ankle.

“Bitch.” He shifts his weight, pulling a gold-plated gun from under his shirt. “That’s enough.”

Last week I was falling apart when I thought I was going to die. But after nearly getting shot, two dead bodies, a weapon on the table and on my towels, my mom’s revelation, and a flashback of every action movie I’ve ever seen, things have changed. I’ve changed.

I have no idea what kind of gun he’s holding, but it’s not as intimidating as it would have been a week ago.

The door opens, and Sergio sticks his head out, checking around us. “Come on, before someone sees you.”

Rick drags me up the steps beside him then shoves me through the door.

Sergio goes to a small building and slams the side of his fist against the wall. “Come out here. Rick’s back.”

I check the area around me, like I’ve seen on TV. Concrete walls, no windows, rollup doors stretching past the little trailer, and rows of food piled taller than me.

Meanwhile, Sergio approaches me and cups my forearm. I pull away, but he snatches my arm, drawing me in close. I’m inches away from the handle of a gun he’s tucked into his side. Could I steal the thing away? If I do, can I actually use it? There’s more to it than pulling the trigger. How many times have I seen a show where the guy doesn’t take off the safety before trying to shoot? What does a safety even look like?

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