Page 78 of Gemini
"They…don't know where we are. How will we contact them?"
"You don't," he said casually, cutting into his steak. "But you'll have plenty of my family down there to keep you company when they visit. I told them not to touch Trish but you look like you're fun at parties. You could probably get on pretty well with my brothers. Carl needs a new girl in his life actually. Guy is a little weird but he's funny. I'll introduce you. Just don't let him take you down to the pool alone." He pointed his knife at me."He almost drowned this one girl, can't remember her name. Whatever. He doesn't like when girls laugh or talk too loudly."
This felt like a joke. The way he smiled and his eyes lit up made me think he had to be fucking with us. Simon was laughing as he picked up his beer. I knew I was supposed to shut up and let it go but the words just slipped out of me.
"We can't go."
Trish bowed her head. "Lena, be quiet."
Trevor frowned. "Well, you have options. You can go down or you can stay here."
I gaped at him, confused. "We want to stay here."
He raised his brows as if that was somehow shocking. "You just won't be in one piece if you stay here."
The silence washed over us. I heard the clinking of glass from the kitchen nearby and a TV playing somewhere.
"What?" I said softly.
He turned his head in the direction of the yard. "They've got a pig farm just up the road, could throw you in their pen and have you gone before morning. It would be simple if cliche—Oh!" he waved his knife. "My uncle just shot a couple of young deer the other day, they are hanging up in the garage being drained. We take the intestines out and stuff you in before they get put on display in the living room. I heard they did something like that to Hoffa only it was in a statue."
Simon shook his head. "Nah. Would stink up the place in less than a week. I say you do it like the cartels. Kill her then use her as a mule, stuff her insides with money and drugs to take down. Or use her like a doll. Your brother Carl will like that more, she'll be quiet and pliable at least until she's too rotted out."
Trevor seemed to think it over. "Sounds like too much of a hassle."
I felt sick, the food turning in my stomach.
"Trevor," Trish said. "Please don't."
"It's a joke, Trish, lighten up."
Men appeared from the kitchen to take the plates while another brought over two empty glasses, a bottle of wine, and a small silver pill box, setting them down in front of Trevor. Trevor uncorked the bottle and filled the glasses, then he opened the pill box and sprinkled something into one of the glasses, swirling it around. "How about we make this more exciting instead, and I give you a chance." He took the wine I assumed was now laced with drugs and got up, walking over to Trish and setting it before her. "Trish will go to bed while you stay up and play a game with us. If you win we won't leave and you get to stay all intact, okay?"
I met Trish's gaze and saw the fear in them again. "Trevor…" she said. "Let me play, leave my sister out of this."
Trevor gripped the back of her neck firmly. "Shut up, sweetheart and drink your wine. Or I'll forget about it and cut your sister's throat right here."
"You fucking—Ah!" He yanked her hair, tilting her head back.
"Trishy, I didn't ask for your thoughts. Drink your wine." He released her and waited.
Hand trembling, she gripped the wine. "It's going to be okay." I wasn't sure if she was saying that for me or for herself. "I'll…I'll see you soon. Please, Trevor, don't hurt her. You promised." She lifted the wine and gulped it down.
Trevor patted her shoulder then kissed her head. As he sat back down and poured his own glass of wine, Trish started to sag in her seat.
"Trish!" I lunged to catch her before she banged her head on the table, forced to hold her as she started to slip from the chair. "You asshole," I barked at Trevor. "You didn't have to drug her."
"It's better for her to be quiet, she gets restless at night. And now we can play our game without her bitching about it." He took a drink then set his glass down.
"What's the game?"
"The most dangerous game of hide and seek you ever played."
I tensed as I looked over at him, unable to believe he was serious.
He peered at me as if it should be obvious. "A hunting game, sweetheart. We'll give you till midnight. You stay hidden until then you get to be with your sister."
"And if I get caught…"
