Venture Forward (27 page)

“I know this is hard for you. I’m sure you’re relieved he’s gone and can never hurt you again. But he was sorry, really and truly sorry. Those words alone will never make up for all the pain and anguish, but maybe one day you can learn to move past it, knowing he wasn’t the monster you remember.”

“Aunt Margaret, I—”

“Just promise me one thing, okay?”

He looked up from the mug, a pang of sadness jolting him back. “What?”

“Don’t spend any more time hating him. That anger will destroy you. You’ve moved on, you’ve made a successful life for yourself. Don’t hang on to this anymore. Make the choice to let it go. Focus on the rest of your life.”

He’d let the anger devour him for so many years and threaten any hope for happiness. All the success in the world could never fill the void. It had been a vacuous existence at best, until one person had broken through and shown him how meaningless his life had really become.
She was the one, the only one who could heal him, but her ultimate betrayal had caused more destruction than anything he’d suffered at William’s hand.

“
HOW DO YOU KNOW
if she’ll even show up?” The alarm in Tina’s voice came over the cell phone line loud and clear.

Avery hugged herself, shivering in the cool night air. The trendy but way-too-thin denim jacket really wasn’t cutting it. Or maybe it was just the impending altercation that chilled her from the inside out. “Trust me, Tina. She’ll be here because she wants to get paid.”

“I don’t like you out there alone. You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

She scanned the desolate parking lot, hoping to quickly close the book on this horrific chapter. No pun intended. “I needed someplace private.”

“Are you sure about this? I mean, I know you’re trying to make up for—”

“I have to fix this. Otherwise, she’ll go to the press, and it’ll be the end of Paul and Blue Coat. I can’t let that happen. Giving her what she wants is the only way to stop it.”

“What if she doesn’t go away quietly? You’re risking a hell of lot on a freaking psycho. Have you signed the papers yet?”

“I just got the contracts. I’m meeting the principals tomorrow to discuss logistics.” It was poetic justice, really. Signing away all her hopes and dreams to save the guy who inspired the charade in the first place.

“You never wanted to sell CrowdRok, remember? You haven’t thought this through. You’re acting impulsively out of guilt, but you aren’t considering the long-term impacts.”

“Selling is the only way I can get the money I need. The royalties from the book didn’t come in as quickly as I’d hoped, and it’s not enough.” The sound of tires crunching gravel made the hair on her neck stand at attention. “I’ve got to go. She’s here.”

A black BMW 535i pulled up, and Rochelle stepped out, her long, blonde curls glinting in the moonlight. Avery clenched her fists, cringing as the nails dug into her skin, though she’d have much rather used them to claw off Rochelle’s smug smile.

“Avery.” Disdain dripped from her glossy red lips. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this
secretive
meeting?”

“Cut the bullshit. You outed me to the press.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. A little paranoid, aren’t we?”

“I know it was you, and I can prove it.” Her hands grew clammier by the second because it was a big fat lie. A reputable reporter would never reveal a source, and Avery had come up empty with all the calls she’d made over the past few days.

“You’re a horrible liar. But even if you could prove it, so what? Your sordid story is out there for the world to see. Do you think anyone will care who exposed you?”

“There are plenty of people who would be interested in your vendetta against Paul Emerson.”

“So this is all about
him
. Tell me, how did he take the news? I mean, knowing the woman he’s fucking ended up fucking him harder than he’d ever imagined possible.”

“I know about Androtti.”

“Ancient history.”

“Is that your play? You expose me, making Paul vulnerable to the next attack, and then put the final nail in his coffin?”

“You think you have me all figured out, don’t you?”

“I know what you’re all about, and we’re here because I want to know how much it’ll take to make you disappear. Let’s also not forget Steve Fuller is Paul’s stepdad. I don’t think you want to risk your reputation. How do you think he’d take the news that his publicist is out to screw over his stepson?”

“Like book publicity is my dream job. You think I give a shit what Steve thinks? He can’t touch me. And you, my dear, have no idea who you’re dealing with. You think it’s about money. So,
so
naïve.”

“What could you possibly have to gain by taking this public?”

A beat-up Dodge Daytona zoomed across the parking lot and screeched to a halt next to them. The door opened, and Darryl hopped out, his eyes darting around the expanse before settling on Avery.

“Darryl, what are you doing here? Are you okay?”

“You know this guy?” Rochelle whispered.

Avery nodded. “What’s going on?”

“You need to get out of here.
Now
.”

“Why? Are you in trouble?” A sudden breeze slithered under her jacket, making her body tremble. Something didn’t feel right. She chalked it up to intuition until the memory of her conversation with Paul on the beach flooded her mind. Crap, this wasn’t good. Not good at all.

His eyes focused on the path leading to the main road. “Listen, you just need to get away from here before it’s too—”

Late. Too late.

Three gleaming black Cadillac Escalades appeared out of nowhere, headed straight for them.

“Fuck,” Darryl muttered.

“Who are they?”

“I needed the money. I know I let Paul down, but I had no choice. I tried to call him but—”

“Oh God, what did you do? What do they want?” Her leg muscles twitched, ready to flee. Clutching her jacket tightly around her, realization struck. Tears stung her eyes, and she blinked them back, willing herself to remain strong and alert. It might be her only chance at waking up from this nightmare.

One of the Escalades pulled up to her car. Two beefy guys hopped out and surveyed the small crowd. “Darryl, what the fuck is going on? You screwing around with these bitches? We’re here to talk business.”

“The girls were just leaving, Miguel.”

“The hell they are.” Miguel was evidently the ringleader, dressed from head to toe in black, heavy gold chains piled on his bulky chest, ridiculously large diamond-stud earrings, sunglasses. Total drug dealer thug. He approached Avery with a leering smile on his face. The look in his eyes made her toes curl. “I can think of some things they can help us with.
Later
.”

“Leave them out of this.” Darryl stood as tall as Miguel, but Avery could see he was shaking like a leaf on a windy day. No surprise, since Miguel outweighed him by about thirty pounds.

Miguel shoved Darryl out of the way and yanked Rochelle’s arm. A loud yelp escaped her lips. “Yeah, I can definitely see some possibilities here.”

“Get your fucking hands off me.” Rochelle found her voice and twisted away from Miguel. “I’m out of here.”

“The fuck you are, bitch!” Miguel grabbed a handful of her golden locks and jerked her backward. “You’re not going anywhere. After this meeting, you’re gonna suck my cock, and then I’m gonna fuck that hot ass of yours. But now you’ll keep that mouth shut, or I’ll give you something to scream about.”

Rochelle recoiled, eyes wide with terror.

Where the fuck are the cops? Can’t anyone save them?
Avery swallowed the sob that threatened to erupt from her lungs. The cell phone was just inside her pocket.
If only something diverts their attention, even for a minute, I can grab it and—

“Look, I got the stuff. Let’s finish this. I’ll get rid of the girls, okay?”

Miguel snickered. “That’s not how it works, Darryl. You should know that. I own you, and now I got these bitches as collateral, to make sure you finish the job. You feel me?”

Her eyes darted from one massive derelict to the next. She flinched at the thought of those animals laying so much as a diseased finger on her.
Keep quiet, don’t make eye contact and pray really fucking hard.

The sound of Rochelle’s whimpers broke the eerie silence. Miguel backed her against one of the Escalades, running a hand up her bare leg. “Oh yeah, I’m gonna take that.” He snapped his fingers and pointed at one of the other guys. “Bennett, get Darryl and his other lady friend into the truck. Make sure they don’t do anything stupid.” He squeezed Rochelle’s backside, and she let out a bloodcurdling scream. “I’m taking this one with me.”

“Avery! Help me!” She clawed at Miguel with her free hand, eliciting a cold, hollow, evil laugh. It even sounded like death… a horribly painful and excruciating one.

“Keep trying to hurt me, and I won’t be so gentle with you.”

Bennett pulled out a gun, and Avery froze. Short, raspy breaths felt like shards of glass piercing her lungs and throat. Darryl’s hand clasped her shoulder. “Do what he says,” he muttered. “I’ll make sure you don’t get hurt.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Miguel pull open the door and shove Rochelle forward, but she spun around, catching him off-guard.
Crack!
Her fist connected with Miguel’s jaw, sending him stumbling into the side of the truck as she sprinted toward the beach.

Holy shit.
What the fuck was she thinking? He’d never let her get away. Was she really that stupid?

Miguel touched a finger to the stream of blood trickling down his chin, a maniacal smile on his face. He calmly pulled out a .38 caliber and pointed it at Rochelle’s retreating back. “Stupid bitch. Woulda been fun. That ass was tight.”

An ear-splitting bang exploded into the still air, the sound reverberating through her. Rochelle’s body crumbled to the ground. Miguel’s menacing grin was now directed at Avery. Her heartbeat thundered with each approaching step. “I hope you’re smarter than your friend. I’d hate to see you end up like that, too.”

Tears streamed down her face. “P-please don’t hurt me. I don’t want to d-die.”

Miguel grazed the side of her face with his gun, and she yelped. The feeling of searing metal against her tear-soaked cheek made her body convulse. “Then be a good girl and don’t pull a stupid ass stunt that’ll get you killed. I promise you’ll love it.”

Bennett lit a joint and passed it around. The smell of marijuana burned her nostrils. She gagged and fell to her knees. Nobody could rescue her now.

“Miguel, man, please. Don’t hurt her. I’ll do whatever you want, just let her go.”

“If you want to protect her so badly, come and get her.”

Avery looked up and wiped her eyes, shaking her head wildly. No, no, no… Couldn’t he see it was a trap?

“Come on, Darryl, don’t dick around. Get over here and protect your girl.”

Darryl took a few tentative steps as Miguel goaded him. Avery sniffed and grasped his hand, rising slowly, leg muscles tightening.

“Are you done with this fucking knight-in-shining-armor bullshit? We still have some unfinished business.” He swung his arm back and unleashed a blow to Darryl’s temple that sent him flying into the air. Avery stumbled into one of the SUVs from the sudden force, sobs wracking her body.

Miguel pointed the gun at her. “Shut the fuck up, bitch. I’m not even close to being done with you yet.” He stepped toward Darryl, writhing on the gravel. Blood gushed from the massive laceration on his head, pooling on the ground next to him. “Never cross me again, you cocksucker. If you do, it’ll be the last fucking—”

The sound of a fast-approaching vehicle commanded everyone’s attention, interrupting Miguel mid-threat.

“What the fuck, Bennett?” Miguel screamed. A caravan of black H1 Hummers tore down the hill, easily outnumbering them. Miguel’s crew didn’t stand a chance and, the panic in his tone indicated he knew it as well.

“Miguel, man, I don’t know how they found out about—”

Within seconds, Miguel and his men were surrounded. Panting, Avery slithered along the concrete to Darryl’s side and clutched his hand. Thank God they were shielded by one of the Escalades. “Are you okay?”

“This isn’t fucking good. Something big is about to go down. These guys are bad news.”

Nobody had noticed them yet. Too much yelling and cursing ensued. It would only distract them temporarily. But in another few seconds…

She pulled out the phone and set it on the ground to dial. Her fingers trembled over the screen, tears blurring the numbers.

When gunshots erupted, Darryl grabbed her arm. “Get around the car now! Forget the fucking phone!”

“B-but we need to call the police—”

Darryl yanked her away just before more gunshots pelted the metal shielding them. Glass shattered, large pieces crashing to the ground. Would they be next?

“Listen, I’m gonna distract them so you can get to that path over there. When I give you the signal, run. I’ll shoot once. Fucking run your ass off and don’t look back.”