Page 127 of All the Missing Pieces

“The others?” A fresh wave of nausea slid through me.

“The ones I ended just to take the edge off. They didn’t matter.” Sully ran a hand through his blond hair free of any gray. “I have to give it to you. Finding those early women, the ones before I discovered who Ireallywas meant to be, was something.” His blue-gray eyes hardened to stone. “Maybe I’ll revisit Emerson before I leave. Show her who Ireallyam.”

I jerked, my legs snapping the ropes and chains tight. A fresh wave of pain washed over me, but on its heels was resolve. That wasn’t going to happen. I’d get free. Get help.

Sully laughed, his eyes lighting with a perverse joy. “Like that fight. Not all my girls had fight. That’s what happens with the shy ones. Some are surprising, give you a nice battle. But others just lie there like a dead fish.”

I twisted, my teeth grinding together, and when I did, I felt something dig into my hip. The Taser I usually carried was gone, but something else was still in my pocket. I shifted again, trying to feel what it was.

Avery’s key chain—the lacrosse sticks I’d given her for her sixteenth birthday.

It wasn’t a lot, but it was something. If I clutched it between my hands, it might be enough to hurt Sully if I got him in the face.

“What? Cat got your tongue, Rids?” Sully taunted.

My gaze shot to him. “Just wondering how pathetic someone has to be that this is what they have to resort to.”

Fury contorted Sully’s expression, and he shot forward, slapping me so hard I flew to the floor.

“You little cunt. I’m going to—” His words cut off as a loud ringing sounded. Sully pulled out his phone and glared at the screen. “I need to take this. Scream all you want. The RV’s soundproofed. And we’re on the bluffs miles away from town, and there’s no one around.”

I shuddered at that knowledge as Sully opened the door and stepped outside. I tried to pull up a map in my mind of where the bluffs were. I knew they were north of town and that Em’s house was on the outskirts in that direction. If I got free, I just hoped like hell I could use landmarks to point me in the right direction.

My face throbbed as I pushed myself to sitting. Everything hurt now, and the world was going a little fuzzy, but I slid my fingers into my pocket, fumbling around for the key chain as the ropes cut into my wrists. My fingertips grazed the metal edge and I finally grabbed hold.

Tugging it free, I studied the metal piece. One of the stick’s edges was sharpest. It would do real damage if I caught Sully in the eye, but I wondered if it might be strong enough to get through the rope at my ankles.

I studied how the chain was connected to that rope and hope surged. Only one loop was threaded through the chain. If I could start to fray that one, maybe I could get free.

I got to work, sawing at the strands and straining to hear any signs of Sully. But I believed him about the soundproofing; I couldn’t hear a damn thing.

My fingers cramped as a few of the braided threads broke. I quickly switched hands, taking stock of the blood on my fingers. But I didn’t register the pain of my cuts. I was too focused.

I gripped the rope with my now-injured hand, sawing with the other. The tension helped, and two more pieces of the braided cord snapped.

Hope surged and I sawed harder. The pain started to break through, but I didn’t stop. Two more to go. I could do this.

The door rattled and tears sprang free.No, no, no. Not yet.

The rope snapped and the chain fell to the ground. I dropped the key chain, grabbing at the rope and pulling my ankles free even though my hands were still bound.

I leapt to my feet, and the world swam, but I didn’t stop. I braced myself in the doorway and waited until the door just began to open—and then I kicked with all my might.

The door slammed into Sully’s face, sending him stumbling back with a shouted curse. But I didn’t hesitate. I ran.

My side screamed in agony as Sully cursed again, scrambling to his feet.

I knew I didn’t have much time. I had to get to a place I could hide. I ran toward the thickest trees, but Sully was on my trail.

A shot sounded, cracking the air, and I ducked on instinct.

“I’ll kill you and make it hurt,” Sully bellowed.

He was already going to do that, and I’d rather die fighting. For me. For Emerson. For Avery.

I pushed my muscles harder, my vision blurring as I searched for anywhere to hide. But before long, the trees grew thinner. Then I broke into an opening—an opening that led to cliffs.

I skidded to a stop as another bullet pierced the air. I didn’t want to turn and look. All I could do was stare at the water below. A crystal-blue lake that was too far down to offer rescue. I was trapped.

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