He stares at me, arching a brow, and my breath hitches with horror. It’s not his brow that causes my breath to hitch. It’s the absolute evil that pours from his eyes. I don’t know if he hid it before, or maybe I just didn’t see it, but it’s there, and it’s focused right on me.
“Hurting me isn’t the answer,” I say, my voice breaking with the word.
He hums, taking another step forward. I shift backward, one foot, then the other, until my back hits the wall. Shifting my gazeto the side, I think about trying to get to the balcony door and jumping off.
The thought of dying by jumping from the third story is probably less painful than whatever he has planned. But as I reach out for the handle, I am unsuccessful.
He’s on me.
His fingers curl around my wrist as he grips me there, hard. I feel something crack in my wrist. I don’t know if something is broken or not. My adrenaline is flowing so hard and fast throughout my body that I can’t feel anything.
My heart slams against my chest as he moves toward me. He’s so close that I can smell him. Unfortunately, he smells good, which sucks because he’s such a massive piece of shit. He leans forward, his lips brushing mine before I pinch my eyes closed and feel them against my ear.
“I’m going to fuck every part of your body, Cidney. Every part. But I’m not going to kill you,” he breathes. “I’m going to leave you here for them to find you. Ruined. We’ll see if they back you up then, when you’re no good to them. A used-up pile of fucking trash.”
I whimper, which only causes him to laugh. And that is the last thing I hear—his laughter.
Goffredo’s evil fucking laughter.
GOOSE
The beach is supposed to be healing. I’m not sure it is. I don’t feel healed. Standing against the wooden banister, I look out at the ocean from the lookout canopy. The water moves in and out, a steady rhythm that I could get lost in easily.
When the sun sets, I push off the railing and make my way back to my bike. Climbing on, I start the engine and head towardthe clubhouse. I’ve spent two days in a whole goddamn stupor, but it’s time for me to wake the fuck up and get my shit together.
I’m here in Wilmington to be a nomad, not get drunk and pass out day in and day out. They’ll ask my ass to leave if I’m not useful. It doesn’t take me long to get to the clubhouse. It’s a lot like ours in Thunder Rock, except for the lot not being as big.
It’s in the middle of nowhere, on the outskirts of town, and the only thing that is nearby is a commercial, industrial building behind it. The only action I’ve seen there is a CrossFit gym and a cabinetry shop. Otherwise, I’ve got no clue what other businesses are located inside, and I don’t think I give a fuck.
My phone buzzes in my pocket as I make my way toward the front door. Reaching into my cut pocket, I pull it out but frown at the name. It’s my brother. I don’t want to talk to him right now. He’ll text me if he wants to get an important message to me.
When I move inside, the low music, the scent of beer, stale perfume, leather, and grease fill my senses. The bodies are starting to move around. Night is falling, and that means a party. I think I’m going to pass on that tonight.
My boots shuffle toward my temporary bedroom door when I hear someone call out my name. Stopping, I turn my head. I haven’t memorized anyone’s name yet, mainly because I haven’t been sober enough to learn any of them.
But this guy knows my name, and he’s got a girl curled up to his side. Flicking my gaze over to her, my eyes scan her quickly, careful not to linger on any part of her because she is clearly not a clubwhore. She looks more like a college student, and she’s holding on to that man like he’s her lifeline.
“What’s up?” I ask, shifting my gaze back to meet his.
“Name’s Peecan,” he announces.
I almost laugh, because that’s a great fucking road name, and I have a feeling there is a great fucking story that goes along with it. I don’t ask, though, because even though it’s probably great, Idon’t really give much of a fuck. I also don’t think that getting to know anyone at this point in my life is a good idea.
“Goose. What can I do for you?”
He tilts his head to the side, to the girl beside me. She doesn’t offer up her name, but her gaze lifts to meet mine, and she presses her lips together, rolling them a few times before she speaks. Her words come out in a rush.
“I’m Ralph’s sister, and I know he’s probably gone by now, but I just wanted to say thank you.”
“Thank you?” I ask.
She smiles, her cheeks tinting pink when she speaks again. “For saving me.”
Peecan tugs her closer to his side before he turns his head and touches his mouth to the top of hers. He closes his eyes, as if he loves just that single move. I don’t blame him. Kissing the top of Cidney’s head would be fucking heaven right about now.
“I didn’t save you,” I state.
“But your club did,” she says. “I know they did, and I know they didn’t have to.”
