LOLA

 

 Richard escorted us to a room on the first floor. And he left his two armed men behind to watch us. They're not as intimidating as the men that have been hounding us since yesterday because instead of having assault rifles, they only have handguns.

But considering they took both of our guns away from us, they are in a position of power and we are in a position of being knee-deep in bullshit.

We're outnumbered and out-armed. And though there are bombs up on the rooftop, both of them set to blow at an exact time, I now fear that we will still be in this building once the bombs goes off. And that's not a part of the plan.

It's actually the worst case scenario.

Although both Zach and I knew there were risks when we started this, it’s still not easy to stare near-certain extermination in the face. On some level, I think we are both more than ready to go down with the ship if we have to. Because at the end of the day, the removal of these men from this world will change the world for the better.

I used to think that I couldn't sacrifice myself to save the lives of others. I didn't think I had that kind of strength or commitment for the sake of good. But I know that's different now. If I have to die here today, I will at least know that I went out in a fiery blaze of glory.

Still, that doesn't change the fact that I don't want to die, and simply because it’s almost like I have something worth living for now. I have Zach, and I’m going to fight like hell to stay alive so that I can keep him.

I don’t know the names of either of the two men who stand before us in the small office we’re locked in. They're complete strangers to me, but I would imagine that they are nothing more than hired mercenaries by Richard, and in that regard, I might be able to negotiate with them. There's a common rule in the world I live in. The rule basically says that the person who has the most money has the most power. If I can outbid whatever Richard is paying these men then maybe I can convince them to work for me instead.

But I don't have a chance to bargain with the two men before the office door peels open.

Richard steps inside with a satisfied grin written all over his smug face. He holds his hands behind his back as if he's a proper gentleman as he steps between the two men and steps right in front of me and Zach.

Neither of us is bound. Our hands aren’t tied behind our backs. We are able to move freely if we want to, but if we move, we will probably receive a bullet in the head. After all, those were the orders that Richard gave to his men before he left us for a good half hour. My best guess is that in his maniacal mind, he wanted to present us with the illusion that we still have our free will, but it’s all just a game and nothing more.

Richard eyes the both of us before finally leveling his glare on me alone. “You two are supposed to be dead.”

“Should we?” I question and roll my eyes, finding the bravery from within. If I’m going to die—which is looking more and more likely at this point—then I’m not going down without a little bit of a verbal joust. “Well, we’re obviously not dead unless you’re seeing ghosts.”

“Yes, you idiot,” he scowls. “I know you’re not dead because you’re standing right in front of me.” He crosses his arms over each other and passes his gaze to Zach. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t inquisitive as to how you pulled it off.” He looks back to me with a wild grin. “I’d also be lying if I said I had time to find out.”

“You don’t have a lot of time left,” Zach grits out from behind gritted teeth, and when I look over to him, I see him clenching his hand into a fist.

Richard sees this too and simply rolls his eyes. “Are you talking about the bombs you placed on the rooftop?” He bites into his lip and laughs like a deaf hyena—if only he could hear how ridiculous he sounds. But inside, I’m realizing that it’s game over. We’ve blown our one opportunity to end this. “Those bombs have been deactivated, so whatever you were planning, it’s off. It’s time to realize that I always win.” He clicks his tongue against his cheek. “Nice try, though. I bet you two both really thought you were going to get away with it.”

Zach drops his head and laughs lowly, like he’s only laughing for himself but it’s clear that Richard can hear him. The big bad psychopath takes a measured step towards Zach and cups him at the chin, tilts his head upwards and stares right into his eyes.

“Nothing about this is funny,” he scolds him and then nods like he’s second-guessing those words he’s just said. “Well, some things are funny. For example,” he steps backwards with a sly grin, “I’m going to up back onto that rooftop and make a grand speech just before I take over Grimm Industries. And when I’m done, I’ll come back for the two of you—”

“To kill us?” I swallow a lump in my throat but try to remain firm in my resolve, try to remain standing upright as if I’m not afraid, even if the truth is that I’m very afraid.

“No,” he laughs again, this time with a roar that shakes me to my very core. “I have quite the future planned out for the two of you.” He continues to step backwards until he’s standing behind the two armed guard. “And your fate is something far worse than death. Know that and think about that, and let that always serve as a reminder to never cross me.”

He waves his hand in the air, signifying that this is goodbye.

But I can’t let him walk back out that door until I know the truth.

“Stop!” I scream at him, and he comes to a halt. He cocks his head to me with curious eyes and an inquisitive gaze. “Why did you kill my father?”

“You still don’t get it, do you?” he questions, but I think I know exactly why he killed him. I think everything is going according to his plan, but he continues anyway. “I didn’t kill your father. In fact, right up until now, I was still convinced that you or your boyfriend did it. Not that it matters much. In fact, I’m quite happy he’s dead given the current state of affairs. I’m about to ascend to one of the most powerful positions in the world and when I find out who killed him, I’ll have to send a thank you card.” He waves me off before twisting on his feet and opening the door. But before he leaves, he cranes his head over his shoulder once more and smiles at me. “You really didn’t do it?” he questions and I know with absolute certainty that he didn’t kill my father. “Hmmm…” He bites into his lip and shakes his head before shrugging. “I really thought it had to be you considering how much you hate him. When I find out who did it, maybe you can send a thank you note to the man as well?”

He closes the door behind him and we’re left with the two armed men, and though I don’t see a way out of this, I’m not content to just stand here waiting for the inevitable. I try to think of a plan but my mind is going haywire as I try to come up with potential suspects in the slaying of my father.

I simply come up empty until I lock eyes with the first of the two men standing before us. The only thing that separates them from each other is one is leaner than the other with burnt hazel eyes… And I take particular notice of the way he keeps looking at me and then pretending as if he’s not.

That’s our ticket out of here… Good, old-fashioned manipulation using the weakness of the opposite sex. I’ll make him think he can touch me, make him think he can have his way with me. And the poor son of a bitch won’t even know what happened to him.