Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
QUINN
M y head pounds as I try to open my eyes. They’re heavy, and no matter how hard I try, they still won’t open. A sweet but sterile smell lingers in my nose while my mind swirls. It doesn’t help the headache, but I try to piece together what’s going on. Did I go out and have one too many drinks?
An ache in my shoulder throbs, and when I try to roll off it and onto my back, I can’t move. A rush of fear fills me when I’m only able to move my fingers. I take a breath, trying to calm myself, but it’s no use.
A door opens and closes in the distance, and my instincts tell me it's not good. Maybe it’s the adrenaline, but I manage to roll onto my back, and my eyes start to open. That’s when reality comes rushing back.
There was a noise at the back of my shop, and I thought I heard the door open. It wasn't until I was almost to the back door that I remembered the new lock Rhodes installed. I’d already checked it earlier that morning, and when I turned to walk back up front, I came face to face with Simon.
In my shock and surprise, I froze. That’s when he covered my mouth with a rag, and I inhaled whatever it was that’s now filling my lungs.
I started to fight and throw my body into his, but it was too late.
I remember crumpling to the floor before everything went dark.
I’m so pissed at myself. Why did I freeze up? Why didn’t I fight harder?
You can still fight. I hear Rhodes’s voice in my head telling me not to give up. This isn’t over yet.
This time when another door opens and closes, it’s louder and much closer. I steel myself, pretending to still be asleep. As my body slowly wakes up, I can feel the binds around my wrists, keeping my hands together.
I do my best to keep my breathing even as the steps draw closer. I know he's standing over me when his shadow partially blocks whatever light is on. He moves in, and it takes everything in me to remain still while he drags a finger down my cheek. A whimper threatens to escape, but I fight it back.
"I've missed you." His hand moves to my neck, and I feel him wrap it around my throat before squeezing slightly. "But you’ll still be punished for what you’ve done."
He releases his hold on my throat and steps away, the sound of his footsteps fading in the distance, and the door opens and closes again.
I peek through my lashes to make sure he’s no longer close. When I do, I can’t believe what I see. What the fuck?
My eyes snap open fully to make sure I’m not dreaming. I’m in Rhodes's home. I’m in his fucking bed. The same bed we made love in this morning. What the hell is going on?
When I notice something scattered around me, I have to blink a few times.
It’s taking a second for my eyes to adjust to what I’m seeing.
There are pictures everywhere. Not only of me around town but pictures of Rhodes and me together.
In some photos we’re coming and going from the house, in others we’re kissing.
There are even ones from the back of my store that were taken just this morning.
In them, I’m going down on Rhodes and he’s fucking me from behind.
Simon has been watching us and filming it somehow. The more pictures I see, it finally clicks. He’d been watching the inside of my store for almost a week before Rhodes installed the new locks.
White-hot anger flares to life inside of me because he’s dragged Rhodes into this. I knew that Simon was close when I saw my tires slashed, but I won’t let him hurt Rhodes. The more I think about it, the more I fear that’s the very reason Simon has brought me to his house.
My eyes shoot over to the closet where Rhodes keeps his safe. I start to pull at the binding around my wrists, but it only tightens it more. I try to use my teeth, but I'm not getting anywhere, and I know time is running out.
Fuck it, I think, as I wiggle my way to the side of the bed. It takes me a second to sit up because my mind and body are still hazy. When I get my legs over the side, I start to stand, but my knees give out. I drop back onto the bed, and my frustration spikes.
Come on, Quinn, fight. This fight is not only for you, but also for Rhodes. Eventually, Rhodes will realize I’m gone, and he’ll know that something is wrong. I wouldn't take off somewhere and not tell him. Or leave Boss behind.
He’ll search for me, I’m sure of it. In fact, I know he’ll tear the town of Cottonwood apart, but eventually he’ll have to come home.
What plans Simon has, I’m not sure. He might want to leave me dead in Rhodes's bed, or he might be waiting for him. I’m willing to bet anything Rhodes will blame it on himself if I end up hurt. Or worse.
Those thoughts give me the power to finally get to my feet.
I have no clue why he didn't tie them. He must have thought I wouldn't put up much of a fight or that whatever he used to knock me out would keep me sluggish. When Simon broke into my home before, I didn’t fight him; I merely talked him down. He might not think I have it in me.
I hear another door open and close, making me hurry forward into the closet. Thankfully my legs are finally getting it together.
Even though my hands are tied, I can still push my finger down on the pad.
Thank god Rhodes thought ahead about giving me access.
The safe pops open instantly, and I use my elbow to open it fully.
The thing is as tall as I am and filled with hunting rifles.
There is no way I can use one of those with my hands tied.
I’m trying to figure out what to do when I spot a handgun on the top shelf. I grab it, but it’s awkward in my hands with them stuck together.
“Quinny.” My stomach drops at the sound of Simon’s voice. I hate it when he calls me that.
Simon grabs me around my waist from behind, but he’s not strong enough to lift me. Instead, he drags me out of the closet, causing the gun to slip out of my hand. It skitters across the floor in the opposite direction before Simon shoves me back on the bed.
“Why are you making this harder than it has to be?”
All I can do is stare up at him. The man is a hot mess, which is abnormal for him.
He’s usually so well put together in suits with colorful bow ties.
I used to think he did it to be different and stand out.
The Simon in front of me is a far cry from the one I knew before.
Now his hair is greasy, and there are dark circles under his eyes.
His cheeks are even sunken in. He appears sickly, but he’s so damn calm. It’s eerie and unsettling.
He was the same way when I woke up to find him in my bedroom. With the way he’s acting, it’s like this is a normal everyday occurrence. But I suppose it’s hard to predict what you’re going to get from a literally insane person.
"You're scaring me." I try the same tactic from last time, hoping I can talk him down or bide my time.
"Don't even think about it. The innocent act isn't going to work now that I know you’re a whore."
"Fine." I bring my feet up to my chest and kick out as hard as I can. I manage to make contact with his groin and stomach, and Simon grunts, doubling over.
In my hurry to get away, I roll to the other side too quickly and tumble off the side of the bed. I groan as I look across the floor and my eyes lock with Simon’s.
“Now you’ve done it,” he hisses and gets up.
Right when I’m about to take off, I see the gun lying under the bed. Instead of getting away, I crawl toward it, but as soon as my fingers touch it, Simon’s hands wrap around my ankles. He pulls, but with all my strength, I reach out and grab the gun just as he yanks me out.
The moment I’m out, I roll over, aiming the gun right at him. His eyes widen with fear, and I pull the trigger, holding my breath.
The gun clicks but doesn’t go off. I try again and again, but it doesn’t fire.
“You were going to kill me.” He yanks the gun from my hands as an evil smirk lights up his face. It reminds me of the Joker. “I think I’ll use this to kill your lover, and your punishment will be to watch.”