by Brooke Page
“Now that you’re being so compliant, I want you to listen and do exactly what I say. Come to the Arena remodel. I have some paperwork that needs to be filled out,” Chino’s slimy voice said over the phone. “If you’re not here in ten minutes, I’ll push this little red button. If you call the cops, I’ll push two more, if you call your precious fiancé, I’ll push five. Get what I’m saying, Becca?”
I nodded my head as though he could see me, trying to catch the wind that was knocked out of me from pure fear.
“Good. Hurry up. The clock is ticking.”
Chapter 26
Tyler
Every single document that Nathan and I found from Robert Senior and RJ involving any business with Lee Chino was spread across my desk.
Anderson was holding the Put Option Agreement that RJ had voided once my grandfather died. He didn’t say a word while Nathan and I fed him our story: how we had no idea what was going on until RJ died, all the threats Chino had sent and told us. Every little bit of information I’d stored in my mind was now in Anderson’s hand, and my palms were sweaty as I waited for him to speak.
Nathan was as cool as a cucumber, sitting in the chair next to me. He was pissed I didn’t wear a suit, but quickly forgave me once Anderson came in wearing jeans.
After what felt like hours of silence, Anderson finally spoke. “So you don’t know who his snakes inside your company are?”
Nathan and I both collectively answered no.
Anderson sighed, setting the document down on the table, collecting all the others and throwing them in a pile together.
“Well?” I asked, doing everything in my power to keep my nerves from taking over.
“Well… let’s catch the fucker.”
I let out a huge breath of air. We were going to be okay. We had Anderson on our side, and that brought us one step closer to getting Chino out of our hair.
“So, what do we need to do, and how is this going to affect the company? I don’t want any bad publicity,” Nathan said quickly.
Anderson chewed on his lip as he looked up towards Nathan. “I can’t guarantee the press won’t find out about it once we catch him, but I’ll try my best to keep everything under cover.”
Nathan nodded, clearly not happy with his confession.
Anderson stood, and Nathan and I quickly followed. “We’ll get this sorted out. For now, keep contact with Lee as much as you normally do. I’ll go over all this and get our own privates in your company. If you want to walk free from this, we’ll do it my way. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” Nathan and I said in unison.
He nodded his head then eyed the liquor on the table off to the side of my office. “Do you mind?”
“No, please, help yourself,” I said. My heart was finally starting to calm. We were going to be okay.
Nathan’s smile was wide as he joined Anderson, pouring himself a glass. “Want one, Tyler?” he asked. I shook my head no, still ravishing in the bit of hope I had in my heart.
Then that hope was whisked out of my chest.
“Tyler!”
I turned to face the frantic voice, hoping to God it wasn’t who I thought it was.
Margo stood in the doorway, her clothing disarranged and rumpled. What the hell was she doing here?
I looked at her features. Her cheek was bruised, her eyes wet, one swollen. Her red hair was scattered on top of her head, not bouncing and around her face like it usually was. She looked like she had been knocked around.
“Tyler, it’s Becca,” she said, her breath heavy and uneven.
My eyes widened. Becca? Was she talking about my Becs?
“Chino. He’s going after her,” she said through heavy breaths again.
My jaw dropped along with my heart. I made a dash for the door, but Margo stopped me.
“You have to listen, Tyler!” she said more frenzied than before.
Anderson’s and Nathan’s heads turned then Margo realized we weren’t alone.
Her eyes found the floor, realizing she just walked into a whole lot more trouble than just with me.
“Oh, no… you better start talking now. I don’t give a shit if they hear. What’s he doing with Becca?” I could barely get the words out of my mouth fast enough as my eyes bore into hers.
She gulped, her shoulders slumping. “He wanted me to come here to coax you to go to him. He’s kidnapped her. I don’t think he’ll hurt her, but God Tyler, I don’t know…” her voice faded as she covered her swollen eye. “He’s gone crazy,” she sniffed.
“Did he do that to you?” Nathan asked, taking a step towards us. Margo slid to my side, as though shielding herself from Nathan.
“Sweetheart, if he did, we can stop him. I’m the detective. Tell us what you know so we can get him out of your life. He won’t hurt you again if you help us find him.” Anderson said softly. It was the softest I had ever heard the nosy prick speak.
“You need to go to the Arena. That’s where he’s going to take her. But Tyler, be careful. He’s going to try and get you to sign the agreement with the residential properties. I’m afraid if you don’t sign, he’s going to take it out on Becca.”
My eyes hardened as I pushed passed Margo. I had to get to her and fast. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, hoping to God he hadn’t found Becca yet.
Her phone rang and rang as I ran to the elevator.
“Tyler, wait!” Anderson and Nathan shouted after me. “We have to come up with a plan!”
Once I heard Becca’s voicemail, I cursed then turned to face Anderson and Nathan. “You’re a detective. Get your swat team out. My fiancé just got kidnapped! If that’s not enough, throw Max Stine’s name in there, that will get everyone moving!” I shouted, making my way to the staircase.
I heard Nathan and Anderson curse then follow after me.
“Come on, let’s take my car,” Anderson said with a heavy breath as we made our way down the crap ton of floors.
“Fine,” I mumbled. “Just fucking hurry.” My legs bounced as I sat in the front seat. I constantly called Becca, my heart shattering every time I heard her sweet, loving voice from her voicemail.
“FUCK,” I shouted in frustration as she didn’t answer for the fourth time.
“We’ll get her, Tyler,” Nathan said calmly, putting his hand on my shoulder. “She’ll be okay.”
“I really don’t think he’ll hurt her if you sign, Tyler,” Margo said from the backseat next to Nathan.
“Margo, how did you get involved in all of this anyway?” Nathan questioned.
Margo pretended to pick a piece of lint from her jeans. “Lee and I have been on and off for a while. But once my father got sick, he offered me help.”
“Money,” Nathan said knowingly.
Margo’s shoulder sagged. “I couldn’t ask your family for money, and Chino willingly gave it to me. But…”
“But what?” I snapped.
“He wanted me to flirt with you. Chino told me I should go to you, Tyler. He wanted me to break you and Becca up. I’m so sorry,” Margo sniffed.
“After all I did for you and your father!” I shouted.
Margo started crying, and I didn’t care if she were upset. I called Becca again, hoping I’d get through to her.
I held my head in my hands, listening to Becca’s voicemail over and over again. I had to hear it in person. I couldn’t lose my baby doll. I just found her. She was the only reason worth living. If I didn’t have Becca, then Chino might as well take this company because I’d rather be six feet under than walking around without my Becs on this Godforsaken planet.
Chapter 27
Becca
My legs couldn’t move fast enough as I darted through the crowded sidewalks of the busy city. People from all over the country were here for ArtPrize, and I suddenly hated being a part of the festivities. I never should have encouraged having an artist represent Conklin. Then my family wouldn’t be in danger.
I found the Arena, covered in construction ta
pe. Big machinery surrounded it, along with concrete slabs and dirt. It wouldn’t be done for another month, and my gut thumped as I tried to find a way into the building.
My phone rang again, Cooper’s number showing on the screen.
“Glad to you see you made it. You have two minutes to get to the back entrance. Someone will meet you there to let you inside.”
“Two minutes? That’s impossible!” I shouted into the phone. It clicked, and I only heard a dial tone.
Sprinting as fast as I could, I found the back of the Arena, having no idea if I made it in time. I looked around, confused that no one was there to greet me. Did I not run fast enough? Was I too late? Oh my God, Heather! Ray! Josie and Emmett! I’d never forgive myself if they were hurt!
Then I saw movement, and the urge to crush someone fueled my fist as I swung at Mitch.
“You fuck! How could you be a part of this?” I shouted. “He’s threatening to hurt my family!”
“Becca, stop! He’s not going to hurt anyone!” Mitch said, grabbing my wrists. I was furious, still trying to beat the shit out of him even though he was twice my size. “Becca, he just wants to talk to Tyler and Nathan. He knew the only way he’d be able to talk to them was if you’re here.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “How could you?” I screamed. “He’s crazy! I was on your side, Mitch! I didn’t think you were working with Chino!” Hurt spread across his face as he shook his head. He was about to say something, but all I remembered were his eyes widening before I blacked out.
***
A pounding pain aggravated my head. Where was I, and what the hell happened? I tried to move my arms, but they were too heavy. I finally found the strength to squint but only because a bright light flicked on above me. I couldn’t adjust my eyes, and I still couldn’t move my hands. Then I realized I couldn’t move them because they were tied down to the chair where I was sitting. My legs were tied too.
I went to yell for help, but I couldn’t because duct tape was wrapped around my mouth.
“This is fucking ridiculous. Why the fuck did you hit her so hard?” Mitch’s unloyal voice asked.
“She was going ape shit on you, dude! I figured it’d be easier to just lug her inside. Not to mention easier to tie her up,” some other voice said.
I squinted my eyes, trying to focus, but my fucking head hurt. We were in the middle of the Arena, tarps and dust everywhere. Then I saw Mitch, his eyes holding fury as he talked to some other guy.
“You didn’t need to tie her up! She would’ve calmed down! Chino is going to kick your ass when he see’s this!”
The other guy looked at Mitch cockily. “You really are dense. He doesn’t give a shit about her. He only cares about your brothers signing that contract.”
“Tyler won’t sign if he sees Becca tied to a chair with tape over her mouth,” Mitch roared as he began walking towards me. Once he was done shouting at the thug, his eyes found mine and guilt filled them. “Becca! I’m sorry. I didn’t know they were going to do this!” he said in a rush, beginning to untie me.
I choked out a sob, terrified of what was going to happen next. Tears ran down my cheeks as Mitch tried to free me.
“Don’t fucking touch her,” the mastermind of this sickening plan said. Mitch’s head shot up but froze when we heard the sound of a gun cocking. He slowly rose, putting his hands in the air. He turned, blocking me from viewing Chino point a gun in my direction.
“What the hell is going on? This isn’t going to get Tyler and Nathan to sign anything,” he said, attempting to sound calm.
Chino’s cocky grin spread across his face. “We’ll see who gets their way.” A sinister laugh escaped his mouth as Mitch shook his head.
“She’s not a prisoner. I’m untying her,” Mitch said, turning to face me.
My eyes went wide, and a muffled shriek escaped my mouth through the duct tape as I heard the gunshot.
Mitch fell to his knees, yelping while grabbing his leg. Chino just shot him, and I was tied to this chair and couldn’t help him.
My cries were uncontrollable, choking on my own tears because I couldn’t stop.
Chino slowly walked towards me, putting the gun behind his back, tutting with each step. One of his goons pulled a whimpering Mitch to the side.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. I’ve got good aim. If I wanted him dead, he wouldn’t be crying like a little bitch right now.”
I shook my head, frightened to hell with every step he took closer to me. Chino bent down so his slimy face was right to mine. He took the gun from behind him and ran it down my cheek. “You sure are pretty,” he sighed.
My body seized, my muscles clamping as tight as they could to shut him out.
“What do you want Chino?” My heart sped faster. Nathan was here.
That meant Tyler was close by. Hope rushed through my blood stream, a tiny part of me thinking everything might be okay. That Tyler was here to save me, even if Chino was in control.
“Nathan!” Chino smiled brightly as he turned to face him. “I’m so glad you could join us! Now where is Tyler? I’m sure he’s not far behind.”
“He’ll be here. What do you want? I’m sure we can compromise on this… misunderstanding. In the mean time, I’d like to know why my little brother seems to be in searing pain,” Nathan said calmly with his hands in his pockets.
“Mitch wasn’t following directions. I suggest you take that into consideration while we discuss the future of RJ bricks and the Conklin empire. Everything we need to make this all go away lies on that desk.”
Nathan let out an amused laugh. “Chino, I thought I told you, our business with your enterprise is done.” Nathan began to walk over to Mitch, putting a hand on his shoulder. Mitch was grasping his leg, scrunching his face in pain.
My heart sped up but quickly calmed when I felt a familiar hand on my wrist, deft fingers untying me. “You’re going to be okay, baby doll,” Tyler whispered near my ear. More tears sprung from my eyes. All I wanted was for him to hold me and to believe what he had just said.
Just as my hands and legs were freed and I was ripping the duct tape from my mouth, Chino turned to find Tyler pulling me from the chair.
His devious smile egged Tyler on, goading him to say something snarky as his trigger happy-hand shook.
“I’ll sign your agreement,” Tyler said stiffly. “Let Becca go with Mitch to the hospital, and we can do this like men, in an office, with suits and ties.”
Chino laughed, full on belly laughter, holding his stomach as he bent over. Holy shit, he really was losing it.
“You know… I tried really, really hard to break you two apart.” Tyler and I glanced at each other, not sure what I had to do with him getting his way. “See, if you marry him, that means I don’t get what I want.”
“We wouldn’t sign your deal even if Tyler wasn’t marrying Becca,” Nathan said sternly, wrapping his tie around Mitch’s leg.
Chino shook his head, his sinister grin still in place. “A broken hearted Tyler would. And I’m willing to go just that far.”
If my heart could race any faster, it would have popped right out of my chest and ran clear cut to Tokyo across the ocean.
Chino nodded to his thugs, and each of them made a grab at each Conklin brother, including Tyler.
“NO!” I shouted, but I was grabbed as well, forcefully being pushed and held down in the chair I had been tied to.
“Chino, what are you doing?” Tyler’s voice broke, his eyes consumed with fear.
Chino raised his gun as he looked at Tyler, pointing it at his head.
Tyler’s hands instantly flew from the thug that was holding him back to the air. “I told you, I’ll sign. So will Nathan and Mitch. Just let Becca go,” he begged.
Chino thought for a moment then cocked his head to the side as though he were contemplating what Tyler was saying.
“Nah… I don’t think that’s good enough,” he whispered, then turned to me, the arm holding the gun mak
ing a snail’s pace in my direction. “I think you might need to be heartbroken after all.”
The gun cocked, and my life flashed before my eyes.
Being young, going on family vacations. Smiling with my brother and sister, enjoying being around my loving father when he was home. I remembered the good of my mother, all the fun times we’d spent together without her cryptic remarks. My complex relationship with Ashlynn. Gage, losing my virginity. Meeting Jamie, falling in love with Connor, my heart breaking from his and Ashlynn’s betrayal. Then more tears flooded my eyes as I saw Tyler for the first time, his scowl plastered to his deep in thought face in our first meeting. His gentle voice in the elevator asking how my first day went. The roses with the sweet notes, our first kiss, our first touches, and ups and downs.
If I were to die right now, in this very moment, I would know one thing: I experienced the most passionate love that could be found, and I was lucky enough to have gotten it for so long. The fantasies of our future would have to be enough to hold on to in heaven until we met again. I closed my eyes, preparing for the inevitable.
Only God can stop a moving bullet.
Or the strong voice of your father.
“Leeland… is there a reason why you’re pointing a gun at my baby girl?”
My eyes popped open as my head jerked to see my father, standing in his pristine suit with two men on each of his sides. Three of the men I had seen before. Two were twins, one bald, but both had red facial hair. They were always with my father. I remembered people always joking about them being his bodyguards. One I didn’t know, but the other… Detective Anderson?
The hands that were firmly holding me down disappeared from my shoulders, his footsteps crunching on the gravel ground as he backed away from me.
Tyler’s and Nathan’s mouths were gaped open, shocked to see him as well.
Chino’s mouth went into a thin line; his head dipping low as he slowly dropped the gun to his side. “Your family isn’t cooperating with my plan,” he said in a low tone.
