Page 79 of The Harborer
Dalton laughed, a high-pitched, reedy noise. These guys definitely dipped into whatever merchandise they were pushing.Too bad it didn’t work more quickly. She pictured them falling over like cockroaches that had been doused with Raid.Where’s the insect killer when you need it?
“Benny, call Duke again,” Dalton snarled, switching from his lecherous persona to his unhinged one. She’d witnessed his moods swing several times since they’d grabbed her behind her store, and she was convinced the man was capable of pretty much anything.
“I just did, asshole,” Benny tossed back.
“He’s not answering?” Dalton looked stunned, even though he’d asked the same question five minutes earlier and had gotten the same response. “And you’re sure that cop didn’t follow us?”
Benny glowered at him. “For the fiftieth fucking time, yes, I’m sure. He was in hot pursuit after someone else north of us. That’s why he flipped on his lights and siren. We would have seen him turn off and fall in behind us otherwise.”
“So why doesn’t Duke callus?” Dalton was definitely not playing with a full deck of cards.
“Reception’s not so hot up here,” Micky pointed out. He took three steps toward Amy and sat beside her. She tried to scoot away but was pinned between him and a broken-down couch that probably housed more creepy crawlers … and scurriers.
His forefinger traced a light line along her arm. He probably meant it as a reassuring gesture, but she shuddered and shrank away from his touch. He withdrew the digit. “Hey, how are you doing?” he murmured.
“How do youthinkI’m doing?” she hissed, raising her bound feet.
“Look, I’m sorry. This wasn’t supposed to happen. You weren’t supposed to be at the store tonight.”
“Andyouweren’t supposed to usemy storefor your drug dealing!” The blaze that had been burning inside her since they’d taken her flared brighter, fueled by her outrage. “You used me. You not only put my livelihood in danger, but you putmein danger!”
In that moment, she hated him for it. Regretted ever meeting him and falling for his sweet talk.
“I’ll get you out of this. I promise.”
“Just how are you going to do that, Micky? They’re the ones with the weapons and the bad attitudes, and now I know too much, thanks to you.”
“I’ll make sure nothing happens to you, Amy.” His voice was shot through with regret, but his words rang hollow.
“How did you get hooked up with these crazies? Are you doing drugs? Distributing them?”
He blew out an anguished breath. “I … had to borrow some money. So I helped these guys out once. I thought that’d be it, but Benny told me I had to keep helping them or he’d rat me out—not to the cops, but to some even scarier guys up the food chain.” He visibly shuddered. “Things escalated from there. He made me hand over a key to your store. He promised they’d only use it for a short time. I said no at first, but they threatened to hurtyou.”
“How did you get a key?” she gritted out.
He actually smirked as though proud of himself. “I made a copy a long time ago in case you asked for mine back. And you did.” Desolation returned to his eyes, and he dragged a hand down his face. “Amy, you’ve got to believe me. I—”
Benny turned and pointed a semi-automatic pistol at them. “What are you two whispering about over there?”
“Nothing. Just talking.” Under his breath, he said, “Play along.”
What doesthatmean?
“Get away from her, Allen.” Benny waved the gun, his finger twitching but not resting against the trigger pull. Yet.
“Gladly.” Micky stood and hitched up his jeans. He’d lost weight.
Dalton arched a skeptical eyebrow. “Thought you said the bitch did you wrong with some other dude, and you didn’t want nothin’ to do with her.”
Micky gave Amy a dark look that wasn’t real. “She did, and I don’t.”
Benny cocked his head. “Then why you wanna hang with her now?”
“I had a few more words to get in.” Micky turned his back on her. “I got ’em in.”
Benny seemed to be the shrewdest of the bunch and the one in charge. Amy swallowed, trying to coat her dry throat. “What do you plan to do withmewhen your friend gets here?” she said in his general direction. If they left her here, she’d freeze to death. But the thought of them taking her with them … She’d rather freeze.
Dalton cackled. “Oh, baby girl, I got sooo many plans. And you are gonna love every one of ’em.” The gleam in his eyes and the twist in his smile were pure evil. “I’m just settin’ over here imagining all the ways I’m gonna have you.” Spreading his legs, he lolled his tongue out one side of his mouth while he mimed jacking off.
