“When?”
“It was during the time she was in that town with you,” Marco says.
“I fucking knew it, you motherfucker. They almost broke her arm and nearly killed Jess!” Vic yells.
“She was to be brought back to me. Where she belongs,” my father seethes, as if kidnapping his own daughter is low on the meter of bad things to do.
“And what if they decided not to hold up to their end of the deal and took her, or worse, killed her?” Vic questions as he moves closer to my father.
“It was worth the risk of getting her away from you.”
“I’m going to fucking kill you,” Vic snarls.
“Before anyone makes a move, there’s more,” Marco looks at our father. “He put a hit on Alexa’s father. I was able to stop it, but shit wasn’t cheap.”
I massage my temples. The shit is just stacking up in front of me. “Anything else?”
“Uncle George... he had him killed.”
I gaze over at my father. “You killed your twin brother? For what, exactly? He was a fucking saint.”
When he says nothing, Marco continues. “Another hit was placed, but I haven’t been able to figure it out yet. It was for a fuck-load of money.”
“Fucking perfect,” I mutter as I drag my palms down my face.
“Are you willing to help us out? One good deed before it all ends?” Marco asks our father.
When he stays silent, I decide I don’t want to be in here, in this house, in this office, in his presence any longer.
“Did you bring everything?” I gaze at Vic as I rise from my seat, pull my jacket off, and fold it over the back of the chair.
A heavy duffel bag lands at my feet. The weight and contents clang ominously, a sound that raises my anticipation and sendsa shiver of excitement through me, prompting me to roll up the sleeves of my dress shirt.
“You brought party favors?” Marco asks Vic.
“Only the best for your dear old dad,” Vic says with a sadistic smile before unzipping the duffle and pulling out tools and rope.
My father’s self-preservation finally kicks in as he jumps from his chair, surprisingly quick for a sick, dying man.
“I’ll tell you everything you need to know,” he gasps.
“Start talking.”
“Once I’m somewhere far away and safe, I will tell you everything.”
My laugh catches him off guard. “Good one. Tell me now, or you die.”
“Not until I’m somewhere safe.”
He won’t tell me shit if he leaves here now. I know it, and so does he.
“Nah, I think I got all the answers I need.” I smirk. “What about you, Vic? You need any more answers?”
“Nope, I’m leaving for my honeymoon in about two hours. We need to speed this up. I miss my bride.”
“Marco?”
He stares at our father for a beat before shaking his head. “I’m good.”