Page 34 of Captured By Fate
“She’s been here before. She managed to sneak in somehow. She’s asked questions,” Benny growls, his eyes darkening as he leans forward. "And not just any questions – she's been digging too deep."
His fingers clench into fists on the tabletop and I can almost see the vein in his neck pulsing with rage.
My stomach twists into knots at his words. It wasn't supposed to be like this... I thought I had control over the situation. But now, I can feel fear creeping up on me like a shadow, obscuring everything else in sight.
Silence hangs thick in the air, a palpable weight that threatens to crush the very life out of the room. Vince's knuckles turn white as he grips the armrests of his chair, his jaw clenching and unclenching as he struggles to maintain control.
He knows exactly what I'm hiding - Kelley's capture. His eyes dart around the table, searching for allies, for anyone who might share his concern. But everyone is too locked in their own thoughts; too numb with fear to offer any resistance.
Benny's voice pierces through the stillness like a gunshot, snapping them all back to reality. "We can't risk it," he growls, his words reverberating off the walls and echoing in their ears.
The other members nod in agreement, their expressions grim as they contemplate their options. For a moment, no one says anything; each person lost in their own thoughts - memories of past close calls haunting them like specters from hell.
They remember how close they came to being exposed last time... how they barely managed to slip out of danger's grasp at the last minute.
No one speaks for what feels like hours, but in reality is only a few minutes. Finally, Benny breaks the silence with a sigh heavy with resignation.
"We'll have to deal with her," he mutters under his breath, eyes fixed on some invisible point on the wall behind me. The others murmur in agreement.
It’s August, our local celebrity who seems to have the most to lose. His threats of consequence hang heavy in the air.
“Do we even know where she is?” he snarls. “My public image will be destroyed if she squeals. I can’t have that. My career is on the line.”
Lucas, seeing the seriousness of the situation, takes a sip of his drink before leaning back in his chair. He grins at August, his teeth flashing white against his tanned skin.
"Oh come on, August," he says with an air of levity that doesn't quite reach his eyes, "You've always been such a good boy. How can you possibly have a dark secret like this?"
His voice is dripping with sarcasm as he speaks, drawing a round of smirks from the others around the table. The sound of chairs scraping against the floor as they shift their weight uncomfortably follows this comment.
Benny sighs heavily and rubs his forehead, looking away from the group and out the window. The setting sun casts long shadows across the room, painting everything in warm hues of orange and red.
"We need to find her first," he mutters under his breath, already plotting their next move.
"I'll take care of it," Vince says suddenly, standing up from his seat and placing his hand on Lucas's shoulder in a show of camaraderie - or perhaps forcing him to stay put?
I know Vince is doing it out of friendship for me. He knows exactly where Kelley is.
Vince has been to my home. He’s seen Kelley there, half-naked, I might add. He knows exactly what’s going on. I’m not worried at all about Vince throwing us under the bus.
They all nod in agreement; fearful but determined not to let their fear show. Each man gets up from their seat, except for August who remains seated for now - unsure what decision he should make next.
They leave the room one by one until it's just Patrick and me. As the men all file out, Patrick watches them go with a furrowed brow. He looks at me, wanting to know the truth about where Kelley really is, but he doesn't dare ask aloud - not here, not now.
He stays silent as we are left alone together in the room full of shadows and memories. I can almost taste his curiosity on the air as he glances around at the faded photographs on the walls: old black-and-whites of smiling faces, grainy Polaroids of wild parties, newspaper clippings about long-forgotten crimes. The sound of the front door closing echoes through the room like a final judgment as Patrick finally breaks the silence.
"So," he says slowly, "Where did she go?" His foot taps impatiently against the floor as he leans against the table, eyes locked on mine.
As Patrick's questions hang in the air, I can feel the weight of his gaze on me. My skin tingles with anticipation and dread, knowing that I have to keep this secret for Kelley's sake but also knowing that it might be too much for me to handle. I push myself off the chair and begin pacing around the room, trying to buy some time before answering.
I shrug nonchalantly, knowing full well that I shouldn't lie to him. “Let’s just say she’s under my close surveillance.”
Before Patrick can respond, I move quickly from the room. I need to get away from his probing stare, from the suffocating weight of our secret. Outside, the night air greets me like an old friend, cool and damp on my feverish skin.
While we waited for everyone to arrive, while we sat in the meeting, while we debated and liberated, and argued, the day passed. The neon lights from the city below cast an otherworldly glow over everything, and for a moment, I'm transported back in time to a simpler time before all of this.
I lean against the balcony railing, my breath coming in short gasps as I try to steady my racing heart. The skyline stretches out before me, a glittering tapestry of light and shadow, but tonight it offers no solace. All I can think about is Kelley.
What is it about this woman that has me so captivated?