Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
“Hobs!” the man shouts.
“Let her run,” I hear Hobs say.
Though I’m relieved at his words, I don’t slow my pace. A moment later, I hear a loud crack, and before I can even think of what the sound is, a sharp pain knocks me down. My leg feels like it’s on fire, and I fall face-first to the ground, my hands still tied behind my back.
“You are so stupid,” Hobs says before his foot nudges my leg. I turn my head toward him as he applies more pressure. I scream, and he smiles. “Run again, and the next place I shoot you will not be your leg. You’re lucky it only grazed you.”
I don’t feel lucky.
I feel anything but lucky.
“Now, let’s go find your husband.” The asshole claps his hands as I’m yanked up and thrown over the other man’s shoulder. The jerk carries me to the car, opens the trunk, tosses me in like trash, then shuts it. I lie there, trying to gather myself, remembering I can get out of this…
If I want it enough.
I can.
I will.
I hope.
After what feels like forever, the car starts to move, and when it eventually comes to a stop, there’s absolute silence. The trunk pops open, but the darkness doesn’t allow me to see who’s there. I push at the person and try to kick them as they drag me out.
“Fuck this bitch,” the jerk snarls.
I’m hit in the head.
Everything starts to go fuzzy, and then I’m dizzy, which gives him the opportunity to pull me from the car.
When I am finally out, that’s when I see red.
A lot of red.
I follow the smeared trail to Nancy lying on the ground.
She isn’t moving.
Shit!
“Nancy,” I whisper shakily. I attempt to get to her, wanting to reach out, but my hands are still tied, and my leg is hurting so much that the second I put pressure on it, more tears spring to my already leaking eyes.
“She was a tough old nut. The bitch wouldn’t give us any information,” Hobs says with a hint of respect in his tone.
And then I realize where we are.
We’re at Kyson’s, in his driveway.
Does he know we’re here?
Does he know Nancy is dead in his driveway?
“Call him and tell him you’re here.” Hob’s holds out my phone, but I can’t take my gaze off Nancy because her eyes are open and blank.
Oh God, I hope she didn’t suffer.
Hobs looks at the jerk with him. “Untie her hands.” The other guy does as Hobs orders. As soon as my hand is free, he grips the back of my shirt—Kyson’s shirt—and holds me in place.
“Take the phone, Kalilah, and don’t fuck around.”
I look away from Nancy.
Poor Nancy.
Wiping at my tears, I reach for the phone.
And as I do, Hobs grips my wrist.
“Careful what you say. You don’t want to end up like this old lady now, do you?” He nods to Nancy before he removes his hand from my wrist. I pull the phone closer and unlock it. Kyson showed me how to use it and made me memorize his number. I have no numbers stored due to my worries about this type of situation happening.
I type in his number and press call.
Kyson answers on the first ring. “Kalilah,” he breathes out. “Where are you?”
Hobs takes my phone and puts it on speaker. “Tell him where you are,” Hobs says, loud enough for Kyson to hear.
“I’m out front,” I whisper.
The phone goes dead instantly.
Hobs pulls me directly in front of him—the damn coward—as we face the door. I watch as it swings open, Kyson standing there in only a pair of jeans which are hanging low on his hips. His eyes land on me first before they scan the surrounding area. It’s then he sees Nancy. His nostrils flare before his gaze comes back to me.
“Where is he?” Hobs demands.
Kyson walks down the stairs slowly. They don’t think he’s a threat because he looks harmless with nowhere to hide a weapon.
That is one hundred percent a mistake on their part.
“Where is he?” Hobs shouts.
“He is about to be dead, thanks to you,” Kyson says calmly, eyes locked on Hobs behind me. “And if you don’t care to join him, I would suggest you remove your hands from Kalilah.” He stops just out of reach from me.
Hobs scoffs. “You must think I’m stupid. Do you not know who I am?”
“And you mustn’t have done your research to see whose house you just rolled up to.” Kyson stands there relaxed as if this is all nothing to him. “Nice to meet you. I’m Kyson…” he pauses. “Kyson Hunter.”
“I couldn’t care less,” Hobs sneers.
“You may have heard of me. I have two brothers, who, I might add, are pulling up right now.” A car comes up the driveway, but Hobs keeps his hold on me. “Ring any bells?”