Page 82 of Wicked

“Or how about once bitten, twice shy?”

The barrel of a gun is shoved against my temple.

“Fuck your apologies. Fuck your forgiveness. I don’t need any of it.”

I start crying. Shaking. He pulls his hand out of my panties and slings his arm across my stomach, holding me tighter against the front of his body.

“Close your eyes, Harper.”

Close my eyes? What for? To hide my shame and humiliation at his hands? What I did for the past five years, refusing to let anyone get close enough to discover the truth of my kidnapping and rape?

I’m done with hiding. Of running away from a past that I can’t change. I want to end this. Do what he’s demanding we all do—close the circle and give everyone involved closure.

“No.” I curl my fingers. Dig my nails into my palm.

“No?”

“Let me see you. I want to see your face one last time before I die.”

He spins me around, the gun he’s holding temporarily pointing down and away from my temple. I act on instinct. My knee slams into his groin. He doubles over. I jam the heel of my palm on the underside of his jaw. His head snaps back. I knock him off his feet. He lands on his stomach. I go for the gun. The door bursts open. Blinding lights in my eyes.

Shit, I’m too late.

“Hands in the air. Now.”

Pete. It’s Pete. Smiling in relief, I stick my hands in the air. Many bodies rush by me except for one. He steps forward. I meet him halfway. Ryker pulls me into his arms, and I’m safe.

“Babe. Fuck. Shit.”

“Hey, big guy, watch the language.” I laugh. Cry.

“Are you okay?” He runs his hands up and down my body. “Of course you’re not okay.” He takes off his jacket and covers up my half-nakedness. “I’m sorry, Harper. I would’ve been here sooner, but I had to rally the troops.”

I laugh some more, my body screaming with exhaustion. “The troops?”

“Pete and your other law enforcement friends. I told them of my suspicions. Wanted to go in full board as soon as I realized where he took you and Shephard.”

“You remembered what I told you.”

That if Sam ever took me again, he’d take me to a place that would remind me of the first time. My hand cradles his face. Trembling fingers stroke his beard. He is such a smart guy.

“I listen to everything you tell me, sweetheart. Listened to Shephard too.”

That Sam and his friends will play dirty and do everything possible to destroy what Ryker and I have.

“And I damn well listened to Pete’s voice of reason. He said he and his men needed to case the joint first, then act. But it looks like you set the acting part in motion when those punk friends of his left and walked right into the line of fire.”

There’s commotion around us. Sam is led out in handcuffs. The medics wheel their gurney past us.Shephard.

We hurry to him. He’s grabbing at his head. A whirl of activity as the medics shine a penlight in his eyes, ask him questions, start an IV in his arm before placing him on the gurney.

“Harper.” He reaches for me.

I hold his hand.

“I’m sorry, love.”

“For what?” I tremble. My teeth chatter. The shock of it all is catching up to me. Ryker anchors me against his side.

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