Saving Dallas Forever (25 page)

Chapter 24

Dallas

I woke suddenly, finding that the room was cast in pale lighting from the flickering T.V. I had been dozing in and out of consciousness over the past few hours, a result of exhaustion from my struggle against waterboarding. I shivered at the thought of it, my movements waking me completely, and reminding me I had a job to do. I didn’t know how much time had passed, all I knew was that it was now dark outside. I had been left alone for the rest of the afternoon and I didn’t know what time the goons would be back. Step one of my
mission was to get captured. Step two was to call Luke when my captors left the room. I was assured the phone lines would be working, I just had to make sure I got to the phone without getting caught. If in the event I couldn’t get to it, the plan was over. I had until midnight, and, by the lack of noise from outside, I might already be too late. I swallowed hard, my throat dry and scratchy, as I prepared myself for the five-foot journey to the phone. I sat in the chair, my pants soiled from my own urine, and my t-shirt covered in dry vomit. My hair was wild and untamed, damp strands sticking to my face and neck. I scooted my chair, moving only an inch, thankful for the thin, worn carpet. I pushed forward, letting the memory of Luke’s voice invade my head as I remembered how he had trained me. When he had talked me through my mission, he had transformed from my lover to my teacher.

“You
’re going to be scared. You’re going to think of all the things that will go wrong, but you have to stay focused. You’re the only one who can do this Dallas. When you feel like giving up, dig deep and find the will to survive. Think of the sacrifices you’ve made. Let the priceless memories of the past few weeks flood your mind and fuel your drive. When they leave you alone, get to the phone. You will likely be restrained, but they will want to talk to you so I’m guessing you‘ll be in an upright position. The room is only ten feet wide. You should be able to get to the other side. If you can’t get there, be patient and stay still. You have until midnight and then you’re outta there. You can do this, baby. I wouldn’t put you in danger if I thought you couldn’t handle it. But, Lord knows it kills me. If I could trade places and do it myself I would. Now, put your game face on, and remember how much you have to fight for.”

I made it to the phone, letting Luke’s words overpower the pain in my chest, as I pulled against the restraints and the dryness in my throat, which craved a drink of water. The time on the phone read 11:52. I had eight minutes. I pushed my tongue between my lips, stiffening it as I hit the speakerphone button. I sighed in relief as the loud dial tone filled the room. I punched in the number I had memorized, with my tongue moving slowly, so as not to mess up. It rang once before I heard Luke’s voice.

“Dallas?” he asked, hopefully. I felt tears spring to my eyes as he spoke to me.

“Yes,” I said, with a croak, my voice coming out rough and dry.

“You okay?” me being hurt had not been part of the plan. Luke had been sure that Charlie would not let any harm come to me, as had I. I guess we had both been outsmarted. I didn’t want Luke to know what had happened, not right now. He needed to believe all was well. I knew if he found out he would call the whole thing off, and our one shot would be ruined.

“I’m fine,” I said, straining my voice so that I sounded more like myself. “I dozed off. My mouth is just dry.” What I would have given for one of Punkin’s peppermints.

“You’re sure?” He asked, his voice sounding worried.

“I’m sure. We don’t have much time,” I said, turning my head to look at the door as I spoke.

“Just a few more hours, baby. Do you remember what to do next?” His voice was hesitant and I envisioned him pacing, running his hands through his hair, and wishing we’d never done this.

“Yes, I remember. I’m gonna hang up now. I’ll see you soon.” My words sounded promising, but I wasn’t sure how much truth they actually held.

“Yes you will. I love you, baby,” Luke said, his words just as promising and determined as mine.

“I love you too.” I stuck my tongue out and hit the speaker button, ending the call because I knew he didn’t have the strength to. As I scooted back across the room, my heart hurt for Luke. I couldn’t imagine the willpower it had taken for him to let me do this. He was my protector, the one who had saved me time and time again, yet he was the one who had coached me on how to save myself. I made it back to the center of the room between the two beds, my chest burning from the pain my lungs had endured earlier today. It took a while, but eventually, I calmed down. I was alert, aware, and ready when the door was opened almost an hour later, and the three goons, dressed head-to-toe in black, entered.

“How you feeling, Dallas?” The man asked, turning on the lamp beside the T.V.. I ignored him, my eyes following his every move, as he walked across the floor to take a seat on the bed beside me. I wished he would remove his mask so I could see his face. I tried hard to remember his voice, but it didn’t sound familiar to me. “Ready for round two?” he laughed at the look of panic on my face. I shook my head, unable to stop the movement as terror filled me. Just the thought of being subjected to his waterboarding torture had my heart racing and tears pricking the backs of my eyes. “I’m only kidding. That was fun, but I have something different in mind.” I watched as his head moved up and down my body, taking me in with lust-filled eyes. He didn’t seem to care how I smelled or what I looked like. I closed my eyes, letting Luke’s words fill my mind once again.

“You shouldn’t be subject
ed to any harm, but if you are, don’t panic
.
Move your body, so that you can feel that piece of steel digging in your back. If they want to hurt you, they will have to untie you. When they do, as soon as your hands are free, you reach behind you and pull out that M9 and don’t think twice. Aim at their heads and pull the fucking trigger. I know you can do it. You have already proven you’re a good, fast shot. Before their bodies have time to hit the floor, you call me and tell me it’s over then you run. I will meet you, just like we planned. I’m counting on it not happening. Charlie’s interest in you is the only reason I’m doing this. He wouldn’t tolerate anyone hurting you. But, just in case, you remember: Your life is the only one that is important. Don’t let them touch you, Dallas. You kill them. Kill them all.”

“Phone.” One of the goons announced, handing the cell phone to the man sitting beside me.

“Yeah. Yes, sir. As you wish. I’ll see you then.” The goon snapped the phone shut and handed it back, never taking his eyes off of me. I stared at the T.V. screen, trying to ignore him. “Now, why would the man who hired me to kill you want to see you one last time?” the guy asked, tapping his finger on his chin. “Is it because he just wanted to pay me to capture you so he could kill you himself? Or is it because he wanted to use me to make the kidnapping, then kill me, and kill you himself? Do you know the answer?” I closed my eyes, my tears flowing down my face, as the man realized he had been played. How could Charlie have been so stupid? He was not an amateur. He should have known better. “Why do I feel like you were in on this little set up?” I kept my eyes closed, refusing to look at the betrayed man. “I see, well,” the man said, standing up from the bed. I opened my eyes, watching him as he walked across the room, popping his knuckles and stretching his neck. “The joke is on y’all. You’re gonna die today, Dallas Knox, and I’m gonna take my five hundred grand and forget the other half was ever offered.” He walked back over to in front of me and leaned down, putting his face very close to mine, as he held onto the arms of my chair. “I am gonna pour water over your face, until you drown, then I’m gonna cut your tongue out, like I should have done when I had the chance.” The man removed the ski mask revealing the face I feared was beneath it. Crazy stood there, the tattoos that crawled up his neck to his jaw were in plain sight, and a dreadful reminder of the last time I had seen him. I stared at him, my eyes wide with shock and brimming with tears, my nostrils flaring as my breathing accelerated, and my mouth releasing the slightest whimper as it dropped open in horror. “Dennis!” the man snapped, causing me to jump in surprise. I looked over his shoulder as the man removed his mask and I remembered him as the one who had broken into Luke’s house, suffered at the hands of Luke’s iron fist, and grew excited and hard at the thought of touching me while he assisted in my assault at the hands of Frankie. “You recognize these faces?” Crazy asked, motioning between himself and Dennis. “If you don’t, we’re about to refresh your memory. We’re gonna relive that scene in your barn, but this time
I
will be in charge. We gonna tie you up, wet you down, fuck you dry, then kill you. And baby,” he said, his dark eyes filled with hate and evil as he ran a finger down my cheek. “There won’t be anyone to save you this time.” I began sobbing, begging for them to stop. I pulled against my restraints, screaming in the man’s face, prompting him to throw his hand over my mouth in an attempt to shut me up. “Jeff, get the gag!” Crazy yelled, and I stilled on his words. My sobbing stopped and my screams ceased, my flawless acting skills no longer needed as the name I had been waiting to hear was spoken. I looked into the eyes of Crazy, the look of victory in my own eyes registering on his face as I smiled underneath the weight of his hand. I watched as he stood and turned, reluctantly pulling his eyes from mine to land on that set of ocean-blues I loved so much.

Chapter 25

Dallas

“Where is Jeff?” Crazy asked, his hands in the air as a result of Luke’s gun, which was pointed at his head.

“Right where I left him, but don’t worry, you’ll be seeing him soon enough,” Luke said, motioning with his gun for Crazy and Dennis to move to the other side of the room. Jeff, my ex-lover that Luke later found out was working for Frankie, was the flaw in Charlie’s plan that had given us the opportunity we needed to intercede. With a little bit of persuasion, Luke had convinced Jeff whose side he needed to be on. Jeff apparently felt terrible about what had happened to me and was willing to do whatever he needed to help. A gun shoved down his throat was also a factor in his decision, but regardless of the reason, Jeff accepted Crazy’s offer to assist in capturing me, and kept us informed of their every move. As they had walked from their vehicles to the outside of my room, Luke had simply walked in behind Dennis, rather than Jeff. The darkness and location of the hotel made the exchange work in our favor. Once I heard Jeff’s name, it was all the confirmation I needed to know that the switch had been made. Had it not, plan B would have taken effect, and it was much more risky than plan A.

“So, what happens now?” Crazy asked, his hands behind his head as he glared at Luke.

“You have two options. With the first, you might have a chance to live. With the second, I kill you,” Luke said with a shrug, feigning disinterest either way.

“Well it looks as if I don’t have a choice,” Crazy answered, his voice laced with malice, as he looked into Luke’s eyes. This was the part we feared most; whether Crazy would actually follow through or if he
would kill me just because he could. Because of that, Luke sweetened the deal.

“When Charlie Lott walks through that door, kill him,” Luke said, spitting Charlie’s name as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. “Don’t ask questions, don’t wait for introductions. Just shoot him dead. He will possibly have three men with him. You have to take them out as well.” Crazy laughed at Luke’s offer.

“Why the fuck would I do that? I’d be signing my own death warrant. Nobody can just kill Charlie Lott,” Crazy said, looking at Luke as if he had lost his mind.

“You’ve already signed your death warrant, which brings me to the second part of my first offer. If you succeed in killing Charlie and actually walk out of here alive, and Dallas is unharmed, I’ll help you disappear. With a lot of money.”

“How much money?” Crazy asked, the offer on the table sounding more appealing now that he knew he didn’t have a choice.

“Ten million dollars,” I said, with a smile, watching as his face held recognition of our earlier conversation when I had offered him that to not torture me. It didn’t take long for him to answer, which was great considering time was not of the essence.

I was still tied to the chair, still covered in vomit and still sitting in piss when another episode of “Golden Girls” came on. This time, I was gagged. After Luke left, Crazy made it his mission to make me as uncomfortable as possible. At least he used a bandana and not duct tape. I was lost in my own thoughts, remembering the promise Luke had made to me as we had said our goodbyes the day I left for Atlanta. We were going through everything once again and when we discussed
him leaving me here after making Crazy an offer, I knew it would be difficult for him to endure.

“When you come into that room, no matter the state I’m in, you have to play it cool. Whatever he says to me, whatever he does, you can’t lose it. If you kill Crazy, all of this will be for nothing. We need him. If everything goes according to plan, you walk out of that room and don’t look back. This is what you have trained me for. It’s what we have spent days preparing for and I’m ready. I’m going to need you to trust I can handle it. I know it will be hard. I know you will want to take me with you, but you can’t. Don’t say goodbye, don’t kiss me, don’t look at me, and don’t you dare fucking change your mind. Luke, promise me that you will leave, and promise me that you will be waiting for me when this is all over”

“I promise.”