Page 118 of Debts and Desires
“Can’t say I have.”
“No, I guess a pretty thing like you wouldn’t know.” There was a small silence. “You know, Emmy, you really are quite a looker. Such a pretty girl,” he said, his words dripping with a sickening sweetness that made my stomach churn. His hand reached out. I flinched. He stroked my hair once, twice. There was something in his eyes, a predatory gleam. I took a step back, suddenly feeling vulnerable in my own home. I regretted wearing my sundress. Regretted ignoring my original gut feeling about him, too.
“I, um, I should probably get back to making lunch,” I said, my voice faltering slightly. Jed’s expression hardened, and he took a step closer. “It was nice of you to stop by, but I think you should leave.”
“No. I thinkyouneed to leave. You’re messin’ everythin’ up.”
“What are you?—”
“I tried to be nice these last few weeks. Tried to get you to wanna leave. But you won’t.”
“I don’t know what you?—”
“If you don’t go, I’ll tell everyone Levi kidnapped you. I have compromisin’ pictures of you two in the alley by Pete’s that look like he’s forcin’ you. And some of him chasin’ you yesterday around the house. With his reputation and those pictures, town’s likely to believe me. I am their preacher, after all.”
“You need to go,” I repeated, taking a step back. I was done. “Now.”
I reached carefully, to my side dress pocket for my phone, my fingers trembling. But Jed grabbed it, throwing it into the gated part of the porch. That was enough for Mac to come out from his place in the window to the outside, his growls low, vicious.
“None of that now,” he said, his voice laced with anger. “We’re just havin’ a little chat, you and me.”
“Please leave,” I said, my voice trembling. I backed away a little more, my heart pounding in my chest as I found I’d myself trapped against the door. He ignored my plea, taking another step forward.
“I just wanna talk, Emmy. That’s all.”
“Just leave,” I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper. But he just laughed, a cruel sound that dragged its icy fingers all over me.
“Not ‘til I get what I came for,” he said, taking another step closer. Even though we were outside, the air felt thick, suffocating. Jed advanced, his gaze predatory and unsettling. Fear coursed through my veins. I glanced around desperately, searching for any means of escape.
“Jed, please,” I begged again, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’re drunk. Just leave.” But he only chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with malice.
“I told you, Emmy, I ain’t goin’ nowhere ‘til I get what I came for,” he growled, reaching out to grab my arm. I flinched away from his touch, my heart pounding in my ears.
“Stop!” I cried, trying to push him away. But he was relentless, his grip like a vise around my wrist as he pulled me closer. I lashed out, kicking and screaming, as I fought to break free. “Let go of me!” I screamed, the words tearing from my throat like a wounded animal. But Jed only tightened his grip, his face twisted into a grotesque mask of rage and desire.
Jed grabbed me by the hair and turned me, slamming me chest first into the front door. I barely had enough time to turn my face to avoid smacking into the wood. Tears welled in my eyes as I struggled against him, my mind racing with fear and desperation. I knew I had to get away, had to find some way to escape before it was too late. But with Jed’s iron grip holding me in place, I felt utterly powerless.
Mac was barking even louder, a terrifying bloodlust-filled sound. I had no doubt that if he could get through the gate, Mac would be at Jed’s throat, tearing it out.
“You’re a walkin’, talkin’ temptation. I can see why Levi’s so smitten with you.” I felt his hands roam my body. “Maybe I should see what all the fuss is about. Make you mine, too,” he snarled, his breath hot against my skin.
“P-please. I’ll do anything if you let me g-go. Please.”
“Anythin’?”
“A-anything.”
“I want you to pack your things and leave. Levi don’t need no distractions andyouare one hell of a distraction.” He paused. “You agree right now, and I won’t take you on this porch. If you don’t agree,” his hand was between my thighs and up my dress, cupping me through my underwear.Oh, God,I begged silently, hoping he would listen to my prayer.I sobbed harder then, shaking my head. “I’m gonna make you wish you did, ya hear me?” As if proving his point, he shoved up against me, hishardness protruding. I choked back tears and bile as his hand traveled up. “I’ll take you so hard, beat you ‘til you’re right on that brink of death, beggin’ me to end it.” He let out a groan as he ground into me again, his hand squeezing my breast tight. “When I’m done with you, you’ll be so fucked up,” another grope, another groan. “Barely alive if it wasn’t for me savin’ you from that monster. You understand what I’m sayin’?” I nodded vehemently, desperately trying not to whimper.
If I don’t go, Jed plans to make it look like Carter did it…
“I’ll go,” I cried. “I’ll pack my stuff and go.”
“That’s a good girl.” He paused, sniffing my hair. “Shame, really. I wanna taste of that sweet cunt of yours. I bet it’s heavenly.” His grip became unbearable until, finally, it loosened.
Then he was gone.
“You have twenty minutes to get your things and go. I’ll know if you don’t,” he called. I glanced over my shoulder to see him staggering to his truck, his hand palming the front of his jeans. I ran inside, Mac following through his entrance. I locked the front door behind me, barring Mac’s door too, before I took off up the stairs.
