Page 27 of Bleeding Blackheart

She adjusts one of the sleeves of her dress that starts to slip down. “I could go for something light.”

I roll my eyes and slow down when I approach the next exit. I don’t know why women say that shit.I could go for something light.Sure. And as soon as I get a big meal, she’s going to want some of it. I’ll order for her and save myself the hassle of her begging later on. “Fine. We’ll stop at this diner up ahead. Bring your lady shit because we’re not taking another bathroom break until we get to the motel.”

I’m sure Daddy’s little princess is used to staying at the Four Seasons, but I don’t want to blow all of my vacation money on day one.

She nibbles on one of her lips. “Could we stop in Denver before we go to Colorado Springs?”

Denver. This girl has not wanted to say a word about Colorado, and now she wants to make a pit stop in Denver. “What for?” I pull off the highway and drive down some road in a little town.

She frowns. “My friend’s apartment. I have some things there that I need to get.”

Another thing women do too much is forget shit. “Why don’t you have these things already, Montana?”

She rolls her eyes this time. “Because I was knocked out by my father after he killed my best friend and dragged me out of her apartment. I think you can recall I didn’t have my purse when you met me.”

Her father killed her best friend and my father killed mine. Maybe Montana’s right. We do seem to have some shit in common. “Montana, honey, I doubt your stuff is still there. From what I’ve heard of your father, he probably had the place cleaned after he took you.”

I don’t know why I called her honey, but my cheeks are burning because of it. I hope she didn’t notice.

Her throat bobs. “Could we at least check? I’m just asking you for this one thing, Blackheart. I’ll be a good girl the rest of the trip. I promise.”

Montana really hasn’t asked for anything since I found her. And I’ve asked her for everything. And I’m planning to take all of her money. I guess this is a small request.

I doubt she’ll be a good girl though. I don’t know much about my little fox, but I know for a fact she’s a bad girl. I can smell her wickedness.

I take a moment to think about it while I park. “Fine. We’ll eat, and then we’ll see if we can get your shit.”

Her eyes light up. “Thank you.”

I get out of my car, and she grabs her door handle. I slam my hand on the hood, getting her attention. “Get your hand off the door.”

She lets go as if it’s a poisonous snake, oblivious of what I’m about to do next. Wanting to prove her wrong that I’m not a completely uncouth bag of bones with a penis, I go over to her side of the truck and open her door. “Out. Don’t forget your shit.”

She looks up at me suspiciously and goes to the back of the truck for her things, holding them in a small cosmetic bag that she got as a free gift with her clothing yesterday. When she comes back to my side, she looks me over. “No shotgun?”

I grab her hand, making her flinch. “I don’t think this establishment will like me bringing it inside. If anyone asks us anything on this journey, you’re my girlfriend.” I grip her soft hand a little tighter, loving the feel of it. “Hold my hand back and act like it.”

Montana laces her dainty fingers through mine while her brand new boots make noise on the concrete. I lead her up to the door of the diner, and I hold the door open when we step inside.

12

Montana

Isit across from Blackheart at a booth next to a window at some diner I’ve never heard of and will probably never eat at again. He looks at the menu the server put down. She gave us two, but he sent one away.

I want to kick him in his shin, but I don’t, in order not to create a scene. “I thought we’d both be eating.”

He flips the menu over and takes off his hat. “We are. I’ll make sure you eat. Don’t worry.”

I close my eyes and try to think about what I’d rather do. Spend several more hours in the car with my captor while he seethes beside me or throw myself out of the truck when we get back on the road, hoping I survive the landing and can find shelter. I try and weigh out the pros and cons between the two when he reaches across the table and pinches my cheek. “Wake up. You can sleep when we go to bed.”

Jesus. He won’t let me drive,andhe won’t let me sleep. What kind of road trip is this?

I almost look forward to sleep when I remember what happened last night. I had the nightmare again, and then I got spanked. I’m going to have to sleep with Blackheart again. I just know it. There’s no way he’ll let me out of his sight. Before we got our table, I had to use the restroom, and he took me in the family one just so he could stay with me.

But hopefully tonight won’t be as bad as last night. I didn’t see him bring any handcuffs, so maybe he’ll let me sleep without them.

I cross my hands in my lap and lean back on the comfortable chair. “Why Colorado Springs?”

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