His smile disappears like an ice cube in a cup of hot coffee. “Suit yourself. Then I have to decide. Do I kill them first so you can watch them die, or do I start with you?”
“Don’t you fucking dare touch Taryn!” Nash roars. “Come here and take on someone your own size.”
The corners of Andy’s lips lift again in an unnerving smile. “You know, I think I’ve made my decision. I should start with Taryn. It would be kind of fun to have you andmy ex as an audience while I fuck her and then slit her throat. I have something a little more painful planned for the two of you, though. I hear stomach wounds are the most painful.”
No, I would rather die than let this psychopath touch me. “If you think I’m gonna let you do what you want without fighting you, you’re even more delusional than I thought.”
His tone becomes suddenly soft, almost sweet. “Oh, you’re cute. How are you going to fight me? You’re tied in a neat little package for my entertainment.”
I glare at him. He can’t fuck me tied to a chair. He’s going to have to move me so he can get to the part of my anatomy he’s after. I’ll have to use that split second to try and inflict some damage. The only things I can do are bite him or headbutt him.
Andy steps behind my chair. “If you’re thinking about trying to run, just know that I wasn’t born yesterday. I tied your hands and feet and then I tied you to the chair. I can get you out of the chair with your hands and feet still securely tied.”
I inhale to steady myself, ready to take advantage of any opportunity to strike. I doubt any hit will pack as much power as I hope, but I won’t go down without a fight.
The pressure on my wrists eases, telling me that he’s cut the first tether to the chair.
I’ll have to wait for Andy to step in front of me to strike.
He cuts my bound feet free from the chair too, and I begin counting in my head.
Three, two, one…
A beeping sound comes from the room’s door.
Everything happens in the blink of an eye. The doorslams open and police in SWAT gear swarm the utility room. “Police! Drop your weapon!”
Ok. Maybe not exactly swarm, but two cops take Andy by surprise and pin him to the ground.
Another one stops me from falling face first to the ground now that I’m not tied to the chair anymore.
Two more cops are checking the room for any further threats with their weapons drawn. That action doesn’t take long, since the room isn’t very big.
I’m vaguely aware of one of the first two cops reading Andy his Miranda rights.
“Are you alright, ma’am?” The cop asks me.
“I’m fine. But my friends are tied in a very painful position. Please free them.”
The cop nods to his colleagues while he frees me. As Andy is dragged out of the room by two cops, I insist on checking on Jodie and Nash.
“Ma’am, we have ambulances outside for you and your friends. You’ll be reunited with your friends shortly.”
His tone is firm, and I relent, but I’m worried sick.
As soon as the summer night’s air hits my face, I see them.
“Baby!” Tucker runs to me with Colsen and Mack hot on his heels.
The cop tries to stop him from wrapping me into his arms, but I tell them it’s ok. There’s no other place I’d rather be.
TUCKER
“Baby!” She melts into my arms.
Feeling her weight against me is the only thing that finally allows me to breathe again.
I hold her tight for a few intense moments, then I pull back just enough to check her for any obvious signs of injury. “Are you hurt?”
