Page 119 of Fortune's Control
“Shut up, girl,” the detective said.
Nelson shoved me forward. Rather than catching my fall, I deliberately fell forward onto the gravel road. “Ow. My foot. I twisted it.” I sat up, cradling my right ankle.
“Nelson, pull her up. Let’s get inside.”
He yanked, forcing me to walk, so I groaned, playing up my limp. “Please slow down. I can’t run away.”
I hobbled the remaining steps into the cabin, telling myself every precious second of delay mattered.
“You better not be faking,” Detective Davis said.
All his friendliness had disappeared. His cold eyes bore a resemblance to his brother’s, but that’s where the physical similarities ended. They were also more than a decade apart, with Nelson closer to my age, and Davis in his forties. Or maybe being an asshole aged him.
“I’m not faking.” My genuine fear made the injury more believable.
After all this, I returned to the cabin Shane took me to when Davis’s partner called, but this time, I had no phone to reach Shane, and no one knew where I was. I was faking, and I’d escape if the chance presented itself. If Shane’s gator still swam in the creek, maybe it would eat the brothers. They’d give the poor creature a stomachache.
My fear threatened, so I focused on Shane. What would he do? Keep playing for time and wait for an opportunity to arise.
The cabin’s cool air greeted me, and I shivered. “We aren’t alone. I’m pretty sure people are in the other cabin.” It wasn’t true, but it may gain me some time. It might send one of them away so I could escape, or at least delay whatever they planned. The presence of both men, with their cruel eyes and determined jaws, threatened to overwhelm me.
Nelson wore the same expression when I first saw him, right after he killed Sandy. My fear excited him, turning me into a sick child’s toy for his entertainment. He stroked my cheek, and I flinched. “My brother checked, so we know there isn’t anyone here.”
“He booked it this morning. I heard him speaking on the phone.” My lungs fought to breathe. I pictured Nelson Davis in my head so many times, threatening me or stalking me, a formless shadow who lived to spread terror. His presence, now so close, with his breath on my skin, and the gentle touches, repulsed me.
I jerked back, and he smiled.
The detective used his gun to direct me to the rocking chair. I sat and absorbed the comfort that Shane’s mother’s quilt offered.
“Nelson, go check it out. Hurry, and don’t let them see you.”
He glared at me, wanting to protest, but kissed my forehead before leaving. I felt the wet remains of his lips on me.
“Why are you doing this? You’re supposed to save people.”
Davis stooped, smiling into my face. “I’m saving my brother. Isn’t it obvious? Sandy Cooper had a restraining order against her ex, and fortunately, he bore a strong resemblance to Nelson. Almost twins, aren’t they? All I needed to do was place DNA at the scene, and for you to shut the hell up. The poor idiot would take the fall, and my brother could go back to his playtime.”
If he’d indulged me at the beginning and conducted a pseudo-investigation, I’d have believed him and left it alone. Davis placated me, which only fed my doubts. I swallowed. “I didn’t know he was your brother. You should have told me.”
“Do you think I’m dumb, girl?”
He’s supporting a criminal. What should I say? “I’m sorry.” My shoulders and chest caved in from visible defeat.
“Very wise. You finally understand.”
I jumped as Nelson slammed the cabin door shut behind him. “She lied. That place is emptier than the last girl’s eyes once I finished playing with her.”
The detective approached me, squatting down close so I could smell his grotesque onion breath. “Lie to us again, and I’ll let my brother have his fun instead of giving you a quick death.”
Nelson closed the window blinds, turning the small cabin into dusty shadows. “Hurry and ask what you want.”
I blinked, struggling with the sudden loss of light.
Davis grabbed a metal chair and dragged it across the gray tile, causing me to cover my ears.
All I needed to do was survive long enough to be found. Shane’s last message put him only minutes behind me. He would check the house in the same methodical way he’d done after the ransacked apartment and Pirate’s escape.
“Who else saw those pictures of yours?” Davis asked.
