Theo

Fifteen thousand dollars. That’s all the cash I’m able to get. The fucking lunatic has given me two hours to bring him a million dollars. Two fucking hours. If he gave me two days, maybe. I’d have to liquidate half my assets. But, even then, what bank is going to hand over that kind of money?

“This isn’t going to work,” Moody says, helping me stuff the duffle bag with old newspapers. “We need to call the cops.”

“You heard his threat. If I don’t bring the money, he’s going to kill her.”

“You don’t have the money.”

“But I have this.” I pull out a M1911 that was tucked in the back of my jeans. I fucking hate guns. But I’ll use it if I have to.

“Shit.” Moody takes a step back. “Do you even know how to use that thing?”

“I took a class when I bought it.”

Moody curses under his breath. “Give it to me.” When I hesitate, he barks out, “Give me the fucking gun, Theo.”

I still don’t hand it over. “I’m not going to let him hurt her.”

“Neither am I, but you’ll end up hurting yourself with that thing. Let me hang on to it.” His hard gaze is locked on mine.

“Fine.” I exhale through my nostrils, handing him the gun. “But if you need to use it–”

“I will.”

I give a sharp nod and turn back to the bag, laying the real cash over the newspaper.

“Ready?”

“Yeah.” Moody grabs the bag off the table and slings it over his shoulder.

I read the text again as I get into the car.

6:30 pm.

Bottom of Byron Drive.

Be alone. Or she dies!

It’s risky bringing Moody with me. But even riskier not to. He’s already threatened to call the police if I don’t let him come. If it were anyone else, I would have beaten the shit out of him for getting in my way. But it’s Moody, and I know his only intention is to help.

“Get in the back seat and stay low,” I order.

The gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach grows more insistent the closer we get to our destination.

Deep breaths, Theo.

This is the final round. Winner takes all. I can’t…won’t lose this fight.

Dust and pebbles kick up when I turn down the old dirt road. There’s nothing but fields and trees for miles around.

“I don’t see anyone,” I mumble, pulling the car to a stop.

“Keep your eyes open.” Moody shifts slightly, his large frame barely fitting in the narrow backseat.

My phone buzzes, and a new text appears.

Get out of the car.

Place the bag on the hood,

And open it so I can see the money.

“Fuck.” Where the hell is he? Where’s Mac?

“What?”

“He’s got eyes on us. But I don’t see him.”

“There.” Moody’s voice is gruff. “Hangman’s Cliff.”

“The road is blocked off.”

“Exactly.”

The front headlight of my car suddenly explodes.

“Get down,” Moody screams.

I duck when a second shot takes out the driver’s side mirror.

“Fucking bastard.”

My phone buzzes.

Do we have a problem?

Get out of the car.

Now!!!

I text back.

How do I know she’s alive?

Need proof.

What seems like an eternity passes before I finally get another text.

Look up.

My heart is beating erratically when I scour the hillside.

“Shit,” Moody says, pointing up.

That’s when I see them. Two figures stand on the edge of the cliff, close to the edge of what has to be at least a hundred foot drop. They’re too far away for me to see clearly, but even from this distance I can see the smaller one struggling.

Mac.

I reach for the door handle, and Moody grabs my arm.

“You can’t go out there.”

“If I don’t, she dies.”

I step out of the car, bracing myself for anything. When no shot is fired, I move to the trunk and pull out the bag, then place it on the hood of the car, opening it so that only the real bills are exposed.

This isn’t how I expected things to go down. How the hell am I supposed to fight an enemy I can’t even see?

A new text lights up my screen.

Tsk, tsk.

Do you really think I’m that stupid?

Dump the bag on the hood.

He knows. Fuck. I run my hand through my hair, pulling at it. My chest aches and I can barely take a breath. Once I dump the contents of the bag, he’ll know I don’t have all the money.

“What’s going on?” Moody’s voice hisses through the open window.

“He wants me to dump the bag.”

“Shit. Get in the car.”

I shake my head, my fingers trembling on the zipper. I open the bag wider, anything to buy time and figure out what I’m going to do. I should have listened to Moody. Called the police.

I’m going to lose her. I’ve never known the type of fear that rages within me now.

What happens next drops me. He might as well have put a bullet in my brain, because that’s what it feels like when I watch as the smaller figure is pushed closer to the edge of the cliff. Stefano’s intent is clear.

He’s going to kill her.

And there’s nothing I can do about it.