Page 119 of Ravage
Wrapping a towel around myself, I move to hunt down my cell phone. Huh, no missed calls or messages. She was supposed to call me when she got home over an hour ago.
I press call and start fixing my hair. It rings to voicemail. I try it again. Voicemail.
Did she fall asleep? I know I saw her walking back into the building.
I dress quickly and step out my door, then knock on hers. I’m not expecting an answer if she’s sleeping so, I enter in the code and then let myself in.
The apartment is dark.
Portia hates the dark.
I flick on the light and stare at the open room.
There’s a bag on the floor and a note on the table. Dread grips my heart as I run to it and snatch it up.
Rae, I’m sorry for doing this without any warning. I need to get away for a bit to clear my head. I don’t know how long I will be or where I’m going, but I promise I’ll call you once I’ve settled in somewhere so I can fill you in on everything. Hopefully, you can come visit me then and you’ll have vanquished the evil GE guys so we can celebrate! I know you’ll win. Stay strong and kick some ass.
Love You!! Xoxoxo
Portia
I read the letter again and chew on my lips. I thought she would wait for me. Or Elias, at least.
Elias will be home tomorrow. Is that why?
Hurt that she’d leave with a note rather than saying goodbye aches in my chest.
But then I think better of it.
She’s safer away from me. I need to get my shit figured out and done before I can go see her and help her like I promised I would.
I sigh and tuck her note into my pocket just as my phone rings. Portia’s name flashes on the screen, and I smile.
Well, that didn’t take long. At least we can still stay in touch while she’s on her journey.
“Miss me already?” I tease when the call connects.
“Oh, I do,” a male voice replies instead. Alarm hits me like a lightning strike.
“Where’s Portia?” I demand, my hand gripping the phone like it’s this person’s neck when I find them. “Who is this?”
“She’s here. And I’m your good friend, Joe. Have you missed me while I’ve been gone? I hear you’ve been looking for me.”
I fight to keep my voice calm and even. Of all people, how and why did he pick Portia? Because of you. By association. “I have. Now, let her go. I can meet you wherever you want. You can bring Portia and I’ll go with you without a fuss. No weapons. No fighting. I swear it.”
He chuckles and it feels like bugs crawling under my skin. “Well, that does sound like a nice deal. To you, maybe. However, I saw what this girl is capable of when I played back the tapes in my office the day you stole from me. You have someone who belongs to me. I’ll have her back first. I’m being fined per day that she’s gone by the ingrates at GE, so she must be returned promptly and unharmed.”
Unharmed? What the fuck does he think we’re doing to her? This man is deranged if he believes he treated her best.
“Fine,” I lie. I have no fucking clue how I will trick him into believing I have that girl with me, but I can work out the details later. All that matters is arranging a time and a place for me to rescue Portia before anything happens to her.
“I knew you could be reasonable. Bring the girl and yourself, alone of course, and then I’ll release your friend.”
“It feels a bit like I’m losing out on this deal, trading two for one.”
“My dear Raegan, there is no winning for you any longer. Either you come with me and I’ll take care of you, and I can promise that is as close to a win as you can get, or Gordon gets you back.”
My blood chills, and nausea rakes up my throat.
