Page 52 of Colton
“Or I’ll fucking hurt you.”
Another laugh, and this time I don’t hesitate. I lift my knee hard into his balls as he groans, bending in half immediately. I kick him in the head as hard as I can before lunging for the large cartons of water by the wall. My heart thumps so hard I can barely hear, my breath caught in my throat as Colton growls.
“You fucking slut!”
I can’t just run—he’ll catch me.
I need to slow him down, make him think I’m weaker than I am. Wait for him to drop his guard, and then…
I can’t think!
But then, instinct takes over, and I run toward the water cartons. I operate on core motor skills, reaching down to lift one into my arms, pleased for all the weight training that led me tothis moment. I turn back, spying Colton on his knees, holding the side of his head. He looks up just as I raise the carton over my head, a wild grin on his lips.
“You wouldn’t dare...” he rasps as he puts his arms up, ready to catch the carton.
But I knew he’d do that, so I hold the carton to my chest, running at him with a scream that tears from my throat. Colton’s eyes widen as he realizes what I’m planning, but he’s too late.
The carton slams into his chest, sending him flying across the room, the wind knocked out of him.
Colton’s body crumples to the floor, a sharp gasp escaping his lips. For a moment, he’s motionless—stunned. But then his eyes snap to mine, blazing with fury, and I know my moment of advantage is gone.
Run, Luella, run!
I twist on my heel, falling to the floor before pushing myself up by my palms. I run to the front door, praying it’s easy to unlock from the inside. My chest burns as I pant, knowing I don’t have long before Colton comes after me. The door looms ahead of me. I crash into it, my hands shaking as I fumble for the lock. It’s a deadbolt, simple and old-fashioned, but my trembling fingers struggle to turn it. I can hear Colton behind me, his ragged breaths echoing in the bunker. The taste of fear floods my mouth, but I can’t give in. Not now.
The lock clicks, and I wrench the door wide open, the cool night air hitting my face like a slap.
Freedom.
I stumble out into the darkness, my eyes adjusting slowly. I’m on a cliff, but it doesn’t stop me. I can see his car parked nearby, but I don’t have the time to steal it. I have to run. He’ll be at a disadvantage because he’s heavy and injured; I’m not.
Pebbles slip under my feet, the sound of the sea crashing against the rocks not far behind. God, if he catches me...
I can’t stop. Ican’t.The sound of Colton’s footsteps grows louder, closer, and my heart feels like it’s going to explode out of my chest. The air is thick with salt and the scent of the ocean, but all I can taste is fear. I swallow and keep running, the muscles in my legs burning as I force them to go faster than they ever have before, the cold wind making my eyes water and my cheeks sting.
Don’t stop.
The sound of Colton's footsteps behind me spurs me on. He’s gaining ground, his long strides and familiarity with the terrain giving him an advantage. I push harder, my heart pounding so hard it hurts. Everything blurs around me, and I can feel the desperation clawing at my throat.
Suddenly, a clearing opens, and I can see the road. My heart leaps in my chest as I push forward. If I can just get there, maybe I can lose him, maybe I can?—
But then his hand clamps down on my shoulder, and for a second, I feel like my heart stops.
No, no, no—I was so close!
I twist, fight, but his grip tightens, pulling me back into the nightmare. The taste of freedom evaporates, replaced by the choking bitterness of defeat.
Chapter 25
Colton
Ihave to admit, I’m fucking impressed.
My girl is a firebolt from hell, a vicious hellcat I didn’t see coming. I knew she was feisty, and when I learned who she really was, I couldn’t wait to get back to her.
Luella Watts.
The name echoes in my mind, conjuring images of the past I’d rather forget. Daughter of a man who was once close to my father, another old monster with a taste for the innocent. My stomach churns, bile rising at the thought of what she must have endured. The scent of old cigars and whiskey fills my nostrils, a ghostly reminder of the power and corruption that has stained my life.
