Page 69 of One Spicy Summer

“Don't call me that.”

“I’ll call you what the fuck I want,Prez.”

A tap on my window makes me jump.

It’s him.

Standing right there. Smirking. “Open the door, Presley.” As soon as I unlock it, he’s dragging me out by the neck, throwing me onto the pavement.

Pain blooms across my hands and knees.

“You ungrateful, lying bitch,” he seethes, kicking me in the stomach. “I should just kill you.”

“Keif! Please, ” Another kick.

“I wasted my time on you in high school,” he snarls. “You were never worth it.”

“I know,” I sob. “I’m sorry, baby. Please, ” I say whatever I have to say to make it stop.

“You weren’t trying to leave?” he demands.

“Never,” I whisper.

His expression softens, the monster, momentarily tamed.

He pulls me up, pressing me against him. “I’m sorry, baby,” he murmurs. “I don't know what came over me.”

“It’s okay,” I lie, letting him hug me, even as pain ripples through my ribs. “You’re coming with me,” he says, steering me to his car. “I'll take care of you.”

My stomach knots. But I smile. “I love when you take care of me.”

“Close your eyes, baby. I'll wake you when we get home.”

The locks click.I shut my eyes, sinking into the darkness.

Maybe one day, I’ll wake up from this nightmare.

But that day is not today.

Chapter Thirty

Rygaard

A week later

Pacing the floor of my office, I replay the image of Presley standing outside that store. The way she looked... the way sheacted... She seemed scared. Of what, I wasn’t sure. But Idamn sureplanned on finding out.

Dropping into the chair behind my desk, I replay my conversation with Roman after I watched her scurry off to that beat-up, red ‘89 Toyota Camry parked in the opposite direction.

“Hey, man, who was that chick that just left?” I asked, watching him lift his head.

“Her name’s Baby Bird. Presley, but we call her Baby Bird.”

Baby Bird?I’d never heard anyone call her that before.

“Why?”

“Because every time I see her, she’s skittish, like she’s running or hiding from something. I don’t see her much, but when I do…” His eyes got distant. “It bothers me.”

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