Page 128 of Ramsay

I’m lost to my thoughts when my phone buzzes again and I type in my password with bumbling fingers.

Dad:meet where? Aren’t you at school?

My heart jumps into my throat and I glance up in time to see we’ve turned toward the freeway. I know from a few previous visits to the police precinct with my parents to discuss Carmen’s case that this isn’t the direction we should be heading.

“Um, shouldn’t we be going that way?” I say, waving behind me.

The dick raises his gaze to the mirror but he’s a blank slate. There’s not a damn hint of emotion shining back at me and with a groan, I sit back and bow my head.

Shit. Fuck. Damn. I made a rookie mistake. I trusted without asking questions but who would bribe a cop to get to me? Crush.

My stomach sinks at that and leaning forward, I curl my fingers through the metal holes and say, “Did you hear me?”

Of course, he doesn’t answer. Now what?

I test the door even though I know I’m locked inside. Hell, I didn’t even put up a fight when he urged me into the damn cage. Stupid.

When that doesn’t work, I lean against the seat back and kick at the divider which leaves me with aching ankles and a serious dose of rage.

The cop is impervious but does look down when his radio goes off, the high-pitched sound announcing a series of codes that I have no way of deciphering. Still, I’m tempted to scream my fears in the hopes someone will hear me, and I slump when he switches it off, without answering. This is it. I know I thought giving myself up might be the best option but fuck a little more time to come around to it would have been nice.

Closing my eyes, I suck in a strangled sob and pray this doesn’t kill my parents. What will they think when another daughter doesn’t come home? It’s so fucking unfair but I did this to myself and now I’m stuck with the horrible consequences.

My phone buzzes again and I study Ramsay’s name before opening the text.Where are you?

Tears blind my vision and I hesitate over the keys. Do I accept this and my vow to keep the others out of it? Or do I ask for help?

Willow?

Where the fuck are you?

Willow:calm down, I got picked up

Ramsay:by who?

Willow:my parents, it’s about my sister. I’ll tell you later

Ramsay:really? In a cop car?

Damn. I guess someone spotted me anyway. With a semi-hysterical laugh, I shake my head. I guess it doesn’t matter. I’m not getting out of this now.

Willow:yes, to take me downtown

Ramsay:fine, where? I’ll meet you

Shit. He’s like a dog with a fucking bone.

Ignoring the burn in my chest, I close my eyes. Maybe it was real, the beginning of something between us but it’s too fucking late now.

Since I’m arguing about my own lies, I decide no answer is better and close out the phone. My heart is pounding wildly and the slick slide of sweat rolls down my spine. I’m going to die because there’s nothing, I can do to stop this douche, who’s now cruising down the freeway to god only knows where.

Fuck but I wish I had…well I guess I don’t know. Giving the Sinners information was probably the first altruistic thing I’ve done in years. I can’t regret it.

The notion brings me a modicum of peace but it all fizzles when we veer off the exit and I confirm I’m back where I started. A year and a half ago, I escaped this life with the help of a cold, seriously fucked up dude. Now here I am.

Karma really is a fucked-up joke.

Warehouses pass on the left, but I shake my head when the cemetery where my sister is buried comes into view.

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