Page 13 of Peach

“I thought he was going to take responsibility for the car.” Haisley went quiet again for a moment. “Then it all went wrong.”

More tears came, and Peach squeezed her hand. Her head whipped up, and their gazes met. He wanted her to trust him, but trust took time.

“Tell me so I can help you.”

The pain in Haisley’s eyes made him so sad. She’d been through something traumatic, and it was obvious she didn’t want to tell him, but she needed help.

“My mom was helping you for a reason. Tell me that reason.”

After another ragged breath and more crying, she spoke again. "My ex, Will, did some awful stuff. One thing I know he did was put my car into neutral and push it down an incline. It was totaled. He called a few days afterthat incident, and I thought he was going to apologize and try to make it right. Instead, he drugged me." A shiver worked through Haisley, and disgust crossed her face. She looked like she was ready to bolt.

Peach said nothing, but inside, he was ready to cause pain. He had no idea who the deadbeat was who'd taken advantage of her, but he wanted to repay the man in kind. It took a long moment for Haisley to speak again.

“I remember flashes. I know the pastor was there, as well as the sheriff. When I woke up, I was on the edge of a swimming pool partially on the steps. Water lapping at my face is what woke me.”

Anger almost erupted. Leaving someone near a body of water who wasn't conscious was one of the most dangerous things someone could do. She could have rolled in and drowned. He gambled that was what they wanted.

Haisley leaned back, fear evident on her features. “You look angry.”

He sat back and blew out a breath. "I can't believe they did that to you. I mean, I can. I'm not doubting your story. I see that kind of behavior all over the world, but it pisses me off. I don't like that the pastor's wife saw you. Now Sheriff Eason shows up here. I don't like it one bit. I have a bad feeling."

“Bad feeling?”

An idea hit. "I don't know about you, but I don't really want to stay here tonight. I pulled the car around back so Eason didn't see it. He doesn't know what I'm driving, and since he didn't see the car here, he won't know if we're here or not. Let me shower and grab some papers, and then we can find a hotel."

Haisley stiffened. “I’m not sleeping with you.”

He held up both hands. “I would get us two rooms. Idon’t ever sleep with anyone who doesn’t want to sleep with me. I just don’t think this place will be safe tonight.”

Her lips thinned, and she shrugged. "Okay, I'll go with you. But I can't afford to stay at expensive hotels.”

“I’ll pay. I get some discounts, so I'll book us something that is closer to Atlanta, but honestly, I don’t think you should come back here.”

Haisley didn’t look convinced. But there was something sinister in this town. He wanted to close up his parents’ house and get back to California and away from this place before something terrible happened.

Chapter 9

Haisley heardthe shower running while she checked the windows to make sure they were locked. The last thing she wanted was someone coming in while they were at the hotel. It made her feel weird that Robert—Peach would pay for her hotel room. She didn't want him to spend money on her because when guys spent money on women, they expected things she wasn't willing to give.

The windows in the main living areas of the house were locked, and she headed back to her bedroom when she heard something that sounded like a door closing. Her heart picked up speed as she paused to listen to the noise and determine what had happened.

She heard another noise and turned, expecting to see Peach, but there wasn’t anyone in the hall with her. Sometimes, weird noises happened, and it wasn't anything to worry about. She'd turned back to finish her way into the bedroom when she felt a rush of air. Then someone had their hand over her mouth, and they were dragging her toward the door.

Was Peach attacking her? She thrashed, trying to getloose, but he held her too tight. She couldn’t see who had her. Then the man seemed taller and thinner than Peach. There were a few seconds where panic won as the man dragged her across the den. Fighting was her only escape.

Haisley tried to reach for the man’s head, but he twisted her, making it impossible to hold on to his head or shoulders. His hold was punishing as he gripped her face like he wanted to hurt her. She opened her mouth and tried to scream, but his fingers invaded, making it impossible to get out much sound.

In an effort to escape, she bit down, hoping to cause enough pain he would let go. The man screamed and then punched her in the side of the head. She went down hard to her knees, her hands flopping on the floor seconds later.

“You goddamn bitch!” the guy yelled. She thought she recognized his voice but wasn’t sure.

In an effort to escape, Haisley tried crawling away, but he grabbed her ankle and yanked her back.

“Help!” Her voice was weakened by fear. It was almost like those dreams of screaming where she couldn’t get anything out.

This man was going to kill her. The thought of her baby being harmed filled her with so much anger she kicked out, missing his face but hitting his shoulder.

He let go, and she flipped over. The man was still coming after her, but she would make him pay.

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