Page 180 of Puck Me Secretly

He brought the phone to me. “Get rid of him.”

I watched as he swiped the phone and then he bent down so he could also hear while he pressed the phone to my ear. With his other hand, he pressed the nozzle of the gun against the back of my head.

“Hey, Max.”

“Where you at?” his sexy drawl brought tears to my eyes.

“You know, I’m not feeling good. I think it’s a lack of sleep and food. I think I’m going to stay in tonight. Can I take a raincheck?”

Please fucking understand.Please don’t come here.

“Are you sure? I’m good at nursing cuties back to health.”

I forced a laugh. “I’m so sure. I’m half asleep already. I’m going to crawl into bed. Is that okay?”

There was a long pause.Please say yes. Please say yes. “Sure, gorgeous. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Brilliant. Maybe we can get lunch after practice.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Okay, night!”

“Night.”

Tears leaked down my cheeks as Baxter swiped my phone off.

“I’m impressed, Rory. You’re quite the little actress.”

I didn’t raise my head. That might be the last time I ever talked to Max. Defeat made my shoulders slump.

“What are you going to do with me?”

Baxter’s smile sent chills down my spine. “I can think of a few things.”

“Will I live?”

He drew the butt of the gun down my cheek. “Doubtful.”

“You think you’re going to get your job back?”

He laughed. “You’re so naïve.”

“What?”

“This isn’t about getting anything back. This is old testament.”

“What does that mean?”

“Eye for an eye. Your Dad and Max stole something from me. Now I will steal something away from them that will make them regret those decisions every day of their lives.”

The doorbell rang.

We both turned towards the hall as the chimes rang through the house.

“Are you expecting someone?”

I shook my head. “No.”

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