Letting Go of Us (Anchored Hearts Vol. 3)

by J. M. Witt

  Chapter 16 ~ Hostage

  ~ CASSIDY ~

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” It was then that I felt the tear slide down my cheek.

  “Are my eyes watering? Stupid allergies. I forgot my allergy pills at home and…”

  I heard her gasp as Dan yanked me back against him. “Run and you’re dead, Melissa.”

  “Go ahead you piece of shit. After what you’ve done to me, I’d rather be dead.” She was challenging him and I didn’t know whether to sing her praises or scold her.

  “You’re a stupid bitch. You’ll make a good hostage. Let’s go.”

  She willingly walked with us as we walked down the corridor and continued to bait him. “You’ll never get out of here with both of us, Dan.”

  “Shut your whore mouth.”

  We entered the garage and headed toward my mustang. He put the gun on Melissa and they climbed in, him in the backseat and her the passenger. I got behind the wheel and slowly pulled out of the garage after buckling up. I used my clicker to open the gate and pulled out onto the road. He instructed me where to go and I followed his instructions. Soon we were in a bad part of town and we pulled up behind an older model car.

  “Get out.”

  He started walking toward the car and Melissa refused to go with him. He pointed the gun in her face and began cursing at her.

  “Please stop. Let her go, Dan. I’ll do whatever it is you want. Just let her go.”

  Melissa seemed surprised by my words and then repeated the same thing, adding, “Dan, she can’t give you what you want. I can. Anything you crave, need, desire, you know I can give it to you.”

  I felt like I stepped into a movie. She had some kind of connection with him that I didn’t understand and didn’t want to. I saw a change wash over him as he digested her words.

  Suddenly he shouted, “No!” He turned to me and pointed at my car, “Pop the trunk.” I vehemently shook my head as he stuck the gun to her forehead, “POP THE TRUNK or I’ll kill her.”

  “Cassidy, it’s ok. Pop the trunk.”

  The tears were flooding down my face as my shaking hands released the trunk on my key fob. She climbed in willingly and just before he closed it, he smashed the butt of the gun against her temple as she fell to the floor of the trunk. I screamed before he turned the gun on me.

  “Shut the fuck up and get in the other car.”

  He grabbed my purse and threw it in the backseat of the other car and told me to drive to my place. I was on autopilot, my adrenaline pumping. I prayed to God that James would realize something was wrong and save me. They’d probably find Melissa first.

  Dan had me give him the code for the garage and the security system and had me park inside my garage. Chessa greeted me and scurried off back inside when he kicked at her.

  “Upstairs.” He had my purse in his hands. I had to find a way to distract him and get my phone so I could call for help. “Don’t get any ideas.” My eyes darted to his as he caught me glancing at my purse. I walked into my bedroom and he ordered me to sit down in the chair.

  He pulled my phone out and noted that it was low on battery. I motioned to the cord on my bedside table and he plugged it in. Whatever he had in mind, he was going to torture James and me both. He set the gun down on the dresser and unzipped his hoodie before removing it. Dropping it to the floor he walked over to me, a disgusting smirk on his face. I refused to make eye contact with him as my stomach roiled. He gripped my chin and grabbed my breast roughly with his other hand.

  “I hear you’re a pain slut.” I looked at him, not sure what he meant. “I know what he’s in to, thanks to Melissa. He’s stayed with you long enough that you must be into it too. This is going to be fun. All those weeks of screwing you, I had no idea pain was what you really wanted. I would’ve accommodated you.”

  “Screw you.” I fully expected the smack that came.

  “See, we’ll get along just fine.” He pressed his lips to mine and I bit him. “Someone likes to bite.” He sneered at me, “So do I. Get on the bed.”

  I refused and he manhandled me until I was on my back on the bed. I didn’t recall him being so strong. He was on top of me when our attention was diverted to my phone and the ringtone that filled the room. I’d changed it a couple weeks prior to Come Get it Bea by Pharrell Williams because it reminded me of James and all the rides we took on his motorcycle. It stopped ringing and started right back up again.

  “Why is he calling?”

  “He’s persistent. You should know that.” It rang a third time, he wasn’t leaving voicemail and then my text messaging started going off. “He won’t stop until I respond.”

  It started ringing again and Dan was becoming increasingly agitated. I managed to kick him in the groin and dove for my ringing phone on the night stand. Pushing the answer button frantically, I began screaming, “JAMES! I’m at home. Dan’s here…”

  “Agh! You bitch!”

  Dan jumped on top of me as his fist met the side of my face and we fell to the floor. My phone was dropped to the floor in the struggle and I don’t know where it ended up. I was searching for it frantically and heard the drowned out sound of James screaming my name on the other end.

  “James! He has a gun.” Everything went black.

  I don’t know how long I was out. A minute, an hour, a day, I had no idea. I opened my eyes to see Dan pacing my bedroom floor. It must not have been long. My phone screen was smashed and lying on the floor next to me. Discreetly, I grabbed it and hoped to God it was still somewhat functional. I shoved in down the front of my dress, into my bra before Dan saw. I closed my eyes and waited to see what his next move would be, trying to figure out what mine would be as well.

  “Get up.” He kicked me in the gut as I gasped for breath.

  Pulling me to my feet, he dragged me down the stairs and back to the car. My head was still reeling and I tried moving as slowly as I could, trying to delay, in hopes that James or someone would show up. He pushed me into the passenger seat, opened the door and I noticed the door to the house open. Chessa was standing on the stairs and ran out the door. She’d never been outside before and I worried for her. I tried getting out and running after her, but I came face to face with the barrel of his gun.

  “Get back in the car.”

  As he pulled out of the driveway, tires squealing, I heard another set of tires squeal and looked to see Paul’s SUV heading toward us. They wouldn’t know it was us and I frantically grabbed at the wheel to get their attention. Dan pushed me off him, but not before my eyes met James in the passenger seat of of Paul’s SUV. Paul slammed on the brakes and turned to follow us. Another car flew by us and I guessed it was Smith or Ryan, if not both.

  Dan had a good head start, but he wouldn’t so easily lose Paul. Paul had a need for speed and used to race stock cars in his spare time. Dan ran a red light and traffic jammed up in the intersection and put some more distance between us and Paul and James.

  “Before you die there are some things you should know.”

  “Fuck you. There’s nothing you can tell me I don’t already know.”

  “Is that so?”

  “You killed my mother and probably your uncle, too.” I was screaming and crying as I asked him why.

  “Your mother was a whore, just like you.”

  “She wasn’t a whore! She was pregnant and you killed her!”

  Sneering, “Yeah, with MY kid.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Your bitch mother was banging me too, not just my uncle. He didn’t have any kids, that’s why his first marriage fell apart. He was sterile. Your mother convinced my uncle that the child was his. Everything that was supposed to be mine would go to your mother and her bastard kid.”

  I couldn’t believe his words. Even if it was true, he was willing to kill his own child just to get to the money. I was doomed. He’d never show mercy on me. I sat motionless as he pushed a few buttons on the stereo.

  “I know how much you like music and how meaningful it can be
to you.” He was being sarcastic as he pushed play. “Listen to this and take it for what you will.”

  Water’s Edge by Seven Mary Three began playing. He was fucking twisted. I looked behind me and I couldn’t see Paul and James. As we drove further—I was shocked we didn’t have cops on our tail—it dawned on me where he was headed. I wasn’t quite sure what he had planned, but he was going to kill me in the same place my mother had met her fate. I remember thinking if he was going to kill me that I hoped he would just shoot me. Drowning was my biggest fear, knowing it’s what took my mother. Was I destined to repeat my mother’s mistakes, suffer her same fate?

  I pulled my phone out of my dress and Dan didn’t try to stop me. I powered it on, but with the screen cracked, I couldn’t make much of anything out. I pushed the buttons where my phone icon should have been and called him, at least I hoped it was him. I couldn’t hear anything and just started rambling.

  “James, I’m so sorry. I love you, please know that. I choose you. It’s always been you.”

  The phone was taken from me as he tossed it out the window. I didn’t fight him, convinced that there was nothing left to do or say. I was a dead woman. My only solace was in the fact that James and Cal would never rest until Dan was in jail or dead himself.

  The sound of sirens in the distance floated to my ears and I began looking around. We were close to that old bridge my mother had driven her car off of. I started believing that it hadn’t been an accident and I felt guilty for all the hatred I’d harbored over the years. She may have cheated on my father and been carrying another man’s child—it didn’t matter who the father was—but she hadn’t killed herself like I thought. I refused to believe that any longer. Somehow Dan was behind that murder too. Looking behind me I was almost positive I saw Paul’s SUV turn the corner.

  “They won’t stop me. It’s over and you’re coming with me.”

  I was thrown back in my seat as he floored it. The bridge was still old and rickety, after all those years no one had properly reinforced it like they should have. I tugged on my seat belt to make sure I was strapped in and took a deep breath. I couldn’t go down without a fight. I undid his seat belt and when he reached for the gun I grabbed the wheel. The curses flew out of his mouth as the gun fell at my feet. I reached down for it as his fist slammed down on my back.

  Pulling up, I pointed the gun at him and demanded he pull the car over. He refused and before I could beg him again the car smashed through the flimsy guardrail. I braced myself, gun still in my hand, refusing to let it go. He lunged for me and I pulled the trigger, knowing the gun wouldn’t work once it got wet. I don’t know where I hit him, but he grabbed his side. Next thing I knew, we hit the water and I was thankful it wasn’t night time and not that far of a drop. Dan must have hit his head because blood was pouring down his forehead when I looked to him, thanks to my unbuckling him.

  Water.

  It was flooding in his partially opened window and I undid my seatbelt as I became soaked. I tried the button for my window and nothing happened. I don’t know what I was thinking. Water was coming in too quick as I banged on it. The gun. I could use it to try to break the window. Dan’s screams filled the remaining air as he tried getting his window down too. The water came in too fast and I couldn’t get out. I took a deep breath, face pressed to the ceiling of the car as my hair and neck became drenched. The car was fully submerged and I had no escape. My eyes became clouded by the water as I tried to search, for what I don’t know, anything to give me hope. My life was flashing before my eyes.

  The green dress floated around me, like an abyss. My lungs were so tight that they felt like they were on fire. I was lost, trapped, and couldn’t hold my breath much longer. He would never know my true feelings, but at least I knew his. He loved me, wanted me, no matter what. Thinking about how my loss would destroy him, I banged on the glass one more time with everything I had. The glass broke, but not before my lungs betrayed me and I inhaled a mouth full of water. Hands grabbed at me, pulling me under—or above—I wasn’t sure. He was the only thought in my drowning mind.

  I woke to a stranger’s mouth on mine as I gagged and choked on the water pouring out of my lungs. I recognized Paul standing over me, but if he was there with me then where was James? I scrambled to my feet, pushing the EMS worker aside and spotted Ryan in the water. He was frantically diving under and coming back up. More Police and EMS started trickling down the embankment as I scurried to the water’s edge.

  “Paul! Where is he?” He was panting and I knew it must’ve been him who pulled me from the car or at least he who dragged me to shore. He looked miserable as my heart refused to believe it. “Paul!”

  “Cassidy, I don’t know what happened. I had to get you out.”

  He walked over to me as I pounded my fists on his chest. “No, no, no. Please, Paul.” I was sobbing as he let me hit him without flinching. “Go in after him.”

  “I had to get you out. He made me promise.”

  I looked back to the water. Smith was pulling a body behind him and that body appeared lifeless. I saw the hair and knew it was him. “James!”

  Paul ran back in and along with Ryan helped Smith carry his body to the shore. His lips were blue, I’d never seen anything like it, and the EMS workers started working on him immediately. Questions were flying about how long he’d been under and if there was anyone else in the water. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him as I silently offered my soul to the devil, anything just to save him.

  ~ JAMES ~

  I was eagerly awaiting her arrival for breakfast. I wanted to give her back the necklace. I’d found it all those weeks ago, after her attack. But, I knew I should wait. I placed it back in the velvet box in my drawer in my closet. Monday, that’s when I’d give it back to her. I checked my watch again before putting it on. She was taking her time and I was being impatient. Thirty minutes hadn’t yet passed. I pulled the towel from my waist and dried myself off and got dressed.

  I threw on a t-shirt, cargo shorts, socks and shoes, after pulling some boxers on. Leaving my hair down, I headed down the stairs. I wanted her to relax today. Whatever she wanted to do was what I had in mind. If she wanted to sleep, I’d let her sleep. I could probably squeeze her into the spa if she wanted a massage. Grabbing my phone, I called the spa. They had a few openings and I told them I’d get back to them. Breakfast was delivered a while later. I was scrolling my phone when Smith called.

  “Hey man. What’s up?”

  “Are you with Cassidy?”

  Fear ripped at me, “No, she’s in the bridal suite.”

  “Her car just left the garage, her phone is there, too. Ryan isn’t with her.”

  “God dammit.” I grabbed my keys and bolted out the door. “Meet me at the bridal suite.”

  “I’m on my way up.”

  Not wanting to wait for the elevator, I took the few flights down and ran down the hall. Her door was closed as I began pounding on it, praying it was some kind of mistake. Just as I was about to try to kick it in, Smith stepped in front of me and swiped his card, opening the door. We walked in cautiously. The shower was still running, the phone was ripped from the wall and disposed of on the floor. I was about to head out the door when Smith handed me a notepad. I didn’t need to read it given the look on his face, but I did anyways.

  James,

  I’m not feeling well and just need some time

  to myself. If you could bring the groceries

  I need tomorrow morning, I’d appreciate it.

  OJ

  Eggs

  Bacon

  Fruit

  XO,

  Cassidy

  “Jesus Christ.” I threw the notepad down as Smith and I ran out the door. She’d managed to write a note and remembered the trigger word Smith had put in place. Bacon. She was in danger and I knew who it was. “I let my guard down. This is my fault.”

  Smith looked back to me as we ran down the stairwell to the garage. “We all let our guard down.�
��

  We barreled through to the garage as Paul pulled by. He stopped, his window already down. “What’s going on?”

  “Dan has Cassidy.”

  “WHAT!”

  Without thought, I jumped into Paul’s SUV and Smith jumped in my truck. Ryan came running through another set of doors and jumped in with Smith. Smith and I were on the phone as he told me where Cassidy’s car was. Thank God I was so overbearing and had a tracking system installed. I just hoped it wasn’t a diversion.

  “Smith, did you call the cops?”

  “Ryan’s talking with them now. Her car and phone are still together. They’re near all the abandoned warehouses on Canal Street. The cops may beat us there.”

  When we pulled down the street, there was a squad car pulled up behind Cassidy’s mustang. We all jumped out and Smith told me that her cell tracker was on the move. Shit! Her car was empty. The cop didn’t want us touching anything because it was a suspected crime scene. That was when we heard banging coming from inside the trunk.

  Frantically, I pulled out my keys, her spare fob on my keyring and popped the trunk. Melissa was there, holding her head. Smith helped her out of the car as we all started questioning her.

  She looked to me and tried to keep her composure. “I’m sorry. I tried to negotiate with him. He wouldn’t listen.”

  “Where did he take her?”

  “I, I don’t know. It was an older car, silver I think, maybe a Buick.”

  “James, her cell is heading north. He might be taking her back to the townhouse. He’s a good five to ten minutes ahead of us, easy.” We left the cop with Melissa as the four of us hopped back into our two vehicles and sped off. The cop yelling at us the whole time that we should let the authorities handle it. Fuck them.

  Paul used his phone to put Smith on speaker in his SUV as I tried calling Cass on my cell. I tried over and over again, sent some text messages and got nothing. Finally, she answered and all I heard was her screaming.