Chapter 14 Run
Anushka's P.O.V.
What are we going to do? I can't believe this is the man who took Dakota. How did he know we would call a car to pick us up? When I notice there's blood on the steering wheel, I swallow past the lump in my throat.
"Where's the real driver?" I ask, dreading the answer.
"Don't worry about him. So I'm curious. What did the two of you do that pissed someone off so much they want to kill you?" He asks as we get further and further from the busiest part of the island. I glance at Jordan, and he's pulling out his phone.
"Why did you take me from my mommy and daddy?" Dakota asks him. I wrap my arm around her and kiss her head. She's a strong little girl, but I know she was scared then, and she's scared now.
"I guess I can tell you now because you won't be alive much longer to run your mouths. The woman on the beach didn't poison you correctly, Jordan, or you would have already been dead. When my employer found out you were here too, Anushka, he increased my pay to eliminate all three of you. I thought I had the perfect chance when you returned to the hotel, but once again, you got away before I could get to you. I knew you wouldn't miss the celebration on the beach, and I needed a new plan, so I followed you. When I had the chance, I took the little brat. Once I had her, I was going to make the two of you come to me, but I hadn't expected her to be a little demon. Now I'm done playing games. I saw the driver outside and knew he was coming for you when he called inside and said he was there to pick up Mr. Holt. The rest, you know. Now I'll get paid, and you'll be dead."
I look at him in disbelief. He's acting like killing the three of us is something he does every day. Who could be that cold? I look at Jordan, and he's doing something with his phone. I hope he's getting us help. Dakota holds my arm tightly.
"Who hired you?" I ask him, hoping to keep him distracted while Jordan is on his phone. The man seems pretty chatty, too.
"I guess I can tell you because it doesn't matter now. His name is Paul Alvin." I don't know anyone by that name. Why would he want to kill me? Jordan's head snaps up.
"Did you say Paul Alvin?" He asks.
"Yeah, I take it that you know him?" The man driving asks as he begins to slow the car down. Jordan looks at his phone and types something in.
"Yeah, I know him. He's a little weasel who thought he would make it in commercial real estate just because he wanted to. He had no idea how to run a business and got angry whenever I outbid him. Does he honestly think killing me is going to solve anything? What about Anushka and Dakota? Why is he after them?" Jordan asks, reaching over and squeezing my hand. He seems a lot calmer than me.
"You can ask him yourself." We pull onto a long, bumpy dirt road. When we get to the end of it, a man is standing against a black sedan. He looks about five feet eight inches at the most, with short sandy brown hair and a sickening smile. Our chatty driver gets out of the car and walks over to Paul.
"Please tell me you were able to call for help," I ask Jordan while keeping my eyes on the two men.
"I did. I just hope they're able to get here in time. If I tell you guys to run, I need you to do as I say. Don't look back, and don't stop; just keep running. Okay?" He looks at us, and I want to tell him no, but I have to think about Dakota.
"Okay, but we're all leaving here today." He kisses me and then kisses Dakota's head.
"I love you," he says to both of us.
"I love you too," I say as I swallow past the lump in my throat. Dakota has tears running down her cheeks as she holds our hands. The man who drove us returned to the car and opened my door.
"It's time to go," I hesitate, but he pulls the gun out, so I slowly get out of the car. I lift Dakota in my arms as Jordan gets out. The man points the gun at us.
"Walk over to Mr. Alvin," he says. Jordan puts his arm around me, and we do as he says.
"Well, well, well, look who we have here. I wasn't planning on taking a vacation, but it feels right to start the New Year by getting rid of the people who have made my life a living hell." Paul has a whiny voice that instantly gets on my nerves.
"Why are we here, Paul?" Jordan asks. I keep my eyes on the man with the gun. He leans against the car and lays the gun on top of it.
"Oh, so you remember who I am. Do you also remember how you screwed me over and forced me out of the real estate business?" I swear if I hear much more of that voice, I'm going to attack the little asshole myself.
"How exactly did I screw you over? If I remember correctly, you didn't know how to bid properly, nor did you have any business sense. You can't just show up out of nowhere and expect people to give you a chance. I worked hard to get where I am. It didn't happen overnight." Jordan tightens his hold on me, and Dakota has her face buried in my neck. Paul's face turns red with anger.
"I'm a lot better at business than you are. You just arrogantly came in and charmed everyone into doing what you wanted them to do. It doesn't matter now anyway because you're going to die, and I'll have my payback." Paul calms down and looks at me.
"What did I do to you? I don't even know who you are." I ask him. He smirks and shakes his head.
"We never actually met. I was set to take over your father's business until you swooped in there and took it from me the day before I was supposed to meet with him. Both of you are responsible for setting me back and not getting what I deserve. Once you're dead, I'll be able to conquer both worlds and take your place. I have thought long and hard about this. I'm going to kill the girl first and then Anushka. Jordan, I'll save you for last just to show that you're not as big and strong as you think you are." I hold Dakota tighter as Paul moves toward us. There is no way he is getting her from me.
"Do you really think you can kill us and get away with it?" Jordan asks, moving slightly to get between him and us. I look at the other man. He looks bored, and the gun is still on top of the car.
"You're on an island. People go missing or get killed all the time when they're on vacation. They'll assume one of the locals did it. Now give me the girl, or I won't make it fast. Do you want to see her suffer?" Paul pulls out a knife from his pocket as he moves closer. Jordan looks at me, and my heart breaks. I know what he's going to do.
"Run." He says softly. I don't hesitate. I hold Dakota tight, turn, and begin running down the dirt road. I hear grunting behind me and assume the men are fighting, but I can't turn to look. Just as we get around a bend and out of view of them, I hear something that makes my heart stop.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Three gunshots and then nothing. Who was shot? I can't breathe. Jordan can't be dead. I won't believe it. I hear footsteps running toward us. When I slowly turn around, I get my answer.