Chapter 12

Dean stood in the shower that Tuesday night. He let the water cascade down his muscular body. He washed, being cautious of his injured ribs. He turned off the faucets to the shower and stepped out. He grabbed a towel and dried himself off. As he stood in front of the mirror, he looked at the bruises on his midsection, courtesy of his father. His father. After all that had transpired, does he dare still call that man his father? The only person he was proud was his father was Mark Calaway.

Dean dressed in a plain black t-shirt, blue jeans, and boots. He grabbed his wallet and placed it in his back jeans pocket, then reached for the bag that contained the belt Papa Good had requested. If this is what it took to have Papa Good release Renee, Mark and his family, then so be it. He knew this was part of Papa Good's deal. He had a deal of his own for Papa Good. One he was sure he would go for. He walked downstairs and out the door. He got into his white truck and sat the bag with the belt in the passengers seat. He pulled out of the driveway and was headed for the Hoover Dam.

-Mark was shoved to the floor of the boiler room at the Hoover Dam. He rose to his knees as a voice called to him.

"DADDY!"

Mark saw Kaia running towards him. He took her close into his arms, sighing in relief.

"Oh, Kaia. Kaia, Kaia, Kaia. Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"No, Daddy. I'm fine."

Mark's teary green eyes met his daughters'. "I'm sorry, baby girl. I'm so sorry. Daddy's so sorry."

He pulled her in for another hug and kissed her little head. He rose to his feet when Michelle was close. He pulled her into his arms, embracing her.

"Mark. Thank God."

"I'm so sorry, Michelle. I had no idea. I had no idea."

"Mark...we're fine."

Mark looked at his wife. "Did he touch you?"

"No. Not once."

"Where's Renee?"

"I'm right here."

Mark saw Renee standing behind Michelle a few feet away. She looked scared and dirty. Her hands rubbed at her stomach. He walked up to her.

"Where's Jonathan?"

"He'll be here tonight."

"He had better be here if he knew what was good for him," Papa Good said. "He'd be a fool not to show up here tonight knowing what's on the line."

"You don't know him very well, then." Renee stated.

"Oh, I do know him very well, Renee."

Papa Good removed a gun from the back of his pants. Mark stood in front of Renee and his family, willing to sacrifice himself if he needed to. Michelle picked up Kaia and held her close.

"Don't worry. This isn't for you." Papa Good dropped the bag that was nestled on his shoulder to the floor and unzipped it. He removed a bundle of some rope and a roll of duct tape.

"This is for you. Now, do me a favor and put your backs against the pipes. And as long as you all cooperate, we will have no issues. Right?"

"Mommy, I'm scared."

"It's okay, Kaia," Michelle said putting her daughter down. "Just do what he says."

-Papa Good gagged and bound Renee and Kaia to one pipe. He had just finished doing the same to Michelle and was working on Mark next.

"I gotta hand it to you, Mark. Your wife is a real piece of work. She is absolutely stunning.

"You don't have permission to talk about my wife."

"I don't need your permission. After I kill you, your little girl, Renee, her unborn child, and my dear nimcompoop of a son, I might keep Michelle alive. I might take her back to my place and...have a little fun...with her."

"You son of a MMMPH!"

Papa Good smacked a piece of duct tape over Mark's mouth.

"That's not very nice, Marky Mark. Watch your language. We have girls in the room. Use your manners."

Papa Good slapped Mark hard across the left cheek.

"Now, quiet." He checked his watch. "Ahh. 11:36 p.m. It won't me much longer now. We'll just wait."

Papa Good pulled up a chair and sat down, playing with his gun. Mark's left hand found Michelle's and grasped it giving it a gentle squeeze. Mark closed his eyes and prayed in his mind for them and Dean. He had a weird feeling that tonight, somebody was going to die.