Page 91 of Serena
“Oh no, pretty girl, you thought it was a coincidence that you were chosen that night? You were the target.” My knees buckle, but I use the dresser as a support.
“Fuck you, you piece of shit.” Then he pulls out a large hunting knife.
“Remember this?” I never saw the blade; I just carry the reminder of its mark on my body. I don’t respond, looking around the room for a way to escape. He knows what I’m doing because he launches himself toward me. I jump onto the mattress and swing myself around to the other side of the bed. I run toward the bedroom door, but I don’t make it. He pulls on my hair so hard that tears spring from my eyes. I back kick, but he doesn’t let go. I can see my purse across the living room, on the kitchen island. My knife. I turn and feel my hair being torn from my scalp, but I land a punch to his face.
“You fucking bitch.” He lets go of my hair and wraps one arm around me, still holding the knife. Looking at the weapon’s close proximity to my body has my skin crawling. My back is to his chest. I headbutt him and feel my skull make contact with his nose. I hear bone break before he lets go. Fuck, that hurts. His hunting knife lands on the floor, and I reach for it. He kicks it away before I can grab it. He wraps his hand around my hair again and pulls me close. I can smell the rot in his mouth, combined with the smell of pine. It makes me gag. I feel the crushing impact of his fist on my cheek. He’s close enough that I’m able to land an uppercut to his jaw. He doesn’t let go and lands another blow. This time to my stomach, and I heave. Then he throws me to the ground.
“Five years ago, Lester had the first taste; today, I’ll have the last. Want to know a secret?” I hear him through the coughing and searing pain. “I wasn’t much of a watcher until you. When I saw that little fucker Kyle pin you, I almost came right then and there.”
“Fuck you, you piece of shit.” I spit at him. He goes to kick me, but I catch his foot and punch him between his legs. I manage to get up and run to my purse. I grab the pocketknife and turn to see the tip of a silver blade being thrown in my direction. I feel a sharp and burning sensation as the blade slices through my abdomen. The warmth of my blood flows down my skin. A coppery scent engulfs my senses. I fall to the ground, and he straddles me.
“You're a feisty bitch, aren’t you?” I feel the tug of my jeans. He’s trying to unbutton them. I remember being in this position five years ago. Looking up, trying to stay conscious. But it’s different now; I’m stronger, and I fight. I feel the small knife in my hand. I flip it open, and with all my remaining strength, I shove it into his neck. Blood is everywhere. I hear the door burstopen, and I try to stay awake, but everything hurts. I hear Ian’s voice before I succumb to the darkness.
Ifailed her. I failed the woman I love. I promised to protect her, and like everyone in her life, I’ve failed her. I look at Serena lying in a hospital bed. Bruised and beaten. She fought hard; I see that in the marks on her body, but she survived without anyone there to help her.
I was supposed to be there with her to sign the documents with the realtor, but when Javi called me, I knew it was important. He flew from Caligo Valley to tell me what he dug up.
I walked into Caleb's club to find it empty, Javi and his sister sitting at the bar.
“Hola, Ian,” he says, looking despondent. I’m sorry about the short notice, but this is news that we wanted to deliver in person.”
Laura stands and hands me a manila envelope. She looks at her brother. He gestures to the envelope. “Stephan Lars is the third man who was there. He’s my ex-husband's brother. Assumed to have died ten years ago, but it was a lie. I never methim; hell, I didn’t even know he existed. Even when he…we were married.” Her brother holds her hand.
“How did you get this information?” I ask the siblings, but it’s Laura who speaks.
“After our last meeting, I decided to put out some feelers at some of the support groups I attend. An ex-employee came forward. They told me about the shit they saw at the club. We all know Bruce was deep in the drug business. He used his club as a means of distribution. In addition to selling at the clubs, he was very popular with the high school crowd.” She looks at me. “Lester and Stephan were his collectors. They would also target girls together.” The realization of what she’s saying hits me like a ton of bricks.
"You're saying Serena was targeted?"
“Yes.”
“Why would anyone target her?”
“To send a message.”
My phone rings, and I answer it without looking. “Ian, the apartment, now!” I don’t hesitate and run out of the club with my cousin in tow. He drives like a maniac. “Talk to me, Miles.”
“The suspect crossed the street and followed the car into the garage. I checked the garage camera and found no sign of Gus. The suspect is making his way to her apartment now.”
I dial Serena, but there’s no answer. Fuck. “Call for backup, and where’s the realtor?”
“I called the team. ETA seven minutes, and there is no sign of the realtor.”
“Fuck! That’s too long.”
“We’ll be there in four,” Caleb yells. I ready my weapon. It feels like an eternity. So much can happen in four minutes. He pulls up to the building, and I jump out. The car is still running as I race inside. I take the stairs and finally make it to her floor. When I reach her door, I kick it open.
“Serena!” I can’t stomach the sight in front of me. Serena is on the floor, barely conscious and bleeding. Stephan's hand is on his neck. A small knife is lodged in his throat. I rush to her, pushing him off her, and he stumbles back. I can hear him struggling to breathe. He’s incapacitated. My attention is solely on her.
“Miles!”
“Ambulance is on its way up.”
“Baby, stay with me,” I beg. “Please stay with me.” I start to pray to whatever higher power exists and put my hand over her wound to apply pressure. The rest is a blur.
Beep, Beep, Beep.
Everything hurts. I try to move my hand, but I can’t. I manage to open my eyes. Green ones stare back at me. There is so much fear in them. “Ian. Ian, where am I?”
