Did they conspire ten years ago, too? Bile rises in my throat. I clench my teeth and count to three. Even though adrenaline spikes through my veins, my head feels cold and numb.
I’m not giving up like I did ten years ago.I’m going to make them pay for everything they’ve done—and everything that they plan to do.
A rough hand grabs my hair and shoves me down. The back of my skull hits the floor hard, and nausea surges in my gut. A weight on my belly pins me to the floor, and the awkward angle of my shoulders sends pain shooting up my arms and neck.Shit, my baby.I try to shift to relieve the pressure on my stomach, but can’t.
My hiss turns to a whimper when someone—Jude, probably—grabsmy neckline and rips my top. Cold air hits my shoulders, and he curses at my bra.
I can feel his breath on my face. I lever myself, using the direction of his breathing to headbutt him. My skull connects—hopefully with his face. Something cracks.
“Agh!Fuck!”
Something warm splatters over my forehead and cheeks. A metallic smell hits my nose. The pain reverberates from my forehead, but it’s worth it. The blindfold finally comes loose. I squint at the sudden bright light. Jude clutches his face, blood spurting from his nose. Hopefully I broke it. Standing behind him, Aaron is holding his phone and looks torn. He probably can’t decide if he should continue to film or help his best friend.
I bare my teeth. “How’d you likethat?”
“Bitch!” Jude shouts, and swings.
Pain explodes in my face. Blood gushes from my nose, and I breathe through my mouth, tasting copper and rust. Still I can’t stop smiling. He’s so pathetic, such a spineless, ball-less snake. I can’t believe I gave him so much power over me back then. “Is that the best you can do?” I taunt him. “You sissified, dickless—”
Bang!
The door rattles on its hinges. Jude’s eyes flare with frustration and panic.
“Go away!” Aaron screams.
“Help! Two thugs are trying to assault me!” I scream louder.
“Shut up!” Jude tries to stuff the blindfold into my mouth. I bite his fingers hard, and he yanks them out with a curse.
Another loud bang. Jude glances at the quivering door. “Fuck.”
“Help! Help!” I start yelling again. “Save me!”
“Shut up!” He grabs a pillow off the bed and shoves it over my face, cutting off the air.
Chapter Forty-One
Bryce
Seedyisn’t enough to describe the dilapidated motel. The area reeks of pot, urine and food about to go bad. The blaring of TVs and music and every argument of occupants can be heard through the wafer-thin walls and doors.
Where did Aaron and Jude take Fiona? I don’t see a car that looks like it would belong to either of them. The lot only contains vehicles that saw better days a decade ago.
A man reeking of alcohol stumbles toward me. “Hey, spare a little change?”
I get my wallet out. “I’m looking for a woman and two guys. All around thirty. They just checked in here, I think.”
The man shrugs and looks away. “I dunno… Lotsa young folks around…”
I pull a hundred-dollar bill out. “Try to remember. The girl has reddish-brown hair…”
His eyes light on the money. “Oh, that stoned chick? Pretty girl? And the guys are tall, right? Lanky blond and… I can’t remember the other guy. Sort of hard to see from where—”
“That’s them.” I lean in, but keep the bill out of reach. “Where did they go?”
He points to a unit on the second floor. “That one. Fourth from the end.” I give him the money and he shuffles off.
Pumping my arms, I run upstairs. My grip on the cane tightens. The wolf’s head glints under the SoCal sun.
