Page 28 of Bully

When I step out of the bathroom, I’m blindsided. A hand covers my mouth, and I’m yanked into a hard body. Becky steps out to stand in front of me. I can see bruises on her neck from where Nikolai wrapped his hand around it earlier.

“You came to see me?” Brent says against my ear. His hand comes up to grab my breast. I whimper against his fingers.

“Did you really think you could fuck with me?” Becky steps closer to me. “We’re going to have so much fun with you.” A cruel smile pulls at her lips, sending shivers down my spine.

“Are you still a virgin, or did you let that dirty mutt inside you?” I try to remain calm, to not even think about why he would be asking that sort of question, but inside I’m in full panic mode.

“Does it matter?” Becky rolls her eyes at Brent. What kind of messed-up relationship do the two of them have?

“I suppose it doesn't, but I’m about to find out.” With his other hand, Brent grabs a fist full of my hair and starts to pull me down a hallway. Tears are stinging in my eyes. Becky leads the way, opening a door. Brent shoves me inside. I stumble, falling to the floor.

I glance around and know it’s his bedroom. “Get the restraints.” Becky licks her lips. I don’t think this is their first rodeo. She’s enjoying this way too much. I knew neither one of them were good people, but I had no idea how evil they actually are.

“He’ll kill you,” I warn them.

“There won’t be anything for him to find,” Becky says, and her tone is filled with giddy excitement.

“You don’t know what you’re doing.” I scramble backward as Brent approaches me with some black bands in one hand and a ball gag in the other.

“I know what I’m about to do.”

I do the only thing I can think of to do. I am praying that Sal will hear me. I scream.

19

NIKOLAI

“This is so fucked.” I shuffle through the photos of the missing girls. “You think Angel’s brother is responsible?” I knew he was off, but I didn’t think it went this deep.

“I don’t think. I know. The girlfriend too.” I’m not the least bit surprised about that. If I had to guess, the blonde is more fucked up in the head than Brent. It’s in the eyes. There is nothing there.

“Why were you even looking into this? How is he on your radar?” Is it one of the missing girls or something else entirely? It can’t be good when Church is mixed up in it.

“Does it matter?”

“Yeah, it fucking does.” I drop the photos down on the worn wood table in the middle of the warehouse. “Riley has been in contact with them, so I want to know everything.” I take a step closer to Church so he knows how fucking serious I am right now.

“It’s the sister,” Church grits out, pissed about it but everything pisses him off.

Well, shit. Now a few things are clicking together. Him asking me about the picture the other night. Her name was the first thing out of his mouth when I got here. This is over a girl. Of course it is. I’m not judging in the least cause I know exactly what he’s feeling. Still, I’m shocked. I didn’t think Church cared for anyone. Male or female. But what the fuck do I really know about Church?

"So what’s your plan here?” He must have one. Why else would he have called me here?

“I’m taking the girl.”

“The sister?” I want to be real clear here.

“Yes,” he grunts.

“Why? Do you think Brent would go after his own twin sister?”

“Don’t know. Don’t care. It doesn't change the outcome.”

“You’re still taking her.” He doesn’t answer, but it’s not really a question either. I know without a doubt that Church is going to follow-through. And God help anybody that tries to stop him.

“Giving you a heads-up.”

“That's awfully nice of you.”