Page 60 of Sacrificing Zoriah

“Leave her out of it. Just let her go. She can go to the bank when they open and get the cash. How about that? Just let her go get the money,” Roman pleads. He looks terrified. Really, everyone does but me.

“Bring her to me,” the man says.

“I can walk, dickhead. Don’t drag me,” I snap at the man. I am led closer and Dad looks just as scared as Roman, especially when he sees me.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs Tolson,” he says. “You shot my two favorite men.”

“Want me to shoot your two least favorite to even it out?” I ask simply. He slaps me across the face, and it stings, but I laugh. He shoves me down to my knees, and Roman is immediately a wreck.

“Stop. Please don’t. I’ll do whatever you want. Okay? Please don’t hurt her,” Roman pleads. The man ignores him and goes to unbuckle his belt.

“You stick your dick in my mouth, and I’m biting it off. Hit me if you want,” I laugh.

“Bite me and I’ll shoot your husband in the head,” he counters hatefully.

“Let’s see how fast your reflexes are then,” I shrug. “I hear a man bleeds out fast when his dick is bitten off.”

“Get her off the fucking floor,” the man hisses. I am pulled up, and my hands are released. I move, and he pulls his pistol. “Such a brave little bitch. I bet you’ll feel wonderful wrapped around my cock.”

“I could have herpes for all you know,” I say. “Such a brave little bitch. Hope you got some itch cream.”

“Riah,” Dad snaps at me.

“What? You think this dumbass scares me?” I ask before turning back to the man. “You’re his sperm donor, yeah? What’s your name?”

“Rodrigo Jimenez,” he says simply.

“Look, Rodrigo. I know you are dangerous or whatever, but… I’ve been through way too much to be scared of you. What do you want?”

“A portion of whatever my son has going on that has made him so rich. Drugs, gambling, guns… it’s something.”

“Wrong. Try again,” I say. “If he was doing anything sketchy, I’d know. I’ve been his assistant for a while now.”

“No one gets rich by doing the right thing,” he says.

“Think maybe you just used your brains to be a dumbass criminal, and he used his to be a businessman?” I ask. “Also, you literally raped his mother. You think he’s going to give you shit?”

“He will because he has no choice. I will kill all of you if—”

“Oh… You don’t know,” I interrupt and look at Roman. “How did he find you?”

“I assume the news reports,” Roman says.

“What news reports?” Rodrigo asks. “We’ve been tracking you for months and confirmed DNA from items found in the trash six months ago.”

“You… are a fucking moron,” I say, laughing at him. He rears back and slaps me across the face, making me stumble back. That one hurt like a bitch, but I shake it off and straighten my back.

“I will fucking kill you, bitch,” he screams at me as he gets into my face.

“Aren’t you going to ask me why you are a moron, Rodrigo?” I ask sweetly.

“There is no fucking way you didn’t check their names,” Ben laughs. “Some fucking cartel boss you are.”

“A month ago, I was kidnapped and sacrificed by The People of Christ Church,” I say. “I escaped when I killed the leader’s second in command. Know what that means, Rodrigo?”

I have been stalling to give them time to get into position. I saw a flash of Lance when I was shoved down to my knees. We made eye contact for just long enough that I understood I needed to stall. Huxley must have called them instead. I knew they wereclose by, but I didn’t think they were this close. Rodrigo takes a few steps back, but the living room is suddenly rushed.

“FBI. Hands where I can see them,” Lance shouts. I turn and rush to Roman to untie him as Corbin does the same for Dad. I am pulled into Roman’s lap as he sits on the couch, and he hugs me tightly as the adrenaline seeps out of me and I start crying. I hear the chaos in the house, but I am systematically shutting down every part of my brain that isn’t focused on Roman and his warmth.

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