Dangerous Attraction: Part Three (Aegis Group) by Sidney Bristol Page B

do.
    “I mean, why do we need her? Can’t,” she swallowed down the bile, “can’t it just be us?”
    His mouth spread into something like a smile. He reached for her, cupping her cheek in his rough hand. She clenched her fists tighter to keep from cringing away from him.
    This time she would be strong.
    “She doesn’t matter, but I can’t let her live. Just a little while longer, and then we can be happy, together.”
    “Why does she matter? Can’t we go now?”
    “She dies,” he snapped and dropped the compassionate act. “Out of the car. Now.”
    “Okay. Okay.”
    A thump from the trunk reminded her that she wasn’t his only victim.
    “What about Carlos?” she asked. They couldn’t leave him behind, could they? Should she keep her mouth shut and hope the authorities found the car?
    “Get him out.” Daniel popped the lock on the trunk and pushed up out of his seat, leaving her to scramble after him.
    Wendy circled the car, but froze once she reached the tail light. Daniel had the gun out, pointed at the trunk. Her body shook uncontrollably, either from the cold or the fear, she didn’t know which.
    Be brave.
    Be more like Bliss.
    “What’s that for?” she asked. Wasn’t she cooperating?
    “The kid’s trouble. Get him out.”
    Wendy lifted the trunk and forced herself to smile at Carlos. Did he know his mother was dead? He had every right to hate her because of this. It was her fault. If Daniel weren’t obsessed with her, Priscilla would still be alive.
    Carlos stared up at her, his eyes big and red. There was an ugly bump on the side of his head. The duct tape around his hands and face was twisted and mangled, but hadn’t torn. Yet. He was doing his best to get free. The kid was a fighter. Priscilla would be proud.
    “Hey, Carlos, it’s okay.” She reached for his hands and held them for a second, willing him to believe her. “It’s all going to be okay. Just come with me.”
    Please let it be okay. Please?
    Wendy helped the kid out of the trunk. Like his mom, Carlos was a strong-willed personality with lots of smarts. Grayson didn’t know that Wendy had pushed Priscilla to use their address so Carlos could go to a better school district. The only thing that mattered to Priscilla was giving her son the opportunities in life she never had. Now she was gone, and who would look out for Carlos?
    “Walk,” Daniel barked.
    “Where are we going?” Wendy wrapped an arm around Carlos and hustled him away from Daniel.
    “Keep walking.”
    “Is it really necessary to point a gun at us?”
    “Wendy, Wendy, you’re so sweet and kind. You’ll make a good mother, but you forget you aren’t my first wife. I’ve had others like you. I’m not stupid. You don’t love me yet, but you will. You will.” He picked up his pace and pushed the barrel of his gun against the back of Carlos’ head. “You do as I say, or I’ll kill him, understand?”
    “Oh, God. Oh my God.” She swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I understand.”
    She shook from head to toe, so much that it was hard to walk. Carlos stared straight ahead, supporting her as they huddled together and stumbled forward.
    Wendy wasn’t strong enough for this. She wasn’t Bliss. She couldn’t do this.
    Travis stalked down the driveway. Ryan, Connor, and Jade stood in a circle with a few uniformed officers. The frigid breeze sliced through his clothes, but it was nothing compared to the damning looks from Bliss’ parents.
    It wasn’t his fault eyes hadn’t been on the perimeter, or that the house staff wasn’t being watched, but he still should have known. If he were dealing with a client under threat, it’s the kind of thing he’d expect to happen. But this was a deranged serial killer with a fucked up god complex, and most of Travis’ rules were out the window.
    “Hey Travis. How’s the family?” Connor asked.
    “Pissed as hell. What the fuck happened?”
    “Check those locations and report back to us,” Ryan said to