“Starved.” She grins at me as I hold the front door open for her.
“Shit, I think I left my keys inside. I’ll be right back.”
“Sure. I’m just gonna wait out here. You know ... cool down a bit,” Charlie giggles.
I hurry back inside and find my keys lying on the bench right where I left them. Charlie also never grabbed her coat. I know she’s trying to cool down but knowing her she is going to get cold fast. I snatch that too and quickly make my way back outside.
Charlie’s not where I left her ...
I walk over to my truck, thinking maybe she decided to wait for me there, but I still don’t see her. My chest tightens. Charliewouldn’t just take off. Where the fuck is she?
A screech of tires catches my attention, and I notice a car speeding away. My heart drops when I recognize the car. That’s the same, rusty piece-of-shit car I saw Chuck standing beside when I fucked him up the first time.
Fuck. FUCK FUCK FUCK.
Chapter 40
Charlie
I wake up, disoriented and in a dark place. The air is musty, and my head is killing me. I can’t move my arms, which are bent awkwardly behind me. The more aware I become, the more my heart races. It takes a bit before I remember what happened, but I have no clue where I am.
I was standing outside the gym, waiting for Ben to come back with his keys. There was another car in the parking lot, and I remember thinking that was odd because the gym had been closed for a while. The only reason we got to be there after hours was because the guys are buddies with the owner.
That’s where things get a little fuzzy though. There was a sound behind me and then a piercing pain in my head. I remember struggling against someone, but I can’t remember anything after that. Did I even scream for help? Where am I?
The rumbling of an engine and muffled voices tell me that I’m in the trunk of a car. While trying to ignore my rising panic, I strain my ears to see if I can recognize the voices. It seems like a given that one of them is Chuck, but who could be with him?
I try to listen in but give up quickly. It really doesn’t matter. It can’t be anyone that’s going to help me out of this. I start kicking my feet against the roof of the trunk, hoping that maybe someone will hear the struggle and call the police orsomething.
It doesn’t feel like we’re driving for very long before the car comes to a screeching halt. Although who knows how long I was unconscious for. The engine cuts off, then the two voices get louder as they get out and come around to the back of the car.
“You’re not going to hurt her, are you?” one of the voices asks. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he almost sounded concerned for me.
“No, I already told you. I just want to talk to her.”
You have got to be fucking kidding me. The other guy is Brad. So much for leaving town. How did he even meet Chuck?
The lock on the trunk clicks and the light comes on as it’s swung open, hinges squeaking.
“Hello Charlie.” The sound of Chuck’s voice is cold, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. The grin on his face is feral. “Will you talk to me now?”
Chapter 41
Ben
I’m panicking.
I fucked up.
I fucked up so bad. I should have never let Charlie out of my sight. I should have insisted she come back inside with me. This is my fault. My god damn curse strikes again and now Charlie is going to get hurt because I’m a rotten, horrible soul.
My fault. My fucking fault.
How will I ever be able to look the guys in the eyes if she gets hurt? How will I live with myself? I need to find her. Now.
And then I’m going to murder Chuck.
I’m speeding down the road in the direction I saw the car driving away when I use my Bluetooth to call Max.
