Page 191 of Debts and Desires
“Just sounds like him spewin’ his usual bullshit. Nothin’ unusual.”
“I guess not. But that’s why I’m here. Wanted to make sure he was okay. Didn’t want a fight between the two of you.”
“Whaddya mean?”
“He said he was comin’ to talk to you.”
“Like I said, he hasn’t been—” I stopped, eyes widening. I looked at Ty for a second, then pulled out my phone. It rang forever before going to voicemail. “Emmy’s home alone. She’s not answerin’.” I looked over at the guys who were watching, though they were trying to make it not seem obvious. “I’ll be back.” They nodded.
“What’s goin’ on?” Ty asked just as Randy asked, “What?”
“Emmy. He’s goin’ after Emmy,” I clarified. I didn’t wait for them to respond, running to my truck. I hopped in and sped off.
I was about halfway home when Jameson caught up, Tyler behind him. I don’t know why he didn’t pull me over and I realized he was following me. Probably to protect my dad. Like always.
When I cleared the bend in the drive, I saw Jed’s truck sitting there and I felt sick. I barely parked, both me and the officer getting out of our vehicles just as I heard a gunshot from inside the house. Jameson was quick, his gun out and up at the ready. Tyler’s eyes were wide.
I was already barreling toward the front door, ignoring him calling my name as I screamed Emmy’s.
83. UNCERTAIN DEATH
April 17
Jed’s blow landed with brutal force, knocking me off balance. I fell back into the wall, where he caged me in, his hand coming to my throat, the other holding the gun to my chin. Mac was barking loudly, beating on the door.
“You’re gonna do exactly as I say, temptress.” Jed lowered the gun, his hand trailing down my torso, groping a breast. He brought his tongue to my cheek, tasting me as if I were a piece of candy. He reeked of sweat, his breath stinking of alcohol. Jed kissed me deeply before forcing my head aside and running his lips along my neck. I trembled with terror. His breathing was heavy and labored. My stomach lurched violently, ready to release what little food was in it.
“Give yourself to me and I’ll let you go,” he said. I knew it was a lie. His hands ran over my arms, breasts. Anywhere he could touch, he did.
My heart pounded, drowning out even the frantic barking of Mac, who was now thrashing against the door, desperate to get to me. I knew I had to fight back. If not for me, but for Carter. I needed to make sure that video of Jed’s confession got out, so that everyone knew who the real monster was.
Therage coursing through my veins burned so intensely that it replaced the panic I felt. It overwhelmed me like a violent windstorm, and I plotted ways of getting myself out of this.
I brought my knee up to his groin, hard, causing him to double over. I jabbed Jed hard in the stomach, his gut muscles tensed, and I used all my strength to send him stumbling back several paces. I ran toward the door, but he quickly recovered his footing.
“You whore!” he bellowed, catching me by the arm. I managed a punch to his face, but he only grabbed me again, pushing me away. I almost fell back, but caught myself.
“You should’ve taken my offer, but now I damn you to hell.” I found myself staring down the barrel of the gun. “Say goodbye, whore,” Jed sneered.
Just as Jed was about to pull the trigger, the sound of shattering glass pierced the chaos, followed by a thunderous crash somewhere behind me. Even through the haze of my terror, I watched Mac bursting through with all the ferocity of a wild animal. With a growl, he launched himself at Jed, sinking his teeth into the intruder’s leg.
It was like everything was in slow motion.
A shot rang loud and true and I saw a flash of something—BJ—running out the back door. Despite the threat, Mac didn’t let up. Jed was aiming the gun again.
In a split second, I reached under the recliner pillow, my fingers closing around the hilt of the knife. With a primal scream, I drove it into his side, the force of the blow knocking us both off balance. A second shot sounded as he cried out, the gun dropping. I froze, my eyes meeting Mac’s.
The second shot thankfully missed Mac’s head, but still pierced his flesh. I just couldn’t see where. I’d been too focused on Mac that I hadn’t realized he no longer had a grip on Jed’s leg. And when I realized it, I saw the gun, just out of reach. I went to move, but it was too late.
With a snarl of rage, Jed lashed out, his fist connecting with my jaw with bone-jarring force. Stars exploded behind my eyesas pain radiated through my skull. I fell back again, but I refused to give in. I thrashed, kicked him where I could.
It was useless.
Jed had me by the throat. He couldn’t get the knife out of himself while still holding me. I struggled against him, but his strength was overwhelming. His fingers tightened around my neck, cutting off my oxygen. My fingers grazed the gun. I needed just a little more. Mac whined, trying to move to help me, but he couldn’t. He kept falling until he just stayed down. He was slowing down, barely moving now. Spots circled my vision.
Macwas going to die.
Mybabywas going to die.
