Chapter 39 #2
He doesn’t move. The crazed look reenters his eyes. “Not only will they kill me.” He unholsters his gun and points it directly at my head. “But they promised to kill the both of you, too, if I don’t get them this money.”
My pulse pounds so hard I can feel it in my head, but I don’t move. “You should’ve thought of that before owing them. Who pays for women when they’re married?” I laugh, but the sound comes out harsh. “I’m assuming it was when I was pregnant with your child, you asshole.”
I suddenly feel his breath on my cheeks as he gets in my face. “Do you really think a man can go eight months with no sex?”
“I couldn’t even brush my own hair I was so sick,” I snarl back.
I almost thought he was human, scared because he owes too much, but no, he’s just a coward.
I muster everything inside me and say, “What do you think a man does when he’s in love with a woman?
I have Victor so wrapped around my finger, he’ll give me anything I want.
” Saying those words has my stomach in knots.
“So, I have money I can give you. I just need you to let me go get it.”
It sickens me to talk like that, but if I can get out of here—or even to my shotgun—I can protect myself. No one knows where I am, so even if Elias wanted to play bodyguard again, he won’t find me states away.
I have to save myself.
I’ve always relied only on myself, and now is no different. Victor won’t come for me. His true colors have finally been exposed. I should’ve stuck with my instincts from the beginning, but watching him with Summer crumbled the carefully curated wall I had erected around my heart.
Paul starts pacing, dragging his fingers through his hair while murmuring under his breath. He used to do this toward the end of our relationship, and I never knew why, but now I do.
Stopping abruptly, he comes over and moves behind me. His hands grip my wrists. “If I untie you right now, will you show me where you keep your money?”
This is it. My chance. If I can get to my gun—very unlikely considering it’s locked away—maybe I can hold him at gunpoint until he lets me go.
But worst-case scenario, I’ll have to run.
He might’ve lived here years ago, but I know all the new trails through the woods that will lead me into town where people will see I’m in danger.
Nodding, I say, “I’ll give you everything I have.”
Which is technically true since I don’t have anything.
His hands start moving behind me, but before I’m free, he stops. “Are you lying to me? You were never this easy to convince before.”
My smart mouth and stubborn ways always come to bite me in the ass. “I have too much to lose to lie.”
He finishes untying me, and the moment I’m free, I shove him and bolt toward my gun safe. His steps pound behind me, and he grabs me by the hair. I halt as my head is yanked back. Biting down on my lip, I resist yelping out in pain. I’ll never show any weakness to Paul.
Tugging my hair again, he pulls me up against his body, and I flinch. If he kicked his girlfriend out so he could touch me … He’ll never be able to use his man parts again. I’ll make sure of that.
Something suddenly clatters to the floor. When I glance down, I find my pregnancy test on the floor, face up, with “pregnant” on the digital screen.
“I fucking knew you were a whore,” Paul sneers in my ear. “I can’t believe you’re really fucking this guy. But I guess it’s smart that you got him to knock you up so you’re set for life. And now, I will be, too.”
My heart sinks. Of course, he’d think that way and not the fact that I actually love Victor. A snap breaks the silence, and it’s as if he chipped off a shard of my heart. He’s breaking my test? That is mine.
I thrash against Paul, but he throws me, and I crash to the floor. Landing on my hands, I try to break my fall, but pain radiates up my arms.
“Now stay down there on the floor, and remember where you’re from.”
I breathe out through my nose, my nostrils flaring.
If I can get the element of surprise, maybe I’ll be able to get out my front door. Screw the gun for now. An idea forms.
Slumping my shoulders forward, I shake my body like it’s trembling.
Paul says something under his breath, but I can’t make out the words.
I push a soft sob past my lips, and Paul’s heavy footsteps go farther away, like he’s pacing.
He’s always been the nervous, indecisive type, and he especially hated when I cried.
This is my chance.
I push to my feet and sprint for the door.
My hand touches the knob right as Paul realizes what I’m doing.
He dashes to me and reaches out to grab my arm, but I have the door open before he can touch me.
A man stands outside, and it takes a few seconds for it to click on what’s happening, but that gives me all the opportunity I need.
I jump from the top of my stairs to the landing in one swoop—I’ve had plenty of years of practice doing that when rushing—and the setting sun gives me enough light.
I beeline for the woods that line my street.
There’s a path that’s hard to find. If I make it, I might lose them, and then I can go downtown.
I’m sure if I go into any of the stores or restaurants, everyone will believe me when I go in screaming someone is chasing me.
The people of this town have known me for my entire life and know I’m not one to make a scene without reason.
Heavy footfalls pound behind me, but I don’t look back. No way can I let him get ahold of me again. I’m not the type of woman to go down without a fight.
And I definitely don’t need someone to come rescue me.