Page 102 of The Mastermind

Well, I didn’t want him, either. I shoved the phone back into my purse, cursing at myself for being weak. For not being able to wipe him from my mind.

Stupid, so stupid. I should’ve listened to my inner voice back then and stayed away. I knew Remi was a man who wouldn’t commit. Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t get into this relationship because I wanted to change him. I just liked who I was when I was with him, free to explore, to feel, to fear. He accepted all those versions of me.

A black SUV arrived, and the driver, wearing a baseball cap, grabbed my luggage and opened the door for me. I slid in without even looking at him.

I was so out of it I’d forgotten my manners. “Thank you.”

Staring out the window as he drove off, my aqua gem bracelet glistened from the streetlights. I didn’t know why I was still wearing the bracelet he’d given me. Did he give all the women in his life jewelry?

Could Remi and I be friends again?

Stop thinking about him!

My body bounced when the car hit a bump, and I realized I hadn’t told him where I wanted to go. Goodness, I was losing it.

“Excuse me, sir. I’m so sorry, but can you please take me to Providence?” I gave him my address, but he didn’t reply or look back at me.

“Sir?” Something awful churned in my stomach.

The car pulled over to a curb, and someone opened the door from the other side and slid in next to me.

Fear spiked through me as Brian grabbed me. Fighting him, I scratched his face, but he clasped my wrists, wrapped them together with duct tape, then slapped me.

“Leave me alone!” I kicked him.

“What would Remington do if I had a taste of what belongs to him?”

“We don’t have time for this, Brian. Get your shit together,” the driver said.

I recognized his voice, and fury coursed through me. “Derek? Why are you doing this to me?”

Derek turned his head and met my gaze. “No moreuncle, Audri?” The hatred in his eyes transformed his face into something unrecognizable. He had worn a mask all these years, pretending to care for my family and me. My body trembled, partly from the terrifying situation I was in and partly from the sharp stabs of betrayal.

“Your boyfriend is going to pay if he wants you alive,” Derek said, keeping his gaze on the road.

“Then we’re going to kill him,” Brian added.

Panic surged. I couldn’t let him hurt Remi. “You’re mistaken. We’re not together anymore. He doesn’t care about me. Why do you think I went to the show alone?”

Brian whipped a gaze at Derek. “See? I told you. He doesn’t care about her. You gave me a shitty photograph of him with another woman. He didn’t even flinch when I showed it to him.”

“He’s playing you, Brian.” Derek let out a half-laugh. “Helovesher. I know it. I can see it. We’ll find out soon.”

Icy terror solidified in me, but I had to keep myself calm to survive. “You’re supposed to be my uncle. Why are you doing this?”

“It’s because I’m your uncle that you went unscathed until now. You should thank me for keeping you safe. You’re worth a lot of money, Audri.”

I was about to ask what he meant, but Brian covered my mouth and nose with a cloth seeped with chloroform. I couldn’t fight him with my hands tied. Terror constricted my chest as my body weakened, dragging me somewhere dark.

CHAPTERFIFTY-TWO

REMINGTON

I staredat my dad as he lay unconscious on the bed. A whirlwind of emotions rolled around inside me. I resented him for not being the father I needed him to be. I abhorred him for not seeing the demons in Mallory and Brian, and I grieved that there was a wedge between us.

Could our relationship be mended? I stood in the hospital room watching him more for my mom than myself. I felt sorry for him. My mom would’ve wanted me to be here. They had been the perfect couple. When my dad lost my mom, he lost himself. Maybe he didn’t have the strength to be a strong father for me. During a vulnerable moment, he fell for someone he thought loved him.

He had brought this disaster upon himself. My body shuddered as shame and guilt tightened my chest. Mom probably rolled over in her grave just now.

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