Troubled Indeed

CHAPTER FORTY

I stare in horror at the man I once foolishly thought I loved. How did he become such a monster? He wasn't a saint back then either, but this is a new level of evil. His stare is glassy and can't help but believe his threat to kill Anthony for the freaking club.

"This is what's going to happen now," Simon takes full charge of the situation. "You two bring me those chairs and place them right behind Tony and Alexi," he orders the bridesmaids standing the last in the row, then adds, "And don't even try anything stupid!"

The pair of middle-aged women nod in silence and get moving. I guess you don't contradict the man with a gun. They place the chairs where told.

"Now get back in line!" Simon snarls. "Now you!" he points at me with this free hand, "Take those ribbons from the arrangements and tie their hands behind their backs!" He points towards Anthony and Alexi.

I look at Simon in astonishment. I notice Anthony clench his fists, but not move or react otherwise. I'm so terrified I can't move, and then realize I still have my sobbing little boy in my arms.

"Give him to me!" he barks, looking at Benjamin, "Now!"

"Mommy, no!" Benjamin sobs louder, not letting go of my neck. Tears start flowing down my cheeks and I'm having a truly hard time letting go of him. This pisses Simon off even more.

"Do it, bitch," he hisses, then throws in a threat, "Or your mother will be honored with the first shot."

"I'm sorry sweetie," I whisper to Benji, "I'll get you right back, please be strong, okay?" I try to salvage the situation, not sure if I was talking to Benji or myself.

With reluctant, slow movements I place Benji next to Simon and stroke his head, trying to make him stop crying, but it's not helping. Simon grabs Benji's hand and yanks him closer. It takes me all my self-control not to pounce and punch Simon in the face. Instead, I grit my teeth and move towards the flower arrangements to get the ribbons.

I silently approach Anthony and don't even have to say anything as he places his hands behind his back. I try my best to tie the ribbon, but my shaky hands aren't really helping. I figure if I tie it loosely, we might have a chance of confronting Simon.

"Faster!" Simon barks, "And don't try to play any games with me, if you don't tie them up properly, I'm gonna shoot this little bastard here," he adds as he shakes Benji's hand in his.

I can only hope that it's an empty threat and Simon is not the kind of monster to murder a child. But then again, he is full of surprises, and no one can predict his next move.

I readjust the ribbon tighter around Anthony's wrists, and as I tie the knot, it tears a little bit. I guess the ribbon itself is not that strong and a little spark of hope swells in my chest. I place the loose end in Anthony's palm and squeeze his hand for a second, trying to let him know that if he wanted to, he could easily rip it apart. I truly hope he understands my signal. I move on to Alexi and tie him up as I did with Anthony, giving him the same signal. Both of them sit on the chairs placed behind them. I think Simon's idea was to restrict their mobility.

When I'm done, I try to approach Benji to take him back, but Simon stops me.

"What do you think you're doing?" he says sternly. "The kid stays with me."

"No," is the first word that escapes my mouth, "He didn't do anything to deserve this!"

"And I didn't do anything wrong to lose my club, but yet somehow it happened."

I don't care what he says. I want my boy back. I take another step closer.

"Stop!" he barks at me, "Damn, you have some balls on you!"