Revenge (Phoenix Undercover Book 3) (14 page)

Chapter 38

Josh

“I got into some trouble with drugs, heavily,” Margo spoke in a weakened whisper. Both Gray and I sat at her bedside, allowing her to speak. “Leo helped me out financially, among other things. Or at least at the time I considered it helping.”

She paused as she lifted a cup with a straw to her lips and took a small sip before continuing. “I had also gotten wrapped up in other things that supported my addiction. The wrong people had sucked me into their world and had given me no way out. Until Leo, I thought I would be lost forever.” She swallowed hard.

“I truly thought he was the man who had come to save me. But all he did was exchange one dark path for another, and he threatened to end my career, among other things, if I didn’t do as he asked.” Margo wiped at her tears. “He threatened my family if I told anyone. I could have lost everything.”

“And now I have lost,” I said through gritted teeth.

“I owed him,” she whispered.

It took everything inside me not to wrap my hands around her neck and finish the job Leo fell short of. I had never in my life wanted to hurt someone the way I did at this point. She was fucking delusional.

“Do you fucking hear yourself right now?” My voice echoed through the sterile hospital room.

Gray gripped my arm in attempt to calm me, but I shrugged him away. I had already warned him nothing was stopping me today. I had a goal, and that was to make Margo cave. Whether it was because she feared me or that she had some form of conscience left, I didn’t give a shit. It would happen one way or another.

“You offered Gabby to him on a silver platter so you could protect your fucking job. Who the hell knows what this son of a bitch is putting her through right now? He is a god-damn monster and you know this.” I took a step toward her and her eyes widened in alarm. I watched as she looked over my shoulder toward Grayson, but there was no one here to stop me. I could guarantee that.

“She has a child who needs her, and a man who is falling apart at the seams without her. And here you lay with no fucking remorse for sacrificing an innocent woman for your own selfish needs.” Leaning in just a little more, I gave her no choice but to look at me. “I can assure you of one thing, you’re going down for the involvement you have in Gabby’s disappearance. And I’ll make sure that you suffer much worse than you already have at Leo’s hands.”

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed.

“Are you willing to serve time and lose everything and everyone in your life? While this sick fuck walks the streets, knowing you’re in prison, paying for his crimes?” I watched her lower lip tremble, but I kept pushing.

“Do you honestly think he gives a fuck about you? He left you to die, Margo.” Her gaze lifted to mine, and she jutted out her chin in a last attempt at being strong, but it quickly faded. “He wanted you dead, and now you could be seeking your revenge on Leo. Just tell us what you know.”

My phone began vibrating, as well as Grayson’s. I ignored my own, but when Gray answered his the conversation immediately caught my attention.

“What pictures?” I turned to face him as his stare met mine. My stomach instantly felt as if it had dropped as the conversation continued. “Don’t move, we’re on our way.”

“What’s going on?” I asked, suddenly forgetting how close I had pushed Margo.

“An envelope was dropped off at the apartment. Apparently a delivery guy from Mercy’s Pizza was approached as he entered the building and some guy gave him fifty bucks to drop it off.” Grayson expression said it all. “Brook opened it, and, um,” he paused once more, lowering his voice to barely above a whisper, “it’s pictures of Gabby.”

The ground beneath me felt as if it began to fucking rock. A loud humming sound filled my ears and the room felt as if it was shrinking.

“We gotta go, man.” Gray placed his hand on my shoulder and began leading me from the room. “I’ll get someone posted outside of Margo’s room, and I can come back later and push some more.” All I could do was nod my head.

I was fearful of what the pictures awaiting me would reveal.

***

I sat in the glider, in the corner of Asher’s room, holding him close to my chest as I rocked him slowly. Tears fell heavy and dripped from my chin as they gathered on the blanket tucked around his lower half.

I had never felt an ache like I felt in this moment, looking at my son’s sleeping form as he wiggled and grunted. How would I ever be able to express to my son just how sorry I was? I could never explain to him what led up to the events taking place now; I could barely stomach them myself.

The images were of Gabby lying helpless on a bed, battered and beaten. Those pictures destroyed the last ounce of strength I had.

She will pay the price for every wrong move you make.

Leo’s message kept repeating over and over in my head.

I was a fucking puppet dangling from a string at the hands of Leo. It was obvious he had people watching me, and I had no way of knowing who.

Asher lifted his arm above his head and stretched, squeaking in the process. The sound and his movement only made my tears fall heavier. His little nose wrinkled and reminded me of Gabby when she slept—she did the same thing. It was as if they had an itch they were attempting to scratch.

It was the hardest thing to see.

He reminded me so much of his mommy.

The bedroom door made a squeaking noise, causing me to look up into Libby’s eyes. Seeing my sister standing there, looking back at me, was all it took for the last final hope I had to crumble.

I lifted Asher up closer to my chest and held him securely as my chest shook with sobs.

Feeling my sister wrap her arms around me, I gave in and rested my head on her shoulder. “Just let go,” she whispered.

And I did. I cried harder than I had ever cried before.

“How did I let this happen?” It was a question I had asked myself over and over yet still had no answer to. “It was my job to keep her safe, Lib.”

“You cannot blame yourself for this.” She pushed me backward and gripped my face in her hands. “No one blames you for this.”

“I do,” I confessed.

“And you need to stop. You need to reach inside of yourself and find that last ounce of strength you have and fight for her, Josh.” I began shaking my head, because I wasn’t sure I had any strength left in me. “Yes.” She looked back at me with pure determination. “You owe this to Asher and to Gabby. You cannot give up.”

I knew she was right, but I just wasn’t sure how I could go on knowing what Leo was putting Gabby through. It was killing me.

Chapter 39

Gabby

I had to break free.

I was running out of time.

Tomorrow was the day the doctor would return, and I was terrified it would also be the day Leo would finally stop holding back. His advances toward me had already become more frequent and more aggressive. There was only one thing holding him back from making me fully his, and that was the doctor saying I was healed.

I had even contemplated picking at my abdomen, causing further damage if nothing else could be done. I was running out of time and options.

Or so I thought.

I woke only a few moments ago to find that the rope on my wrists had more slack than it ever had before. As I began to pull and twist the left side gave and my hand slipped free.

I immediately froze, looking toward the door, praying that Leo had heard nothing.

After I was sure no one was coming, I began working on the right hand, and within moments it broke free as well.

Quickly, I moved from the bed toward the window and tugged upward, finding it had been nailed shut from the outside.

With no other windows in the room, my strength began to wilt as I felt the defeat wash over. Only…then I thought of Josh and Asher, and a newfound strength filled me. I had to get back to them.

As I stepped up to the door, I placed my ear against the panel and listened for any signs of movement, a TV playing, anything that would help me locate where Leo was in the cabin.

Unable to hear anything, I reached for the handle and twisted, feeling my heart race.

I could almost immediately hear the water running in the shower across the hall, and it was all I needed to know. I was in the clear.

I didn’t care that I had no shoes, or that it was dark out and I had no idea where we were. I moved through the hall and straight to the front door. I began working the lock free and as soon as I pulled the front door open, I heard his chilling voice from behind.

“I warned you not to cross me.”

I didn’t look back, I didn’t pause, and I ran.

The blackness of the night engulfed me and I continued on, distancing myself from Leo. I just prayed I had a good enough head start.

***

“You can run, Gabby, but I’ll find you.” He laughed with a sadistic cackle. A chilling fear rang clear as his laughter echoed off the trees. “There is nowhere to hide. No one to save you. You are mine now.”

My feet ached as the branches broke beneath my bare feet. The darkness of the night left me with minimal clarity. It was scary being alone in the darkness, unaware of my surroundings and what may be lurking ahead. But hesitation only meant Leo may reach me; that was much scarier than any other danger ahead.

“Gabriella.” Once again his voice rang out through the woods.

I had no idea where we were, or how far from the city he had taken me, but I couldn’t think about that. I had to find a way back. I had to find help.

“I’m coming for you.” A sick feeling filled my stomach as his voice sounded closer than only seconds ago.

Something sharp cut into my foot and I gasped as I fell forward, catching myself against a tree. I reached down to pull out the sharp object now embedded in the heel of my foot. The blood oozed and a burning sensation made me wince as I dropped the shard of glass to the ground. A broken bottle of some kind.

“I thought we were becoming friends. You were beginning to understand what I needed from you, and I was just starting to reconsider selling you. In fact, I even thought about keeping you all for myself,” Leo hollered.

I hid behind a tree as I looked from side to side, hoping for a sign of where he was. I was turned around at this point and no longer knew which way I should run.

“But you’ve deceived me, just as your sister had. I don’t forgive easily, Gabriella. I think once we reunite you may have to give me a reason to reconsider.”

The hidden meaning of his words terrified me. Chills ran through me as I thought about his hands on me. I cringed, remembering the way he had attempted to touch me only moments ago. There was no way I could take more.

Thunder rumbled overhead and I jumped in surprise. A storm was approaching and I knew it would only make my escape that much harder.

“Game’s over.” I jerked forward, trying to get away when Leo’s voice whispered in my ear. “It’s time for you to understand and accept who you belong to.” He gripped my arm as he stepped around to my side and circled his other hand around my throat.

His grasp on my throat tightened as he leaned in closer, within inches of my face.

Rain began to fall and he smiled as he tilted his head back and allowed it to hit his face.

His laughter broke free and I could feel the tears fill my eyes.

I closed my eyes and pictured Josh’s smile. Memories of the day we brought our son into the world together filled my mind. That was a happy day. And if I was going to die tonight, it was the vision I wanted to be my last.

Chapter 40

Josh

“It’s less than two hours from here,” Margo whispered. “A cabin he owns under his parents’ name. We went there often in the beginning. It was the place he used to make me feel like he was normal. I can’t say that’s where he took her, but it’s the only place he has that isn’t tied to his name directly.”

“Could you find it if you were led there?” I asked, feeling a sense of excitement rush through me.

“I think so.” She nodded. “It’s in Monticello, hidden back in tall trees. It runs next to a stream.”

Gray had already begun calling it in and making the necessary preparations. I stood at the side of Margo’s bed, damn near close to taking off and looking for this place without any assistance.

“I’m so sorry…” she spoke, her voice catching me off guard, “…for any involvement I’ve had in any of this. But when you reach the end and you have no one to turn to, fear kind of takes over everything else. I was desperate, and I know that’ll never change anything coming to me, but I just wanted you to know how sorry I am. And I hope to god that the cabin is where he took her, because Gabby doesn’t deserve any of this. None of you do.”

Her words only brought back that familiar burn in my chest I had been walking around with for days.

I offered a nod and turned around to find Grayson motioning for me.

“The team is preparing to meet us at the Bureau for briefing. We need to get moving, boss.” He was humming with adrenaline. It was a state Grayson entered whenever we were about to go out on a mission. And this one was so fucking personal we were all barely containing our need to rush forward. But we had no idea what we were going into. We had to be prepared for anything; we couldn’t risk anything happening to Gabby.

***

Trevor drove.

It was better that way, because I couldn’t calm my racing heart.

Grayson, Trevor, Margo, and I were in one car, following by two others filled with eager agents who were equally ready to bring Leo down.

I had to focus on the road ahead of us, because the nervous energy within me was almost more than I could take.

“I think when we get there, you should stand back.”

I remained facing forward, thinking to myself that I had to have heard my best friend incorrectly. There was no fucking way he was actually suggesting I allow everyone else to rush in and possibly save the woman I loved while I waited in the damn car.

“I just think maybe we need to check things out first and then maybe…” I didn’t let him finish that sentence before spinning around in the seat and looking at him.

The man knew me better than almost anyone else. We grew up together before going off to college and then choosing to join the Academy afterward. He of all people should fucking know that me sitting in the car filing my god-damn nails while they rushed in to bring down the man who had tortured me and the woman I loved was not gonna fucking happen.

“You’re insane if you think I’m not gonna be the first person Leo sees.” He attempted to argue, but I continued on without a second thought. “If it was Brooklynn who was being held by Leo, would you wait outside while we all checked it out? No, you wouldn’t. So don’t you fucking sit there and tell me what is best. I’m going in, and whatever it takes, if she is in there, I will be taking down any sack of shit standing in the way of me getting to her.”

I continued to stare at him until he nodded his head in agreement.

“How close are we?” I asked.

The adrenaline pumping through me had now only multiplied.

“About fifteen minutes out,” Trevor announced.

“The local authorities are waiting for us. They’ll lead us toward the Catskills and then once we are close, hopefully Margo will spot the location,” Grayson added.

“I’ll know it,” Margo assured us. She was observing the surroundings, taking it all in. She looked determined, and maybe even a little vengeful. I think she had finally accepted that anything she had ever received from Leo was nothing short of poison.

Her anger was good; it was the full measure she needed to see this through.