Infuriating - Onley James Page 0,79
out of his mouth with obvious excitement. “Perfect. You look perfect. Just as I imagined.”
How many times had Carl imagined their current scenario? How many times had Day been just a moment away from assault each time he’d met with Carl to ‘pay’ the rent? He didn’t want to know. He didn’t want to think about all those times he’d convinced himself that going to his knees for this foul creature was somehow the safer option than walking the streets. How had he not seen the obsession that must have been there all that time? He’d been so in denial. He’d been a coward. He should have fought. He should have tried harder, somehow. But he couldn’t even imagine what that would have looked like. His shoulders sagged. It was useless to blame himself for something that had happened when he was barely fourteen.
When Carl leaned in like he was going to kiss Day, his hand shot out without thought, covering the old man’s mouth. “Wait!”
Carl’s hand shot out, fire trailing across Day’s cheek, his head jerking from the blow. He cupped his cheek, eyes wide. Carl’s expression became instantly apologetic. “Daddy doesn’t like when you touch him without permission or when you refuse him.”
Day gave a shuddery breath. “I-I wasn’t refusing you. I just wanted to save it for the show. My audience expects a show. Don’t you want to show them how good we are together?”
Carl’s gaze narrowed, and he studied Day’s face as if to see if he was tricking him somehow. “I suppose you’re right. After seeing you with that…overly muscled freak in the mask, I suppose they deserve to see you with somebody who knows how to treat you.”
Day’s chin started to wobble, but he clenched his teeth to keep himself from bawling. He could do this. He had to do this. He just had to find little ways to keep stalling. He’d been through things far worse than this in his life. Jackson would find him. Day just needed to give him time. Jackson promised he’d always take care of Day. He’d promised.
Day walked to the bed, his knees quaking with each step. When he knelt on the mattress, Carl almost tripped over himself to follow. Day tried to think of anything to stall the man once again, but he knew his time was running out. Carl wouldn’t keep letting Day put him off. It was clear he’d had this planned for so long.
Too long.
“Tell me something good, Webster.”
Webster gave an apologetic look that sent Jackson’s stomach plummeting to his feet. “Sorry, boss. This guy is bouncing his IP address off a dozen satellites. It’s impossible to trace.”
“I don’t want to hear what you don’t fucking have!” Jackson shouted at Webster, slamming his palm down on the table. “He’s had Day for three fucking hours. Do you have any idea what he’s probably doing to him right now?” Jackson’s voice caught, and he turned away from the others, trying to get a grip on the terror clawing up his throat at the thought of whatever this anonymous maniac might be doing to Day right then.
“Give us the room, guys,” Linc said.
Jackson listened to furniture move and scrape as people exited the conference room. When the door shut, Jackson turned and dropped into the chair at the head of the table, burying his face in his hands, bracing his elbows on his knees as he tried to pull himself together.
When he opened his eyes, Linc was leaning against the table beside him, his hands in the pockets of his jeans, expression pained.
Jackson gave him a stubborn look. “I’m not apologizing.”
Linc shrugged his broad shoulders. “You don’t have to apologize to me, brother. But we both know that what’s happening right now is not the fault of anybody in this room and you exploding at them won’t change a goddamn thing for Day. All you’re doing is stressing them the fuck out more than they already are. We all want Day back. We’re not going to stop until we find him. It’s as simple as that.”
Jackson looked up at Linc, his chest feeling like there was a gaping hole in it. “I promised him I’d keep him safe, man. I told him I wouldn’t let anybody hurt him. He’s had him for hours. We don’t even know if he’s still alive.”
Even saying the words gutted Jackson. If Day was dead, Jackson wasn’t sure he could survive it. They were supposed to have more time, time enough