Page 7 of Mayhem

I narrow my eyes at it, not knowing what he has enclosed in his palm.

When I don’t move to take it, he grabs my hand, releasing the contents of his hand into my own.

I look down and see two small white pills.

“What are these?”

“Tylenol for your head. Take them. I’ll get you some water.” He turns to Nate. “I got this.”

He walks out of the room, leaving me alone with Nate again.

“Does he honestly think I’m taking random pills he gave me?”

“He wouldn’t drug you, Willow.”

“Says his brother. I feel so much better. Why is he acting like such a dick?”

“Don’t take it personally. He’s mad at himself, not you.”

“Why is he mad at himself? I’m the one that came onto your property and likely fucked up whatever trap you had to catch that guy.”

He shakes his head. “For someone so smart, you sure can be dense sometimes.” Chase enters the room then, so he turns to leave. “I’ll be back. Behave, children.”

I listen as the front door closes. Chase reaches out, handing me an unopened bottle of water.

“It’s Tylenol, I promise. Just take it so you can feel better.”

My temples are still pulsating, so I take the pills.

“Can I go now? I really don’t want to be here.”

He scoffs. “You’d rather be back out in the woods where some psychopath just gave you a concussion, then ran? What if he comes back?”

“Fine, I’ll go home.”

“We both know your mother won’t be done entertaining for a while yet. You’re going to go home, and what? Watch?”

I sneer at him. “You’re disgusting. I don’t know why you’re worried about me, anyway. I’m not your problem. I don’t need your charity. I can take care of myself.”

“Sure you can. That’s why you now have a concussion and may end up dying inmywoods because you’re too stubborn to accept help. I’m not letting you leave until I’m sure I won’t have police looking my way because of a dead body on my property. End of discussion.”

“You’re not my boss. If I want to leave, there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

“Be my guest then.” He waves his arm out toward the door.

I square my shoulders and walk to the door. I glance back over my shoulder and see him standing there with his arms crossed. I grab the door handle and hesitate when he doesn’t stop me.

What’s his endgame?

I slam the door behind me. I only make it a few steps before I hear the door open. I don’t look back. I continue to move toward the woods.

Within seconds, I feel his arms curl around me from behind, stopping my movements.

“Let me go,” I say through clenched teeth.

He brings his lips to my ear. “No.”

The next thing I know, he picks me up, cradling me to his chest. I attempt to fight him, but a wave of dizziness overcomes me.

---