Thicker Than Blood (Thicker Than Blood #1)(104)
Yes, I thought dryly, wouldn’t want that.
“Give me an hour,” I said, slinging my bag back up over my arm. “And I’ll come get the dress.” Smiling as wide as I could manage, I reached out and touched her hand. “I’m sure it’s beautiful.”
“All right then,” she said, grinning again. Then she lowered her voice to a dramatic whisper. “Happy trading!”
I waited where I was, watching as she walked back in the direction she’d come, her hips swinging as she hummed an out-of-tune melody that I couldn’t place. When she was little more than a dark outline in the distance, I turned away, a relieved sigh escaping my lungs as I continued on.
Doing as Evelyn had instructed, I stayed deep within the living quarters, walking between buildings instead of around them, keeping out of the sight line of any of the main buildings. The entire complex was a maze of walkways and buildings, bigger and more labyrinthine than it had seemed when standing on the opposite side of the gates. Several times, I found myself confused and a bit turned around, only to eventually run into old metal signs with arrows directing to the north and south parking lots, from back when the factory had still been in use.
Eventually the shadows thrown by the buildings surrounding me gave way to sunlight. Beyond a widespread lawn, overgrown with wildflowers, weeds, and grass nearly to my knees, was the south parking lot.
Looking left and right, seeing no one other than an elderly man strolling leisurely through the tall grass, I headed out across the lawn. He paid me little mind, busying himself with watching the swarms of bugs hovering over the grass, and smiling to himself.
Once I’d reached the edge of the parking lot, I paused, scanning the rows of vehicles for either Alex or a dark blue Jeep. I found neither, noting that most of the cars in this lot were either missing wheels or windows or both, some having been stripped of their engines and seating compartments. Just as my stomach began to churn with worry, thinking that either I’d gotten myself lost again, or we’d been purposely misled, I thought I spotted someone far off in the distance. Shielding my eyes from the sun, I squinted across the lot, but was unable to be certain who it was without getting closer.
Shouldering my backpack, I hurried forward, quickly weaving around the metal shells until finally I was able to see clearly. And what I saw stopped me cold in my tracks. The frantic beating of my heart skipped, the world around me now frozen as I looked on at the scene unfolding before me with horror.
“No!” I screamed, clasping a hand over my mouth. “NO!”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Evelyn
Leisel’s screams echoed through the maze of buildings, easily reaching me. My heart stuttered as her cries were abruptly cut off. I dropped my backpack and my feet pounded the ground, the surrounding buildings nothing more than a blur as I sped past them.
Turning the final corner, the dark shadows of the buildings giving way to sunlight and lush grass, I stopped when I saw Leisel off in the distance. This was all my fault, I thought, looking on at the scene before me, my steps now slow and cautious.
Several armed men stood in a circle around my friends. Alex, his arms wrenched backward and secured behind him was being held by one man, while another held a gun to his temple. Leisel had been shoved belly first up against the hood of the Jeep, while the man holding her there was blatantly groping her, grinding his hips against her backside and grinning. And standing in the center of it all, was E.
Slowly, he turned toward me, his gaze finding mine, the grin on his face growing wider with every step I took. Anger and hatred burned hot and thick through my veins, causing my blood to pump furiously, the sound of it beating a fast and heavy tempo in my ears. Pulling my gun from my pants, I brought it forward, ready to shoot my way out of there if I had to.
I stared at E, ignoring Leisel’s whimpers, ignoring the gun held to Alex, ignoring everyone until our surroundings seemed to disappear, leaving only E and me.
“What are you doing?” I gritted out between clenched teeth, angry at myself for trusting him.
Chuckling, E spread his arms out wide. “I’ve changed my mind, Wildcat.” He shook his head. “After last night, I know what kind of man you need, and it ain’t that.” He jerked his chin in Alex’s direction.
My fingers jerked around my weapon, and E’s eyes flickered to my hand. Lifting his gaze, his grin turned menacing. “You won’t be needing that,” he said, holding out his hand. “Not if you want your friends to live.”
He spoke so nonchalantly, as if he were asking me to share my lunch with him. Not hand over my weapon, the only thing standing between Alex and Leisel either living or dying.
“You bastard,” I spat, holding the gun out in offering.
Taking it from me, he shrugged once before tossing it to a man standing behind him. The man caught it with ease and tucked it into his pants.
“We had a deal,” I said, my breaths coming in quick, short bursts as I struggled to contain my rage.
“Deals change all the time,” he said, his arrogant tone matter-of-fact. “And I have a much better one in mind.”
“Fuck him, Eve!” Leisel suddenly screamed, rearing up from beneath her captor. “Fuck him and f*ck this whole place!” The man holding her grabbed a fistful of her hair, using it to slam her back down against the hood.
Ignoring her, E continued to watch me. “I think you’ll like it,” he said. “It benefits everyone. I’ll let your friends go, but you’re staying here with me.” Looking smug, E raised his brow.