by Sam Crescent
Whatever had happened, she’d been caught in the crossfire, and now there was no way out for her. No way whatsoever.
****
The town was the same, even after twelve years.
Logan stopped off at the coffee shop, ordered himself a bagel and a coffee, which tasted a little on the burnt side no matter how much cream they’d tried to add in to hide it. He was aware of the curious looks and glances his way.
He was a catch, always had been.
Hunter had taken over the rumors and gossip.
Once he’d been seen, he made his way toward Ava’s house, letting himself inside with the key Hunter had stolen for him.
He had the few possessions she’d packed into the suitcase, money, and her passport.
She could have been so much more. There was a time she had dreams of being out of Crow Valley, of having a life writing or in journalism. She’d told him all about it one day when they’d been locked inside the school gym.
It was a prank one Halloween, and they’d stayed there the whole night, talking. It was the first time he’d stayed with her for a long period of time, listening to her talk, and taking the time to do the same. She listened to him as well.
He told a few jokes, to which she’d laughed. It had been fun. He would never have guessed what was to come afterward, or at least a few months after.
Stepping into her home, he was a little taken aback. He never got to see it when he was younger. She didn’t invite him in, and it wasn’t like he was a regular visitor at Ava’s.
Closing the door behind him, he pocketed the keys, and breathed it in.
It smelled like her.
Fresh.
Open.
Warm.
He refused to think of her as warm. She was a first-class bitch. The only difference was, she chose to hide it whereas other women were more than happy to show their true colors.
He checked out the dining room, seeing the pictures on the wall of Ava and her family. She never had any brothers or sisters to keep an eye on her. She was an only child, like him.
Running his fingers across the dining room table, he saw some old cup stains, letting him know the table hadn’t been changed.
Ava wouldn’t have changed a thing. This was probably a shrine to her parents. Every last cup and step. She wouldn’t have made changes, and it was knowing this that he had to wonder why she would do the shit she had done to him, to his friends.
Running a hand down his face to clear the fog from his mind, he looked at each image. They weren’t fake.
Ava had come from a very happy family.
Logan had watched them enough times. Her mother would pick her up from school when she could, take them out for pizza. Her parents always showed up for parent-teacher nights, and never missed anything important for their daughter.
His own family hadn’t been the same. They couldn’t give a shit unless it was to win some kind of trophy for them to put on the wall, or some medal. They only liked what he could provide them with, or at least that was what he’d thought until he was arrested. His parents did care. It was just when it came to his schooling, they’d gotten reports on him as their lives were too busy to wait around to talk to his teachers. In their way, they cared.
If they saw him now, they’d be happy, but like her family, his were dead as well. He’d stood by their graves without shedding a single tear whereas Ava had sobbed. He knew because he had people watching her at all times.
She’d been his intended prey for a long time now.
Tapping his fingers on his side, he stared around him, getting a sense of the loneliness she’d felt.
Good.
He’d wanted her to be alone. Whenever a guy tried to get too close, he made sure his men diverted him. He always planned to come back to make her pay, and well now, he didn’t have to go far to find her.
She’d stayed in Crow Valley. It was the only real disappointment he’d felt. She hadn’t made chasing her too hard.
After checking out her kitchen, living room, and the small room that looked like a laundry room, he headed upstairs. Sure enough, the main room was a shrine to her parents. The bed was still made. Pictures left untouched.
If anything, it looked like she cleaned and dusted the room but tried to keep everything in place. Opening the closet, he saw the clothes were still there, neatly pressed.
The girl had some serious fucking moving on issues.
He wouldn’t let her dwell in the past too long.
Closing the door behind him, he went to her room. There he saw the twin bed against the wall, a small vanity table, and the closet door, which was open.
Nothing of any real value.
Again, more pictures but this room he didn’t have a problem with doing a bit of digging.
Going to her vanity table, he opened up drawers, looking for something, anything. She rarely wore makeup, but she had a couple of lipsticks, some mascara, and a few other items.
The vanity table housed her underwear, which had seen better days. Clearly the library didn’t pay all that well, or she had guilt over buying herself some pretty things. No problem. When he was ready to have her dressed, she’d be in the best clothes money could buy.
He went to the closet, clicking on the light and looking inside. In her rush to get away from him, she’d knocked over a couple of boxes.
Lifting one out, he tipped the contents over her bed, seeing lots of pictures spilling out of some of the shoeboxes and books.
He glanced through them. They were random photos. Some were of scenery, the beach, her parents. A couple were of school, and he paused when he caught sight of a couple of himself. Then of the group he’d been in.
Luke, Riley, and Marvin. They’d been inseparable growing up. Each of them had been strong in their own unique way. He did notice one thing odd about all the pictures, Luke’s face had been cut out or scribbled out, which he found interesting. He didn’t know when these were taken, but either way, he was going to find out.
Gathering them all back into the box, he went to lift them when his cell phone rang.
Hunter was calling him.
“What is it, you couldn’t wait until I returned home?” he asked. He’d wanted to take his time, explore the town, to see if anything had really changed.
Nothing had. It was still the same as ever before.
He hated it on sight.
When he was done destroying Ava, exacting his vengeance, he’d move on, and leave this town to rot. There was no one here who offered him anything.
“They’re here. They’ve arrived and want to know when the fun starts.”
“They’re early.”
“It’s Luke, you know how he gets.”
Logan looked down at the picture. Something didn’t feel right to him, and he couldn’t figure out exactly what it was.
“Make sure they leave Ava alone. When she meets them again after all this time, I’m going to be the one in charge.”
“Will do. Do you want a guard on her door?”
“No. It would only draw attention to where I’ve got her. She’s nowhere near their rooms. Keep an eye out but don’t say anything.”
“Is there something else going on here?” Hunter asked.
“No. It’s fine. I’ll be home soon.” He ended the call and stared at the picture he’d placed on top.
Why would she cut out all trace of Luke? It made no sense to him.
Putting the photo back, he closed up the box and carried it out to the waiting car. Putting it in the trunk, he ignored the women staring at him, climbing behind the wheel. He took off, heading back to the house. It was on the outskirts of town, large, and surrounded by acres of forest. Beyond the forest were metal gates, and it provided enough seclusion that if Ava got away, she wouldn’t get far. If his men didn’t find her, his dogs would.
The metal gate opened up, and he drove down the long driveway, seeing one car parked at an angle in front of the doors.
Luke, as always, was u
npredictable. He liked to think of himself as the leader of the group, but to Logan, he was just another tragic case of too much money and no attention. Unlike himself, who didn’t rebel due to a lack of caring, Luke liked to be the center of the party. He wanted all eyes on him, and of course, Logan was more than happy for people to think Luke was the king, when in fact, he wasn’t.
Entering his home, he heard the noise coming from the office. Hunter was at the stairwell, typing on his cell phone.
“How long have they been into my good whiskey?” he asked.
“From the moment they arrived. Luke’s the one who has been asking if you’ve gotten her. If she’s here. He wants to know when he’ll get to see her.”
“He’s interested?”
“Won’t stop talking about it.”
He handed Hunter the box. “Put these in my room and let Ava know her presence will be needed for dinner.”
“What do you want her dressed in?”
“Nothing,” he said. “She hasn’t earned her clothes yet.”
“Do you think it wise bringing her down for your friends to see?” Hunter asked.
Logan had started to walk away. He paused and stepped back, going toward his friend.
“Did I in any way give you permission to think you could tell me what it is you’re thinking, or your judgment?” Logan asked.
Hunter was a close friend, even closer than Luke, Riley, or Marvin had been in recent years, but that didn’t mean for a single second he wanted to hear what Hunter had to say. This wasn’t about him.
In this, he was an employee, nothing more, nothing less.
“I apologize.”
“You should. Now, go and get my dinner guest.”
He turned his back and entered his office to find Luke already sitting in the boss’s chair behind the desk, drink in hand, as well as a cigar.
“Well, well, well, the man of the hour has finally decided to grace us with his presence. Whatever should we do?” he asked.
Riley and Marvin moved toward him, shaking his hand, slapping him on the back. Part of him had to wonder why he even dealt with Riley and Marvin. They were all part of his life and had been there for him in their own way, but he’d been more distant with Riley and Marvin. They’d gone separate directions.
“How you doin’?” they each asked.
“Does no one give a fuck about progress here?” Luke asked, getting to his feet. “I don’t know if you lazy fuckers have forgotten, but we’re not here to make a social call. We’re here for one purpose only, and do any of you really know what that is?”
“What is wrong with you?” Logan asked.
“Did you find her? Was she still in Crow Valley like you said?” Luke asked.
He stared at his friend, and for the first time since being back home, he felt a wave of need to protect Ava.
Luke wasn’t a good guy. He’d never been good. He always expected stuff handed to him on a plate. His family was rich, and he never liked to be told no, or denied. Logan had grown up with him and was more than used to his brattish ways, but something didn’t sit right with him. As far as he knew, nothing had gone on between Luke and Ava twelve years ago.
To Luke, Ava was always too fat. She was a big girl, curves in abundance. For Logan, he liked her curves, enjoyed using any excuse to feel them against him, but Luke always liked skinny girls, not that there was a problem.
They each had their own personal preference.
His was Ava.
Luke was everything else.
“Do you have her?” Riley asked.
“It’s all the bastard has been talking about,” Marvin said. “How she’s supposed to pay for not keeping her mouth shut.”
“She had nothing to keep her mouth shut about,” Logan said. “I’ve got her. She’s in a room upstairs. Don’t worry. Hunter’s going to make sure she’s our guest for dinner.” He moved toward the whiskey and poured himself a small glass. He was incredibly thirsty. The show would be beginning soon, and he needed to be ready. Luke, Riley, and Marvin weren’t supposed to join him for at least a week. They were ahead of schedule, and now he had to deal with Luke’s impatience, but he’d warned them all. He was the one who paid the price, and he’d be the one in charge. After all, it was his money, his power, and the fear people had of him was the reason they were here.
Chapter Four
Thirteen years ago
Ava should have expected the trip. As she passed Luke and his cronies, anything could happen. She’d already seen three other guys take a tumble. With the girls, Luke had felt their asses. She was more than happy to be tripped. Rather than hitting the ground hard, she fell into a body.
“Well, well, well, you better be careful now,” Logan said.
Her body was pressed flush to his, and she quickly pulled away, feeling the blush rise in her cheeks.
“I’m sorry.” She didn’t know why she was apologizing. There was nothing for her to say sorry for. She’d been tripped.
“Logan, you saved us all from a cave-in. Could you imagine her body hitting the floor? It would create a giant sinkhole.” Luke burst out laughing. As if on cue, the others did as well.
The only person who didn’t was Logan, besides herself of course.
She grabbed her books and squealed as someone touched her ass. Getting to her feet, she spun to see Luke with a smirk on his face. “I just had to see if you could feel it past all of your fat.”
“Don’t touch me,” she said.
He gave her the creeps.
When she turned back to Logan, he had the rest of her books. She thanked him and quickly tried to leave, but Luke grabbed her again. He tugged her close, and she stumbled against him with a cry, the books once again landing on the floor.
He had her shirt in his grip, and if he wanted to, he’d be able to easily tear it from her body. She’d be standing in the school corridor naked, and she didn’t want that to happen.
“You seem to think you’re in charge here. I will touch you if I want to. You don’t get to tell me what to do. You’re nothing but a fat, fucking cow who needs to be taught a lesson.” It looked like he was going to hit her.
She didn’t know what happened next, only that she was pulled from Luke. Leaving her books on the floor, she rushed toward her class without a backward look. Later that same day, she expected to find her books in the trash, only to discover them neatly placed in her locker.
Whoever had done it, knew her combination, which sent a chill up her spine. She would never leave anything personal in her locker again.
****
Present day
Being alone in a room all day was making Ava stir-crazy. She sat on the edge of the bed, running the tips of her toes across the soft ground. Back and forth, up and down, back and forth.
She hated being bored. There was nothing to do unless she wanted to make herself come all the time, or go and take a nice, long bath. She didn’t have a towel.
She’d yet to hear from Logan. Whatever he had planned for her, it wasn’t good. She didn’t want to be here.
Tucking her hair behind her ear, she glanced over at the windows. Would it be a long jump? Would she hurt herself? If she did jump and broke her leg, would he take her to the hospital? It was pointless. He’d already told her the sheriff knew exactly where she was and hadn’t come to see her.
What she didn’t like was knowing something had gone horribly wrong twelve years ago. She understood Logan being angry with her, but he got it all wrong. He had to. She hadn’t tried to hurt him. He’d never done anything wrong to her.
No, she hadn’t falsely reported Logan, but for some reason, he seemed to think she had. She didn’t know what the sheriff had done, but it wasn’t what she’d told him.
Taking a deep breath, she tried not to panic. There was no way she’d be getting out of this alive by panicking, even though it was the first thing she wanted to do.
You’ve already had his dick in your mouth … and you liked it.
R
unning fingers through her hair, she tried to not think about what she’d already done with Logan and it hadn’t caused her any fear.
She wouldn’t allow him to win, so every single time she’d been with someone, she had pushed the memory of him to one side and focused on living. On surviving. On not giving up. It had helped her so many times over the years, and it would continue to do so.
Her bedroom door opened, and there stood Hunter.
He seemed a little off, which was strange.
Staring at him, she waited. There was no point in making demands. She’d gotten the message, crystal clear. She was on her own.
“You’re needed downstairs,” he said.
Getting to her feet, she walked toward him. She still hated being naked in front of him, but she was determined not to let it show.
“Do you take advice?” he asked.
“You always seem to want to give it. I guess I don’t have much of a choice in taking it.”
“Don’t screw this up. Don’t piss him off.”
“Why would I do that?” she asked.
“You’ll understand when you’re down there.”
“Hunter, what’s going on?” For him to give her a warning, it couldn’t be anything good.
“You’re going to need your strength. Don’t fight, and listen to him.” Hunter grabbed her arm and led her out of her bedroom.
She suddenly wanted to go back to the quiet space of her room. She had no desire or wish to mingle. “I can go back to my room,” she said.
“It’s not an option. Come on.”
She wanted to fight his touch, but she couldn’t do it. Hunter was much stronger than she was, and as he led her downstairs, she felt the panic she wanted to keep at bay rising up.
She expected them to go into the dining room for dinner.