Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 102408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“Yes.” I did. Connor used to talk about the bond all the guys shared. They’d throw themselves on top of a grenade in order to save each other’s lives.
But my loyalty to Connor was strong, too. And I was the only one who really knew him as the cold, hard man with no memory.
Despite wanting to help Deck, I’d do what Connor wanted because he needed that from me.
“You’re not going to tell me anything, are you?” Deck continued.
I shook my head.
Kai’s cell rang and he got up and left the room before he said, “Baby? You good?”
Deck came toward me and I didn’t like that I was sitting as he towered over me. But then he crouched and put his hand on my knee.
His eyes softened as he said, “I like that you’re protecting him.” I opened my mouth to deny it, but he half smiled and continued before I had a chance. “We trained together. I know his moves, even if he’s been MIA for years. I also know he’s remembering shit. Don’t know what damage that’s doing to him, but I think you do.
“I’m going to trust you to know when it’s important to tell me what I need to know to keep you and everyone else safe.” He stood as Vic and two other guys came in with a bunch of electronic devices and rolls of wire in their hands. Deck continued, “The silent alarm will notify us, not the police. We don’t want to hurt him, Alina. We want to get him help and we’re going to do that if we can.” I wanted to help him, too, but Connor didn’t want help. “Either Tyler or Vic will take you to and from work until we decide otherwise.”
“I can take a….” My voice trailed off when I met his unyielding stare. “Yeah, okay.”
Deck nodded then squeezed my shoulder before he strode out of the living room where I heard him talking quietly to Vic.
The house became a whirlwind of hot military men moving about as they installed the alarm. Well, Kai didn’t; he’d left after the phone call.
“You got it?”
I jerked and glanced up at the alarm guy, I think Vic said his name was Jim or John or something. “Umm, sorry. Can you show me again?”
“No problem.” He smiled, turned to the alarm, and started going over how it worked again.
I picked my numbers for the code and then we practiced a couple times.
When Jim/John was satisfied I knew what I was doing, he told Deck and everyone cleaned up and left. Well, all except Tyler who was driving me to Avalanche.
I left him watching TV and went upstairs and showered.
That’s where I sat on the tiled floor, the warm water pouring down on me, and I let myself fall apart—again.
Question 6: What kind of pet or pets have you had?
PAST
THEY SHOVED ME against the filthy cement wall then cuffed my hands to a metal ring above my head. I was able to turn around, take a step in either direction, but that was it.
I knew what was next. They hosed me down once a week, threw a bucket of some kind of disinfectant on me that burned my nostrils and stung my eyes. If they didn’t hose it off fast enough, my skin felt as if it were on fire.
This was the only cell I’d been in that had a football size window and the only time I breathed in fresh air in this fuckin’ shithole.
Over the last few weeks, they fed me half decently, but I couldn’t figure out why. They never questioned me and I never told them shit. Never would.
Something was different. Like they were making sure I lived.
I noticed a collapsible table with a monitor sitting on it over by the door. I’d never seen it before and it was pretty obvious it was set up for me. At least we were finally getting somewhere after months of this shit.
Was a ransom being paid? Fuck, I hoped not. I’d rather die than give these bastards what they wanted. Deck knew that. Vic, too. All of us felt the same way.
It was hours later when a guy came in. His face wasn’t covered, which was never a good sign for me getting out of here alive. He had olive skin and thick dark hair that covered his wide forehead. I wanted someone to fuckin’ say something so I could at least try and decipher their accent. I’d originally assumed we were in Afghanistan, where the roadside bombs took out the Humvees, but now I knew there was no chance we were because there was distinct moisture in the air and I’d heard the rain on more than one occasion.
“You assholes going to show me movies?” I asked, voice scratchy. “Because I’m a huge Jason Statham fan. Or, fuck, how about a superhero movie. That would be cool.”