Page 44 of Ozzie

The front door closes, and the lock engages. A moment later, through the wall, I can hear Durango talking to Helen, but I can’t make out what they are saying.

I fall back onto my bed and stare up into the darkness. I wrap my arms around myself, really wishing Ozzie was here. Just being around him, I always feel safe.

The back door creeps open, and I sit up. There is no way Durango would come back in that way. Would he? Besides, it should be locked.

Quietly, I move into my closet and hide in the corner. The floorboards creak as someone makes their way toward my room. My cousin would have said something by now if it were him. It’s not. The hairs on the back of my neck tell me exactly who it is.

“Piper, I’m home,” John singsongs. “Come out, come out, wherever you are.” He laughs.

It’s only a matter of time before he finds me in here. Hurry, Durango!

John steps into my room and stops. The closet door swings open, and a bright light flashes in my face.

“The closet? Really? Well, I can’t say you were the brightest woman out there. Come on. Let’s go.”

I don’t move. “Go where?”

He sighs. “Montana. But this time, don’t even think of pulling that crap like you did on me last time.”

I take a step forward, and he takes a step back. Ah, he is worried I’ll do it again. “Even if I went with you to Montana, why would I stay there?”

John aims the light at the ceiling so I can see his face. “Because if you don’t do as I say, I’ll kill those you love.”

His words send chills down my spine. John is an abuser, but he’s no killer. But he did shoot me.

“Let’s go now, or I’ll kill your dog.”

I frown. “I don’t have a dog.”

He laughs. “Well, I guess that’s for the best.”

I step out of the closet. “You sick son of a bitch. Do you really think this is going to work?” I’m yelling my words, hoping Durango can hear me through the wall.

He grabs my arm and leads me down the hall.

“Why do you even want me if I don’t want you?”

He stops and shoves me up against the wall. “What we feel for each other is true love. You may have forgotten that here in the big city, but you’ll remember when you get back home.”

I stare into his cold eyes, wondering if he truly believes what he’s saying. I’ve felt many things from him, but love is no longer on that list.

He grabs my arm again and forces me down the hallway with him. My leg aches, making it hard to keep up.

“Wait. My leg.”

“What about it?”

“You shot me, remember? It hurts.”

He yanks me toward the front door. “I guess you’ll be wearing a long wedding dress.”

I grab the couch to stop us from moving. “Wedding dress? What are you talking about?”

The flashlight stays pointed toward the door, so I can’t see his expression.

“Piper, we’re in love. Of course, we’re going to get married. As soon as we get back to Montana, I’ll call your mom, and I bet she can have something set up by this weekend. Now, let go of the couch.”

Now, I could roundhouse kick him again, but he shot my strong foot, and I’m afraid even in the low light, he’d see it coming. While I haven’t seen a gun, he’s always carrying—one in his coat and one strapped to his ankle. He wouldn’t hesitate to shoot me again to get me into his car.

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