My heart sank, realizing that was when our plan had fallen apart.
“She went to see if she could find you in the area, which apparently she did, but I guess she decided to take matters into her own hands. Of course, she botched the job and left me with the mess of taking care of you by myself.”
“Then you’ve already gotten your revenge. She killed my son.”
“No, that was Gabby’s personal vendetta. Her jealousy of Cami consumed her, obviously to the point of stupidity.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “I still need to take my revenge.”
“Then take it—on me—but let Cami go. This is between you and me. She has nothing to do with it.”
“She has everything to do with it. You took someone special away from me, so now I get to take someone special away from you. You’re going to feel the same trauma my family experienced.”
He was going to kill Cami. I was sure of it. Frantic emotions churned inside me, but I tried to remain calm. “Please, Derek. Come on, man. Don’t hurt her. You’re better than this. Let her go and you and I can figure away to settle this between us.”
He shook his head and sighed. “Reduced to begging already, are you? That doesn’t bode well for what’s to come.”
His back was to me now, attention focused on the pool table. I couldn’t see what he was doing.
“Besides, someone is going to miss us, eventually,” I continued. “They’ll come looking for us.”
“I doubt that. I overheard your buddy Russ at the door talking about the three days of alone time you asked for. That will be more than enough time for me. Russ almost caught me. That would’ve ruined everything. Luckily, I managed to duck behind the hedge against the house, so he didn’t see me.” He glanced over his shoulder. “By the way, he dropped off the arson report on your house. Just wanted to make sure you got the message.” Laughing to himself, he continued working at the table.
Glancing around the room, I tried to find anything that could be used as a weapon on the off chance I could get free. Both of my personal weapons had been destroyed in the house fire and my police issued gun had been taken as evidence in the shooting of Gabby.
Turning around, Derek clapped his hands together, rubbing them vigorously. “Okay! Let’s get started, shall we?” He cast a smile in my direction before going across the room to where Cami was sitting. I could feel my color draining as my panic skyrocketed. “Okay, Cami. The good news is you no longer have to hide over here in the corner.” He grabbed her chair, sliding it across the smooth tile floors. The man cave I’d fallen in love with had become a place I hated. “Let’s get you at center stage. You like plays if I remember right. I want you sitting right across from Dylan, so he can see you.”
Cami’s eyes never left me. They were wide with fear and I was almost certain mine mirrored the same expression. I was terrified and there was nothing I could do to protect her. Continuing to rub the twine that bound my hands on the back of the chair, I didn’t know if I was doing any good; but I was losing hope, fast, that we’d come out of this unscathed.
“So, let me fill you in on the rules of the party real quick.” His gaze bounced between the two of us as if he were getting ready to host a game show or something. “I’m going to have a bit of fun with you, Cami, and Dylan is going to see how still and quietly he can sit through it. But for every sound he makes, you’ll suffer more. Everybody understand?”
“You’re a sick bastard!” I growled, the fear rushing through me was almost more than I could bear.
“No. I’m not. I’m simply allowing you the opportunity to sit by and watch someone you love being destroyed right before your eyes, knowing there’s nothing you can do about it.” He moved over to the pool table, picking up a couple of items– a syringe and rubber tourniquet. I was going to be sick now, and he hadn’t even started. “One time, when you and I were hanging out together getting stoned, you asked me if I could get my hands on some meth for you. Well, I’m making good on my promise to get it for you. I also said it would cost you. And it will, but not money.”
Kneeling beside Cami, he placed the tourniquet around her arm, tightening it. “Aw, you’re shaking already. Don’t worry, hun. This stuff will take you on quite the trip. Have you ever shot up before?” He asked in what appeared to be a caring voice and she shook her head. “Well, I’m just going to find a vein and shoot this in. Meth happens to be one of the most addictive drugs there is. Did you know that?”