Page 39 of Link (Dragon Riders MC 1)
“Apparently, Link and the guys went over there and got your contract. It said in that contract that Skeleton had to fire you. So, Link got him firing you on a recording. You’re free, Hope. And if they ever come after you, Link is going to turn that into the police for them to handle.”
She sniffled. “Oh, my God. I can’t believe it. I didn’t actually think it would happen. Thank you, Jo. Thank you so much.”
“There’s only one more thing we have to do.”
“What’s that?”
“Link wants to take extra precautions and make sure we’re safe from them. So, I’m going to come pick you up on my lunch break and take you back to my office. You’ll stay with me, and then a couple of the guys will be at the house tonight to watch over us and stuff for the next couple of weeks.”
“So, I’m not free yet?”
“Yes, you are. You’re no longer under Skeleton’s employ, and he’s got evidence of that. It’s precautionary. That’s all.”
She sighed. “Okay, yes. I can do this. I’ll go ahead and pack up my few things. You said around lunch time?”
I nodded. “Yep. I’ll come pick you up right at twelve-thirty. That sound good?”
“I’ll make sure to be ready. When you get here, though, honk your horn funny. So, I know it’s you.”
“Like the knock we had as kids?”
She giggled. “Yes. Just like that. Use that rhythm. Promise me.”
“I promise, Hope. Twelve-thirty, honking the horn with our special knock. I’ll see you soon, okay? And I’ll cook us a massive celebratory dinner. Complete with all of your favorites.”
“Awww, how nice.”
I shot up from my chair as the foreign voice filled my office. My phone clattered to my desk as Hope said my name through the receiver. But my eyes were locked on the man standing at my door. His lanky arms and long legs looked like they had been pulled and tugged one too many times when he was a child. And his icy smile didn’t once reach his eyes.
“Jo. Are you all right? Jo, talk to me!”
“What do you want?” I asked.
Skeleton grinned at me. “I want you to pick up the phone and tell your sister you’ll call her back.”
“Jo. Is that him? Where are you? Jo, pick up the damn phone!”
I reached for the phone. “Hope?”
I watched Skeleton raise a gun to my forehead as she started crying in my ear.
“Hope, are you listening?” I asked.
“It’s him, isn’t it? He’s with you, isn’t he?”
“Listen to me. I need you to calm down.”
She drew in a shuddered breath. “Where are you? Who do I call? What do I do, Jo?”
“Listen. Okay?”
Skeleton’s smile faded. “Tell her you’ll call her back.”
Hope sobbed. “What is it? What is he saying?”
I spoke as quickly as I could. “843-2610. Remember that number. 843-2160.”
Skeleton growled. “That’s it.”
Hope screamed. “Jo!”
I hung up the phone call and threw my phone at the man’s face. A gunshot rang out, piercing the roof of my office as I ducked down. I crawled over to the corner where I kept a baseball bat and went to reach for it. But instead, my body was lifted into the air.
“Stop it! Help! Somebody help me!”
Skeleton grunted. “You can rob me of your sister, but you’re fresh meat. And I’m going to sell you off to the highest fucking bidder I’ve got.”
“Someone help!” I shrieked.
I kicked my legs out so hard my heels came off. I beat my fists against the man’s arms, but he was stronger than he looked. I threw my head back, but it only hit his shoulder. And as he carried me out of my office kicking and screaming, he shoved me into a van out front. More hands were on me as my arms were wrapped around my back. Something clenched my skin as someone pulled my legs out from beneath me.
“Ankles and wrists. I don’t want this bitch going anywhere,” Skeleton said.
And as the men bound me in the back of that van, tears fell from my face.
“Someone! Anyone! Help me!”
A sharp pain slammed against the back of my head before darkness swallowed my vision whole. And when I came to, I wasn’t sure how long I’d been out. I was still in the van. My feet were asleep. It was hard to move my fingers, and my head felt as if it were on fire. I tried not to move too much. The men were talking, and I didn’t want them to know I was awake.
But what they were talking about shivered me to my core.
“How much you think we can get for her, Skeleton?”
“Our highest bidder loves someone with a bit of meat. I’m thinking at least fifty grand.”
“For someone who isn’t even a virgin?”
“Hey. We put some tightening cream on that worn-out pussy of hers and he won’t know the damn difference.”
