A car door squeaks open and my chest tightens. I hadn’t figured this guy would be traveling with a group.
Fuck.
“Dad?”
Dad?
What the fuck?
Abigail?
“Dad what’s going on?” There’s a shake in my daughter’s voice I haven’t heard ever, thankfully.
I have to say, this day is a clusterfuck of fucks if there’s ever been one. I knew I should’ve never pulled out of Marin’s asshole. Since then, life has been all downhill.
“Abigail,” I bark, “go with Marin to the bedroom. Stay there. Don’t call the police. I’ve got this handled.”
This time, Marin listens, and I see her and my daughter heading down the hallway out the corner of my eye. I want to comfort them, hold them close, let them know they’re safe in my arms, but first I have to deal with this stupid fuck.
“Two ways out of this, asshole,” I snark. “One, I drag you out into the woods, dig a fuckin’ hole, and shoot you into it. Two, you leave and never come back.”
“I need the flash drive,” he presses, straightening his suit coat.
“Was the flash drive part of the options?” I step forward and smack the man on the shoulder with the butt of my gun. “I figured you’d be smarter with that costume on, but I suppose they put fuckin’ boys in suits these days, don’t they?” I press my gun into his shoulder harder. “Guess I should’ve known you couldn’t take the hint based on the way you treat women.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? She’s full of shit. Everything she claims I gave to her, she gave it right back.”
“Wow, so fucking masculine of you to hurt a girl and believe she’s just like you because she stood up for herself.” I laugh under my breath and let the end of my gun hit him again. “Options are no longer a thing, buddy. You’re too stupid to live, and do you know what I do with men who’re too damn stupidto live?” I grab him by the collar of his coat and let gravity take over, dragging him toward the woods.
“Okay, okay!” He tries to fight my grip but I’m stronger. “I’ll go. Can we come to a compromise about the flash drive, though?”
I laugh and continue to drag his weak body through the tree line and toward the ridge where I keep a spare shovel for special occasions. We’re halfway to the spot I’m pretty sure I could bury him without a problem when he starts to cry.
Now, I’m not one to throw shame on a man for crying. Men cry. Hell, I cried my ass off the day my daughter moved out of the house. But this man, the man who’s been mocking my girl for her tears, this man doesn’t get to cry.
I knock him in the head with the butt of my gun, leaving a dark red mark between his eyeballs. I’m sure he’s dizzy now because his pupils cross.
“Fine,” he cries, “I don’t need the flash drive. Just let me go. I’ll leave and I won’t come back. I swear.”
“Not sure I believe you.” I toss him onto the ground and hold my boot over his chest as he stares up at me, pleading for a second chance.
“I swear. I’m sorry I came out here. I just… that drive she took, if it gets out what’s on it, I’ll never find a job again.”
“Cool. Sounds like you’ll be extra careful not to fuck around here again, or I’ll make sure whatever’s on that thing gets seen everywhere.”
I move my boot and kick him in the ass. “Get the fuck out of here… now!”
He jumps up and scurries like a rat through the woods, tripping a few times before he finally makes it into the clearing.
I’m at the patio door staring into the house when I see another problem stacked and waiting in the kitchen.
Abigail stares at me like a hen about to attack. Her head tilted forward, a hard unblinking stare.
She knows.Fuck.
“Dad,” her voice is harsh and shaky as I slide open the patio door, “what the hell is going on here?”
“I’m so sorry,” Marin says with a gulp. “She asked why I was wearing your shirt, and I stumbled over my words. I—”
