Page 93 of These Rough Waters

Ruthie is in the foyer when we walk through, “Keep her safe” I tell her.

Her eyes widen knowingly, “Maya.” She gasps.

“I’m getting her back. I’m getting her back, Ruthie.”

“Do what you have to, Torin,” She growls fiercely, accepting Harper into her arms, “Get our girl back.”

She had no idea what I was prepared to do to save Maya. I don’t say goodbye as I get back into my truck, making it back to my house but Maya was gone and all I was left with was the puddle of blood on my marble tiles.

Heart thumping wildly and rage blinding me, I go inside, grabbing everything I needed to see this through.

I’m coming, little doe. I’m coming for you.

Forty-three

Trevor holds me tightly, his fingers bruising my upper arm where they bite in.

I snatch out of his grip, “Don’t fucking touch me!” I hiss at him.

“Grown a backbone, I see,” He snarls, relatching his hand but hauling me to him before he lifts his other hand and slaps it across my face, pushing me down at the same time. “You really fucked up, Maya.” He kicks me onto my back as blood dribbles from my lip, “I warned you. I told you what would happen if you left me. And you’ve been whoring yourself out. I’m going to fuck you raw before I kill you, darling. You are my property.”

His foot gives another swift kick to my ribs, and I cry out at the crack that resonates from the brunt of the hit. Pain flares angrily in my face and abdomen, sucking my breath from my lungs and stealing my voice.

“M-Maya,” Rett groans from his prone position on the dock next to me. He was pale, sweaty, eyes dull and almost lifeless. He was bleeding too much; he was never going to survive this.

“I’m sorry,” I groan, rolling onto my side.

The docks were empty save for us and Trevor’s group of men, the incoming storm scaring the workers away.

“Where the fuck is the boat?” Trevor yells.

“There’s only two a day, asshole,” Rett says, holding his shoulder as he pushes up to sit, “Looks like you’re stuck here for at least another six hours. If the storm doesn’t cancel it first.”

Hope blooms in my chest.

“Get me a boat,” He demands of one of his men, “I don’t give a fuck which one.”

I get my palms under me and push up onto my knees, feeling hands under my armpits and look to see Rett standing. He was so damn weak right now, but he was helping me.

“Rett, you’re shot,” I say, getting to my feet.

“I’m going to distract them,” He whispers, “When I do, run into the woods. Find the cabin.”

“Rett,” I whisper cry.

“Do it, Maya. If something happens to you, Torin won’t survive.”

“They’ll kill you.”

“I’m harder to kill than you think, sugar,” He winks but his face doesn’t match his words. He was prepared to die for this.

“No.”

“When I count to three, you run, you understand me?”

“Rett.” I beg, voice cracking.

“Think about Harper, Maya. She needs her mother. Torin needs you.”

---