Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
EVIE
I awake groggy and disoriented. What the hell did that maniac inject me with? My eyes flutter open, struggling to focus. A cool draft chills my skin, and it dawns on me that I'm naked. Not only that, but I'm suspended from the ceiling. My arms throb, and my fingers are numb, indicating I've been hanging here for some time. The place he's brought me to is shrouded in darkness, with only a faint floodlight outside casting just enough light to make out vague shapes—or perhaps that's just the lingering effects of the drug.
Panic surges through me as I struggle to focus, the weight of my own body pulling at my wrists. I try to shift, but a sharp pain in my shoulders stops me. The rough rope bites into my skin, and I can feel the slow trickle of blood where it's rubbed me raw.
The air is thick, carrying a faint scent of mildew and something metallic, like rust. My ears strain to catch any sound, but there's nothing—just an oppressive silence. My breath comes in ragged gasps, each one echoing in the space around me.
I fight the haze clouding my mind, trying to remember how I got here. The last thing I recall is the cold touch of a needle, the sight of his eyes, and then darkness. Fear knots in my stomach, but I force it down, focusing instead on the need to survive.
I strain against the restraints, but it's no use. The bonds are too tight, the pain too intense. Desperation claws at me, but I know I need to stay calm. Panic will only waste precious energy. I close my eyes, trying to think, to plan. There has to be a way out of this.
A faint whimper reaches my ears from the left. "Allison?" I croak out into the darkness, my voice rough and barely audible.
"I was so worried." She sniffles, the unspoken fear that I might have been dead lingers between us. Unfortunately, this devil isn’t that merciful, and the thought of what he has planned sends a chill through me. We need to escape—and soon.
“I’m okay,” I tell her, trying to sound stronger than I feel. A dim yellow light suddenly floods the room, halting all thoughts of escape and shifting my focus to survival. The light reveals the outline of a door, partially ajar, and the shadow of a figure approaching. My heart pounds in my chest as I struggle to prepare for whatever comes next.
As Trent steps closer I see his cold calculating expression as his eyes sweep over us and a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Good," he says, his voice low and menacing. "You're awake." He steps closer, the light glinting off something metallic in his hand. I brace myself, every muscle tensing in fear and anticipation.
"We're going to have some fun," he continues, his tone chillingly casual. "But first, let's make sure you know the rules." He turns his attention to Allison, who is trembling like a leaf. "No screaming, and no trying to fight back. If you behave, maybe this won't be as bad as you think."
I grit my teeth, my mind racing for a way to protect us both. One look at Allison’s trembling body and I know I can’t let him touch her. “Hey asshole, how about no?”
I knew he'd lash out for that, but the anticipation doesn’t lessen the impact of the stinging blow he lands on my ear, making it ring like a bell. Trent's hand shoots out, gripping my face viciously, his fingers digging into my skin. The pain is sharp and immediate, but I force myself to meet his gaze, refusing to show fear.
"You're feistier than you used to be," he sneers, before licking up the side of my face, a gesture that makes my stomach churn. "It'll make breaking you so much sweeter." His words drip with malice, and I can't suppress the shudder of revulsion that runs through me. The violation is deliberate, a twisted show of dominance, and I know he's savoring every moment of my discomfort.
“Not if I break you first,” I tell him.
He suddenly shoves his phone in my face and my heart stops completely at what I see. Charlie and Bash playing with Mellon outside.
“They look a lot like their daddy when he was a boy. Especially the little bastard without glasses don’t you think? Imagine my surprise after following you from the grocery store to see not only had you let someone else touch what’s mine, but he’s raising my kids too.”
I want to throw up. Not only has he found out about the boys, but he also knows where we live. I have no doubt once he’s done here with me he’s heading there, and that’s something that I can never let happen. This vile bastard will never touch my children. I just have to endure whatever sick shit he has instore for me until I can make my move.
His cold laugh fills the room, a chilling soundtrack to our grim reality. Then I hear the unmistakable sound of a belt being undone, and my blood runs cold. The ominous click of the buckle echoes in the dim light, amplifying my dread and heightening the sense of imminent threat.
A splash of cold water brings me back to consciousness. My entire body is ablaze with the pain from the belting earlier. I fought to stay awake, but the torment became unbearable, and I lost the battle, slipping back into unconsciousness.
“This whole trip has been one surprise after another. Came to get one whore, found the other, surprise! Then found out I’m a daddy to not one but two little bastards, another surprise!”
So, this is Allison’s pimp. I just thought he finally caught up to me and she was collateral damage.
“I will admit that death certificate damn near had me fooled.” He runs a cold hand down the front of my body making me flinch in repulsion. I finally allow myself to think about Maddox; I know he’s tearing through town like a bat out of hell to find me. He will find me, I just have to survive first, and I will survive. Charlie and Bash need me. I won’t let them down.
Trent traces along the scars on my inner thighs, swelling with pride as he touches each one. Sick bastard. “Tell me Petal, who owns you?”
“Nobody, motherfucker.” I spit in his face. “Because you’re a nobody. You’re a waste of space your mother should have swallowed.” Maddox would be proud of that one.
“Listen up you fat bitch,” he spits, his voice icy with rage. “I lost everything because of you. The money you stole was from some very powerful people. When I didn’t hand it over, an anonymous tip about my side hustles got me busted, and I lost my badge.”
"Whoop de doo," I mutter, a bitter edge to my voice. He used that badge to shield himself, relying on the department for protection. I find a grim sense of satisfaction in knowing that I’m the reason he’s lost it all. Thanks to that money, I got my freedom and away from him. I regret nothing. Even without that money I still would’ve left. Taking that money was a fuck you to him. I knew it was dirty just like him. I lunge at him as best I can, ignoring the pain radiating all over my body and for a split second a look of fear flashes across his gaunt face.
I laugh in his face mocking his fear. He’s nothing and he knows that I know it. Make no mistake he’s still the damn devil, but I’m stronger, and I’m done giving him my fear. Once I find a way to free myself, he’s a dead motherfucker. D E A D.
Rage transforms his face, and he wraps a hand around my throat. I know he won’t kill me yet; his pride insists I need to suffer more. “You need a permanent fucking gag,” he hisses just before shoving a few of his filthy fingers in my mouth and down my throat making me choke.
“Ah, that’s better!” He pulls them out slightly just before ramming them back down my throat. Tears are streaming down my face, and I can hardly breathe, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of hearing me beg him to stop.
Deciding he’s had his fill of fun for now, Trent finally steps back out of the room, allowing me to think. I begin assessing my surroundings like Vic taught me and notice the pipe we’re chained to isn't very big. Allison and I are possibly six feet apart, and the pipe feels as wide as a quarter, but I'm not entirely sure.
Guessing from the state of decay around us I guess we’re in some sort of abandoned building. So, the pipe that we’re chained to might be corroded enough to snap off with enough pressure.
"Evie, I’m—" Allison begins.
"No!" I hiss at her. "It's not your fault! Can you wrap your hands around your chain?" I listen to her moving around before she gives me a faint yes.
"Listen, when I say go, we're going to wrap our hands around the top of these damn chains and pull down with everything we have. Okay?"
"Evie, are you sure?”
Ignoring her I redirect my focus. My focus must be on getting us out of here, and I will do that. I cannot break, I’m strong enough to save us both. With unwavering resolve, I promise myself I’ll do whatever it takes to get us the fuck out of here. I won’t die in here. I have a fucking life to live, and I won’t let him take that from me.
"Be ready to fight like hell." I take a shuddering breath, wrapping my hands in the top slack of my chains and tell her okay. I pull down with all my might and nothing happens. I do it again but this time I pretend I'm driving my knees to the floor. Suddenly, I feel my end begin to give slightly. Hope spreads through my body like wildfire. We’re so close to getting out of here. I stand and take a tiny breath, ignoring the throbbing in my wrist and hands. Another breath and I go again. This time the pipe gives way completely and Allison comes sliding my way. She crashes into me with an oomph.
I wait for Trent to burst back in, but he doesn't.
"He's using. So, he could be out for hours," Allison says, detangling her body from mine.
"Are you okay to walk?" I ask her, noticing the way she's tightly holding her right side. She slightly nods her head.
"Where are we?"
"I think we're in the old paper mill by the lake," I tell her in a hushed tone.
"That would explain the smell." I hadn’t noticed before, but we’re surrounded by a stench that can only be described as month old egg salad.
I pick up the broken pipe as we slowly make our way around the room trying to feel for another doorway opposite the way Trent keeps coming in. Praying God is for once on my side and lets us find one. My whole-body aches and I could faint at any moment, but I find the will to push forward. When my fingers finally land on what feels like a door handle, I swallow a cry.
"There's a door in front of me. I'm going to push it open and we're getting the fuck out of here. Stay right behind me," I tell Allison, pretending to be brave, in reality I want to bawl like a baby, but I push forward. I can break down later, but right now I have to put as much distance between us and crazy town as possible.
I open the door as quietly as I can as we slip from the room into what seems to be a packing room of sorts. I can make out a conveyor belt and what looks to be huge round cylinders sitting in the middle of the room. I begin searching for an exit or another door when I hear Trent's menacing laugh coming from the room we just escaped from.
"Evie," Allison whimpers with raw panic in her voice.
I grip the pipe tighter in my grasp. "Stay close." God, I wish there was a way to get rid of these damn chains. I finally find what looks like an exit out just on the other side of the big ass cylinders. Just as we reached the door Trent comes through the one we used to escape. Not waiting around, we slip through the door into the night air.
The place is overgrown but I'm sure if we follow the streetlamps, we'll find our way to the road or someone. Isn’t there an old campground around here? Surely someone still lives in the area. But before we can make our getaway the sound of a gunshot stops me dead.
Fighting back tears I’m flooded with memories of my boys. From their first cries to watching them splash around in the pool with the biggest smiles. They’ve been the greatest blessing of my life. I’ve cherished every single second of being their mother, but I know I can end this once and for all. I just hope everyone else will forgive me for what I’m about to do.
I grasp Allison by her elbows. "Tell Lou there's an envelope taped under my bed with everything she's going to need just in case..”
"Evie, no! Please don't go back in there. Think of your boys! Please, I'm begging you," she cries, trying to pull me with her.
"I am. I can never let him get to them. I have to do this.”
"Evie, please!" The tears on her face catch in the moonlight reminding me of the beauty of life and its fragility .
"Allison, you’re a good person. You never had to convince me how much you loved Livvy,” I tell my friend as tears stream down my face. “I’m so sorry you lost yourself and your baby, but it’s never too late. You’ve been a good friend, and I can’t thank you enough for that."
With that, I embrace her tightly before giving her a gentle push and turn around. If that motherfucker wants me, he's going to have to come and get me, because I refuse to let that bastard take my friend as well.
The darkness conceals me as I slink back towards the dark building, despite my body protesting.
"Oh, Posey. Come out, come out wherever you are," Trent taunts.
"Oh Trent, you crazed sick fuck, come and find me," I taunt back.
I hear movement coming up my right side. Quickly I crouch own beside the building, the grainy texture of the brick biting my ass as I sit and wait. I grasp the pipe like a baseball bat. I'm about to ring his damn bell. With only one ear I listen closely as the steps get closer and closer. I count to ten before swinging.
One. Like the one morning, Maddox braided my hair.
Two. My two beautiful boys.
Three. The number of times Maddox has genuinely laughed.
Four. The boys were born at four in the morning.
Five. The number of times I've caught Bash on top of Vic's old shed.
Six. The times Charlie has intentionally not spoken to me his whole life.
Seven. How old my babies are turning tomorrow or hell maybe right now? I don't know the fucking time.
Eight. The number of months since Maddox stormed into my life.
Nine. The time Lou finished off nine jumbo frozen margaritas and had to be picked up for being drunk and disorderly. Henry was not amused.
Ten. The number of people I call my family.
I swing with all my might and with a sickening crack I connect with Trent. I hear the gun hit the gravel, but I don’t stop swinging. Whack. Whack. Whack .
"I'm going to fucking kill you! You worthless whore!"
"Not if I kill you first bitch!"
I land one blow across his temple, knocking him to his knees. One across the bridge of his nose and blood sprays me everywhere. That's okay because I’m going to wear this asshole's blood like a damn suit of armor, and I’m not stopping until it soaks every inch of my skin.
I swing again when I feel him grasp my ankle and with a hard yank, he pulls my legs from under me. I land hard on my back, knocking the air out of me, giving him just enough time to crawl on top of me.
You are the furthest thing from weak or broken Evie Taylor.
Maddox’s words resonate and instead of panicking self-defense kicks in. Before he can grasp my neck in his hands, I quickly bridge and roll him off me. I land a hard blow to his solar plexus and scramble for the gun. Just as I wrap my hand around the cool metal a sharp pain radiates down my chest and on my right side, but I'm too determined. I flip over and feel a familiar presence wash over me letting me know we're not alone.
As I look behind Trent, I see him. Like a fire roaring in the night, his presence is unmistakable and palpable. I’ve never seen a man such beautifully made. He’s an inferno of burning rage, and I knew he came here with one thing on his mind.
Maddox Wilder is here to get blood on his hands.
"Looks like I'll be watching the life drain from your eyes asshole.” I laugh.
The amicable snap of Trent's neck fills the night air. Good Riddance.
The throbbing in my side intensifies and looking down I realize I've been stabbed. Not just once, but maybe a few times in a few different places. Shit, when did that happen? That's a lot of blood pouring out, but at least the world is rid of this fucker once and for all.
Maddox's trembling hands grasp my face. I reach for his scruffy cheek. "Hi Big Guy, I knew you’d find me," I whisper before everything fades to black.