Page 29 of Ruthless

Gunner nodded, his hostility dissipating. “Yeah, that’s kind of a problem, isn’t it? I would say we could have it here… But I don’t think we want a whole trail of bikers headed out here. That’s going to draw attention to us—and I would bet that if Lucas Gray is involved by now…”

“He’s got eyes on us,” I finished the thought, the weight of it hitting me a little harder once I said it out loud. “I figured Chaz would resolve this faster.”

“You’d think, but instead he’s putting everyone under strain. My guess is Lucas is trying to do the same thing you are—keep Victor Sanchez out of the equation.”

Chapter 13

Rachel

I stared at the small dent in the concrete wall, wondering how it got there. I knew no one couldpuncha dent into concrete—but at the same time, my mind had no issue picturing Ghost Eyes doing just that. He could have superhuman strength like the hulk or something…

And I’m really going crazy now.

My mind was so incredibly bored, and the books weren’t cutting it anymore. I was growing restless—so restless that I had started working out in the room. I never worked out in front of people, but I had gotten to the point that it didn’t even matter that someone was always watching me on the cameras.

I tapped my foot on the floor, which was clad now in plain white socks. I felt like a prison inmate, stuck in sweats and socks all the time. My stitches were healing well, though I wished I could see the doctor again… It was nearing that time of the month for me and having tampons would be really nice.

The familiar sound of the door opening broke my thoughts, and I waited to see Ghost Eyes, who hadn’t been present much since our conversation about Victor Sanchez. He had gone back to just doing the bare minimum, but I tried not to concern myself with it. It didn’t matter what he did or didn’t do… As long as I stayed alive.

“Good afternoon, Rachel,” a man greeted me—the leader of the biker gang, I think. “Your brother seems to think that if he pays half of the bill, we’ll let you go.”

My heart sank in my chest, defeat washing over me. “I…I don’t know why he would do that.” Two more men appeared from the bottom of the stairs, one of them being Ghost Eyes. He was the only one who didn’t wear a mask, and I had grown used to his handsome face, finding some kind of comfort in it.

“Because he’s an idiot,” the guy retorted, shaking his head. “But wearewilling to take half in exchange for letting you continue to live.”

I bit my lip.How kind.

“You think your brother would try and pull something over on us?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest.

I hesitated. Honestly, I had no idea if he would try something or not. “Um…”

He leaned forward, stopping inches from my face—and Ghost Eyes took a step forward. “Listen, if he triesanything, you’re fucking dead.”

There was nothing I could say to that, fear ripping through my chest. My eyes bounced between them all, my stomach churning. Would Chaz try to pull something over on them? My gut told me no, but I didn’t trust it anymore.

“He’s supposed to call at noon to discuss the drop, so I guess we’ll see if he actually reaches out,” the leader continued, taking a seat in the chair across from me. “If he doesn’t, I can’t promise your future.”

He’s just toying with me.

There was a scowl on Ghost Eyes’ face in the background, and for some reason, I had the inkling it was not directed at me—in this moment, anyway.

“Two minutes,” one of the men said from behind him. “He’s got two minutes.”

My foot tapped anxiously as I sat on the edge of the bed, my eyes glued to the cell phone sitting in his lap.Please call, Chaz. Please.

And just like that, the phone began to ring.

“Huh, one minute to spare,” he chuckled, hitting the answer button and putting it on speaker.

“Have you made your decision?” My brother’s voice came over the phone, sending a startling wave of relief over me. I glanced to Ghost Eyes, seeing the same reflecting in his.

“We have,” the leader said, his voice matter of fact. “You pay half—and we keep her alive…for a while, anyway.”

“I need to know she’s alive before we discuss anything further.” There was something in the tone of his voice that caught me off guard…but I couldn’t put it together.

“She’s alive,” the leader retorted, before nudging me with his foot. “Say something.”

“I’m fine,” I choked out, having to clear my throat as my voice wavered. There was a heavy sigh on the other end of the phone, and muffled voices…

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