Page 14 of Take Me to Church
“You look a little worried.” The man creeps closer, the way he’s watching me making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. “No reason to be scared, sweetheart. You’re the one who called me.”
I’m not sure if I should feel relieved or even more concerned. This man isn’t loitering around our parking lot late at night, looking for an easy target. He’s here to find me. Because he’s the man I stupidly asked to go get Myra, in a plan that no longer seems as viable as it once did.
I hold my pleasant expression, hoping it looks more genuine than it feels. “I think you have me confused with someone else. I didn’t call you.”
His lips pull back into what I’m guessing is a smile, revealing a line of gold-plated teeth. “You’re definitely the one who called me, Lydia.”
My throat clenches, making me gulp when I hear my name come out of his mouth.
“And I know we already negotiated a deal,” his eyes slide down my body, “but I’m happy to revisit those terms if you want to keep some money in your pocket.”
Thisis who offered to go get my sister? I almost laugh in spite of the terror shutting me down. I can only imagine the look on her husband’s face when this guy kicks down the door and whisks her away.
But that is all I will be doing—imagining. Because I don’t trust this guy around my sister. Not even a little bit.
“I am super sorry, but that whole situation has actually resolved itself and I won’t be needing your help anymore.” I shove on what I’m hoping looks like an apologetic smile. “But thank you so much for being willing to help me.”
The man’s expression hardens in the blink of an eye, the smile dissolving in an instant as his gaze narrows on me. “That’s not how these deals work, little girl. Once they’re made, payment is due whether you go through with it or not.” His slitted stare fixes on me. “So are you payin’ with cash or with cunt?”
I think I’m going to throw up.
If I give this man the money we agreed on, I’ll have nothing left to use to actually save my sister. But I’m absolutely not fucking this guy, either. No matter how much it would piss my father off.
“You didn’t tell me that was how this worked. If I’d known—”
“I don’t have to tell you shit.” He moves closer, taking up way too much space. “You’re not the one who calls the shots. I am.” His tongue slides across his lips as he steals even more of the gap between us. “And I’m thinking I’d rather take my payment in pussy.”
Panic races through me. I didn’t leave the life I had to end up getting raped anyway. I risked too much and sacrificed everything because no one was going to make me have sex I didn’t want to have.
And that includes this motherfucker.
So even though it goes against every fiber of my being, I stand my ground. “I am not paying you. Not in money and definitely not in any other way.”
“You’re wrong, little girl.” The man keeps coming until he’s towering over me. Close enough I can smell the stink of stale cigarette smoke clinging to his baggy T-shirt and jeans. “And I don’t have a problem taking what I’m owed.”
It’s taking everything I have, but I refuse to back down. Standing up to people, especially men, isn’t in my nature thanks to an upbringing that left a lot to be desired, but I will do whatever it takes to make sure I can save Myra. I’m also willing to do whatever I can to save myself, so I lift my chin, look him straight in the eye and say, “Then you’re going to have to take it. But I’m telling you right now, I will put up one hell of a fight.”
His face splits in a sickening grin. “I don’t think that’s the deterrent you hope it is, little girl.”
He lifts one hand like he’s going to reach for me and I can’t help but flinch.
But then he freezes, going completely still.
For a second I think he’s realized what he’s about to do is wrong. Reconsidered the possible ramifications of his actions. But then a smooth, deep voice cuts through the night air.
“You touch her and I promise it will be the last fucking thing you do, Rodney.”
6
CHRISTIAN
GENERALLY WHEN DEALING with Rodney, or anyone else from the group of criminals who call themselves The Horsemen, I try not to show my hand, but I want this piece of shit to know exactly what he’s risking if he continues to pursue Lydia and whatever he believes she owes him.
I’ve stepped into situations like this before where I had no connection to the woman involved. Where my actions were just about doing what was right. I know I should have made it seem like this was just another of those times, but I can’t. Because it’s not.
Not by a long shot.
I grab Lydia by the back of her shirt, fisting my hand in the fabric of her tank top before pulling her body behind mine, blocking her from Rodney’s leering gaze.
