Page 43 of Desire

Chapter 34

The single-story cabinsat about a hundred feet off the road, partially hidden behind some trees with a view of the mountains behind it. It was bigger and better kept than I expected. There were two steps leading up to the large wrap-around porch where two white, high back rocking chairs sat. A white, wooden swing hung from the porch awning. A small landscaped area graced the border around the porch and was dotted with multi-colored flowers. If I weren’t so afraid for Alex, I could appreciate the gorgeous view in front of me.

The minute I exited my car, I could hear water flowing from a creek or river nearby. I loved coming to the mountains during the fall, but I certainly didn’t want to be here under the current circumstances. I had done as instructed and turned my cell phone off the minute I got in my car. Whoever had Alex was either dumb to assume I’d actually do it or had put an awful lot of faith in the fact that I would follow his instructions. Regardless, I didn’t want to take any chances, so I played by his rules.

I slowly walked toward the house, constantly on the lookout for someone who might jump out of the bushes. With every step, I could feel the small knife shift where it was tucked in my back waistband. I prayed it didn’t fall out or that I didn’t accidentally stab myself. A bead of sweat trickled between my breasts, and I was on the verge of throwing up from nerves and fear.

I hadn’t even reached the steps before the door opened and a man I didn’t recognize stepped out on the porch. He looked only slightly taller than me with short, salt and pepper hair. He was average looking with two black eyes, the colored bruises faded. I’d never seen such hate emanating from someone. There was also a crazed look in his eyes that left me trembling in fear. Crazy people were even more dangerous. This man had the look of someone who had reached the end of his rope. I only prayed he didn’t do anything drastic. People with nothing left to lose did desperate things.

“You followed my instructions, correct?”

I had to clear my throat before I could answer. “Tell me where Alex is. Is he safe? Please, I’m begging you.”

“You aren’t the one asking the questions here, bitch. Now, answer me.”

“Yes, yes, I came alone, and didn’t tell anyone where I was going. My phone is off and in my car. I answered your questions, now please, I need to know if Alex is here and that he’s safe.”

“Get inside, now.”

Needing answers, but not wanting to piss him off too much, I hurried up the steps and into the house, the man following behind me. Once inside, I immediately spotted Alex tied to a chair, hands behind his back and his feet tied to the legs of the chair, a gag in his mouth, and a bruise already forming around his eye. The second he saw me, he screamed behind the gag and struggled to get free of his bindings. I cried out as I raced over to him and pulled the gag off his mouth.

“Alex, honey, are you all right?” Tears clogged by throat as I cupped his cheeks.

“I’m okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“I promise, I’m fine.”

Without a thought to the consequences and acting on instinct only, I turned and threw myself at this asshole who had hit my child. I caught him off guard and clipped his jaw, but he recovered quickly. He grabbed my hair and punched me in the face. I fell to the floor from the impact, leaving strands of hair in his grasp.

“You fucking bitch. I should kill you for that. Better yet, I’ll let you watch as I kill the kid over there.”

“No, please, I won’t do it again. I’ll do anything you say, just leave Alex alone.” Blood dripped down my lip and splashed onto the floor. My side was killing me too. I hadn’t fully healed from the last beating this man had given me. And I still didn’t know who he was.

I slowly picked myself up off the floor, warily eyeing him to make sure he wasn’t going to strike again. When he remained where he was, I stepped away and moved over to crouch next to Alex as I wrapped my arm around him. “Who are you? Why are you doing this?” I begged for answers.

“He’s my uncle,” Alex answered for him.

Aghast, I stared. This was Alex’s uncle? The man who’d been abusing him? He hadn’t answered my question about why though. What had prompted this man to kidnap and threaten to kill us?

“Why?” I asked again.

He shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. “I owe a lot of money to some very bad people. Because this little bastard called you, the police started nosing around in my affairs. My access to the money was cut off during the investigation, and the people I owe money to don’t give an extension on payment due. So, unless I pay them what they’re owed, they’re going to kill me. And it’s all your fault. You couldn’t leave well enough alone. You had to sic your musclehead boyfriend on me. Now, you’re both going to pay. First, I’m going to kill you. Then, I’m going to kill your boyfriend. Once you’re both out of the picture, the police will stop bothering me. I’ll be able to pay what I owe, and everything will be okay then.”

He walked over to the kitchen island that butted up against the border of the kitchen and living room, and that was when I saw the gun. He picked it up and tilted it back and forth in his hand before opening the chamber to examine the bullets inside. I felt sick to my stomach.

All I thought to myself was that this couldn’t be happening. I could only stare in shock at this lunatic who thought he could murder two people and get away with it. He clearly had no idea who Connor was. Or the friends he had. They wouldn’t rest until they’d found his killer. Alex’s uncle was crazy. Completely and utterly bat shit crazy.

“Do you really think you’re going to get away with that? Connor is friends with a police detective. If he goes missing, they’re going to investigate. Fingers are going to be pointed at you.” I wasn’t intentionally trying to poke the bear. The bear with the gun. I just couldn’t seem to help myself. I only hoped it wouldn’t lead to my death.

“If I don’t pay, Louie Falcone will kill me. I’d rather take my chances with you than him. I’m guaranteed to be feeding the fishes if Mr. Falcone doesn’t get his money.”

I really wished Connor were here. I hoped and prayed the whole way here that Penny had passed on my message. I didn’t know what kind of skillsets the people working for Connor had, but I imagined they had to be phenomenal at their jobs for him to be as successful as he was. I was putting an awful lot of faith in Connor. But I knew he’d do everything in his power to find us. I just needed to keep Alex and myself alive until then. Inconspicuously, I reached behind me to make sure the knife was still where I’d hidden it. I breathed a sigh of relief when I felt it beneath my fingertips. A knife didn’t have a chance against a gun, but it was my only option. I had been scanning the place since I’d sat next to Alex, looking for some type of weapon I could use besides my puny knife. I was kicking myself for not spotting the gun sooner. I could have used it to my advantage had I known it was there. But my main focus had been on Alex.

After hearing Malcolm’s plans for me, I knew, without a doubt, that if it came down to him or me, there would be no hesitation on my part. I would defend myself in any way I could, and if I killed him the process, so be it. I tensed when Malcolm started pacing the length of the floor. He didn’t appear to be paying attention to us, but I knew that it was only a matter of time before he made his move.

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