by J. A. Howell
“Going so soon, Harley?” Mikael’s voice made my skin crawl.
“I don’t know what you want or why Jackson sent you here, but you need to leave.” My voice came out with an angry boldness that even surprised myself.
“Tsk, Jackson didn’t send me, silly girl. I was in town on business. I just happened to see you at the show last night, and then here.” His large fingers pulled at my own, prying my hand from the door.
“Let go! That hurts.” I tried to pull away but he shoved me back against the wall – hard.
“Oh, come on, Harley,” Mikael sneered, “don’t be such a tease.” He ground his hips against me as his hand roughly groped at my breast.
“You’re delusional. Get off me, asshole!” I tried to kick him but he pinned my leg with his knee.
“Oh please, Jackson told me you liked to act like a little whore. Why put up this innocent act now?”
“Fuck off!”
I spat in his face. He only grinned.
“Oh, keep talking dirty, Harley.” His teeth roughly bit at my earlobe before he threw me against the hood of Nolan’s car. I coughed and gasped for breath, struggling to pull myself up before Mikael dug his fingers into my hair and yanked my head back. Tears stung at my eyes from the pain as he leaned over me.
“This is how whores like to be fucked, right?” He snickered in my ear and thrust himself against me. I felt the sickness return in an overwhelming surge. I struggled and squirmed as I tried to pull myself free from him, but he only seemed to get further enjoyment from it as his heavy weight bore down harder against me. I didn’t want to cry, I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed that somehow I could stop him, somehow I could overpower him. But in an instant, the pressure holding me down disappeared.
“Don't ya feckin’ touch her, ya piece of shit!” The ferocity that filled Nolan's voice startled me as I turned around to see him bash Mikael’s face against a dumpster. Before he could steady himself, Nolan swung. A spray of blood shot from the side of his mouth as his fist made contact. I stood there, frozen. Whether from shock or from fear, I didn’t know. Nolan looked back at me for a moment and Mikael took the split second to charge at him and slammed him back against the brick wall. He got in one jab across Nolan’s cheek before Nolan sent him stumbling backwards with an upper cut beneath Mikael’s jaw. “Don’t ya ever think ya can touch her!” He fumed as his chest and shoulders heaved, sending Mikael to the ground with another blow across the jaw.
“Nolan, watch out!” My heart stopped as Mikael pulled a gun from his jacket and pointed it toward him. Nolan didn’t flinch, still standing over him.
“Oh I see, can’t win a fair fight, can ya?” Nolan growled through gritted teeth. His eyes glared down at Mikael, dark with rage, but he didn't move any closer. I looked from Nolan to Mikael as Mikael pulled the hammer back. This cannot be happening.
“Fair or not, you'll still be dead.” Mikael grinned, using his other hand to wipe the blood from his lips.
“Leave him alone, Mikael!” I yelled, still unable to move. I needed to do something. I needed to stop this, but my body wouldn’t cooperate. He only laughed at my plea, holding the gun steady on Nolan.
“Oh, is this your new beau then? Damn Harley, you don't waste much time, do you?” Mikael winked at me then fixed his gaze back on Nolan before he could take another step closer. “Not so fast, Romeo. Do you even know anything about the girl you’re willing to die for? She's just some bayou trash. A filthy little money-grubbing slut. Isn't that right, Harley? That's how you were able to get here, wasn't it? Stealing from your own fiancé? Tsk tsk.” I could feel the blood boiling in my veins, but I didn't say anything. I didn't want him to hurt Nolan.
“If she did steal from him, I'm sure it was with good reason. I saw the marks the bastard left on her.”
“Ohhhh, you saw them, did you? Well, she really didn't waste any time then,” Mikael scoffed. “And you’re sure those couldn't have been self-inflicted, could they, uh, Nolan was it?” Nolan looked away from me then, his eyes narrowing at Mikael.
“Considering the position I saw ya in when I came out here, I'm inclined ta believe they aren't.”
“Considering the position you're in over that stupid bitch, I'm inclined to believe you're a moron.” Mikael laughed then slowly started to pull back the trigger. I squeezed my eyes shut. This can’t be happening! I need to do something, anything! Fuck, why can’t I move?
“Get your finger off that trigger, arsehole.” Aggie's voice commanded. I wasn't even sure where she had come from as I opened my eyes. She stood over Mikael, holding a shotgun with the end of the barrel pressed to his head.
“You don't have the guts.”
“Do you really want to find out?” Aggie smiled, a fierce look in her eyes as she pulled the slide back.
“Mmm, a fiery redhead.” He smirked up at her and uncocked his gun before placing it on the ground next to him. “I'll leave, but only because you're cute.” Aggie scrunched her nose in disgust and kept the gun on him as he pulled himself up off the ground.
“I suggest you put that gun down and leave or you'll see just how cute I can be.” She nodded to the end of the alley. He bowed to her, then blew me a kiss.
“Have a good evening, ladies. Oh, and Harley? I'll catch you around.” His eyes flickered towards mine for a moment with that same predatory look before he turned away. Nolan leaned down to pick up the gun, his glare not leaving Mikael. His eyes bore holes through him, angry and feral. His mouth twitched as his fingers wrapped around the barrel of the gun.
“Nolan?” I went to reach for him, but neither Aggie or I could stop him as he slammed Mikael to the ground.
“Ya piece of shit!” Nolan growled as he swung the butt of the pistol down, “Ya feckin’ piece of shit!”
“Nolan! Stop it!” I yelled at him, cringing at the sound of cracking bone. “You'll kill him!”
“I don't feckin’ care!” His nostrils flared as he dug a knee into Mikael's chest, his arm thrashing the gun against his face over and over. His eyes were glazed over, drunken with rage as Mikael cried out in pain. “Not so tough now, are ya?!”
“Nolan! Get off of him!” Aggie caught his arm as it swung back, holding it in a vice-like grip. Nolan tried to pull away for a second, but as he looked down at Mikael's bloodied face he snapped out of the blood-lust that had taken hold of him. Climbing off of him, Nolan stumbled toward the pub in a strange daze. Mikael cradled his face, blood blinding one eye as he managed to pull himself to his feet and haphazardly stumbled away as he whimpered in pain. Nolan moved past me, his eyes avoiding mine. The rage that had filled them now replaced with shame as Aggie pried the gun from his hand.
“Come on, let's get you two back inside.” Aggie gently pushed him forward and nodded for me to follow. I willed myself to finally move, following after them and feeling in a daze myself. Everything had spun out of control in front of me, and all I had done was stand there. Nolan would have been shot if Aggie hadn't stepped in. He would have killed Mikael, if it wasn't for her either. As we walked into the pub, Eli and Angus looked back at us. Angus must have come over when Aggie came outside. I avoided their gaze. This had been my fault. Why didn't I just go upstairs? Why did I go stand outside? In the last twenty-four hours I had fooled myself into thinking things could be okay. I let myself believe what Alannah had seen couldn't come true, but all it took was one step outside to realize how deluded I was.
Part of me thought I was safe here. Being wrapped up under the blankets with Nolan had lulled me into a false sense of security. As I watched Aggie usher him upstairs my heart wrenched painfully in my chest. I realized now that Nolan would not be able to protect me. But he would get himself killed trying to – if I let him.
“Harley, why don't you go up there and check on him?” Aggie's voice reeled me back, “Uncle and I can keep things under control here. Go on.” I did as she said, numbed as my feet dragged up the steps. As I walked in, Remy, rubb
ed against my leg with a concerned meow. I hadn't been up to check on him since Aggie brought him over earlier this afternoon. I bent down and scratched between his ears before continuing into the bedroom. Nolan sat on the foot of the bed with head hanging in his hands, his bloodied shirt in a pile at his feet. He lifted his head as I placed my hands on his shoulders, anguish deep within his features as he pulled me to him.
“I shouldn't have let ya go out there alone, Harley.” His voice was thick with guilt as his hands ran lightly over my hips.
“No, it was my fault, Nolan. I should have known better. Especially with someone like him around.” I tried to comfort him as tears pooled in the corners of his eyes.
“Did he hurt ya?” I shook my head, combing a few curls back from his face. “God help me if he would have – “ Nolan couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence. “I wouldn't have been able ta control myself. I woulda killed him.” His hands shook with the rage that still boiled within him as he held me tighter. The blood from his face soaked into my shirt as I cradled his head against me.
“Come on Nolan. Let's get you cleaned up.”
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
The White Knight
“Harley?” Nolan’s voice whispered through the dimmed bedroom the next morning as he awoke. I rolled onto my side, facing him as he blinked the sleep from his eyes. “Did you even sleep last night?”
“A little,” I lied. What little sleep I managed to get had been quickly disturbed by Alannah’s vision. Blood pooling around my body, the deep red melting into the bright white snow as my body grew cold.
“C’mere,” Nolan reached for me and I hesitantly curled against his chest. I closed my eyes and tried to forget the dream, but I couldn’t shake it – even in the safety of his arms. I avoided his gaze as he watched me, letting my fingers trace over the lines of his tattoo. His hand gently closed over mine, holding it to his chest as I finally looked up at him.
“We can stay up here today. Just us. You don’t need ta go anywhere. You’ll be safe here, with me.” His lips pressed against my forehead and I nodded at his words. Maybe he was right. Maybe I would be safe here, even if it was just for a day. Nolan stretched out, hesitating before letting go of me as he slid his legs out from under the blankets.
“I was going ta take a shower and make us some breakfast. Come join me?” Nolan’s eyes held a troubled expression. His eyebrows knitted together with worry, as if he was afraid I would disappear into thin air the moment he left the room.
“You go ahead, I’m going to put down some food for Remy. Then I’ll join you.” I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. More than anything, I wanted to do exactly that. Even as this short-lived fantasy was crumbling around the edges, I wanted desperately to hold onto it for as long as possible. Nolan stood in the doorway, watching me a moment longer before heading into the bathroom. I forced myself out of bed as the shower turned on and padded towards the living room. I looked around and saw Remy playing on the windowsill, fidgeting behind the curtain as his tail flipped back and forth under the bottom of the hem.
“Come here buddy, time for brea –” Words escaped me and my eyes fixed on the whitened landscape as I pulled the curtain aside. Everything was blanketed in white snow, and small flakes continued to fall from the sky. To anyone else, it would be a beautiful sight. To me, it was an omen of what was to come. I looked back toward the bedroom, watching Nolan’s blurred form leaning into the spray of the shower.
“Harley?” He called out for me. I looked down at my clothes. I was still dressed in my work uniform, so it wouldn’t take but a minute to get on my jacket and boots.
“I’ll be there in just a minute.” I called back before slipping my feet into my boots, then, after giving Remy one last scratch between the ears, I crept toward the door and slipped on my jacket. I peered into my bag, ensuring the taser Angus had given me was still there.
“Harley?” Nolan called out again as my hand wrapped around the doorknob. I chanced looking toward the bedroom to find him staring at me from the open shower door. That same wrenching feeling in my chest returned with the confusion in his eyes. I sighed, biting my lip hard to match the pain stinging my heart. With all the courage I had, I opened the door and forced myself to leave. I ran down the steps and burst into the empty kitchen, running for the door before I could change my mind.
I couldn’t stay here. I couldn’t risk anyone else’s' life to save my own. If Brody’s killer was coming, I had to face him alone. At least, unlike Brody and the other girls, I knew he was coming for me. Even if I didn’t know who “he” was, at least I knew to expect him.
I trudged through the snow toward my apartment building, my eyes sweeping the empty streets. Every other sane resident of this city was probably still tucked in their beds, sleeping peacefully. After a pensive glance back towards Finley’s I turned the corner. It was nice while it lasted. Fifteen minutes later I arrived at my apartment building, I reached a hand into my bag and gripped the handle of my taser before ascending the stairs. As my floor came into view, dread crept into the pit of my stomach. I didn’t want to be back here, but after last night, I knew I had no choice. After a preliminary check down the hallway, I walked cautiously to my door, holding my taser in front of me as I entered the apartment. I crept around the corner. A quick search of the bedroom and bathroom confirmed I was alone. At least for now. With shaky hands, I lowered the taser, placing it on the counter, easing against the wall just as the phone rang. Shit. The sudden noise bolted me upright and I hesitantly grabbed the phone off its cradle.
“Hello?” I whispered into the receiver. Right Harley, the killer is going to call you to let you know he’s on his way.
“Harley, why did you leave?” Aggie’s voice on the other end tugged at the tightness in my chest. It only made me want to run back there. Standing in this apartment, I felt completely and utterly alone.
“I had to Aggie. I almost got Nolan killed last night.” My voice cracked a little as I tried to speak, “Brody’s killer is still out there and I don’t want you or Nolan getting hurt when they come after me.”
She let out a long sigh on the other line.
“So, instead you are going to do what, exactly? Sit there alone and wait for them to come after you?”
“I…I don’t know what to do.”
“Dammit Harley, get your ass back here. Nolan ran over here half-naked, soaking wet, and barefoot in the snow after you left. The man’s worried sick about you.”
“And then what, Aggie? Here or there, he’ll be coming for me soon. I saw it.”
“We need to tell Nolan and my uncle what’s going on, and then we can figure out a plan. Maybe get you out of town for a little while. Nolan could always take you down to his parent’s place in Florida. Uncle Angus and I can hold down the fort here until things settle down.” I was shocked Aggie had already given it some thought, but it didn’t sound half bad. Maybe she was right; my plan wasn't really much of a plan.
“What about you? What if they try to hurt you?”
Aggie laughed.
“Are you kidding me, Harley?” She caught her breath. “Did you not see the sharp-shooter ribbons in my bedroom? I know my way around a gun better than most men and I always have my .22 on me. I can assure you, I’ll be fine.” A smile crept over my lips as she boasted. After last night’s performance, she did seem most capable of taking care of herself.
“Fine, let me grab a few things then I’ll be over. Sorry I freaked out and ran. I just didn’t know what else to do.” I finally gave in and pulled the duffel bag from my bedroom closet.
“It’s fine. We’ll get through this, okay? Do you want me to come get you?” She asked. I peered out the window, eyeing the streets still filled with snow.
“No, they haven’t plowed any of the streets yet. I doubt you would make it here any quicker than it takes me to walk.”
“Fine, just hurry up, and please be careful.” Aggie said before she hung up. I tossed the phone nex
t to the empty duffel on the bed and pulled what clothes I had from their hangers, hastily stuffing them into the bag. My thoughts and feelings felt jumbled together as I zipped the duffel shut. The idea of running off to Florida and hiding with Nolan was a tempting one. Still, it couldn’t be that easy. The man who attacked me in the alley knew my full name. If they looked hard enough, they would be able to find me again. Would it matter if I was in Midtown or not? Just as I was slipping my jacket back on, the phone rang again.
“Aggie, I’m about to leave right now, I swear.”
“Always running off, aren’t you, Harley?” The familiar deep voice on the other end made my blood run cold.
“Jackson? How did you get this number?”
“I have my ways. I know a lot more about your cozy little life in Midtown than you think.” Jackson laughed.
“What do you want?” I gripped the bedpost, my knuckles turning white. This is not happening. Jackson was the last person I wanted to hear from right now, on top of everything else.
“Well, your time away certainly has made you a bit more bold, hasn't it?” His tone held amusement, like a cat toying with its food. A mixture of anger and panic surged through me with his sinister laugh. “I just wanted to see how you were doing. You know, after you drugged me, stole my car and my money.”
“Right. I'm peachy keen, you know, after you raped me and beat the shit out of me.”
“Sure I was a bit rough with you, but don't you think you are being a little melodramatic?” He sighed in a bored tone.
“Am I? Is that why you haven't called the cops on me for stealing your car? Or were you just worried about me telling them about all the other little business ventures you have going on the side?” Fire ran through my voice. If I’d had the strength in my hand, the wooden post would have burst into splinters between my fingers. I had been so afraid of having to face Jackson, but at that moment all I wanted was to smash his arrogant face in.