Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 499(@200wpm)___ 399(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“Go another couple of miles. There’s a hotel there.” His voice is low and calm, which kind of freaks me out. “Did you miss Daddy, Zella?”
She cries harder. It’s like a sucker punch to the gut. The urge to protect her is stronger than anything I’ve ever felt. I may not be her mother, but I would die keeping this motherfucker away from her. That’s the damn truth.
The hotel is run-down and scuzzy, nestled in a copse of trees not far off the main road. It gives me hope that if they realize we’ve been gone too long, they won’t have far to look. I just need to stall. Figure out a way to escape with my girl.
“Right there. The one on the end,” he orders. “Turn off the Jeep and don’t think about moving.”
I swallow down my fear and nod as I obey him. Once the vehicle is turned off, I wait for his next instruction. I’m about to grab the keys out of the ignition to Mace him when he cuts me off, anticipating my move.
“Leave them there. Now you’re going to get out and unbuckle Zella. Then, carry her into that room. Don’t think about running or I’ll put a bullet in your back.”
“Okay,” I squeak out, unable to find my voice.
I unbuckle and slide out of the Jeep, quickly yanking Zella into my arms. She clings to me, her entire body trembling as she sobs. With fear consuming my every cell, I make my way into the hotel room. It reeks of cigarettes and booze. It makes me wonder how long he’s been staying here. Maybe this entire time. It sickens me to know he’s been lurking, just waiting on the perfect time to pounce.
Another shiver of fear wracks through me.
Focus, Penny. Get your shit together. Now’s not the time to be weak.
Steeling my spine, I turn around to face Jack as he closes the door behind him. He’s a wreck. His clothes are dirty, his hair is greasy, and he seems to have lost some weight. The unhinged glint in his eyes terrifies me, but I refuse to show it.
I lift my chin. “You won’t get away with this.”
He cracks his neck, pinning me with a hard glare. “I already have.”
“You killed them,” I bite out at him. “You’re a monster.”
“And I will kill you too, bitch. You started all this shit for me. Had I known you were that motherfucker’s girlfriend, I would have dealt with you a long time ago.” He sneers at me. “I’ll admit. You’re a real good liar. Had me fooled for weeks and weeks.”
“You’re a useless drunk,” I spit out. “It was easy.”
Not wise to provoke him, but his kind feeds on fear. I refuse to give him something to snack on.
“Shut the fuck up,” he growls.
“Why? Does it hurt to know what a loser you are? You couldn’t get your dick up for your wife so you had to stick it into your stepdaughter instead? You’re a sicko. A pervert. Disgusting freak,” I snarl, hating I have to say this crap in front of Zella, but she’s sobbing so loudly she probably can’t hear anyway. “And then you couldn’t even get it up for me. Your rapist dick doesn’t work. A man is driven by his dick. What drives you when yours is pathetic and soft?”
He pounces, shoving his gun hard against my ear, making me cry out. “Shut the fuck up, bitch. Just shut the fuck up.” Then, he softens his voice. “Zella, sweetheart, go sit in the bathtub and wait for Daddy to finish his talk. We’ll go see the beach when we leave.”
I’ll be damned if I let him take her.
She shrieks when he wrenches her from my arms. I fight him, but he manages to shove her into the bathroom and shut the door before I can stop him. My hand flies out, clawing at his face, hoping I can take out an eyeball or two. He shoves me hard to the bed. I bounce and then scramble away, reaching for anything to fight back at him with.
“Stay there or I’ll put a bullet through her head,” he warns. “You’re pissing me the fuck off.”
I freeze at his words. “Don’t you dare touch her!”
“I’d rather touch you,” he sneers, grabbing up a bundle of rope. “Give me your hands. So help me if you try to run, I’ll blow your head off.”
Glowering at him, I offer both my wrists. As soon as he’s near, I kick him hard in the face. He stumbles back, groaning as blood gushes from his nose. I fly to the bathroom to get Zella, but before I make it, he tackles me hard. I bite my tongue, blood flooding my mouth instantly. He flips me to my back and straddles me, yanking my hands in front of me to tie them together.