Page 32 of Banshee
“Are you hungry?”
I shook my head as I stared out the window. I couldn’t eat, not with the way my stomach flipped as my mind raced with plans I needed to make. Plans to escape. Plans to survive.
“Baby girl, I need you to talk to me. Tell me what you’re feeling.”
I glared at him. My lips pursed tight as I silently berated him for calling me that name. A name I had repeatedly asked him not to use. Every time I heard it, my heart fluttered in my chest. Light bloomed inside me that maybe he meant it. That maybe I could be his.
But it wasn’t possible.
For one, I was married to someone else. Someone who held my life in his hands. My future. A future I would never have as long as Pepper was alive. A plan began to take root. A way for me to gain my life back. At least my life here in Diamond Creek.
Texas was no longer an option. Too many memories. Too much hurt and betrayal. But here in Nebraska, if I didn’t have the threat of Pepper hanging over my head. If he were gone, I could stay here. Aspen Winters could continue on.
I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. With my chin resting on top, I thought about how I could entice Pepper away from the club. Would he come alone if I called him? If I begged him to forgive me and made him believe I never wanted to leave, would he trust me enough not to bring his brothers with him?
I had a chance if he were alone. I knew how to shoot a gun; my mother had made sure of it. After Diana disappeared, my mother was relentless in teaching me to protect myself. None of it had worked. There was a reason his brothers called him Pepper.
He was a habanero, the first bite hit hard and fast. Leaving you gasping for breath, unable to get control of your senses to fight back. But if he were alone, if I could catch him off guard, I might stand a chance.
Banshee made sandwiches for dinner. I nibbled at mine, unable to stomach any real food, while he took Diesel outside. When we were done, I went to bed without a word. I crawled under the covers, still in my clothes.
And I waited.
Listening to the sounds of Banshee cleaning up, I stared at the ceiling, planning my escape. The walk to the road would be long and dark. Snakes were always an issue, as were coyotes.
My boots were by the door. Growing up in Texas, I’d learned that anytime you walked in the grass, you’d better wear yourboots. Rattlesnakes were an enormous concern, and they could hide anywhere. Especially in the dark.
A knock on my door made me close my eyes. I held the blanket to my chin and pretended to be asleep when Banshee peeked inside.
He didn’t speak, but I could feel his presence just inside the door. Watching me. Expecting me to chastise him, to tell him to leave, or something. But I kept my eyes closed and my breaths even.
“You’re safe here, baby girl. No one will ever hurt you again,” Banshee whispered as Diesel whined, moving closer.
The door closed softly, and a tear slipped from the corner of my eye. I wanted to believe him. I wanted him to hold me like he did yesterday when I came home from brunch terrified after seeing Kytten.
There were a lot of things I’d wanted in life. I’d never received any of them. Disappointment was my closest friend. The one constant in my life. The one thing I could always count on.
I lay in my bed until the silence had taken over. Then I lay there even longer. Looking at the clock, I was confident that Banshee had fallen asleep. I quietly climbed out of bed and grabbed my boots.
Diesel’s head popped up, and I said, “Stay. I’ll be right back.”
I crept down the hall, holding the boots in my hand to put on once I was outside. With my hand on the knob, I looked over my shoulder. Longing for a man who had rejected me sat heavy in my chest.
I knew he would be angry when he found me gone. But I couldn’t think about that now. I needed to get outside, walk to town, and get my car. My car might not even start after sitting for so long outside my house. I’d left it there the day I moved into the clubhouse.
That was two months ago. So much had happened in that time. So much had changed. The club knew who I was now. King understood the repercussions of having me in the clubhouse. It was the reason he’d sent me here.
I opened the door slowly, praying the hinges wouldn’t squeak. I stepped out onto the porch, pulling the door closed behind me. Two quick steps and I was on the ground, pulling my boots on.
The night was dark; the moon was waning, and the stars didn’t give off nearly enough light despite how clear the sky was. I looked out over the shadowy horizon, trying to get my bearings to head in the right direction.
I’d taken a handful of steps when a hand clamped over my mouth and an arm wrapped around my waist. Heavy panting whispered over my ear as a harsh voice asked, “Where the fuck do you think you’re going?”
I wanted to scream. I wanted to kick out, but the assailant held me tight against his body, preventing any movement.
“Do not fucking scream, Irene.”
He removed his hand, and when I turned around, I gasped loudly as the ghost behind me smiled.
