Page 123 of Forbidden Confessions: Vol. 2
She scowls. “H-how do you know my name?”
“Listen to me. I’m on your side.”
She shakes her head, her long hair swaying around her waist. “No. I saw you with that guy, the one who bosses everyone around. He controls the guy who t-took me when I walked by the back door coming out of the ladies’ room.”
“I know. I have to gain his trust, but I’m here to free you. I’ve talked to your cousin Kristi.”
“When? How?” She gapes as a horrible possibility occurs to her. “Is she here?”
“Down the hall. I was with her an hour ago. Your mom called her to help find you, but now Kristi is in trouble, too. So you’ve got to listen to me.”
Sammie raises a trembling hand over her lips. “She’s in danger because of me? Oh, no…”
“It’s okay,” I tell her with a calm I don’t feel, holding out my hands. “We’re going to get out of here.”
“How?”
I don’t dare tell her I’m still working on that. “Let’s get you out of this room first.”
Because if I don’t, Donzelli won’t lose himself in pussy again tonight, and I won’t get a chance to fix this.
“Where are you taking me?”
Why does she have to ask the hard questions? I sift through all my possibilities and realize my options are really fucking limited.
I sigh. “Someplace I’d rather not, but you’re going to get out of here, I promise.”
Her fists come back up. Does she think that will ward me off if I seriously wanted to do her harm? “Why should I trust you?”
“Honestly? I’m going to shorthand this because we’re out of time. I’m not who you think I am. I’m going to marry your cousin. Kristi is already pregnant, so I have a vested interest in making sure you’re both safe.”
“She is not!”
“Wanna bet?” But it’s not like Sammie can verify with my girl. “Let me put it this way: What happens if you go with the boss?”
“I’m afraid to find out. I saw what the tall, fat guy did to that other girl. She’s bruised everywhere.”
“Yeah, Paulie is a peach. But you know neither of them is going to be good for your long-term health, right?”
“Yeah,” she answers hesitantly.
“I’m the unknown; I get it. But if I was as bad or worse, do you really think I’d be standing here, trying to reason with you?”
“No.”
“Exactly,” I assure her. “Let me check one thing…”
I whip out my phone and call down to the bar where Rudy and Sal were drinking. After a quick parlay, the guy slinging drinks assures me that Tweedledum and Tweedledee are passed out at their table. Even better, the bottle is only half empty.
That gives me another idea. And it better work or we’re all dead.
8
Kristi
* * *
A little after two a.m., the lock on my door scrapes. My nerves jangle. I can only imagine how worried Aunt Tammy must be. I’m sure she’s tried to call me a dozen times by now. But I have to focus on whoever is prying their way into my room.
