Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
I was losing time as it was.
Without another word, I staggered away from her and began sprinting down the street as the realization that Barrett would already be on his way hit me.
Or worse.
He was already here.
In the diner, Chance must’ve seen me take off down the street because I heard him call out my name. But I didn’t stop. I had to get back to the motel. I had to grab my things and get out of town.
Missy didn’t know it, she was too naïve to realize, but she and Craig had signed my death warrant the moment they spoke to my brother.
I heard the Harley roar up the street, heard it come closer, and as I raced across the road, Chance cut me off.
“Please,” I cried, about to have a meltdown in the middle of the street. “I need to get back to the motel.”
He didn’t waste time with questions. Instead, he guided me onto the back of his bike, handed me a helmet, and we took off for the motel.
My heart was in my throat as we rode.
Was Barrett here?
Could he see me now?
The terror was like ice in my veins. And if it wasn’t for the warmth of Chance’s body against mine as I held onto him, I would be trembling from the fear.
When we arrived at the motel, there were no other cars in the parking lot—but an empty parking lot didn’t mean he wasn’t waiting for me inside the room. A bomb of fear exploded in my chest.
The Harley was barely parked when I climbed off and raced toward my room. My legs shook, and my breathing was labored as I paused at the door. I was mentally bracing myself. If he was inside, I would run. I would run so fast from this place my lungs would burn and my muscles would melt from overheating. And even then I would keep running. I’d keep running until I died.
Breathing heavily, I opened the door and the relief was instant when I saw the room was empty.
Pausing in the doorway, my eyes darted around the room.
It was exactly how I left it.
Like a rocket went off under me, I raced inside and started grabbing at my belongings, shoving them into my bag and making sure there was no trace of Cassidy Lewis left behind in the room.
I was barely aware of Chance walking in. He said my name, his voice gentle at first. When I continued to hastily pack up my stuff like a crazed person, he said it with more force.
“Stop!” He stalked over to me and put his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. “You need to take a breath.”
“You don’t understand. He’ll be here soon.”
“Who will be here soon? Who are you running from?”
My chin quivered. My heart pounded. Fear had me in its claws, and I couldn’t shake free. “The fucking Devil.”
CHANCE
She was scared to the point where she was talking crazy. She called him the Devil, and I could see how frightened she was. I barely knew her, but her reaction was genuine. I studied her beautiful eyes. They were overflowing with fear and torment, and her hands were shaking. She wasn’t just afraid. She was terrified.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, taking her by the hands.
“Please, we have to get out of here before he arrives.”
“Who?” I gripped her hands tighter.
“My brother. Missy told him where I am, and it’s the worst thing she could’ve done. He’ll be here soon.”
She tried to pull her hands away, but I held onto her tightly. In order to help her, I needed to know what was happening. “Listen, I can help you. But I need to know what is going on.”
“We’re wasting time. He’s probably already in town.”
“Why are you running from him?”
“We have to get out of here.”
“You need to tell me what’s happening.”
“Are you deaf?”
“Why are you running—”
“Because he raped me!” she yelled.
It was like a sonic boom went off in the room and the shockwave settled over us. Time stopped as the R-word rippled in the air. I released my hold on her, and she took a step back, wrapping her arms around her waist.
“Your brother?” I finally asked.
“My foster brother.”
I wanted to know what we were dealing with, but right now I needed to get her somewhere safe where we could work out what to do next. I needed to get her calm.
If her brother didn’t already know where she was staying, he would soon. He would search the most likely places for her, like motels, diners, taverns, and then he’d enquire at gas stations, the post office, and other stores in town.
But I knew one place he wouldn’t look.
“I’ll get you out of here,” I said, pulling out my phone to call Caleb. He answered almost immediately. “I need a favor. Can you meet me at the Black Cherry?”