back, I kick him in the ribs, he rolls over onto his back, and I point the gun at his other leg.
“Tell me everything you know about the girl! Why does Christian want her dead?”
“You know I can’t—” I cut him off by pulling the trigger. The shot rings out through the air, and another bullet rips through the flesh of his leg.
“Fucking fuck!” He’s squirming around on the ground in agony, trying to get away. “I don’t know why he wants her!”
I’m past playing games, now I just want the truth, want the information, so I can keep Dove safe. “Don’t fucking lie to me. You already told me in the bar that you know something. Tell me and die quickly. Or I can torture you for hours. That’s up to you. I’ve got all fucking night.”
“Jesus, fuck. You can’t kill me. Christian needs me, and he’ll have your balls for this. I’m more useful to you alive.”
“Do I look like someone who gives a fuck? At this point, you’re more useful to me dead.” I pull the trigger a third time. The bullet hitting him directly in his kneecap. A high-pitched scream rips from his throat, and for the next few seconds, all he does is scream. It’s annoying, and I’m half tempted to shoot him in the head to make him shut up, but that wouldn’t get me the information that I need.
When he is somewhat calmed down, probably because he is starting to lose a lot of blood, I ask him again, “Why does he want her dead?”
“All I know… is that…” He’s fighting now to get each word out. The pain makes it hard to talk, but I don’t give a shit.
“Talk!” I snarl like a dog ready to bite.
“He’s been… looking for her… for a while,” he groans. “For a long time.”
“How long?”
“Years. Ten, maybe more.”
“He has been looking for Dove for over ten years?” I have to confirm that I heard him correctly.
“Yes…”
“Why?”
“I-I don’t know.” He shakes his head, and I believe him. Christian’s not a damn chatty man by any means, and whatever secrets he has, he keeps them close to his chest. Aiming the gun at Billy’s head, I fire one last bullet, hitting him right between the eyes.
Staring down at his lifeless body for a few seconds, I try to decide if it’s worth moving him. Deciding it’s not, all I do is grab his wallet from his jacket and walk back to my car. I’ll let the cops find him and figure something out on their own.
On the drive home, I roll down my window and throw his wallet into the river as I cross the bridge. My mind is a fucking mess as I try and connect all the dots.
Why the hell has Christian been looking for her, and why for so long? I thought Billy would be able to give me answers, but instead, he gave me more questions.
I might not have a lot of answers, but I do know one thing. I need to get Dove away from here. She’s not safe anymore. Not in her own home, not at work, and definitely not anywhere in this town.
7
You know that feeling that tells you not to do something? When your gut tightens, and your palms grow sweaty. When it feels like something bad is seconds away from taking place? That’s how I feel right now. Like I shouldn’t be coming home, like something terrible is going to happen. I force myself to take a calming breath and unlock the door.
It’s all in your head, Dove. I mean, seriously, this is my house. My home. I have no reason to be scared. Shoving the door open, I take a hesitant step inside. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and goosebumps break out across my flesh.
Slowly, I close the door behind me and reach for the light switch right beside the door. It doesn’t turn on, and I reach for it again, flipping the switch off and on. The light bulb must’ve gone out.
Feeling through the darkness, I find my way to the lamp on the side table. I flip it on, and a second later, the room is bathed in a soft glow. Flicking my gaze around the room, I realize something is terribly off. Max. He’s not here, and he always greets me at the door. Always…
“What the…” The words are cut off when a mammoth hand comes out of nowhere,