Mine to Take by Lila Fox
Chapter Eighteen
Zoe’s day at work was creeping along, making it feel like the longest in her life. Not only that, but she’d woken with a headache, and even with Tylenol, it wasn’t going away, in fact, it got slightly worse as the time passed.
Fortunately, Ms. Finch had left after lunch and wouldn’t be back for the rest of the day. The woman hadn’t liked her before, but since she ignored her warning about dating Savage, she’d tried to make her life hell at work.
Zoe felt bad for Nala. She tried to help calm the situation down, but the library manager’s hatred was a force to be reckoned with, and no one besides the bitch could control it.
An hour before closing, she went into the office and dialed Freddy.
“Yo.”
Zoe rolled her eyes. The guy was a dirtball. “Freddy, it’s me.”
“Yeah, bitch. I see you did what I told you to do.”
“I’m going to try to get him back.”
“The fuck you are.”
“No, you listen. You can’t dictate what I do in my life.”
“You’re such a cunt. Meet me after work. I need to explain a few things to you.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Oh, you’ll be there.”
“Somewhere public. I don’t trust you at all.”
He chuckled. “You’re smart that way. Meet me at the deli across the street from the library.”
“Okay.”
Freddy hung up.
Well, that was the first step. Now she had to get him talking without him be suspicious. If she knew the guy like she did, he wouldn’t be meeting her at the deli but waiting for her where he’d gotten her before.
But she’d be ready.
The last few hours of the day sped up, giving her some relief because her nerves were causing her stomach to tighten in dread and her headache to get worse.
“Hey, Zoe, I’m headed out.”
“Bye, Nala. I’ll lock up the front door.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Zoe watched the woman walk out a side door that the employees usually used unless they were locking up for the night.
She took her phone out of her purse and made sure the recorder was on and positioned securely in the front pocket of her purse. It might not get all the video, but it would hopefully get all the sound.
She walked out the front door, turned, and locked it, then gasped when her arm was grabbed. She was thrown against the brick again. When the back of her head hit the hard surface, she groaned.
Damn, she was never going to get rid of this headache.
“Stop, Freddy. What are you doing?”
He placed his hand above her head and grabbed her lower face.
“You’re going to listen carefully and do exactly what I tell you to.”
She tried to push him away. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because I hate you, and I hate the fucking bikers.”
“What did they ever do to you?”
“Oh, it wasn’t me they fucked with. It was my dad. You see, my dad has a side career, and the bikers keep taking his jobs from him.”
“What does that mean?”
“My dad transports things from place to place because who would think a cop would break the law?” He laughed.
She needed him to talk as long as possible. “What kinds of things?”
“Drugs and guns, mostly.”
“Why is he breaking the law? He’s a cop.”
“Fuck being a cop. There have always been too many rules he hates to follow, and there’s absolutely no money in it. But I didn’t come here to talk about him. You and I need to come to an understanding.”
“I won’t stop seeing him.”
“Did you think I was kidding when I told you my dad would take him out if you didn’t?”
“No, I don’t. For one thing, the compound is pretty strong and secure. He wouldn’t be able to get in.”
“You really are the dumbest fucking cunt I’ve ever known. I can’t believe I saw anything in you. I told you my dad was a sniper, remember?”
“Yes, I do, but how does that matter?”
“He’s used to climbing trees and taking a shot. He’s damn good at it, and he always hits his mark. Remember the sheriff over in the next county?”
“Yes, he got shot.”
“Yeah. He pissed my dad off. Now the guy won’t be able to fuck with him again.”
“You mean your dad killed him?” God, this was worse than she thought.
“Yeah. You don’t fuck with my dad or us.”
“I can’t believe you guys are murderers.”
He laughed. “What do you think happened to my mom? Let me tell you a secret. She didn’t run off with another guy. She pissed my dad off, too.”
“Oh, my God, Freddy, do you hear yourself? Didn’t you love her at all?”
He shrugged. “Women are around for two things, taking care of the house and fucking.”
“Did your dad teach you that?”
“Oh, yeah. That and much more. I don’t have time to chitchat. This is your last warning. If you don’t stay away from the bastard, he’ll be the first to go.”
“You can’t kill the whole club. You’re bound to get caught.”
“Fuck no. Everything is going great, and no one suspects anything.”
“Why are you telling me this? Aren’t you worried about me telling?”
He laughed. “Fuck no. You’re so fucking weak. You know I’d come after you, and you wouldn’t be able to hide from me and the things I’d do to you…”
“You’d kill me?”
“Oh, I’d play with you first.”
“You mean you’d torture me?” She needed to get away from this psychopath before she shook to death.
“Yeah. I’d really enjoy that.” He slapped her face a few times. “Remember what I said. We’re the wrong family to fuck with.”
“I’ll remember.”
