Hell to Pay by Jillian David

Author:Jillian David [Crimson Romance]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: F+W Media

Chapter 16

“Brandon here, using your beloved brother’s phone.” Hannah visualized his thin mouth pinching as he talked.

A horrific, ear-splitting male scream overloaded the phone speakers. She collapsed to her knees on the gravel, barely able to hang on to the phone. Air whooshed out in harsh gasps.

“As you can tell, Scott’s unavailable right now, but if you get your skanky ass back here before midnight, I might let your idiot brother live. If you cooperate, we might let Scott go. I’ve texted you the address. Come alone, or I’ll quarter your brother alive. Don’t be late.”

Scott’s tortured wail of pain cut off abruptly as the call ended.

Glancing back at the dark cabin, she thought of Dante, sleeping within. What should she do?

If Dante went with her, Scott would die. Brandon had made that perfectly clear.

If Dante went with her, this man she cared for might die. And if she didn’t follow Brandon’s rules, Peter and Allie might die.

Panic squeezed her lungs until she saw stars. Making a conscious effort to take slow breaths, she calmed down and cleared her thoughts. She needed a plan.

If she went to Scott on her own, at least Dante might be safe. Allie and Peter might be safe. Maybe she could get Scott out of this situation.

In every scenario, Hannah would probably die. Or, as Dante had alluded, maybe worse. She might not die.

Trapped. A different prison but trapped all the same.

Bile burned her throat. She couldn’t tell Dante what she needed to do. He wouldn’t listen. He’d come with her and be destroyed trying to protect her. And if she didn’t come alone, Scott would die.

Oh no, no, no.

With shaking hands, she used her cell phone light to scribble a note on a piece of scrap paper from her purse. Slinking back to the cabin porch, she stuffed the paper between slats on the swing. Dante would find it later. And then what?

Well, he would have to guess where she was going. He could run pretty fast but surely not for 200 miles or however far it was to Portland.

Shivering in the evening air, she picked up her purse and towel and crept down the path to the parking area. Dante had mentioned that he kept a spare key under the front mat of the Hummer for emergencies. This situation qualified. Shame heated her face. Like a criminal, she was stealing Dante’s car. What a way to repay his kindness.

What a response to his tenderness and trust.

Opening the heavy car door, she left it slightly ajar. It would make too much noise if she closed it. She scrabbled with her hands under the mat; sweat pricked her forehead. No key. Where was it?

Her heart leapt at the muffled jingle. Jumping into the driver’s seat, she scooted it forward, inserted the key, and turned it one click. The dashboard lights came on, but the engine remained silent.

When she glanced back up the path, she half expected Dante to come running out of the cabin. If he followed her, it would seal his destruction and that of his friends.

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