Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 168121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 841(@200wpm)___ 672(@250wpm)___ 560(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 168121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 841(@200wpm)___ 672(@250wpm)___ 560(@300wpm)
Jay’s muscles contracted with revulsion. “What the fuck happened to your southern accent?”
She shrugged, her gaze trained somewhere over his shoulder.
“Sit down.” He thrust a finger at the couch.
Her sashay carried her across the room, but there was a wobble in her step as she neared. When she sat, he leaned over her and let her feel the rage pouring off him. “What did you put in Charlee’s lunch?”
Her entire body flinched, and her wide eyes landed on his for the first time. “I don’t know anything about that.”
He glanced at Tony, knew if she could be convinced of his innocence, she’d take him to Charlee. Her taut jaw gave nothing away.
“What did you put in my water?” His tone was powered with lethal anger. “Speak carefully. Administering narcotics to another is Assault in the Second Degree. I can make this go very, very bad for you.”
She pinned her lips.
Rio’s knee appeared beside her hip, and he lowered his bald head inches from her face, his big body vibrating with unleashed fury.
Perfect. Jay could use Rio’s intimidation to his advantage. He leaned in. “Listen up, little girl. Rio doesn’t give a fuck about assault in any degree.” He grabbed her hand and pulled it toward Rio. “He’ll start with your fingers and move up your arms, breaking every weak, pathetic bone until you tell us what you know.”
Rio uncurled her index finger and slowly bent it backward.
She gasped and covered her mouth with her free hand, fingers shaking. “No. You can’t do that.”
Rio bent it further, and the intent look in his eye made Jay wonder if he’d really do it.
A wail tore for her throat, and she jerked her arm uselessly in Jay’s clutch. “I…I don’t know. I was given a vial. He told me to dilute it in your water. He…he…”
They released her, and she crumpled into her shoulders, hands pressed to her tear-drenched lips.
Rising to his full height, he closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and pierced her with unleashed hatred. “Roy Oxford.”
Her quivering chin jerked up and down. “He approached me at the restaurant where I waited tables, offered me a lot of money.” She whispered, “He’s scary.”
“Did the scary man tell you to rape me?” Rape sat like acid on his tongue. It had damaged so many years. His. Charlee’s. He would not allow it to take anymore.
Her wailing escalated into howling sobs. “I…I di…didn’t know.” More yowling. “He said…said you’d fuck me…and….and he’d handle any repercussion.”
Tony’s hushed voice murmured over the wailing. On the phone, head down, she relayed the information. After a second of silence, she glanced up and met his eyes. The surprise widening hers knocked his knees. Then her face smoothed. “Thanks, Nathan. We’re on our way.”
“Is she okay?” He chased her swift pace to the door.
“Yes. Only a few blocks down the road.”
Relief cascaded over his tense muscles, and his shoulders rolled back. “Faye, will you deal with that?” He thrust his chin at the weeping bitch on the couch.
“I just reported it. Police are on their way.”
He nodded and sprinted out the door to find Charlee.
86
The idleness during the five-minute drive allowed Jay’s hangover to surface in a pulsating headache. At least he’d had the presence of mind to shower and brush his teeth before he’d walked into the nightmare waiting for him outside his room, the suite that had been vacant of Charlee. His heart ached.
The Suburbans rolled to a stop in front of a multi-level condominium in downtown Little Rock. He angled his neck, strained to see out the windows. Residential buildings fringed both sides of the road. His head swam. “What is this? She’s not in a hotel?”
Bodyguards filed out of the three SUVs, spreading over the sidewalk and around the building.
Tony opened the door. “I advise we discuss it inside, Mr. Mayard.” She stepped out, alert and irritating in her formality.
In other words, she expected him to make a scene, one she wanted to manage. Dread mounted on his already tight shoulders.
Inside, Nathan answered a door on the ground floor. Jay pushed past him, sweeping through a living room decorated with modern furnishings. By whatever stroke of luck, Roy hadn’t snatched Charlee the previous night. Perhaps he was waiting until she left town. Maybe he was still playing games. If the fuckwad had a pulse on this apartment, he wouldn’t be able to access it now. Not with the twenty bodyguards posted at every exit, entrance, and hidey hole.
“Where’s Charlee?” He ferreted around a corner and into an empty kitchen. “Where is she?”
“She’s here.” Nathan tailed him, curling a fold of papers in his hands. “She’s…” He held out the unraveling documents. “Here. This is her copy of the contract. I don’t know what she’s told you, but this will explain her…therapy. This is why she’s here.”