Page 60 of The Devil's Den

Drew appears, a hoodie on, black sweats, and in his waistband, there’s a gun.

“What the hell are you doing?” I whisper-shout, darting a glance back at Robby who rustles before turning the other way.

“Your father needs you. We’re going for a drive.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I start toward him, gesturing for him to leave the room, but he won’t move.

“The car’s waiting downstairs,” he stresses, a flash of rage overshadowing his tone. “Hurry up.”

My insides shift, curling from the danger lurking all around.

Where could I be going? The club? Again? No. I can’t.

My breathing hastens, an ache lodging in my heart, moisture building in my eyes. “I’m not leaving Robby alone.” I stifle the tears.

“Alison’s downstairs. Let’s go before I shoot the damn kid.”

“Aida?” Robby whispers, rubbing his eyes and sitting up.

“It’s okay, sweetheart.” I rush over, tucking him back down. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be back soon.” I stroke his cheek and he smiles soundly.

“I’ll go. Okay?” I tell Drew. “Give me a few minutes to get dressed.”

“No. You won’t need to do that.” He comes forward just as Robby’s eyes flash open from the harshness of those words.

Robby stares wildly at him. “Don’t go, Aida,” he begs, his hand clutched to my wrist. “I’m scared.”

“Shut up, kid. We’ve got grown-up business to do. Go to sleep and dream about ponies or some shit.”

“I love you, Robby. I’ll have Ms. Greco come up to be here with you, okay?”

“Okay.” Tears glisten in his eyes. “I love you so much,” he cries, jumping into my lap, and I hold him as tight as my arms will let me, painful emotions running up my throat. I gulp them away. I don’t want him to see my fear. His is enough. He shouldn’t carry mine. He’s been dealt with more than any child should and I don’t want to add to that.

I lay him back down, tucking the blanket tight around his neck as his eyes stitch up with worry. “Everything’s okay. I promise.” But as I go to the closet, glancing over at him, I find I haven’t alleviated his anxiety. It’s still there, cast over his face.

Slipping into my sneakers, I hurry back to him, leaving a kiss on his cheek. “I love you.” With a final look at him, my face forcing the hardest grin I’ve ever had to make, I walk out the door, hoping I haven’t left him forever.

We make it down where a pacing Ms. Greco waits by the foot of the stairs. “What’s going on? Where are you taking her?”

Matteo.

My tears fall and I can’t make them stop anymore.

“Take care of Robby,” I say to her. “He’s scared.”

“Let’s go!” Drew shouts, grabbing my arm as I look back at her

Her tears slip down her cheeks, and in her eyes, I taste the fear like it’s my own. She thinks I’m going back there and she’s probably right. My hands tremble, my body breaking out in a shudder as I’m dragged out the door and into a black SUV. A driver I don’t recognize is behind the wheel.

Drew puts on my blindfold and a bag over my head this time, then throws me into the cold seat. One of my worst fears is confirmed: I’m going back there.

My panting breaths tremble out, heavy as the thundering of my heartbeats. A door shuts and his voice drifts from the front. “Don’t think of escaping. If you do, your father has instructed me to shoot her and the boy. Your boyfriend too.”

“I wouldn’t do that,” I say with whispered words.

The car sets to a roll.

“How could you all do this and live with yourselves?” My question comes out before I fully thought about asking it.

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