Page 325 of Bad for Me

That’s why I’m on my way to my family’s cabin. Maybe I can find myself without having to be in the city.

Snow is slowly drifting downward, making things hard to see in the hill country of Hill Valley, Texas. Driving through the mountain, I notice the snow getting heavier, and I wonder if it is a smart idea to come down here for Christmas. I guess it doesn’t matter now that I’m here.

I navigate the last leg to the cabin by foot and sigh. Nothing like hiking a mile in the dang snow. Taking a moment to gather my things, I talk myself up for the journey up the trail. My ribs are still sore, and I shouldn’t have taken the trek up the trail, but I had to get away. The doctor told me it could take a year for them to fully heal. I hope that she’s wrong and that I won’t be in pain forever.

As the cabin comes into view, I grow excited. Solitude this year will be so much better than dealing with fake Christmas cheer.

I’m glad I had all the food drop shipped here and my clothing as well. I see the crates, and I’m ready to get out of the snow. My neighbors are waiting for me with meat. I couldn’t believe they would give me some. Then again, we are kind of out here by ourselves and need to look out for each other.

“Rosie, it’s great to see you. I’m Tam, and this is John. Your grandmother was amazing and had spoken quite fondly of you. We are leaving for the holiday, so you’re in luck. We have lots of meat and furs for you. This is our number, but you’ll have to go back down the mountain to call us.”

I smile at the elderly couple. They are the sweetest to do this for me. “Thank you both. It means a lot to me.”

“Don’t mention it. Be safe and stay indoors.” They say as they walk off. Finally, all by myself. I get inside the cabin and start a fire.

2

FRED

My stupid ex-wifereally should have taken my damn deal. One million dollars would have made her life so much easier. Instead, she wants to go to trial. Sighing, I know what I must do, and I’m not looking forward to it.

Rosie has always been the love of my life, and even though I can’t seem to keep her in line, she’s my everything. Sure, I would give her the million dollars and leave the kids alone, but I will never leave her. She is mine, goddammit.

Sipping my gin and coke, I look at the phone and think about having her run off the road. My gut wrenches at the thought of having to kill her. Then again, after all these years, she hasn’t learned her fucking lesson. There’s only one way to get what I want. Either she conforms to what I want from her, or she dies.

With a heavy sigh, I pull up the cameras to the house she’s renting. There’s no doubt in my mind that if Rosie knew I was the landlord, she would have lost her shit. We were doing so well for so many years. God, it’s been at least twenty years. Our eldest, Magnolia, is turning twenty this year.

I shouldn’t have lost my cool when Jacob chose not to go to the police academy. Instead, he opted to go to college and not even blink twice at my threats. He’ll be my next move if Rosie doesn’t get in line. I hate to use him against her, but Rosie will do anything for her children.

“Fuck it,” I mumble as I call the number I swore to myself would never be dialed.

“Hello?” The woman’s voice comes through crystal clear, and I cringe.

“Dalia, I need you to make someone disappear for me.” The silence is almost deafening as I wait for her to agree to hide my son until I get Rosie back under my thumb.

“No. Your name is a hot tin roof situation right now. No fucking way.” She practically screams at me, and I sigh.

“Dalia, it would be hush-hush. You should already know you would never be associated with me. I would have to have a full manhunt for him, of course. It would be only my money you’d receive for doing this favor for me.”

“Dammit, brother, you know I want nothing to do with your family.”

Rolling my eyes, I pause long enough to send over fifty thousand dollars to her bank account. “How about now?”

“You know, if you want to see your son, you could just talk to him. He’s a steady young man, Fred.”

Her tone grates on my nerves. “Fucking shut up, Dalia. If you don’t want to do it, I can have you killed. I mean, you are nothing but a dumb bitch who has a purpose. Don’t run out a purpose for me, Dalia.”

“You’ll have confirmation in twenty-four hours.” She hangs up on me, and I laugh so hard that tears pool my eyes, ready to drop.

If my first plan fails, then I will bring in my final blow. One I know will keep Rosie in line. It’s a shame this has come down to my last two options, but Rosie will get in line.

Or, I’ll kill her.

3

MITCHELL

“Prisoner 4311,step forward and put your hands in between the bars.”

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