Chapter Four
The Predator
Juliet
W HAT WAS I THINKING?
I had no clue what time it was, but it was late.
And dark.
And cold.
And scary as fuck.
The patch of desert was not a patch. Nor was it a plot. It was never-ending—just desert followed by more desert surrounded by more desert.
My body ached to the bones, far beyond any exhaustion and soreness I’d ever experienced. Every step I forced wore on me like a mile. Even though I’d taken advantage of every hint of shade I’d come across, my skin was tight and painfully sunburned. And I was thirsty. So thirsty.
I wanted to go back.
But I kept moving because I had to run into civilization eventually.
I hoped.
Unable to see where I was going, my foot caught on a jagged rock. I tumbled forward, but my shoe was stuck, making my ankle twist painfully as I fell.
“Shit,” I hissed, tears of pain and frustration burning my eyes. “Ow, ow, ow.”
My shoe ripped and excruciating pain tore at my ankle, making me wonder if I’d broken it.
Using a boulder, I was able to stand, but as soon as I put weight on my foot, pain ripped up my leg and it gave out.
Left prone on the ground, the enormity of how badly I’d fucked up sank in. I was alone. No phone. No weapon. No food. Although I’d sipped at my water, it was long gone.
And no one would be looking for me because I had no one.
The monster and his goons likely knew I’d get lost and die, taking care of their problem without them having to lift a finger—or a gun.
I was stuck alone in the middle of the desert with bugs, wild animals, and God knew what else.
After a few minutes, I found out what else. Because as I sat, something moved over my foot.
No, it didn’t move.
It slithered .
Slowly.
Purposefully.
And stealthily.
I hadn’t even noticed it’d circled me until it was too late. Until I was surrounded by its long length.
Freezing, my breath caught in my lungs as I clenched my jaw to keep from screeching.
Even if I were uninjured, it was unlikely I could get away before the snake attacked. Being injured pretty much sealed it. How could I run if I couldn’t even stand?
I couldn’t.
Slow and cautious, I reached behind me for the jagged rock that’d gotten me into that mess. Once I had it, I felt for the sharpest point. I strained to see in the dark, but when I was fairly certain I saw the head, I slammed the rock down.
The snake let out a horrid, pained hiss and I let out a sobbed scream before hitting it again. And again. Even though my heart ached, I slammed the rock one last time, assuring it was dead.
Dropping the rock, I quickly scrambled away before scavengers came for both of us. Once I’d scooted enough to put some distance between me and my reptilian victim, I got control of my emotions as I racked my brain for a plan.
I couldn’t just sit around and wait. There was no rescue coming. An hour of rest wouldn’t make a difference to my ankle, but it would increase my chances of another predator discovering me.
And, that time, I might not be so lucky.
That left one option.
I had to crawl.
Moving slow, I ignored the coarse sand digging into my palms, the bugs relentlessly attacking, and the pain in my ankle. I wasn’t making good time, but I was moving, and that’s what mattered.
Always pushing.
Always fighting.
Always trying to survive.
I was so damn tired of it.
Why did I run?
Lost, scared, and in pain, a sob ripped through me as regret clawed at my chest.
I left behind a gorgeous room, three delicious meals a day, and zero responsibility… for what? To make it on my own like I always have? To barely survive?
Because I wasn’t here by choice, being homeless was somehow better?
Shaking my head, I reminded myself that I didn’t know what they’d planned to do to me. They could’ve been traffickers or pimps—a huge industry in Vegas. I wasn’t sure why they’d have fed me and set me up in a beautiful room, but who knew how monsters worked.
And he was a monster. A murderer.
It didn’t matter that Shamus was an asshole who’d been horrible to me.
It didn’t matter he’d deserved worse than a quick death.
All that mattered was Maximo was capable of murder, and that meant I needed to get away.
Right?
I only made it a short distance on my hands and knees before a cramp tightened my stomach, stealing my breath and ability to move. I rolled to sit on my ass, keeping an eye on my surroundings.
I’m gonna die out here.
Alone.
Always alone.
Once my cramp subsided, I started crawling again.
But not forward.
No, I crawled in the direction I’d come from. Toward where I wanted to be. For all I knew, I was going sideways, heading farther into the desert, but I didn’t care.
My arms shook with the strain of supporting my weight. My cuts were coated in sand, burning and tearing at the already painful wounds. My skin was covered in itchy bug bites. My sides hurt, my knees felt like they were going to shatter, and my clenched stomach was set to a constant growl.
I’d kill for one of Mr. Freddy’s trays right now.
Using the image of a fluffy omelet and coffee to drive me on, I started crawling faster until I reached the small patch of Joshua trees I’d rested by earlier.
I’m going the right way. Maybe I’ll actually survive the night.
My progress was cut off suddenly when my knee came down on something sharp. It pierced my already raw skin, stabbing in so deep, it felt like it embedded in bone
“Shit,” I hissed. I fought to be strong, but each time I put weight on it, the pain grew. I sat on my ass and pulled my muddy leggings up. With no light to see, I ran my hand over my knee but nothing was there. That didn’t mean there wasn’t something below the surface, though.
I couldn’t walk.
I couldn’t crawl.
I couldn’t do anything.
Just a little breather. Then I’ll find a way to keep going. I’ll drag myself if I have to.
Hugging my bent legs, I rested my cheek on my non-injured knee. I gave my vigilant eyes a break, allowing them to close as I inhaled deep.
And because I was so still, I heard it.
A roar.
It faded, but it wasn’t silent for long.
The snap of a twig.
The rustle of brush.
Something’s here.
My stomach dropped, and I froze in terrified indecision. Did I crawl? Did I try to run, further injuring my ankle and likely making a lot of noise that would alert them? Or did I stay still, allowing whatever predator was out there to track my scent and be done with it?
I didn’t know, but I had to try something. Anything.
Hands to the ground, I worked to push myself to my feet, but I didn’t even get the chance to test my bad ankle because my legs gave out.
I barely choked back my pained cry.
The sounds grew closer, and my eyes scanned for the predator.
Surprise and relief flooded me when I saw a dim light just before it cleared the shadows.
Maximo.
“You came,” I forced out through the lump in my throat.
“ Jesus , little dove,” Maximo whispered gruffly, rushing over.
His expensive slacks and white tee were still pristine, as though the dirt didn’t dare touch him.
Only his dress shoes showed signs of his journey, the shiny black leather scuffed and dusted with sand.
Crouching in front of me, he pushed my filthy hair out of my face.
His alert eyes moved between studying me and scanning our surroundings. “Are you hurt?”
I pointed to my foot. “I twisted my ankle.”
“Let me see.” Grabbing my calf, he began to straighten my leg, but pain zipped up the muscle, and I tucked it close. “Juliet.”
I didn’t even know he knew my name.
At his firm tone, I bit my lip and let him extend my leg and gently touch the swollen joint. His shadowed expression was thunderous, but his voice was soft when he chided, “What did you do to yourself?”
“I’m sorry,” I said reflexively.
He stood and handed me the flashlight. I waited for him to pull me up, but instead, he lifted me in his arms.
Since I didn’t want him to trip while hefting me around—not to mention, I was filthy and smelled—I insisted, “I can walk.”
I think.
He didn’t respond verbally, just shot me a quick look before his gaze returned to where he was stepping.
“Really, I only need a little help,” I tried again.
“No.”
“But—”
“Juliet.” His tone was filled with warning again, as if that were the only way he could say my name.
I held my tongue for as long as possible before muttering, “I really should’ve gone for the road.”
Maximo stopped, and I worried he’d dump me on the ground.
Since he was more than a foot taller than me, it wouldn’t be a short fall.
Instead, he tightened his hold and aimed his glower my way.
“That route is harsher. You’d have been walking for miles with no trees or boulders to offer shade.
You wouldn’t have made it far before passing out from heatstroke.
” He adjusted me in his arms as he began walking again. “Or worse.”
“Oh.”
He made a noncommittal grunt.
After a few more minutes of tense silence, we reached a waiting four-wheeler. He set me down before grabbing the side pack and handing me two sandwiches and a bottle of water. “Eat.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice. I dug into the PB&J like it was the best thing I’d ever tasted because, right then, it was. I polished off both and the glorious water within minutes.
My stomach hurt from eating so fast, but it was better than it hurting from hunger or fear.
Once I was done, he took my garbage and shoved it in the pack.
“What time is it?” I asked.
“Almost midnight.”
God, I’m so stupid.
I’d gotten lost, sunburned, injured to the point of incapacitation twice , and had been forced to kill a snake.
And it’d only been half a day.
What would’ve happened had he not come? Would I have survived the next day? Would I even have survived the night?
But I wouldn’t have to find out because Maximo had come for me when he could’ve easily left me out there to die.
Unable to choke down my gratitude, I blurted, “Thank you for looking for me.”
“Juliet.”
“I thought… I just… I was—”
“Shut up.”
“Shutting up,” I whispered before he changed his mind and left me.
Maximo climbed behind me before the four-wheeler roared to life.
A headlight lit the way, but he seemed to know where he was going, his speed eating up the distance until his house finally came into view.
He stopped next to his gate and killed the engine before standing.
Pulling his cell from his pocket, he touched the screen a few times.
“Call them off, I have her.” I jumped when his hand landed on my head, but he just absentmindedly stroked my hair as he stared toward the house.
“Yeah. Get the car, meet me on the street.”
The car?
Of course they’re not going to let me go back to the house.
Of-fucking-course they’re not.
I’d been a witness and then a prisoner. Trying to escape had shown them I was a loose end who needed to be cut before I unraveled everything. Maybe he’d rescued me just so he could make sure I died.
The fear that’d disappeared after my rescue came back times a hundred.
I didn’t bother arguing when he picked me up. I didn’t ask the millions of questions that swirled in my head. I didn’t voice my fears.
Because none of it mattered.
Lost in thought, I stayed silent as an SUV pulled out of the driveway and stopped in front of us. Handsome goon got out, his eyes on us. I waited for him to glare like the mean one, but he didn’t. If anything, he looked happy to see me. He opened the backdoor, and Maximo set me on the seat.
When the door closed, I buckled up on instinct, numbly going through the motions.
Rather than driving or sitting in the passenger’s seat, Maximo opened the other back door and climbed in, moving over until he was in the middle. He reached over, unbuckled my seatbelt, and pulled me into his lap.
Maybe this will be like the old gangster movies where he throws me out of a moving car.
How well can I tuck and roll?
Handsome goon got in and began driving.
“Is everything ready?” Maximo asked him.
“All set and waiting.”
Separating myself from the terror and pain, I stared out the window.
There was a lot of nothing. Just as Maximo had said, that route was desert for miles and miles with no houses, buildings, boulders, or even brush around.
As if reading my thoughts, he whispered, “Told you.”
I nodded but couldn’t find any words.
The farther we drove, the more my panic took hold. Rather than pointless begging, I decided to use my time to curse my bastard father. If he hadn’t lied and cheated and lied some more, none of this would’ve happened. I would be asleep in my shitty bed in my shitty home in my shitty life.
I still wouldn’t have been safe—I never was—but I was used to that. Defending myself against assholes, drunks, and creepers was easier than taking on the elements, bugs, and snakes.
“You okay?” Maximo asked, bringing his hand to my forehead. “You’re shivering.”
It was with rage, but I didn’t share that. “I’m fine.”
He met the driver’s eyes in the rearview mirror.
The goon lifted his chin. “I could go a lot faster if you’d put her down so she can buckle up.”
“No,” was all Maximo said, and the goon didn’t argue.
If I were a different girl who’d lived a different life, I may have let myself believe his concern. And that concern would’ve given me hope. But I knew better.
Hope was an empty word on the way to disappointment.
Exhausted—mentally and physically—I wanted to rest my head, but I couldn’t. The pain made it easy to stay alert as I sat stiffly in the silent car. Staring at my hands in my lap, I sank further into myself as I used the time to build my walls against whatever was to come.
If I was about to die, I’d go out with my pride—it was the only thing I had to my name.
If he was about to dump me back into the shithole that was my life, I’d figure it out.
I always did.
After a while, the car turned and turned again. It slowed, but only when it came to a stop did I look up.
What the hell?