“You’d best think and think hard then or that sweet baby you love will find herself being sold.”
This guy was a lunatic. He clearly had no idea who he was dealing with, or he’d never have approached me. And why, after all this time, was he now here? Just when my life was getting back on track and I was happy.
I tried again. “Look I don’t know what Jared told you but I’m not his greatest treasure. I don’t know what it is you’re after.”
He pushed closer, and I winced as he pressed my cheek into the wall. The hand not on my neck rests on the wall in front of my face, and all I can see is the knife he’s got.
“I’m not going to say it again. Find me what he was talking about or it won’t go well for you and those pretty girls.”
“And I’m telling you that you don’t want to threaten me or those girls because you don’t know what a can of worms you’re opening.”
He chuckles and licks my face. I wrinkle my nose in disgust and hold back vomit as he thrusts up against my ass, grinding his cock into me.
“You’ve got twenty-four hours. I’ll be watching you. I know where you live. I’ll get into your trailer with no problem.”
Those words filled me with relief. He didn’t realise that I no longer lived there. Which means he hadn’t been in town long. “Where do you want me to meet you once I’ve got it?”
“Huh, you’re more agreeable than Jared made out.”
I’d have rolled my eyes, but I didn’t want to piss him off. I needed to get him to leave so that I could let Red know.
“Motel, outside of town.”
“I’ll be there tomorrow.” I assured him, grimacing when he pressed a wet kiss to my cheek.
Then the pressure on my neck is gone, and I know he’s left. Turning quickly, holding a hand to my throbbing cheek, I look for him, but all I see is the back of him as he walks away. He’s dressed in jeans, a T-shirt and has a cap pulled low over his face. He’s not tall, but he is broad. I guess he’s one of those who took advantage of lifting weights in prison. I don’t even know his name.
Taking my phone from my pocket, I find Deck’s number. “Darlin’?”
“Deck!” I whisper shakily.
He can immediately tell something’s wrong. “Speak to me, Emily.”
“Need you,” I whisper. “Diner.”
“I’m coming.”
Ending the call, my heart beating fast, I hurry to the diner and push open the door with a bang, drawing attention from everyone within. Jenny’s eyes widen when she gets a good look at me, and she hurries out from behind the counter towards me.
“What happened?”
“I called Red,” I told her shakily.
“Okay that’s good. Here sit,” she ushers me to a seat. “I’ll get you some ice for that cheek and get this place cleared out.”
“Oh,” I look around the diner, but it’s mostly empty, “you don’t have to do that.”
“Relax,” Jenny tells me, coming back with ice wrapped in a clean towel. “Our customers know the drill. We don’t charge them when things like this happen.”
And they must have because they made quick work of finishing up their food and leaving. By the time we heard the rumble of sleds and Stacey and Lizzie were parked, the diner was cleared out. Deck is the first through the door and comes right to me, sinking into the chair next to me. Cupping the hand that holds the icepack to my cheek. Pulling it away, he takes a look and winces. I was hoping it didn’t look as bad as it felt.
Maestro follows Red in with Stacey, Lizzie, and Cash bringing up the rear. When I don’t see the girls, I tell Deck, “Someone needs to find Rosie and the girls.”
He looks at Maestro, who nods and takes his phone out. “Kyle, take Ford and Robbie, find the girls and get them back to the clubhouse. Let me know when you have them.”
He ends the call and sinks to his haunches next to me and mirrors Red, pulling the ice pack away from my face. He winces, then demands, “What happened?”
I hold nothing back. I tell them everything from my visit to the graveyard to see Ruthie and Chains to my inattention and being taken by surprise by Jared’s old cell mate. His threats and what he wanted.
