“Ah… I’m sure he’s pissed. What about Caleb? Did he leave town?” she asked.
“I believe so.”
She sighed. “I can’t believe he’s so gung-ho about that human. If I didn’t need Caleb, I’d kill them both.”
“Caleb has definitely become a loose cannon,” said the bald guy. “He’s going to put us all at risk with his actions. If I may make a suggestion?”
“Certainly,” she replied.
“You should consider getting rid of that entire clan of Roamers. You know, there’s going to be a deep investigation with all of the recent murders. It might put some heat on you and that would be bad for business.”
“You’re probably right. It would be a pity to kill Celeste; however, she’s been so useful.”
He sighed. “You’d have no choice. She’d seek revenge if you killed her father, Faye.”
Faye nodded. “Very well, do it quickly.”
My breath caught in my throat.
Ethan put a finger over his lips as warning.
The bald man’s cell phone went off and he answered it.
“The kid is here,” he said after he hung up.
“Good,” replied Faye.
Seconds later we watched in shock as Duncan was ushered into the bar.
“Duncan,” smiled Faye, holding out her hand. “Very nice to meet you.”
“Where is he?” growled Duncan, ignoring the friendly gesture.
Faye stared at him for a second and then sighed. “We aren’t sure. He’s escaped.”
Duncan’s fists were clenched. “I’m going to kill him.”
I turned to Ethan, whose expression was unreadable.”
“Did you see him do it?” asked Duncan. “Did you see him kill my father?”
Faye nodded. “Yes, it was him. I saw it with my own eyes. He killed your father, broke his neck without a second thought. All for that… girl,” she snarled.
“But, you saw him do it?”
She touched his arm. “Yes, I’m sorry and want to help you. We all know that Ethan is a coldblooded murderer and needs to be stopped once and for all.”
“So, you’ll really help me find him?”
A slow smiled spread over Faye’s lips. “Oh, yes. I’ll help you if you help me.”
Duncan frowned. “What do you want from me?”
“Nikki. I want her.”
Duncan’s lips thinned. “Why?”
Faye tapped her nails on the bar. “Because,” she sighed, “Nikki is Miranda.”
“What do you mean by that?” he asked.
Before she could answer, Ethan grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the bar.
“We have to go,” he whispered.
I stopped walking. “Why did she call me Miranda?” I said. “This is so ridiculous.”
“Don’t listen to her. We have to leave now. Your brother’s life is in danger, as is your mom’s.”
“As is yours,” boomed a voice behind us.
Ethan and I turned to face Duncan.
“Duncan,” I said, stepping towards him.
Ethan pulled me back.
“You killed my father,” growled Duncan, stepping towards us.
“No,” I said, moving towards him again. “It wasn’t Ethan!”
“Don’t lie for him, Nikki,” snapped Duncan. “He’d say or do anything to keep you interested in him.”
“No, it’s true,” said Ethan, stepping between Duncan and myself. “I wasn’t there. I’ve never even met your father.”
“Don’t listen to them,” said Faye, walking up behind Duncan. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “They’re both trying to trick you. Don’t let them.”
“You lie, Faye,” snapped Ethan. “This game you’re playing must end.”
“Games?” said Duncan, taking another step towards us. “You know all about them. That’s why Nikki is so brainwashed by your lies. I think it’s time to end your games, once and for all.”
I watched in shock as Duncan leaped towards Ethan and in a whirl of fists they began to fight.
“No!” I yelled, backing away.
“Grab her, Lucas!” hollered Faye, staring at me with a gleam in her eyes.
Before I could move any further, Lucas grabbed me from behind and pulled me towards the elevator, which was now opening. “Ethan!” I screamed, as I was shoved inside. The next thing I knew, Faye joined us and the elevator closed.
“Finally,” sneered Faye. “I have you, Miranda.”
“You’re crazy!” I cried. “I’m not Miranda!”
She stepped in front of me and grabbed my chin. She stared into my eyes. “Oh, but you are. I see you in there.”
“Please let me go,” I begged as the elevator door opened at the top floor. “I’m, seriously not who you think I am.”
“Let you go? Now, why would I want to do that?” she chuckled.
“Please, don’t do this!”
They ignored my pleas and forced me into her apartment.
“Lucas, go back downstairs and shoot both of them,” said Faye. “It appears we don’t need Duncan now.”
“Shoot them? I didn’t think that would work,” said Lucas.
“Shoot the Roamers in the head. It will immobilize them until I can come back down and finish the job,” she said.
He nodded and left the apartment.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked.
Because it amuses me…