In The Cage by Sandy Kline Read Free Book Online Page B

I decide to go for a run. I don’t know how long it’s been since I last exercised so I’m feeling pretty restless. I change into a pair of long formfitting pants and a white sports bra. I throw a light tee on top just in case it starts to rain again and I’m out the door at 8:15.
    I start off at a fairly slow pace just to get warmed up. Once I really feel the blood beginning to circulate I take off! My goal this morning is to completely exhaust myself. Given my current state of health and wellbeing that shouldn’t be difficult. But before I can even get a sweat going my burner phone starts ringing. Without breaking stride I dig it out of my waistband and answer.
    “What?”
    “You really think that’s a good idea bitch?”
    “What?” I pant.
    “Leaving your kid unattended while you go out running.”
    I gasp involuntarily. “What? What…makes you…think…he’s alone?”
    “Well…unless you got a ghost watching him I say he’s alone ‘cause I sure don’t see anyone around him.”
    “You… stay away…from…my son you…asshole!” I scream in between gasps for breath.
    “Or what bitch? What’re you gonna do, kill me? Is that what you did to King? That what you did to your boy’s father. Tell me, does Diego know he had an older brother? Does he know that you probably killed his daddy? Maybe it was you that killed Ethan. Ever think about that bitch? You gonna tell him this stuff or shall I? Seems to me a boy should be raised by his mother and his father. Wouldn’t you agree to that Christine?”
    “His father…was a…crazy…drug addict. He…has no…rights here. So stay the fuck away…from us.”
    Soon as I started talking with Boomer I turned around and started running back towards the hotel. I should be there in five more minutes.
    “King was a celebrated fighter…is a celebrated fighter and has every right to be with his son and I’m going to see to it that that happens lady. A real shitstorm is comin’ your way bitch so beware. Your little family’s days are numbered! He finishes and disconnects the call.
    I scream and make like I’m going to smash the phone on the pavement but decide I need to keep in contact with the creep so I know what’s going down. He’s watching my son right now and he may even be in the hotel room hiding. I dig out my other phone. I need to call Jake. I don’t think I can handle Boomer on my own.
    After about a dozen rings Jake’s phone goes into voicemail. So I try again…and again. Finally on the fourth time he picks up.
    “What’s wrong?” He blurts out.
    “My son…I think…I know… he’s in trouble.”
    “Where’s he at? Where are you?”
    “Jogging…mile away.”
    “He at the hotel? Holiday Inn right.”
    “Waterfront… Holiday Inn… room 423.”
    “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Now go to your son.”
    And just like that he hangs up. I put my phone away and go into an all-out sprint. I get about two hundred yards when my toe catches on a rough patch on the roadway and I go flying. I manage to break my fall and keep my head from hitting the pavement but the heels of my hands are gonna pay for that move. I roll over on my side for a moment in a fetal position holding my burning hands to my body. I gasp and grimace for a moment before gritting my teeth against the pain and force myself to stand. I take a deep breath and lurch into a run, then an all- out sprint again, this time watching where I put my feet down with each step.
    As I continue to run I realize I should have told Jake to call me when he got there. Then again, I should be there first. Why the hell did I even call him? Maybe he’ll be picking my dead body off the floor if Boomer is still there. Hopefully he was making empty threats and maybe he’s not really there with Diego.
    When I finally get to the hotel lobby I go charging in and reach the elevator bank just before the door to one of them closes. I lunge in, gasping as I punch the fourth floor button. Then I