Page 50 of Crash and Burn
24
Marley
This housewe’re staying in is huge and absolutely breathtaking. Not to mention the view out back. The leaves are still changing colors. Green, yellow, red, orange. It’s beautiful and so peaceful out here. A girl could get used to this.
Rascal cooked dinner for all of us, thanks to Minx and I. He’s surprisingly a great cook. Now, Minx and I are chilling on the back porch with a fire going in the pit. It’s a bit colder than it is back in Texas, but nothing like Colorado. Even so, I brought a blanket to wrap up in. I wouldn’t mind wrapping up in Rascal to stay warm, but I’m not going there.
“What are you thinking about over there,” Minx asks.
“Why are guys such idiots?”
Minx giggles.
“He didn’t even ask if I wanted the room to myself, just assumed I did,” I tell her.
“He’s never had feelings for someone the way he does for you. I think he’s still trying to navigate his way through that,” she says. “Also, he could be giving you your space so you don’t feel like he’s trying to pressure you into a relationship.”
I nod. “Both are valid thoughts.”
We’re both quiet for a beat. After a few minutes, Raze and Rascal walk out to join us.
“Anyone want some s’mores?” Rascal holds up a bag of marshmallows.
“Oh, I do!” Minx gestures for Rascal to pass her the bag. “Mar, you want one?”
“No, thanks. I’m going to head inside for some tea and a bath. I’ll see y’all in the morning.” I stand and head inside. Once in the kitchen, I search the cabinets for a tea pot, finding one out of my reach. “Of course it would be on the top shelf.”
“Need some help, Princess?”
“Oh, shit!” I jump, turning around to face Rascal. “I didn’t even hear you come in.”
He chuckles. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
He’s by my side before I can respond, reaching for the tea pot. My nose is assaulted by his cologne and it goes straight to my head. I’m a sucker for men that smell good and Rascal smells better than any man I’ve ever met. I inhale a deep breath before I let out an audible sigh.
“You okay?” He hands me the tea pot with a devilish smirk, as if he can read my thoughts.
“Huh? Yeah, I’m good.” I move to the sink to fill it up. Setting it on the stove, I turn the burner on medium.
“Are you still mad at me?” He sits at the bar, watching me.
“I wasn’t mad at you. More so irritated from you assuming you knew what I wanted. You didn’t even ask.”
He rubs a hand over his face. “I’m sorry, Mar. I should have asked. I’m still new to all thishaving feelings for someonething.”
“For future reference, if you don’t know how I feel about something, ask.”
“You got it.”
The water starts to boil, so I grab a mug and place a tea bag in it before pouring water into it.
“We’re going to be staying in this house for the foreseeable future. We might as well make the best of it.” I walk out of the kitchen, straight to my room. I take a bath with one of my calming bath bombs then slip into pajamas and climb into bed.
I lay there for what seems like forever with thoughts going through my head at a hundred miles an hour. From wondering what Rascal is currently doing to are we truly safe from the Cartel here. Eventually, I fall asleep.
I’m back in the cold, empty room I was held prisoner in. The only piece of furniture in here is a dingy twin size mattress that has seen better days. I’m in nothing but my bra and panties. My skin is black, blue and purple with a little green and yellow in a few spots.
Three men wearing masks walk into the room. My body shakes uncontrollably as they get closer. One of them grabs my arms, yanking them above my head and causing me to lay down, while another grabs my feet to stop me from kicking at them. The third one is holding a huge knife. He stops at the edge of the mattress, lifts his mask and stares at me with a maniac smile painted across his face. I start screaming and thrashing around as much as I can as the man kneels down, bringing the knife to my skin.
