That Day by Karen Deen (best novels to read in english txt) 📕

“That’s bullshit and you know it. Oscar is in on this, isn’t he? Both of you made sure Asha’s parents died that night so you could use it as leverage against her at the right time. There is no way I’m pinning my name to that crap, that was all you. And don’t even think you can leave Bull holding the bag on it either.”

I can feel the tension in my body and my adrenaline pumping through every limb. Sitting still here in the car is torture.

In my whole life I’ve never hit a woman, and I’m not about to start now, so I know I need to stay here before I do something I will regret.

Everything is silent for a few minutes.

“I didn’t know back then, I swear. I would never do that to any of you. You have to believe me that this is not my choice.” Finally, her voice is softer, and the fear and her vulnerability’s creeping in.

“Tell me everything, and I can help you. It’s never too late to fix this.” Hawk is trying the compassionate side now to get her to open up.

“I can’t… it’s gone too far now.”

“You know that’s crap, we can protect you from all of this. Who is paying you off?” Scott’s now calmer and trying to get Davina to open up.

Everything goes quiet, and I’m worried maybe the audio feed has dropped out, then finally in the frailest voice Davina replies. “I’m not getting paid one dollar… They have my sister hostage and will kill her if I don’t show up with Asha before the court case is due to commence.” I might not be able to see her, but I can hear the crying.

“Fuck!” I punch down on the dashboard of the car.

Hawk continues to hold steady and keeps pushing her. “Who has her hostage? Come on, Davina, let us help you.” I want to march in there and demand she tell me. Patience is obviously not my strong point today.

“Oscar…” Her voice is overtaken by the sound of her crying.

“Bastard, I’ll kill him!” I roar. I can’t sit here any longer. I need to move and do something about this mess that Davina is in. “Asha, phone,” I demand, putting my hand behind me for the burner phone we gave her to carry for safety and tracking her if anyone tries to grab her.

Still with the audio in one ear, I call Ghost on Asha’s phone. Not even waiting for him to say a word, I blurt out, “Where the fuck is he? I’ll kill him with my bare hands if I have to!” I’m bellowing into the phone like I’m some big badass vigilante.

“Calm the fuck down. We will take him down, but in a way that won’t have you behind bars, dickhead!” Ghost screams back at me.

“I want him.” I feel like I want to jump out of my skin. “I let him into my home, he was so close to Asha. I fucking trusted him.”

“Yeah, and you still have your girl with you, yet Davina’s sister is somewhere scared out of her mind. Pull your shit together, Bull.”

His words pull me back to reality. Fuck, someone else’s life is in danger too. Another innocent party who is now left fighting to stay alive.

“Sorry. Got it. Tell me what to do.”

Asha is still sitting behind me. Not saying a word, not moving an inch.

I move the rearview mirror so I can see her, her face pale, her forehead full of worry lines, and she is chewing on a fingernail which she never does. I can see her chest rising with shallow breaths, so I hope she doesn’t pass out on me.

“Get off the fucking phone, listen to Hawk, and wait for the signal like we planned. Do not fuck this up. Focus!” His call disconnects, and I’m left listening to Davina’s tears finally coming back under control.

“We have the power to help you, Davina. We are working off the grid. Now tell me where Oscar is, and we will get your sister back.” Hawk is good. I never should have doubted him.

“You can’t guarantee that,” Davina says.

“No, you’re right, but it’s the only shot you’ve got, because we’re sure as shit not handing over Asha, you must know that. So, start talking, and let’s get moving. We are running out of time. We’ll take your car, and I will take you somewhere safe, then you can make the call you need to and arrange for the meet-up with Oscar.”

And here I was getting yelled at from Ghost for trying to change the plan. Yet Hawk is making it up as he goes along.

I can imagine Ghost screaming at him in his earpiece.

“Why are we taking my car?” she asks.

“Because Oscar will be expecting yours, and my backup will follow in mine.” Hawk keeps his answer simple, not giving away how close Asha is to her.

“You aren’t here alone?” Davina’s voice is a little higher pitched, as if it bothers her that she must be outnumbered.

“Not a chance. I’m not that stupid,” he replies.

“What, and you think I am?” she yells at him.

“No, I just think you agreed to come on your own because you’re desperate. Fewer questions and more moving. You need to take me to Oscar.”

“Do I have a choice?” she mumbles as I hear her starting to walk.

“Not even remotely. You want your sister, then you cooperate. You should know the drill by now. One more thing you need to tell me before we leave.”

“What?” She sounds like a stubborn schoolgirl.

“Where is he?” This time Hawk’s voice is low and deep. He means business.

“Down on the docks at the harbor, he says my sister is on a boat, and when I arrive with Asha, she’ll be released to me. Do you believe him?” Her voice gets softer as they walk towards the door.

“We have no other choice.” Those are the last words I hear from either