Page 72 of Wasted Memories
“It could be a trap, Wesley.”
“I can’t let them hurt her. Fuck, they already could have. I’m wasting time.” I shoved the paper into my pocket, grabbing my coat and keys, and headed for the front door.
“I’m still sending the deputies, but I’ll make sure they’re discreet. They’ll stay on the highway. If they hear any gunshots or anything at all, I can’t stop them from going in there. I wouldn’t want to. You stay alive, Wesley.”
“Planning on it.” I hung up the phone, pulling open the truck door and tossing my phone on the seat. Shoving the key into the ignition and throwing it in drive, I peeled out of the driveway, heading in the direction of the girl I’d burn this whole world down for to make sure she was safe.
The moment I laid eyes on her all those weeks ago, I was a goner. I wanted her to be my equal, the person I woke up to every morning, the girl whose body and mind I got to admire day in and day out. Once this was over and she was back in my arms, I’d tell her how much she meant to me. I’d show her every damn day for the rest of my life.
Life was too damn short to leave things unsaid.
Chapter Forty Three
Emerson
Myheadpoundedandmy stomach felt like it was turning over on itself, but I was awake. I kept my eyes closed in case there was anyone around me. I knew I wasn’t still at the restaurant.
I was laying on what felt like a couch, the fabric itchy under my cheek. The musty air in the room was freezing, biting through the fabric of my still damp work clothes. I clamped my teeth together to keep from shivering.
I heard a shuffle and then a sigh. Someone was in here with me, wherever I was.
“Can’t we light a fire in here, man?”
I swallowed deeply as I realized the person in here with me was Elijah. Why would my asshole boss be here?
“Can’t risk the smoke drawing anyone in. No one’s supposed to be up here this time of year.” My eyes flew open at the sound of Felix’s voice.
“Ah, look who’s finally awake.” Elijah stood from his chair in the corner, something metal glinting in his hand.
I went to sit upright but found that my hands were bound at the wrists, a zip tie holding them together. Using both my hands, I pushed up against the couch, my head spinning. I tried to ward it off, fighting myself to keep focus. Now was not the time to pass out again.
I pulled my legs up on the couch, my wet jeans rubbing against my thighs uncomfortably. My hands between my knees and my chest, I took in my surroundings.
“Don’t be scared, smokeshow. The fun hasn’t even begun.” Felix came around the side of the couch, standing closer than Elijah was. There wasn’t much furniture in what looked to be a cabin. The structure was built out of logs of wood, the floor concrete. The door was less than ten feet from where I sat on the couch.
“Don’t call me that,” I seethed.
Felix cocked his head in an animal-like way. “Isn’t that what you’re famous for around here? Flaunting that little body of yours?”
Nausea rolled through me, bile rising in my throat just thinking of him looking at me like so many others did.
“She served Jett well,” Elijah said.
“I didn’t serve anyone!” I yelled, pressing my back against the couch as Elijah closed the distance between us. His hand shot out, light catching on whatever was in his hand. Cold metal slammed into the side of my cheek, my head snapping to the side.
Stars filled my vision as I pressed my cheek against the couch, pain erupting throughout my face. My head felt so heavy, but I had to stay awake. I couldn’t let them see me as weak if I wanted to get out of here.
Wesley would come looking. I hadn’t come home from work; he’d know something was wrong. He had to. Right now, he was my only hope. He'd been my beacon of light the past few weeks, pulling me out of the darkness that had consumed me. I was convinced there was no way I was getting out of this alive without him.
Tasting blood in my mouth, I swiveled my neck to look up at Elijah, who’s breath was coming out of his nostrils in little white bursts. The adrenaline kept the cold at bay, but it proved there was no heat source in here.
Behind Elijah, I could see snow falling outside the tiny window. We weren’t in Oldport, that much was certain. It wouldn’t be snowing there this early in the winter. The closest place I knew of that could have snow right now would be Merritt Peak. How long had I been unconscious? It was at least an hour and a half from Oldport without extreme weather.
He bent down in front of me, using the gun in his hand to tilt my chin up. I tried to keep the trembling at bay, refusing to let fear take over. I never wanted to feel the cold press of the barrel of a gun again in my life. I kept my eyes locked on his, hoping I didn’t look as scared as I felt. “Jett never loved you. You were his little toy he used to get more clients. How’s that make you feel, huh?”
A gunshot sounded and I screamed, curling my body in on itself in an effort to protect myself. Elijah’s body crumpled to the floor in front of me. He didn’t shoot me. I was breathing uncontrollably, my breath coming out in clouds. I couldn’t keep the trembling at bay anymore.
“He can’t be running his mouth when I have an agenda,” Felix said casually, making his way to the chair Elijah had been sitting in just moments ago. He held the gun in his hand with such cool indifference, as if he didn’t just shoot someone.
