Page 109 of Unbound

Before ending up in a dangerous spot I have no clue how to get out of.

Unlike me, my mother seems to recover from the shock of Tom’s betrayal rather quickly. A forced smile curves her lips as she says, “You three chat for a minute. I have something in my room I want to give to Tom.”

My mother’s eyes fuse to mine, holding long enough I know she’s trying to tell me something. This time I can’t begin to guess what it is—another reason I wish we’d become closer sooner. Maybe our mind reading capabilities would have been better. Hopefully she doesn’t come back. Hopefully she calls Deidre and has her send help.

Tom turns, watching as my mom hurries up the steps and disappears from sight. When he faces us again, everything about him has changed. Gone is the relaxed demeanor and casual posture he always carries. His ageing, but still handsome face is no longer friendly and the genial expression he normally wears has been replaced by something dangerous. Something predatory.

“Well if this isn’t an unfortunate situation.” He clicks his tongue, shaking his head as he looks from me to Walker. “I’ve never seen two more stubborn people in my whole fucking life.” He braces both hands on his hips. “Stubborn and stupid.”

I open my mouth, but before I can start running it, Walker steps in front of me, sweeping my body behind his. “You need to go.”

“Can’t do that, buddy.” Tom chuckles. “I’ve got an empire to protect.”

An empire?

Oh.

Oh God.

“You’re the one who started it.” I don’t say it loudly, but Tom still hears me.

“You just don’t know when to quit, do you, little girl?” Tom’s tone is almost amused. “Neither did your dad, and you see how that worked out for him.”

I’m gonna kill him. Then I’m going to give him CPR and bring him back to life so Walker can kill him.

“It really was a shame he had to go. Your dad could have been a great asset to the cause. But he just couldn’t see the vision.” Tom continues on, sounding proud of all he’s accomplished. “Got tangled up with that pretty little blonde bitch who thought she was a fucking journalist.”

I can almost feel the rage vibrating through Walker, and I don’t know what to do for him. How to get us out of this situation unscathed. So I rest my head on his back, hands fisting in his shirt as I try to think of a plan.

“Back then, there was just too much at risk to let them keep going like they were.” The cowboy boots Tom loves to wear seem to echo against the floor as he takes a step closer. “And now there’s even more on the line.”

He steps into view, looking at me like I’m the most pitiful thing he’s ever seen. “I tried my best to keep both of you from getting tangled up in this, but damned if you didn’t keep digging your heels in.” His eyes move to Walker. “At first I thought you’d already figured it out. That’s why we tried to take out the servers. Assumed that was where you had all the evidence stored.” He snorts. “Turns out I gave you too much credit.”

Tom sighs. “I thought that would be the end of it, but then you got your Alaskan friend involved, and managed to get yourself clearance to go look at the files. Most of them were destroyed, but I couldn’t risk the chance we missed something. I stopped you the first time, but then you brought that woman in and started making copies. Had to do something to figure out what you found.” His expression turns hateful. “My dumbass son stole that laptop and tried to get into your system, but was too busy thinking with his dick to make it happen.”

My head is spinning with everything he’s saying. All the answers I’ve been seeking are being lobbed at me, one right after another. Years I spent trying to make it all make sense, and now Tom is offering it up on a silver platter.

Which can only mean one thing.

He’s going to kill us.

“So I had to call in another professional. But considering how the first two ended up, I figured we might as well go in guns blazing.” An evil smile spreads across his lips. “So to speak.”

“So you tried to shoot the woman I took to the archives?” Walker’s tone is surprisingly calm. “Doesn’t sound like the best plan to me.”

“It would’ve been a great plan if that dipshit had hit her. Either we’d get our hands on that memory stick, or you’d all be too broken up to worry about it.” He points at Walker. “Those three men’s deaths are on your head, son.”

“Like fucking hell they are.” I start to step out from where I’m still partially hidden by Walker’s body, ready to… Do something. Probably something violent.

A strong arm stops me, pulling me back as Tom’s gaze levels on where I now stand at Walker’s side.

“And you.” His voice sharpens. “Little miss I loved my daddy so much I have to figure out what happened to him.” Disgust curls his lip. “I’m gonna love explaining to the cops how you’ve been so distraught over your dad’s death you went a little crazy and killed your momma, your man, and yourself because you couldn’t live another day and wouldn’t let them live without you.” The curve of his lip turns wicked. “Women are such emotional creatures, aren’t they?” Tom reaches into his jacket and pulls out a pistol.

Time seems to slow down as the man I thought I knew lifts his arm to take aim.

“No.” I try to push at Walker, to get him out of the way. To keep him safe. But the man is immovable. No matter how hard I try, Walker doesn’t budge. All he does is shove me back behind him.

Protecting me the way he always has.