Page 95 of Be My Ruin
“If you don’t, he definitely will. If you want any chance to survive this, you’ll do as I ask.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be better if I know they’re safe.”
“Penny,” Owen whimpered but I ignored him. I could barely see Jennifer, but I made out her nod.
“Go now.”
“Penny, please,” Olivia cried.
“You both promised to do anything I asked, no argument, remember?”
I heard their sniffles followed by Owen and Olivia answering, “Yes.”
“Good. I want you to go to Jennifer. She will take you to Daddy.”
“Penny.” Olivia whispered. “They are going to kill you. I’m not stupid.”
I laughed wetly. “No, Livy, you’re the smartest girl I know. But I’m gonna be okay. Better if I know you and your brother are safe.”
“We don’t have a lot of time,” Jennifer interrupted.
“Please, you two go with her. I won’t be far behind you.”
Owen’s voice nearly shattered me as he sobbed. “We don’t lie to each other, Penny.”
“Jennifer, take them out of here.”
“Penny!” they both cried.
I hung my head, not wanting to even see the shadow of them leaving. When the metal door closed and I knew they were gone, I let the tears fall. Olivia wasn’t wrong. Benito was sure to kill me, especially after he found out the twins were gone. I hated that through all the beatings I never felt an ounce of pain, but right now my heart hurt.
“What the fuck!” The shout roused me. I must have passed out, but for how long I didn’t know. “Where are they?” My head was yanked back and Benito’s stupid face was in mine.
“Lose something?”
“Motherfucker!” He hit me three times, closed fist. I spit out my teeth onto the floor by his feet.
“I’ll send you the bill for those. They are totally going to need to be replaced.”
“I’m going to kill you.” The cool metal from the barrel of his gun made me freeze.
I closed my eyes. This was it, and that was fine. His anger meant he hadn’t found the twins and they were with Gideon. He’d avenge my death, and soon Benito would join me in Hell.
Benito didn’t say anything and I wasn’t sure how long I had until he pulled the trigger, so I pretended I wasn’t here.
My mind went to the summer Gideon and I had taken the twins to the Bahamas, and we’d had a sandcastle competition. His smile in the sunlight and his kisses in the twilight. I thought about karaoke night with Rita and Dean, and Matteo trying to teach me cool slang and making me watch weird YouTube videos. I even thought of Tennessee and the joy on her face whenever she saw me.
I’d had a good life. It had started rough, but it would end full. I had the love of a good man and his beautiful children. I’d been hugged more in the last two years than any before. I had zero regrets, just a heart filled with love.
I took one last breath, and my peace was shattered with a single gunshot.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Gideon
I’d gathered my men,had three SUVs filled with them. I’d sent one of my guys ahead to scout, and he’d informed me from his location that Benito’s numbers were small. We’d outnumber him easily.
