by Sam Crescent
“Did she report the rape to you?”
“Yes, she reported a rape. You were the person she named. No one else.”
“So she’s lying to me.”
“Yes.”
He nodded. “Get out. Do your job and don’t allow anyone to come here. You know the rules.”
With the sheriff dismissed, he made his way out of the library, and paused. He didn’t know what to fucking do.
Ava was lying, but why did she sound so convinced of it?
There was no way to talk to Hunter.
Why had Luke hit her? Was it because of what she did to Logan? Logan ran fingers through his hair, not liking being clueless to what was going on.
Making his way up to her room, he found the door open. Her closet door was open, but her clothes were hung up.
Going to the window, overlooking the back yard, he saw her walking across the field. She still wore jeans and a shirt. She didn’t have any shoes on, and for a few seconds, he watched her, wondering what was going on in her mind.
Was she thinking about her next lie?
Leaving her bedroom, he headed outside to find her still standing, looking up at the sky.
“Did you get to see the sheriff?” she asked.
“You have a way of eavesdropping when it’s not wanted?”
“I saw him leave.”
“Yes, you did.”
“What did he say?” she asked.
He stared at her, seeing the hope in her eyes. Was this still an act? Nothing had changed.
“You did ask him, right?”
“He told me you never mentioned Luke. You only reported me for rape.”
“What?”
“Just drop the act, okay? This is all fucking boring. Nothing happened, or did it and you want to hide it?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Turn on the waterworks, if you think that’s going to work?”
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Her voice rose as she screamed at him.
“What’s the problem? Truth hurt? What exactly happened between you and Luke? Were you ashamed of what happened? Is that why you dragged my ass into it?”
“Nothing happened between us! He raped me. I’m not lying.”
“Come on. You and I both know it didn’t happen. You reported me, and I got my ass thrown in jail.”
She opened her mouth, closed it, looked around her and shook her head. “And you know this because you were there?”
“Luke doesn’t need to force someone. And I’m the one who went to jail over your accusation.”
“You know, I didn’t think it was actually capable of hating someone, but right now, I really know how to. The sheriff is lying, and seeing as I can’t find any evidence or convince you of the truth, then what’s the point? Luke’s in on this with the sheriff. I don’t know how or why, but he changed my statements. He had to have. I can’t do this. I don’t want to do this. Fuck it.” She pushed past him, marching her way toward the doors.
“You’re not going anywhere. You step foot out of the front door, I’ll release the tapes.”
She turned to look at him. “You know what, it doesn’t matter. Release them. I don’t give a fuck anymore. I’m tired of being trapped here with trying to get over what happened to me. Tell Grant thank you. He made me realize I wasn’t a victim anymore. I’m the one with the power, but I’m not going to stick around here and let Luke hurt me further. He’s already sneaked into my room, and there’s no way I’m allowing him to have power or you. Go ahead, let it all out. Let the world know the truth. I don’t care.”
She stormed into the house, and he followed her, a little taken aback by the sudden turn within her. She went straight to her bedroom, and using the bag she’d packed everything in, she shoved items of clothing back into it.
“You really want to risk this? I’m not joking around,” he said.
“I don’t care. I didn’t accuse you twelve years ago. I never had a reason. Our time in that classroom I was with you. You were my first kiss, and if you must know, Logan, I’d wanted you to be my first. I will warn you, Luke is not your friend. He is your enemy, and he will try to destroy you. Every single chance he can get. You’d be best to get away from him when you have the chance.” She zipped up the bag.
“I will release them, Ava.”
“Do it.” She glared at him. “I honestly don’t care. I’m … I never meant for you to get dragged into this, but I know who I reported and it wasn’t you. I’ve got to figure out what went wrong.”
He stood in the doorway, not letting her get past.
“Please,” she said.
“You really want to do this?”
“Do your worst, Logan. You think I haven’t survived worse? Leave me the fuck alone. I mean it.” She pushed him, but he didn’t budge.
He wouldn’t allow her to leave, but he was about to call her bluff. Stepping back, he let her go past, and he watched her.
“Last chance,” he said. She held onto the door but didn’t step back.
“I’m ready for whatever comes. You’ll be the one making a big mistake, Logan. Not me.”
She stepped over the threshold, and he dialed the number he had. He wasn’t going to be blackmailed or pushed into a corner.
Within the hour the videos had been sent to every single resident within Crow Valley, including her in his office. She wanted to push him, he could push back.
When Luke, Riley, and Marvin got back to the house, they were all stunned.
“We stopped off at the diner for old times’ sake. Everyone is talking about Ava—what did she do?” Riley asked.
“She left.”
“You let her fucking leave?” Luke asked.
“She wasn’t a prisoner. She had a choice, and she decided to test me. Now I’ll wait and see what she does. She’s going to be begging me before the end of the week. No one will hire her. She will have nothing, which is exactly how it should be.” He watched Luke and couldn’t get Ava’s accusations out of his head.
There was no way something happened between Luke and Ava. He couldn’t believe it. Luke was capable of many things, but raping a girl wasn’t one of them.
He wouldn’t doubt his friend, not now, not ever.
“You think she’ll be back?” Riley asked.
“Yes, I do.”
“Okay, call me stupid, but isn’t this what you wanted?” Marvin asked. “You wanted your revenge, and now you have it. Shouldn’t this be the end of it? Pack up shop, move on? You know, that kind of thing.”
“You’d think it would be that easy, don’t you? No, I want Ava to be at my mercy. I want her broken. Not only has she tried to ruin me but she’s trying to take my friends down with her. I won’t allow that. She will learn her place. Are you boys ready for the next step?” he asked. “Or are you all too chicken to stand beside me?”
“I’m in. All the way. I’ve got your back, Logan. Always,” Luke said.
“Good.”
Riley and Marvin joined in, and he held up his glass, saluting them.
Ava would pay one way or another, but it would be Logan who did the final snap. He’d waited too long. She wasn’t going to get away with her lies. He was determined to get his revenge in all areas.
He was a patient man.
This was twelve years in the making.
What was a couple of extra days or weeks? Ava could have done this the easy way, but she’d taken it out of his hands and now he had no choice but to make sure she suffered one way or the other.
Chapter Seven
Twelve years ago
Ava stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her mother had forgotten to pick up a witch’s costume and so she was having to go to the school’s Halloween dance as a bloody nurse.
“I am sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to screw it up.”
She laughed. “You didn’t. Honestly. I’ll be fine. Look, all scary.” The costume was the same as last year, only it was a little shorter because
she’d grown, and now she had the whole sexy, bloody nurse thing down. Her breasts were threatening to spill out of the top, but it fit. Besides, if it got too cold, she’d be wearing a jacket. “How do I look?”
“Gorgeous. Will there be any cute zombies at the party?”
“Mom, please, I don’t know. Probably. It depends on what you think is cute.”
“Are there any guys you think of as cute?”
“Not really.” She wrinkled her nose. “Right now, they’re all dumb. You know.”
Her mother laughed. “I hope you have fun.”
“Me too. You and Dad looking forward to your trip?”
“Yes. A weekend away and our little girl is going to a Halloween party. It doesn’t seem right.”
She laughed. “It is. It will all be fine. You’ve got to trust me. You and Dad deserve some time away.”
“What did I ever do to deserve a daughter like you?”
“You learn to trust her so she doesn’t have a problem with anything.” She hugged her mother. “I’m going to head out. I’ve got my key so you can lock the doors. I’ll call you the minute I get home.”
“Good. I don’t know if I want to leave you.”
“It’ll be fine.”
Walking out of her bedroom, she left her parents to finish packing while she made her way across town toward the high school. The students had been let loose, and everywhere was decorated with fake spider webs, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, everything. It screamed Halloween.
The moment she entered the main hall, heavy music blasted out.
She went straight to the punch stand, pouring herself a cup and staring out across the dance hall.
It was so crowded already with everyone dancing to the beat of the music. She sipped at the drink and tasted alcohol, really strong as well. Dumping the punch into the trash bin, she walked around the school, taking in the fear. She’d helped decorate. The only reason she came to the party was so her parents didn’t feel guilty about going out on their trip.
She made her way back into the main hall, and before she could refuse someone dragged her onto the dance floor. She was shocked to see it was Logan who’d done it.
He seemed just as surprised as she was.
“Sorry, Anna said she’d come as a sexy nurse. Figured you were her.”
Don’t blush.
Anna was one of the most popular girls in school. Most guys wanted to date her, and girls wanted to be her.
He’d thought she was that girl, which meant, he thought she looked sexy in a bloody nurse’s costume.
Get a grip, Ava. It means nothing.
He’s a bully.
He falls in with Luke.
He’s not a good guy.
A bad one. Really bad.
“Erm, you really should go and find her.”
“Why? If she wanted to be found, she would be. You’re here. I’m here. I don’t see a reason to change it.”
“But, wouldn’t she want to see you?” she asked. “You are dating her.”
“I don’t date.”
“Oh, okay.”
The song came to an end, and she pulled away. “Thanks for the dance.” She quickly rushed off the dance floor, wanting to be anywhere else.
As the evening wore on, she got a little bored and decided to leave the school. She stepped outside, but it was quiet. She saw a couple of people making out, but that was no different than most Halloweens.
Just as she was about to leave, someone grabbed her from behind, covering her eyes and mouth, moving her back into the school.
She had no idea where they were going until she was dumped into a room. It was dark, and she quickly rushed toward the door but it was locked from the outside.
Slamming her hand against the door, she tried to open it.
“Let me out of here. What the fuck!”
“It’s no good.”
She gasped, turning around, but of course, it was pointless. It was pitch black.
“Who are you?”
He chuckled. “It’s Logan.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“I’m guessing from the fear, you’re Ava Marshall. My friends may or may not have mistaken you for Anna once again.”
“I’m never wearing this costume again.”
“Shame.”
She ignored him, putting her hand against the door.
“How do we get out of here?” she asked.
“When they’re good and ready to let us out. It’s the basement. We’re not getting out of here until they let us out from the outside.”
“I know what it means.” She closed her eyes but didn’t see the point in doing so. It was dark. It wasn’t like she was blocking out the scenery. “I have to get home.”
“Will your parents be worried?”
“My parents aren’t home. They’ve gone on a vacation, but they still want me to check in. Can’t you call them? Your friends. Tell them they’ve made a mistake?”
She was hopeful they’d listen to him.
Logan’s face lit up. He was sitting on the floor with his cell phone in his hand. He put the call onto speaker.
“Hello, the awesome Luke is here, how may I direct your call?”
She rolled her eyes. It was typical he was finding some way to joke about all of this. It wasn’t funny. Not even close.
Blowing out a breath, she started to pace but didn’t go very far in case of falling and hurting herself.
“Stop being a dick right now. You know who it is. Come and let us out.”
“No can do, my friend. You’re alone, and I suggest you make use of the time.”
“You do know you’ve kidnapped Ava, right?”
“Yep.”
The P came out with a resounding pop. She turned to look toward where Logan was, or at least where she thought he was.
“Like I said, my good friend, enjoy.”
Luke hung up, and Logan cursed, throwing his cell phone across the floor.
“Did you really need to do that? It’s probably broken now.”
“I’ll buy another one. They’re not hard to replace. You may as well stop pacing.”
Now that she’d been in there a while her eyes were growing accustomed to the dark. Sitting down on the floor, she winced. “Do you think there’re any rats?”
“There better not be.”
“Great. My parents are going to be pissed.”
“Why? They’re not home.”
“They’re expecting a call from me, and I’ve never left them hanging like this. I don’t know why your friends have picked me to play this stupid prank on, but it’s not fair. I don’t like it.” She breathed out a sigh. “I hate the dark.”
“There’s nothing here that will hurt you.”
“Not even you?”
“I won’t hurt you. Consider it a Halloween locked in treat.”
“Oh, goody.” She leaned her head back against the door or was it the wall now? She didn’t know. “How long have you been here?”
“About ten, maybe twenty minutes before you showed up.”
“I thought these guys were your friends.”
“They are.”
“Some friends you got who are willing to throw you in the school basement. They’re really good guys.” She couldn’t help but fill her voice with sarcasm.
He burst out laughing. “You’re cute when you’re worried.”
“I’m not trying to be cute.”
“I didn’t say you were trying anything, did I?” He winked at her. “Still cute.”
“I don’t want to talk about this right now.”
He laughed, humming to himself. She didn’t want to be down in the basement.
“Why would they throw you into the basement and no one else? Why not Anna?”
“I don’t know the mysterious ways my friends work, Ava.”
The time ticked by. It felt like hours but could have easily been only a few minutes. She had no way of telling the time and had left her cell phone back at h
ome. Now she felt stupid.
She hoped her parents weren’t worried about her.
The temperature had started to drop, and she wondered if the school was empty, deserted. She couldn’t help but let out a shiver.
“Come here,” Logan said.
“I’m good.”
“Stop being a baby. You’re cold. We can warm each other up.”
“It’s fine. I’ll be fine. So long as your friends open the door.”
“They’re not opening it until the morning at least. Stop being difficult, come here, and hug me.”
She rolled her eyes, but seeing as she was extremely cold, she crawled across the space toward him. She touched his leg first and immediately recoiled.
“I’m not going to bite.”
“Sorry.”
She moved in close, and to her surprise, he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in close.
“See, not a problem.”
He was much warmer than she was. The costume she wore was too revealing, leaving nothing to the imagination.
Logan stroked her arm, and she rested her head on his shoulder. Rather than being awkward, it was nice. A lot nicer than she wanted it to be.
“Not so hard, huh?”
“I don’t know. I’m putting a lot of faith in you that you aren’t going to hurt me.”
“Why would I hurt you?”
“You’re part of a crowd who likes to. Not just me either, a lot of people. Don’t you remember Dillon?”
“Oh, please, that was just funny.”
“It wasn’t funny. Neither is shoving people into lockers. Do you know how much that hurts?”
“Don’t know. Never been on the receiving end of being pushed into one.”
“Believe me, it hurts. Not to mention all the tripping. Name calling. Do I need to go on right now?” The last thing she wanted to do was to have to go into detail with part of the school bully gang what exactly it was he’d done.
“Why not? It seems to me you’ve got a lot of shit to get off your chest. Talk away. Fill the silence.”
“And have you throw it all back in my face? No, thank you. I rather like the silence.” She pressed her lips together.
Logan didn’t stop holding her.
“Are you struggling to stay quiet?” he asked.
“Nope.”