Dark Bastard: A Dark Sparrow Novel

by India Kells

  As she hoped, he tuned into the word basement. “What?”

  “I had an opportunity and I took it.” With as many details as she could, Ellie described everything she’d seen and done. As she spoke, Sam’s guarded expression opened a little. The more she explained, the more she saw interest.

  “Cryptocurrency. I should’ve thought about that. No wonder Oz couldn’t work out why, after we’d cut him off financially, Finch could still survive.”

  “What’s cryptocurrency? I’ve never heard of it.”

  “It’s a digital currency that can be used like normal money to buy goods and services.”

  Ellie wasn’t certain she understood. “Okay, but it’s still money. What does it have to do with what I found downstairs?”

  “You stumbled on blockchains. They’re used to mine cryptocurrency or bitcoins if you like.”

  Now she was completely lost, and it must have shown because Sam started explaining again. “Imagine a computer solving very complex math problems in the bitcoin network, it’s similar to mining gold. Sometimes you’re lucky, sometimes you’re not. Another way to earn bitcoins is to play a sort of verification role. With every transaction done during a day within the network, the system has to make sure there aren’t any anomalies or duplicates. So miners clump transactions into blocks and add them together in a public record called a blockchain. For each block, the miner gets a reward. Not a lot but the more you mine, the more rewards you get.”

  Ellie knew Sam had simplified the concept as much as possible, but she still struggled a bit. However, something seemed obvious. “To make money, you need a lot of computers.”

  “Yes, and from what you’ve described, there’s a massive installation beneath our feet. I don’t know how much it makes, but it’s obviously enough to keep him afloat and hire all the staff.”

  “You said after Finch was accused, his accounts were shut down. But not the cryptocurrency one?”

  Sam raked his hair with a frustrated sigh. “It’s easy to stay under the radar in that universe so it’s no wonder the cops couldn’t find him. Not yet at least. But that will change.”

  On that cryptic sentence, Sam shed his suit, and pulled out a workout outfit. Sam had closed off again, shutting her out.

  “What are you doing?”

  “As you said, it’s our only chance. I’ll go to the gym and when I come back, I’ll retrieve the fob and have a look in the basement. It will be after the guards change shifts. I’ll be able to access a computer with an internet connection to contact Lazarus. In the meantime, stay here and stay dressed, just in case we have to move quickly.”

  Just as he went past her, Ellie grabbed his arm. “Sam, what’s happened?”

  She never thought being shrugged off would hurt that much.

  “There is no time to discuss it now if I don’t want to raise anyone’s suspicions.”

  But she wouldn’t let him go that easily. “Sam! If there’s something wrong, tell me now. You owe me that much.”

  Tense, and towering, dressed all in black, it was as if she was seeing him for the first time.

  “Finch showed me your psych report.”

  Ellie wasn’t sure she understood and frowned. “So what? It was done some time ago. When I came out of the foster system. I don’t think I even bothered to read it back then. Why is it important?”

  For the longest time he seemed to examine her face. “Why do you love me?”

  The question sounded so incredible it was difficult to understand what he was thinking. “Why do I love you?”

  “Yes. It is a simple question with a simple answer.”

  “I just love you. That’s the simple answer. I fell for your heart, your mind. How strong you are.”

  “Strong? I know I didn’t feel strong when I dialed your number by accident. I told you I wanted to end it all at the time. And if not for you, I would have. I’m grateful for that. But that’s not why I fell in love with you. And I didn’t fall for you because you needed me.”

  It was as if she was drifting when he said those words, and she wasn’t certain how to react.

  Sam must have interpreted her stunned silence as an agreement. “You’ve been diagnosed with a savior complex. I know what happened less than twenty-four hours before I called you. You lost a desperate man on a call. It’s understandable you wanted to save me too. It’s in your DNA, you couldn’t help yourself. And maybe in trying to help me, you helped yourself too.”

  “Stop! Stop!” Ellie wanted to scream and cry at what he was telling her, express how it tore at her soul, but she remained numb.

  Sam only looked at her and nodded. “Stay here until I come back. I’ll probably have more news and a plan.” And without a backward glance, Sam closed the door behind him.

  Alone, surrounded by silence, Ellie swayed and barely made it to the couch where she fell.

  How could Sam think she wanted to be with him only so she could save him? How could he believe that?

  In that instant, when everything became dark around her, pain squeezed her heart with such force she couldn’t draw a full breath. Ellie knew she wouldn’t go down without a fight. She may have helped Sam, but what she felt for him was more than a case to solve or a life to save. He was her everything; everything she’d never thought she could have or need. An anchor and a guiding light.

  There was a bit of truth in what he’d said. It was in her to help, to save someone in any way she could, even if it was only through a telephone line. But Sam didn’t need saving, he only needed an anchor and a light to guide him back to himself.

  It was impossible to know how long she sat there, lost in her thoughts. All she had to do was go to him and make him understand that he was wrong.

  Ellie was at the door before she could think, but before she could exit, Panem blocked her way with a smile, announcing something ugly was about to come her way.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  For the first time ever, Ellie felt her mind go completely blank when Panem’s form filled the doorway.

  “Ms. McLaren.”

  Before she could invite him in, he pushed past her to stand in the middle of the living room. It felt wrong to have him there. Since they’d been locked inside this house, nobody had invaded their private quarters, giving them a sense of safety, but that was shattered as Panem walked around, touching the furniture. It felt so wrong.

  “Sam isn’t here at the moment.”

  Panem didn’t answer right away, stretching the discomfort. He always had an air of superiority about him when he was with her, but now, Ellie could feel something more in him, and she was wary of it.

  “I know. I met him as he was on his way to the gym area. I expect he will be there working up a sweat. He probably needs it.”

  There was a smirk on his face, and she understood what he meant. “You were the one that Finch got to look into my past, my psychological record, and that psychobabble so he could mess with his head. What kind of monster are you?”

  Panem didn’t look at her, obviously unconcerned. “Mr. Finch was concerned for his son. Your emotions or what you think is irrelevant.”

  Caution was burned away by outrage. “Concerned? I think with everything he’s done to his son, he shouldn’t even use that word. For all he’s done, for all Sam’s suffering, prison wouldn’t be enough for that filth.”

  Panem’s reaction was hard and swift as he backhanded her, sending her tumbling to the floor. The pain didn’t matter, it only reminded her she was at a disadvantage and alone. She had to be careful and stay alive.

  Finch’s minion looked down at her as if she were dirt under his boot, that damn smirk still on his face. When Ellie got up, it took all her self-control not to launch herself at him and destroy that smiling mouth.

  “I didn’t come here to deal with a hysterical woman.”

  Oh, she’d be glad to give him a taste of what a hysterical woman could do. “What do you want?”

  “Where is the fob?”

  She
knew it was coming, and Ellie clung hard to her resolve. “What are you talking about?”

  The second hit didn’t startle her as much, and she kept her footing. This time, Panem was the one who was appeared shaken.

  “The head guard told me what happened earlier. You had those keys in your hands as he changed. Only you could have taken it. So be a good little girl and hand it to me.”

  He extended his hand as if she would cower like a child and do as he said. As if.

  “I told you, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t have it. Search the room if you don’t believe me. As if I care about a fob.”

  And that’s when Ellie saw the real face of the calculating Panem as he kicked over the coffee table and sent it crashing to the wall. Every item he could grab and fling, the man did, opening the cupboards, searching the mostly empty drawers. Between her and Sam, they barely had any belongings.

  It was like watching a very dangerous toddler throwing a temper tantrum.

  Once he’d finished turning the place upside down, tearing at it until the only thing still standing was her, those dark eyes turned to her and Ellie knew deep in her bones her life was on the line.

  Her body moved to flee before her brain could make the decision, but just as her hand grabbed the door handle, Panem gripped her sweatshirt and pulled her back.

  The man was bigger stronger than she was, but Ellie had learned from growing up on her own how to be faster.

  With a twist, Ellie slipped out of her top to escape, but found herself cornered. There was only one way out and Panem was standing between her and freedom.

  Frantic, she tried to find anything to defend herself with, but there was no time as her attacker approached. Now, the aggression shifted from violence to something darker. When his blazing eyes moved from her face to her bra, Ellie knew the possibility of escape grew even slimmer. Her eyes went to the door, hoping that Sam would come back, but from the way they’d parted, it was clear he’d take his time returning.

  “Mr. Finch told me there’d be hell to pay if I didn’t get the fob back. Be assured, I will get compensation.”

  Instead of succumbing to fear, Ellie felt resolve wash over her. She would overcome, survive, and get Sam to believe her. Never before in her life had she been so certain of anything.

  When she took a step back, Panem took a step forward. Not waiting a moment longer, Ellie spun and bolted, deciding to lock herself in the bathroom to gain some precious time.

  The moment the lock turned the door shook from Panem slamming into it. Ellie knew it wouldn’t hold. After the second hit, a huge crack appeared. Ellie braced as a few slivers of wood flew before Panem came through in an explosion of wooden shards.

  Ellie attempted to evade him and climb over him when he fell forward, but he wouldn’t let her pass and seized her ankle. With all her strength and rage, she kicked out, getting in some good hits, using the door frame as leverage to pull away.

  Panem recovered and got a better hold by grabbing her thighs and waistband, dragging her back inside, pinning her under him. Arms flinging, Ellie screamed, trying to hit and scratch any part of him she could reach to get free. The man caught one of her wrists, and Ellie fought even harder knowing if he disabled her completely, she couldn’t stop what would happen.

  Screaming at the top of her lungs, Ellie never ceased to fight.

  Panem released her wrist to cover her mouth. “This is for nothing. No one will come to save you.”

  As his full weight settled on her, it made it even more difficult to breathe and when his hand covered her mouth, it was clear she wouldn’t last long. With one hand, Ellie continued to push against the body holding her down until her other hand came across something solid on the floor.

  Ready to take advantage of any leverage she had, Ellie seized that object with all her strength and swung.

  The broken piece of the door Panem had crashed through hit him on the side of the head with enough force that he rolled off her, holding his temple.

  Once more, Ellie was at a disadvantage with him blocking the door, but she didn’t hesitate. About to deliver another blow, Ellie realized she wasn’t holding a block of wood, but a shard that resembled a stake.

  Her grip shifted and before she realized what she intended, Ellie aimed for his exposed throat.

  Strangely, her mind went blank. She registered blood, how her hand and arm hurt from the strokes, and the faint gurgling sounds coming from Panem in the back of her mind.

  It was the silence and the emptiness pulling at her that stopped Ellie. It was only when she sat back, gasping for air, she realized what she’d done.

  Blood was everywhere and Panem lay unmoving on the tiles of the bathroom floor. Ellie knew she should feel horrified, but instead, the only emotion she felt was relief that she’d survived.

  Unfortunately, it didn’t last, and the adrenaline rush mixed with what she’d endured since she’d been kidnapped made her crawl into the corner and roll into a tight ball. With her eyes tightly closed, she tried to shut out what was in front of her and regain the courage to move forward.

  With all her being she prayed that Sam was safe and well. In all the craziness, he was all that mattered. What would only ever matter to her heart.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The moment he pushed the door open, Sam immediately identified the scent. Blood. It filled his nostrils and he lurched forward. “Ellie?”

  Panic robbed him of air, it felt as if his lungs were cinched with steel. The moment he’d left her, Sam had gone through a storm of questions and emotions, but he’d kept them locked away to focus on finding a way to get them out of this cage. But Ellie’s face had haunted him the entire way, her words too, twisting his insides to the point of pain.

  However, all that vanished when he saw the shattered bathroom door and the body covered with blood. It took a full second to realize it wasn’t Ellie.

  He’d never felt so relieved in his life when he recognized Panem. His wide, unseeing eyes looked at the ceiling, and his throat was slashed open. The pool of blood blocked the entrance, but as Sam leaned forward he saw a small, feminine figure in the corner, unmoving and covered with blood.

  Sam had to swallow a few times and force his body forward. When he was a few steps away he saw her draw a breath, and fell to his knees by her side. The rustling made her shake and Sam refrained from reaching for her.

  “Ellie? Angel? Please open your eyes and tell me you’re all right.”

  As he spoke, her eyelids fluttered open. Her blue eyes focused on him and Sam reached for her, wanting to touch her and make sure she was unharmed.

  Ellie crawled onto his lap. As he ran his hands over her body it became clear she was uninjured, just covered with Panem’s blood. With a sigh, Sam brought her close in a tight hug, guessing by her missing clothing what had happened.

  His eyes went to the dead man, deducting what Ellie had been forced to do to defend herself.

  How he wanted to remain with her, cradling her as she took the time to recover, but their situation wouldn’t allow it.

  Gently, Sam picked her up and took her into the living room. Once settled on the sofa, Sam went to get a clean cloth, making a detour to get fresh clothes for her. A shower would’ve been better, but time was against them.

  Back at the sofa, Ellie appeared steadier, straighter, but still pale. Just as Sam returned, she got to her feet and swayed a little before looking at her hands and assessing her state.

  When her head turned toward the bathroom, Sam stepped in front of her. “Don’t. Don’t think about him. He’s not worth it. And we need to get you changed quickly, there’s no time to waste.”

  It was as if moving cleared her mind. The dazed look disappeared, and she followed his orders. Her fingers still trembling, she shed her pants and socks soaked in blood and soon stood naked before him. With the damp cloth, she scrubbed herself hard, removing the drying blood. Even in that state, Ellie looked so beautiful, and it was difficu
lt not to reach for her. In respect, and to keep his wandering thoughts in check, Sam turned his gaze away, handing her the change of clothes.

  “Why don’t we have time? Did you access the basement? Did you see what I saw?”

  As she dressed, Sam went to check the window and drew the curtains closed. From the corner of his eye, he saw Ellie finish dressing. “The fob was where you said it was. And it worked. I went down, and it was exactly as you described. I was able to access the other rooms. One was a storage unit that the guards probably use. I found a gun in one of the lockers, but it only had few rounds in it.”

  Once dressed, Ellie wiped her shoes before putting them on. “Why don’t we have time?”

  Sam turned to her, and the Ellie he knew, the one who was strong and determined, mirrored his pose. “I found a workable computer and was able to reach Lazarus. He’s worked hard and searched for us non-stop. At least I was able to give him the address thanks to those bills Finch had me sort. In the meantime, my brothers are prepared and stand ready to pull us out.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “When? Tonight?”

  “Possibly. Any time. I told them everything I knew about the security and staff. They’ll try to be discreet, but anything could happen, so we need to be prepared. Also, when I was down there, I must have triggered something because I had to disable two guards who came looking. We may have to move before my brothers get here if their bodies are found.”

  Ellie nodded and went to retrieve their coats. “You need to dress. You’re still in your workout clothes.”

  It was like the temperature had dropped to freezing point between them. Sam should have been glad, but seeing Ellie acting so distant had the opposite effect. It felt wrong, even though his brain had listed all the reasons for him to disconnect himself from her, and self-protective instincts guided his every decision.

  Not knowing what to say, he undressed as Ellie handed him a sweater. It was her gasp that made him stop, ready for action. At first, he thought she’d noticed the gun he’d tucked into his waistband, but her eyes were higher. When he looked down, he saw large bruises running from his side to his sternum.