Nodding, I follow the man outside, allowing him to lure me next door even though every part of me is telling me to turn back and hide behind the biker still lurking in my kitchen.
ChapterTwelve
Krampus
She was gone before I could stop her.
Before I could warn her.
The man from last night stood at the doorway, blocking me from chasing after them.
“Move,” I growl, standing toe to toe with him without a second thought.
“She’s in a meeting,” he says with a sneer, one so cold it could freeze bone.
“I’m not asking. I’m telling you to move.”
He folds his arms across his chest, refusing to budge. “And I said, she’s in a fucking meeting.”
“Listen, asshole, I know more than you think I do…” My voice filters off before I let on just how much I do know about his little operation, making the big oaf raise a single eyebrow.
“You don’t know shit, motherfucker.” He taps on my mask. “What’s this? A child’s mask? Did you forget that Halloween ended a few weeks ago?”
My jaw tics in frustration. “Don’t touch my mask.”
“Or what, asshole? Whatcha gonna do?” He shows me his piece. The cold metal glints off some sunlight filtering through her front window. Mine is flush against my back, ready to be pulled when I need it.
“Are you really gonna gun me down right here? In the middle of a bakery on a cold Wednesday morning?”
“If I have to. I don’t have time for asshole bikers that have a death wish.”
“The only man with a death wish here is you, motherfucker. I’ll end your life if you so much as touch her.”
He mocks me with fake laughter. “Touch her? No, I have far better plans for her than that.”
Fists already clenching, I square up to him, ready to swing if I have to. “And what exactly does that fucking mean?”
He shrugs. “If she keeps you around long enough, you’ll soon find out, lapdog.”
Before I can stop him, he grabs my mask, sending the flimsy plastic clear across the room.
His face curls in complete disgust, stepping backward like whatever is wrong with me may be contagious. “Ugh, what the fuck is wrong with your face?”
Mortified, I cover myself, searching for the mask that has somehow slid beneath one of her cupboards.
Dropping to my knees, I desperately search for it, my fingers only barely touching the curled edge before it slides even further back.
The man laughs with unfiltered glee. “Do you really think a girl like her would ever be interested in a monster like you?”
“Shut up,” I growl, my voice riddled with desperation. If Mindy comes back through that door and sees my face, there’s no telling how she’ll react. Just the thought of it has me scrambling harder, fingers clawing uselessly against tile and dust.
My hand finally closes around the edge of the mask. Relief hits me hard when I pull back into view, but it all changes when a boot slams down inches from my knuckles.
“Nuh-uh.” His shoe grinds forward, pinning the mask in place. “Can’t have you hiding now. She deserves to see what you really are.”
I surge to my feet, rage burning through my veins like embers fleeing an inferno, but he’s faster. He shoves me backward with his meaty hand palming my chest, sending me crashing into a prep table. Metal rattles as trays clatter to the floor.
“Easy, Frankenstein,” he growls. “You make another move, and this gets loud.” His gun’s out and pointed casually at my ribs like it’s nothing more than an accessory. Like my life is an inconvenience for the big oaf.
