A Deadly Affair

Twenty-Eight

I knew having a ex gangster for a boyfriend would eventually catch up to me: but I didn't think I'd be alone with his sadistic uncle, in the back of a van, after he shot one of my friends. I swallow my emotion, trying desperately to remain calm. Chris and I stare at each other; well, I scowl while he smiles pleasantly, as though he didn't just kidnap me. I fight the urge to lunge at him, despite the bulky man sitting in the front seat. Something about him is familiar, but I can't place where I know him from, especially when I can't see his face.

"It's so nice to meet you." Chris tells me, as though I'm his son's girlfriend and he's trying to make me comfortable. I hate him. "You're much prettier up close."

"Screw you." I mutter, causing him to lean closer.

"What was that?" He asks, a stupid smile on his face.

"Screw. You." I bite out, anger pushing aside fear as I remember every horrible thing he's done to me.

He laughs, as though this is wonderful. "Such a spitfire! Huh Skull?" He elbows the driver, who meets my eyes through the rearview mirror. I gasp, unable to stop myself as I realize he's Ryan's coworker.

"You bastard," I all but growl, feeling very pissed off and very vindictive, as I kick the back of the driver seat. "You betrayed him!"

"Now now, I wouldn't test Skull." Chris warns, still smiling pleasantly. "Not without your boyfriend to defend you." I glare at him, wanting to throw him through the windshield. I expected Chris to look like Skull; massive, a scowl, piercings and tattoos. Instead he's normal looking; besides the scar running along his jaw. Thankfully, he looks nothing like my Ryan; his pitch black hair and black eyes are a stark contrast to Ryan's blonde hair and forest eyes. I tilt my nose up, looking away from this evil man, that I detest. "Here's how this is going down."

"Screw you." I repeat; some distant voice is in my head is screaming to not push my luck, and reminding me how dangerous these two men are, but anger gets the best of me.

He continues as though I hadn't spoken. "You're going to call Ryan, and let him know we have you. Nothing else, then hand the phone to me, and I'll tell him his instructions."

Humorless laughter tumbles out of me, I feel hallow, Ben's bleeding body haunting me as I feel the urge to scream. I feel so helpless, but I have to stay calm, I have to stay in control. This is something I can control. "I'm not doing that." I state simply; as if I'd bring Ryan into direct danger. Chris's easy demeanor shifts momentarily, before he nods.

"I figured you'd be a difficult one." He grins as though he has money riding on this trait of mine. I'm normally not, but this man might have pushed me too far. I scoot away as he climbs into the back of the van with me; but stop moving or breathing all together when he holds up my phone- he swiped it while I was unconscious. I shiver when I think of him touching me while I was so defenseless. He dials Ryan's number, humming softly as it rings twice. "Ryan, nice to hear your voice." He enjoys the silence that follows, and I feel my heart plummet to my toes. He's going to come for me, there's not a doubt in any of our minds that he will. "Yes, I take it by your silence that you've guessed I have your precious girlfriend." He puts the phone on speaker, motioning for me to speak. I clamp my mouth shut, glaring at him with all my hatred I feel toward him. "She's a difficult one huh, Ry?" I glare harder as he tarnishes Ryan's nickname. Chris pauses a few beats before sighing. "You're embarrassing me." He informs me quietly, narrowing his eyes as though I'm a toddler throwing a temper tantrum.

Screw you I scream it in my head, the temptation to smack him growing with every moment that passes. I feel the blood drain from my face as Chris produces a knife from his pocket, opening it in one swift motion and motioning for me to speak with it by waving It around. "Go on," He says, shaking his head when I steel my resolve. I slide away from him, but he grips my arm, slicing it with the knife in the same motion, emitting a loud scream from me. Blood rushes from my arm, and I gape at it, feeling shock override every other emotion I'm feeling. He cut me. Chris smiles, before picking the phone back up. "Woah, calm down." His smile widens, and while I can hear Ryan shouting, I can't make out the words- I know there were threats though, of that I'm sure. "Listen. You come where I tell you to, at the time I tell you to and we-" He pauses, smiling and nodding. "I knew you'd come around. The hideout, I'll text you the address." He looks over my arm as blood rushes down it, then whistles. "By the way. It's a good thing your girl's a nurse because otherwise she might bleed out." He pauses before rolling his eyes, and handing me the phone. I grip it with the arm that isn't bleeding, and turn away from him.

"Are you okay? What did he do?" He barks into the phone, his anger and pain coming through, hitting me in the chest. I squeeze my eyes shut, resting my head against the window.

"Don't come," I urge, my voice as quiet as possible with him still being able to hear me. He inhales a sharp breath, and I ache to be near him, to gain from his strength.

"Jules, there's no version of me in any universe that wouldn't come for you." He tells me, honesty in his voice and words. I fight back the emotion overwhelming me; he doesn't know about Ben, and I could be next. "Just try not to piss him off, and stay quiet as much as possible. Everything will be okay soon."

I lift my head, as I swallow down the lump in my throat. "How do you know that?"

He doesn't hesitate. "Because I'm going to kill Chris. I love you, I'm coming." He assures in the same breath, as Chris takes back my phone, ending the call. I gape as he nods to Skull through the rearview, and we're moving, causing my body to lurch. I'm so screwed.

Chris smiles at me, as I turn to glare at him. "Ryan only cares for a handful of people: but after watching you two, I knew you were the one to use. Everyone has a kryptonite."