Alone: Book 4 in The Everett Gaming Series

by Drew Sera

  I don’t want to die. Please, God, please don’t let Paul kill me. Please, let me go home.

  Get a grip, Sydney…come on, girl. We’ve been down this road before. Well, not exactly this road, but kind of close. Behave, Sydney. If you don’t, it will get worse and then he’ll hurt Anthony. Then Colin will blame you for not being good and Anthony getting hurt.

  There, it was settled. I’d behave for the sake of Anthony. I took a deep breath right before the dry heaves kicked in.

  28

  Wednesday, January 15th

  Matt

  I knew it was early, but I called the detectives right at 7:00 a.m. to let them know that Colin had received another video text last night from Paul. The detectives said they would be over within the hour.

  Anthony was getting dressed, but Colin was nearly comatose. When Anthony came into the great room he was able to get Colin up on his feet.

  “Come on, Col. Police are coming. Come on man, Sydney is fighting to be with us, so you keep fighting, too.” He pushed Colin towards the stairs and disappeared with him.

  I started some coffee and let the detectives in when they arrived, and Anthony and Colin came down shortly after. The detectives watched the videos a few times and took notes. It was terrible to have to hear the sounds from the video being played over and over. I finally gave the detectives a look, hoping they’d catch on and stop needing to blast that fucking video through the kitchen.

  “He’s got her thinking that he also has Anthony captive,” Detective Prestin said.

  “It could actually be backfiring on him. He seems to be trying to break her down, but the best psychology for that is to make someone feel like they’re alone. He’s making her think that he’s got Anthony, too. Thus, giving her strength and hope,” Detective Foreman offered.

  I looked over at Anthony and Colin. Colin was holding his head up in his hands, and Anthony was slouched in the kitchen chair. They were running on empty. Physically, mentally and emotionally, they were empty.

  One of the detectives pointed out a window that was visible in the background. Foreman said he’d see if their tech team could clean up the video and focus on the window some. Maybe there’d be a clue to the location they were at. Something good may come from the video after all.

  Gina came over with my mom and dad around 9:00 a.m. and I was going to go home to sleep for a while. Before I left, I told my dad to make sure he had an eye on them. They were sure to be fucked up over that video. Seth was stopping by around lunch, and I hoped that would go okay.

  I went home and slept like a rock until 5:00, then got up, showered, and headed back over to Colin and Anthony’s. When I got there, my mom was sitting on the couch with Colin and Gina and he was showing them some more pictures of the three of them.

  “Where’s Anthony?” I asked while I pulled my coat off.

  Gina looked up at me with nervous eyes. “He’s outside in the spa. Your dad is out there with him.”

  I raised my eyebrow and pulled my coat back on. What the fuck is he doing? I went out on the patio, and sure as hell Anthony was sitting in the spa with his head back and resting on the decking. His body was submerged under the foaming bubbles with just his head visible. My dad sat on the patio chair and smiled when I stepped out of the house. I sat down next to my dad and put my foot up on one of the other chairs.

  “What’s going on, dad?”

  “Anthony said he wanted to soak. He said his lower back was bothering him and thought the spa might help,” my dad said in a low enough tone that Anthony most likely couldn’t hear him over the noise of the bubbles.

  I frowned and looked over at my best friend. I had seen some of the aftermath of Saturday night already and my heart went out to him. His body was a fucking mess, and now the bruising would be setting in along with additional aches and pains. His eyes were closed but his face looked stressed.

  “Maybe you can give him something, son. His stomach and back have been bugging him all day.”

  My eyes hadn’t left Anthony while my dad filled me in on his day of stomach and back pain. Somehow my mind went back to Monday night when Anthony came home and was talking about events that led up to his concussion. I needed to talk to Will and get contact info for Victor and find out exactly what the fuck happened. Someone needs to know because I’m not one hundred percent certain that Anthony knows.

  “Anthony, Gloria, and I are heading home. Hope your back and stomach settle down.”

  “Thanks for staying, Arthur.” Anthony had opened his eyes and waved at my dad as he went back into the house.

  “How long have you been sitting in there?” I asked him when he and I were alone.

  Anthony held his hands up to show me that his skin was pruning. I shook my head at him and tossed the towel at him when he pulled himself out of the spa. I couldn’t help but notice that it looked like he’d lost some weight. I’ve seen him plenty of times without a shirt and you could only see the slightest outline of his bottom ribs. However, now his ribs were more prominent along with a line going down into his swim trunks on each side.

  “I stayed in longer than I planned so your dad wouldn’t see my body. I didn’t want additional questions and worry.”

  I understood. I was going to say something about the weight but decided to leave it. He was having a really rough time, and if I pointed out every little thing he’d go crazy, or worse, leave.

  “Dad said your back is bothering you. Do you want a muscle relaxer?”

  “Will it help?”

  “It should. I can prescribe one and call it into the pharmacy for you. Gina can pick it up.”

  He started to shake his head but then reached up to hold it. His head was still bothering him some, too.

  “What? Now you don’t want it?”

  “No, not if you’re going to send Gina out to get it. I can manage or I can stop and pick it up tomorrow. Don’t send her out. Not alone, Matt.”

  He was afraid for Gina. Part of me was grateful that he thought about Gina’s safety, and part of me felt sad for him. He was going to start living in a bubble. I told him I’d call it in and he can pick it up tomorrow. At least he’d have something to relieve it.

  “Anth, would you let me take a look at you? You’re kind of banged up. Your neck looks horrible, man. I just want to make sure you’re okay. We’re worried about you.”

  He shook his head slowly and looked down. “I’m fine, Matt. I was already looked at by a doctor.”

  “I don’t think a thorough exam was done. You’re hurt, Anthony. I can see it with each step you take.”

  “Fucking stop! I’m fine. Sydney is hurt.”

  He got up and headed inside. I think he’s still trying to punish himself or make himself feel pain like Sydney. It’s the same as Saturday, only instead of having pain inflicted on him, he’s just allowing himself to physically ache. I knew he wasn’t fine, but I had to pick my battles right now.

  Since it was just the three of us tonight, I made a simple meal for dinner of soup and sandwiches. Anthony mentioned during dinner that he was going to try to go into the office tomorrow for a little bit. Colin tried convincing him otherwise, but he said it was going to start looking weird if he was out too much.

  “It makes more sense for you to be out. You’re her guy. I’m her guy’s best friend helping out,” Anthony explained. I think it pained him to say it, and Colin was furious over it.

  “Don’t you fucking say that! You’re her guy, too. Not just my friend.”

  “You know what I mean. To everyone at work, you’re the man. It makes sense for me to be helping, but not be out of work so much. I’ll go in for a little bit and be home by dinner.”

  29

  Thursday, January 16th

  Colin

  I didn’t sleep much last night. I still felt the effects of seeing that video, and I was terrified that another one would come over. I was out of bed by seven, took a shower, and shaved. I stood in the shower just staring at her vanilla scented
, shower sponge. I ached to feel her body lean against me in the shower while I soap her up and clean what’s mine - mine and Anthony’s. After I shaved, I put on jeans and another long sleeve shirt that Sydney had picked out for me and headed downstairs.

  Anthony was going to the office for a while today, and I wanted to help him get a good start. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and that he’d be fielding a lot of questions. I put on some coffee while Matt was making breakfast.

  “Morning, Col. How did you sleep?” Matt asked.

  “I didn’t really. I was afraid something would come over on my cell or afraid that I’d miss something.”

  A few minutes later, Anthony came into the kitchen. He was put together as best as he could be. He wore a dark gray suit, light blue shirt and a dark blue tie. He was shaved and looked ready, but his eyes told me otherwise.

  He sat down next to me and sipped coffee. He ate half a slice of toast as the three of us talked about Sydney and what Anthony’s day might bring. Chris was coming over today, and I was looking forward to venting. Anthony and I still needed to talk about what went on last weekend, but I worry that he’s beginning to withdraw again. Anthony has never been good at opening up and when personal things go awry, he goes the other way instead of letting others help.

  “I’m going to get going.” Anthony stood and picked up his car fob and then came back over to the breakfast bar. “Promise you’ll call me if something happens or if you get another text or video.” I nodded and promised. He turned to leave and slapped his hand on my back before calling over his shoulder, “Have dinner ready when I get home, dear.”

  It created a much needed laugh for Matt and I as Anthony left. I looked up at Matt over the rim of my coffee cup and could tell he was thinking the same thing I was; Anthony was starting to run again.

  “Matt, I need him. I know that’s selfish of me to say, but…”

  Matt cut me off by holding a hand up.

  “I know, Colin. I won’t let him run.”

  Out of frustration over the entire situation with Sydney, I put my coffee mug down on the counter with more force than I intended. Maybe I was slightly frustrated over Anthony, too. I refused to look at Matt because I’m sure he had a look on his face that would have reprimanded me for tossing things around. Instead I rubbed my temples and shut my eyes for a few minutes. When I opened them I was no clearer than I had been before I shut my eyes, but this time I looked up at Matt.

  “What the fuck happened with him Saturday?” I only partially wanted Matt to answer because there was a large part of me that feared something really bad had happened Saturday night.

  Matt squeezed my shoulder and rounded the edge of the breakfast bar and took up the seat next to me. I’ve known Matt my whole life and he’s not one to sugar coat things, but he remained quiet for a few minutes.

  “Anthony still has lingering effects of the concussion. He’s dead tired and stressed like you are. He will come around, Col. Give him a chance.”

  “What if he doesn’t?” I voiced without really thinking.

  “Colin,” he put his hand on my shoulder and shook me a little, and I turned to look at him. “When has Anthony ever let you down?”

  I smiled knowing that Anthony has never, ever let me down. And I wasn’t going to let him down either.

  30

  Thursday, January 16th

  Anthony

  I stopped at the pharmacy to pick up the muscle relaxer Matt called in for me. I wasn’t going to take any of it until tonight, but I didn’t want to stop on the way home. On my way out, I saw some candy and bought a bag of M&Ms. I started seeing blurry as I paid for them and then left. By the time I got to my car, I felt like I was ready for bed.

  As I drove to work, I found it hard to ignore the stomach cramping and aches in my back. I fucking hurt like hell, but I’d take some ibuprofen when I got to my office. I flipped the seat warmer on, hoping that it would relieve some of the aches in my lower back. Pulling into my parking spot, I took a deep breath and got out of the car and headed inside. I made it through the doors and the first person I saw was one of the ladies in reception that Sydney had become friends with. Like everyone else, she had heard what had happened and the mood in reception seemed somber. Dwayne was there and he made eye contact with me and headed over. Fuck. Here we go.

  “Anthony, how is Colin doing?” Dwayne asked and walked with me over to the elevators.

  “He’s hanging in there as best as he can. The detectives don’t really have any leads though on the guy’s whereabouts.”

  “Unbelievable. That guy must really had it out for Colin to take her.”

  I only nodded and continued to ache as I stood there pretending Sydney didn’t mean the world to me.

  “Please give him my best and give me a call if I can help in any way.” Dwayne said and I nodded.

  I headed up to my office in a daze and I was greeted by lots of employees on my way towards my office. James, our personal assistant, fell in step next to me. Often quick with a sarcastic jab, James looked sad.

  “Anthony, how’s Colin?”

  “He’s alright, all things considering.”

  I hadn’t stopped walking until I got into my office, but James still was with me. He stood in front of my desk and then sat. I looked up at him as I got myself situated and popped four ibuprofen’s in my mouth.

  “How are you doing? You don’t look very well, Anthony.”

  I swallowed the pills and winced at the pain in my throat. My throat has been killing me since my evening with Victor. Shaking that from my head, I nodded and looked back up at James. I told him I was fine and was just very tired. That’s how my morning went. I talked to Mitch, along with mine and Colin’s secretaries and spent some time doubled over in my bathroom. I attended the staff meeting and thanked everyone for their concern about Colin and Sydney. I told them that Colin was very thankful for everyone’s support and phone calls. I was grateful too, but I couldn’t talk about that. I made sure everyone knew that if anything came up they were to go through Mitch and then me. Under no circumstances was Colin to be disrupted. If it were serious enough, I’d let Colin know.

  After the staff meeting, Mitch followed me back to my office, and he and I went over a bunch of things and James had tagged along to take notes. Earlier I had set the bag of M&M’s out on my desk next to the ball of sun and was eyeing them. I couldn’t concentrate worth shit and that fact bugged the hell out of me. Mitch stopped talking and set his tablet down.

  “Anthony, you look worn out. Is there anything I can do to help out?” He asked and then James offered to assist as well. I shook my head fighting the urge to grab it to keep it from spinning.

  “No, thank you though. Matt’s folks flew in and have been helping along with another one of his close friends. I’m just tired. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s got to be rough to watch him go through this. When I saw Colin on Monday, I felt terrible for the guy. He loves that woman, and to have her violently snatched is horrible. He’s lucky to have you there for him.” Mitch eyed me and I nodded before quickly turning away. I had to keep my fucking eyes dry. “Well, if James and I can do anything for you, please let us know.”

  I thanked them for their offer and told them I’d let them know if anything came up. It was a little after 11:00 a.m. and I was exhausted. I hid in my office for a while and did nothing more than stare out the window at the Las Vegas Strip. I held the ball of sun in my left hand and the bag of M&M’s in the other. I was close to her. I tore open the bag and dumped the candy out on my desk and separated all of the green ones from the other colors. I opened my top drawer and shifted some things around so I could look at the few pictures that I had of her taped in the drawer. My chest ached as I ran my thumb over a picture and sighed. I missed her terribly. Before I slipped into a deep depression, my office phone rang and it was my secretary. I pushed the speakerphone button but remained silent. She knew I was listening.

  “Mr. Graves, reception just
called up and Blake Eriksson is in the lobby for you,” Hannah said.

  I took a deep breath and made my way down to see him. I leaned against the back wall of the elevator and bent over resting my hands on my knees. The stance seemed to relieve some of the pressure in my back. I had to stand upright as the elevator came to a stop on the fifth floor to pick people up.

  Blake was always around to bail me out and keep an eye on me and honestly, I was glad to see him standing on the other side of the atrium. He had sandwich bags and two bottles of Coke in his hands and glanced at his watch.

  “Have time for lunch, Mr. Graves?” He teased.

  I nodded and we headed outside to the courtyard. It was nice outside, and I was glad I left my suit jacket upstairs. He looked around the courtyard as he bit into the sandwich. I started slowly, picking off pieces of the bread as my appetite still hadn’t returned and I didn’t trust my stomach.

  “So, by day you’re a real employee somewhere, huh? You wear a suit and tie to work. You’re a pretty big deal here. I almost had to give a DNA sample just to get past security to get to reception.”

  I laughed a little and pulled more bread off the sandwich, popping it into my mouth. It didn’t matter what the fuck I did. I didn’t care if I swept floors as long as I had Sydney back.

  “I talked to Colin this morning and he told me you were coming into work today. I figured you’d have a rough morning and thought you could use a visit.”

  “It’s much appreciated, Blake.” I debated continuing on while I nibbled on some more of the bread. I needed to try to open up and vent. Colin was right; I needed to start talking. “I think the worst part has been having to pretend that she doesn’t mean everything to me.” I sipped on the Coke and explained further. “Everyone here knows Colin’s involved with her, not me obviously. It’s harder than I thought it would be.”