Page 75 of The Tempted

Chapter Twenty-Six

Present Day

I stared at the concrete floor of the warehouse wondering how long I had been trapped here as it was I had no concept of time. I figured I couldn’t have been here as long as it felt I had because I was still alive without eating or drinking anything. My mouth was dry, my stomach growled, and I had to fight to keep my eyes open as exhaustion settled in. I was starting to think that Deke wouldn’t get the chance to kill me as my body started to weaken thinking it would probably start to shut down on its own.

I didn’t want to die I thought as I started to cry again. This was all so unfair I was only twenty-one years old I was supposed to have my whole life ahead of me. There was so much that I’d never get to experience so many places I’d never get to see things I’d never get to do. I would never walk down the aisle or become a mother and I wouldn’t get to see my loved ones again or be able to tell them just what they meant to me. That alone had me thinking about Mikey hoping that I was wrong when I assumed that Deke had done something cruel to him. I closed my eyes as I began to sob uncontrollably. Oh God, what if he really was dead? I looked across the room to where there was a pool of blood and felt the bile rise in my throat thinking what if it that was Mikey’s blood. I dropped my head between my legs, vomiting on the floor in front of me until there was nothing left in my stomach. I lifted my head as the room spun before me and for the first time I wished I really would die.

I let out an anguished shout that vibrated off the hollow walls. I didn’t think anyone would hear me and that wasn’t why I screamed. I did it because there was nothing left for me to do, I grunted in frustration because I was so angry that I was in this situation. I kicked my legs and shook violently as if I had the strength to break the ties that bound me to the chair. I was torn between giving up and still wanting to get the fuck out of here. I knew the chances of my father finding me were slim to none realizing that I was my only hope. It was time for me to step up, be my own hero, and stop waiting for someone to rescue me.

My hands were tied together and there was nothing I could do to free them. I tried to focus on conjuring up a way out of here. I spotted a window thinking that if I could break the window with the chair attached to my back then maybe I could hoist myself out of it. I still had the use of my legs and figured if I gave it my all then it might just be possible. I planted my feet firmly on the floor, careful not to step in my own vomit as I lifted myself to my feet hunched over because of the chair resting on my back and walked towards the window. I was too short to reach the window and I would never be able to break it from the disadvantage of my height. I looked around frantically for something to climb on top of to make me level with the window. I spotted a wooden crate and tried kicking it towards where the window was. I climbed on top of the crate only to discover that I still couldn’t reach the window. I hung my head in defeat ready to throw in the towel once and for all when I heard someone begin to applaud. I froze as my stomach dropped and fear engulfed me.

“Nice try,” Deke said still clapping. I slowly turned around dread filled me as I met his gaze and rightfully so for when my eyes met his he pierced me with a lethal stare. “Here, let me give you a hand,” he said keeping his voice controlled before pulling me forcefully by my bound wrists knocking me onto the ground. I whimpered as my forehead connected with the concrete the weight of the chair on my back feeling like cinder blocks.

I closed my eyes, trying to block out whatever he was going to do next knowing that I was going to pay dearly for trying to escape his wrath. The next thing I knew I was being pulled by my legs across the filthy floor back to the center of the room. I cried silently all my will gone as he tied my ankles together and lifted my limp body and chair back to the upright position. I hung my head in defeat and prayed for God to take me.

I was running along the docks as quickly as my legs would carry me ignoring the pain in my knee trying to get to my girl. I had left my geriatric crew in the parking lot of the docks taking off before they could argue with me. I reached behind me and pulled the gun from the waistband of my pants as I approached the warehouse. I looked around checking out my surroundings noting the two men that stood guard in front making it impossible for me to get through that way and forcing me to find an alternative way to get into the building.

I walked around the side of the warehouse sticking close the perimeter of the building careful to elude anyone that could take me down before I got to Nikki. I rounded a corner watching on as a group of men retreated in the opposite direction. I waited until they were out of sight before inching closer to where they had been and spotted a metal sliding door that was slightly ajar. Bingo!

I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard her crying the sound igniting a rage like no other inside of me. I snapped out of it and my legs began to move quickly following the sound of her cries.

“I’m coming Princess,” I whispered hoarsely as I slid through the slight crack in the door. I was going to be able to save her. Thank Christ I wasn’t too late.

“Help me. Dear God, please help me,” I cried my voice sounding weak even to my own ears. I swayed a little fighting the urge to surrender to sleep. My arms feel like they are going to fall off they are so heavy from my shoulders down to my wrists but my wrists and hands feel numb since he tightened the zip ties. I stared at the concrete my vision was starting to blur and I saw little black dots everywhere.

“No one’s here to save you, sweetheart,” the sick fuck says, taunting me a little more because he hasn’t had his fill of torturing me. He moves to stand in front of me cupping my chin, forcing me to lift my head.

“My father will kill you,” I shout.

“Do you hear me? He’s going to kill you! Just let me go,” I believe this with my whole heart that, even if he doesn’t let me go even if he kills me I don’t doubt my father will kill him.

Deke laughs. “Your father can’t save you little girl just like he couldn’t save his best man. And when you’re dead, he won’t do anything either just like he didn’t after I killed Val. Daddy’s not in control anymore, you’re at my mercy.”

I want to tell him he’s a pussy for not killing Val himself and simply ordering the hit so he wouldn’t get his hands dirty but I remain silent. It’s not worth it. Even though I bit my tongue, he rears his hand back and slaps me across the face again. I tell myself I must be immune to the pain by now because even though my cheek feels as if it’s on fire I don’t flinch. I lift my head slowly, looking the devil in the eyes, but I can’t stand the sight of him anymore and I turn my head slightly to see Mikey standing off to the side with his gun cocked.

I wasn’t sure if my eyes were playing tricks on me. Could he really be here? My Mikey. I know he’s not a figment of my imagination when he takes one hand off his gun and places his index finger to his lips signaling me to remain quiet. I look into his eyes and in that split second, I know I’m going to be okay, it’s all there in his eyes, he’s not going to let anything else happen to me.

He’s here.

I’m safe now.

I don’t know what causes me to take my eyes off Mikey but suddenly time stops and everything goes horribly wrong.

“Mikey watch out!” I yelp as he pulls the trigger, but he’s not the only one firing a gun. The doors to the warehouse slam open and in stormed an ambush of familiar men all with their guns blazing in fury. I barely have time to process the war raging in the warehouse as Deke falls to the floor at my feet. I shriek in sheer horror as his blood and brains splatter all over me. I feel like I’m having an outer body experience as I tremble screaming at the top of my lungs. It’s just too much.

Mikey starts to make his way towards me and I shake my head and shout. He doesn’t even acknowledge the gunfire behind him and I fear that he’s going to get hit. I try to tell him to turn around but my brain doesn’t send the message to my mouth.

Mikey spins around and we both watch as my father charges into the warehouse shooting with no regard. Jimmy and an army full of men behind him as they shoot at everyone and everything. Deke wasn’t working alone and his men begin to appear from every corner returning the gunfire.

Everyone fades away and I stare at my father watching him pull the trigger continuously without any remorse. I cry as I watch my father kill for me.

“No!” Mikey cries pulling me out of my trance. I avert my eyes towards him drawing my eyebrows together as he starts to run toward me. I don’t know what’s happening all I know is there is no stopping him as he charges straight at me knocking me backward.

He falls on top of me and his gun slips from his hands onto the floor. It takes me a moment to understand what has happened. Mikey starts to roll off me and I immediately see the blood pouring from his abdomen uncontrollably. He falls flat on his back beside me and I twist my head so I can see him. I cry out because I’m completely helpless still tied to the chair and unable to get to him.

“Mikey baby stay with me,” I shout over the boisterous sound of gunfire. “Please just hang in there,” I beg as I watch his fingers twitch and he tries to reach for me but I’m too far out of his reach. “Somebody help!!” I scream even though no one can hear me.

My heart shatters into a million pieces as Mikey’s eyes close. “No!!” I let out a guttural shrill. He can’t die Mikey can’t die. He saved my life and took that bullet for me. I should be the one lying in a pool of blood not him. I can’t even hold him. I can’t kiss him and assure him, he’s going to be all right. I can’t tell him that he can’t leave this earth because I love him. All I can do is watch as he bleeds out. I don’t know how long I lay on my side watching Mikey die, but it seems like an eternity.

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