Page 56 of His Reward
It’s probably a pushy salesman from one of those telecom companies.They like to lurk outside for someone to open the main entrance, then sneak in to harass people to sign up for their expensive services.
I storm to the door, determined to tell them to get lost.But when I yank it open, my indignant words die in my throat, my stomach lurching at the gun pointed at me.
“Hey, June.”
21
Malcolm
I wait for Andy to finish running glue on the joists so we can put down another sheet of subfloor.
With the bright, blue sky above and the trees bordering the site, the view is relaxing up here if I ignore the mess of materials, machinery, and the other workers below.
My mind runs on June yet again.It’s been doing that all morning.I imagine her beautiful face and smile, and warmth fills my chest.My thoughts inevitably plunge balls-deep into filth.Just like I’ve been balls-deep inside her for the past two days.
I’ve earned medals while I served, yet claiming June that first time on Sunday is my greatest achievement.Of course, her family won’t agree.Paul will definitely try to kill me when he eventually finds out I’m fucking his daughter.
But I don’t care.June is mine now and I’m not letting her go.Which is why my main goal is putting my baby in her belly as soon as possible.
Andy straightens from his crouch and we work together to lift and carefully set the sheet down.My phone rings in my pocket as I’m reaching for the nail gun.I take it out, smiling at the name on the call display before I answer.
“Hey—”
“Mal, you need to come home,” June says, her voice high and shaky.
My smile fades.“June—”
I’m cut off by a sudden rustling and a startled sound from June.A male voice snarls in my ear.
“And you better hurry, or you’ll never see her again.Don’t even think about calling the cops either.”
The disconnect tone follows after.
I squeeze my phone tight, my nostrils flaring, my breathing heavy.The fury coursing through my veins is both hot and cold.He didn’t need to tell me not to call the police.That motherfucker will pay by my hands first before I let the cops collect his body.
“Where are you going?”Andy calls after me as I stride to the ladder.
“I have to go.It’s an emergency.”
I’m down on the ground and in my truck in seconds, kicking up dust and gravel as I peel away from the site.I’m well over the speed limit the entire drive to the apartment, and I experience something I haven’t felt in a long time: genuine, gut-clenching fear.
Fear for June’s life, and fear of failing to protect her from whatever the bastard might have done or will do to her in my absence.
My grip tightens on my steering wheel, my arms rigid.
No.Fuck fear.
It’s useless and it’s dangerous.Butragehas power and purpose.Throughout the course of humanity, rage has defeated evil, created heroes, and fuelled acts of love.I will use mine to do all those things too for June.
I pull into the apartment building’s parking lot and flee my truck.Then I finally learn who’s been terrorizing June this whole time when I unlock the apartment door and step inside.
His voice wasn’t familiar over the phone because we hadn’t spoken that night, but I recognize his face.
I should’ve known.
Statistics don’t lie.
More often than not, an asshole who’s stalking and harassing a woman is usually an ex.
