“The only tits and ass I want to see are yours.”
“Good.” I smiled, liking how he felt about me. Would he still feel that way after he learned I’d left? Probably not. For the time being, I liked feeling he was mine and only mine. It wasn’t going to last, but that was my little fantasy. I took in a deep breath and kissed him, thinking I could leave before my shift. “I better get going if I’m going to catch the bus.”
“Like I’d let you take the bus. I’ll take you.”
I swallowed, realizing that was going to be it—the last time I’d see Alex ever again. My heart was splitting and there was no way I could ever get this time back with him.
He tenderly kissed my neck, making it really difficult to say no to. One last quickie before we both headed out would make the perfect memory.
“Bend me over your bar and we can carry out a small variation of your fantasy.” I strutted over and bent down, flipping the skirt of my dirndl up as he followed, smacked my ass, and then took me just as hard as he had described that fantasy. It was definitely one I’d remember for the rest of my life. That was it. The last time I’d be with Alex. Ever.
I checked the clock on the TV screen for the umpteenth time and blew out a breath, blowing a stray hair off my face. The bar was packed, yet the time didn’t seem to be moving. Cassie, Zoey, and I were hustling, and all I could think about is how bad I’d feel when I finally made my move to slip out the back door. Especially since Apple, the other waitress who was supposed to work that night, had called in sick.
While I was anxious to leave, I couldn’t help but wonder what Alex was doing and hoping he wasn’t doing anyone. I was positive he wasn’t. I had no right to think about that, let alone be jealous.
“Hang in there,” Cassie called out with a tray full of beers. “Only three hours to go.”
I nodded, knowing she was right, and wondered if I should just leave right then. I turned and filled my tray with four beers and plastered on my smile. Heading back to the seated area, I bent over to place the tray on the table. As I handed the last beer to my customer, I heard the door open and my heart jumped. I was hoping to see Alex. I wasn’t sure why, because I knew deep down that would make it that much harder to slip out the back.
I froze and my hands trembled. Fear shook me to my core the moment I saw Cisco and Tito walk in. I paled and checked my escape routes. They sat in my section, whether they knew it or not, and stared right at me. I turned with my tray and practically ran to the bar refill area.
“You okay?” Cassie asked as she walked by me.
I nodded quickly as I turned to follow her to the kitchen, trying to think of what to do.
It was time to run. I was leaving Alex right then. I’d actually tried to talk myself out of it all night. There was no way I could. If I stayed…who knew what they were there for or how they’d carry out their threat. I was sure by the look on their faces that they knew most, if not all, of my story. Both wore smug smiles, whispering to each other. My heart thumped loudly inside my chest, making it feel like it was in my throat.
“Uh, I have to…” I hitched my thumb toward the ladies’ room. Cassie nodded as I turned quickly and ran to the hallway. I snatched my bag from the break room and ran into the bathroom. I couldn’t stay in there too long and I knew it. I opened the door and ran smack into someone.
“Oh jeez, you okay, Sarah?” Looking up I realized I had run into the woman I’d met just the night before—Lana. That friend of Cal and Andi’s and the girlfriend of that guy that hadn’t stopped staring at me so oddly that it had given me a weird feeling.
“Yeah. Just…I really need to go.” I faked a smile as I ran into a stall. I hurriedly took off my heels, got out my jeans and slipped them under my dress, tugged off the dirndl as quick as I could, and slipped on my sweatshirt. I’d have to leave out the back door and down the dark alley. My hope was that Tito and Cisco didn’t have someone waiting—
“What a night, huh? You guys were slammed tonight,” she said.
Cassie and Zoe were going to have to pick up my slack once I left. My chest tightened even more, thinking about how I was leaving them hanging.
“Yeah,” I called out from behind the door. “It’s pretty busy.” I shoved each foot into a sneaker, hoping she couldn’t see anything. I shoved the dress into my bag, followed by my heels.
“Kyle’s not leaving for a couple more days, but I love having him around. I just don’t know how much longer we can keep up with this long distance thang.” She had to be fixing her hair or looking in the mirror. It was the only thing I could come up with that she hadn’t left yet. “He surprised me by flying in. Saying he had some business down here.” Another huff came out of her. “Which surprises me because he’s a detective for the city up there—what business would he have down here?”
My hand froze as I was about to stuff the other heel into my bag, and my stomach summersaulted. I hadn’t asked what his job was. A cop? Was that why he was giving me strange looks all night? Did he know?
“So, umm. What kind of detective work does he do?” With shaky hands, I closed my bag and slipped it on my shoulder, waiting for my chance to leave.
“Oh I don’t know. He’s always told me he finds stolen bicycles, but…” She laughed. “Why on earth would he be down here for that?”
“Bicycles?” I was going to throw up. He obviously didn’t tell her what crimes he investigated—like maybe homicides. Or huma—
“So Kyle insists he knows you. He can’t figure out how. Have you ever been to New York?”
Immediately my mind whirled, wondering if he’d seen my wanted picture. I’d never stepped foot in New York, let alone that part of the country. My crime was committed in California years ago. It wasn’t like he’d have seen a picture of me recently. It had taken me that long just to make my way to Atlanta. But hearing how he was curious of me, I was convinced suddenly that he knew my story.
“No, I’ve never been up there.” Maybe if she thought I was sick—would she leave then? Probably not.
She started talking again just as I was thinking that. “It must be nice to be back together with Alex. He told us all about how you guys were in love when you were younger. It’s such a sweet, romantic story. I haven’t been able to stop talking about it with Kyle.”
“Oh…Yeah. Thanks,” I managed to get out, while focusing on what to do next.
My stomach was in knots. Between Cisco and Tito sitting out there waiting to do whatever and now finding out Kyle was a detective and recognized me somehow, I knew I had to leave.
I kept quiet and hoped Lana was done primping. I needed her to leave so I could hurry and slip out the back door. The longer I was in there, the greater risk Cassie would come looking for me and see me out of uniform.
Alex would have to get over me somehow. My heart was breaking at the same time as I was trying to think of how on earth not to hurt him.
There was no way. There was no other way out of this.
I knew I had to run.
After Lana finally left, which seemed to take forever, I snuck out the door and started toward the exit to the alley. You could see it from the hallway, but I took a chance, seeing it was my only option. My whole body trembled as I started toward the door.
“Going somewhere?” Tito asked, scaring the shit out of me as he stepped out of the break room doorway. His large body took up most of the frame and was my last obstacle between the exit and me.
“I just…” I held up my bag and began toward him. “My stomach wasn't feeling so great, so I was heading home,” I commented as I bravely headed toward him, pretending the break room was where I had actually been going.
His hand shot out and pulled me into the room. “Hey!” I squeaked and hoped someone out in the bar area heard me. Although it was packed, I was hoping someone witnessed him shoving me into the break room.
Cisco came in behind Tito and quickly closed the door, locking it, and leaned against it. I was trapped with the two of them.
Terrified didn’t even come close to what I was feeling.
“What’s up with you two?” I asked, attempting to feign innocence while trying to figure out what to do. I cursed myself for not buying the damn fake passports in Texas—or hell, even in Vegas while I was there. I had been trying so hard to stay under the radar, and this was my final stop before crossing to Canada. Who knew Alex had moved here from Florida. It was a chance I took and it backfired. Hard.
“We’re just thinking the same thing,” Tito said as he laughed and threw a smirk back at Cisco. “Where’re you going?”
Tito took another step toward me, and as I stepped back into the only table in the small room, the chair screeched against the floor. So much for trying to act brave. I felt like a bunny about to be eaten by a lion. He licked his lips as his eyes ran over me.
“Work. I really need to get back,” I said quickly as I tried to sidestep him.
Unsuccessfully.
His hand caught me in the chest again, that time shoving me against the wall. I held my bag in front of me and tried to straighten up and be brave despite how shaken I was on the inside.
“You can’t do that!” I insisted.
He shook his head. “I can do anything I fucking want. I own your ass now.”
I swallowed. “What are you talking about? You don’t own—”
“You hear that, Cisco? She thinks we don’t know what she did.” They both snickered and my heart felt like it was about to jump out of my chest. “You killed the ringleader of one of the largest pimp rings in San Diego. You think word don’t get around? Not to mention one of his guys coming to look for you.” He straightened up and rubbed his chin. “Impressive, though, how you killed him. And with his own knife, no less.” He leaned in and whispered, “He must have had a thing for your pussy.” He grabbed my crotch and I panicked.
I tried to push against his arm. “Let me go,” I pleaded as hot tears pricked the corners of my eyes. The fake confidence was no longer there.
“No way, you hot little bitch. Here’s what’s gonna happen.” His fingers pushed harder against the seam of my jeans. “You’re going to have some sort of stomachache and leave. With us. Do you understand?”
“Or what?”
“Or we’ll either kill you, which would be fun, or turn you over to the police.” I looked away. “Or your old boyfriend.” That got my attention, thinking he meant Alex, and my eyes snapped to his. “You know that guy has been searching hard for you.”
He was talking about Remy. Seeing Marco in Texas and now Atlanta, it confirmed my worst fears.
“That’s what that Marco guy said…”
My heart thumped just hearing his name, and my eyes widened with the same panic I felt when I first saw him out Jeanine’s kitchen window. “Oh yeah, that got your attention, didn’t it? I think we’ll be handing you over to him.” His head tilted. “After we’re through having our fun with you.” His face turned serious again. “You’re going to stay by our side and walk out that door. With us. Got it?”
There was a moment where I swore I heard a commotion outside the door. I wasn’t sure if it was me hoping for a small miracle, but all of that left as Tito grabbed my arm and squeezed so hard I wanted to cry from the pain. If we left I was sure my life would never be the same again.
I should have run the day before when I had the chance. Deep down I knew the reason I’d put it off was because I wanted more time with Alex. There was no chance of a sweet happily ever after with Alex—especially when I knew I would finally have to face Remy for what I had done.
Twenty-Three
Alex
Okay, so I’m a pussy. Call me that and I wouldn’t have denied it. I left the bachelor party because I wanted to be with Cory. The guys all harassed me, especially one of the guys getting a lap dance. For me, I’d rather get a lap dance from Cory.
The second I entered the bar, my chest constricted. Cassie looked terrified. Kyle was flat against the wall next to the break room door with his gun drawn. Everyone in the bar looked like they were waiting for something to happen.
“Oh, thank God,” Cassie said quietly as she ran up to me and wrapped her hand around my bicep, pulling me toward where Kyle was. “I have no idea what’s going on but two guys went into the break room right after Sarah went in there, and closed the door. I was about to go in when Kyle stopped me and told me to call 9-1-1. I think they’re—”
She didn’t get to finish telling me. Everything happened at once. The door flew open, Kyle shouted “Police! Freeze!” and the huge guy rushed into him, knocking him to the ground. The other guy had his arm wrapped around Cory’s neck, and in the other hand I saw the glint of the knife that was held up to her throat. He backed up toward the rear door as the other guy pointed a gun at Kyle. Both backed up to the exit and quickly left.
Kyle tore off running, with me right behind them the minute they were just outside our sight. Kyle had his gun drawn while two cops appeared in the bar and came running behind us.
We all ran into the alley just as we saw the taillights of an old, beat-up, green Chevy peeling down the alley. We followed, running as far as we could out to the main street.
Staring after it, all I could do was run my hands through my hair in frustration. The adrenaline coursing through my veins was nothing compared to the fear of losing Cory again. I couldn’t let that happen.
A black car pulled up to where we were, screeching to a stop. The door flew open and Kyle ran up to it, yelling out the plate number, color, and make of the car to the guys inside.
He got in and was about to slam the door when I caught the frame of it.
“What are you doing?” I asked, leaning in, still trying to make out what the hell had just happened.
“Following them,” he insisted as he tried to close the door. “I’ll get Sarah back for you.”
“Whoa. Not without me.” I shoved Kyle in farther as he was trying to tell me no and the guys in the car were arguing. “Just go!” I yelled, slamming the door behind me. The passenger up front rolled his eyes at Kyle as the driver gassed the car and took off.
“What the hell is this?” I looked at Kyle, needing answers.
“Look, you’re not supposed to be here,” he yelled and closed his eyes.
“Well, I’m here, and my girl is in that car with those assholes. What the hell is going on?” My heart was beyond racing. Hell, it was about to beat out of my chest, and all I could think about was Cory. What were they doing to her? Were those the guys that tried to strangle her?
“Those two have been under surveillance for drugs. When I saw them come in, I knew they were up to no good.” He swallowed as if he wasn’t going to go on.
“And? Why would they take Co-Sarah?”
He looked out the front windshield and told the guys up front, “Hang back, guys. See where they’ll lead us.”
“Where they’ll lead us?” What the fuck was their problem. “Don’t hang back, I want Sarah back,” I yelled.
Kyle shook his head. “We’re not sure why they have her.”
There was something else in his expression that told me he wasn’t telling me everything. There was so much more to it—especially remembering his certain interest in her the other night. He was being so secretive it was pissing me off. “I’m in the car. I’m here. Tell me what the hell is going on!”
Kyle shook his head and inhaled deep. The guy in the passenger seat turned around and eyeballed Kyle.
“I can’t tell you. Just trust me, Alex. You’ve gotta trust me on this.”
Trust. It seemed to be a common thing in my life lately. I’d been asking Cory to do the same with me. She put all her trust into me and now look where that had led her. I hadn’t protected her from the guy that tried to strangle her. I should have never gone out. I should have been with her inside the bar. If anything happened to her, I’d never forgive myself. Ever.
Twenty-Four
Cory
After all that was happening, I couldn’t thin
k straight. It was finally coming to an end, and I wasn’t sure if I was almost relieved or terrified out of my mind.
Being in the back seat with Tito scared the shit out of me, especially since he had his bulging arm wrapped around my throat—making the pain from before seem like nothing—and the other hand groped my breast.
They knew who I really was and what I had done. I was sure I’d be going back to California and be killed in prison by Remy’s gang. There was no way out of it now.
The car ride was brutal, but I knew it was nothing like what I was going to face if we were doing some sort of road trip out to California. Or were they bringing me to Marco and he was going to take me? My eyes darted around outside, trying to determine where we were or where we were going. When he took a turn, my heart caught in my throat.
“Yo, do we have to go there right away? Let’s pull over somewhere.” Tito almost sounded like he was whining. If it hadn’t been for the fact that I knew why he wanted to pull over, I’d have laughed that he was acting like a two-year-old not getting his way.
“Told you, T, that guy wanted her ASAP. We ain’t stopping.”
Tito huffed as he shoved his hand under my top and pulled the lace of my bra down. His hand fell slack and I tried to wrestle away when he gripped it tighter than before. Pain sliced through me and I realized his blade had just cut into my throat. I didn’t move as he continued to palm my boob and shifted in his seat. I closed my eyes and prayed for some sort of intervention—something to make him stop.
The car slowed to a roll and I looked out my window, seeing a deserted underpass near a park. The fog that hovered over the whole area only added to how ominous it felt. This was where I was going to be raped and killed. I was sure of it then, especially when Cisco slammed the gear into park.
A whimpering sound came out of nowhere and when Tito chuckled, I realized it was me. I’d made that sound because I had watched Marco emerge from the side of the underpass as if he’d just appeared from thin air. Now I knew for certain that Remy was around somewhere. Prison or even death would be something I’d welcome at that point.
Trust Me Forever (Forever Happens Series Book 2) Page 15