“As long as it takes.” She finally looks at me. “That’s all you need to know.”
As long as what takes? This is sounding worse by the second.
I glare at her, though she’s not fazed. “How am I supposed to know what to bring?”
“There’ll be a washer and dryer. Whatever fits in your bag should be enough,” she says with amusement. “The bathroom will be stocked with whatever you need,” she adds. “You’ll have a warm bed and food, so don’t worry. In fact, it’s going to be like a luxury vacation compared to being in this dump.” She snickers and sticks her nose up as if this place is filth, which pisses me off. I’d rather sleep in a cardboard box than go where she tells me.
After grabbing a few things from my closet, I dig around in my dresser for leggings and underwear.
“Don’t forget to take your school shit or whatever it is you do. It has to look like you brought your essentials.”
“I’m a dancer,” I tell her, reaching for my backpack that already has some of my notebooks, books, and practice clothing.
“Well, whatever. Make it look like you left to go live with a friend, so they don’t question it.”
I snarl but keep my lips tight as I move around the room, making it look like I left of my own free will. “They’ll never buy it,” I whisper to myself.
“Liam’s life depends on it,” she reminds me before locking her gaze with mine. “By the look on your face tonight, he didn’t tell you we were expecting. But you care about him, so I know you’ll do whatever you can to keep him safe.” The amusement in her tone has me digging my nails into my palms. I want to rip out her throat.
“If they’re even his babies…” I mutter.
“They are, trust me. We’ve had a lot of sex. Unprotected.”
My blood boils, nearly causing my entire body to overheat. According to Liam, they were together once since they got hitched, and he used a condom. I so badly want to trust his word, but after this shitstorm, I don’t know what to believe.
“Either way, DNA doesn’t matter because we’re married. It’ll be enough for Daddy. His first grandchildren and adding heirs into the family legacy are all he cares about.”
“You’d deceive your family and your own children? That’s the kind of mother you’re going to be?” I arch a brow, zipping my bag closed.
Victoria stalks toward me, her eyes narrowed as she scowls. “Mind your own damn business. Liam’s life isn’t the only one on the line.”
“No? Gonna kill me too?” I deadpan, not letting her words get to me. I hope she burns in hell for all the hurt she’s caused.
“If necessary,” she says dryly. “Liam’s father, Sophie, Mason. Don’t forget who my family is, Maddie. My father’s a powerful man, and no one in their right mind messes with him or me, including the authorities. So listen to what I say, and no one will get hurt.” Then she plasters on a saccharine smile. “Time to write your note.”
I grab a piece of paper from my notebook and choke back the emotions swirling inside me. Victoria tells me to keep it short and simple.
Sophie,
I had to leave and get away from all the memories of Liam here. I’m sorry, but please don’t come looking for me. I’ll come back when I’m ready.
Love you,
Mads
“Good enough?”
“It’ll do.” She shrugs, then holds out her hand. “I’ll place it in the kitchen so she finds it right away.”
Part of me wants to argue that there’s no way Sophie will believe I left in the middle of the night with nowhere to go, but it’s no use. Victoria has already orchestrated this and won’t reason with logic. My sisters know I don’t have money to go anywhere and will automatically think I went to Utah.
“They’re gonna call and text me,” I tell her.
“I’m taking care of that.” She winks, then looks at her phone. “Your ride is here. Give me your keys. Time to go.”
“My keys?”
“Yes, my bodyguards are driving you to the airport in the Suburban. I’ll handle your car so it looks like you left.”
I have so many questions I know she won’t answer, so I don’t even bother. Fishing my keys out of my backpack, I hand them over. If anything happens to it, considering Liam’s the one who bought it for me, I’ll be so pissed. “Anything else?”
Victoria flashes a grin, and I can tell she’s used to getting what she wants. It’s as if she’s never heard the word no in her entire life. She’s a mobster princess and spoiled brat. I bet she’d put Veruca Salt to shame.
As the memory of watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as a kid emerges, I grab my bag and suitcase and quietly follow Victoria out of the house. I refuse to show any emotion around her, so I straighten my spine and tighten my lips.
Two men are standing next the black Suburban parked out front. “She’s ready,” Victoria tells them. One of them opens the back door while the other loads my things into the back. Before I hop in, Victoria grabs my elbow, digging her fingers into my skin. “Remember what and who’s on the line here. Play by my rules and nothing bad happens. I’ll be in contact with you soon.” Then she releases me and walks toward the house, the very home I’m not sure I’ll ever return to.
After I’m forced to wear a blindfold the entire flight, we finally land. I lost track of time, but a couple of hours had to have passed, though I can’t be sure. The guards talked softly, and I could hear them moving around, but other than that, I sat and waited.
Waited for what? Who the hell knows?
“Can you stand?” one of them asks after unbuckling me. I push myself off the armrests, and he grabs my elbow. “This way.”
“This would be a lot easier if I could see,” I tell him.
He grunts. “Not yet.”
I can sense the other guy behind me, his steps following mine.
“There’s a railing on your other side you can grab while we go down the steps,” he directs and holds me tightly. I don’t know if it’s because he thinks I’m gonna bail or if his orders are to keep me alive, meaning don’t let me get hurt. Either way, I grip it tightly as I take each stair.
“Your ride is here,” he informs me as we walk.
“I’ll take it from here, Oliver,” another man says. This voice is much softer and kinder. Oliver releases me as the other one grabs my arm.
“I’ll let her know she’s arrived,” Oliver says, and then he’s gone.
“Okay, this way.” The new guy leads me, and then I hear a door opening. “It’s a big step in,” he tells me. I don’t know why, but he feels safe, which is probably fucking crazy. They’re all must be criminally insane if they work for the O’Learys.
Once I’m buckled in, the door is shut. Then I hear two more doors open and close.
“How many of you are here?” I ask softly as the truck takes off.
“Two, miss. I’m Ty, and this is Eric.”
Well, he sure doesn’t sound like a murderer, but then again, they never do.