Page 111 of Chasin’s Surrender

“Because Chasin’s smart. He’s good. And, Viv, he’s not gonna let anything happen to him when he’s got you to come home to. He’ll find Bobby.”

God, I hoped that was true.

“It’s been hours and there was so much blood.”

My phone rang and I brought it up to look at the screen. The name that flashed before my eyes turned my blood to ice. I knew. Fucking knew in my soul why he was calling.

“Where is she, Bent?” I snapped.

“Fuck,” Holden chided in a low, husky growl and started approaching me.

I shook my head and started to back away. He already had his phone out of his back pocket and was dialing as he took angry steps toward me.

“I’m sick and fuckin’ tired of your attitude, Vivi,” Bent hissed.

Was he for real?

“I tried being romantic, taking my time, knowing I couldn’t rush you. But you fuckin’ ignored me, even after you knew it was me!” he yelled.

Romantic? Yeah, he was fucking crazy.

“Sending me creepy letters isn’t romantic, Bent. It’s just creepy.”

Holden’s eyes snapped to mine and he didn’t hide he was beyond furious I’d taken the call. His eyes went back to his phone and his fingers jabbed at the screen faster than a teenage marathon texter.

“Did you even read them?”

I hadn’t, I stopped reading them after I’d received the first few. I stopped looking at the gifts that were sent, too.

He gauged my silence correctly and spat, “Ungrateful bitch.”

Ungrateful? I didn’t ask for him to freak the fuck out, lose his mind, fall off the turnip truck, and become a raving lunatic.

I didn’t voice this, instead, I went back to our current situation.

“If you want me, why’d you take Bobby?”

I’d tried to soften my voice the best I could. All my life I’d heard you attracted more flies with honey than vinegar. I wondered if that applied to psycho, crazy stalkers, too.

“Because the bitch was in the way. She never did know when to keep her trap shut. But she’s quiet now.”

Oh, God. No.

“I didn’t know the letters were from you. You didn’t sign them. How was I supposed to know? You know how it is.”

“I left clues only you’d understand. You would’ve known if you’d fuckin’ read them.”

Whoa. Shit. Wrong thing to say.

Holden caught my attention, nodded, and made a motion with his hand that I hoped I was reading right. He wanted me to keep Bent on the line.

Right. Good. They could trace the call.

“I’m sorry, that was rude.”

Gag.

“Goddamn right it was, darlin’, and you’re gonna pay for it when we get home.”