Hidden Sins

by Bolton, Karice

  Mitch arrived in the room with two other men.

  “My guess is that Sean was offered a large chunk of change to offer her a job once they tracked her down at that halfway house,” I continued. “I knew I didn’t trust that Nancy character. My guess is that Nancy somehow knew where Rikki was going to take Hannah that one day and Sean had Liv find her there to offer her the job.”

  “Damn it.” Mia shook her head. “Makes complete sense. You think she’s in trouble right now? Even at Buttons with all the other girls around?”

  “I’d bet my life on it. She’s in trouble right now because she’s at Buttons.”

  “Is the bureau on the way?” Mitch asked.

  I shook my head. “We’re on our own, at least for now. They’re within hours of making the bust. They don’t want to jeopardize the case.”

  Mia shook her head as anger covered her expression. “Like usual. Everyone’s just a number.”

  My cell rang. It was Sean. A fire flowed through my veins as I thought about this man, this supposed friend.

  I answered the phone on speaker. “What’s up, buddy?”

  “Slow night,” Sean responded. “Hey. I’ve been trying to get a hold of Mia. You know where she’s at?”

  “Dude, I don’t keep tabs on my sister. Last I knew she was working on some piece for a client. She got tired of you already?”

  “Appears so,” Sean laughed. I detected a slight bit of hostility.

  “I was thinking of surprising Hannah tonight,” I sighed.

  The silence over the phone sent a chill through the room.

  “There’s a private function here tonight,” Sean said, after a beat too long.

  “I guess I’ll just have to wait until I pick her up then.”

  “You got it bad?” Sean asked.

  “Sure do.”

  “Sorry to hear that, man. I hoped you’d be a bachelor for life. Join the ranks and all.”

  I laughed into the phone as Mitch caught my gaze and left the room.

  “Well, sometimes the heavens need a good laugh,” I said. “You up for drinks tomorrow?”

  “Sure am.”

  “Great. I’ll talk to you then.” I disconnected the phone and tried not to punch something. The mere thought of losing Hannah was crippling, but I wasn’t going to lose her. I was going to find her.

  “The guys are on standby,” Mitch said, coming back into the room.

  “Get the team together. We’re going in now.”

  Hannah

  My head pounded and I felt groggy. I tried to sit up, but quickly realized I was tied to a chair. The rope around my ankles stung as I attempted to move my legs. There was a musty smell, but I was surrounded by silence. I listened hard, depended on all my senses, but was met with only the ragged sound of my breaths.

  I didn’t want to open my eyes. I didn’t want to know what I was facing. I knew enough to understand it wasn’t good. As the fuzziness wore off slowly, I felt the fabric hugging dress still wrapped tightly around my body. I wasn’t sure if it was the dress or the restraints that made it difficult to breath. But I kept my breaths regular, soft, to not arouse suspicion that I’d awoken. My mind wandered to Luke. Would he know that something happened to me before it was too late? Would he be able to find me? Would he ever catch the people who were going to kill me?

  I concentrated on the distance beyond my closed eyelids. The darkness that sat surrounding me created a false sense of isolation, but I knew whoever was here had to be close. The quietness all part of a deception built to break me, but I wouldn’t break. I was stronger than that. After all, I left. They didn’t.

  I heard a shuffle in the distance and a pink glow penetrated my lids signaling life beyond. Unable to gauge the distance, I listened intently for footsteps or voices. I was greeted by neither.

  But I smelled something. I smelled something familiar, too familiar. To keep the unease at bay, I thought about Luke and what we shared. I remembered being in his arms and experiencing what it meant to feel alive and wild. I felt the sensation of overwhelming strength as we became one. I channeled my anger and fear into something that would make me more.

  In order to move on in my life, I had to face my fears. I had to face the people who put them there. Now was my chance. I needed to shatter the sins they’d hidden for so long, the sins that became mine. I had no plans to die, but did anyone? Even if a person could taste death at the tip of their tongues were they truly ready? It wasn’t a question I wanted answered, but it was one I was willing to face. If it meant I could be liberated from the demons that had followed me I would welcome it as long as I could take them with me.

  “No need to act like you’re sleeping,” a man’s voice said. I didn’t recognize it, but I heard several sets of footsteps surrounding me. “You’re heart rate tells us you’re awake so rise and shine.”

  I stayed still with my eyes closed. I didn’t want to be told what to do. I didn’t come across the country to be told what to do by the same monsters I’d left behind.

  A sting flashed across my cheek. “I told you to open your eyes.”

  Keeping my eyes closed, I spit in front of me.

  “We have your boyfriend. Your fiancé is looking forward to meeting him,” the man said.

  My pulse quickened.

  “Looks like we got a response out of her on that one. Love this little machine.” He bent over me from behind. I felt his hot breath crawl over my scalp and it took everything I had not to vomit. “Why don’t you tell me what all you think you know about us?”

  I didn’t respond. I focused on my breathing. Another slap seared along my cheek. This time I felt the sting for far longer, but I remained silent.

  “Who have you told?” The man asked again.

  He was greeted by my silence.

  “I’ve never been great at starting conversation,” he continued. He tugged on the restraints wrapped around my wrists that were tied to the back of the chair. Instead of loosening them, he tightened them. My hands immediately began to numb.

  “I think Mia’s a beautiful woman,” the man replied. “It’s too bad about her. You want to know how they died?”

  I didn’t say a word. It wasn’t true. They were fine. They had to be.

  “We felt it only fair to pay them back. One of our best men went over that cliff. This time our man didn’t screw it up. Did you?” I heard footsteps come closer, and I smelled the familiar scent.

  They were using me, wearing me down psychologically. But as I sat here waiting, I knew I was developing a strength no one would ever be able to take away from me, here or in the beyond. I took a deep breath and smiled, opening my eyes to greet the man I knew. Pinning my gaze on the evil person who stood in front of me created a fury that burned my soul but freed my spirit.

  As I looked into the eyes of my father, understanding of this cruel hoax forced its way into my being. Not every man born was a good man. His brown eyes narrowed as he watched my reaction. He had given my mother the information. He sent her to be shot.

  “I’ve been waiting for a rebirth,” I said, smiling.

  “Too bad it’s happening so late,” my father replied.

  “It’s happening right on time,” I responded.

  “Why don’t you be a good little girl and tell us what you know and who you’ve told. We took care of the two most likely candidates, but why don’t you confirm everything for us?” my father asked, folding his hands in front of him.

  My rage was quiet, always had been. But it was still there, ready for me when the time was right.

  “All I know is that I don’t want to be involved with any of you. I’m beyond you.”

  The men started laughing.

  “If you were beyond us, do you think you’d be here?” my father asked.

  “If I weren’t, do you think I’d be here?” I asked, wondering if my brother was also involved. “Where’s Sloan?”

  “At home where he belongs. He wasn’t ever cut out for this,” my father answe
red. “Now, please tell us everything you know or else Mark will step in some more—”

  “Mark might as well just step up to the plate,” I interrupted, taking in a deep breath as I looked around the room. There were no windows. Concrete surrounded everything, floor, walls, ceiling. An industrial light hung in the middle of the room. I was in the back corner, which made my vantage point clear. We must have been in a basement, but I didn’t know Buttons had one. I’d never seen a door leading downstairs. If I didn’t know it existed, would anyone else? What if something had happened to Luke? What if they weren’t lying? My pulse jumped at the thought, and I quickly tried to calm myself.

  “Looks like something riled her up,” my father replied, glancing at the machine.

  Mark took a step toward me and pinched my chin between his thumb and index finger.

  “What did you see?” Mark asked. His eyes narrowed on me.

  “Nothing,” I replied, and he squeezed harder.

  “Try this,” a man from the hall walked into the basement and tossed something to Mark.

  “Does mom know about you?” I looked at my father.

  “What’s there to know?” he asked.

  Mark held the small rectangular object in his hand. “Are you sure you don’t just want to give us the info?”

  I let out a sigh. “I don’t have any information to give.”

  “We’ll find out soon enough,” Mark replied, taking a step forward. I glanced at the black object in his hand as his finger wrapped around a grey trigger. He pointed it at me and pulled the trigger.

  An intense sensation sizzled through my body as I writhed in my chair. I lost complete control as my body seized and the chair tipped over. My cheek hit the concrete, and I gasped for breath as two men surrounded me, lifting the chair back up. I tried to regain control, but I felt paralyzed, unable to even lift my head.

  “Again,” my father replied.

  The man pointed it at me and squeezed the trigger once more. Unable to brace myself, I felt the pain sear into my flesh as the volts ran through my body, my head drooping. My mouth felt completely dry as if I’d been without water for days. I attempted to raise my head, but nothing happened. I just sat there, my body sagging in the chair.

  I heard the footsteps lead out the door into the hall as they talked amongst themselves.

  “She surely would have told us something,” my father said.

  “Not everyone responds to this the same,” Mark replied. “We have a few more options.”

  “I’m just not sure it’s worth wasting precious time.”

  “We have nothing but time,” Mark replied.

  I thought of Luke and his sister. Had the NLC managed to overtake them? The thought made me ill as I attempted to push myself up in the chair. I had to see this through. I thought of the amazing times I’d experienced since I met Luke. I started to let myself imagine a future. Maybe that was what these people were missing. An imagination.

  I took a deep breath in and thought about what few options I had. They weren’t going to let me go. I was either going to be of use to them or not and if I didn’t dangle something out there to prove my worth, my end might come sooner than I’d like.

  “Hello?” I muttered.

  I heard the voices quiet out in the hall.

  “Have you come to your senses?” Mark asked.

  I laughed, but it turned into a cough. The pain seized my lungs. “I guess you could say that.”

  “So what are you gonna tell us?” Mark said, kneeling in front of me.

  “My sister. She was murdered by someone named Eric. That’s what I know.”

  My father’s gaze hardened and he began pacing back and forth.

  “Is there more I should know?” I asked.

  “Your sister wasn’t murdered. She left the community,” my father replied.

  “You wanted to hear what I knew? That’s what I know. I heard Miles and Eric talking the night I left. That’s why I left,” I lied. “So tell me was what I knew worth all this? Tracking me down across the country?”

  I heard four loud bangs and the lights went out. Footsteps echoed down the hall through the darkness as I attempted to wrestle with the restraints. I heard several men bark directions as scuffles began to take place. I kept listening for Luke, praying that they hadn’t done anything to him. A gunshot rang into the air, followed by more shouts.

  “Apprehended.” I recognized Mitch’s voice, but why didn’t I hear Luke’s?

  Another man’s voice boomed through the air. Still no Luke.

  I heard heavy breathing behind and felt a knife begin to carve through the ropes, freeing my wrists and ankles. It was my father. I jumped out of the chair and attempted to run, but his hand snatched my wrist and pulled me back to him.

  “Not so fast,” he said. “I might need you.”

  I heard men shouting, followed by several loud crashes before the lights turned back on. My breathing was ragged as I tried to get out of my father’s grasp, but he held tight and slammed me against the concrete wall just as I heard Luke’s voice finally bounce through the air.

  “Let Hannah go. You’re surrounded and we have all of your men. There’s no use fighting.”

  “One step closer and I’ll blow her brains out,” my father said, his arm tensed around my neck. I felt the coldness as the barrel pressed against my temple. Luke avoided my eyes and kept his pistol squarely aimed on my father.

  Luke

  “I’m more concerned with you than her.” I saw Hannah flinch at my statement. Her eyes filled with sorrow, but I focused on her father. What he’d done to his daughter made me want to pull the trigger without hesitation.

  “You didn’t love my daughter? It was all for the greater good?” my father asked. “She’ll be so disappointed to hear it. Don’t worry, sweetie. He fooled us all. I actually thought he cared about you.”

  Hannah’s jaw tensed as I kept the red dot on her father’s forehead. I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to be forced to do this, but he was leaving me very few choices. My men had subdued the others. No one had escaped. As of now, it was a small affair, and I wanted to keep it that way.

  “Put the gun down,” I commanded.

  ‘I don’t think that would make things very fair,” my father laughed.

  “Dad, please just put the gun down,” Hannah whispered. “It’s all over.”

  “No. It’s just begun,” Hannah’s father said.

  “I don’t think so,” I replied. “Drop the weapon and step away from the girl.”

  “She’s just a girl now?”

  Hearing him mock his daughter sent an anger through me that was hard to control. It took everything I had not to shoot to kill as I watched him tease the barrel along his daughter’s skin. But I didn’t want to be the one who pulled the trigger on her father. That couldn’t be me. That would destroy us.

  I heard my team come up the hallway.

  “We’ve got a hostage in here. Stay where you are,” I hollered.

  “Sir,” Mitch confirmed.

  “The government can protect you,” my voice steady. “There are protection programs for informants.”

  “No one can protect us from them,” Hannah’s father replied. His eyes darkened. “You’d be a fool to think otherwise. That’s why I might as well take my girl down with me.”

  I saw another red dot center on the thigh of Hannah’s father as he shifted her forward. He moved the pistol closer to her temple.

  “Learn to trust,” I replied, watching Hannah. Her eyes held an intensity that I understood. She was ready to die.

  “I trust,” she whispered, her breathing heavy. Her eyes connected with mine. She heard my message.

  “That’s what this world needs more of,” I said, glancing to my right.

  Hannah followed my gaze as her breathing intensified.

  I looked into the eyes of a mad man and asked the question my men would recognize. Their orders ready to execute once the answer was given.

>   “Why?” I looked at her father for a reply.

  “Because I can,” her father said.

  The sound of the rifle firing blasted from behind. Hannah dove to her left as her father fell to the floor. The gun tumbled from his hand, and my men had him surrounded within seconds.

  I ran to Hannah who was crumpled on the floor. Bringing her into my arms, I felt the hot tears soak through my shirt as the emotions she’d held in for so long finally came crashing out.

  “I’m here for you, baby. I always will be,” I whispered, rocking her against my body. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

  She sniffed and slowly looked up at me with tear stained cheeks.

  “I learned to trust,” she whispered, glancing over at her father who was silently weeping.

  “I know you did,” I murmured, stroking her hair.

  Mitch walked over to where we were sitting as the other men carried Hannah’s father out of the room. “Sam’s on the way.”

  “Better late than never.” Hannah half-smiled.

  “I’m sorry about your dad,” Mitch said, kneeling down in front of Hannah.

  “I’m not.” Hannah glanced toward the door. “Have you heard any more about my mom?”

  “She’s still in stable condition and they expect her to be out of ICU in the next day or so,” Mitch replied.

  I glanced at him bewildered by how he got this information.

  “I figured she’d ask,” Mitch smiled, standing back up. “I’ll be upstairs.”

  “So Sean was in on this?” Hannah asked, scooting back slightly. I noticed abrasions and redness on her skin, which only meant one thing. I should have pulled the trigger on her father.

  “Thanks to your message, I was able to piece together that the NLC had somehow gotten to him. Paid him off.”

  “Jesus,” she replied, rubbing her head.

  “You down here?” Sam called.

  “Yep,” I replied, getting to my feet. I helped Hannah up and we walked over to Sam who had someone else with him.

  Hannah gasped. “Eric?”

  “He’s a double agent,” Sam replied.

  “I don’t understand. He—” Hannah stopped.