Renaldo’s attention shifts to Vincent. “You son of a bitch,” he hisses, his index finger caressing the trigger.
Vincent releases a chilling laugh, slowly lowering his gun. “How dare you undermine my business practices. Put that gun down.” Renaldo stalls. “You can stay here and listen to her or you can come with me. I’m not going to lose everything because you’re inept.” There’s uncertainty in Renaldo’s cold gaze, but he lowers his gun. Just as quickly, Vincent raises his, points it at Renaldo, and pulls the trigger, blasting a bullet into his stomach. He jerks forward, blood spurting from his abdomen. “Should have pulled the trigger. Uncertainty is a sign of bad business.” He pulls the trigger again, a bullet lodging between Renaldo’s eyes.
Miguel throws himself at Vincent but doesn’t stand a chance. A bullet slices through his neck. I throw myself up against the wall, my eyes glued to the two men now spread across the marble floor. A scream barrels up my throat.
“You stupid cunt.” Vincent pulls out his gun and aims to fire.
“They know I’m in here! If you kill me, you kill your only chance of getting out of here alive.”
He storms toward me, and I squeeze my eyes shut as his fingers grip my hair, slamming my skull into the wall. “You think some measly DEA agents are going to stop me? You foolish little girl.”
Black dots impair my vision as my brain swims. “No. Logan Justice will.” My words take flight, and his eyes slowly widen before fury explodes across his face. “Fucking bitch!” Bang, bang, bang. My head plays basketball against the wall.
I blink rapidly, about to lose consciousness.
“That’s right. Right under your nose. Your right-hand man is—”
“Shut up!” Vincent releases my hair, and I sink down the wall.
“Causing the death of a DEA agent doesn’t sit pretty in court. Then an innocent reporter? Trust me, you need me alive. Use me as leverage. Make a deal.” Vincent stares at me long and hard.
“Get the fuck up!”
I stand, swaying on my feet, his booming voice kicking me into gear. Grabbing my bicep, Vincent drags me down the hall, and I stumble over my feet, barely able to straighten myself. “If you think I give a fuck about any deaths on my hands, you’re sadly mistaken.”
We turn the corner, heading back toward the atrium when Chino reappears. “What’s happening?” Vincent barks.
“We’re good to go on the freight shipment. Containers are secured and on the move as planned. Renaldo’s shipment is on time. The DEA has Calumet lit up like a Christmas tree. Iroquois looks clear, but we gotta go.”
“Call Emilio. Tell him Justice is a cop and to shoot him. I want him dismembered and spread all over this town.”
“No!” I scream, jamming my heels into the ground.
His shit-eating grin churns my stomach. “Got it. Helicopter’s ready. Let’s go.” Chino walks ahead of us, and my heart shatters as he makes that call. What have I done?
Vincent tugs on my arm to no avail. “You won’t get out of here alive,” I hiss.
“You know nothing.”
I pull harder, freeing myself. “I know I figured out your master plan—you know, the journalist in me? I also know I handed that information over to the DEA. You’re not getting out of here. So yeah, I guess you are right. I did plant myself in your world and cozy myself up to you all to get a story. And to make sure you rot in a jail cell.”
“You…bitch.”
“A bitch who outsmarted you. It’s over.”
He comes at me, and this time, I block his assault and dive to my right. Excruciating pain tears through my shoulder, and I scream out in agony. Get up, Addy. Get up! I scoot forward and try to crawl away, but Chino grabs at my legs. An eruption explodes from the atrium. Glass shatters from the ceiling as ropes fall from the roof. Vincent pulls at my arm, heaving me forward. “Let’s go.”
I’m barely able to hold my balance while he drags me down another hallway. The sound of agents bombarding the mansion alert me that help is close but not close enough. Vincent shoves us through a door leading into the library.
“What, are we going to hide under a pile of books? You’re trapped. There’s nowhere else to go. Give it up.”
He doesn’t seem fazed, and I start to see why. Pushing a lever against the bookcase, it opens to a hidden passageway. I jump out of his hold, trying to run back to where we came from, but he grips the back of my shirt and throws me into the tunnel. The door shuts behind us, leaving no evidence we were there.
“Move,” he pushes me, and I try to work my way down the tunnel through the dark.
“Where are we going?”
“Once we get on my helicopter and away from the mess you’ve created, I’m going to find a nice spot over Lake Michigan and toss you out.”
My body becomes rigid, and I lock my feet. Yeah, no. “I’d rather you just leave me here.”
“Fucking walk!” He shoves me forward, and I stumble. His phone rings, and with one hand gripping my neck, he answers, “What’s going on out there? How much time do I have? I’m three minutes out. Be ready to take off.” He hangs up.
“What’s happening? You can’t take me on that helicopter. I’m super scared of heights.”
“Shut up. Go.” We reach a set of winding stairs, and he thrusts me up them.
“For real. I can’t. I’ll have a panic attack. I’m deathly afraid.” He rams his gun into my back, and I shut up, taking two stairs at a time. At the top of the stairwell, my body freezes, and I reel back into Vincent. “I’m serious. I’d rather you just shoot me here.”
“I’d love to, but you’ve proven yourself useful for once. If any issues arise between now and the time we climb on the chopper, you’re my bargaining chip.”
“Please. I have this phobia of heights. And boats. And, strangely, monkeys —”
Chino turns the doorknob, and Vincent pushes me forward. His arm goes around my neck, using my body as a shield as we all barrel through the door. “Nice and easy. Straight to the chopper.” Chino walks in front of us, his gun drawn. Vincent has to drag me, and by the time we make it to the helicopter, the bottom of my shoes are nearly shaved down to the soles. I’m beyond freaking out and on the verge of passing out. Where the hell is everyone! Isn’t this where the good guys yell ‘Freeze!’ and save me?
“They’re a minute out, boss.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and hold my breath as he tosses me into the chopper. I start counting down from one hundred—a trick my dad taught me for when I was stuck going on stupid zoo field trips and forced to walk past the monkey cages. Vincent’s voice messes up my counting, and I make the mistake of opening my eyes. He’s on a call.
“Meet me at the landing. I don’t give a shit. It will be more than your career on the line if you don’t.” He hangs up and shouts over the loud propeller to the pilot, “Head to Iroquois Landing.” Turning to Chino, he says, “We’ll get the girls first. Once all the containers are secured on the barge, we’ll depart through the Saint Lawrence waterway. My yacht will be waiting when we enter the Atlantic Ocean. In a few short weeks, we’ll be basking on sunny beaches and indulging in the delicacies of Portugal.”
I can only assume I won’t be accompanying them to Portugal. I peek out the window, and a wave of nausea consumes me. I squeeze my eyes shut again and shake my head. I really messed up this time. How can I be so stupid? Did I really think I was going to venture off with the bad guy and save the day? Don’t answer that, self! What part of ‘no funny business’ do I not understand? My mind wanders to Logan. Was he able to intercept those containers and save those girls? Did Chino call in Logan’s death warrant? Oh, Logan. What I wouldn’t give to have one last moment with him and apologize for being such a headache. How different things could have ended up if I’d just listened to him.
“There.”
Chino’s voice breaks me from my thoughts, and I blink. I hadn’t even realized we landed. I squint into the darkness, trying to figure out where we are as Chino p
ulls me forward. He jumps out of the helicopter and sticks out his hand out for me. When I don’t take it, Vincent kindly shoves me, and I fall forward into Chino’s arms. He drops me, and I land on the cold ground with a thud. A man appears from a distance, ducking at the slowing blades. “This better be important. I’ve secured your access. Our business is done.” My head whips up at the voice as Vincent walks over to the man. Mayor Brighton.
“Our business is done when I say it is. We’ve run into an issue with the DEA. I need you to call in a favor. Once the barge is loaded, you will submit a security clearance to allow it to pass through the waterways without being stopped for assessment.”
“That’s insane. I don’t have that type of clearance.”
“Then get it. I’d hate for the city of Chicago to learn their loyal mayor is a pedophile who makes his millions off trafficking little girls.” Even in the dark, his sudden pale face is evident.
“I knew it,” I speak up. “I knew you were as corrupt as the rest.” His eyes shoot to mine.
“Who—Who the hell is she? You said I don’t deal with anyone but you.”
“She’s my insurance policy until I get across the Atlantic. Now, I suggest you do what’s being asked of you before your dirty little secret becomes tomorrow’s front-page news.”
He fumbles his phone from his pocket. “I can try, but why here? We agreed on Calumet Harbor. I’m not sure how fast I can make this happen. The Coast Guard monitors the Iroquois Port. They’ll know…” His eyes are still glued on mine. Only a few more seconds pass before realization dawns. “You…you’re the reporter who tried to get an interview last month.”
“Yep, fancy meeting you here. Have anything you want to say—”
I curl over when Chino’s boot meets my ribcage. Fudge. No, fuck! That hurt. I cough, trying to get air into my lungs, but the searing pain in my ribs causes me to choke on each breath.
“Grant the clearance,” Vincent snaps, stealing the mayor’s attention. He nods and walks off. “Where are we with the containers?” he asks Chino.
“Javier is going through them now. As Renaldo mentioned, some didn’t make the trip.”
A shudder runs through me. I turn to my side and heave. The thought of those poor girls fighting for their lives and dying in those containers. In the distance, a small light, followed by the sound of machinery, pulls me from the ground. The light gets closer, and a transporter carrying barrels comes into view. A man jumps off the machine and walks up to Vincent. I can’t catch a good glimpse of his face, but something about him is familiar. And that smell…
“Where are we?” Vincent asks the man as he approaches.
“Five so far.”
Vincent nods, taking note of the barrels. And you’ve disposed of them properly I presume.”
“Yep, the acid should break down the bodies. It will take some time, but if anyone finds these barrels, there’ll be nothing to identify. Also just finished using the last of the carbon tetrachloride to clean out the containers.”
Tetrachloride.
Tetrachloride.
Tetrachloride—
The police station. The man who passed me in the hallway. The scent that trailed off him. It was potently sweet. Just like—
“Oh, my God, you’re a cop. Jesus, who isn’t corrupt in this damn city! You’re all disgusting, vile creatures. You won’t get away with this.” I hiss, preparing for another lashing. “How do you sleep at night? You’re disgusting. Disgusting!” I break down in a fit of rage and guilt. We knew about these containers days ago. We should have done something. Those five girls could still be alive. “I hope you all rot in hell—ow!” I howl as Chino fists my hair. He rips my head up, and I spit in his face.
“You have a lot of balls for someone living on borrowed time.”
“So do you. And I hope they—”
Mayor Brighton returns from his call. “It’s done. But you need to go now.”
Vincent nods.
“So, then, we’re good?” The mayor steps from one foot to the other.
“Your wife will never know about your private apartment where you have a little girl stashed for your personal pleasure.” Vincent then turns to address Chino. “She’s no longer needed. Bring her on board and stuff her with the rest of the dead ones. We’ll throw her overboard once we’re in open water.”
“No!” I fight, my legs kicking at him. My arms lash out, grabbing at his wrists. My nails find some traction, breaking skin as Chino heaves me forward into the darkness of the port. He drags me away, causing my shirt to lift. The skin on my back tears from the gravel and cement. “Let me go!” I scream. Panic seizes my airways. Throughout this whole insane ordeal, I’ve never felt more defeated than I do right now. He tosses me forward, and I slam into a wall of steel. I raise my head to see the purple container.
“Get up.”
“No!”
He pulls out his gun and aims it down at me. “Bitch, I said, get up.”
“I’m not getting in there.” If I do, I’ll die. He comes at me, and I push off the ground to run, but he grabs me. I scream out as his hand latches onto my hair and tugs me backwards. I twist around, ignoring the stinging pain from my scalp, and reach out, clawing at his face.
He howls and releases me. “You fucking bitch!”
I shoot up and take two large steps away before a gunshot rings out and searing pain blasts through my bicep. Screaming out, I lose my footing and fall forward onto the gravel. Chino is on top of me within seconds, grabbing at my shirt and hauling me off the ground.
“You’re a fucking hassle, bitch.” Reaching forward, he unlatches the padlock, and tugs at the steel door, opening it. The sweet and potent smell is too strong, and my world spins.
“Please, don’t leave me in here.” My voice is weak. He shoves me inside, and I wince, more spots clouding my vision. “Please, I can’t…” I sway to the side. The darkness of the tight space steals my ability to breathe. My legs are sluggish. I lose my ability to stand and slump back against him. The strong chemical starts to burn my eyes. “Chino, don’t do this.”
He thrusts me off him, then slams me up against the container. “You begging makes me so fucking hard. If you promise not to scream, I’ll shoot you when I’m done fucking you so you don’t have to spend hours in this container rotting to death.”
I raise my arms to fight him off, but they become too weak and drop to my sides. My stomach churns as he yanks at the button on my jeans. His hand works its way down my front when the sound of a voice breaks out into the distance.
“Yo, Chino, you here?”
He freezes. “You are one lucky bitch.” Leaning in, he licks the side of my face. “Yeah, coming,” he yells to the man outside, then tosses me to the side. My body crumbles to the floor.
“Please,” I cry, attempting to crawl toward the exit. The door is slammed, and the lock clicks into place, caging me in. The darkness consumes me, along with agonizing pain and the pungent smell. With the last of my energy, I rip off the bottom of my shirt. I howl out in misery as I tie the strip of material around my wound and then curl up into a ball on the container floor.
Logan
Two hours earlier…
I’m going to fucking strangle her. What the fuck was she thinking?
My foot taps rapidly against the gravel of the rail yard as I gaze at my watch for the tenth time. I have yet to get confirmation that Addy made it home, and Jake should have texted me over fifteen minutes ago. I lean against my car, my arms crossed over my chest. I never should have allowed her to get in his car. Shit is too fucked up. Nothing is going as planned, and Vincent can’t be trusted. Goddamn you, Addy.
“Where the fuck are they?” I give in and gaze down at my watch. It’s been too long. Something’s not right. I pull out my phone and shoot off a text to Jake.
Me: What’s her status?
I’m ready to crawl out of my fucking skin. I need this shit to be over with. Years of training, and I’ve never felt so unhinge
d. Unsure. If anything happens to her…
“You got some place to be, Justice?”
I turn to Emilio, my scowl answering for me. “None of your fucking business. Where the fuck’s this shipment? They should have been here over thirty minutes ago.” I stare down at my phone. Jake is taking too long to answer. The uneasiness in my chest grows.
If only I could turn back time. I would have never gotten her involved. This was never supposed to happen. In the middle of trying to take down a huge player in the drug and trafficking industry, I get myself wrapped up in a girl. A fucking quirky, pain in my ass who has my head jumbled and my stomach in knots.
I stare off into the distance, her last words ringing in my head. The containers are already here. That’s impossible, though. They were scheduled to arrive at the time we confirmed. There’s no way they were already here and un-loaded before we showed up. My eyes stop on a container, the name striking a chord with me. Valouro.
“I’ll be right back. Gonna do a round.” I walk off, staying alert. I pull out my phone and use it as a flashlight as I walk farther down the narrow pathway between containers. I pass a container and bang on it, getting a loud echo in reply. I repeat the same to the next three. All empty. Addy’s words keep eating at me. If the shipment arrived earlier, we would have been notified. Unless…
If Vincent has Victor Transportation in his pocket, he could have easily altered the shipping documents. Everything else has been off course, why would this be any different? “Fuck,” I growl under my breath. I take a left and backtrack down another row to head back to the container with Valouro stamped on it. Approaching the front, I bang on it. The echoing tells me it’s empty, but something doesn’t feel right. I reach behind my back for my gun as I point my flashlight at the door. Dread creeps up my spine when I see it’s not closed. Drawing my gun, I pull open the steel door. The smell of a chemical wafts around me, and I cover my nose.
I flash my light inside, then lower my gun and step back outside when I hear footsteps. Someone’s on the other side of the container. Killing my light, I aim my gun straight ahead. My feet crunch against the gravel as I make my way over.
Celebrity Dirt: A Fake Relationship Romantic Suspense Standalone Page 18