Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
“Because the US would respond if they thought it was coming,” she surmised. “You don’t think they would wait to verify it was real?”
He laughed at the thought. “You honestly believe your government will wait when they believe they are about to die? I mean perhaps if they did it would prove me wrong. I don’t know. We will see if I’m right. Now let’s talk about how you’re going to bring Zachary Reed to me. I think he might need a little help.”
“Why wouldn’t you have Ben Parker bring him in? Zach would believe it.” She didn’t. He was lying for some reason. She’d seen her cousin and Parker. He might be a spectacular actor, but why wouldn’t he have made a move by now?
The crack across her face shook her to her core. She could handle pain, but that man had damn near broken her jaw.
She cradled her cheek, tears filling her eyes.
“Perhaps I will send him your body parts.” Huisman stood, sneering down at her. His hand clenched in a fist, and Devi prepared for the pain. “When he gets your hands, he’ll do whatever I want.”
“Stop or I won’t help you at all.” Shannon Reed stood on shaky legs. “You don’t lay another hand on her.”
Huisman turned, his eyes widening. “You are supposed to be asleep.”
Her gaze went a bit unfocused, but she stood her ground. “You think you’re the first person to try to drug me? I assure you I can handle more, and I know you’ll probably give it to me, but understand if that young woman is hurt at any point, I will let you kill me before I’ll build a single bomb for you. I didn’t write down my process for this particular bomb and it is different from the others. I stopped documenting my work after some early schematics got out. It’s all in my brain now, and I’ll find a way to blow my brains out before I give you anything if you hurt her.”
Huisman’s face went a flaming red, and Devi could see he was considering whether he was going to use those fists on Zach’s mom.
Devi moved and quickly. She put herself between the two. She wasn’t going to let Zach lose his mom. Her hands came up as though she could placate the beast she found herself with.
There were suddenly a whole lot of guns pointed their way.
“There’s no need for violence,” Devi said quietly, the words tremulous. She forced herself to breathe. “I’ll be good, and Ms. Reed is going to do what we need to do. I think you’ll find if you send Zach a body part, he won’t be able to be reasonable. Send him proof of life and let him know I’m good, that I’m being taken care of. That’s how you deal with Zach and my family. You’re right. I’m not a part of that team. I’m a fashion designer. I’m not going to give you any trouble.”
She felt Shannon’s hand on her shoulder. She wasn’t sure if she was trying to give her support or needed the support herself, but she appreciated the fact that she wasn’t alone.
Huisman backed down. “We’ll record proof of life when we get to the base. If you step out of line in any way, I will make you wish you were dead. I will allow all of these men to have a go at you.”
Shannon tried to move to her side. “And I will make sure my bomb explodes in your face. You won’t see it coming. I’ll be clever. I will not let you harm my boy this way. He loves her. Nell told me all about her.”
She hadn’t even thought about Lacey…Lucy’s mom. She’d met her a long time ago and she was the sweetest woman. Was she okay? Had Henry gotten her out?
Devi pushed the questions aside because she couldn’t know and wouldn’t trust anything these men told her. She needed to bring the heat level down. “I’m not going to cause any trouble. I’ll help Ms. Reed. I’m good with my hands, so you shouldn’t cut those off.”
Huisman snarled and turned and walked toward the back of the plane. She heard a door slam shut.
A sigh of relief went through her. Somehow all those men with guns didn’t scare her nearly as much as the one who didn’t carry at all.
Shannon stumbled and Devi caught her, helping her back down to a chair.
“Hello, baby.” Ray hadn’t moved at all, and his focus was entirely on the woman he’d put through hell.
Shannon brought her hand up, giving her husband the finger before she slumped back.
Ray chuckled like she amused him. “It’s so fucking good to see you, too, babe. We’re going to work a few things out.”
Devi sat down and found herself holding Shannon’s hand even as she slipped back into sleep.