Uncovering You: The Complete Series (Mega Box Set) (288 page)

“I swear,” Min says, crossing her heart. Joey agrees, too.

I smile at both of them. Their love for each other is clear. Circumstance may have pushed them apart in the past, but now that they’re together, I don’t think either of them will ever let that happen again.

I say my good-byes, confident that their relationship will blossom. I also have a new understanding of how Rich could leave Min alone. He knew Joey would be here with her. I don’t know exactly why he did not tell me, though I have my suspicions. It doesn’t upset me. Instead, I find it heartwarming that he had believed the story I told him and fought through the perception
he had of Joey.

I leave the hospital quickly and hail a cab. The darkening sky overhead tells me that the day is almost over. I know that, right now, I am a long way from sleep.

--

I step onto the curb outside the RedArm building, take a deep breath, and buzz myself in.

A security guard in the lower lobby comes and opens the door. He knows who I am. Of course. Mr. Calloway wouldn’t have taken chances.

He leads me to the elevator and steps inside. It looks like I will be escorted all the way to the top floor.

As the lights designating each passing floor light up, I wonder if I’m making the right decision. Coming here is a risk. What I’m about to do next is a risk. But, I know that I am the only person who can set things in motion.

The elevator stops and the doors open. I smile my thanks to the guard and walk onto the office floor. I know that, after tonight, my life will never be the same.

Chapter Twenty

A few hours later find me in the lounge of an unfamiliar, swanky, downtown hotel. The table in front of me is set for two, even though I am alone. For now.

A young man smiles at me from across the room. Instead of smiling back, I look away. I cannot afford distractions now.

I look down at the strapless black dress I have on. It’s nice to finally have a change of clothes. This particular outfit makes me feel especially sexy. And, I have to admit, somewhat vulnerable.

That makes it perfect.

I spot the man I’m waiting for. He strolls through the lobby with an arrogant swagger. He’s changed clothes since I last saw him. I doubt that many people would be able to tell the difference, though. The suit he’s wearing now is a two-button piece, as opposed to the earlier three.

“Tam,” I smile. “I did not think I’d ever find myself waiting for you.”

“I invited you here at ten. I am neither early not late.”

“Noted,” I say. I raise my glass. “Would you care for a drink?”

“No,” he says. “Alcohol inhibits your judgment. I prefer to retain full control of myself.”

“Your choice.” I shrug, taking a delicate sip.

Tam shifts in his seat. “Where’s Richard?”

“You told me we needed to talk alone. I agreed to your request. He is not here.”

Tam’s lips curl in a bloodless smile. I feel a dull stab of fear in my chest. “I did not think you would be so naïve.” His cold eyes shift behind me.

That is the only warning I get before a rough hand clasps my arm.

I look back in surprise. Fear turns into all-out terror. Victor is standing there, holding my arm, smiling cruelly at me with his mouth full of broken teeth.

“Not always so smart, yes?” he says in that lumbering accent of his. “This time, your getaway will no come easy.”

I spin around to look back at Tam, aghast. His dark eyes are laughing at me. “You did this?” I sputter. “You set me up!”

Tam glances at Victor. He speaks to me almost in a whisper. “Did you truly believe I have so little loyalty to my friends? Stupid girl.”

Victor pulls my elbow and forces me to stand. “Come quietly,” he says in my ear. “You do not want to make a scene, yes?”

“She’ll come if she knows what’s good for her,” Tam says. He pulls back the lapel of his jacket. My eyes widen at the gun hidden at his waist. I can hear the unspoken threat in his voice. Next is a command to Victor. “Go!”

Victor drags me roughly after him. I have no choice but to follow. One of my heels slips off. Victor does not give me time to retrieve it.

I feel overwhelming despair building inside as I’m ushered into the elevator. Tam comes in after us. He has my shoe in one hand. “A lady should never walk barefoot,” he mocks.

“Where are you taking me?” I demand.

Victor chuckles. Tam replies. “You will be used as bait.”

“As bait…? Oh no!” I gasp as realization hits me. “
No, no, no!”
They want to use me to lure Rich here!

“He won’t come!” I tell them, panic building within me. “He won’t—”

“Shut up.” Tam silences me with a slap across the face. My head whips to the side. I cry out. I can feel the sting on my cheek. Tears blur my vision. Victor laughs in his crude, obnoxious way.

I glare at Tam. I hate him. I knew I couldn’t trust him! I should never have agreed to his request to meet me here! I should never have gone against my initial instincts!

He lifts an eyebrow at me. He’s
daring
me to speak. He knows he has full power over me now. With deliberate grace, he puts a hand on his belt to reveal the holster once more.

I bite my tongue. If I expect to have any chance of getting out of this situation, I need to think. Not react.

The elevator doors open to an empty hallway. Victor pushes me forward with one hand between my shoulder blades. I cry out at the shrieking pain that ricochets up and down my side. Victor laughs.

“There is someone here who wants to see you,” he says, catching my arm again. “I know she will be very happy for me to bring you, yes?”

Victor hands Tam the swipe card and Tam opens the door. Amanda is seated in an armchair, smoking a cigarette. She turns around at the intrusion, and the scariest, most vile smile I have ever seen forms on her face. “You got her? Good.”

Victory brings me inside and shoves me onto the bed. My ribs scream at me. Tam closes the door and leans against one wall. While his eyes remain solely on me, I get the feeling that he sees everything that goes on in the room.

Victor goes up to Amanda and roughly pulls her into him by the waist. She greets him with a deep, sloppy French kiss. I almost gag.

When they’re done, Amanda turns back to me. She walks toward the bed with a seductive grace. “Careful,” Tam warns her when she sits on the edge, close to me.

Amanda scoffs. “I’m not afraid of her.” She looks at me and tilts her head to the side. “My, my, my! Isn’t this a sweet reunion?” She reaches out to touch the side of my cheek where my skin is red and swollen. I want to pull away from her touch. But I will
not
give her the satisfaction. “Look what happened to your pretty face. Did you catch Rich in one of his rages again?”

“Your thug did this,” I spit at her.

Amanda brings her face close to mine. I can smell her lavender perfume. It’s putrid. “Poor girl,” she says. “Still all bark and no bite.” She traces her hand down my neck, over my shoulder, and right down to where I’m wearing the cast. “Tell me,” she says, “how much does
this
hurt?”

I gasp and helplessly whimper as she presses her hand into my side, hard. Tears fill my eyes.

Amanda laughs. “You’re pathetic, you know that? I’d have hoped that Rich would have picked out a girl with more than fluff for brains to replace me. But you’re about as dumb as they come, aren’t you?” I grit my teeth to prevent myself from saying anything. “Did you really think you could count on
Tam
as an ally? You and Rich humiliated both him and Victor. These types of men do not forgive.”

Tam clears his throat. It’s a soft sound, but it draws everyone’s attention. “Let us not forget our purpose?”

Amanda rises from the bed. “Oh, I was just having a little fun with her. Why can’t you loosen up like your friend over here?” Victor chuckles and slaps her ass. She jumps. “Oh, you dirty boy,” she chirps at him. He grins dumbly, half his teeth missing.

“Keep an eye on the clock,” Tam reminds her. “We need to get to business.”

“What’s an extra few minutes?” Amanda pouts. “But I guess you’re right. Victor, give me the phone.” He tosses a Blackberry to her. She catches it and turns back to me. “Let’s see what your
lover
has to say about all this.”

“Amanda, don’t!” I beg. “Please! You can do anything to me. Just don’t get Rich involve—”

I am cut off as she backhands me across the mouth. I taste blood on my tongue.

“My, that felt good!” Amanda says. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time. Victor,” she barks, “keep her under control.”

The big man complies all-too-eagerly. He grabs my hair and pulls me up. Pain shoots through my scalp, pain bleeds down my side, and pain radiates from my cheeks. Victor lowers his face to mine. “You will be quiet,” he says. He does not need to add a threat.

Amanda smiles as she dials the number. She brings the phone to her ear. I can’t do anything but watch.

“Hiii Riiiiich,” she sings. “Guess who I have here with me?”

Amanda lowers the phone and covers the speaker. “He doesn’t believe me!” she complains. “Looks like we’re going to have to do something to convince him I’m telling the truth.” She walks up to me, puts the phone on speaker, and shoves it in my face. “Speak!”

I shake my head. Victor twists my hair. I squeeze my eyes shut and bite my lips together against the pain.

“Speak!” Amanda commands again.

I shake my head harder. Uncontrollable whimpers escape from my throat. I try to keep them in by keeping my mouth shut.

Victor twists even more. The pain becomes unbearable, until I can’t hold back. I cry out. “Rich, no! Don’t listen!”

Amanda snatches the phone away. “
Thank you
,” she mouths to me as she puts it back to her ear. I can hear Rich yelling on the other side. His words are too distant to make out.

“You’re going to have to mind your manners if you want to see her again,” Amanda says. She lounges on the armchair. “Come on, Rich, dear, screaming at me won’t accomplish anything. You want to see Penny? Come to the lot at the docks—” she gives him the address, “—in one hour. If you’re late, well, I don’t think any of us will be seeing Penny again.”

“Rich, no! It’s a trap!” I cry out. Victor snarls and hits my face. The blow is hard and knocks me off my feet. I collapse on the floor and start to tremble.

“Get up!” Victor barks. He pulls me by my hair again. Tears are streaming down my face. “If you want to avoid that, next time, you will listen to instruction, yes?”

“…and if I see so much as a hint of a cop, Richard, Penny will not survive the night.” Amanda ends the call.

“Amanda, please,” I whimper. “Leave Rich out of this! What do you want from him?”

Amanda cocks a perfect eyebrow at me. “
I
don’t want anything from Rich, Penelope. But Victor here is still upset with him for the way he left him that night. I think the two of them have some unfinished business,
man-to-man
.” Victor chuckles in agreement.

Tam glances at his watch. “It is time to go.” He takes my elbow. “I will escort the lady out,” he tells Victor. Victor frowns at him. After some hesitation, he gives me up.

Amanda walks over and takes Victor’s hand. “Come, my darling. Tonight promises to be full of adventure. I can
feel
it.”

We exit the room. I’m all too aware of the gun Tam has pressed up against my back as we walk. He hides it in his blazer pocket.

Amanda and Victor lead the way to a staff elevator. Tam hands Amanda a special key card. She swipes it through and the doors open. “So we don’t have any
incidents
,” she informs me.

The elevator goes all the way to the underground parking lot. There’s a black sedan waiting for us. Amanda unlocks it and gets into the driver’s seat. Victor sits beside her. I’m stuffed in the back by Tam. I shuffle into the seat behind Amanda’s.

“I’ll be back,” Tam says. “I need to check the room one last time.” He disappears before anyone can say a word.

“How long is he going to take?” Amanda complains.

“He will take the time he needs, no more,” Victor rumbles. He places his hand on Amanda’s thigh. “For now, we have time to ourselves, yes?”

“Victor, not now,” Amanda says. He raises his hand behind her neck and pulls her toward him. “Oh, all right,” she complies. I look away as they start kissing over the console.

Tam returns not a second too soon. Victor’s been groping Amanda’s breasts for the past few minutes.

Tam opens the door and slides next to me. Our eyes meet for a second. He gives an imperceptible wink. Immediately, I look away.

“Took you long enough,” Amanda grumbles, adjusting her bra. Victor snickers beside her.

Tam’s voice remains calm. “Everything is ready.”

“Good,” Amanda says, starting the engine.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask.