Page 29 of Dark Love

In control.

“No. No. None of that is necessary. She does this all the time. I’ve been trying to get her help for her drinking problem.”

“Certainly, the hospital would be the best place to get her the help she needs.” But that wouldn’t fit with your twisted plan, would it?

“The last time she woke up in the hospital, she spiraled for a month.”

Spiraled, huh? I’ll show you someone spiraling.

My hand is inches from him. Close enough that I could use reach out… No, it would be too fast. This slime doesn’t deserve fast. “Must be hard to have a relationship with her.” Especially since I doubt you even know her name.

“It isn’t, but if you knew her before all of this, you wouldn’t be able to walk away either. I’ll just take her home now.”

Not while I’m still breathing. “I need you to come with me first. Just to fill out a form. Liability and all that.”

“Can I come back in the morning to do it?”

No. You’re going to be in a hole in the ground, begging for your mommy before the sun comes up. “I can’t let you leave until the paperwork is finished.”

“Fine, then.” He stands up.

Before he can take a breath, I have him pinned to the wall.

“WHAT… WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

Payne walks back in and takes the scene in without the blink of an eye. “Everything is clear for removal. What do you want done with him?”

“Hole. But wait for me.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. This one is mine.”

“Got it. What are we doing with the girl?”

“As long as Barb clears her, I’m taking her home with me.”

Payne raises an eyebrow, but is smart enough not to question me.

“You can’t do this. I have rights.”

I get up in the dead man’s face. “Like you were giving her rights by drugging her and kidnapping her.”

“That’s my girlfriend. You’re all crazy.”

The sound of his voice makes my control slip away. “Payne.”

“Got him.” Payne walks over and relieves me of my burden before I do something hasty.

Squatting down, I brush a finger over silky smooth hair. “Barb?”

“She’s fine. I’m pretty sure he gave her a roofie.”

The date rape drug. Anger flows through me.

You need to follow the plan. Get her somewhere safe. “I’m taking her home with me.”

Soft Sheets

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