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Anticipation could be a messed-up bitch. I chuckled at his fear. He wasn’t that tough now that he wasn’t hurting a girl. “I can spot a liar any day, so don’t bother feeding me a line of bull.”
His rumpled dark hair was plastered to his head as he profusely sweated. I’d turned the heat up to over a hundred degrees. My body was used to it since football camps and practices started in the hottest months of the year, but Peter struggled.
“I might be willing to negotiate your life for something, though.”
“My life? You’re going to kill me?” he squeaked.
“I haven’t decided yet.” I paced the room, my head hanging down as I pretended to contemplate. I wanted this motherfucker so scared, he pissed himself, but I also needed him to think he could work out a deal with me. “I’m not unreasonable, so let’s give it a shot.”
Hope sprang to life in his eyes, and he nodded enthusiastically. “Anything.”
“Just tell me the truth. It’s that simple.” I snapped my fingers for added effect.
He licked his lips. “Then ask me whatever you need and let me go.”
I strolled across the room and put some space between us, afraid of what I would do as he answered my questions.
“What’s Phoebe’s real name?” Leaning against the wall, I leveled him with an icy cold gaze and waited for him to answer.
ChapterThirteen
Phoebe
Igroaned against the bright lights, blinking rapidly in a vain attempt to clear my vision. My head throbbed like a son of a bitch as I glanced around at the stark white walls, the few chairs on the back wall, and the equipment next to the bed in the room.
“You’re awake.” Teagan stared at me with her doe eyes, fear etched into her pretty features.
“Where am I?” I whispered, my throat still raw and voice hoarse.
“You’re in the hospital. Do you remember anything?” She moved from her chair near my bed to beside me on the mattress.
“A little.” I rubbed the back of my head, wincing from the throbbing ache.
“You were attacked outside of the party, babe.”
Moaning, I scooted over so Teagan could crawl into the bed with me. Dark circles had formed beneath her eyes, and I was pretty sure she was wearing the black lace crop top and boyfriend jeans she had worn last night. My head was too foggy from the pain, so I had no idea what day it was.
She settled in and rolled onto her side, propping her head on her hand. “Do you know your attacker?”
Her intense gaze told me she loved me but wouldn’t buy the lies anymore and not to waste her time.
“Yeah. He’s been . . . We were—” My pulse skipped a beat, and I shuddered. “He’s terrifying. Was he arrested?”
Guilt graced Teagan’s face, and she chewed on her lower lip, clearly stressed. “I don’t know where he is.”
The room tilted, spinning.Peter is still out there.
“Babe, why didn’t you tell me you were in trouble? We’re best friends. I could have helped.”
She hadn’t heard the half of it, but it was time I told her what I’d been hiding. Peter was in Oregon, and I might need help.
“You can’t. It’s why I tried to protect you and the girls. If you’d learned the truth . . . He threatened to hurt all of you if I ever said a word.”
Teagan’s expression twisted. “Tell me, now. From the lump on your head, he hit you hard. It knocked you out clean. This nutjob could have killed you. He’s dangerous, Phoebs.”
Cries shook my shoulders, and I hid my face behind my hands. “Please promise me that when I tell you, you won’t hate me forever.”
Teagan rolled her eyes. “Bitch, I could never hate you forever. Maybe a little while, but not forever.” She flashed me a grin.
