Everything I Need Read online

  What I do know though is that I’d give anything for him to be by my side right now. To have his protective arms wrapped around me. Loving me like only he can.

  It’s ironic really. That after everything I learned today, all I want is to take this second chance with him and love him forever.

  When all he wants to do is avenge his first.

  I’M DRIVING LIKE A BAT out of hell. Pushing my truck to the limit.

  I woke up from an hour of sleep early this morning feeling worse than I did all night.

  Missing her. Wanting her. Fucking needing her.

  My damn pride getting in the way. I just pushed on with my morning.

  Worked out. Showered. Ate.

  Then paced my shitty studio apartment for hours. Weighing everything out.

  The pros. The cons. Why I should and why I shouldn’t go through with why I’m here.

  Thinking about how fucking lost I was until she found me.

  And then it all became clear. What the fuck I’m doing and what I’m ruining, throwing away, if I go through with my plan. What I had already lost in my hunt for revenge.

  I lost years of properly mourning Stacy and Lila. Of giving them the respect they both so greatly deserved by cherishing memories of our lives together. Instead I pushed them all away, focusing on my need for revenge and retribution and letting it control my entire life. Something Stacy never would have wanted from me.

  And then I found my second chance, my need for life again, and still, like a selfish bastard, I let my past control it all.

  She didn’t even leave me after what she found. She didn’t kick me out. Keelynn begged me to stay, but she also begged me not to go through with it. So I lost her by walking out, leaving her there to think these last few months meant nothing and she was just part of my grand plan.

  When she was anything but. She was unexpected and perfect and exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

  Fuck. I’m a lucky son of a bitch. Before Keelynn, after losing Stacy and Lila, I never would have said I was a lucky man. But now, after having the goodness that is Keelynn Masters, I know I must be the luckiest fucker that ever lived. Because not only was I lucky enough to have a love of my past. I’m even luckier to have the love of my future.

  And that’s exactly why I checked the time, knew I wouldn’t catch her at her house before the performance, so I jumped into my truck and tore down the street toward Lena’s school.

  I pull up to the school and don’t see Keelynn’s car. Figuring she must have gotten a ride with her sister. I’m sure she wanted to spend time with Lena before her play.

  At the first family dinner I was ever invited to little Lena asked me to come to her holiday performance.

  I had said yes. Because how could I not.

  I planned to keep that promise even before Keelynn reminded me of it the other day. Even if we never became an us.

  We planned on coming together. Until I fucked it all up yesterday.

  Watching her break and walking out on her.

  I shake my head, ridding those thoughts from my mind; preparing myself because I’ll get to my knees and beg her if I have to. She’s mine and I plan to make that known. To make her see that I do love her and that I choose her.

  That I choose to live in the here and now with her and not in the pain of my past.

  Climbing out of my truck, I start for the entrance to see Campbell, Mason, and Toni all standing outside. Looking around as if they’re waiting for someone.

  “Oh, Merrick. Thank God,” Campbell breathes. “Is Keelynn still at the truck?” she asks while standing on tiptoes to search around my shoulders behind me.

  I look at her, concerned. “She isn’t with me.”

  “She isn’t?” Toni breaks in. “Is she following then?”

  Mason eyes me. Waiting on my answer.

  “No.” I swallow. “She isn’t here?” The question dumb as fuck because clearly she isn’t.

  “I’ve been trying to call her all afternoon. She hasn’t answered once and when I went by her house she wasn’t there. Her car was though so we thought she must have been with you.” Campbell worries her bottom lip between her thumb and forefinger.

  Her fucking car was still there. But she wasn’t.

  My blood pressure spikes, my ears start to pound with the fury of blood rushing through them.

  Something’s wrong. Something is seriously fucking wrong.

  “I tried calling, too,” Toni says. “Did something happen between you two?” she asks. Curious.

  Fucking Christ, where could she be? “Ah…yeah. Was hoping to talk with her here.” Anxiety flashes through me now. “You haven’t spoken with her at all?”

  “I did this morning,” Campbell answers. “But not since then. What’s going on, Merrick? What happened and what has you looking so pale?” Her tone rises in pitch. Like she’s just barely holding off on the hysterics she wants to let loose.

  As I’m thinking what to say, my phone starts ringing and vibrating in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see an unknown number flash across the screen of my phone. In my panic I answer, hoping that somehow it’s Keelynn. “Hello? Sunshine?”

  A pause before a voice that is most definitely not Keelynn’s greets me. “Special Agent Hughes.”

  I freeze. A feeling unlike anything I’ve ever felt washes over me. Anger mixed with fear and panic and blinding pain. Because this is all my fucking fault.

  Again.

  “What the fuck did you do to her, Corsetti?” I spit through gritted teeth.

  Campbell, Toni, and Mason all look at me. Eyes wide and full of worry and fear. Along with a shit-ton of confusion. Because they have no clue of my past. Of who I lost and who I used to be. What I used to do. Keelynn kept it to herself knowing it’s something I wanted to keep private.

  I’m a selfish fucking bastard. My need to keep my past quiet leaves her family completely in the dark. Unknowing of the danger I’ve put her in.

  And now caused her.

  “Oh, Agent Hughes. What makes you think I’ve got your precious little sunshine?”

  Bile rises steady and fast from my churning gut. I swallow it back. “Listen to me, motherfucker. If you’ve touched a goddamn hair on her—”

  “A little late to be making demands, don’t you think, Special Agent? I suggest you make your presence known real quick before my boys do any more damage.”

  Then the line goes dead.

  “Son of a bitch,” I growl. Squeezing my phone in my fist.

  I look to the three of them looking on at me. Not waiting another second to take action. “Call the police. Tell them to go to the vacant warehouse on the east side of Hampton on Beachside Drive.”

  He has to have her there.

  “Merrick—”

  “I’m sorry, Campbell,” I tell her sincerely. “But there’s no time. Call them and get them there ASAP.”

  I start to walk away as Mason takes his wife in his arms, trying to console her while getting his phone from his pocket.

  Running to my truck, Toni’s scared voice stops me in my tracks.

  “Merrick!” I don’t turn around, just wait for her to finish. “Bring our girl back.”

  I nod once, because there’s no fucking way I’m not, and then take off to my truck yet again. Dialing up a number as I go.

  As it rings and then they answer, I don’t let him speak before I’m yelling, “Are you still in Boston?”

  “Merrick?” Tanner asks. “Yeah, man. Still here. Why? What’s wrong?” His voice rises with worry.

  “How far out are you?” Slamming to a stop at my door, I pop the door open and jump in. Starting it up. “Tanner! How far out?” I yell when he takes a second too long to answer.

  “An hour tops. What the fuck’s going on, Merrick?”

  “They took Keelynn. Corsetti has her.”

  “Fuck,” he clips out. “Listen to me, Merrick. I’m calling this in and bringing backup. Don’t go in there until—”

  “The
fuck I won’t. That’s my goddamn woman in there. I’m not losing her, Tanner. Not losing it all a-fucking-gain.”

  “Damn it, Merrick. You’re signing your own death certificate if you walk in there by yourself.”

  “Then so fucking be it,” I reply before hanging up.

  Rage pulses a harsh beat through my veins as my heart thrashes in my chest.

  These fuckers took too much from me already. It’ll be over my dead, cold fucking body before I let them take Keelynn, too.

  MY HANDS ARE BOUND IN zip ties behind my back. Causing my shoulders and wrists to ache. My ankles duct taped to the legs of the chair I was shoved in.

  My head that was still slightly sore from the bump it took three days prior throbs painfully from the blow it took from the balled fist of my attacker. My busted lip dripping blood down my chin. The metallic taste filling my mouth.

  I’m nauseous and sore and absolutely terrified. But I won’t let it show. Staying strong and putting up a fight. My instincts kicking in.

  I have no idea who these men are, but I have a good idea that they have to do with what caused Merrick to walk away from me yesterday. Having to do with the notebook and plans I found.

  If it weren’t for them asking me repeatedly about where he is, I still would have guessed it. The timing too right to be coincidental.

  Earlier, I had just been stepping out of my house on my way to LeeLee’s school play. Despite my aching heart I couldn’t break hers by not going when she expected me there. I was double-checking that I locked the door when a strong hand landed across my mouth. Silencing my startled scream. Then dragging me, kicking and screaming, down my front steps to a blacked out Escalade.

  Once shoved inside I was grabbed from behind by multiple sets of hands, bound at the wrists, then punched and gagged when I wouldn’t be quiet.

  Men from all angles screamed and yelled at me, manhandling me from every direction to hold me down before speeding away from my house. Their rough hands keeping me pinned to the floor of the trunk of the large SUV.

  “Where the fuck is he?” Is shouted in my face before the flat of his palm crosses my cheek. Tearing me from my thoughts, splitting my just healing wound and rattling my head.

  Peeking through the curtain of my tangled hair, I turn my head to address the men in front of me. “I don’t know,” I speak through clenched teeth.

  And I don’t. Since he walked out on me yesterday, I have no idea where he is. But even if I did, I still wouldn’t tell them. Because I love him too much to toss him to the wolves like that. Despite what happened yesterday, I would never do that to him.

  “You’re lying,” the one in the suit roars. Ready to strike me again. The various men around him leering and snarling at me.

  I lift my chin higher, ready to take it.

  Before he can strike me again, a deep booming voice echoes off the cement walls. “Enough!”

  The small group of men surrounding me instantly quiets and part like the Red Sea. My eyes squint under the harsh, exposed light bulb above me. When I look up I see a short, stout man dressed in a fancy suit and Italian leather shoes making his way toward me.

  His gray hair slicked back. Skin tanned and lined with age. Piercing blue eyes trained right on me.

  “Miss Masters,” he greets me. “I’m sorry to be meeting you under these circumstances.”

  His sharp tone belying his pleasantries.

  I stay quiet, glaring at the older man.

  He chuckles. “I’m sure you know already, but by chance you don’t, I’m Mario Corsetti.”

  I had no clue what this man’s name was. “What do you want with me?” I ask through a strained shout. My voice raw and sore from my screaming and crying.

  “She won’t tell us where he is, Boss.” The heavy handed one in the suit growls down at me. “The bitch.” He spits at my bound feet.

  “Like I’ve told you a hundred times already, I don’t know where he is,” I yell out again.

  Corsetti lifts his hand to silence everyone yet again. “No need, he’s on his way now.” When he finishes speaking he lifts his other hand to reveal a cell phone in his hand. My cell phone.

  He chuckles again. No humor in sight. A hard, menacing look crossing his face. “And now.” He pauses. Chilling eyes staring me down. “We wait.”

  PULLING UP OUTSIDE OF THE warehouse, my tires come to a screeching halt just before I shove the door open. Jumping out I grab my gun and click off the safety. Not having a second to wait for Tanner, FBI, or local authorities to show up.

  Fuck backup. I need to get to her.

  I can’t lose her.

  I wouldn’t survive it this time.

  Kicking through the side door, I bound down the hallway until I reach the opening that splits off to multiple sections of the building.

  Her terrified screams pierce the dank air around me. Kicking my pulse to a fevered pitch. My arm is extended, steady, finger on the trigger. Ready to take out any cocksucker who comes between my girl and me.

  My back skims along the concrete walls, covering myself while my eyes scan each hall and open doorway. Not bothering to take the time to open the closed ones to check if I’m safe; I just follow her terror and pain-filled screams.

  When I turn the corner I catch my first glimpse of her. Face black and blue. Blood dripping down her cheek and chin, carving a path down her chest into her lace bra exposed from her ripped top.

  An inferno blazes under my skin as fear and rage mix into a toxic cocktail ready to erupt. If they violated her, I will rip every motherfucker from limb to limb with my bare hands.

  Wide green eyes full of panic settle on me when she catches sight of me standing in the doorway. Her head shaking side to side. She tries to be discreet but her sobs turn more frantic and labored, giving her away.

  Ripping my heart to shreds.

  “Well, well, well. Nice of you to finally join us, Special Agent Hughes.” From a dark corner a short, stout man fitted in a designer suit emerges. Same ugly mug I remember so well.

  “If you have any sense, you’ll let her the fuck go and give this shit up,” I spit through clenched teeth. Glock aimed at his chest. Aimed and ready to wipe this fucker out. Splatter his godforsaken blood all over these walls.

  He laughs, actually laughs, a loud belly laugh. “Agent Hughes, it seems you’re a bit confused on who has the control here.” He tsks.

  “I’m confused about shit. Let her the fuck go. Your problem is with me. Not her.” My voice strong and steady as is my hand holding the gun and my finger on the trigger. Ready to light this fucker up.

  “Didn’t stop me before, did it? Or have you forgotten about your precious wife and daughter?”

  Keelynn screams then. Heaving sobs racking her chest. She’s struggling in her bindings as she yells, “Don’t listen to him, Merrick.” Her words rough and stuttered through her tears.

  My teeth gnash together as my jaw clenches tight. The pain and truth and reality of his words hitting me like a sledgehammer.

  One statement from this lowlife son of a bitch and all my guilt comes rushing back. Because it’s my fault their dead.

  And because I’ve given my heart to someone else. Someone he’s threatening with the same fate.

  “Did you, Agent Hughes? Forget that beautiful, dead wife of yours and that sweet little gi—”

  “Shut the fuck up!” I roar. Spit flying past my lips. “Don’t speak about them. They did nothing, had nothing to do with you, and you allowed them to get slaughtered like fucking cattle, you sick fuck.”

  He shrugs. My rage and anguish not fazing him in the least. “You fucked me over, Special Agent.” His voice tight and angered; showing he’s not as in control as he’s trying to appear. “You destroyed me. So, I destroyed you.”

  And destroy me he did.

  “I will say they weren’t my target. But it worked out in my advantage, I’d say. Because, I think knowing you couldn’t protect and save them is worse than me just killing you.”


  His words deliver the low blow he intended.

  My heart, healing from Keelynn’s love, just fucking fractured in two all over again.

  I swear my teeth snap I’m grinding them so hard.

  Keelynn screams out. She’s crying and begging for him to stop, to shut up.

  “And now it looks like I’ll get to do it again.” He grins maniacally.

  Frantically I look around, my calm and cool flying out the fucking window when I see the once empty room fill with Corsetti’s men. Unsure of how I’m going to get us out of here alive. I’d say there’s about six in total. One at each of the two doorways, two by Corsetti, and one on either side of Keelynn.

  Including the one man, besides Corsetti, that I want to gut like a fucking fish. The one who pulled the trigger all those years ago. Changing my world forever.

  Marcello Selano.

  He’s smirking over at me as if he’s the fucking godfather himself as he stands at Keelynn’s side. Gun aimed at her head while his bottomless eyes stay on me. Taunting and thinking he’s won.

  Motherfucker.

  I hope to fuck backup gets here soon to get Keelynn out. I just need to save her.

  That’s my only concern. She’s my only concern.

  “You know,” Corsetti starts. “It was meant to be over before now,” he reveals. “But the punk ass kid couldn’t go through with it. Couldn’t shoot up the establishment, fearing he’d take innocent lives.” He scoffs. “So instead, he tossed the block through the window of the bowling alley to scare you,” he mocks.

  Shaking his head, he continues to pace in front of Keelynn. Between us so I can’t get to her.

  “Took care of him for that fuck up.”

  Keelynn lets out a shattered sob she’d been trying to hold back. No doubt getting the meaning behind Corsetti’s words. And not just that he killed the kid who fucked up, but that he meant for us all to die that night.

  I fucking knew he was behind it. Fucking knew it.

  And thank fuck that kid fucked up. I never saw that night coming, but this…today I will save her.

  Even if that means sacrificing myself.

  “I won’t say it again, Corsetti. Let her the fuck go!”

  “Or what, Agent Hughes? You’ll shoot me. Go ahead. Try it. You do and you’ll be lit up like a fucking Christmas tree,” he says as he points out all of the men with their guns aimed on me. “Your little fucking whore, too.”