Chapter Sixteen – Down to You
Chapter Sixteen
Revenge
DOWN TO YOU
Performed by Kelly Clarkson
The alley behind the bar was dark, dank, and smelled like piss. I despised being there. Despised it almost as much as I despised the whore for screwing with my life for nearly ten years.
The man I was waiting for emerged from the back door, and I cringed inwardly.
It had been both a mistake and a stroke of luck to have slept with him back in July.
I’d wanted what he had that night—needed it more than I wanted to admit because it helped keep the new me in sharp relief without the painful struggle.
It wasn’t until after, when I’d come to and realized the shithole he’d taken me back to, that I’d realized my advantage.
He’d unwittingly given me something to hand over to her when having nothing would have meant a swift and nasty punishment.
One I was accustomed to but would do anything to escape.
Well, anything but give her the money I’d squirreled away in the Caymans. That was mine. Mine and Eddie’s.
But now, I was tied to this local deadbeat for who knew how long.
I fought the shudder of revulsion as he came closer. If his scraggily beard and unkempt clothes weren’t a turn-off, the fact he was always high or drunk or reeked of smoke was. Plus, he liked to use his fists, and I was done letting people strike at me.
“Told you that you’d be back,” he said with an ugly smirk. He tried to reach for me, but I easily sidestepped him.
“I’m here to deliver a message, nothing more.”
Even in the dim lighting, I saw the irritation that crossed his face. He hated being under a woman’s thumb. His type always did.
“Yeah? Maybe I’ll send one of my own,” he hissed.
“No more teens. It’s drawing too much heat, and we have bigger plans.”
“I’m working up some funds to buy her out.”
“She doesn’t want out.”
“Well, I’ve decided I don’t need a skanky bitch for a partner. I didn’t agree to let her dictate how I ran my business. It was a simple money exchange.”
I sneered. “If you think that, then you really don’t know who you bargained with.”
“Neither did she.”
“You go against what she says, and there’ll be nothing left of you but ashes that will blow away at the first gust of wind.”
Before I could move back, he’d grabbed my arm and twisted it, yanking me so my back was up tight against his front and his hard-on pressed into my ass.
“Maybe you’ll both be the ones disappearing,” he snarled in my ear before licking my cheek. “After I have a bit of fun with each of you.”
The penknife I’d slipped up my sleeve fell easily into my palm. In one smooth motion, I sliced his forearm and dragged a heel down his shin. He howled, backing away.
“Touch me again, and she won’t be the one to end you,” I warned.
I left him hissing and snarling. Nothing but a mangy stray.
I’d once been just like him, letting myself be used because I hadn’t known any better.
No more. I’d transformed myself into a slick, vicious panther. Stealthy. Steely. Unforgiving.
As I got into my car, I looked into the rearview mirror, straightening the hair the loser had messed up.
Pride bloomed. At the image in the mirror. At what I had planned.
My smile was real and satisfied.
“The whore isn’t going to be the only one surprised, right, Eddie? Everyone is finally getting what they deserve for messing with us.”
A dark laugh greeted me, the scorn threatening to wipe away my good humor.
But fuck that. I’d prove them all wrong.
Even Eddie.
After this, I’d never be anyone’s punching bag again.