Page 128 of Single Teddy
“You must miss your mom and dad.”
Valentin nodded, and I wished I could hug them, but those damn zip ties were unbreakable.
“Did that man make you call him dad?”
“He said if we didn’t, he’d beat us. But he beat us even when we did,” Niko said.
“Fu…dge.” I hissed at the near-miss, although I was pretty sure they’d heard Barnes say far worse.
“It’s okay. Daddy used to beat us too,” Valentin said as if that made it better, and my stomach sank.
These kids had had a rough start in life and had been dealt the worst cards.
“What about your mom?”
“Mommy died when we were babies.”
I nodded, choking down the heavy sigh that threatened to come out. Poor things never stood a chance.
Someone shouted again, and we all glanced at the door.
“What’s going to happen to us?” Valentin asked.
I considered my options. These boys weren’t stupid. If anything, the hardships they’d been through had probably wisened them up beyond their years. Even so. I couldn’t tell them the truth. How do you tell a small child they’re about to die? With what kind of heart?
“I…I don’t know,” I said instead. “But whatever it is, I’ll be here. With you. Okay?”
The boys nodded, and the door opened. Barnes and the dragon skull tattoo guy walked in and stared at us.
“Having a couple’s quarrel?” I asked before I could help myself.
Instead of answering, the dragon skull tattoo guy spat in my direction.
“Classy.”
Barnes walked up to me, put his gun to my head, and told me to shut up. The kids started crying again and I gritted my teeth, bit through the fear, and looked him in the eyes.
“Do you have no heart? Look what you’re doing to these kids. Look how you’re making them feel. You don’t have to do this.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Those brats have made my life a living hell long enough.”
“Then why not let CPS take them? Why not let them go to a nice foster home if you don’t care about them? Why hold?—”
“Because. I don’t need nobody snooping in my business.” He jabbed the gun at my forehead as if to emphasize his point, and I stilled my body as if that would stop me from getting hurt.
“Even so. I’m sure you could have found a way to let go of them. You still could?—”
“Oh, will you shut up? I’ve had enough of your lectures. Get off your high horse and realize I’m in control now, bitch!”
I bit my tongue and glared at him until he chuckled and walked off.
His buddy checked his watch as Barnes made circles around us. A mobile phone poked out of his back pocket, and I realized it was mine.
I bit my lip and kept my gaze on it. If only there were a way to get it, maybe I could use it to call Teddy. To get word out there about our whereabouts. Something. Anything.
But I couldn’t even stand with my hands tied behind my back, let alone grab anything.
