Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
“He’s not going to pay you. Trust me, I’m not that important to him.”
“We’ll see.” He chuckles and drags me off to his old bungalow, which has seen better days. Most of the concrete steps have deteriorated, so I stumble on them and then he rushes me into the open door. Strangely, no one else is inside. He has a family and most of the Johnsons still live here, including his abused wife.
He drags me deeper into the house until we reach the kitchen, and then I realize we’re not alone. “Another one?” her voice says, sending my morning meal upward. It was one thing when I thought she was just another domestic violence victim, but she’s complicit in his activities.
“Shut up, Sue. This one is going to give us a big paycheck.”
“Oh, yes—it’s the Mastersons’ little bitch.”
“To think I used to feel sorry for your lousy ass,” I snarl at his wife. My father tried to intervene, even getting Frank arrested and charged. She always dropped the charges because that’s what so many battered women did, and it was a vicious cycle until it either ended in violence, like Sawyer’s parents, or the victim made a safe exit.
“Don’t feel sorry for me. You’re the one going to see he doesn’t care about you once you’re spoiled.” Frank runs his hands down my arms, and I shrug my body away but it’s too late. His touch sears into my skin like a filthy brand.
He grabs the basement door and opens it, and I know my chance to get away is going to be slim because no one will hear me from down there. “Even if Sawyer doesn’t want to waste his money on me, my father will end you.”
“Jilly Bean, those words cut deep.” Sawyer’s standing at the top of the basement steps with a big handgun trained on Frank.
They both shout and in his shock, Frank releases his hold, sending me into Sawyer, but his body easily takes the hit and he slings his arm around my waist, holding me to his chest while still aiming the gun at his target. “You’re getting several spankings when we get home, Jilly Bean.”
“How did you find us?”
“What the fuck makes you think it would be difficult? If you knew I stalked my wife, then you know I had someone watching and when you took her, I was only seconds behind.”
“I didn’t do anything. I’m his victim,” his wife says, trying to move past her husband to get between Frank and the gun, creating a commotion.
“Shut up, bitch. I heard you threaten my wife.”
Frank shoves his wife into us and takes off running through the house. I push the bitch off, sending her to the floor, but she clings to my hair and takes me with her. Sawyer helps me get up, but not before I give her a swift kick in her crotch. The fucking cunt.
“What about Frankie?”
“Don’t worry about him.” We hear a loud crash in front of the house, and then I hear several other voices. Suddenly there’s movement behind us and shouting from Sue. “Let me go, you stupid fucking pig. I’m going to sue you for assault, you fucking pig.”
Her Miranda rights are being read by none other than my father.
“Let’s get you out of here and seen by a doctor.” He tucks his gun behind his back into a holster I didn’t know he carried.
“I don’t need one.” We continue toward the chaos that’s happening outside. We watch from the screen door to see two men in suits have Frank pinned to the ground.
“Just do it for me,” Sawyer insists. Several police cars pull up, so we step out onto the dilapidated porch. The ambulance slides up behind them, killing their sirens.
“Nobody move,” the officer instructs.
“She needs a medic,” Sawyer insists.
“Is there anyone else injured?”
“This asshole, but he deserves it,” the guy stepping on Frank’s back says.
“He kidnapped me, and his wife helped,” I answer, pointing to Frank. The door opens up behind us and I flinch, only to see my father step out.
“Oh, shit, Detective Krieger. We heard you called it in, but we thought it was a tip.”
“No, they attacked my little girl. Have these two booked and charged.” He ushers Sue past us with a little extra aggression, giving me a smirk and patting Sawyer on the shoulder.
“Ms. Krieger, we’ll need to speak with you.”
“Yes, Officer.” They take both of them into custody, and Sawyer holds me close.
“I was roughed up a bit, but I’m okay, Sawyer. There’s nothing for them to check out.”
“Yes, there is. You two hit the floor, and not to mention that fucker was manhandling you. I saw his fucking grip on you. There’s no way you’re not going to be seen, baby girl.” He cups my face, gently caressing it.