Page 62 of Done Waiting

Her arms wrap around herself tightly, her entire body tremoring from fear.

I slowly back away from her, unblinking, my jaw clenched from my barely constrained rage. When I reach the door, I shoot her one final warning look before slamming it behind me.

Pulling the keys from my pocket, I insert one into the doorknob and turn it. The lock clicks shut with a resounding click, a reminder that she’s my prisoner.Forever.

Before I walk away, I hear her loud sob swell through the door, the sound like a forlorn bird trapped inside a cage.

Spinning on my heel before she breaks my resolve, I head toward my refrigerator, desperately in need of a fucking beer. After grabbing one, I twist open the bottle.

My bare feet slap against the hardwood floor as I move to the couch, dropping onto it, my feet on the coffee table.

As I take a long pull from the bottle, my phone beeps from an incoming text. Shifting my weight, I grab it from my pocket.

“Son of a bitch. That big mouth told Abby I was stabbed.” Not only did Jason not listen to me, but she and her husband, Bryce, are on their way here.

And I’d bet money Jason is with them, too.

Fuck.They’ll want to meet Maddie. I’m sure the big mouth told them she’s here with me.

Heaving out a sigh, I take a long drink, mentally preparing myself for my worlds to collide.

Motherfucker. I’m going to need a cigarette for this shit.

24

MADISON

Loud sobs shake my body as I stare at the door in disbelief, trapped in a nightmare I can’t escape. Jagger’s words echo inside my head. “I’m not letting you go, Madison. I’mneverletting you go.”

Funny how when he said he was never fucking letting me go when I was in his truck, I didn’t mind it one bit. In fact, I was thrilled to hear those words fall from his lips.

Now, I’m terrified.

I’m not just bothered by his words. When he called me Madison, which is what my mom used to call me, it grated on every last nerve. The coldness of his voice and in his eyes was eerie. He showed me a side of himself I’d never seen before. Something evil, monstrous, devoid of all emotion lurked in his Vantablack eyes.

Then he exited the room, the click of the lock reminding me I’m simply a little bird locked inside a gilded cage.

I move to the same window Jagger stood at moments ago. Tears scald my cheeks as I blankly stare outside into the darkness. I’m being held captive by a potential serial killer, a prisoner at an unknown location.

Everything is such a fucking mess. I’m so sick of my life being a constant shit show since my dad died. I’m spiraling into a pit of despair, powerless from the heaviness that drapes over my body. My heartbeat feels like it’s in my throat as my tears blind me. I sob until there’s nothing left and I’m left a distraught mess.

From out of nowhere, my dad’s voice is inside my head.“Strength in battle is another meaning of the name Madison. It suited you. You’ve always been my strong-willed girl, displaying strength whenever life gets tough.”

Swiping my hand across my cheeks, I draw myself up to my full height.Don’t let the bastard bring you down.

The key in the lock draws my attention to the door. My hands clench into fists and my muscles tense. I pivot, facing the door like an army of one.

Jagger steps through the door, his gaze sweeping me from head to toe and back again before he opens his mouth. “Maddie, I—”

“If you’re here to insult me or be an asshole again, you can just turn your ass around and march the fuck back out. I’mnottolerating your bullshit.”

He appears shocked for about thirty seconds before a bemused expression transforms his face. His hand moves to his mouth, tracing his full, luscious lips, trying to hide his smirk before he crosses his arms over his chest. He tilts his head, contemplating me.

Why am I thinking about his damned lips? He’s an asshole. A freaking serial killer, Maddie.

Focus.

“You’re cute when you’re pissed.”

---