Page 44 of Wicked Oath
I aim my palm at the man’s throat, and it surprises him that I fight back, enabling me to land a blow to his throat.
He steps back and coughs, which I use to my advantage. I run around him and head back downstairs. I don’t have a car, but maybe I can get away and call someone else for help.
But I should have known a man like him wouldn’t be fazed for long. I scream as his hand grips the back of my head and pulls me back into the foyer. He kicks the front door shut, making it tougher for me to escape.
He shoves me to the ground, and I land with a grunt.
“Wait, wait!” I scream as he grabs my arms. “Why do you want me?”
“I need to make sure you stay silent.”
“What? What does that mean?”
“It means you’re coming with me.” He grips my arms and pulls me roughly with him as he drags me out of the house. I struggle against his grip and remember another of James’ techniques. I kick my foot out and land a blow to his shin. He grunts, but it barely phases him.
I keep kicking his shins until he slaps me across the face. “Stop kicking, little girl.” His voice is like gravelly rocks.
I’m so stunned by the blow I can’t move. Scar man shoves me into his car. He must have been waiting for James to leave to find me alone. The thought is terrifying.
“Please, let me go,” I beg as he gets behind the wheel and starts driving, taking us God knows where.
“Shut up and stay quiet.”
I look around as he drives, trying to take stock of where he’s taking me. Unfortunately, I dropped my phone in the scuffle, so I can’t call anyone else for help.
We drive for a while before reaching a rundown house that looks more like a shack. I stay silent as he pulls me from the car and leads me toward the house. As soon as I’m out of the car, I start screaming again, hoping someone will hear me, but there are no neighbors around for miles.
He grumbles as he shoves me into the dingy house. I stumble and land on the ground. Broken glass surrounds me, and a piece cuts my leg, making me cry out.
“What do you want?” I cry, tears bubbling down my face. I peel the small glass shard out of my shin.
“You know too much.” He looks out the front windows, checking if we were followed. “And since James won’t take matters into his own hands, I have to do it.”
“What are you talking about? I don’t know anything!”
“And I’m going to make sure it stays that way.” He whips a small, serrated knife out of his jacket pocket before advancing on me.
“What are you doing with that?” My blood is pumping so hard my head starts ringing. My chest feels like it won’t stop constricting, and I might have a heart attack.
“I’m going to cut out your tongue, little girl. This way, you’ll always be silent again.”
I crawl backward on my butt as I scramble away from him, but he’s much faster, and he sits on top of me, pinning me to the ground.
The sight of him raising his knife high fills my vision. God, please don’t let this happen. I can’t lose my tongue.
He grips my face and pulls my tongue out. His fingers taste like stale cigarettes.
Just as all hope is lost, the front door bangs open.
CHAPTER12
James
Idon’t notice that Olivia called until I’m in my meeting with Patrick. He wanted to brainstorm ideas to expand our business, which I told him was a great idea. He’s none the wiser that I’m using his brainstorming ideas for my own benefit.
When I see Oliva’s call, I excuse myself and head to the back of the bar. The minute I hear her panicked voice in the message, I know something’s wrong. She informs me a man with a scar came into the house and is now after her.
Shit.
