I try to pull away again, panic surging through me, but he doesn’t let go.
“I planned everything,” he continues, his voice rising slightly. “Prom night. I was finally going to have you. All you needed was alittle liquid encouragement, laced with something to loosen you up abit. Instead, the drinks got mixed up, and I ended up sick. You were such a little cock tease back then—but I knew you wanted me.” He presses his cheek against mine, his hot breath like fire on my ear. “You were so innocent, so pure. Untouched.” Moisture slicks across my earlobe as his tongue drags over it. It takes everything in me to not vomit. “I was going to be your first. Instead, you had to be a slut and let that ‘spic touch you.”
Goosebumps spread across my body, rising like individual needles stabbing all at once as his confession spills out.
“You’re insane,” I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper.
He shifts me, forcing our eyes to meet, his icy stare piercing me like a blade. “I’m not insane. I’m in love with you. I always have been.”
I shove at his chest, trying to break free, but he’s too strong. He grabs my wrist, pulling me toward the door with terrifying ease.
“Ryker, stop!” I scream, struggling against him.
“Elyse, I’m done waiting,” he growls, dragging me out onto the porch. “Time is up. You’ve tortured me enough—flirting with me, wearing sexy outfits just for me, but you open your legs forhim.I’m done fucking sharing you.”
In a swift motion, he’s lifting me, and hauling me outside.I scream so forcefully the taste of metallic floods my mouth just as his hand slaps over my lips, muffling me.
I twist and kick, desperate to break free, but his grip is like iron, his fingers digging into my arm as he drags me toward the vehicle. The unmarked patrol car sits in the shadows, its dark windows reflecting the faint streetlights above. He opens the rear door with a practiced motion, yanking it wide as I thrash in his grasp.
“Let go of me!” I scream, my voice raw, but he doesn’t flinch. His hand shoves me forward, and I stumble into the back seat, the slick leather cold against my skin. The door slams shut with a hollow thud, and the sound reverberates through my chest, stealing my breath. I lunge for the handle, frantically tugging, but it’s locked. No matter how hard I pull, it doesn’t budge.
He slides into the front seat, glancing at me through the rearview mirror with cold, lifeless eyes. I scream again, the sound a piercing cry, but it’s swallowed by the heavy silence as the engine growls to life.
The car jolts forward, tires crunching over gravel, and panic consumes me. The dim glow of streetlights fades as we speed into the darkness, each second stretching into eternity. A sharp pang flashes across my chest as I take in my surroundings—a partition separating the front and back seats, no divider with trunk access, no way out, no one around to hear me. My nails claw at the door’s edge, the leather, anything, as my mind races.
I press my forehead against the window, watching the world blur past, and a terrifying realization settles over me; I have no idea where he’s taking me or what’s waiting for me at the end of this ride. One thing is clear—I have to find a way to escape, and fast.
CHAPTER 56
Dominic
THE BASTARD CHEATED
PRESENT
Morales waves me over the second I enter the station.
“Guess what! Guess what! Guess What!”
She’s been keeping things professional lately, so seeing her act this friendly throws me for a loop.
“What is it?”
“Well,” she starts, practically bouncing. “I’ve been trying to prove myself to Vorheis—prove that I’m good enough to make detective. And before his shift ended today, he asked me if I’d thought about taking the exam!”
“That’s great,” I tell her.
As much as she’s annoyed me and crossed a few lines, I’m genuinely happy for her. At the end of the day, she’s good at what she does, and deserves to be recognized for it.
Her smile evens out, turning serious. “I owe you an apology. You and Elyse. I know I said and did things that probably made you think I was a little nuts.” She laughs, nervously. “It’s just hard to meet a nice guy, and you’re a nice guy.”
I nod, feeling my face heat. “Well—uh. Thanks.” Awkwardness prickles beneath my skin. “There’re plenty of nice guys out there. You’ll meet the right one.”
She tosses her head back, laughing. “God, you should see the look on your face. Relax, Alvarez. You’re just pretty to look at. And just so you know, I did meet someone. It’s only been a few weeks, but I have a good feeling about him.”
The tension in my shoulders eases, but before I can respond, the sound of the station door opening catches my attention. A woman walks in, her steps hurried. At first glance, she looks vaguely familiar, but it only takes me a second to place her; Claire. Ryker’s wife.
“Is Ryker here?” she asks, her voice edged with unease as she glances around the room, rubbing at her rounded stomach. It’s obvious she’s been crying—her face is puffy, green eyes shiny and red.
