“Why?” Words weren’t coming easily to me.
“I made a deal with him. You in exchange for the Nant-bots. Between me and you, he isn’t getting them. I have my best guys working on reprogramming them.” He nodded to the man in blue.
The man grabbed me and pulled me upright. I yanked my arm to get away. Metal clinked against my wrists. Handcuffs. I took a deep breath. I was so fucked.
“You are double crossing them?” I pulled against the cuffs like it was gonna do something.
“Hey, I get everything. I’ll be a hero to the rest of The Elite. They can’t stand homeless. Plus there is you. I get to have you.” Carlos pulled up a chair and sat down.
The man in blue pushed me down into the chair across from him.
“Let me tell you a story. A few years ago, I fell in love. She was perfect. She was beautiful, smart, and funny. There was one problem, she was a homeless. I know right. Me. Fall in love with your kind. Silly, right.” He sat back in the chair and laughed. “I knew she loved me too. She even said so.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” I snapped.
“Be patient. So anyway. I asked her to run away with me. She refused. Said she couldn’t leave her precious daughter on the streets. I didn’t mean to hurt her.” He put his face in his hands. “I loved her. I didn’t mean to get so angry with her.
“I was heartbroken. A part of me was missing. Then a few weeks ago I heard your name. Kira the finder. I knew it had to be you. That day I had only meant to see you. I just wanted to see your face. Then I realized, I could have everything I wanted. The bots and her back.”
My stomach turned. Sweat poured down my temples. I squeezed my eyes shut to stop the tears. I didn’t want to believe what he was saying. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he wasn’t talking about her.
“Don’t you see. You were the reason she wouldn’t leave with me. How could a mother leave her daughter? Once I saw you, I got it. You are a spitting image of your mother.
I needed you but I couldn’t grab you off the streets. The homeless riff raff would have torn me to pieces. I had to get you to my house. So I paid you to steal from the Cartrights. Two birds, one stone. I couldn't believe you got caught. I had to have you. Then Mr. Cartright asked what it would take to get the Nant-bots back. So, I told him you. Not that he is getting the bots back. Now I have everything. To think, he managed to get you to walk in.” Carlos cupped my face with his hand.
I leaned up and slammed my face into his. Blood poured. A gash was across his forehead. I went in to head butt him again. The man in the blue uniform grabbed me. My stomach turned.
The Trips would never find me. Even if they did, Carlos would never let them get to me. How long before they realized I was gone? Too long. Maybe if Carlos kept me here they would find me. If they did, would Carlos hurt them, or kill them?
“Get her up. We are leaving, her men will never find her.” Carlos said to the man in blue.
I pulled against the man. They would never find me. Fuck. Tears streamed down my face. I finally found the men I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with. I loved them. Now I would never see them again. I spit at Carlos.
“You are feisty.” Carlos wiped his forehead. “I’ll tame that right out of you.”
Ch. 20 Aiden and the mini globe