All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,190

but she wanted me to wear it and I will. So I grab a sweatshirt from my room—it’s chilly now that evening has fallen. This fabric is heavy enough to support the weight of the brooch.

I carefully place her money back into the can and put it back behind the fake door, arranging the cans in front of it. I sigh. Maybe she wants me to use the brooch, sell it, to make money to pay for the house? I’ll tell her no. I want her to keep these treasures.

When I leave the house, it’s much darker, and a wind has come up, cold and dry. I shiver even in the sweatshirt. I glance down and the gems on the brooch gleam in the low light from the streetlamp ahead.

As I walk towards my car, I notice that another car has pulled up behind it—and two men are getting out. As I put one hand into my pocket to get my key, the first one comes up fast and grabs me before I can even think about what’s happening.

“Keep quiet or I’ll fucking kill you.” He’s got a gun. A gun. He’s got a gun and it’s in my face, and it’s a gun—

“Temi!” The other man is Eddie. His voice is hoarse. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry!”

“Eddie says you have money.” The gun—the man with the gun—his voice is low and cruel, and he smells of onions and BO. He grabs my arm, hard. “He owes me, and I’m taking it from you.”

Eddie’s voice is high. “I looked everywhere but I couldn’t find anything. I owe him money. I didn’t mean to put this on you, I swear. I said it by accident. I didn’t mean it.”

“Let go of me!” I shout, and twist my arm. Surely someone must be around? But the street is dark and empty. The neighboring houses are quiet.

The man puts the gun right up to my head. “Shut the fuck up. I need money, Mami. Either you get me something right now, or I’ll drop you.” He laughs. “Teach Eddie a lesson, for sure.”

My mind is racing. I think about the money in the can—the small stash of cash hidden under my floorboard. Will that be enough? Will he even let me go if I give it to him?

“I have some money. But you need to let me go so I can get it.” I try to keep my voice low, soothing. Get him to trust me. How can I do this?

I dart my gaze to Eddie, who’s standing there, shaking. He’s high or drunk or sick, maybe all three. He grabs himself as if trying to give his body a bear hug, and whines. Sort of rocks.

The other guy’s eyes are beady and jittery; he’s not right either. “New plan. You’re coming with me. Eddie will wait here. I’ll call him when we’re done.” He laughs, a disgusting sound. His breath is fetid and his grip vicious. “I’ll take extra payment first.”

Eddie makes a strange sound.

“Shut the fuck up, Eddie. You said she was fair game.”

My eyes go wide.

“I didn’t mean it.” Is Eddie crying?

I need help. I need to do something.

With the free hand still in my pocket, I rummage for my phone. Can I dial 911 without looking? Fuck, why don’t phones have a panic 911 button?

“Cesar, don’t hurt her. She didn’t do nothing.” Eddie’s voice is wild. “I’ll get you the money. She said she has it. If you leave her alone, I’ll-I’ll do the bank job. I’ll do it. I swear. I’ll get you the money.”

“Oh, yeah? Is that right?” Cesar turns to look at Eddie. “You think I believe you, you stupid fuck? You weak, stupid fucking idiot?” He doesn’t let go of my arm, but he looks away from me for a second as he turns to sneer at Eddie.

This is my chance. I grab the phone from my pocket and with my left hand tap the call icon. I want to dial 911, but there’s no time—he’s already turning back. I don’t know what to do, so I hit the ‘redial last call’. Locke. I’m calling Locke.

I slide the phone back into my pocket just in time. If Cesar weren’t high, he would have noticed.

I think I hear Locke’s voice from my pocket. Is he saying hello?

I raise my voice. “Please let me go. Put the gun down. I swear, if you let me go, I’ll get you all the money. I have