Page 77 of Nitro

I shudder but don’t stop walking. Running would be an option if there weren’t so many people around. The fact that no one notices what’s going on is devastating. They’re too busy staring at their phones to realize I’m being kidnapped.

When we get close to the edge of the market, I know I’m running out of time. A large, nondescript gray van sits between a white pickup truck and a red convertible. I could take my chances and run past it into the street. The people in their cars would be somewhat protected, and really, it’s the only option I have right now.

Adrenaline surges through my veins. My heart thunders and my muscles tense. I’m about to take off running when Jeff grabs my upper arm. He manhandles me toward the van. Myescape window is closing fast. Once he gets me alone, I’m dead. I know it in my bones.

A scream escapes my throat before I can stop it. Jeff shoves me against the side of the van. He uses his free hand to yank the sliding door open. After throwing me into the back, he climbs in and closes the door, blocking us from view. Even if someone heard me, they wouldn’t know where the scream originated. No one will try to save me because they don’t know where I am.

Jeff throws me face down onto the floor. He binds my hands together with zip ties, then does the same with my feet. He rolls me onto my back and pulls me up into a seated position. The plastic binding digs into my wrists. They’re so tight I’m afraid they’re going to cut off my circulation.

“Don’t do this. Let me go.”

“You’ve always been such a demanding bitch.Jeff, I need money. Jeff, why don’t you ever take me anywhere? Jeff, why don’t we have sex anymore?” he parodies in a high-pitched voice. “You know why I wasn’t fucking you during the last three years of our marriage? I found someone so much better than you in bed.”

“You’re disgusting.” I turn my face away. Although I hate him, it still hurts like hell that I’ve finally got confirmation of his infidelity. But it also gives me an idea. If I could stall long enough, maybe, somehow, Nina and Julia will figure out I’m gone. “Who was it? Vicki? Marina? Connie?” I throw out the names of several nurses on his staff.

“Ding. Ding. Ding. Ladies and gentlemen, my wife isn’t a complete idiot.”

“All of them?” My chest caves in. I shared a bed with this man for years, but I had no idea he was sleeping with three other women. I suspected maybe one or two, but not three.

“You forgot Mia, Alice, and wait. There was at least one more.” He taps his fingers on his chin. “Oh, right, Madison. Thefunny thing about her was I saw her stripping at The Wet Beaver one night. I used that little morsel of information to blackmail her into fucking me in the supply closet. Not a bad lay, but she didn’t seem to be into it.”

“I can’t believe you did that to her.”

“Why the hell not? She was a whore, dancing on men’s laps at night while pretending to be a sweet and innocent neonatal nurse during the day. She got what she deserved. Don’t feel so sorry for her. She was a boring lay, so I got rid of her. After falsifying a few records, I fired her. She lost her nursing license too. She’ll never work in a hospital again. I made sure of that.”

“You’re a monster.”

“No. I’m a man who has had to put up with way too much bullshit from you bitches. Andyouwere the worst of all. I only needed a few things from you. Cook. Clean. Fuck.” He lists them off on his hand, holding up one finger per item.

“I did all that, but it was never good enough for you.”

“Because you couldn’t do it right. It’s funny as fuck that I found you at a farmer’s market. Are you trying to cook for those bikers? I’m sure that big one, Nitro, likes his steak raw. What about you? Does he fuck you raw too?”

“How do you know about him?” My belly plunges. Has Jeff already been to the clubhouse? Did he do something to the guys? Is Nitro okay?

“I’ve been watching you two for weeks.”

“We thought you weren’t around anymore.”

“Did you actually think I’d leave my wife behind to get railed by a bunch of dirty bikers?” His bitter laughter fills the van.

“They’re better men than you could ever hope to be.”

He backhands me across the face so hard I see stars. Before I can sit back up, he grabs the front of my shirt and drags me so close that I can smell the booze on his breath.

“Listen up, bitch. You’ve had your fun fucking those pieces of shit, but that’s over now. You’re mine. You always have been, since the day you turned fifteen.”

“You were ten years older than me. What we did wasn’t even legal. I didn’t realize you were grooming me to fall in love with you.”

“Grooming? You were fifteen. A little slut already.”

“I was a virgin when we met.”

“That didn’t last long.”

“Because you took advantage of me. I thought you loved me.” My voice breaks. I hate the subtle show of weakness, but I can’t help it. He used me. He abused me. I don’t know what he has planned next, but whatever it is will be terrible.

“You always whined too much. This will shut you up.” He pulls a rag out of his pocket and stuffs it into my mouth. I try screaming, but it’s useless. “That’s better. Sit tight. We’ll be home soon.”

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