“Clever girl. One thing prospects aren’t kept from, though, is the old ladies and kids, which is fucking stupid if you ask me.”
Given where we are, I can’t say I disagree.
“I might not have been able to find out the inner workings of the club, but I knew the code for your house, knew yours and Star’s routine, and places you liked to go.”
He steps closer, not looking like the uninterested prospect any longer but like someone who has little left to lose.
“I know how much you struggle to be close to men, how your dreams taunt you, how you see Markham every time you close your eyes. Face it, Citi, you’re as fucked-up in the head now as he was.”
I tilt my head and take a step closer so the light hits me better. His eyes move down my body, pausing when he sees all the blood covering me.
“Maybe I am fucked in the head, Pig. But I didn’t kidnap and re-traumatize a little girl, did I? That’s all on you. Tell me, Pig, are you proud of yourself? You think when your time comes, God’s going to be standing next to those pearly gates ready to welcome you in? Because I doubt it.”
His gun shakes a little before he steadies himself. “Fuck you, bitch. You don’t know what you’re talking about. Too fucked-up in the head now. I bet you liked what Markham did to you in the end. Bet you came around his cock like a pornstar.”
I shake my head like I’m disappointed. If anything, I’m numb to it all. There is nothing he can say to me that will hurt me. I’ve been through hell and back and survived—like fuck will I let his man-child be the one to break me.
“You were the one to take Capone and Star. You knew where her school was, knew where we usually parked. Hell, I bet you even had a spare key for the truck, didn’t you? Most of the prospects do. So you slipped something in their drinks and waited for it to take effect, knowing Capone wouldn’t risk my daughter. When he started to feel off, he pulled over—maybe he tried to make a call—but you got to him first. Did you bring them here in the truck? Because you should know they have GPS in them now after the incident with Star.” I have no idea if that’s true, but it sounds believable, judging from his widening eyes and the way they flit around.
He shakes his head. “It’s not here now, so it doesn’t matter.”
“No, I don’t suppose it does.” Because, for once, my paranoia paid off. Star has tags in her sneakers and Ambros will already be heading right for us.
“How did you end up tangled up with Michael?”
He grins. “That’s what you call him? Let’s just say he did me a favor and I owed him one.”
“Guess that explains why you were always slacking on the job. You weren’t interested in becoming a patched brother or a prospect. You were just fulfilling your favor,” I say, making finger quotes.
“I’ve done my part now anyway. Evened the score. After this, I’m done.”
“I doubt it. He has you exactly where he wants you. You’re just too dumb to realize.”
“Fuck you. You know nothing.”
“I know you brought cuffs so you can restrain me. Michael didn’t bother because he knew I’d never voluntarily leave my daughter. He also knew he could subdue me in a heartbeat. For a big guy like him, it would be easy. Guess he looked at you and thought you’d need help. Not everyone grows into their skin after all,” I mock. But my heart is threatening to beat out of my chest.
“Careful, Citi.”I hear Capone’s soft voice in my ear as if he really were standing beside me.
Pig takes another step forward, his face menacing. “That’s a smart mouth you have there. Wonder if you’ll still be able to smile with my cock between your lips.”
“Oh, I imagine I’d be able to have a full-blown conversation.”
He snarls at the obvious dig at the size of his manhood, his anger overriding his common sense as he steps closer. “You’ll fucking feel it when I fuck you raw. You’d be screaming my name.”
My throat is dry and fear threatens to choke me, but I keep taunting him, trying to buy more time. “To ask you if it’s in yet? Maybe stick to using your fingers. I might actually feel it then.”
He drops the cuffs and fists my hair, snapping my head back so he can tower over me. “Let’s see if your daughter feels it. Hey,Star, come here. I’ve got something for you,” he calls in a sing-song voice.
I’d planned to drag this out as long as I could, to give the guys time to get here, but his words change everything.
Not this time. Not my daughter.
With zero hesitation, I swing the knife up and stab him in his side. He lets go with a bellow, dropping the gun as he instinctively reaches for the knife. I yank it out and stab him again, this time in the stomach. He looks at me in shock before he drops to his knees, his eyes finally falling to the dead and bloody Capone that had been hidden behind me. His face drains of color as I swing the knife again, this time slashing at his face. When he crumbles to the ground on his back, I straddle him. I stab him in the chest over and over until I’m dragged off his body by strong arms that wrap themselves tightly around me.
I fight and scream until eventually the voice murmuring in my ear becomes clear.
“I’ve got you, angel. I’ve got you.”
