We pull off the freeway. I don’t have a clue where we are. It’s dark. I didn’t see any signs. Open fields stretch as far as I can see in the clouded glow of the moon. The next road we turn down is almost like a dirt two-track.
“Are you going to answer me? Or would you rather wait a while? It’ll give me more time to come up with fun ways to make you talk.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
“DECLAN! Why the fuck did you and your fucking boyfriend kill him?” he screams.
He turns sharply down another dirt road. A large patchof tall trees can be seen ahead. They loom in the distance like guards waiting to let us pass. Small slivers of light from the moon pass through the dense forest, casting eerie shadows that dance between the trees.
“I didn’t…The gang…”
*Smack*
“If you try to tell me that the gang that killed Jocko also killed Declan, I will fucking slice off the top layer of your tongue. I still need you to be able to talk, but I didn’t say it would be pleasant.”
My hands tremble as I clutch my face. More blood seeps through my fingers. I run my tongue along my teeth, and one feels sharp. It’s chipped.
“It…It was self-defense.”
“Bullshit! He was fucking obsessed with you. He would never hurt you!”
“Ha!” I can’t help but laugh at that one. “Declan took out his rage on me whenever he drank too much.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not. It wasn’t often, but when it did happen, I couldn’t go on stage for at least two weeks sometimes from how bad the marks were.”
“What about Tony and Mac? You’re going to tell me it was self-defense against them, too?” he rolls his eyes, and I can hear the sarcastic tone tinging his voice.
“No. They killed each other.” My heart hurts from the memory of Tony pulling the knife from his neck and tucking it into my leggings just to give me a chance.
“You know…Lying isn’t going to get you anywhere. You’re dead either way, Mina.”
“Wh…What?” My voice wavers as his lips curl into a sickening smile. One that mimics Declan’s almost completely.
“You won’t be leaving here alive. I plan on dumping your body on Myles’s doorstep. It’s the least you two deserve.”
He pulls off onto a dark, tree-lined dirt driveway. About fifty feet ahead, a dark wooden gate blocking the drive begins to slide to the left opening to a long, paved driveway. Lights line the path as we continue through the trees. The forest opens to a large opening with a giant, three-story mansion. It’s built from rust colored brick with black trim. The porch wraps around the front and side. A fountain sits in the center of the circular drive. It would be beautiful if it weren’t about to be where I possibly take my last breath.
He parks near the front door, and two armed guards come out. They each have a rifle in hand. Another guy comes out with a large black German Shepherd at his side. I guess running is out of the question. I’ll either be shot or become dog food.
I reach for the door handle, but Quin grabs me by my hair and yanks me back. My body bends awkwardly. He yanks harder as he pulls me over the center console. My ribs ache as they are dragged along the gearshift.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” he spits as he yanks me the rest of the way, and my body falls to the driveway.
Cement cuts into my legs, side, and elbow. Myles’s torn open shirt is all I have other than my thong. The ripped fabric does little to hide my body as I hit the ground. Theguards laugh, and one makes a sickening comment that has my stomach in a vice grip.
“Hey, cuz. Is this the new toy?” He's younger than the other two, maybe even younger than me. He’s shorter than Quin, with a muscular build. His reddish-brown hair is cut short, showing off the long scar that trails from above his eye, across his nose, and down to the side of his jaw
I quickly try to cover myself with the fabric, but Quin pulls me up by my hair until I’m on my knees at his feet. He yanks my head so that I’m staring straight up at him.
“Such a good little whore. Yeah, this is her Chad. Once I get what I need, you and the boys can have your fun.” Quin glances back at me before letting me fall to the ground. His eyes catch the porch lights, and it was a trick of the light, but I swear they just glowed reddish orange. Almost like a predator caught in a spotlight.
The ground bites into my already cut-up palms. The sting is causing a stabbing feeling to run up my arms. The younger guy walks up to me. He whistles, and the Sheppard trots over before sitting at his feet. The dog eyes me with his head high. His lips are curled back, revealing his teeth as he lets out a low growl.
“Marfóir can run about thirty miles per hour when he first takes off…So don’t even think about running. His name means killer for a reason,” Chad says as he swings his rifle to his back on the sling.
He crouches down next to me as he pulls out a hunting knife from the sheath on his hip. He runs his fingers along the blade before he begins to turn it. The light catches, glimmering off the sharp steel.
