The man who took a chance on me. The man who grew the very foundation and building we’re now in. He’d been on sabbatical for less than a year, but never did I expect this. He’d been the kindest man, the gentlest man, who cared about the work we did. This is not that man. In his place, I see a twisted man, greedy, hungry for power and wealth. I don’t recognize him, and I don’t want to know him.
“Awe, I think she’s heartbroken.” Carla mocks me, then snickers, leaning against an empty desk.
“You, my dear, are a stubborn woman. I really thought you’d back down after the first threat to your life. Jonathan was right.” He takes another puff, then pinches my jaw and twists it in his hands. A twinge of pain. I yank it out of his hands.
“So, I’ve been told, on more than one occasion, ” I sneer at him.
“The harder you push the more we took.” He pushes my face.
“Care to share?” I bite back.
He laughs and slinks back. “I suppose I can. I anticipate ending our little road block anyways.” He means me. “The fear in your eyes. It’s a beautiful sight.”
A tear runs down my cheek.Alexander, please, for once, find me.
“Why? Why take out the very people you started a whole foundation on to serve?” The question has been circling around me and I’m desperate to know the answer.
“Haven’t you figured it out yet, Teresa?” I shake my head.
“I want to say it, boss.” Carla raises her hand, starting to circle behind me. She lowers her head down to me. “It’s a good one.” I’m starting to wonder if something’s still in my boot. Yes! They didn’t get my knives.
“Mind getting your skank self away from me? If I wanted to smell like a tramp, I’d ask for it,” I snarl at Carla.
She yanks my hair, pulling my head back. “You’re lucky that I’m not the one doing the honors. I’d make your death slow and painful. Perhaps send a video to dear old Jackson.” She throws my head forward.
“Carla, be nice. It’s not ladylike to play with your food,” Connors coos.
Carla scowls, like a child whose toys were taken away. “Fine but hurry up. I have plans to screw the brains of a little birdie.” I gag a little bit. The Falcons can have her and her spite.
“My dear Teresa. You got yourself tangled with some ruffians. . I had higher hopes for you,” Connors tsks.
“Really? Like what? Joining you?”
“So dramatic. I was hoping you’d join me in furthering the cause: ridding the streets of its infestation, of its pile of worthless life choosing to defile our cities.” He looks like a dictator on a pulpit.
I’m nauseated at his speech. “Excuse me? No one chooses homelessness.”
“I very much believe they do, Ms. Bjorn. It’s our duty to make sure they’re taken care of.”” He takes another drag of his cigarette before giving me a Cheshire cat smile.
“People don’t just decide to be homeless! We all know there are factors and life situations that happen. You know that! At least you did. What happened to you?” I bite out. I’m disgusted, but his diatribe is stretching the clock, giving Alexander more time.
“Such pretty words, Ms. Bjorn.” Connors just smiles again.
I’m going to be sick. “So what, the Falcons found you and made you a deal you couldn’t refuse?”
Carla laughs in my ear. “You could say that.”
Connors smirks. “Carla had a hand in that. I mean, sheisthe goddaughter of Javert.”
Bile rises in my throat. Of course there was another connection. Carla was enough of a snake. “Ah, that explains the siren nickname floating around. I would have called her Medusa.”
She smacks the back of my head, hard enough to where I’m seeing stars.
“Enough, Carla.” Connors growls.
“Told you we should have duct taped her mouth. What Jackson saw in her, I will never know.” Connors steps forward, snuffing out his cigarette on my leg. I can feel the burn through my jeans as it hits my skin.
He drags a finger across my cheek, the roughness of his fingers nauseating, nothing like Alexander. His touch sears my skin. “You’re a pretty little thing. Ignore her. Too passionate for her own good.” He brushes my hair behind my shoulder. “Lovely. Too bad you’ve been in my way. We would have had such fun together.”