“Can you come to the house and help us move some furniture?” I ask, trying to keep my tone even to avoid any questions.
“Uhh…seriously?” I know he’s confused, and I feel guilty for lying, but if Lennon suspects anything and calls the cops, Sophie could die.
“Yeah, we need some help, and it’s really fuckin’ important,” I snap.
He sits silently on the phone for a moment, and I hear the noise from the TV in the background fade away. “Everything okay?”
“It’s somewhat of an emergency, but I don’t want you to alert Lennon to anything that’s going on. It has to do with Sophie,” I explain carefully.
“Gonna be honest, man. You’re scaring me.” Hunter’s voice is low.
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you as soon as you get here.” Worry coats my tone, and I don’t think it’s lost on Hunter because he tells me he’ll be here in fifteen minutes. We really might need his help if we figure out where the hell Dalton’s taken her. The more people on our side, the better.
My phone vibrates, and I see it’s Sophie’s phone calling. With a thumping heart, I answer and put it on speaker.
“Mason!” She yells my name, and it nearly cripples me. “It’s a trap! Stay away. Please!” She lets out a blood-curdling scream after a loud slapping sound echoes.
“Stupid bitch.” I can hear Dalton’s voice in the background, and my blood boils.
“Soph,” I shout. I’m absolutely horrified.
“Hiiiii,” Dalton singsongs. “Mason. I’m going to have so much fun playing with your girlfriend before I kill her. Probably as much fun as you had when you killed my brother. Let’s play a little game, shall we…?”
Hearing her hysterics and sobs in the background nearly brings me to my knees. “Don’t you dare touch her!”
“I’ve already told you once before, we’re not playing by your rules. You’re not in control here. I am,” he spits out. “My game is very simple. Every time you don’t listen, Sophie gets hurt. It’s up to you…” he taunts, and I see red.
“When I find you, I’m going to make sure you—”
The call ends before I can finish my sentence. I slam my fist into the wall and let out a deep groan. Instantly, my knuckles throb, and I want to find him and beat the fuck out of him. I’m so livid and don’t know what to do as my world spirals out of control.
Dalton: Mmm…she tastes as good as she looks. I’m almost sad she won’t be around long for me to play with her little pussy longer.
My fingers fly over the screen as I hold my breath, afraid I’ll scream and otherwise lose my shit.
Mason: Stay away from her. I mean it…
Dalton: I can’t help myself…spreading her blood around and licking it off her is just too good. Fuck, she likes it too. She’s a kinky whore.
Mason: What the fuck do you want?
I grit my teeth so hard, the shooting pain is a welcome distraction while I try to sort my thoughts.
Dalton: Aren’t you paying attention, asshole? Revenge. You get to watch me torture her, and knowing you’ll never find her in time to save her will be the cherry on top. Killing her will be revenge for killing someone I loved. Then you’ll be next because justice will be served. But I might make her suffer for a while…it’ll be fun watching your reaction as I describe your girlfriend’s last moments breathing. Perhaps I’ll have her mouth around my cock first. I’ll take some pics for you.
Liam stands in the kitchen, watching me as I lose my fucking mind. “What is it?”
With shaky hands, I hand him the phone with the messages on the screen. I’m shaking so hard, and my heart races so fast it threatens to give out. I can’t believe this is happening. This sick asshole has my entire world and could literally end it all. Needing to chill out, I go into the bathroom, glancing at an unrecognizable version of myself, and turn on the water. I splash my face, trying to get control. Nearly ten minutes pass before I walk back into the kitchen where Liam is and grab my phone from him.
“You okay?” he asks.
Before I can speak, there’s a knock on the door. I walk over, and when I open it, I see Hunter with worry in his eyes.
“Explain,” he orders, pushing past me. Liam meets us in the living room, and I start from the beginning when I found out who Caleb really was and give him all the details of what’s happening. His facial expressions go from shocked to upset to raging pissed.
“So you have no idea where she could be?” Hunter asks, pacing the room. I can see the pulse in his neck erratically beating and know it mirrors my own.
My nostrils flare when I think about how that asshole could’ve taken her anywhere. “Not a clue. Not until we get a location from Jerad.” Pulling my phone from my pocket, I open the text messages I’ve received from Sophie’s phone and show Hunter.