“God, I-I need to s-stop, Brian,” Macy wheezed.
“No!”
He pushed her forward. Moonlight lit the water as they neared their destination, and she could see a small boat moored beside the bank.
“You don't even know how to drive a boat.”
“I know. I just never wanted to have a boat here in Howling. But now it’s come in handy and I can have my revenge. It’s what kept me going in prison, wife. Planning how I was going to make you pay.”
“Revenge.” Macy tried to scoff as he pulled her hands behind her back. Tried to swallow the fear as he tied her wrists together. The old feelings began to creep back into her head. Fear, pain, and hopelessness. “It's me who should seek revenge, you bastard. It was me you beat, me you forced to miscarry.”
“You're nothing without me. People accepted you because of me!”
She turned and looked at him for the first time. Gone was the immaculate man she'd married. The face that had fooled everyone into trusting him was now a twisted snarl.
“I bet prison orange played hell with your coloring.” Macy wasn't sure where she found the courage to speak to him that way, but she did, because he needed to know she wouldn't be cowed. Wouldn't be the victim he'd once made her.
“Bitch!” He slapped her hard. Macy stumbled but didn't fall. Her cheek stung, but she didn't lower her head, instead looking him in the eye.
“I’m tempted just to throw you overboard. It’s deep enough here, that you’ll never survive. Imagine how sad your friends will be when they find your body in the morning.”
“You're a weak, p-pathetic man, Brian Delray. I don't know why I was scared of you.”
He grabbed her hands and pushed her toward the boat, forcing her down into it.
You're strong now, Macy.
She heard Brad's voice inside her head and forced her fears back as Brian climbed down beside her.
“Everyone knows what you did, Brian, and what a gutless coward you truly are.”
“Shut up!”
“You’re worthless, and even your sister gave you up to the authorities.”
His face contorted with rage, and Macy braced herself for what was to come.
“I'm going to kill you!”
Brian's roar was loud, and the hands that grabbed her rough. She kicked out as he tried to push her backward, and connected with something, because he grunted.
She had to fight until help arrived. Fight and stay alive.
Brad had seena lot and experienced just as much, but this, the needles of fear coursing through his body, this was another league. They'd arrived at the McBride house to find Branna, Rose, and DJ O'Donnell safe and unhurt, but there was no sign of Delray or Macy.
“Cubby sent his deputies and the Findlay brothers onto the trails to look for signs of Delray and Macy,” Buster said. He'd arrived with Annabelle.
“I told you to stay at home.”
“Why? Because I'm a woman I can't help?”
Brad ignored his brother and sister-in-law as they argued, while his mind formed and discarded ideas.
“Nobody has seen a car come in or out today with anyone inside it resembling Delray. Even taking into account a disguise,” Newman said.
They were inside the McBride house looking over a map of the area.
“Every car has been stopped and searched and none held him. So how did he get in?”
