Page 8 of Fatal Collision
My brother has always been overprotective of me and Summer.
Unfazed, Jackson chuckles while he guides us away from the lockers. “Who’s gonna snitch, huh? You? It won’t be Malice. Don’t assume he would strain himself like that. The only time that guy talks is when he orders Mrs. Carol next door to bark like a dog when she crawls to him. I know that because I smoked a cigarette outside of his trailer the other day. Those walls are fucking thin. What about you, Sam? You’re my cousin. It would wound my heart if you put someone else ahead of family.”
Sam looks up from his phone. “Are you still talking?”
Jackson ignores him, glancing down at me. “Are you okay, sweetheart? You’re quiet today.”
There’s that feeling of eyes on me again. I offer Jackson a reassuring smile. “I’m good.”
We turn the corner, and I escape from under the weight of Jackson’s arm, excusing myself to go to the restroom. They barely notice me. Rain debates with Sam about whether it’s true that the water tower in town is haunted as they continue on their way.
I reach for the handle, but before I can pull the door open, a group of girls exits, so I step aside, waiting forthem to file out. The air smells of piss when I enter… piss and cheap lemony air freshener.
Sometimes, I wonder what the bathrooms are like at the university across town. I bet they have cleaners who keep every surface gleaming.
Once I’ve relieved myself in one of the graffitied stalls, I wash my hands while inspecting my pale face in the cracked mirror above the sink. Exhaustion is evident in the dark circles under my eyes.
It’s been months since I’ve had a good night’s sleep, with everything going on with Mom and the unpaid bills stacking up. I just want a break for once. My family deserves a stroke of luck.
When my hands are dry, I throw the crumpled paper towel into the trash can on my way out of the bathroom. I’m too lost in my thoughts to notice the muscular wall before it’s too late, and an embarrassing squeak leaves me when I collide with a broad chest that smells of expensive cologne and soap.
“We meet again, little rabbit.” Two big hands guide me back into the bathroom, and Kane shuts the door behind him.
How did he find me?
The resounding click of the lock makes me flinch.
I back away, and Kane’s lips lift slightly at the corners, but there’s nothing soft or sweet about that predatory smile. “Remember this?” he asks, wiggling my gold mask in the air.
My eyes saucer, and I stare at it for a few momentstoo long, struggling to make sense of what the hell is going on. When did he get hold of my mask? How did he figure out it was me?
“Cat got your tongue?” he asks, voice smug as he puts the mask on the nearest sink and stalks me deeper into the room.
I don’t even know why I’m backing away, but I suppose it’s just instinct at this point. My body knows there’s danger in the room with us, and it’s calling the shots.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Deny all knowledge. Don’t admit a thing. I went to great lengths to hide my face that night, and my tracks were covered. Kane can’t prove otherwise.I hope.
“You don’t know what I’m talking about, huh?” His wicked chuckle heightens my fear, and something else. Something far more shameful. “It’s alright,” he drawls. “I’m sure we can jog your memory.”
“What are you doing here?” Despite how much I try to mask my fear, my voice trembles. “Aren’t you a little lost?”
He stands out like a sore thumb in those fitted suit pants and that pressed shirt, which no doubt cost him more than the average salary in these parts of town. Not to mention the Rolex on his wrist. I could make a decent sale out of it.
Kane sees where my eyes have gone and looks at his wrist. “Oh, this old thing? You want it?”
“You’re scaring me, Kane.” I take another step, and he follows, that dark gaze tracking my every move.
If anything, his eyes light up with excitement at the sound of his name on my lips.
With his slow, calculated approach, I don’t notice the stall behind me until the door swings inwards, and I stumble back, toppling onto the toilet seat. When he comes inside, panic seizes me. He’s so tall that there’s hardly any space to fit. I stand up, but he shoves me back down with a firm grip on my shoulder.
“Stay, little rabbit. I like it when you look up at me with those big eyes.”
Shamefully aware that I’m eye level with his crotch, I keep my attention on his devastatingly handsome face where it belongs and not anywhere south of his jaw, because that’s dangerous territory, and I know better than to let my gaze drop.
“What are you going to do now?” he asks low, almost to himself, as he strokes a lock of hair away from my brow. “You have no weapon to overpower me with.”
