“How so?”
“What if they find out? Ash is going to think you lured Dodge down there. I mean, you fucked the killer.” She shrugs her shoulder and it all hits me. She’s probably right, which is why Ash can never find out.
“I’m not saying shit,” I remind her.
“Me either, babe. But they seem to be sniffing around you already. I mean Philly showed up.” I wave her off. Philly’s just being a bitch boy doing what he’s told.
“He’s just making sure I’m not fucking around on Ash is all. That bastard is so insecure.”
“He really is for someone that thinks he’s all that,” she adds. I toss the trash into the can before washing my hands and getting back to work.
The day drags on and the cupcakes are done. I didn’t go out to see who picked up the special order but when Abby told me it was a guy in a cut, I assumed it was the same one as before. I sent her home shortly after since she had a date to get ready for. As I finish cleaning up, I find myself a little jealous. She has a date—with a real guy that wants to take her out and not just fuck. That’s all Ash has ever really wanted and at first, I was okay with that. Now I wonder. Maybe I want more. Maybe I want someone that I can see a future with.
“Good luck with that,” I mumble to myself and shut off the lights. I already locked up out front and since I’m parked out back, that’s where I head. Pulling the door closed, I lock it up and when I turn, a man in a mask is there. I open my mouth ready to scream but he shakes his head, thrusting a box into my hands.
“One move, you die. There’s an explosive in there. We’re gonna play a little game. Let’s see how long the whore can stand still.” With a sick laugh, he turns and heads down the alley. My breathing has kicked up and my hands feel like they are trembling. What the hell is happening? Who would do this? Why? Ash. It all comes back to Ash. Why would he do this? All he’s talked about is getting me pregnant for some stupid reason, but now this? Oh my God. He’s going to kill me. He’s going to make a show of killing me because I didn’t follow his rules. A tear slips down my cheek when I hear the rumble of a motorcycle. And now he’s coming to watch me. Hell, he’ll probably be the one to push me to make me move. My cell vibrates in my pocket as tears roll down my cheeks. The motorcycle shuts off not far from me. I try to look out of the corner of my eye, but I can’t see anyone. I hear a scuffle; the air being knocked from someone’s lungs. I gasp for air, my body trying to remain still.
“Piece of shit,” I hear someone roar. Then I hear it—footsteps coming closer. I close my eyes and pray to God that whoever it is doesn’t touch me or this box. Just walk away. Just walk away. I repeat the words in my head.
“The fuck are you doin’?” That voice. I know that voice. I slowly open my eyes and come face-to-face with Freak. More tears fill my eyes and slip down my cheeks as he comes closer.
“Don’t!” I scream. He stops, studying me until his eyes move to the box.
“What’s in the box, Trina?” His voice is guarded. He knows something is wrong.
“A bomb.”
12
Freak
Jesus, fuck the girl is insane. She’s standing there holding a goddamn bomb. What the hell was she about to do? Blow up the alley with herself in it? I run my hand through my hair while I study her.
“You can stop looking at me like that anytime now, asshole. I didn’t do this,” she says through gritted teeth. Well, shit. I had that all wrong.
“Then why the fuck are you holdin’ a bomb?” I ask, tilting my head to the side. Is she fucking with me? I can’t tell from her voice but once I look into her eyes, I know she isn’t. I can see the fear.
“I came out, and some asshole thrust it into my hands.”
“What did he say? What did the guy say exactly?” I move a little closer and I can feel the fear rolling off her. No, she isn’t joking about this.
“He said he wanted to play a game.” Her voice trembles. “To see how long I… I could stand still.”
“Fuck.” I pull my phone out and step back a little to call Grave.
“What?”
“There’s a situation.”
“Thought you were handlin’ it?”
“I did handle it. There’s a new situation,” I tell him, looking up at her. Her eyes water and there isn’t shit I can do to help her.
“What the fuck is it, Freak?”
“The girl, you know the one I fucked in the basement? Well, she’s standin’ in the alley with a bomb in her hands.”
“Jesus Christ! What are you doin’?” Grave roars into the line. I chuckle. That’s funny.
“I didn’t make the motherfucker, Grave. Someone else did. Get someone down here,” I tell him.
“She ain’t our problem,” he says, pissing me off a little more.
“No, she ain’t, but everyone includin’ the police know we run this area. I don’t think blowin’ up a woman would go over well with them.” I hear him cursing under his breath.
“Are we sure it’s a bomb?”
“She said that’s what he told her.”
“Fuck! It’s gonna take a bit to get Reggie up here. He’s the only one that knows about that shit,” he growls into the line.
“Get someone out here to set up a perimeter. Whoever did this shit, can’t be far. Told her they wanted to play a game to see how long she could stand still.”
“Fuck. Freak! If that shit blows.”
“I know, brother. Get the guys down here.” Hanging up, I move toward her once more.
“I got guys comin’. It’s gonna take a bit for our bomb expert to get here. You okay?” She swallows hard and nods slightly.
“Will... will you stay with me?”
“I ain’t goin’ anywhere, darlin’.”
“I don’t get it. Why would someone do this?” she asks, but I don’t have an answer for her.
“What are you doin’ out here, anyway?”
“I work here,” she says softly.
“You work where? At the bakery?” She nods her head, sniffling.
“I own it. My mom opened it when I was little. Once she died, it was all mine. I run it now.”
“No shit? I didn’t peg you as a baker. That’s kinda hot now that I think about it. Wearin’ nothin’ but your apron, fuckin’ you over the cookie dough,” I say. Damn, that has my cock all kinds of hard. Trina laughs a little before she abruptly stops and looks down at the box. The tears keep falling and I step closer. Reaching up, I’m careful not to move her but I do wipe the tears from her cheeks.
“I don’t know anyone but Ash. I don’t mess with any other clubs or anything.
“How long have you known him?” I ask her, not really wanting the answer. Fuck him. He’s an abusive piece of shit that I have no desire dealing with, but this needs to happen. This talk needs to happen so that she has something else to focus on.
“Almost a year. I met him at a club I went to with a friend. I thought he was nice.” I snort out a laugh.