Chapter 9 #2
“Why do people keep saying that? I don’t know anything, other than you deal guns and drugs. Shocker, all gangs do that. What happens if I say anything? Then you use your blackmail evidence against me to get me thrown in prison for Liam’s murder,” I bit out, downing some of my coffee.
“Aw, you’re not just a pretty face,” he teased, resting his elbows on the counter and leaning forward. “Just get in the car so we can go. Skeet would throw a shit-fit if I murdered you, so you’re safe.”
“Why can’t we just talk here?” I asked suspiciously, eyeing him over the rim of my cup. “And does Skeet know we’re hanging out?”
“I told Skeet I’d play nicely. He’s on a job for me or he’d be coming too. I have something to show you.”
“Is it my very own grave?” He wasn’t finding me amusing.
“No. For the last time, I’m not going to kill you.”
“Sorry for not trusting you,” I said dryly, finishing my coffee and rinsing the cup in the sink. “Where are you taking me?”
“It’s a surprise. Go slide your delinquent ass into the ‘Stang,” he sighed, grabbing my bicep and steering me towards the door.
I let him, only because I was stupid and curious. I had my knife down my bra so if he went back on his word, at least I could stab him. Because that had obviously worked well already today with the other two assholes who’d cornered me.
“How do I know you aren’t kidnapping me?” I demanded, and he shrugged.
“Well, you don’t know that I’m not, but I’ve got bigger fish to fry, babe.”
I warily followed him out to his Mustang as his grip on me loosened, holding back the urge to tackle him and run.
He was totally kidnapping me. I should’ve checked in with Skeeter first.
He practically forced me into the passenger seat, shutting me inside, then he walked around to the driver’s seat and started the car, glancing over at me. “Seat belt. I’d hate for you to get hurt.”
“What a pile of shit,” I muttered under my breath as I buckled myself in, my head almost smacking into the window as he floored it out of the driveway, and I didn’t miss the way his mouth curved into the ghost of a smirk.
Asshole.
I frowned when we’d only driven a few blocks away before he pulled onto a long driveway that was hidden by overgrown shrubs and trees, parking close to the door of what appeared to be an abandoned doctor’s clinic.
A chill raced down my spine as he switched off the engine and climbed out, circling the car to open my door.
“This screams kidnapped to me, Slash. Just saying,” I snorted as I climbed out, an amused laugh leaving him.
I should’ve run, but it was too late now. Meeting in abandoned buildings was normal when you hung out with criminals, but something felt off about the entire situation.
“Can’t kidnap someone who’s willing, babe. Just trust me.”
“I’m not trusting a single goddamn thing that comes out of your mouth, bossman.”
“Just follow me,” he sighed impatiently as he rolled his eyes, grabbing my hand and tugging me towards the building. I was too shocked to argue, the feeling of his rough palm in mine completely frying my brain.
Why the hell was a hand doing it for me? I was acting like a shy virgin for no reason.
Slash was the devil, I didn’t like him, so why the hell didn’t I pull my hand away?
It was official, I’d lost my marbles.
Was I dick deprived? I’d come a lot on Friday, thanks to Jensen and Lukas, but it wasn’t wild like it would’ve been with Skeeter. My pussy needed to understand that Slash wasn’t an option. I’d rather die than let him fuck me.
The old door creaked as Slash opened it, and I frowned when I noticed he’d unlocked it with a key.
“Is this a Psychos building?” I asked as he led me inside, taking in the peeling wallpaper and the smell of piss, my nose wrinkling.
“It is.”
“Have you guys heard of cleaning? It reeks in here. What’s it used for?”
“Storing things,” he said vaguely, the worry inside me getting worse as we stopped at the end of the hall in front of a door. “Rule number one about street crews. Never trust a criminal.”
I didn’t have time to react before he slammed me against the wall and pinned me there with his body as he searched my pockets, fury racing through me.
“What the fuck?”
“Where’s your phone?” he asked instead, getting annoyed.
“At the house! I didn’t bring it!” I bit out, trying to wriggle free from his grip. “I thought you said—”
“I’m not going to kill you. I’m just proving a fucking point. Women are weak, and it’s time you started believing it.” A gun clicked as he stepped back from me, opening the door and motioning towards it. “Go on. Get in.”
“I’m not—”
“Get the fuck in there, Donovan. I won’t repeat myself again,” he snapped, fear filling me as he gave me a shove, the sound of the door locking behind me as I stumbled into the room.
It was dark but there was enough sunlight coming through the cracks in the boarded windows to see, and I almost screamed as someone spoke.
“Aurora? You need to explain to your boyfriend that this is just a misunderstanding,” a man said as he moved closer, his eyes wide as he came into view. “Oh, good. It is you.”
“What the fuck?” I croaked as I took a step back, the back of my head smacking against the door.
That bastard had locked me in a room with Tristan fucking Holloway.
The monster in front of me eyed me hopefully, but that hope turned to amusement as he chuckled. “They took you too, huh? What did you do to piss off Skeeter? Bet you fucked everyone in his crew. You always were a filthy fucking slut.”
“Stay away from me,” I warned as he came closer, my throat going tight as he ignored me.
“Maybe this is like my last meal before my death. Are you a treat for me, Aurora? Did the Psychos decide to give me something before they killed me?”
“No, they wouldn’t do that,” I said as I moved across the room, wanting more space between us, but a scream left me as he grabbed my shirt and hauled me closer, instantly restraining me.
No matter how much I trained or got older, I was still just as weak as I’d always been when he was around. It was almost enough to make me give up, but I wasn’t going to make it easy for him.
I struggled, kicking and biting as he tried to tear at my pants, my mind practically blacking out in panic as I reacted on instinct.
I couldn’t let him hurt me again. I just couldn’t.
I had my knife, I just had to get the damn thing out of my bra, which was difficult when he had me restrained like this. It only got worse as he managed to push me to the floor on my stomach, sitting on my ass as he held my arms behind me.
“Maybe they’re not even going to kill me. Maybe this is just punishment for you,” he said more to himself than to me, and I waited until he released one of my arms before I quickly lifted my hand to my chest, reaching into my shirt for my knife.
It was hard to move with his weight on me, but I bucked and threw him off balance, managing to swing my knife back and caught him in the waist.
He screamed, my body running on adrenaline and fear as I kept swiping at him until he was off me. Ignoring all the blood as I got to my feet, I dove at him, screaming curses as I stabbed him again and again until I couldn’t do it anymore.
My chest heaved as I caught my breath, glancing around at all the blood. I was covered in it, and so was Tristan as he lay still on the ground. I wasn’t even sure when he died, I’d just kept stabbing.
Tears refused to fall and my emotions shut down as I dropped to my ass, clutching my knife as I stared into the dead eyes of the monster from my nightmares.
The world went quiet around me, and I soaked in the silence as I focused on my breathing.
I’d just killed someone. Again.
This time though? It felt so fucking good.
Skeeter
My trip to Fairview Prison was quick since I’d left before the sun had come up to avoid traffic, and I was having a good day until Caden decided to harass me. I almost didn’t answer, but I had nothing else to do while I drove back to Ashburn Valley.
“What?”
“Is she with you?” Caden asked without a hello, making me frown.
“Who? Rory? No, she went home last night. Why?”
“The cameras were being weird at home, so I left school to check on them. She’s not here, but there was a bit of footage of Slash’s Mustang in the driveway. If she’s not with you, then you need to find Slash.”
“Have you tried calling her?”
“Her phone and the Corvette are still here. Would Slash kidnap her? I can’t see footage from when he left to know if she was with him or not, but she doesn’t have anyone else that would’ve picked her up.
I’ve checked with the guys and they haven’t heard from her either,” he explained, and I snorted.
“You sure? Lukas probably knows exactly where she is and he just doesn’t want to tell you,” I said dryly, picking up speed a little. Slash definitely had her, there was no doubt in my mind.
Had he sent me to the prison to get me out of the way?
“Why do you say that?” he demanded, a door slamming in the background. “Has he said something to you?”
“No, but considering he was nailing Rory at Jensen’s all weekend, it couldn’t hurt to double check.”
He literally laughed, not believing me in the slightest. “Lukas? Doubtful. She’s barely speaking to us.”
“To you and your bestie, maybe. Lukas and Jensen seem to be apologizing with orgasms, so she told me.” I was causing shit between them on purpose. It was childish, but I didn’t give a fuck. “If she’s with Slash, she could be anywhere. It’s better if Lukas is hiding her. Is he with you?”
“No, he’s still at school.”
“Hang up and call him. I’ll try Slash and Diesel,” I replied before hanging up to save him the trouble, instantly calling Slash. Of course it went to voicemail.
I tried Diesel next, and thankfully, he answered. “Hey. What’s up?”
“Where are you?” I bit out, letting some of my worry show.
“I’m at the Shed. Why? What’s wrong?”
“Is Slash there?”
“No. What the fuck is going on, Skeet?” he snapped, my car speeding into Ashburn Valley as my eyes started trying to spot Slash’s Mustang.