Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
T he Friday lunch rush was winding down, and for that, Scarlet was thankful. She was leaving work early again today so she could run over to her apartment to pick up a dress. Her dinner date with Matt had obviously been postponed with all the craziness—the man being stabbed, the amped-up security, Jake and Carmen’s visit, and Poppy and Cade returning home—but Matt had insisted that tonight was the night. It would be their first official date.
She’d been fine with staying in. Not because she didn’t want to go out with her wonderful man—and yes, he was her man—but because no matter how great things had been lately, no matter how much joy and love and laughter she’d experienced over the last week, she couldn’t shake the paranoia. Everything was going too well, and she had a feeling that the proverbial other shoe was about to drop.
They were still keeping security tight—Xander was currently with Daisy, Tash was sitting in the diner’s waiting area, and Bean had all her program things running—but Matt thought going out, just the two of them, was low risk and would take her mind off things.
It helped to know that Daisy would not only be with Rebecca, Dante, and their family tonight, but that Cade and Poppy were planning on joining their get-together as well. Matt had even said Xander was happy to join the crew if it would put her mind at ease.
The thought made Scarlet rush to the beverage station and place the coffee pot back into its stand. Pulling her phone from her apron pocket, she sent a text to Xander.
Scarlet
If you’re really sure you don’t mind, can I take you up on your offer to watch Daisy at Rebecca & Dante’s tonight?
Xander’s response was immediate.
Xander
Of course I don’t mind. I’ll touch base with Alvarez on what time you’re dropping Daisy off. You just have fun tonight.
After sending a thank-you text, Scarlet let out a breath and tucked her phone away in her apron. She could do this, dammit. She had no reason to be nervous about going out on an official date date with the man she was completely stinking head over heels for.
Love, Scarlet. You’re in love with him.
A smile lifted her lips. She was. She absolutely was one thousand percent head over heels in love with Mateo Alvarez. And the best, most unbelievable part? The wonderful man felt the same way about her. In fact, he wanted to marry her.
Warmth bloomed in her chest. How was this her life?
A ding pulled Scarlet from her dreamy, swoony thoughts.
Heading to the service window, she checked the orders against the ticket, loaded her tray, and headed to the two-top.
She recognized the couple and greeted them as she placed their appetizers in the center of their table. If she recalled correctly, they were from the Portland area and had been in at some point each day this week. “How are you two enjoying your stay on Hudson Island?” she asked, setting small appetizer plates in front of them.
“Good. There’s a lot to see on the island. It’s been quite informative,” the man replied.
Even though the man’s word choice seemed odd, Scarlet’s smile never wavered. “I’m glad. Is there anything else I can get you two?”
“Actually, yes,” the woman said before coughing. “Sorry, my throat is just so scratchy.” She sounded like she’d swallowed a frog, and she waved Scarlet closer. “See the guy eating by himself near the door?”
Frowning, Scarlet looked at the table closest to the hostess stand. The man appeared to be in his early thirties and possibly recovering from a bit of a rough night, but since he was in Paula’s section, she hadn’t paid him much mind. “Yes?”
“See how Martha’s standing right by his table?”
Her gaze shot back to the woman, and she froze. The cold, dead stare aimed at her had all the fine hairs on her arms rising.
“That’s Cutter. He loves knives. He did a number on ole Mikey, didn’t he? Isn’t that the spot where the dumbass bled out?”
Scarlet glanced at Cutter, and her stomach twisted when the man shot her a sinister grin. He lifted the corner of his T-shirt, revealing the handle of a knife.
“Now, if you don’t do exactly as I say, you’re gonna see how many times Cutter can stab her. He’s fast, you know.” The woman eyed her dining companion. “He got Mikey what, ten, fifteen times?”
Scarlet’s mind flashed to the security footage of Cutter stabbing Michael Wilson while he’d sat helpless in his car. Bile surged up her throat.
“Sounds about right,” the man said with an ominous chuckle. “Trust me, he can get at least eight or nine good ones in before even the best can react. The lady’s a bit thick in the middle, but she’d be done for before she even hit the ground. She’s old. I’m sure she lived a good life and all that shit. It’ll be a twofer if her old man, Ray, tries to rush in.”
Scarlet’s ears began ringing. “What do you want?”
“You’re gonna ditch Wonder Woman,” the woman said.
Scarlet stole a peek at Tash, who still sat in the waiting area, scanning the people strolling past the diner. She willed Tash to turn and recognize her distress.
“Uh-uh-uh,” the woman said. Her tone was melodic and so at odds with the words tumbling from her mouth. “Cutter will happily kill your precious Martha. You make one wrong move, and he’ll do it.”
Scarlet fisted her shaking hands and crossed her arms over her chest. Fuck this woman. Fuck all of them. If she was going down, she was taking every one of these assholes with her. But she had to be smart if she wanted to avoid casualties. “What do you want?”
The woman grinned. “Now, nice and calm, you’re going to go down the hallway to the bathrooms and walk right out that exit. A couple of our friends will be there with a minivan, and you’ll get in.”
A swell of anger heated Scarlet’s blood. She glared at the woman, who simply laughed. Bitch.
“Oh, aren’t you a feisty one? But save your spunk. Believe me, you’re going to need it later.” The woman nodded to the man across from her, and he rose.
“Follow me,” he muttered, heading toward the hallway leading to the restrooms.
The woman grabbed a mozzarella stick and took a bite. “Hop to it, Sienna.”
Gritting her teeth, Scarlet promised herself she’d make this evil woman pay. She memorized every inch of the bitch’s features, then turned and followed her piece-of-shit friend.
Be smart, Scarlet!
In the hallway, she hunched over and fake-coughed. As she heaved, one hand swept into her apron and found her phone. She pulled up her messages and texted 9-1-1 to Bean.
“Hurry the fuck up,” the man hissed from the exit.
Coughing louder, Scarlet locked her phone and switched it to silent. The last thing she wanted was for it to ring and get taken away from her. She pressed her hand to her chest and fake-wheezed, then straightened. Infusing desperation into her voice—which didn’t take much effort—she begged, “Please, I need to get my inhaler.”
The man took three menacing steps toward Scarlet, grabbed her by the upper arm, and yanked her out the door. “Fucking bitch,” he muttered, effortlessly picking her up and tossing her into the waiting minivan.
She landed on her face. Her teeth clacked together and caught the inside of her cheek. Blood filled her mouth, and she couldn’t hold back a moan. The sliding door slammed shut with a bang, and she summoned her strength to roll over, but a sudden weight on her back had her breath leaving in a whoosh. Something heavy—some one heavy—was on top of her.
Unable to move, she turned her head, ready to scream, and?—
A wadded-up piece of cloth was shoved into her mouth. She tried to spit it out, but it was in too deep.
“Scream all you want, bitch,” said the man on top of her. Snickering, he pinched her nose shut.
She stilled.
Holy shit. She could not die like this. Don’t panic! Think, dammit!
“Nice, you’re already learning, Si-Si.” His familiar voice and that god-awful nickname sent goosebumps tearing across her skin. “If you don’t fight, I’ll let you breathe. If you do fight, I’ll find something else to shove down your throat.”
A whimper escaped her gagged mouth as he ran his hands roughly over her ass.
Knuckles. That was his name. One of the younger assholes she had known at the club. He’d been good friends with Zip and Jester, had idolized Steele. He’d also liked to hit while he fucked.
“Damn, Sienna. You sure have filled out.”
No! Not Sienna. My name is Scarlet ! Taking a deep breath through her nose, she focused on her anger and not her fear. You’ve dealt with Knuckles before. You can do it again. Now think!
Keeping still, she scanned her surroundings. She was on the floor in the back of a minivan. One of the middle seats was still in, but the other middle seat, along with the entire back bench seat, had been removed. The windows were heavily tinted.
Shit! What else?
A familiar horn sounded.
“Just one,” the driver said.
Her eyes widened. They were at the ferry ticket window!
Taking another deep breath, she screamed with everything she had. But the second the sound left her lungs, blinding pain exploded at the base of her skull.
Everything went dark.