Page 14 of Deadly Night
“Don’t get your panties in a twist. She’s just some holiday fun. An easy lay.” He chuckles, and all I see is red.
I’m about to make my move to catch the pair of them unaware and make them pay, but Hadley comes forward, holding a forgotten box of donations. I didn’t even hear her approaching. Must be the anger buzzing in my ears.
She drops the box behind them as they laugh at each other’s asinine comments.
“An easy lay,” Hadley says, giving Nick a shove from behind.
“Hey. What the fuck?” He spins around, an icy glare directed at her.
“You forgot a box at the donation box, but here’s a tip for free. Stay away from me.”
Nick’s sister lets out a chortle and nearly doubles over laughing. “You thought my brother would ever go for a skank like you?”
Nick shakes his head, bending down to grab the donation box. Hadley reaches past him, grabbing a tire iron from the trunk space. She swings it, catching Nick’s bitch sister in the chin as she looks up mid-laugh. Her head snaps back, her eyes bulging as she loses her footing and slips on the ice on the sidewalk. Herhead connects with the cement, bouncing on impact. Nick stares at the two of them in horror and shock.
“I’m sorry,” Hadley whispers, clutching the tool in her hands as she gapes at Nick.
He takes one step toward her, and I pull down my ski mask and step out of the shadows with my axe.
Eight
Hadley
My throat burns with the desire to scream, but nothing comes out. All I can do is stare in disbelief as a masked man steps out of the alley and strikes Nick in the neck with his axe. Blood squirts and Nick tries to say something, but the axe murderer swings at him again. This time the blow is to the head.
I drop the tire iron instead of using it to defend myself.
I should run.
Scream for help.
I should do anything besides stand here and watch as this psycho turns his weapon onto Nick’s helpless sister. The bitch has it coming though. She’s taunted me for years. I stare at her lifeless eyes as crimson stains the snow.
Finally, it dawns on me that there is a masked, axe-wielding killer standing next to me.
His heavy breath whispers along the shell of my ear.
I dare to meet his steely gaze, not knowing if I’ll be his next victim.
“Hadley,” his rough voice grits out my name. “Run, little elf.”
My eyes widen in both shock and recognition.
It’s him.
My mystery man.
Just like he stepped right out of my favorite dark romance book.
“When I catch you, you’re mine,” his voice rumbles from deep in his chest.
I know he means what he says.
I do what any sane person would do.
I run.
My boots crunch in the refreezing ice as I navigate the dark alley, heading back toward the Christmas bazaar.
