Chapter 5 - The Voice on the Line
I stared at the glowing screen of the burner phone while my heart hammered against my ribs.
The text message glared back at me in harsh white letters.
I looked over at Silas, who was focused entirely on navigating the dark Boston streets.
His hands gripped the steering wheel with casual confidence, completely unaware of the phone in my lap.
Before I could lock the screen, the burner phone began to ring loudly.
Silas immediately snapped his head toward the noise.
"Where did you get that?" Silas demanded, his voice dropping to a dangerous baritone.
"It was in Graham's coat," I said, my voice trembling as the phone continued to buzz.
The caller ID displayed the words "Restricted Number."
"Do not answer it," Silas ordered, reaching across the console to grab the device.
Instinct took over, and I pulled the phone away from his grasping hand.
I hit the green accept button and pressed the cheap plastic to my ear.
"June?" Graham's voice echoed through the tiny speaker.
Hearing his smooth, charming tone made my stomach churn with violent disgust.
"You ruined my life," I whispered into the receiver, tears finally spilling down my cheeks.
"I had to do it to save you," Graham pleaded, sounding completely out of breath.
I let out a bitter, humorless laugh.
"You stole my shop and framed me for your corporate theft."
"The Sterlings are not a real estate family, June," Graham said frantically.
"They are an international crime syndicate, and I stole their money to buy our freedom."
I looked at Silas, who was watching me with an unreadable, icy expression.
"Silas Thorne does not work for the Sterlings," Graham warned urgently.
"He is an independent cleaner, and he kills anyone who can tie the stolen money back to him."
My blood ran completely cold as I stared at the man sitting next to me.
"Look in your mother's old ledger in the floorboards," Graham begged.
"The truth about why Thorne is really there is hidden inside it."
Before Graham could say another word, Silas violently slammed on the brakes.
The heavy SUV screeched to a halt in an abandoned industrial alleyway.
Silas lunged across the console, his massive hand wrapping around my wrist with bruising force.
He snatched the burner phone from my grip, rolled down his window, and threw the device onto the pavement.
Without a word, he opened his door, stepped out, and crushed the phone to pieces under his heavy leather boot.
I tried to open my passenger door to run, but the electronic locks clicked shut.
Silas climbed back into the driver's seat and locked his dark eyes onto mine.
"Graham is a liar," Silas said quietly.
"Then let me out of this car," I demanded, pulling desperately on the locked handle.
Silas leaned closer to me, trapping me against the passenger window.
"I cannot do that, June, because Graham was right about one thing."
May you like
Silas reached into his jacket, and my breath caught as I braced for a weapon.
"The Sterlings will kill you if they find you before I do."
