Page 105 of Nate

“Why else? Your father told me the last time she had surgery that she’d been given strong pain meds.” Jarrett shrugged. “That’s why I’d get dinner invitations whenever I could. Though, I will say, it wasn’t that bad being married to her, even though she’s older, she’s a beautiful woman. She takes good care of herself, but I never loved her.”

“So, it was just her pills you were after.”

Jarrett laughed and she wanted to slap him. “That and her money, but I also wanted you.” He clenched his jaw. “But you acted like you didn’t want me—”

“I didn’t act, you dickhead!” she shouted but backed up when he strode to her and put his hand on her throat.

“Too fucking bad, because you’re going to get me whether you want me or not. Put the fucking pills in the bag.” He shoved her back to the cabinet.

Markie blinked tears from her eyes. She didn’t doubt a thing he said, and it scared her to death.

****

Nate looked in one window as Rafe walked toward the other one.

“Nate, come here,” Rafe said in a low voice.

Nate headed toward him. When Rafe nodded toward the window, Nate looked in and clenched his jaw.

“He’s having her get the pills for him.”

“Damn, it looks like he wants all of them. I don’t think humans can take some of those,” Rafe said.

“I wouldn’t think so, but he wants the opioids. He’s just making her get everything.”

“That is one crazy son of a bitch,” Rafe snapped, then looked at Nate. “What’s your plan?”

“I’m going to go back to the door and ring the bell again. I want you to break the window. I’m hoping there’s an alarm on it.”

“Sounds good. Let me grab my tire iron first so I’ll be ready.”

Nate nodded and waited for Rafe to return to the window.

“I’ll watch from around the corner, you give me a wave when the door opens, then I’ll bust the window,” Rafe said.

“Sounds good.”

After taking a deep breath, Nate blew it out, then headed back toward the door. As he stood at it, he hesitated. What if Knowles panicked and did something to her? But Nate knew he had to do something. It was no telling what Knowles would do if Nate didn’t get in there. The mere thought made his gut ache.

Reaching out, he pressed the doorbell and waited. Several minutes passed before he heard the lock on the door turn. When it was opening, Nate waved his hand, then looked at Markie. Same as before, she only opened it enough to peer out. He saw her eyes widen when she saw him again.

“Nate? I told you to go home.”

“You did, but I forgot that I left my T-shirt in your apartment. Remember I wanted to get it today?” He stared at her.

“Uh, yes, but—” She stopped when she suddenly heard the glass breaking and looked behind her, giving Nate the time to push the door open and get inside.

He came to a halt when he saw Knowles pull her back against him with his arm around her neck and the gun pressed to her temple.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to pull, but I’m done fucking with you. I’m going to lock you in a room until I figure out what to do with you,” Knowles said.

“Let go of her,” Nate snapped.

“No! Come on, Jefferson, this way.” Knowles motioned with his head for Nate to head down the hallway.

“Hey, jerkoff,” Rafe called out, making Knowles turn in his direction. He fired toward Rafe and Nate hoped like hell he missed as Nate rushed forward to grab Markie, but Knowles turned, aimed his gun at him, and fired. Nate groaned as the bullet hit his arm and he fell to the floor.

He heard Markie scream as he lay there, but he also heard sirens in the distance. The window must have had an alarm on it. He swore as he watched Knowles run out the door and disappear into the night.

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