Page 18 of Saving the Last Heir
I gaped at the hammer as it clattered to a stop ten feet away. “How did…what…”
“Enough.” Jackson took a step forward. “Let’s sit down and have a conversation about this. Maybe I can increase the financial aspect to make this a little more worth your while?”
Breaking myself from my stupor, I jumped aside. I landed on a rolling car creeper and slid beneath a jacked-up SUV, the hard plastic wheels beneath me roaring on the concrete as I moved. Jackson cursed again and circled around the car.
Thinking fast, I pushed on the ground with a free hand, sending me rolling toward the back of the car rather than the other side. Shooting out from under it, I had a half second to see him realize his mistake and change direction. From my position, I had no access to any of the exterior doors. Rolling off the creeper, I shoved it toward him and nearly whooped in victory as his right foot landed on the head pad. His leg shot out from under him, and he tumbled to the ground.
Jumping to my feet, I sprinted to the closest refuge I could see. The bathroom. If I could get inside, I could lock the door and call the cops. They’d be here before he had a chance to break it down. At least, that’s what I hoped. He had to be getting pissed now. God only knew what he’d do to me once he caught me.Panic fueled my feet. I was inches from the door, my fingers brushing the knob, when a hand caught my other wrist and spun me around.
Crying out in fear, I looked up at his face, expecting to see a mask of rage and violence, but instead all I saw was irritation and exasperation.
“Jesus Christ, can you please calm the fuck down and talk to me?” Jackson asked.
“No chance, asshole,” I growled, slamming my fist down on his wrist.
The muscles in my forearm and bicep flexed from the impact. It should have broken his grip and freed me, but he didn’t even flinch. His fingers, like steel bands, stayed clenched around me. I yanked my arm, trying to break free, but his hand didn’t move an inch. It was like a stone statue was holding me.
Looking into his eyes, my brow furrowed. “What the hell?”
“Talk?” he offered calmly.
“Talk about this.” I kicked out, hitting him hard in his crotch.
Jackson finally showed that he wasn’t some robotic automaton, and released my wrist, clutching his balls and groaning in pain as he slid to his knees. Taking my chance, I ripped the bathroom door open and slammed it shut behind me. I slid the deadbolt shut and thumbed the lock on the knob, then collapsed on the toilet, heaving in a breath of relief.
What the fuck?
My entire body shook from adrenaline and fear, and nausea roiled in my gut, but I’d done it. Locked in here, I had time tocall the cops. I almost smiled as I reached into my pocket, only to freeze. It was empty. I checked the other as well as both back pockets. Nothing. Dread rushed through me. Shit. I’d left my phone on the desk when I’d gone to check who was at the door.
“You dumbass,” I cursed myself and ran my hands through my hair in desperation.
Outside, Jackson’s moans of pain had ceased. Maybe he’d run off. Though I hadn’t heard the garage door open. Surely he wouldn’t leave without the car, would he? That didn’t matter, though. I was in here, and he was out there. The bathroom door wasn’t steel, but itwassolid wood. Even if he searched for tools, it would take a while to break it down. He had to be an idiot to hang around that long. All I had to do was stay in here, and eventually he’d?—
BANG.
I jumped in surprise, the bathroom door shuddering in its frame.
BANG.
With a second, deafening crash, a single fist slammed through the center of the wooden door. My jaw fell open as I stared at the splintered wood and the flexed hand. His knuckles weren’t bloody or damaged at all.
He pulled his hand back out and peered through the gap in the wood.
I backed up against the wall.I swear to God, if he says “Here’s Johnny!” I’m gonna shit myself.
“I’m not here to hurt you.” For a guy who’d just had his balls caved in, he sounded surprisingly calm. “I promise you that. AllI need is your help. I can’t let you call the cops, though. There’s too much at stake. Will you please unlock the door?”
Shaking my head, I opened my mouth to say something, but words wouldn’t come. All I kept seeing in my head was his fist crashing through solid oak like it was nothing.
“What…” I took a breath, trying to find my voice. “What thefuckare you?”
The sudden realization that something very strange was happening had been building over the last five minutes. At first, it had been the simple case of a weird thief and the threat of violence. But the way he’d leapt over the car, the speed with which he moved, his strength and power? Something here felt…wrong.
Jackson let out a sigh and muttered to himself. “This is the longest night of my fucking life.”
Body shuddering with fear, confusion, and panic, I glanced up and spotted a small window above the toilet. It was tiny—possibly too small for me. I was a tall woman with broad shoulders and muscles, and it would be a tough squeeze. Reggie always joked that I could spend a few weeks in a gym and end up stronger than him. I didn’t know what other option I had, though. I couldn’t stay in this bathroom and wait for this guy—thisthing—to tear me out.
Almost as if he’d heard my thoughts, a cracking sound pulled my attention back to the door. I watched in horror as Jackson reached in with his bare hands and broke off another chunk of the door. He was tearing it apart like it was made of Styrofoam. That was it. I had to move.
