Page 94 of Kings Fear No One
Sydney’s nostrils flare, her glare no less fierce. “So you do care about her.”
“Teysha’s a good woman. She didn’t deserve what’s happened to her.”
“We can agree on that.” Sydney drops her hands from her hips and blows out a sigh. “I just want to make sure she’s alright.”
“She is. She bought a ticket to Boulder and got on the bus.”
“How do you?—”
“I spoke to the clerk at the bus terminal. Her bus arrived on time at seven p.m. last night.”
“That’s good to know. But I’d still like to speak to her.”
“Give it a couple hours. She’s probably still asleep.”
Sydney nods, though her expression’s still worried. “She is a good person, Logan. You might’ve been frustrated by her, but she only ever means well.”
It bothers me Sydney’s assuming I care so little about Teysha. She’s under the impression I don’t give a damn when it couldn’t be more different. The truth is, Teysha’s been on my mind nonstop. I’ve even got her broken cross necklace on me.
A bad idea considering it reminds me of her every second it’s in my pocket.
I’ve been thinking about her so much that I’m seeking any distraction I can.
Something to get her out of my head.
But voicing this is another matter altogether. While Sydney’s assumptions piss me off, I’m not equipped to explain how. I’m not even sure myself.
Why the hell does it bother me that she thinks I don’t care about Teysha? What does it matter if she’s aware how I feel about her?
I swallow down these questions, rejecting any possible answers. Knowing wouldn’t change anything.
Teysha’s already gone. It might not seem like it right now, but it’s for the best.
She’ll be able to move on the way she should.
“Tell me if you talk to her,” Sydney says.
I nod. “You’ll be the first to know.”
“Thanks. I guess you’re not so bad.”
“You make a habit of busting men’s balls?”
“Ask Mace.”
“That answer told me all I need to know.”
I leave the barroom behind, taking the staircase that leads into the basement. Moses is on shift guarding Mandy. He takes the head nod I give him as a cue to go on a break. The door thuds shut after him.
I give it another second before I step toward Mandy. She’s withered and unwashed, connected to a wooden beam by chains. At the sight of me, she perks up, shaking back her scraggly red hair.
“My favorite boy. Finally come for more? It’s been so long.”
I curl my fists at my sides, wound tight enough to snap. “You’re gonna give me answers or you’re in for a bad time.”
“You’re so aggressive. I knew you had it in you. No wonder the Leader was so threatened.” A maniacal giggle bubbles out of her, flashing scum-riddled teeth. “But I wasn’t intimidated, boy. I was turned on. I saw that dick on you when they first brought you in and stripped you bare. I knew I had to have a taste—AGH!”
I’ve gripped her by the throat and slammed her into the wall. The chain cuffed around her wrist rattles. She sucks in a sharp breath. I squeeze tighter against the pulse beating in her neck. We’re inches apart, peering into each other’s eyes.
