Page 94 of Wretched Heart
Now that I’ve had a chance to calm down, I’ve stopped feeling quite so powerless despite my current predicament. Being abducted isn’t ideal, but at least it’s not some criminal gang who wants to sell me off to recoup whatever debts Hugo had accrued. Barrett is a respected businessman. He won’t hurt me. Neither will Ray. There’s been no gun to my head or knife to my throat. He’s been determined to take me with minimal force.
My eyes narrow. There’s a sheen of sweat on my kidnapper’s brow. “Did Barrett tell you to deliver me unharmed?” I ask. When he doesn’t answer, I reach my own conclusions. “I’m surprised he cares considering I’m already damaged goods as far as he’s concerned. But you’re not worried about my welfare, are you? You’re scared of what Hunter will do.” I laugh. “Damn. I hope I’m there when he finds out what you’ve done.”
Ray slams on the brakes and my seatbelt cuts painfully into my neck. He snaps his head to me. “Not another fucking word, or you’ll be in a cage all the way to New York. In the hold.”
I settle back in my seat and give him my best smile. “I think I just heard a dead man talking,” I reply. “But sure, my lips are sealed. For now.”
I rest my head against the window for the remainder of the journey. When the lights of a runway come into view, I allow myself a pang of sadness. I was here a few short hours ago, watching Hunter fly away. He’ll already be in Chicago, while I’m getting whisked off to New York. How long would it take him to track me down? If he wants to track me down…
I’m grateful that it’s dark when Ray hauls me out of theSUV and swings me over his shoulder. Cold air slaps against my exposed ass as I twist my body to look at the plane waiting for us. There’s no eagle head on the nose. No lion’s claws. No griffin. Just the uninspiring geometric design of the Emerson logo.
As Ray climb the steps, I cast my gaze across the airfield. The hangars look deserted and the only other airplanes are a scattering of light aircraft. There’s not a soul in sight as I’m swallowed up by the private jet.
Ray sets me down as soon as we’re inside, and uses a small penknife to cut the ties around my ankles. I turn slightly, giving him my back so he can cut the ties around my wrists, but he ignores me as a young flight attendant appears from deeper inside the cabin.
“Good evening, Mr. Forsyth,” he says with a beaming smile.
Ray glances at the young man’s name tag. “Carl, is it?”
“Yes, Sir,” Carl replies. “Would you like me to help you with…” He looks me up and down, his expression remaining indifferent. “With your asset?”
“Are you for real?” I hiss. “Can’t you see I’m being abducted? If you had a shred of decency, you’d call the police.
“I understand, Madam,” Carl says. “But I’m afraid calls are restricted during the flight.”
“Great! We have another fucking asshole!”
“I thought I told you to shut up!” Ray barks. “I can still go back and get the cage!”
“Oh, just you try it,” I say, tipping my head back towards the exit.
Ray looks from me to the open door and the steps beyond. “And give you the chance to kick me down thosesteps? I don’t think so, sweetheart,” he says. He pushes against my back. “Get inside.” When I resist, he shoves me hard enough to make me stumble forward
“Fuck you!” I hiss.
Ray notices Carl flinch. “Get used to it,” he says. “Unless you can find something to shut her up, we’re both going to need earplugs.”
“I’ll see what I can find, Sir,” our helpful flight attendant promises. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I just need to lock everything down. If you can make your way to your seats, the pilot will be with you shortly. I believe he wants a quick word.”
As we enter the belly of the plane, Ray shoves me past a walnut table towards a group of plush, cream leather recliners. There’s a small bar and an entertainment area with a large flat screen, but my attention is drawn to the curtain that separates us from the staff area beyond. The folds of material sway, suggesting movement from deeper in the plane. The pilot is on his way.
There’s a thud as Carl seals the outer door shut. We’ll be taking off soon, and Ray needs me contained. He grabs my shoulders and twists me around so he can back me into a seat.
“Get your hands off me!” I shriek, mostly for the pilot’s benefit. I’m hoping he has more of a conscience than our flight attendant. “You can’t keep me tied up for the entire flight!”
Ray’s fingers dig into my shoulders. “Do you want to be gagged?”
As I hold his glare, I hear four soft clicks behind me that make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Four guns have just had their safety catches removed. In thereflection of Ray’s widening eyes, I see movement behind me. Dark figures. Four if I’m not mistaken.
“Give me one good reason why I don’t blow your fucking brains out right now,” Hunter growls.
Chapter 35
Hunter
After landing, we’d taxied up to the only other private jet at the airfield. Steps had already been secured to the Emerson jet and the doors left open, practically inviting us to take possession. There was a tense moment when all four of us boarded and a flight attendant screamed, but there was no security detail in place. Barrett was under the assumption he didn’t need it with Maddie. I love it when someone underestimates her.
With some gentle persuasion, we’d transferred all of the Emerson crew to our jet, which is now hidden away in a hangar. One of our flight attendants had switched uniforms and was the only one to remain with us on Barrett’s plane.
