Next in Line

by R. L. Wilson

  Chapt

  er Seventeen

  Holly

  I opened my eyes and I could hardly see anything until there was a quick flash of light. I tried to raise my hand to shield my eyes but they were stuck. I was tied to a chair. I jumped around in my chair trying to free my hands but it didn’t work. As I struggled I heard a chuckle come from behind me, making me jump and gasp out loud. “No need to be scared precious” The voice said. “Please let me go” I pleaded. I felt a hand run from the back of my neck as the man walked around to the front of me. There was another flash of light. He was taking photos of me. “Just as beautiful as the night that we met” The man said. I didn’t move for a second as I realised I knew that voice. “Dante, is that you?” There is no way this could be happening. Suddenly a light turned on and standing there in front of me holding a camera and a small pocket knife was Dante. I looked into his eyes as a giant smile spread across his face. “What are you doing?” I asked him hoping that the answer was going to make perfect sense. “Well there is no point keeping you in the dark anymore. You knew that it was me even in the dark. That just proves how perfect you are for me.” What was he talking about? “I recognised your voice Dante. Please just let me go.”

  “Holly, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since that first night that we went out. It was so perfect and you’ll be mine again” he said to me. “No Dante. I’m with Logan. You know that. I don’t belong to you” I said, my voice breaking little. He chuckled and then put the pocket knife to my collar bone and cut down my chest. I screamed from the pain as he cut me. “Oh. You’re a screamer. That’s good” he said as he grabbed a cloth and wiped the blood off of the knife. I gathered from his comment that screaming for help wasn’t going to be useful. I was trapped alone with a crazy man who hurt me for telling him what he didn’t want to hear. A few silent tears poured from my eyes despite my efforts at stopping them. Dante put the camera down on the table next to us and gently wiped the tears away. “Why are you doing this to me?” I asked him. “It’s because I love you Holly.” He picked up a slightly bigger knife and quickly moved it down my arm cutting me again. I tried not to scream but I couldn’t stop some from coming out. “Are you the one who sent me that lingerie?” I asked him. “Did you like it? I send all of my girls a gift” He said to me. “What do you mean all of your girls?” Had he done this before? I watched as Dante picked the cloth up off the table to clean the knife again. I started to breathe heavier and faster as he placed the knife gently on the top of my thigh. “You didn’t think you were my first, did you? The first time was an accident. I gave my heart to her and she crushed it. We were fighting and she grabbed a knife. She came at me with it and I tried to stop her. The knife ended up in her chest. I knew that I had to bury her but digging a grave deep enough on my own would have taken ages. That’s when I realised I needed machinery to help me so I took her to my step fathers construction site. What I didn’t realise is that they were digging up the entire area to lay some pipes so they found her body. The police started questioning that pathetic excuse of a father so I figured my best chance of getting away with it was to keep going back so Max would get the blame.”

  I looked up at him in shock and said “You’re the construction site killer.” Dante dug the knife in and dragged it down my leg and I screamed out in pain. “Don’t call me that” he shouted at me. “I loved them all and they treated my love like it meant nothing.” I could see the tears forming in Dante’s eyes. He actually believed everything he was saying to me. I pulled my arms hoping that the rope would loosen up and I would be able to free my hands but I had no luck. I could feel the blood from my chest, arm and leg running down me. Dante placed the knife gently on the top of my other thigh as he looked into my eyes. “Well what about me Dante? You and I only went on a few dates. I didn’t crush you or do anything” I said to him. I really should have just sat quietly so I didn’t upset him anymore than I already had but if I was going to die here tonight then I at least wanted answers to my questions. “Maybe you didn’t but I fell in love with you and you walked straight into the arms of that cop. I thought about staying away and just letting you go but I couldn’t. Being that close to you both and neither of you having any idea just made it so much more fun. Your cop will never find you, at least not alive anyway.” He moved his face closer to mine so that our noses were touching and I could feel his breath on me.

  “You are crazy Dante. There is no way I could love you after three dates. I love Logan and there is nothing you could do to me that will change that.” “We’ll see” he said back to me. He pulled my head in until our lips touched and I tried to pull my head away. Just then he dug the knife in and pulled it slowly down my thigh. I screamed and jumped around in the chair, once again trying to get my arms free and hoping that Dante would stop. I tried to move my leg out of the way but my ankles were tied to the chair as well. Just when I thought the pain was never going to stop there was a loud bang and a blinding light. I closed my eyes tight as I felt Dante run behind me and the tip of the knife on my stomach. “Put the knife down Dante.” I knew that voice. I slowly opened my eyes and that’s when I saw Logan and Cooper with their guns pointed in our direction along with about a dozen other officers. All of the lights were now on and I could see everything. We were in some sort of abandoned factory. Dante pushed the knife a little harder into my stomach and I jerked up a little. I saw Logan take a small step forward before he shouted “I won’t ask you again Dante. Put the knife down now.” “Alright, alright” Dante said. He slowly started moving the knife away from me and I took a deep breath. Dante leaned in and whispered in my ear “If I can’t have you then no one can” Then he drove the knife into my stomach.

  I looked down at the knife that was poking out of me and felt the pain go through my body. I heard three gun shots and then Dante fell to the floor in front of me. When I looked up Cooper, Logan and another officer were at my side. Cooper grabbed one of the knives from the table and cut my hands and legs free. Once the ropes were off me I slid forward off of the chair and right into Logan’s arms. He sat on the ground with my laying in his lap and he put his hands on my stomach to try and stop the bleeding. Cooper, who was sitting in front of us looked up and called out “CHIEF.” “Don’t worry, an ambulance is already on the way” I heard a man say from behind us. I tried to settle my breathing but all I could think about was the pain. “See everything will be alright Holly” Logan said to me. I put my hands on my legs thinking that it would help somehow. “There’s blood everywhere” Cooper said as he took off his shirt and handed it to Logan. Logan placed Cooper’s shirt around the knife which was still in my stomach. A minute later Cooper moved away and Logan helped the paramedics put me on the stretcher. I was feeling really lightheaded but all that I wanted was Logan. I felt him grab my hand as the paramedics put an oxygen mask on my face. “I love you Logan” I said quietly and then darkness came.

  I opened my eyes and sat up in the bed, franticly looking around and puffing. “You’re okay Holly. You’re in the hospital.” I looked to the side of my bed and there was Logan holding my hand and next to him was Cooper and Sophie cuddled up sleeping on a chair. “What?” Was all that I managed to get out still looking around? “Dante kidnapped you and then we came and got you but you were hurt pretty bad so we called an ambulance and they brought you to the hospital.” That’s when it all came rushing back to me. Me being tied to the chair, Dante saying all those things to me and then cutting me and Logan and all the other officers coming in before Dante stabbed me. I slowly laid back down in the bed never taking my eyes off of Logan. “When can I go home?” I asked. “Not for another day or two” Logan replied. Just then Cooper opened his eyes and when he looked at me he smiled. “Well good morning sleepy head. I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to wake up.” “I could say the same to you” I joked back. Logan laughed quietly. “It’s been a rough couple of days. The next time you decide to go away like that can you leave a note so
that we don’t have to hunt you down?” Cooper said. “I’ll try to remember that” I replied.

  Shortly after, Sophie woke up and I told them everything about my time in the factory with Dante and what he had said and done to me. I then told the whole story again to the Chief so he could make an official statement and close the case on the construction site killer. I was more than happy to help with that. After all the other officers left Sophie, Logan and Cooper were all in the corner whispering. “Why are you guys whispering in the corner? We’re not in high school anymore.” They all walked and sat down in the chairs next to my bed smiling like they had just won the lottery. “Well, we were just saying that it would be a really good idea if maybe we all moved into a house together now that this horrible ordeal is behind us” Sophie said. “Why would we need to move?” I asked. “Well we need a bigger place and more bedrooms for when the baby comes” Sophie said grinning at me. “We’re getting a baby?” I asked. Everyone started laughing. “I’m pregnant” Sophie said. “Coop and I spoke about getting a place of our own but we don’t know how we can live without you and Logan there so we were hoping that you guys would come too.” “Oh wow” I said back. “I would hug you but it hurts a lot to move.” Sophie just continued to smile at me and then she looked at Logan and said “So what do you say?” “I’m keen. As long as you don’t ever call him Coop again. That’s my name for him.” Sophie and Cooper both giggled and then everyone looked at me. “Well yeah that sounds great but I don’t think I can really move anything at the moment” I said. “Don’t worry about anything. We’ll do that for you” Cooper said smiling. “Oh, well then sure” I said back. Sophie let out a little squeal and everyone started hugging, Logan never letting go of my hand. “Well let’s get started” Sophie said to Cooper and they left. I turned and looked at Logan who was smiling at me. “So looks like we’re going to be roomies.” “I can’t wait” I said as I leaned in and gently kissed him on the lips.

  When I walked into the house I threw my work things down on the little table next to the door and went into the dining room to see my three favourite people sitting at the table waiting for their dinner. I placed the take away on the table and sat down. It had been four months since all that stuff happened with Dante and I was finally starting to feel like my old self again. Sophie and Cooper were the happiest that I have ever seen them. Sophie was six months pregnant now and Cooper was always talking to her belly. I watched and smiled as everyone started digging into the food. It was then I realised that my life was in that moment, perfect and I couldn’t be happier. We all just started eating when Logan and Cooper’s phones started beeping. They both looked at it and jumped up out of their seat. “Duty calls” Coop said as they grabbed their guns and badges. I walked over to Logan and kissed him on the lips. “Go change the world, my hero” I said to Logan. He laughed and kissed me on the head. “I love you” he said. “I love you too” I said back. Sophie and I watched as the boys walked out of the house, closing the door behind them.

  About the Auth

  or

  R.L. Wilson lives in South Australia, Australia with her Husband and three beautiful children. Some of her hobbies include spending time with her family and friends, getting lost in a good book, dancing around the house to music and she is also an avid amateur photographer. This is only her first novel, but she assures it is not her last.

  If you would like to keep up to date with R.L Wilson’s new releases check out her social media pages:

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  Acknowledgements

  I would like to thank each and every one of you for reading my book. Without you I wouldn’t be able to do what I love doing.

  I would also like to thank my amazing husband for supporting me through this entire ordeal and also my beautiful children for not disturbing me too much while I get lost in the world of Logan and Holly.

  Sneak Peek of R.L. Wilso

  n’s new book, Making Choices

  Coming Soon

  Chapter One

  Bianca

  “I’m so excited” My friend Emma basically squealed as she adjusted her top and started applying her makeup. I looked at her in the mirror and smiled as I continued straightening my hair.

  I’m excited to be going out too. It’s the first time in ages that I have been able to go out without my very on again, off again, boyfriend Blake.

  At the moment Blake has decided that we are off again, so Emma thought this would be an excellent opportunity for us to go out, get drunk and find some “fresh, sexy man meat” as she referred to it.

  At the time it seemed like a great idea but now I’m not too sure. I keep thinking that if Blake finds out he isn’t going to be too happy with me and it will cause another fight. Blake and Emma don’t really get along. Blake seems to think that I do all these things “wrong” because of Emma’s influence. And Emma thinks that Blake is too controlling and just a bit of horrible person.

  “What’s on your mind?” Emma asked me. I sighed a little and said “nothing.” Emma turned so she was facing me now.

  “Yeah, seriously. Just tell me” She stated. I stared at Emma for a moment and knew that she wasn’t going to let this go so I had no choice but to tell her what was going on in my mind.

  I let out another sigh before saying “Well I’m just thinking about Blake and how he is going to freak when he finds out what I’m doing tonight.”

  Emma rolled her eyes and said “He’s not allowed to get upset at you about it Bianca. He broke up with you, again, so he has to just get over it.”

  I knew that Emma was right with what she was saying to me but I couldn’t get myself to move on and apparently, neither could he. I watched silently for a moment while Emma continued putting on her makeup before having enough courage to finally blurt out “I think my period is late.”

  Emma’s head shot around so she was facing me with wide eyes. “What do you mean you think it’s late? And how late is late?” She asked me. I looked at myself in the mirror avoiding Emma’s stare when I said “I don’t know. A few days maybe. I don’t really keep track.” “Well a few days isn’t a big deal right? I mean you could just be getting it a bit later this month. Right?” “Right” I replied not sounding very convincing.

  I was beginning to feel nervous about the way the conversation had turned and I knew that if we kept talking about it Emma would end up freaking out and then I would start freaking out so I changed the subject. “So are you nearly ready. I want to shake my ass on the dance floor already” I said while smiling the biggest smile that I could. Emma didn’t say anything back. She just smiled, grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the door.

  I was having such a great time at the club with Emma dancing around and acting silly. It felt nice to just let loose every once in a while. I was surprised at how much fun I was having considering I hadn’t had a single drink and I was the kind of girl that needed a few drinks in me to gather enough courage so that I didn’t care if I looked like a fool.

  I had decided to skip the alcohol because my stomach was feeling funny and the last thing that I wanted to do was end up throwing up in the middle of the dance floor. I was leaning up against a wall chatting to the two guys that Emma was trying to make friends with when Freaks by Timmy Trumpet came on. Emma grabbed my arm and shouted. “Yay! We have to go and dance.”

  Before I could even respond she was dragging me out onto the dance floor with the two guys, who
se names I had already forgotten, following behind.

  Emma and I were facing each other and dancing while we each had one of the guys dancing behind us with their hands on our hips. I looked over to the stage where the DJ was playing the music and that’s when I saw him. Blake. I could tell by the way he had his arms folded and the look on his face the he was not happy to see me here and I just knew that this was going to become an argument later on. Shit. Instantly I felt guilty and was going to call it a night until I noticed the two girls who were all over him and I went from feeling guilty to pissed off really quickly.

  Emma must have noticed what I was looking at because she put her face really close to mine and said “No.” I couldn’t help but laugh at my best friend. She was always there for me. Every time Blake and I had a fight or we broke up she was always there to try to help me through it.

  Deciding that she was right about everything that she said, I continued dancing with Emma and the two guys. I began grinding my ass into the guy behind me and he responded by running his hands all over my body. I looked over to where Blake was standing and he looked pissed. He spoke to both of the girls and they followed him to the dance floor along with a guy that I didn’t recognise.

  As the night went on I tried to focus more on Emma and not ruining her good night with my bad mood but that was easier said than done when it seemed like every time I turned around, Blake was there grinding up on one of the girls that he arrived with.