Mommy, Harley’s in trouble and I’m scared. Please call me.
It wasn’t until after Mattie pressed send and reread the message that she realized she’d writtenMommy. After five minutes, she realized her mother was probably in court and wouldn’t answer anytime soon.
Covering her mouth to hold in her sob, Mattie realized she was near the parking lot of the mall, where brush and brambles filled the pathway. Overgrowth stretched on each side because the city refused to landscape the area.
Her thoughts were so jumbled, she wondered if she’d be any help to Harley.
“You’re Mattie, ain’t you?”
Mattie blinked and turned toward the owner of the voice. The small man had a long beard, wrinkled skin, bloodshot eyes, and a wild, feral look.
“You don’t have to answer, Mattie. Usually don’t remember cunts, Mattie. But they got something I want, Mattie. My bitch, Mattie.”
Afraid to respond, Mattie took a step back. The moment she moved, he stepped closer.
“Ain’t got to tell me your name, Mattie. I recognize your face, Mattie. Still don’t know who I am, Mattie?”
Should she answer? Sometimes, Eric and Billy hurt her more when she did. She wanted to ask why he insisted on saying her name every time…
The day Aunt Meggie locked her and Rebel in the car and confronted a little man surrounded by bikers rose in her head. Later, Aunt Meggie grumbled about how he saidMeggieso many times, she wanted to slap him.
Mattie’s gaze flew to Wally, Jr.Wally’sfather.Willard’sfather. She was in so much trouble.
He smirked. “I see you figured it out, Mattie. Come with me like a good bitch, Mattie.”
He stuck his hand in his pocket, but she didn’t wait to see if it was a gun, a knife, or something innocuous.
Screaming, she sprinted away, praying she reached the part of the pathway bordered by the street. She almost did. Except right before she would’ve made it, he tackled her and momentarily knocked the wind out of her.
He flipped her skirt up and pressed his erection against her backside. Tears pooled in her eyes, but she wouldn’t give in without a fight. She used up the little air she’d gotten back to scream again.
He slapped the back of her head. “Shut up, slut,” he whispered against her ear, his rancid breath and unwashed body turning her stomach, “and keep fucking still. I’m turning you over and if you try anything, you’re going to be fucking sorry.”
If shedidn’ttry, she’d be even sorrier. The moment his hold slackened, she bucked against him and knocked him off her. Before he got his bearings, she balled her fist and screamed again.
“You fucking bitch!” he snarled, and punched her jaw, momentarily stunning her.
He ripped her panties away.
“No!” she sobbed. “Please!”
“Fuck you,” he said, wrapping his hands around her throat and squeezing.
Suddenly, she was free. Grabbing her throat, she rolled to her side and coughed through her sobs. Flesh connecting with flesh rose in the silence around her before Wally, Jr. landed next to her, knocked out. Or dead. She didn’t care which. She just wanted her mother.
Mama…
God, if Daddy found out, he’d hate Mattie. He’d blame her and call her all kinds of names.
“Mattie?”
She thought she was imagining Grant Harrington’s voice. He wasn’t a fighter. That was more Diesel’s style. Then, Grant kneeled next to her, blond and strapping, his eyes gentle. His hand brushed her thigh. It took her a moment to realize he was covering her.
He lifted her into his arms and stood without breaking a sweat.
“Don’t tell Daddy,” she whispered. “Please?”
“We’re all at Turn Creek Bridge, sweetheart,” he explained, starting to walk in that direction. “We drove there and CJ realized you were unaccounted for.”
