Wild Nights With My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 113

Nicole

The car I’m shoved into speeds away, and for several minutes, maybe longer, I can’t think or even breathe. I have no idea what any of this is about, and I’m terrified.

The smell in the car is awful and reminds me of rotten onions.

When the car comes to a screeching stop, the people on either side of me step out, and then I’m dragged out. I nearly stumble when my foot touches the ground, but I’m held upright and practically carried to God-knows-where.

Behind me, I hear Mason screaming again, hurling curse words at our attackers. Or maybe ‘kidnappers’ is a better word. I twist my head around even though I can’t see and shout his name. “Mason!”

I’m relieved. At least he’s here with me. At least he’s alive.

But for how long? What do these people want? Who are they?

With the hood over my head, I can’t see anything, so I have no idea where we are. They drop me on the ground painfully, and then my back is pushed into what feels like a metal pole before my arms are bound behind my back. I try to fight, but it’s pointless.

A shouting Mason is dragged in, too. Tears spring to myeyes. I’m so fucking terrified that I can’t breathe. He’s pushed to the ground, too, right next to me. I say his name. “Mason.”

When he realizes he’s right next to me, he calms down. ” Nicole, did these fuckers hurt you? Did they put their hands on you?”

“No,” I say, my voice cracking. “Mason, I don’t know what’s happening.”

“Me neither. Just stay close to me. Put your head on my arm. Yeah, just like that.”

I can feel people standing all around us, watching us.

Someone chuckles and says, “Why, isn’t this sweet? What a lovely couple you are!”

“I want a relationship this sweet. Don’t you?”

“Yeah. Absolutely. Maybe we can just steal her from him.

What do you think, fellas?”

“Sounds good.”

“Oh, boy, does it sound good.”

I’m cold. My whole body won’t stop shaking and the Longer they talk, the more terrified I become. Mason grits out, “If you fucking touch her, I’ll kill all of you, sons of bitches!”

His words only make them laugh. “Yeah? Maybe we’ll make you watch and see what you’ll be able to do then.How does that sound?”

“Enough.”

At the sound of this word, they all fall silent. I hear approaching footsteps, and then someone stops tight in front of us. I keep my legs bent, wishing I could disappear within myself. Mason…I need him to calm down. He’s always been a hot-head and I don’t want that to condemn him.

We don’t know what these people want.

“Their IDs?”

“There’s nothing in the chick’s bag,” someone claims. This is because my identification is with Sandra, and she’ll hand it back to me after the meeting with my biological father. “We found this in his wallet.”

“Did you take the money?”

“Yes, boss.”

“Give it to me.”

hear the crumpling sound of money being handed to someone. There’s only silence for a handful of moments, and then the man who said ‘enough’ says, “Now, this isn’t what you think it is. I’m only making sure you’re not here to cause trouble in our little town. Where are you from?

What are you doing here?”

I’m confused by his questions because up until a fewmoments ago, I thought this had something to do with my biological father, but it seems l’ve got it all wrong.

Who are these people, after all?

Just a burner cell. He refuses to answer where he’s from, which means he can only be a spy of some kind. Then you come along.”

“We don’t have anything to do with that. I swear it.”

The man shakes his head at me and stands up. Beside him, Mason’s wallet is being passed around, and they’re pulling out all his things. Someone stares at his ID and chuckles. “Hey, boss. You might wanna take a look at this.” He hands him Mason’s ID card. I panic; what is it now?”Gimme that. What is it?”

“He’s got your surname,” the guy chuckles. “What is he,

your kid or what?”

The man’s eyes snap up to my face so quickly that it scares me. Then, he barks, “Take the hood off that fella right now!”

Mason’s hood is removed. His face is blotchy and he’s fuming. The man gets close to us, and Mason looks just about ready to spit at him.

“Mason Monroe,” the man says, pointing the card at Mason. “You said your Ma was from here. What was her name?”

“Fuck you, that’s what it was!” Mason fumes.

I answer quickly. “Jessica. Jessica Monroe. Everyone called her Jessie.”

He smiles, flashing all his brown teeth. “I’ll be damned.

Boys, look here. My kids have come to town! Who would’ve fucking guessed?”

My mouth falls open.

What?

This is John Monroe?