One look at us and he steps backward, then takes off running.
“Hey!” I shout, chasing after him.
The old man is slow and falls into the walls as he loses his balance trying to get away. It’s not but a few long strides before I grab him by the back of his shirt and pull him up short.
“Where is she?” I say through clenched teeth, not bothering to control my anger.
“W-who?” He holds his arms up in defense as my hand goes around his neck.
“Where. Is. She.” My words are slow but my temper is anything but cool right now. Something has happened to Berkley and I’ll figure out what.
Screams pierce the quiet of the hall and I drop him and take off in that direction. Some of the men stay behind to watch him, but my concern is Berkley. By the time I make it to where I think the sound came from, I see a man holding her just make it through the emergency exit right before the door closes.
“Berkley!” I shout, running as fast as I can down the corridor that seems to be so far away. My legs are heavy and burning as I will them to move faster but I can’t. “Berkley!” I call out again just as I get to the door.
I burst through and right then I see her in the back window of a white van as it drives down a deserted alley. She’s beating on the glass and I can see the terror in her eyes as I try and chase it down. But the van is too fast and makes a turn before I can reach the edge of the road. By the time I get there it’s already gone.
My phone blares and I realize I’ve got it in my hand and the number calling me is blocked. I know immediately it can only be one person and I answer it.
“Where is she?” I say before I hear the cool voice of Peter Guzik on the other end.
“Vaughn, is it? The baby of the brothers. It’s a shame they sent you out like a sheep for the slaughter.”
“Don’t fuck with me, Peter. She doesn’t have anything to do with whatever it is you want. Let her go.” I’m starting to pace just as I see Sean pull the car up to the curb and I jump in. “Tell me where you’re taking her and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
“How about you get the fucking feds off of my ass,” he seethes, and his control breaks just a little. He takes a breath as Sean begins to drive. I can hear him trying to calm himself. “Your little co-ed should be fine for a few hours. At least I don’t think Amos will hurt her. He does love them to look innocent. Tell me, Vaughn, with all your time indoors, have you saved any of her virtue?”
“Goddamn it, just tell me what the fuck you want me to do. You know I can’t do a thing about the feds or their investigation.”
“True. But with enough money I can disappear forever just like your brothers. That’s what I want.”
“To disappear?” Sean is scanning the streets looking for any trace of the white van. He’s also on his phone and sending messages to people I’m hoping can help us.
“I want your fortune. All of it. I want your bank accounts drained and wired to my offshore account so I can get out of this fucking country.” He sucks on his teeth like he’s disgusted being here and then takes a breath. “I’m in need of a holiday.”
“Done,” I agree, because there is nothing I wouldn’t give for Berkley. I would give my own life without hesitation if he asked for it. “Now give her back.”
“I’m going to send over the wire instructions and as soon as the money is there, what’s left of her is all yours.”
I don’t miss the threat in his voice or the chill that rolls down my spine. “No, I want to see her and make sure she’s safe while the transfer happens. You could take the money and leave her with that psycho.”
“True.” He hums like he’s thinking over what to order on a menu. “I’m a reasonable man. How about we strike up a deal?”
I grind my teeth together as I wait for him to finish. I can almost hear the sick smile he’s got right now and it makes me want to throw up.
“Meet me at Burgess Park near the bridge at sunset. I’ll bring the transfer codes and you bring your wallet.”
“And Berkley.” I squeeze the phone so tight in my hand the plastic sounds in protest.
“I’ll see if Amos has anything left to bring along.”
I close my eyes tight and remind myself that he’s doing this to fuck with me. He’s only trying to get a rise out of me and make this hurt. Berkley will be okay no matter what. She’s so fucking strong, but I just need her alive. I can deal with anything as long as her heart is still beating.
“Deal,” I grit out, and I feel like I’m going to throw up.
“See you then.” I go to hang up but then I stop. “Oh, and Vaughn, if anyone else shows up, I’ll make sure she doesn’t survive. If I go down, you walk away empty handed.”
My worst nightmare flashes before my eyes and I want to scream.
“Do we have an understanding?” There’s a long pause while he waits and I look out the window.
“Yes.” The word tastes like chalk on my tongue and the thought of losing Berkley sits on my shoulders like an anvil.
“Until then,” he says brightly, like we’re discussing meeting for tea, and then hangs up.
When I hang up the phone I drop my head in my hands and try to breathe. Everything has been put on the line and I don’t know what the fuck to do. How am I going to save the woman I love?
The thought of loving Berkley isn’t new; I’ve known it since the moment we met. But feeling it now in this moment and knowing I may lose her is too much for me to carry. I can’t let anything happen to her. It’s my job to protect her and keep her safe and I won’t let anyone take her from me. Not even that piece of shit Guzik.
“All right,” I say when I sit up and lean back in the seat. “I’ve got a plan.”
Chapter Twelve
Berkley
I bang on the window but Vaughn only gets farther and farther away as the van speeds down the road. My hand starts to ache and the window gives no sign of breaking as my captor ignores me. I try the door again but it doesn't open no matter how hard I pull on the handle. It moves but the door doesn't open. I close my eyes for a moment trying to get myself together as my mind races.
I have to get out of here.
I look to the front of the van at the man who took me. He’s driving down a side road but I can see we’re getting on the highway. He’s not as big as I thought he was with how easily he moved me around. Not that it matters, because I felt his strength. It took everything in me to get his hand off my mouth for just a moment. It wasn’t enough but at least Vaughn saw that I was taken.
What am I going to do? I can’t attack him, can I? With how fast he’s going I could end up getting killed in the process. Do it, my mind screams at me, before he has a chance to go faster than we already are.
Without thinking, I throw myself at him with all my might. But just as I do, his elbow comes out and knocks me right in the stomach. I fly to the back of the van and all the air leaves my lungs as I hit the floor. My head hits something hard and stars dance in my eyes.
“You’ll kill yourself,” the man says lazily with no hint of fear from my attack.