by L. P. Dover
“I’m ready for the race. Unfortunately, we have something more important to discuss.”
They followed me inside and we all sat down at the kitchen table. When I had their attention, I blew out a heavy sigh. “Apparently, someone out there wants us both dead. The hits have been planned.”
Kassie gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth. “Planned? What do you mean?” Richard stared at me, mouth gaping.
“They want me dead first,” I explained, looking straight at Kassie. “That way, they can get to you. They plan on kidnapping you and asking for a ransom, then killing your father when he shows up with the money.”
Kassie grabbed my hand. “How do you know all of this?”
I glanced at Richard and he answered, keeping his eyes on mine. “From his partner. Looks like the plan actually worked. No wonder they asked him to be the one to kill us. The man’s got a volatile temper.”
“Wait,” Kassie demanded, jerking her hand from mine. “How come my father knew about this and I didn’t?”
I grabbed her hand back. “It had to be done. We needed everyone to think me and him were enemies. I’ll give you one guess at who you think it might be.”
It took her a few seconds, but then she froze. “Holy shit. Micah?”
I nodded. “He’s my partner and a good guy. Everything you’ve heard about him is a farce we put together to make people believe he’s dangerous. Looks like it worked.”
“So what do we do?” Richard asked. There was fear in his voice and I could see it in his eyes.
“This will go down two days from now. Micah will be the one to pull the trigger. It’ll be blanks. After he shoots you, I need you to be perfectly still and pretend to be dead. Whoever shows up for the money will probably be someone you know. Whatever you do, don’t move until I have him in custody.”
“Where is all of this taking place?”
I showed him the directions and he caught his breath, a look of terror on his face. “What is it?”
“I know that place,” he choked. “It’s a rundown cabin in the middle of nowhere.” He glanced at Kassie and lowered his head. “It’s where I used to gamble.”
So many scenarios ran through my mind, I couldn’t put them together. “How many people know about this place?”
Richard shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
“What about the people in the racing world. Any of them know about it?”
“Not that I know of. It was used as a gambling house. None of my friends were into gambling like I was.”
It was a mystery. Everyone I’d researched checked out to be fine, including the men he’d gambled with before. There was something I was missing, a piece of a puzzle that’d been hidden.
Richard put his arm around Kassie’s shoulders and hugged her close. “What about my girl? I don’t want her getting hurt.”
“She won’t, I promise. I’m going to be right there. As soon as our guy shows up, it’ll all be over.”
His phone beeped and he huffed when he looked at it. “I have to go. The parts for Miller’s bike just got shipped. I need to give them to Ethan.”
“Okay, we’ll meet tomorrow to go over the plan in detail.”
He leaned down and kissed Kassie on the cheek. “Be safe, peanut. I never wanted you to get involved in this.”
She stood and hugged him. “I’ll be fine. I’m a big girl.”
We followed Richard outside and watched him leave. “Do you know who wants you dead?” she asked, her voice low. Her body trembled and I could tell she was afraid.
I put my arm around her and led her to the front steps so we could sit. “It’s a man, that’s all I know. They had some sort of voice manipulation device on the phone. The good thing is, they don’t want you harmed.”
Her eyes widened. “Then it has to be someone I know. Why else would they not want me hurt?” My thoughts drifted to Sean, but I didn’t want to needlessly upset her. We sat in silence. I had two days to prepare her. “How is all of this going to happen?” she asked.
“The day after tomorrow, you’re going to come over to my place. We don’t know if anyone will be watching but we have to assume they will be. Micah’s going to get to you first so he can drug you.”
“What?” she shrieked, pulling out of my arms to face me.
I shook my head. “He’s not going to actually drug you. That’s what this other person wants though, so you won’t know what’s going on. What I need you to do is pretend. Keep your eyes closed and your body slack, no matter what happens or what you hear. Micah’s going to protect you and I’ll be close behind. I wouldn’t have agreed to this if I didn’t think you could do it. It was better than the alternative.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Which was?”
“To not tell you at all. But I didn’t want you to think I’d been killed.” I winked, hoping to ease the tension. “Besides, Micah wouldn’t stand a chance against you.”
She smirked. “He wouldn’t, especially if I thought he killed you.” Running a hand through her chocolate colored hair, she sat back down. “What about Madison? This whole time, I thought Micah was a douche. Did he fall for her, or was it an act?”
“No, baby, he fell for her . . . hard. He’s been torn up over this whole thing. He honestly didn’t know she was your sister. That whole fight at the general store was a complete surprise to him, and me.”
“Will I be able to tell her the truth when this is all over?”
Tilting her chin up with my fingers, I kissed her. “Yes. He’s probably going to beat you to it though. He’s determined to get her back.”
“Good. She deserves someone who’ll treat her right. If he doesn’t, I’ll punch him again.”
We both burst out laughing. “I’ll beat his ass too. Now come on, let’s go inside. I want to show you how to use a gun.”
“Do you think I’ll have to use one?”
I shrugged. “Don’t know. It’s better to be prepared than not.”
Kassidy
The time had come. A wire was strapped to my bra and I had a gun at my waist. I could feel my pulse spiraling out of control, the adrenaline leaving me on full alert. Tonight, I was going to find out who betrayed my family and friends. For so long, I thought I was ready to know, but now that the time was here, I was scared.
Grabbing my purse, I walked out of the door and locked it behind me. My phone rang before I could get in my car. It was Sean. “Hey,” I answered breathlessly. Sweat dripped down my face and I wiped it away.
“Do you and Logan want to have dinner with me and Janie tonight? We’re cooking spaghetti at her place.”
I was so happy he’d found someone he cared about. Ever since her accident, he’d been with her nonstop. “I wish we could, but we already have plans.”
“Seriously? I won’t be a dick to him, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m honestly trying here. He just pisses me off when he doesn’t take racing seriously.” That was because he was trying to save the world.
“He does take it seriously. There’s just other things going on in his life right now. You have to trust me.”
“All right, I get it. We’ll be here at Janie’s if you decide to change your mind.”
“Thanks, Sean. Logan and I will come around soon.” We hung up and I headed over to Logan’s cabin. It was strange to think someone could be watching our every move. I never had the feeling of being watched, but now I did; it was creepy.
Instead of knocking on the door, I walked right inside. Logan was in the kitchen, pouring me a glass of wine. “You’re going to need this.”
I took the glass and tossed it back. “What time is Micah going to be here?”
He glanced at the clock on the microwave. “Another hour or so. We’re going to sit out on the deck, until I tell you to go inside. Don’t stay in the kitchen or living room where someone can easily see in. Go back to the bedroom where it’s dark. That way Micah can talk to you and tell you what to do. Once he’s killed me, he’ll come back in for
you. I promise I’ll be perfectly fine. As soon as Micah takes you away, Gary and I won’t be far behind. He’ll be ready to arrest the fucker, that is, if I don’t kill him first.”
Once we were outside, Logan lit up the fire pit and we sat beside it, his arm draping over my shoulders.
“I can’t imagine the kind of things you’ve seen,” I whispered, gazing up into his blue eyes. The fire reflected in them and I shivered. “I’d probably have already had a heart attack.”
He chuckled, but it sounded sad. “Probably. Doing what I do isn’t for the faint of heart.”
“What is it with you and danger? You always choose that way of life.”
His fingers brushed down my cheek. “I wouldn’t be with you if I didn’t. It’s what you loved about me.”
“And still do.” I held his hand against my face and breathed him in. No matter what he said to make me feel better, I knew the plan was risky—anything could happen. I didn’t realize that each mission he went on could easily be his last. Tears fell down my cheeks.
“Kassie?”
I shook my head, trying to stem the flow of tears. “For the rest of our lives, I’ll probably always be a nervous wreck when you leave on missions.”
He tilted my chin up, wiping my tears away with his thumbs. “For the rest of our lives?” he repeated with a smile. “Sounds like you want to get married.” I stared at the seriousness of his gaze, completely at a loss for words. For as long as I could remember, I’d wanted to marry him.
My heart skipped and I sucked in a breath as he laughed and closed his lips over mine. “Do you?” I asked, breathing the words across his lips.
“More than anything. I promise I’ll ask you once all of this is over.” He kissed me again and pressed his forehead to mine. Closing my eyes, I held onto him as tight as I could until those dreaded words came out of his mouth. “Now go inside, baby. It’s time.”
“I’m scared,” I whispered, voice shaking. I wasn’t afraid to ride a hundred miles an hour down the street on a motorcycle, or climb a peak of rocks on the side of a cliff, but I was afraid of who was going to be at that abandoned cabin.
Logan sighed and gently pulled out of my grasp. “I know, but you can do this. You’re strong. I wouldn’t have agreed to this if I didn’t think you could do it.”
Nodding, I blew out a nervous breath and stood. “Okay, I’m going. Just promise me you’ll be there soon.”
A sad smile spread across his lips. “I promise.”
Swallowing hard, I left him and walked inside, my heart thundering in my chest. Micah was in there somewhere; I could feel it. I tiptoed down the dark hallway to the bedroom and gasped when I saw him in the corner, his face hidden from view. I backed up against the wall.
“Don’t be afraid, Kassidy,” he said low. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
I held a hand to my chest. “I know. It’s hard to picture you as a good guy though.”
He closed the distance and I could see his face. There was a sadness I’d never noticed before. “That’s what makes me good at my job. I can fit in with the worst of the worst.”
“Obviously Madison didn’t see you that way.”
He stiffened. “Yeah, and as payment for helping you, I expect your help in getting her back. Deal?”
“Deal. Now what do I need to do?”
“Nothing until I come back in. I think someone’s watching the house. I was followed on the way over here. When you hear the shot, I’ll come back for you. It’s crucial you stay quiet and don’t move when I carry you out. Take this,” he said, handing me his phone. “It’ll be easier for you to text Logan while I’m driving.”
I nodded and he took off down the hall, his footsteps so quiet, I never would’ve heard him come up behind me. The shot came quick and I jumped, holding in my scream. Even though I knew it wasn’t real, it still wasn’t easy to hear, especially when I heard Logan’s body fall onto the wooden deck.
Micah hurried back inside. “Let’s go.” He picked me up in his arms and I closed my eyes, keeping my body as limp as possible. Once he loaded me into the back seat of his truck, he sped away. “And it looks like I was right,” he said. “We’re being followed again. Can you text Logan and tell him it should be safe for him to get up?”
I did as he said and texted Logan from Micah’s phone.
Micah: This is Kassie. You can be undead now. We’re being followed.
Logan: We’ll be there soon. I love you.
Micah: I love you too. Be safe.
“Is he all set?” Micah asked.
“Yep. How do you know it’s the same person behind us?”
“It’s the same red car that followed me earlier. I think it’s the car that was used to drive your friend off the road. The red looks like the streak found on his bike. Know anybody who drives an old Chevy Camaro?”
“No,” I answered. “If this person wants my father dead, what do you think their plans are with me afterward? They’re not just going to let me go.”
Micah blew out a breath. “You’re a beautiful woman, Kassidy. Right now, I don’t think you want to hear the answer to that. The good thing is, you’re lucky enough not to have to find out.”
We turned and I could hear the gravel underneath the tires. The ride was bumpy so I held on. “How long will it take to get to the cabin?”
“About twenty minutes. Now that we’re off the main road, it’ll take some time.”
“And what are we going to do when we get there?”
“Tie you up and shoot your father.” The ride felt like hours, but we soon stopped. “Once we’re out of this truck, you can’t talk or move, no matter what happens,” Micah warned. “We have to make this person think you’re still drugged. It’s the only way you’ll be safe if something were to happen.” He got out of his truck and opened the back door, his voice low by my ear. “You ready?”
Swallowing hard, I nodded and prayed it finished quickly. I was in hell.
Logan
When I got to Gary’s house, he was on his front porch, dressed in all black, his body suited up for a fight. He had on his bulletproof vest with two guns at his hips and a set of handcuffs.
“Has Richard called yet?” he asked, hurrying down his front porch steps.
I shook my head. “Not yet. Should be any minute.”
Pulling out the map from my back pocket, I spread it out over the hood of his black Dodge Charger. “I mapped out our route, so we can trek through the woods without being noticed. We’ll park here,” I pointed to the large red dot, “then we’ll run the rest of the way to the cabin. No one will see us coming. Your men can come in through the road when it’s time.”
Gary slapped me on the shoulder. “Sounds like a plan. Let’s go.”
We got in his car and headed quickly on our way. We had to get into position before Richard got there. By the time we got to our stopping point, Richard called.
“Hey,” I answered.
“Got the call from Micah. I’m on my way to the cabin with a bag. You sure this is a good idea?”
“By the time this person realizes it’s all fake money, it’ll be too late. Kassie will be fine, I promise. I’d take a bullet for her any day.”
“So would I.”
“Where’s Angela? Does she know what’s going on?”
Richard scoffed. “Hell no. She’d be going crazy if she did. I just left her at home, told her I had work to do at the shop. I’ll probably get my ass kicked when she finds out.”
“Good luck with that. I’ll see ya when it’s all over.”
We hung up and I took a deep breath. Gary handed me a pair of night vision goggles and we hiked through the woods, the moon giving us the sliver of the light we needed. We arrived right on time to watch Richard slowly driving his way down the rocky path. I scanned the woods with the goggles and found someone creeping through the woods on the other side of the cabin.
“I’ve got him,” I whispered low.
I passed the goggles to Gary.
“I see him.” Richard got out of his car, carrying the bag full of money to the door. “He’s moving in.”
Richard disappeared inside and I steadily moved closer, hoping to get a glimpse of the man before he moved inside, with no luck. Hurrying up to the house, I peeked into one of the windows. It was dark inside, except for two lit candles. Micah had his gun poised, ready to take the shot when the other man appeared behind him.
Kassidy
Micah had me sit in a chair with my hands loosely tied behind my back. There was a blindfold over my eyes, but I could hear everything in the other room. The cabin was old, its walls thinner than paper. It stunk like cigarette smoke, mold, and gasoline. It was strange to think my father would sneak here to gamble away all his money.
I heard the door open and my father’s voice. “Where is she?” he demanded.
“In there,” Micah said. The door to my room creaked open and I sat perfectly still, my head bowed down.
“Let her go and I’ll give you the money.”
“Sorry, old man,” Micah goaded as he shut the door. “It doesn’t work like that. Give me the money and maybe I’ll give you her. I might want to have some fun with her first.”
My father’s growl rumbled so loud I could actually hear the anger in it. Micah knew how to piss people off. I slipped out of the restraints and lifted the blindfold, so I could see what was going on. There was a small opening at the bottom of the door, from where it’d rotted away.
My father faced off with Micah, with the bag of money in one hand and a gun in the other. As soon as my father lifted the gun, my heart stopped. “If you violated her in any way, I’ll blow your fucking head off.”
Before Micah could shoot him the way he was supposed to, a dark figure appeared at his back, shooting my father in the arm. I held back my scream as blood covered his sleeve. He dropped the gun and the bag of money so he could hold onto his limp arm. I wanted to pull out the gun at my waist and just shoot, but I couldn’t. I had to trust in Logan’s plan.
Through the crack, all I could see was the man’s body, since Micah stood in the way. My father’s eyes went wide with shock, his face contorting in not only pain, but betrayal. “Why?” he asked.