Chapter Thirty-One

Quinn

I've lost Eli. Again.

That feeling weighs down on me as I stumble in the darkness towards the Hardy farm. My feet feel as heavy as my aching heart.

Isn't everything supposed to work the second time around? Isn't it supposed to be lovelier? Why did fate bring us together only to tear us apart again?

And this time it hurts. It hurts because I know him now, because I've grown to love him and because I know he was starting to love me, too. We could have been happy. We would have been a perfect family. But there's no hope for that now.

The last time, I let him walk away without caring and I couldn't go after him later on because I didn't know where he was or who he was. This time, I'm walking away knowing exactly what I've left behind, what I let go, and he's not going to come after me because I told him not to.

I stop in my tracks and clutch my chest.

Damn, it hurts. It fucking hurts.

I really am such a fool.

I have no time to lament my loss, though. No time to mull over my broken heart.

I glance at my watch.

There's less than an hour left before Drake's deadline.

It doesn't matter, though, because I don't have what he asked for. I have no choice but to negotiate with him, ask him for more time. If worse comes to worst, I'm willing to trade my life for my mother's and Steven's. It's not such a bad price to pay.

The lights are still off at the Hardy house as I approach.

Strange. I've always looked at it with joy. It always greeted me with warmth. Now, though, it's dark and cold and lonely. And for the first time, I dread entering it.

I take a deep breath and steel my nerves as I walk towards it. The leaves crackling beneath the soles of my shoes are all I hear.

Finally, I get to the house. I open the door and find Drake inside. He's all alone on the couch. The glowing tip of his cigarette is all that pierces the shadows he's hiding under.

I square my shoulders. "Where are my mother and brother?"

Drake takes a puff. "Where's my money? I don't see you carrying a bag, and I don't accept credit cards or checks."

"I don't have the money," I blurt out.

I feel him grow still.

I draw another deep breath. "I will get it, though. I just need more time to - "

"I'm disappointed in you, Ms. Hardy." Drake gets off the couch. "I thought we understood each other."

"We did, but - "

"Do I look like a man who tolerates failure to you, Ms. Hardy?"

He puts his hand on his hip, pushing back the flap of his jacket and revealing the gun tucked into his belt.

I swallow. "I did try to get the money."

"Trying isn't quite the same as doing, is it, Ms. Hardy?" He steps forward.

I try to keep my hands from shaking at my sides. "You need the money, don't you? You've already gone to great lengths to get it. I can get it for you if you just give me a bit more time."

"No."

My eyes grow wide. What does he mean, no?

"I don't trust you anymore."

He takes another puff of his cigarette before throwing it to the floor. It gets crushed beneath his shoes.

Fear fills my chest. "Please..."

Drake laughs. "Are you begging now, Ms. Hardy?"

"Yes." If that's what it takes. I'll do anything for my family. "Please give me more time."

His eyes narrow.

"Please." My voice trembles.

I'll beg as many times as it takes.

"Kneel," he commands.

My knees touch the floor.

"Now, suck my dick."

I freeze.

Drake laughs. "Just kidding. And by the way, the answer is still no."

"What?"

"I'll get the money from your boyfriend myself."

My jaw drops. He's going to steal from Eli?

"No."

He ignores me, humming as he walks to the door.

I scramble to my feet and go after him. "Wait! You can't - "

Drake turns around and grabs the front of my sweater. "You don't think you can stop me, do you?"

He throws me aside. My arm hits the coffee table and I wince.

Drake gives a whistle and two men come in.

"Tie her up and put her in the cellar," he orders. "Fuller will pick her up in the morning."

My chest tightens. Fuller?

The men walk towards me. I get on my feet and step back.

I glance at Drake. "I thought you didn't work for anyone."

"I don't," he says. "Fuller and I are partners. He's not my boss. Oh, wait. That's wrong. It's Isaac Banks who's my partner."

I freeze.

"He's the one who told us where you live. I believe Fuller is supposed to deliver you to him. He said he owes you a favor."

A chill goes up my spine.

One of the men grabs my arms. In my panic, I try to fight back so I can escape. My knee lifts and my hand curls into a fist, but before I can land a blow, something hard crashes against my jaw.

Pain spreads through my face and neck. My vision blurs and then everything goes dark.