The Devil turns on the television and I'm exposed to the sight of Merrick in front of the screen with a hopeful look on his face. At the sight of me he sighs, “Baby...”

Meekly I say, “Hi...”

“Love the warm sentiments,” The Devil sarcastically starts, “but I have a few questions McCoy and I expect the truth or your beauty won't be so beautiful.” At the words I turn just in time to see a gun drawn, cocked and pointing my direction.

Nervous I swallow and turn to look back at Merrick who has tensed up.

There's a gun pointed at my head! An actual fucking gun! Oh my god! Oh my god! I don't wanna die! Please don't let me die.

He scoots closer like he's trying to reach me. “Don't you fucking dare.”

“I'm not gonna kill her, but I don't have to send her home whole. Now.” He pushes it against my shoulder. “Why did you go the Commissioner's house? I told you no cops.”

“You did,” Merrick hurries out, which is when I spot Madden on the couch behind him rigid like he's ready to attack as well.

Well at least he's on our side.

“So you were....selling him Girl Scout Cookies?”

“I was killing his scent off me,” Merrick explains. “Nadie knows my face. She knows that I'm Jovi's boyfriend. It wouldn't have been much longer before they came sniffing so I sent them another direction as a distraction.”

I cut a glance at The Devil, who looks unsure if he buys it.

Do you buy it? Can you come up with another reason Merrick would be at my house? Talking to my dad? Oh my God. The fact my father didn't murder him on the spot is impressive in itself. Maybe he'll accept us someday. Yeah. You're right. I'm getting way ahead of myself.

“You've never been able to buy The Commissioner off. What the fuck makes you think he'd change his tune now? Better yet what make you think he trusts me?” Merrick's words sound so sad. “I just needed him out of the picture to steal back your package tomorrow.”

“So you're finally bringing it home,” he sounds excited. “I look forward to watching the show.”

Merrick lifts his eyebrows. “You're gonna be watching?”

“I'm always watching McCoy. Remember that.” He uncocks the weapon and lowers it. “Now tell your love goodnight.”

“Can I have a minute?” Merrick pleads.

He looks at his watch. “60 seconds.”

Such a heartless asshole!

“You okay, baby?”

With a sharp nod I decide to clue him the best I can to my whereabouts.

I don't buy my father wouldn't help him any more than I buy this man is just gonna give me up with no backlash. Not really sure how any of this is gonna go down, but the easier I can make it to get to me the better.

“You remember when we stayed in the hotel suite with that one large gorgeous window?”

The false description looks like it registers instantly.

Thank God.

He adjusts in his seat. “I do. It was um...on the first floor.”

“Yeah. We could see those ducks from it.” I fake an emotional attachment before I ask, “When you save me...can we go back?”

“We can go anywhere you want baby,” Merrick whispers. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Sweet. Really. Time's up. Ghost, I'll be seeing you again real soon.”

“Yup.” He swallows. “Real fucking soon.”

The Devil kills the T.V. as Melody enters the room. Knowing the drug I need to take is in the liquid I make a mental note to have it last.

No way I can get out of drinking it all together, but the least I can do is prolong my next pass out. It's crossed my mind to accidentally spill it, so you're not alone there. I get the feeling that would make this situation worse not better. No. And not just for me, but for Melody who has been way better to me than I would expect. For now, I've just gotta keep my head down and deal with it. Merrick is coming. I know he is. I believe it.

“Enjoy your meal,” he states warmly. “We'll be chatting again soon, Miss Carter.”

Melody puts down the tray in front of me and sighs, “Please drink your juice first.”

Her eyes are pleading with me not to put up a fight.

Something tells me if I do, if I change any part of this routine, she will suffer worse than I will.

I lift my glass and take her soft smile of apology.

What makes a person this evil? What turns a person so cold that he has to treat someone the way he does her? To force another human into servitude? To hold another hostage? To move others like pieces on a chess board for only his benefit? Are you even human anymore? Do you even have a soul at that point? Maybe that's why they call him The Devil.

Merrick

Once Jovi's gorgeous face is gone, I hop and run past Madden who's on the couch, to Destin who is sitting at the kitchen table.

Daniel chuckles as he bites into a pear. “That must've been some night to remember. Did you get it like ten times instead of the usual six?”

Ignore him.

“That night never happened,” I bluntly respond. “Destin, can you pull up the model of The Devil's compound?”

He starts to type as Daniel asks, ”What do you mean it never happened? You can't bone ten times in one night?”

Defensively I state, “Of course I can.”

Just because we haven't had the chance doesn't mean I can't. Besides, I gotta save something for the honeymoon right?

“What I mean is, Jovi was giving me a clue to where she's being held captive.” Destin pulls up the 3-D model of The Devil's property and I ask, “Which of these buildings have a bedroom with only one window on the bottom floor?”

Destin types on the key board, moves the model around on the screen with his finger and highlights three buildings. “These are the only ones that fit that description.”

I stare at the highlighted buildings spread out on his compound. Folding my arms, I nod slowly. “We check 'em all. Daniel and Madden, you'll each take one. I'll take the one attached to the main house. I have to deliver the keys there anyway. Might as well.”

Daniel and Madden appear at my side to look at the screen. “Those are really far out on the property. You think he'd have her out there?”

“I think he doesn't want her far from him, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. So we check 'em all.”

“Shoot to kill,” Madden declares.

Daniel lets out a long breath and has another bite of his pear.

Politely I ask, “Destin, can you pull up the full scale model again?”

He moves a few things around the screen and questions, “What are you looking for this time?”

My eyes study the image. There are 10 buildings in addition to the main house where I know he has the pool and the garage attached. Buildings vary in size and shape, but they seem to be connected by a series of underground tunnels along with dirt roads. In the far corner towards the back of the property there also seems to be a helicopter pad.

He really does have everything.

I look over at Madden. “He's gonna make a run for it with his helicopter.”

“How did I not know he had a helicopter?” Daniel complains. “Why don't we have a helicopter?”

“What do we need a helicopter for?” Destin questions.

“What is the actual plan?” Madden pushes. “You've been vague as fuck this entire time.”

Casually I answer, “I'm gonna pose as a new cop to get in the building. From there I'll sneak into the impound, steal the car, which is scheduled for towing tomorrow, and drive it to The Devil's compound. Madden I need you and Daniel searching for Jovi before I get there, but it's gotta be quiet. We can't give him a hint to our pre searching. I'll pull a favor from Vinnie to run interference for safe passage to the compound. Knox will be used for further necessary interference.”

“Once you've brought The Devil his package then what?” Daniel asks. “You can't possibly think he'll just hand Jovi over?”