Page 154 of D for Dead

Nadine had been the only other problem.

Oblivious to her boyfriend’s extra-curricular activities, she lived in her own little bubble and was unfortunately a little too obsessed with Amy Gallaty. Amy’s book series was complete and she had moved on to new projects, something Nadine took badly, and she started to cause scenes that drew attention to her and Troy.

The final straw had been the night of Leon Pruitt’s murder. Declan and Troy had been careful to give each other alibis. For Ben and Kasey’s murder, Declan had been back east and he only arrived in town the night Troy killed Shannon Castle. Leon’s murder was supposed to give Troy an alibi and he had been out in town with Nadine, in sight of dozens of witnesses. Declan had used the ruse of the Trail Blazers game to pretend he was out of town, hiding out in Ryan Caparelli’s apartment before going after the doorman and Nadine had nearly ruined the whole set up, hell-bent on going after Amy at the Velvet Lounge and putting her boyfriend at the scene of the abduction.

It was after that night Declan knew she was a liability and had to go.

Troy protested, claimed he loved her, but when it came down to a choice between him having Nadine or having Amy, he chose Amy. For twenty years Troy had longed for Amy Gallaty and, as he watched her struggling in his friend’s arms, saw the fear in her eyes and that terrified understanding, the knowing of what awaited her, Declan knew he had made the right choice.

44

‘She says the cop, Boaz, is alive.’

Rivers was circling Amy, watching her closely, but his comment wasn’t directed at her.

‘He’s not alive. I stabbed him. There was no pulse.’

‘Well you’d better check, Troy, make sure he’s not, and then get rid of his body. Put it down the well. That’s what David would do.’ Rivers winked at Gavin, who was still only half conscious on the floor. ‘Isn’t that right, David?’

There was something different about Rivers. He had always been rude and self-important, but the air of incompetence was gone and the man standing before Amy seemed capable and domineering. Had it all been an act? The smile he gave was cruel and he showed no hesitation. She could see it in his eyes that he wanted to hurt her. And while her mind worked overtime, trying to figure a way out of the situation, she knew time was running out. She had seen Danielle, what Tucker Johnson had done to her, and knew what they were planning. She had to get away again.

How had she been so stupid as to trust him out in the woods? She hadn’t questioned what he had been doing there or why he was so desperate to get back to the house. She’d just been relieved to see him, had honestly believed he was going to help her.

But no one could help her now.

Sullivan was in town, but oblivious to her predicament, and Boaz mostly likely dead. She could only help herself.

There was no reasoning with Rivers. He was enjoying this. Could she work on Troy? From the way he kept caressing her face and leaning in close to smell her hair, she suspected he wanted her on a more personal level than Rivers.

As Rivers wandered over to David, to check on his bonds, she rested her head back against Troy’s shoulder. She heard him hitch his breath as he drew in the scent of her hair. Although it repulsed her to do so, she forced herself to quit struggling and relax into him. He stiffened, his arms still tight around her, and she felt him grow hard against the small of her back.

Stay calm. Even breaths, Amy.

Turning slightly, she rested her forehead against his cheek.

‘Please help me, Troy,’ she whispered, careful not to let Rivers hear. ‘If you want me, I’ll be yours.’

She swallowed hard as his arms tightened around her, crushing her against him. One of his hands slipped down to cup her breast.

Oh, God. Keep it steady, Amy.

She forced herself to look up at him.

Sorry, Sullivan.

She owed Sullivan nothing, had no reason to feel guilty, but still she did.

This was self-preservation and she was fighting for her life. ‘Please. You, but not him. Just you and me.’

‘What the fuck?’

Rivers had hold of her hair, was yanking her head back. He slapped her hard across the face.

Amy squealed and winced.

‘You think you can come between us you sly little bitch?’

Troy didn’t react. His hard-on still poked into her back as he continued to hold her.