“So why haven’t you? Put your father away, I mean?”
“Because the dirty bastard never leaves a trail. I’ve never had probable cause to even have him arrested, let alone evidence that would stick through a trial and conviction.”
“Really? What about Gina?”
“She refused to press charges. I stopped pestering her after a while. She was having a hard enough time as it was.”
“And there was nothing else?”
Ruby shook her head. “He’s one smart and sneaky son of a bitch. But he’ll trip up sometime, and when he does, I will be there, handcuffs in hand.”
Her blue eyes burned like hot fire. I had no doubt that Ruby would be there. And I had no doubt that she would see her father behind bars at some point in the future. The near future, if the Steels and I had anything to say about it.
Chapter Four
Jonah
In the back of my mind, I had always wondered how I would react if I had to stare down the barrel of a gun.
People always said your life flashed before your eyes.
Mine didn’t.
Perhaps if I’d still had Melanie, or perhaps if I still felt needed by my family, I would’ve feared for my life.
But I didn’t.
Melanie was gone because I had betrayed her. Let her down. And Talon had Jade now. Thanks to Melanie, he was healing, and he and Jade would have a beautiful life together.
Neither of them needed me anymore.
No one needed me.
Except for…
The man in the basement.
I could not leave him here to be further abused by these two degenerates.
So I decided to bluff.
“You think I’m scared of your fucking gun? I called the police five minutes ago. They’ll be here anytime. So kill me if you want to, but the poor guy downstairs will rat you out if I’m not here. He’s gone. I let him go.” I looked to Tom. “He knows your name, Tom. I told him everything. And even if he’s too weak to talk? Larry Wade told me everything. He rolled over on you two sick fucks, and they will find you eventually.”
I knew from Talon that the third abductor had brown eyes, not blue like the masked man, but oddly, my comment got his attention. His blue eyes narrowed slightly, and I zeroed in on them.
Something sinister lurked behind those eyes. They were cold. Harsh. Unreal.
“Nice timing,” Tom said to him, his voice icy and unwavering. It was an act, though. Sweat dripped from his hairline.
“I saw his car. A beamer parked a block or so away. Big red flag. That’s why I put on the mask. What’d you do? Walk in without a mask or a gun? Without checking out your surroundings? Your overconfidence is going to get you killed. Dumb fuck.” The man in black turned to me. “What’d you say about Larry Wade?”
“Don’t listen to him,” Tom said. “Larry would never roll over. I’ve made sure of it.”
“Really?” I laughed. “How do you think I found you?” Another bluff, but one that worked.
Tom raised his eyebrows.
I turned to the man in the mask, the one with the gun, which was finally starting to fuel my fear. Hold it together, Joe.