Page 142 of 5+Us Makes Seven
“So what are we gonna do with you, sweetheart?” He eyed me up and down. I crossed my arms and opened the can of beer, trying to remain calm as I sipped at the contents.
“Shark. I think she’s shy. What do you think we should do?” He addressed his thug, shrugging his shoulders in feigned boredom.
God I hate you, Conall.
“You should kill her. Now. Before she gets a chance to talk. Simple. I’ll do it, if you want,” he said, coldly.
Conall was laughing, shaking his head.
“Everything’s simple when you’ve got a small shark brain, moron. And what do you think Jack is gonna do if he shows up and we’ve shot her? He’s gonna call his clean little cop buddies and they’re gonna swarm all over us.” He paused, leaning forward to poke Shark in the chest.
“Even the guys we’ve made a deal with won’t be able to do anything if we murder a witness in cold blood. They’ll be forced to make a show of dissociating themselves from us. Probably suddenly become best buddies with Jack and come down here for the shootout with him.”
He looked out of the dirty window, expression closed. His jaw bunched as he thought.
“No, what we’re gonna do is have a little chat with Jack boy when he gets here. ‘Cause I think he’s working alone. If the other cops knew, I’d know about it too. He’s gonna rush over here and try and be a hero, single handedly saving this bitch. That’s if he’s still alive. Cathal’s probably got him by now.” He smiled cruelly.
He got a phone out and dialed a number. He turned to me, shrugging. “Let’s find out, shall we?”
His face dropped after a while. I guessed there was no answer. He dialed again. Nothing. Tried another number, I guessed. Still nothing.
He threw the phone against the wall in a rage.
“Fuck!” He rose and started pacing, striding back and forth.
Light flashed in my eyes as he slapped me across the face. A hard, backhand that sent me tumbling.
“It’s your fault! Couldn’t keep your mouth shut. Or your legs closed!” he spat, finger in my face.
I feared he’d start beating me, but he merely gritted his teeth and stood up.
I heard a car approaching in the distance, engine revving wildly.
Conall smiled.
“Here he comes to save the day. This’ll be fun!” He drew out a massive revolver, a hand spinning the chamber. He was laughing.
“This is my favorite part! The part where I win!”
His blood-drenched henchman stumbled to the door, leaning on the frame, panting.
“He’s here, boss!”
He had a silver gun in his hand. Shark drew out a pistol from the back of his pants, cold eyes narrowing as he turned to face the parking lot.
TWENTY-ONE
Jack
I made good time, flaunting the speed limit as I tore towards the motel.
This is it, Jack. Focus.
I allowed myself a moment to dwell on Eden, her face appearing in my mind. Her words echoed in my head.
I think I love you too, babe. Damn. I’m coming to get you. Hang in there.
I spotted the motel in the distance and considered my options, my mind cold and calculating. Discretion was not an option. The motel was on the right side of the road, and the rooms were lined up facing away from my approach. I saw a figure poke his head out from behind the edge of the row of buildings.