Our Sins

by Kimberly Blalock

  No one moves, and I’m pretty sure breathing has halted altogether.

  “What are you saying?” I’m certain I know.

  “Hollister is your brother, Evan. He’s mad as hell and wants to hurt you.”

  “Abby. He wants to hurt me, through her?” I breathe

  “So we take him out and be done with it. What’s the big deal? It’s one man. I could kill him in my sleep.” Nat chimes in.

  “That’s just it, Natalia. It’s not just one man. There are several. There’re coming for you. Kale McCormick the king of the Irish Mafia.”

  “Kale? He was here that night at the bar. Talking to Abby, he was fucking sitting with her.” I realize my father was right then. I should’ve taken care of old enemies while I had the chance.

  He’s given Hollister the means and the man power. What you don’t know, however, will give you every bit of the power to do what needs to be done.” He pauses, pulling his phone from his jacket. “Hollister is responsible for the accident that took Abigale’s memories and almost killed her. He’s been inserting himself into your lives to have his day of revenge. He’s aware that you killed his father, Evan.”

  “How does he know?” I ask, wondering how the hell I fucked up.

  “What did you do to this Kale guy?” Baldwin asks.

  “His sister got in the way.” My yes close. Silence filling the thick air once again.

  “Kale. He’s been waiting for you… and Natalia.” Thomas turns his glare to Nat.

  Michael instinctively wraps his arms around her. “He won’t touch her. I’ve got that, dude.”

  Thomas laughs. “I’m sure that you think you do. I wish you good luck.”

  Deep breaths ring throughout the car.

  “When your mother died you were young, Evan. You didn’t know what was going on. The rape and then the baby had left her a wreck. You were oblivious to the pain she was in.” Another tear. “Depression held her. She fought it, but one day she just couldn’t fight anymore. It got her. That day… you think you witnessed me killing her.” His head falls again and my fists jump to wrap around his throat. Skits pulls me back. “That was me trying to make her puke up the pills she’d taken.”

  “Why the hell wouldn’t you have told him that?” I hear someone ask. I don’t know who it is. Sounds become muffled. My thoughts clouded.

  “I couldn’t tell you that your mother left you because she couldn’t deal with it anymore. If you had to think that I killed her, then that’s what it had to be. I’d take that for her so that you didn’t know the truth and hate her for leaving you. I loved that woman more than anything in this world.”

  “What about me? If you were so in love why did you have an affair?” Nat asks.

  Thomas sighs. “Your mother was our cleaning lady, Natalia. After Evan’s mother died she was there and comforted me at a time that was dark. I will always be grateful to her for her friendship, and I’m very sorry to hear that she’s passed away. She left soon after. I didn’t even know that you existed until a few years ago. About the same time, that Evan found you.”

  “This whole time?” I’ve hated my father for something that he didn’t do.

  “I’m so sorry, Evan,” Thomas says and for the first time ever, I believe what he says.

  “Abby and Ad-.”

  “Yes, I did that. I was weak, Evan. A drunk then. Coping hasn’t ever been my forte. I know now what I’ve done is unforgiveable. That will remain attached to everyone in this family, forever. I want to make this up to you, to her, and to you as well, Natalia. I want to be the father that I wasn’t then. If you’ll let me.”

  My mind’s been absolutely fucking blown. But there’s only one person I’m focused on right now and that’s Abby. Getting her back safely. “So what’s the plan?” I ask giving it over to the one man I never thought I’d trust with my world. Abby.

  “War, Evan. We come for them,” he answers.

  “And we kill every last one.” I hiss between my gritted teeth.

  “I’ve never ran from a fight.” Natalia moves towards the middle of the car holding her fist out. “Who’s with me? We take ‘em all out, show ‘em they don’t fuck with our family.” Fists meet hers from the other four, silence following.

  I watch these people who sacrifice their lives for my wife, and my heart swells for them. Family. All eyes on me. My fist meets theirs.

  Thomas leans forward. “I just need to warn you that Kale McCormick is coming with everything he has, ladies and gents. He’s playing for keeps to avenge his sister. He wants to kill you. Bring everything you have.” He pauses watching everyone in the car come together in a way he’s never seen before. For love and respect. Everyone here has their own motives. Just as he has his. “I’m in.” His fist meets mine in the center of the car.

  “If it’s a war they want it’s a war they’ll get,” I say.

  We follow my father and his security team in the van, our SUV loaded with the six of us and three other SUVs following suit. After his revelation, we stepped out of the limo ready to kick some ass. The specially trained team that he brought were willing to get it on like the rest of us.

  “Do you believe him?” Nat whispers from my side.

  My eyes turn to hers. “I don’t know. Sounds plausible.” Kale McCormick wants me dead, that I’m certain.

  “Well, I think it’s kinda cool what he’s doing to help out.” I sure as fuck didn’t think that shit was going to come out of her mouth.

  “Yeah, real cool,” I say turning my head to gaze out the window.

  “Location, sir. We’ve gotten report on McCormick. Your father is asking that we pull over,” the driver announces.

  Night has fallen. This is when the monsters come out to play. When all the scum of the world lurks, waiting to take what they want.

  Our recession of vehicles comes to a stop on the side of the road.

  “You’re requested at the lead vehicle, Sir,” A man twice my size opens the door announcing.

  I step down from the black Yukon and walk towards my father. The man that had opened my door opens Thomas’ door allowing him to step out. “Senator.”

  My father nods. “Turns out she’s been held up in a building on the outskirts of the desert.” My hands clench in front of me. We were so fucking close to her.

  “Hey,” Nat says as she approaches from behind me. “Are we going to pick up that bitch, Becky? I’m ready to have some fun.”

  “Oh, you’re going to get your chance. In just a few.” Thomas looks to his watch then to the man that had been speaking in a silent demand for him to finish.

  “Sir.” He nods stepping forward with his hands in front of him. “McCormick has been using Abby as a worm of sorts.”

  “Dangling her on a hook.” I realize

  “Waiting to catch his prey.” My father nods.

  “Us,” Michael finishes.

  “It appears so,” the big guy answers.

  “He could’ve had you in the hotel. I mean maybe not actually had you, but could’ve tried. He didn’t though. He’s playing games.” Nat stands close. Protective.

  “He wants to hurt me the way I hurt him.” I killed his sister. I didn’t mean too. It was an accident that was never supposed to happen. She literally walked in front of my bullet that night. I couldn’t stop what was already in play. The bullet was meant for Kale. A job I didn’t finish and now it’s coming for me. “So he most likely recruited Hollister as the inside man?” I ask knowing the answer’s yes.

  “Yes. And now he’s in route to the building. Our Intel puts in twenty-three minutes out.”

  “That means the likely hood that she’s still alive is good, right?” Nat asks

  “Very good. He wants to dangle her in front of me.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.

  “Sir, the choppers on standby.” My father acknowledges the man to my right by nodding in his direction.

  Two other SUVs swerve around our group skidding to a stop. Nat grips her gun jumping back. The dr
iver jumps out opening the back door, pulling someone out of the back with a black bag over their head.

  The van doors open revealing two other men that pull her inside. They snatch the bag off of her head. Becky. Duct tape pressed against her mouth, arms bound.

  Muffled sounds come from her, but nothing I can understand. The two men tie her to the side seat that faces the door. “I’ll cut the tape. You only speak when spoken to. You do anything else I tie you the fuck back up, we clear?” the man that had been in the van demands.

  She nods her mascara stained face.

  “This one’s mine boys.” Nat pulls a knife from her thigh strap then hops into the van. “Remember me, bitch?” Becky’s body trembles. “I’m going to ask you a set of questions. For every question you fail, I cut you. Do you understand, skank?” Nat smirks.

  I enter the van and sit to the side. I’ll be asking a few questions as well.

  “This man right here.” She points in my direction -- “is my brother and you should know that I’ll kill for him. The woman that your boyfriend took is my sister. I’ll also kill for her. And I’ll start with you.”

  “I don’t know anything,” Becky cries.

  “You gave me some information that led me astray. I’d like to know why.” Nat trails the knife along her arm.

  “A man with an accent.” The words come out as a jumbled stutter as she shakes violently. “He… he said that… he would kill me… if I didn’t help.”

  Nat’s eyes meet mine. “Picture,” She demands. The two ton dude presses it into her palm. “This guy?” She holds it up in her face.

  She nods. “Yes. Yes. That’s him. He said… he was going to kill me.”

  Kale set this up.

  “What exactly did he say to you?” I ask.

  “I’m so sorry.” Her head falls.

  “What did he say?” I push. “Tell me what happened.”

  “He came to me one night a while back. He said that when he contacted me I was to do certain things. That he’d kill me if I didn’t do as he requested. I told him to get fucked. He punched me in the face and said that he’d not only kill me but my family, too. Then the other day he called me saying it was time I did something worthy of my life. That’s when I told you what I did.”

  “A pawn,” my father speaks.

  “Becky, I’d like to return you home.” I know none of this is her doing.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt, I swear,” she cries.

  My face remain stoic. “If you mention one word of this to anyone, I’ll come back for you myself.”

  She nods her head perpetually. “I swear… not a word,” she stutters again.

  “Take her back,” I hiss.

  Kale McCormick thinks I can be played. He thinks that my wife can be harmed. I think I’ll put a knife in his chest.

  I’ll fucking end him. Like I should’ve a long time ago.

  My eyes begin to adjust inside the darkness, seeing things. Things I know aren’t there. Addison. Things that couldn’t be there. She’s wearing a white dress, but I know it’s not her. She’s gone, safe in her Heaven and me in my Hell. I see her nonetheless. It must be my imagination because the room is black, no light. I’m stuck in a black pit.

  The room’s cold so it must be night. I’ve been in this room and in this bed for who knows how long. It’s been a few hours since I was let out. I instinctively wrap my body into a fetal position. The girls haven’t moved, and I imagine it’s from lack of food and water. I can’t bear to admit it’s from the nightmare that unfolded just a few hours ago. I need to eat and drink something, but he’s punishing me. I made a vow to fight back, and now they’re suffering because of it.

  Fighting back didn’t do a damn bit of good. It only made things worse. Every gut wrenching second was more horrible than the one before. And now, I’m laying here waiting for the next horrible action he’s going to take. I’ve begged him to kill me. My babies… It’s so hard to admit this even if only in my head, but I’m scared that they’re not okay. I’m scared I’ve lost them. Accepting that isn’t going to be something I’ll do, but the fear is still there eating me alive nonetheless.

  “Thank you for taking me to the bathroom,” I offer, feigning innocence. I want him to feel comfortable with the decision to remove the skin piercing, plastic ties.

  “I’m sure you’ll find a proper way of repaying me.” His cold hand slides down my cheek. Keep it together, Abigale, keep it together. No time for showing weakness, just smile and nod. So I do. I smile and nod because that’s what I have to do. Nat’s story about the sergeant is engrained in my head, it’s stayed with me. How she knew that playing along was the only way she’d see the light of day again is what ultimately played the biggest part in setting her free, even though she had to do things she still can’t talk about. I replay her story in my head over and over. Knowing that’s the only way I can keep sane and alive.

  My hands have been freed for all of two minutes, and I’m anxious to find a way out. “Would it be okay if I had some privacy?” I need a few moments alone to look around, psycho.

  “Make it quick.” Yeah, I’ll quickly find a way out of here.

  When he walks out of the bathroom, I hurry, peeing quickly. I haven’t for a while and being pregnant isn’t the best time to halt on that kind of a thing. Once I’ve finished, I wash the blood from my hands, trying not to look in the mirror. It’s awful. The entire right side of my face, purple and covered in blood. He hit me hard. I wash my face and hands then gulp as much water from the thin stream that flows from the sink as I can. It isn’t much, but my mouth is so dry. I know I need to keep hydrated if I’m going to get free and end up lost in the desert. I saw it for myself. There’s nothing there, just this building and the desert. The ties have cut so deeply into my wrist its left red, bloody rings gouged into the pale flesh. It feels so good to be free from them. I reach for the small towel hanging on the sink looking around the room.

  It’s small. One sink, one toilet, a cabinet, and four walls. That’s all there is. No windows, just like my room. I quietly search the cabinet for any antiseptic to rub onto my wrist, but they’re bare.

  Knock. Knock.

  He bangs hard.

  I jump, my heart beginning another pounding race.

  “Time’s up.” The door knob turns revealing a tall, dark, and evil Hollister. Shit. I’ve got to get out of here.

  “I was… just looking for something to put on my wrists.” I drop my head lifting the bloody remnants when the wicked grin he’s been holding makes its self-known again.

  “Miss them already? I can certainly remedy that.” Asshole. He knows what I mean. My God, he’s so arrogant and evil.

  I shake my head. “Antiseptic.” I quickly spit out. He’s a doctor for crying out loud. “Please,” I beg, knowing I need to stay out of that room anyway I can. I need to take a look around and figure out a way of escaping.

  “Yeah, I’ve got something,” he says, running his hands through his dark uncombed hair. Hair that reminds me of Evan’s. His gestures since I’ve been here are nothing like him, though.

  “You said that Evan killed your father. Why would he do that?” I’ll keep him talking, anything that can keep me out of that room.

  “I think…” He moves closer to me. “That I’d like to talk about… You.” Shit. Fear tingles in my belly and ice fills my veins as he steps closer with each word. “Touch you.” He inches forward. I turn my head away from him feeling him tighten his grip on my cold, tear-filled cheeks. His hands slide from my face down to my bare shoulders causing me to jump. The pain from his touch is unbearable. A wince escapes from my throat with his next words. “Kiss you.” His vile mouth comes at me. “Fuck you.” Hell no!

  “No!” No, I can’t let this happen.

  “I think I’d like to slide my dick inside of you. Make you come a few times.” As his body pushes closer to mine. I feel his breath and hear his raspy voice as his mouth makes contact with my ear
.

  My body’s trembling. I’m shaking so violently that I can’t still myself. I’ve lost control of my function. My skin’s prickling with warning that I’m either going to be raped or murdered. I honestly don’t know which would be worse. They’re both horribly grotesque. My bare feet step back in a desperate attempt to carry me away from him. The bile rushes up. I take a deep breath trying to hold the vomit back. His stare is cold and harsh, but not unexpected. He knows I’m fishing for answers.

  “Abigale. You think I’m stupid. Such a joke.” His head shakes. “I see right past your pathetic attempts. There’s nothing you can do that’s going to save you from me.” His hands grip my arms tight, pressing his fingers into the bloody flesh at my wrists. I cry biting into my lip attempting to muffle the screeching sound escaping from my throat. “Do you want to keep your arms free?” He questions, leaving little for me to say besides “yes.” I know there will be a price to pay if I do, though. And he knows it, too.

  “Yes.” My teeth clamp tight waiting for the wrath that’s lurking.

  With his last statement, he’s forced me against the cold, concrete wall. I’m trapped with his weight pushing on me. His leg wraps tightly around the back of my calves. I can’t cry. I won’t cry. I attempt to stand tall and strong, but he’s got over a foot on me easily.