“Hello, Brett. How are you today? Still working on hard on that biology project?” he asked with a smile.
“Yes, sir. Thanks for all the extra help. It looks like I’ll finish this semester with a 3.9 GPA.”
“Atta boy,” he grinned. “You’ll keep this one safe for me?”
“Always sir,” he said swapping out keys with him.
Teller walked toward another vehicle and got inside, pulling out of the lot. He wasn’t stupid. He knew that sooner or later someone would identify the car he took to the university every day. No one knew about this car. A Jeep.
Yes, it wasn’t sleek or inconspicuous, necessarily. But it got him through the dirt roads to his home and would provide a better option if he had to run. It would seem that might come sooner, rather than later.
If they reported him to the university, claiming their suspicions, the university would waste no time in releasing him. He needed to get a plan together, get a final answer from Nicole, and if she didn’t agree find someone else quickly.
His anger rose thinking about his failure in finding Willa. The university only had a P.O. box number for her, which led him nowhere. He tried getting into her cell phone and that didn’t work either.
So far, Nicole had been of no help whatsoever. She fought him every step of the way but that could easily be beaten out of her. He’d seen it many times before. Women would learn to cooperate and completely give in to their superior partner.
Even after the death of his father, his mother didn’t stop. She cleaned the house, did the laundry, cut the grass, fixed lunch, and waited until his father’s chosen replacement showed up.
Of course, he wasn’t happy about Helker Braum. Only ten years older than Teller, it felt odd. But it was his father’s dying choice and he would abide by it. Helker’s wife had died earlier in the year. Naturally, it was her own doing. Totally non-compliant, she suffered for her backtalking and slacking.
Women. They never learn.
He was grateful for one thing. Getting out of the city. The parades were making things chaotic, which could play in his favor as the police had other things to do. Once on the highway, he was able to get his small piece of paradise.
Opening the front door, he smiled.
“Honey, I’m home,” he called.
Nicole was seated on the sofa, right where he left her. But things were not alright. Her wrists and ankles were rubbed raw from the ropes, no doubt due to her attempted escapes.
Nicole looked up at him defiantly. She despised this man and if he got anywhere near her, she was going to make him pay. She’d rather die than let this man touch her.
“You’ve been a naughty girl, Nicole. I see you still haven’t learned to accept my offer or your fate.”
“I will never accept you. Never. Until the day I die, I will attempt to escape you.”
“Nicole, Nicole, Nicole,” he sighed. “Don’t you realize that I can take your life at any moment. End you.”
“Then do it! Do it! Because I will not submit to you.”
“I tell you what, Nicole. You tell me how to get my hands on Willa Crawford and I’ll let you go.”
She stared at him wondering if it was true but knew in her heart it was not. Besides, she didn’t even really know how to get in touch with Willa.
“I don’t know how to get in touch with her. We texted only through the university chat system. She wasn’t a fan of giving out anything personal. Besides, she’s engaged now.”
“Engaged?” he frowned. “No. No, I won’t allow this.”
“Allow it? Listen you psycho…”
She didn’t even see it coming. He lifted his foot, kicking her in the face. That’s all she remembered. Teller stared down at her, shaking his head.
“Oh, Nicole. You will learn. One way or another, you will learn. Even if it kills you,” he smirked.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“AJ? Hiro? Tanner? Please tell us you have something for us,” said Ham.
