RYKER
I stare at the crates of alcohol as they load them into the back of the van. For the past few days, I’ve been busy organizing everything needed for the auction tomorrow. This load of distinctive drinking requests is the last of the items I need to collect.
The man beside me hands me the checklist. “Should be all there,” he says, pointing to the ticks beside each order, indicating that they have been loaded into the van.
My eyes roll lazily over the list. There’s a lot here. An awful lot. If this much alcohol gets consumed it is going to be one messy night. The perfect time to enact my plan. Well, plan is too strong of a word. Hesitant arrangements would be more fitting.
Frowning, I point to one of the orders. “This isn’t on my list.”
The man looks concerned, peering over my shoulder to see the order I indicated. “I can assure you that everything here is what was ordered.” There’s slight nervousness to his tone. He wants to keep the Attertons happy. They are responsible for most of his business.
“Are you saying I don’t know what I ordered?”
He steps back. “No. No of course not. I’m just saying it would be strange for an order to be here that wasn’t placed. I assure you we have systems in pla—”
I sigh. “I don’t give a fuck about your systems. You have three bottles of this vodka here and I only ordered one.”
“Sir, I can assure you that—”
I wave away his assurances. “Just take them back.”
“But it is a very rare brand, one that we won’t easily be able to—”
Reaching into the van, I grab two bottles of vodka and shove them into his arms.
The man’s shoulders sink, admitting defeat. “I shall credit the account.”
“I’d like the money now.”
“But that’s not how we…” He lets his words fade as he takes in my glare. “I’ll go get the cash.”
I wait nervously for his return, scared the man will call Senior to check my claim, but he comes back out, crisp hundred dollar bills rolled up in his fist.
“Please tell Mr Atterton that we are most grateful for his business.”
I nod once, shoving the cash into my pocket and hop into the driver’s seat, twisting the key and giving the man a dismissive wave as I turn back onto the main road.
It was a risky move, but the only one I could think of that would give me access to untraceable money. I drive down the road and pull over where a car is parked, a tacky homemade ‘for sale’ sign stuck in its window. There’s a phone number listed on the sign, but I know Senior would be alerted to the strange number on my phone, so I walk out the driveway and knock on the door to the house. As soon as the door opens, I shove the cash toward the man.
“Take it or leave it.”
His eyes grow wide. It’s more than what he asked for. The car is junk. He smiles, pocketing the cash.
“I’ll grab some details and we—”
“No details, just the keys.”
The man shrugs and disappears, returning with the keys a few moments later. “It hasn’t got—”
I turn away from the man, calling over my shoulder that I would collect it later.
And that’s it. That’s the entirety of my plan. An untraceable car. Early tomorrow morning while everyone else is asleep, I’ll walk back here and take the car to a location close to the mansion, ready and waiting for our escape. It’s a foolish plan, but it’s the only one I’ve got. The only way I can think of that might allow us a fraction of time before Senior is alerted to our disappearance. Now I just need to figure out how to get both Mia and Everly inside it without anyone else knowing.
“Ryker!” Senior calls as I’m unloading the crates. “Have you got a minute?”
I look at the load still left to carry into the house.
“Just leave that. The others can sort it.”
I fall into step with him, following him back inside the mansion. The cooks are bustling around the kitchen, divine smells coming from the ovens, making my mouth water. Senior strides through the commotion, not noticing as they scurry to make way for him. Katriane stands in the corner, barking orders and tasting temptations.
“I just wanted to check in with you that everything is sorted for tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir. It sure is.” I start checking off the arrangements I’ve made, listing the people who will be in attendance, the special requests that have been arranged, and the accommodation has been sorted.
Senior nods thoughtfully as we walk through the hallways, asking questions, confirming numbers and guest lists, but then he stops abruptly, and I almost walk into him.
“I’m not even going to ask.” He chuckles, and I look up to see what he’s referring to.
And that’s when I see her. Naked and clutching onto Junior as he carries her. Her eyes are red and puffy. Her skin is so pale it almost has a gray tinge to it. But when she sees me, a wave of hope washes over her. It’s so strong, I have to shake my head, warning her not to react.
“Are you all ready for your party tomorrow?” Senior asks Junior.
He rolls his eyes, pulling Mia closer to him as he nods. “I suppose.”
“You suppose?” Senior’s voice darkens. “I’m spending a lot of time and money on this party, Junior. The least you could do is be grateful for it.”
“I never asked for a party. I don’t want one. Don’t expect me to be grateful for something I never wanted.”
I take advantage of their argument to look at Mia. There are dark welts over her backside and thighs. I close my eyes, breathing deeply to control my rage over the fact that I can’t do anything to help her.
Just hold on. Wait. Be strong. I will save you.
But even as the words echo through my mind, there’s a panic inside me knowing how feeble my plan is. When I open my eyes again, tears are falling down her cheeks and splattering onto her chest. I want to rip her from his embrace. I want to take her away from this place, from him, and set her free.
As Junior carries her away, I tear my gaze from her only to find Senior staring at me intently.
“Careful, Ryker,” he warns. “Remember your place and don’t get any foolish ideas in your head. Remember what’s at stake. Or should I say, who is at stake.”