AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I wiggle some more, not ready for this to be the end. “Please, do me this one favor. I’ll do anything you want. I will be in your debt forever.” I know it’s no use, but my self-preservation has kicked in.
“So, you want to owe me.” His deep voice dances across my skin and my body stops moving.
“Yes, yes, I do!” Once again, my voice breaks at the end.
“For this to work, you have to go where I tell you. If they find you, I’m as good as dead like you’ll be.”
I can’t believe my ears. It can’t be this easy, it has to be a trick. His hold loosens and my feet slip down to find a solid footing on the ground. Every nerve in my body wants to run again, but if I do, he could change his mind. There’s no way I can outrun him, but I could outsmart him, given enough space.
“I promise,” I vow, still trying to catch my breath.
He’s studying me, his eyes roaming from my eyes all the way to my feet, which are screaming for me to run. It takes all of my willpower to stay in the presence of a murderer.
“Here’s a card.” He opens his backpack and digs his hand around, searching. “You need to get a job here.” He hands the small rectangle of thick paper over.Throne of Sinis emblazoned in gold lettering with a stripper pole on the right, with a silhouette.
I’m already judging the fact I’ve left one Hell hole for another, unfortunately, it’s what I know best.
“Never thought of myself as a stripper.” I scratch my head.
“Says the girl who was begging for her life,” he says sharply, grabbing hold of my wrist as his other hand wraps around the back of my neck.
I cock a brow. “I didn’t say I was complaining,” I defend while standing tall in his hold, but I can’t stop my lips from trembling.
“They need a bartender. Stripping is optional.” Max winks while slowly looking me over with a new hunger in his eyes. He releases his hold on me and my body slouches back, exhausted from the events that just transpired.
We stare at each other and I’m left with no other option but to trust the man.
“It’s like the job was made for me.” I begin to walk past him, keeping my fake bravery up. “Come on, boy, let’s go.” His hand shoots out, grasping hold of my forearm, and forcefully brings me back into him. I hold my breath, scared of what will happen next.
“Hold on a second.”
I didn’t think my heart could beat faster than it was before, but here it is. My hand covers my erratic heartbeat, scared I might die from a heart attack instead of being murdered. No matter how hard I clench my muscles, they frantically vibrate in his hold.
Max’s savage attention stays on me. Violence flares in his deep blue eyes. This is not the look of a good man. A destructive energy coils, wrapping us thickly. My ears ring from the extra blood, while he’s looking relaxed, absent the murderous gaze in his eyes.
A small smile settles on his face and I think he might be enjoying this. I fear if I fight him, he’ll change his mind and I’ll be…gone. Forgotten. There’s no one left to remember me. That’s maybe the saddest part of this. No one will miss me.
“I’ll drive you there, but you’re on your own for the rest.” He pauses, waiting for me to shake my head in understanding. “If you deviate from the plan, I’ll kill you before they have the chance to.”
My mouth is dry, making it impossible to swallow the small amount of saliva on my tongue. His eyes hold a cruel promise.
I place my hand on his bicep and look him in the eyes. The air thickens around us, sparking with energy. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. “You can trust me, I promise.”
He lets me go, like I’ve burned him. He seems taller, broader now. He’s not this man who hasn’t grown into his legs yet, but an intimidating beast. Each of his strides are purposeful. He takes one, I take two, but he still manages to nudge my shoulder.
“Walk,” he demands. I jump at the edginess of his rough voice and move. We stay silent, even when we return to my little cottage. The only thing heard over the birds is the sound of my heavy breathing as I grab my suitcase and get into his vehicle.
Chapter 10: Sienna
Wakeup,youhavea shift to start.I keep repeating the sentiment to myself, willing my heavy lids to open. Little by little, one eye, then the other flutters open. I quickly squeeze them shut against the glaring sun trying to laser my eyes out of my sockets.Did dad fix the boarded-up window?
I shoot straight up from the bed. It’s all coming back to me. The gun. Max. A road trip? There should have been a road trip…
“Max?” I call, standing so fast my head whirls with a sudden dizziness. My feet are unsteady, each step wobbly, and I rest a hand on the wall as my world straightens itself.
Silence answers in return. There isn’t even a ticking sound from a clock or electric hum of appliances in general.
I need to get out of here.I pat myself down. I’m still in the hiking gear I had on earlier.
