Deliver Me From Evil Read Free

look on his face. “You tell him that I’d like to make him an offer he can’t refuse. For the right price, he can have his wife back.”
    There was some mumbling on my husband’s end and, suddenly, a sharp, shrill yell. I couldn’t tell if it was coming from Kim Loo or Jesse Ray. But the next voice I heard belonged to my husband. “This is Jesse Ray Thurman,” my husband said, sounding more serious now. “Who are you, and what is this all about?”
    â€œYou alone? And you better tell me the truth, motherfucker, because I ain’t playing,” Wade said in a firm and threatening manner. He no longer bothered to disguise his voice.
    â€œUh, something like that,” Jesse Ray replied.
    â€œWhat the fuck does that mean? Are you alone or not?”
    â€œUh, my assistant manager is here … and a few customers,” Jesse Ray muttered.
    â€œGet rid of them motherfuckers. Every last one of them! That chink heifer assistant manager, too!” Wade demanded.
    â€œPlease hold on—”
    â€œHell, no! Hold my ass! This shit has gone on long enough! You put me on hold again, and you won’t never see your wife again. It’s time to get down to business! Do you understand me, asshole?”
    â€œYes, I … I do understand,” Jesse Ray said in a hollow voice. He paused, and I heard Kim Loo mumbling in the background as Jesse Ray dismissed her.
    â€œYou get rid of your brother on that other line, too?”
    â€œYes, I did,” Jesse Ray said, then sighed.
    â€œWhat about them few customers?”
    â€œMy assistant is taking care of them,” Jesse Ray said sharply, sucking in his breath. “Now who is this, and what is this all about?”
    â€œThis is about you getting your wife back and me getting paid.”
    â€œListen, whoever the hell you are. I don’t know what kind of scam you are trying to pull, but it won’t work on me. Now, whoever the hell this is, if you call here again, I’m going to call the police. I don’t have time to play games. Is that clear?”
    â€œMotherfucker! You stop talking crazy! This is for real! We got your wife, and if you want her back, you’ll do what I say!”
    Jesse Ray let out an exasperated sigh. “My wife is at the beauty parlor. I dropped her off there myself a couple of hours ago.”
    I sat as still and stiff as a statue, looking from the telephone to Wade. At this point, Wade looked at me and pointed at me, then at the telephone.
    â€œYou know what to say,” he whispered, shaking a fist and giving me a threatening look.
    I cleared my throat and closed my eyes as I spoke. “J.R … honey, it’s me,” I whimpered. “I’ve been kidnapped, baby, and I’m … I’m so scared.”

CHAPTER 3
    â€œW hat the hell? Christine? Baby, what is this?” my husband asked in a low, steely voice. “Honey, where are you?” Jesse Ray was yelling now, and he sounded terrified. “Are you all right? Have you been harmed?” His voice was trembling so hard, I could almost feel it vibrating through the telephone.
    â€œI’m fine … for now. Please do what they tell you to do,” I pleaded, with a sob. “If you don’t … they … they are going to kill me.”
    â€œ Shit!” Jesse Ray roared.
    â€œBaby, go into your office so you can have some privacy. I don’t want Kim Loo to know what’s going on.” I didn’t plan on it, but I let out a sharp sob and a loud sniff. My tongue felt like it had doubled in size, and it was flopping up and down in my mouth so hard, I could barely talk. “Baby, I’m so scared,” I managed.
    A few excruciating moments of silence passed, and I kept my eyes closed until I heard my husband’s voice again.
    â€œI’m in my office now,” Jesse Ray said, breathing hard. He yelled for Kim Loo to hang up the other phone. Then I heard