Chapter Seventeen, Plankton #2
I smirked as the door creaked shut behind him, the sound of his truck rumbling to life a moment later.
The cabin immediately felt quieter, emptier.
It wasn’t uncomfortable, though. If anything, it made me more aware of Heather.
Her warmth pressed against me, the scent of her hair filling the space between us.
She turned to me, eyes full of mischief again. “So, Plankton, what now?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her teasing. “I’ll show you Plankton,” I muttered, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her into my lap. She was soft, but strong, and I liked the way she always gave in with a smirk, like she was daring me to push her further.
She laughed, settling against me with ease. Her laughter was infectious, making me forget the small prickle of worry Atlas had left behind. “Oh, big tough gangster thinks he can handle me?”
“I know I can handle you.” I leaned closer, pressing my lips just inches from hers. Her breath hitched, and I felt that familiar heat between us. “But you? You’re the one who’s been trying to rile me up all night.”
She tilted her head back, lips curving into a smirk. “Maybe I like getting you riled up.”
My voice dropped lower, teasing her with my tone. “Yeah? I think you’re just begging for trouble. Is that it? You want to be punished and reminded which one of us is the boss?” We both knew it was her. She was in charge. I was just along for the ride.
She didn’t reply right away, her eyes flicking down to my lips before she grinned again, leaning in closer until our noses brushed. “Maybe.”
I closed the gap, pressing my mouth to hers in a slow, teasing kiss. It wasn’t rushed—more of a test, a game, like everything we did. Heather responded immediately, her fingers curling into the front of my shirt as she deepened the kiss, making me forget all about the quiet in the cabin.
As she wriggled, I moved my hand, sliding it up her thigh, pulling her clothes out of the way like they were made of nothing but air. Her pretty thighs pulled apart with ease for me, so I could slide my hand between them, seeking out her wetness.
“I think I should take a leaf out of Atlas’ book and make you wait for hours until I finish you.” I slid a finger inside her, making sure she was wet enough before I pushed a second digit in too.
But then, out of nowhere, Malivore’s low growl cut through the air.
I pulled back from Heather instantly, frowning as I glanced toward the door where Malivore stood, her body rigid, ears flat against her head. She was staring intently at the door, a growl rumbling deep in her chest.
“What’s up with her?” Heather asked, shifting in my lap, her voice still soft, but with an edge of concern now as she fixed her clothes, our hookup entirely forgotten.
I didn’t answer right away, standing and grabbing my gun from the side table. I didn’t like this. Malivore never growled unless something—or someone—was nearby.
“Something’s not right,” I muttered, my voice low. My hand automatically tightened around the handle of the gun, my senses on full alert now. I glanced back at Heather, my pulse quickening.
She sat up straighter, her easygoing demeanor fading as she scanned the room. I could see the tension in her jaw, but she was steady. She didn’t panic, and I appreciated that about her. “What do you think it is? Could it be a stray animal?” She forced herself to sound confident. “Bigfoot?”
I shook my head, dialing Atlas on my phone with one hand while keeping the other on my gun. The moment Atlas picked up, I spoke quickly. “Something’s up. Malivore’s growling and on edge. Where are you?”
There was a brief pause on the other end before Atlas replied, his voice calm but with an edge of concern. “I’m two minutes away. Stay put and I’ll check the cameras outside.”
I was about to respond when the cabin’s lights flickered, then cut out completely. The room plunged into darkness, and my heart dropped.
“Shit,” I cursed, gripping my gun tighter as I pressed the phone back to my ear. “Atlas, the power just went out.”
He swore under his breath on the other end.
“Someone’s cut the feed. Every line I’ve got out here is down.
” I felt a cold wave of dread settle over me.
This wasn’t a random animal. Someone had cut the power—deliberately.
And they knew how to do it. “Get out of there,” he ordered, his voice sharp and urgent now. “Take Heaven and go.”
I didn’t hesitate. “Come on,” I said to Heather, grabbing her hand and pulling her off the couch. Malivore was still growling, her body tense and ready to spring. “We need to move. Now.”
Heather nodded, her eyes wide but focused. She trusted me, and I didn’t have time to be grateful for that. Instead, we both shoved sneakers on, and I led her to the back window, checking back as I moved.
I grabbed Atlas’s knife from the counter and handed it to Heather. “Take this. Stay close to me and remember our emergency plan.”
She took it without question, her fingers tightening around the handle as she nodded. “What about you?”
“I’ll be fine,” I said, lifting my gun again. I wasn’t about to let anything happen to her, regardless of what was outside. “Just stay behind me and be a good girl. Everything will be okay.”
We quickly climbed out of the window and slipped out of the cabin, Malivore leading the way.
The night was pitch black, but I knew the path by heart.
The woods were dense here, tall trees looming overhead, the air thick with tension.
Every twig that snapped underfoot sent a jolt of adrenaline through me.
But it was quiet. Too quiet.
“Keep going,” I urged, squeezing Heather’s hand before I let go. “Run to the rocks. I’ll cover you.”
Heather hesitated, glancing back at me. “Gio, I’m not leaving you—”
“You are.” My voice was firm, but I softened it as I leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be right behind you. Now go.”
She swallowed hard, her eyes lingering on mine for a split second before she nodded and took off, running into the darkness with Malivore at her side.
I watched her disappear into the shadows, my chest tightening with every step she took away from me. But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. The faint sound of movement caught my attention—a rustling in the trees just ahead.
Shit.
I raised my gun just as the first masked figure appeared, their movements quick and calculated. In an instant, I realized they weren’t amateurs who were out to steal from us or something minor. These were professionals, and that meant only one thing.
My father had made his move.
He’d found us.
They lunged at me, but I fired first, the bullet hitting its mark. The figure crumpled to the ground, but two more emerged from the shadows, moving faster than I anticipated. One of them swung a blade at me, and I barely dodged in time, the sharp edge grazing my arm as I twisted away.
I fired again, taking down the second attacker, but the third was already on me. He slammed into my side, knocking the gun from my hand as I hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of me.
I struggled to get up, but before I could, another figure appeared—then another. Shit, there were too many of them.
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath as one of them grabbed me by the arm, forcing me onto my knees as they cuffed my wrists with rope.
I didn’t fight. I couldn’t—not against all of them. My only thought was of Heather, hoping—praying—that she was safe, that she was still running and wouldn’t look back.
Atlas would be here soon, and when he came, everything would be fine.
I was sure of it…