28. LANDON
Driving the short distance to the convenience store was the time I needed to convince myself that this was the right plan.
Danielle would never forgive me willingly, and I was determined to have everything, which included having Danielle all to myself, along with the drugs, money, and the rush I got from it all.
I was going to leave her with no choice but to comply, and maybe eventually she’d learn to even tolerate me again.
But I was going to break that fucking stubbornness in her.
I anticipated Alex would have had her alter her appearance or wear a disguise, so I needed to remain exceptionally alert once I got to town.
I wasn't stupid either; there was no chance she'd be there alone.
I knew I would have to be quick and clever to either catch her alone or discreetly separate her from any mindless bodyguard Alex might have sent with her.
There was a good probability that whoever was with her would be armed, potentially a cop or veteran, so I'd need to take the risk of outpacing him, or I’d have to grab her unseen.
I located the small, shack-like convenience store nestled across from a few hotels and an ice cream shop.
Parking in the lot, I surveyed my surroundings.
The store had a modest parking area on the front left side that wrapped around to the rear, accommodating about fifteen spaces.
Out front, a couple of picnic tables offered ideal spots to blend in while keeping watch.
On the same street, across a narrow side road, sat a motel, with every room and window facing the convenience store.
It would have been perfect if I knew her current vehicle or appearance, but even then, her face should still be familiar enough to spot. I could watch from the picnic tables during the day and stake out from the motel window at night.
I swapped cars with Anthony, being careful not to have the same one for more than a day at a time, and rented a room at the motel.
Exhausted, I grabbed a few energy drinks and snacks from the store to fuel my stakeout.
I chose a room on the second floor for a clear view of the store, free from obstructive vehicles.
After opening the door, I dropped my belongings on the worn bed and moved the shabby floral-print armchair from the corner to the window, settling into it with my feet propped on the A/C unit.
Reaching behind for my backpack, I unzipped it and pulled out a pair of binoculars, ready to begin my watch.
I cracked open a cold can of Monster and tore into a bag of sour cream and onion chips.
For the first ten minutes, I scanned people going in and out of the store until I accidentally fell asleep.
I jerked awake after a few hours and decided to hop in my car and park across the street.
Finding no open spots on the side lot, I parked in the back and stepped out, Monster in hand, heading inside under the guise of shopping.
Maybe ten minutes later, a frazzled, fiery redhead caught my eye. She appeared distraught, as if she'd been crying for hours. I did a double-take and couldn’t believe my fucking eyes.
It was Danielle.
Her hair was no longer the long, chestnut curls I remembered, which almost made me miss her entirely. I watched her enter, noting she was alone; no one accompanied her inside, and no one waited in the car. Could she be that stupid to be out by herself?
I drifted into the next aisle, keeping just enough space to stay unnoticed. With my long beard and wearing a hat and sunglasses, she didn't recognize me. I weaved through the aisles at a measured pace, keeping her in my line of sight as she browsed, oblivious to my presence.
I skirted along the edge of the store until I reached her aisle unnoticed, pretending to search for something.
She was so focused that she didn’t realize how close I’d gotten.
I glanced around; we were alone. No one noticed as I eased the pistol from my coat.
I stepped beside Danielle, pressed it against her side, and bent down to whisper in her ear.
“You can either come with me and cooperate, Danielle, or I swear to God I’ll fucking kill Alex.”
Her eyes widened, and the bag she was holding slipped from her hand, hitting the floor. She stood frozen for a moment, staring straight ahead in fear. If she were smart, she'd just do what I said and come with me.
“Hurry up, Danielle. This won’t end well for you if you don’t.” I whispered every syllable behind clenched teeth, trying to avoid drawing attention from others in the store.
“Okay,” she whispered back, shaking. “Okay, I’ll go with you. Just leave Alex out of this.”
“Good girl.” I put the gun back in my pocket and took her arm, leading her out the back of the store and to my car. Opening the passenger door, I motioned for her to get in. She scrambled into the seat, already crying.
I left the back of the lot and made my way across the alley to the motel, parking near the front office.
“Keep your fucking head down, and don’t leave this fucking car. Do you understand?”
Danielle didn’t answer, but shook her head just enough that I felt confident she wouldn’t try anything stupid. Still, I took her purse with me just for good measure.
As quickly as I could, I walked up the staircase to my room, packed up the few belongings I had in the motel room, and made sure nothing was left behind that would give any indication I was there.
The trouble came when I tried to check out. I impatiently waited for ten god damn minutes for some broad in front of me to check in, tapping my foot and constantly checking out the window to ensure Danielle was still sitting in the front seat. Thankfully, she knew better and stayed put.
Fuck, I should move her car.
The thought dawned on me as I was waiting for this fucking bitch to check in that Danielle’s car was parked in front, on the main road. If Alex was coming, or Danielle was here with someone, they’d spot her car in a second. I’d need to run back over there and hide it.
Finally, the counter was open.
“Hey, uh, I changed my mind. I gotta check out. Keep the cash.” I don’t even know how much money I put down on the counter, but whatever it was, it was enough that the woman working at the motel didn’t question anything as I left the lobby.
Danielle didn’t say a word as I got in the car and drove back over to the convenience store, pulling into the same spot behind the store. I slammed the car into park and held my hand out toward her.
“Hand over your keys.”
She clawed through the purse’s lining, annoyed that she hadn’t cleaned it out after she couldn’t find anything in it the other day. After a few failed attempts, she found the keys and extended her hand out to me, almost dropping the keys through her trembling fingers.
“If I come back to the car, and you aren’t in it, I swear to God, I will kill you and everyone you know.”
I slammed her door shut and made my way to the front of the parking lot to move her car.
I had to make sure it wasn't visible from the road, so I backed it in beside mine around back, making sure the road had no line of sight. After parking, I pocketed her keys, walked to the driver’s side of my car, and climbed in.
Danielle shot me a look filled with tears and anger.
"What the hell do you want with me, Landon?" She looked as if she might lash out, which would be a stupid move given the circumstances.
"Well, see, here’s the problem, Danielle.
I don’t want something from you. I want you.
" I didn’t hesitate. Danielle didn’t blink.
"You’re going to follow my every instruction, or I'll make you watch as I kill everyone you care about, one by one.
And what did you do with your hair? It looks fucking disgusting. "
I backed out of the parking lot as Danielle sat there, still crying. Fifteen minutes passed in tense silence until we reached the long driveway to the house, the car stirring up dust along the unpaved path. Exiting the car, I walked around to the passenger side and opened the door.
"Welcome to your new home," I scoffed, gesturing for Danielle to exit the car like I was inviting her to join the joke. She remained silent, unresponsive. I signaled again for her to get out, but she still wouldn't move. As I reached to pull her out by her arm, she spat in my face.
"Let's get one thing straight," I snarled, gripping her neck with force, pulling her out of the car and closer to my face, bringing her eye level with me, "This is your new fucking home, whether you like it or not. So, you'd better get used to it."
She looked at me with stubborn fire in her eyes, but her heavy, shaky breathing told me her rage was nothing but a farce.
"I'd rather fucking die," she hissed through clenched teeth.
"Well, that can be arranged," I shrugged as if it didn’t matter one way or the other.
With one swift movement, I cocked my fist back as far as I could and delivered a brutal blow to the side of her head, knocking her unconscious.