Page 76 of Brick
She was on her own.Which meant if she ever wanted to see her son and Brick again, she had to outfight a madman.The sky was brilliant with pink and orange streaks.She hadn’t been on a boat in years, but she’d always wanted to take Bray out.She’d do whatever it took to see him again.
Keetan threw a glare over his shoulder, then returned his attention to the water.She shuffled forward and, with her free hand, reached for the canvas bag he’d thrown in the boat.She pulled open the zipper.
Inside she found rope, weights, and a large folded-up plastic bag.Just frickin’ dandy.A bag to wrap her body and weights to sink it.She kept an eye on Keetan as she reached for one of the weights.The five-pound metal plate could do some damage.
She quickly lifted her hip and slid it beneath her bottom, then closed the zipper and pushed the bag away with her foot.
Keetan swiveled in his chair to check on her again.His eyes narrowed with suspicion, and his gaze moved to the bag that was now out of her reach.Her stomach bunched and cold sweat dotted her brow.He met her gaze again.
She gave him the finger.“Bastard,” she mouthed, over the roar of the motor.
His mouth firmed and he shook his head before looking at the water again.Her shoulders relaxed a little, but a lump of anxiety formed in her throat.
She didn’t have much choice about when to attack.When he stopped and uncuffed her—that would be her window of opportunity.She judged the distance to the captain’s chair.About five or six feet.Even if she stood and stretched, she wouldn’t be able to hit him in the back of the head.Besides, doing that right now would mean he’d be unconscious and she’d be unable to steer the boat.
No, the only option was to grab the weight when she stood up and then clock the shit out of him.
The wind whipped her hair and made her sweater flap.Nausea bounced in her belly.She often got seasick.The threat of her looming fate certainly didn’t help.A pang seized her chest.She would’ve taken Bray on a boat just to see his little face light up, even if it meant she’d be green.
The sun dipped below the horizon and dusk drenched the sky in shades of purple and indigo.She glanced around at the lake.It was still and serene.
Secluded.
People probably fished out here, but with it being mid-September, fewer anglers would come out this far at this time of day.Her body would wash up eventually, but if that didn’t happen before winter, it could be months before Brick, Ellie, and Bray found out what had happened to her.
She stifled a cry and brought her untethered arm around her waist.Bringing her attention to the back of Keetan’s head, she felt fresh hate consume her.
She couldn’t die without a fight.She’d take Keetan down with her.
His body shifted and he cut the motor.The boat rocked, caught in the waves it’d made only moments before.He stood and walked toward her.
She gulped, not taking her eyes off him.Her senses were caught in a tug-of-war between dread and adrenaline.The nausea sloshing in her stomach turned to fire and inched up to her tongue.
Don’t puke now.That’ll just make him hit you.
His mouth spread into an evil, taunting smile.“Not so mouthy now, are you?”
Her heart pounded ferociously in her chest.The ragingthump,thump,thumpwas surely loud enough to damage her eardrums.But the last thing she wanted was for him to see her terror.
She compressed her lips and narrowed her eyes.“Just get this over with, Keetan.The sooner you kill me, the sooner you’ll go to jail.”
He laughed, the sound brittle and not the least bit afraid.He moved his hand behind his back and pulled out his weapon.
Paralysis hit her like a speeding train.
He brought the mouth of the gun to her cheek and caressed her jaw just inches from where he’d struck her earlier.“It’s really too bad you’re such a slut.I always enjoyed fucking you, even though I saw the disgust on your face.”The corner of his mouth twitched, and then his expression fell blank.
Adrenaline overtook the dread.In one swift movement, she leaned away, grabbed the weight beneath her hip, and leapt to her feet.Keetan stumbled, and his eyes flew open with surprise.
Wham!
The metal weight connected with his skull.A painful shockwave bolted up her arm.A gash opened on the side of Keetan’s head.Blood rushed out.
He caught the edge of the boat.She let out a scream and swung again, but he seized her wrist, his gaze wild and furious.
She screamed at the top of her lungs, the wailing cry of battle and defeat.
CHAPTER 22
