away. Go in the bathroom and lock the door.”
“Okay.”
Diving out of bed, I try to get around the side of the bed, just as my door flies open and Tom stands there. I freeze for a split second. I run.
“CADE!” I scream. He grabs my hair and pulls.
“You little bitch. This is all your fault.”
~~ Cade ~~
“RONA.” I shout, but the phone has gone dead.
“He’s got her.” I can barely talk, I’m worried sick.
“Dad try and calm down. We’ll be there soon and Daniel isn’t too far out.”
“It’s not that easy.” I try not to crash the car.
~~ Rona ~~
After having my hair yanked and brought up close and personal to Tom, I try to kick him, but he’s so big and has me in a tight hold.
“Where’s Elise?” He asks dragging me out of the bedroom.
“I don’t know.” I try not to cry.
“You’re lying!” He shouts. “Well, it doesn’t matter, because we can have some fun while we wait.”
He’s pulling me towards the stairs and then down them. It’s difficult and painful, because Tom is still holding on to my hair.
Downstairs he throws me into the lounge. I land on my right side, after hitting the coffee table on my way down with my left hip and thigh. The pain brings tears to my eyes.
“Tom, what the hell are you doing?”
Nick, what the hell is he doing here?
“I want to know where Elise is,” Tom replies raising his hand to strike me.
Just as he brings his hand down, Nick stops him, “If she’s too banged up she won’t be able to transfer the money.”
I take a deep breath. Tom takes a few steps back.
Nick moves over to me and helps me up onto the sofa. “Now babe, you need to make the transfer and then we’ll leave you alone.”
“You expect me to believe he’ll walk away?” I nod in Tom’s direction, trying not to give in to my tears. My hands won’t stop shaking. I’m actually more terrified of Tom than Nick.
“Yes he will, because we’ll have the money which we need, and then we’ll go.”
“I thought you were in jail anyway?”
He laughs at me, “I have a good lawyer.”
Crying now, I really am terrified and my left hip and thigh are throbbing with pain. “I really don’t know where Elise is. I went to bed with a migraine and she left while I was asleep. As for money….” pausing, I try to wipe my face, “get my notebook from the bedroom Tom found me in and I’ll give you the money as long as you promise to leave me and everyone else alone. Then just go and promise to take him with you.”
After staring at me for a few moments, “As long as you don’t try anything.”
“How can I?” I cry.
Tom goes to get my notebook and leaves me alone with Nick.
“What are you into Nick?” I whisper.
Running his hands through his hair, “I was selling drugs with Tom and a couple of other guys, but we were skimming from the top and putting the cash in an account in the Caymans.”
Seeing my shocked expression, “Not everyone has an easy life babe.”
God, I really hate him.
“So what happened?”
Laughing at me, “Turns out the big boss knew what we were doing and was waiting for us to bury ourselves. Now he wants his money back before he buries us.” On a sigh, “So now you know why I have to disappear.”
Then he looks at me, “I’m sorry Rona, I really am. I promise after you’ve completed the transfer to leave you and everyone else alone for good.”
He thinks I’m an idiot and will believe him!
Tom comes back down the stairs, “I think we have a problem. I found her phone on the floor. She made a call just before I found her.”
Tom comes over to me and shouts, “Who did you call?” at the same time he throws my notebook at me.
Shouting back at him, “Cade, and he called the Sheriff!”
Tom hits me straight across the face knocking me over on to my side. Breathing heavy he goes to hit me again, but Nick stops him.
“Calm down, damn it. We have to get out of here and she’ll have to come with us until we have the money.” Nick throws my boots at me.
“Get them on now!” Nick shouts.
Oh god, no, Cade where are you?
“Tom you stay here and bring her out when you hear the car. Make sure she brings her notebook with her.” Nick leaves.
The whole time