“Before you scream or do anything else pointless, understand that I’m not going to hurt you.” He’s smiling jovially. “You always assume the worst of me, Maggie May.”
“Give me my keys.” My voice is level despite the hammering of my terrified heart.
“Let’s go inside and talk.”
Hell no. Screaming is pointless but maybe I can go berserker on him and get away. As it stands now, I won’t get far without GPS and a plan. But I could make it to the road and wave down help. I was stupid coming here but no more stupid or rash choices.
The belated realization sinks in that he refers to me by my real name. Of course, he does. He’s got me here. He knew I was coming. He obviously knows who I am.
“If I wanted to cause you pain I would have done it by now.”
He says it so smoothly it doesn’t even feel like the threat that it is. He can hurt me. Easily. His smile is still sincere. He leans back casually, his arm leaning against the door. I have no clue about this man. I’ve been feeling like I’ve had the upper hand these past months as I got closer to the truth. But his demeanor, even the fact that he’s here, says that I’ve grossly underestimated him. I need my keys. I need to leave but I’ve lost the upper hand. I never had the upper hand.
I’m an idiot.
“Let’s talk here.”
He lets out a dramatic sigh. “No, that’s really not going to work for what I have planned.”
My insides liquefy. My kneecaps tingle. He’s going to kill me.
“Calm down. You should see your face. I’m not going to murder you, Miss Mayday. I want to talk.”
“Give me my knife and Mace back.”
He gives me a look that says “nice try.”
“I’m not leaving this car without some security. Sorry if I don’t take you for your word.”
“Funny thing about that. How you think I’m the untrustworthy one. When I’ve only ever been honest about who I am and what I want. I have yet to see the same from you.”
I scowl. I won’t let him talk me out of my convictions. I know how he operates.
“Regardless.” He draws a black handgun out of his pocket. “I hope you know what a position I’m putting myself in here.”
In a display of weakness that makes me hate myself, I shut my eyes tight. Despite his promise to leave me unharmed I have to face the facts. He has a gun.
“Take it. I don’t think you’re stupid enough to shoot me. Just in case, I have security cameras.” He leans forward next to me and waves at a camera by the motion-sensor light.
I want to cry and scream. He’s pressed against me. My whole body shivers. My insides heave. I take the gun. I do it hesitantly because this has to be a trap. Or a trick. But it’s a real gun. And loaded. I know how to shoot a gun because I went to get my conceal carry license shortly after my run-in with Zebulund the first time but never ended up buying one.
But I know how to use it if I need to.
“Come in.” He heaves himself out of the car. Right now, with his back turned, I could shoot him. “We’ll talk. I think we need to clear the air.”
There’s no option that I can think of other than to follow him. He isn’t remotely concerned I’ll shoot him where he stands. I grip the gun like it’s my last hope and follow him into the house.
The small cabin has a high-ceilinged front living area with a huge fire pit in the center. It’s a modern circular design and a sleek exhaust fan I can’t even hear. I stay close to the door with the gun at the ready. Somewhere to the left of me, in the kitchen, I guess, he putters around breathing heavily. He walks past me and holds out a plate of assorted cheeses and meats.
“You’ll excuse me if I don’t partake,” I say dryly.
“Suit yourself.” He smiles with a shake of his head.
With a gusty sigh, he settles into a large worn recliner that is clearly “his chair.” I’m far less at risk when he’s this relaxed so I lower the gun but don’t move. He lets out a contented sigh and lifts the footrest, legs crossed. With his plate balanced on his lap, he takes a bite of a greasy piece of sausage. There’s an audible pop as his teeth pierce the casing. A piece of cheese follows it immediately.
“You’re so quick to assume the worst of me,” he says with his mouth full.
Nausea is my new normal. I blink pointedly at him.
