And that in the end, I think deep down he knew I would win, just like Luciano had.
I’d like to think that I would have walked away from Franklin, gotten out from under his thumb, and gone my separate way. But in hindsight, I’m not sure if I could have allowed such a sick fuck to go free. It’s possible that Franklin knew I’d come for him before I even did.
Claire’s phone buzzes again, this time longer instead of the single vibration earlier.
She holds it out for me to see the screen. “It’s Rosie. She’s FaceTiming me.”
“She’s probably checking in to see how you are.”
“Do I answer it?” Claire glances at me and then Luciano, then back to me.
“I don’t see the harm in it,” I tell her.
Claire slides her finger across to accept the call. She holds it out in front of her and allows it to connect. Within a split second, her expression shifts from a smile to something of utter terror.
“Claire,” Rosie wails.
I rush over to Claire, taking her phone from her to get a better look at what could be causing her such alarm.
A spit-soaked rag dangles just below Rosie’s mouth. Her blonde hair is matted to her mascara-stained cheeks. She’s secured to a chair, her arms and legs in place the same way Claire’s were last night.
Never in a million years did I think Franklin would go after Rosie, but I guess no one is safe when it comes to him. He went after who was important to me—Claire. And when I got Claire safely away from him, he did the same to her.
The screen pivots, a person coming into view.
The man behind this all.
Luciano rushes over but I hold out my hand to him.
He furrows his brows but complies with a subtle nod.
Franklin may hate us both, but I don’t think he knows we’re working together. And if we can maintain the slightest advantage against him, I’ll graciously take it.
“Mr. Jones, what a pleasure.” Franklin slides a butcher knife off a metal tray, twirling it gently in his hand. “So glad to see you alive and well.” He exhales. “We haven’t had a chance to catch up.” Franklin stares into the camera. “How’s the weather?”
I clench my jaw. “Let her go, Franklin.” My gaze flicks to the doorway, where Josey has now taken up residency.
Franklin completely ignores my demand. “Yeah, it rained a bit back home on and off. Beats this cold, though.”
“Tell me what you want.” Although I know exactly what he’s going to say.
Despite already having my attention, he lifts the blade toward Rosie, running the tip of it down the side of her temple. “Sure would be a shame to mark up another pretty lady's face.”
My blood boils at the implication behind his words. He already did the unthinkable to the woman I love, there’s no telling how far he’d take it with Rosie. She’s just another disposable pawn in his gruesome game, and I’m not entirely positive she’ll make it out of this alive.
I thought I had already put Claire through enough, but having her witness the brutal murder of her best friend? That would be a line crossed we could never come back from.
Franklin pulls the blade away and faces the camera again. “How about an even trade? You for her. Easy enough. Then we can chat in person.”
“When and where?”
Claire tenses beside me, but I refuse to look her way. I can’t allow my concentration to waver while the call is still connected.
“Good answer.” Franklin grins a toothless grin. “You can bring Claire. I’d hate for Rosie here to have to walk home in the dark. I’ll text you the details. And Johnny…” He waits until he has my full attention to continue. “You two come alone, or you don’t come at all. If you bring anyone else, I’ll carve this girl up like a pumpkin on Halloween.”
And with that final threat, the call is disconnected.
“He’s going to kill her.” The words we are all thinking leave Claire’s mouth first.