Page 84 of Castle

Castle shook his head. “It’s the usual one. We just have an....an exclusive route of boarding the plane, no queues or other rules and...they check the baggage and we only have to board. Our staff...they take care of everything else.”

Castle stared at the front seat, “Austin, that’s not the way...where are you taking us?”

“I apologize, Mr. Montgomery. I have orders from your brother.” He said, glancing at us from the rearview mirror, “He promised me he’d make sure my children go to the best universities. He’s going to give my family a lot of money, the kind that I could never earn, even if I were to be born ten more times. I’m truly sorry, sir…” he said in a monotone, “I can’t afford to be fired.”

The car zoomed forward onto the road at a dangerous speed. The road was narrow, surrounded by thick woodlands. He’d brought us here on purpose.

“Stop the car!” I yelled at him.

“I’m not doing anything, Mrs. Montgomery.” He took his foot off the accelerator, showing me that the brakes weren’t working anymore. “The car has a timer. It will blow up at the right time.”

We weren’t going to Paris.

Devin was sending us to ourcoffins.

‘Let Castle and me live in peace.’Irecalled telling him.

‘Consider it done. When you’re back, we’ll get the anklet removed. It’s a promise.’

We were going to be at peace, maybe somewhere in heaven, he’d meant, and of course, I was going to have my anklet removed.

A dead body didn’t need a tracker.

I was hyperventilating, my chest tightened with unadulterated fear, my blood running cold.

We were about to die. Austin was paid to commit a murder-suicide. We were going to die in cold-blood, and then they’d do the same to Theo. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to keep any Montgomery heirs.

Castle’s eyes registered what was about to happen. He pulled me closer into his body as if to say ‘let’s be together in death too.’

“No!” I yelled.

The grim reaper was standing right there, knocking. He was about to take us away.

I refused to let death fuck up our plans! I refused to die before I found out the truth!

I got hold of Castle’s shoulders. The car was speeding straight ahead, and I knew it would stop only when we’d get blown to bits.

“Listen to me carefully.” tears streaked my face, but I quickly wiped it. “We cannot die here! We won’t! Your mother’s dream was for you to become strong and succeed.”

He nodded earnestly, “Yes.”

“Then that’s what we need to do. We cannot die!”

The car jerked forward with the bumps. “Do you trust me, Castle?”

“Always.”

“On the count of three, open the door and jump out. We need to roll on our bodies. Do you understand what I’m saying? You can’t screw this baby, okay? Promise me!”

He nodded. “I promise.”

I hugged him one last time. “You need to live, and if I don’t make it…” I gave out a humorless laugh, “Just don’t bury me in the Montgomery cemetery.”

“Don’t say that, Millie!” He tightened his hold over my hand.

“I love you,” I said one last time. We had only a few seconds. Something was beeping inside the car.

“On the count of three, Castle…”

---