20
Lia
The car ride today feels a whole lot harder to bear than yesterday.
And it’s not because my ass hurts so much that I spend the entirety of it shifting around uncomfortably.
Well, not only.
It’s pure dread, knowing that tomorrow, we’ll be reaching Idaho.
It’s a cold, sinking sort of sensation, now that Logan’s harshness feels like it’s here to stay.
It’s the strange, growing awareness that the only way I can escape my fate is by taking it into my own hands.
The thing is, I’ve never been one to take things into my own hands. I grew up a sheltered daddy’s girl, and the moment I was soiled in his eye, he threw me to the wolf.
Next thing I knew, I was spending my days locked inside four walls, all my thoughts fixated on just surviving.
It only occurred to me to run when I overheard Carmelo’s plan to leave Oakley for Idaho.
I may not have any friends in Oakley, but I know this town. What would happen to me—to Aurora—in a strange place?
I don’t know why I never ran before, though. I’d always figured I was brave, but the truth is, I only ever picked on weaker kids. When I found myself surrounded by stronger men, I froze.
I’m not going to freeze anymore, though. I am not letting Logan bring us to Carmelo.
_
By the time we reach our hotel for the night, I’ve got a plan. Well, some semblance of one.
“Everest,” I say sweetly, as he picks up my sleeping daughter and brings her inside. “Do you by any chance have a sleeping pill? I barely closed my eyes last night. I’m exhausted.”
He looks at me with concern. “You do seem tired. You should’ve slept in the car.”
“I couldn’t. I’m a little… nervous.” I can’t help but add, with a quick glance at Logan, who’s wheeling his suitcase into the tiny living room that connects the two hotel rooms, “After all, someone’s bringing me to my husband tomorrow.”
Logan scowls at me but doesn’t say a word.
“You don’t happen to have anything?” I ask, turning my attention back to Everest.
“Hold on. I’ll check.”
I huff out a relieved breath when I see him take out the big toiletry bag I’d noticed yesterday. He unzips one pocket and fumbles through a number of bottles and pouches.
“Are you a hypochondriac, Everest?” I tease, then kick myself for mocking the guy who’s inadvertently helping me with my plan.
Logan’s deepening scowl, as he sits in the corner of the room typing out messages, is the only sign he’s heard.
But Everest just shrugs off the comment. “I like to be prepared. Aha!” He takes out a small zippered bag. “Ambien! Want some?”
“She is not taking that,” says Logan gruffly.
“Well, why not? She’s exhausted. Let her get some sleep.”
“She’ll be dead by tomorrow, and ghosts don’t need to be well-rested,” mutters Logan, without a trace of humor.
His words send ice hurtling through my veins, but Everest takes it as a joke.
“Ha, ha. Let the girl sleep, Logan. It’s one Ambien. What the fuck can it do?”
“It’s a prescription drug,” growls Logan. “I’m not having her popping pills!”
Anxiety gives my fear an edge, and I grab the plastic pouch with its single pill. This is my only plan, and I just can’t let Logan sabotage it. “Well, I’m taking it. Thanks, Everest. Fuck you, Logan. Goodnight.”
I slam the door behind me, hard enough that I’m worried for a moment I’ve awoken Aurora, who’s sleeping in her crib. Luckily, once she’s asleep, nothing can wake her.
So I sag against the wall, wondering what the hell is wrong with me. The first step was a success. But could I really not think of a better second step than angering Logan?
I barely have time to get nervous before the door opens, revealing my captor. Unexpectedly, though, he doesn’t look furious. Just… amused.
“Didn’t you get enough this morning?”
“Guess not.” The wince I make as I turn around belies my words, and he smirks.
It’s not a cruel smirk, but it’s not soft, either. Right now, he’s looking at me like… he owns me. And like he’s enjoying that fact.
“I figured, since it’s the last night before you handed me over to my husband,” I say, “that you’d want to get the whole hurting me and making me wish I’d never been born thing done with.”
His smirk deepens as he stares at me, his eyes slowly raking up and down my body. “Come on, Lia.”
He doesn’t give me the chance to say a word before he closes a hand around my wrist and pulls me from the bedroom.
“I know how to walk,” I huff out, but he ignores me.
“Go to your bedroom,” he orders Everest, who’s just settled onto the couch and turned on the TV. “And put your earbuds in. I’m gonna have her screaming all night long.”
Everest raises an amused eyebrow, but his face freezes when Logan adds, “And not from pleasure.”
If he looks worried, I guess I should be too, but my mind is far too focused on my plan to wonder just what Logan’s got in store for me.
The minute Everest’s gone, he turns to me, danger radiating from his every pore.
But before he can say a word, I complain, “I’m thirsty.”
“Oh?” He walks over to me, his hand wrapping itself around my neck. “Ghosts don’t need to be hydrated. Didn’t you know?”
My voice comes out harsh from the effort of keeping my nerves under control. “Enough with the ghost talk. It’s getting old.”
“Hmm.” His hand is still clasped around my neck, but he’s not squeezing. “You know, Lia, I’ve been thinking. Your husband has quite the pack of dogs, doesn’t he?”
“Uhm…” I try very hard to swallow. “I guess so.”
“I know you’ve heard the rumors. You know, the ones where he sends his dogs after his enemies.
They rip the victim to shreds. Little piece by little piece.
Until the poor guy has turned into a quivering pile of flesh.
I can see from your expression you know all about it, huh?
Have you ever thought about how painful it must be? ”
Fuck. My throat has never been so parched. I really do need a glass of water right now.
“I haven’t,” I lie in a whisper.
“Well, I have. Because I’ve seen it happen. More than once.”
He squeezes my neck very lightly, and I start to feel just a bit dizzy as he continues, “You should probably start thinking about it, because now that you’re Carmelo’s enemy, I have a feeling that’s what he’s got planned for you.”
I close my eyes, willing my heart to calm down. Yes, it is what he’s got planned for me. I know it is. And that’s what you’re sending me to!
“I’m going to offer you some mercy,” whispers Logan, his breath hot against my ear. “Would you like some mercy?”
I nod my head hurriedly, tears stinging at my eyes. The Ambien in my pocket is momentarily forgotten as he slides his arm around my shoulders, and I feel all his warmth. All his… safety.
Maybe he’s been fucking with me. Maybe he was never going to bring me back. Maybe he’s still the boy from high school, the only one who could protect me.
A moment later, my illusions shatter brutally when he leans in further and whispers, “I’m going to kill you myself.”