Chapter 16

Emiliya returned in the early hours, looking wholly resigned after completing several jobs. We decided not to fill her in on our plan to escape. The language barrier would've made it difficult to explain, and we didn't want to stress her out. She has the kind of face that speaks a thousand words, and I'm not sure if she'd give us away while we wait for Eden to attack Jeremy.

Also, we don't want her to suffer the consequences if things go south. Hopefully, they won't hurt her if she's an innocent party in this grand scheme.

We decided to try and escape in the morning when Jeremy comes for his first visit. He usually lets us use the bathroom not long after sunrise and is always alone. Cars typically start pulling up about an hour later, so we're praying the rest of the mob won't be here and Jeremy will be the only one guarding us around that time.

Our somewhat sceptical plan is to chain him up, steal his car and be on our merry way before the rest of the fuck faces arrive. It sounds simple in theory, but I'm aware of how many things could go tits up. If Dr Evil catches us trying to escape, he'll have no qualms about ending our lives. There's also the possibility that if the hench bastards are on duty or turn up early, then we're fucked. They look like the kind of guys trained to take people down. Especially people with no fighting skills and who've never even held a weapon. The mere thought that Eden might have to shoot Jeremy if he puts up a fight, fills me with trepidation. I don't want us to have to hurt him when he's already such a mess, but we have to put our lives first.

As dawn closes in and soft beams of light coat the room, I shuffle around on the mattress, unable to silence my frenzied thoughts.

"Kai," Eden whispers.

"Yeah?" I flip over to face him.

"Are you ready?" he asks quietly so as not to wake Emiliya.

"I don't think I'll ever be ready. What if something goes wrong and he shoots one of us?" I reply in a hushed voice.

"I won't let that happen, Kai."

Eden lightly strokes my cheek with the back of his hand, and soulful eyes dart around my face like he's trying to cement it into his memory.

"You can't guarantee that. Do you even know how to shoot a gun?"

"Hopefully, it won't come to that," he whispers, looking over my shoulder to check if Emiliya's still asleep.

"Hope Eden, we've been running a little low on that since we got to this hell hole."

Eden blows out a huff of air and then brings our foreheads together. Our eyes close, and I feel the tension radiating off him, tightening my skin.

"Do you know how to shoot?" he eventually asks, pulling back to find my eyes.

I swallow roughly and run my fingers through his raven hair.

"I remember what Dr Evil did right before he shot Devlin, and I've watched way too many episodes of CSI, so yes and no." I make a less-than-amused huff.

"Oh, I see."

The glum expression that paints his face makes my chest ache. I hate that I keep putting that look there.

"Can you tell me how he did it?" he mumbles like he doesn't really want to know.

Neither of us wants to relive that moment, but it flows through my brain with free reign like a sickness spreading.

I explain what I saw and my vague knowledge of things I've seen on television. What I'm saying could be complete nonsense, but we don't have anything else to go by, and there's every chance Jeremy's gun may differ from Dr Evil's.

Emiliya stirs, so we both sit up to face her.

"Hello," she says in a groggy voice.

One side of her face is bright red from being squashed against the mattress, and her hack job haircut shoots out in all directions. She looks so wholesome and sweet when she first wakes up. I can't wait to end this misery for her so she can return to her family in Bulgaria.

"Hey, are you ok?" I ask softly.

"I good, you?" She winces and smiles like she's forgotten how to form the shape with her mouth.

"Yes, we're alright, thanks. Today's gonna be better, ok?" I say, forcing a cheery tone, even though debilitating fear consumes me.

Emiliya's eyebrows scrunch together, and her bottom lip pushes out like I just told her pigs can fly.

"No, it not."

Adjusting her face to a blank expression, she lies back down and stares up at the damp ceiling.

I shoot Eden a wary look, wondering if we should fill her in on our plan, but he shakes his head and pulls me back against his chest. I shuffle closer to sit between his legs, resting my elbows on his knees. Eden's brawny arms trap my chest, and I feel his racing heartbeat thump against my spine. All that's left to do is wait.

* * *

Soft footsteps reverberate in the long hallway, stiffening my spine. I hastily pull away from Eden until I'm perched on the edge of the mattress.

This is it—the moment that will either free us or kill us.

I dig my blunt fingernails into my palms to prevent the bones in my hands from climbing out of my skin.

Eden sits beside me, lightly kisses my shoulder, and brushes his nose against my neck. His warm breath tingles my core, causing goosebumps to scatter across my skin.

I twist my head, locking our eyes. Eden's olive eyes sparkle in the morning light. They feel warm and safe as if I could find a home inside them. Even in this terrifying moment, they ground me.

He squeezes my knee and then mouths, ‘If we survive,' making my heart bounce around my chest as I cling to the last scrap of hope we have for a future together.

I'm not sure what future I can give him. I have a truckload of unresolved and now new trauma to sieve through before I can let him into my feeble heart. But I can only hope that once I sort through my baggage, there's something left to salvage, something worth keeping.

The lock clicks and Eden shuffles away from me. I already miss the warmth of his thigh and arm pressed against mine.

When Jeremy's face comes into view, I pull in a deep breath and slam my hand over my mouth to stop myself from outwardly commenting on his battered face. He looks like a car crash. There's not a slither of his face that isn't covered in cuts or bruises. His left eye is swollen, with popped blood vessels hiding the white part of his eye.

Guilt riddles me for what we're about to do. Are we really going to attack a vulnerable man? I already hate myself for it. They'll kill him when they realise we've escaped.

Jeremy walks over to Emiliya first and lets her use the bathroom to freshen up. He doesn't make a peep, his head hanging low, and shoulders hunched over like he wants the ground to swallow him whole.

I try to make eye contact to see if there's any way we can escape without having to trick him, but his eyes stay glued to the grimy floor like it's the most interesting thing in the world.

After chaining Emiliya back up, Jeremy stands over us. Neither of us moves, equally doubting our decision to escape. But we can't. This is our only opportunity before one of us gets sent on another job. It's now or never.

"Eden, you go first," I blurt out, nudging him with my elbow.

Eden's eyes widen, but he manages to nod. His face is paler than usual, and moisture gathers in the corners of his eyes. He needs to get it together, or he'll give us away. Luckily, Jeremy doesn't even glance at Eden when he removes his restraints and leads him to the bathroom. Jeremy leans on the door frame, staring at the ground like he's in a trance.

"Hey Jezza, did you miss me?" My stomach sours, and I internally cringe as the words leave my mouth, knowing what's about to come. He looks up for a split second before dropping his gaze and grunting something incoherent.

"I'm sorry they hurt you for taking care of us. I know you're not like them." I put on my sweetest voice, making my own skin crawl. It feels wrong to fake this, even if it's what I've been doing all along with him.

"It's ok," he murmurs, lifting his head to give me a hint of a smile.

"How did a great guy like you end up here?" I want to punch myself in the fucking face, but I'm so nervous that I don't think I have any control over what's coming out of my mouth. I just need him to trust me.

Jeremy's brows pinch but he finally catches my eye. I can feel Emiliya shooting daggers at me from across the room. Even if she doesn't fully understand what I'm saying, she knows I'm being overly friendly.

"Cut the shit, Kai. I'm not getting you any more treats, alright?" he grumbles.

"I know, I know, but I want to get to know you. You're the only one here who's actually shown us some kindness. I want to understand why."

Jeremy pushes off the wall and takes a step closer. He's playing right into my trap. I should be glad, but it all feels wrong.

"Fine, let's just say we're not so different. I under—"

Before he can finish his sentence, Eden slams into his back, wrapping his arms around his waist and sending him flying across the room. Jeremy's head lands mere inches from our mattress.

Emiliya screams and plasters herself against the wall. I stand up as high as my chain allows to get closer in case Eden needs help restraining him. Jeremy is already reaching down the front of his jeans for his gun, but Eden wrestles him with brute force, trying to pin him to the ground with his enormous thighs. Blood rushes to my head as I watch on.

Jeremy violently bucks, shoving him off. Eden's back on him in a flash, but Jeremy is already holding the gun and has flipped over, aiming it right at Eden's face. Not on my fucking watch. Still wearing my heavy boots, I swing my foot into the side of Jeremy's face as he cocks the gun. He wails in pain as my foot connects with his already battered face, and the gun slips from his grip. Eden scrambles for it and points it at his chest. His hands rattle, and his chest heaves as he holds Jeremy's life in his hands. One slip of the trigger, and Jeremy's dead.

"Stop fighting," Eden shouts. The angry vein on his forehead is about to pop.

Jeremy's hands fly up as if to surrender. A rush of relief washes over me, but far too soon. He knees Eden in the crotch, forcing him to keel over the top of him and cry out in pain. Eden's grip on the gun loosens, so I stretch forward and grab it before Jeremy gets a chance.

Now I'm pointing the gun directly at his head, glaring down at him. The weight of that makes my eye twitch. Jeremy's eyes pop as he looks at me upside down. His bottom lip wobbles and sweat trickles down the side of his face.

The gun vibrates in my damp hands, so I grip it tighter. How did I end up here, with a gun in my hand, prepared to take a man's life?

"Don't fucking move, we don't want to hurt you." My quivering voice makes my teeth rattle.

Eden pins Jeremy to the ground with his knees and frantically searches for the keys, breath heaving.

I'm so fixated on Jeremy's face and not dropping the gun that I foolishly miss his subtle movements.

"Eden, no!" Emiliya shrieks.

My eyes fly to Eden, and I watch his face contort into a harsh grimace as Jeremy drives a pocket knife into his upper thigh, then pulls it out, drenched in dark blood. Jeremy swings again, aiming for his ribs this time.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I pull the trigger.

The impact of the gun makes me stumble backwards, slamming against the wall. I slide down and collapse in a heap on the mattress, clutching the gun so hard my knuckles burn. The smell of gunpowder climbs up my nose.

The muffled screams and shouting overwhelm the space, but I feel outside my body, unable to hear, see, or think. I want to keep floating in this state of unconsciousness because as soon as my brain reboots, I have to face the fact that I've killed someone.

A steady hand on my shoulder snaps me out of my daze. My eyes spring open, and I see Eden's tear-filled ones seeking entrance to my soul.

"Baby, give me the gun." His voice sounds foreign. It's calm and soft. It doesn't sound like the voice of someone who's been stabbed. Eden reaches down and pries the warm metal from my sweaty grip. He's blocking my view of Jeremy, but I look at his leg, and it's oozing a slow flow of blackened blood.

"Fuck Eden, your leg," I stutter.

"It's fine. Tie this around it for me, ok? It's not that deep."

Eden snatches his disgusting shirt that's literally been through hell and back and is a legitimate biohazard, but I do as he says.

Emiliya mumbles in Bulgarian through a waterfall of tears. Sucking in a desperate breath, I pull myself together, knowing I need to comfort her.

"Emiliya, we're leaving. It's over," I tell her, but she keeps sobbing and blubbering words I can't understand.

"Don't leave me here, please. I'll die." Jeremy's scratchy voice turns me to ice.

He's alive. I didn't kill him.

I push Eden aside to look at him. Jeremy clutches the top of his shoulder as blood seeps through his fingers, forming a thick puddle beneath him.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper, my hand coming to my mouth.

Jeremy awkwardly twists his head to look up at me. Lead lands in my gut as I take in the damage I've caused through his pleading eyes.

"It's ok, Kai, I know this is my fault, but please, you have to help me." His voice trembles.

Jeremy's shoulders shake before he bursts into a harrowing sob. I can't tell if he's crying from pain or regret. I stare at him, and every subtle moment of kindness he's shown us flashes behind my eyes. I flinch when Eden's large hands grab either side of my face.

"Listen to me, Kai, we need to go."

I nod in his hands, and then he tries to release my chain with wavering hands.

"Fuck this fucking lock," Eden growls as he struggles to get the key inside the lock.

After several failed attempts, he succeeds and slides the chain away from my neck. The chain has been off my neck many times since being here, but this time, it feels different. The feelings of lightness and freedom flood me.

I climb to my feet on rickety legs, snatch the keys and rush to release Emiliya. She's breathing heavily and mumbling to herself. I grip her by the shoulders and force her eyes on mine.

"It's ok, Emiliya. We're leaving, ok?"

"Dobre," she forces out on a gasp, which I recognise as ok.

I pull her up and nudge her towards the window.

"P-please, ta-take me. I can't die like this. I'm ss-sorry." Jeremy's broken voice feels like a knife twisting in my gut and spilling my insides.

I don't think I can leave him here to bleed out. I go to him, falling to my knees and covering his gushing wound with both hands.

I glance over my shoulder to see Eden and Emiliya fighting to get the window open. Turning my gaze back to Jeremy's pale, battered body, I know that whatever decision we make will haunt me either way. He's part of the reason we were trafficked. He helped dispose of Devlin's body and stabbed Eden, yet I still want to help him.

Jeremy's eyes flutter as he croaks, "Thank you."

I hear the window being shoved up and look over as Emiliya scrambles out.

"Kai, we have to go," Eden demands.

"We-we can't just leave him," I stutter through snotty tears.

Eden barrels over, pulls my hands away from Jeremy's dying body and tries to drag me towards the window.

"There's no time, Kai. I have his phone. We'll call an ambulance, ok?"

My heels dig into the ground, but he's had enough. Eden's arms come around my waist, and he forces me to the window while I kick out like a small child. He drops me onto the floor and grabs my shoulders, digging his fingers into my collarbones hard enough to leave a mark. It's the first time we've stood face to face since our date, and he towers over me.

"You fucking listen to me, ok? You made me a promise. You said we'd survive this. If we stay and help him and the others return, we're dead. Is that what you want?"

I shake my head, and he leans down to roughly kiss the top of my head.

"Now go," Eden commands.

The guilt of leaving Jeremy is suffocating. Each breath feels like a mental effort. But I don't fight him any more and climb out the window. I wait for Eden to follow, but he doesn't come. He walks over to the mattress, picks up the gun and scrubs it clean with the bottom half of his jumper.

"What the fuck are you doing? Eden!" I scream through the window.

"Go to the car, now! Emiliya has the key."

He unwraps the gun from his jumper and then touches it all over. Pain throbs in the front of my skull as I try to comprehend what he's doing. He places the gun on the floor just out of reach of Jeremy but close to where he was kneeling on top of him before.

"P-please, you have to ta-take me. They'll k-kill me," Jeremy begs.

Eden stares down at him with heavy eyes as if contemplating it, but the sound of an engine breaks the spell, and he stumbles to the window.

I'm not even sure if he'll fit through. His head and shoulders slide out, but there's some resistance as he reaches his chest and stomach. I pull at his arms, trying to force him through, but he doesn't budge.

"Fucking breathe in."

He does, and with another aggressive tug, he forces himself through, screaming out in pain as his leg drags across the rotten window frame. I collapse backwards onto the ground, and he crashes on top of me. Eden clambers to his feet and pulls me up with him. His fingers interlock with mine, and we run to the gate where Emiliya waits for us in a beat-up Renault Clio.

"Quick, get in the car. I'll find the button for the gate." Eden pants, pushing me towards the car door.

I climb into the backseat, grab Emiliya's shoulder from behind, and squeeze it hard, realising I have wet blood soaked into my pores. She twists to look at me, tears staining her puffy cheeks. I shiver and wipe my filthy hands on my light blue jeans, staining them with Jeremy's blood.

As the gate separates, Eden jumps into the front passenger seat. I close my eyes and sob into the musty car as the engine roars, and we drive away, heading towards freedom.