“That wasn’t the only murder she witnessed. You should remember the night she escaped. That underage redhead the boss was fucking never went home. Juliana witnessed Pierce fucking her, beating her, then killing her, and she knew that was how she would eventually wind up. I was too busy cleaning up the fucking mess and getting rid of the body. That’s when Juliana made her escape.”
“The morning before is when you killed her boyfriend in front of her.”
“Yep. That’s why Pierce was so pissed. Pierce knew that she lost her virginity, and he took out his anger about Juliana and her boyfriend by fucking the redhead, imagining it was Juliana before he killed her. I’ve never seen that sick fuck so outraged. It took hours to get that room cleaned up.”
“I remember that. He’s going to lose it when he finds out she’s alive and fucking two guys.”
“That’s where a new plan has to come into motion. Pierce is going to call me soon about Dixie Chix and whether it’s something to invest in and buy out. Under normal circumstances I would say hell yeah, but if and when Pierce finds out Juliana is here and has two men, he’s going to declare war on
every individual in her life. I checked out the town and got some inside information on Dixie Chix. That sexy blonde married to the sheriff is not one of the owners. The blonde and her six friends are the owners, including Juliana.”
“Oh fuck.”
“‘Oh fuck’ is right. When I give all the information to Pierce, he’s going to start blackmailing, manipulating everything from alcohol deliveries to the club to board of health inspections and fire hazard violations. It’s how he’s landed a lot of his investments, by practically destroying them then taking over when the owners know it’s sell or go bankrupt.”
“He was nearly busted in that international deal a few months back. Maybe he’ll be more cautious and just want to grab her and run.”
“Naw, you should know Pierce as well as I do. He’s too conceited and arrogant to do things under the radar and with finesse, especially when he has an obsession like the one he has for Juliana.”
“So what do you want me to do? Should I go back and knock off the two lovers?” Teddy asked.
“Nope. I think we should stay low. Avoid the club tonight.”
Just then his cell phone rang.
“It’s Pierce,” he stated toward Teddy then answered.
“Yeah, boss, they’re at the hospital. Flesh wound. Juliana is a total mess. She’s standing in the waiting area now. Is there anything you want me to do?”
He thought about that a moment. He needed to break down any defenses she may have left. By hitting her now, while one of her lovers was hospitalized, he should be able to get to her.
“Yeah. Make a phone call to the front desk. Ask to speak with her then pretend that you’re me and tell her that I’m watching her, I’m coming to get her, and when I do, she should be ready, or I’ll kill both of her lovers and her friends one by one.”
“Got it.”
Robert hung up the phone.
“What do you think she’ll do?” Teddy asked.
“She’ll come to me.”
“How will she know where you are?”
“The sheriff and his men already know that we’re staying here. Now that an attempt was made on their friend’s life, I think I’ll have a shadow for quite some time.”
* * * *
Juliet ran to the bathroom after taking the phone call. How the hell was he able to see her, to remain undetected under everyone’s noses? There were ex-military surrounding her and her friends. She felt so sick to her stomach, and she couldn’t stop shaking. He was going to succeed. Robert would kill Carl and Richie and perhaps her friends, too, if Juliet didn’t go willingly with him when he came for her.
She was filled with a mix of emotions. She couldn’t let others suffer because of her. She closed her eyes and sat on the closed lid on the toilet in the bathroom. Instantly, she saw the images pop into her head. She covered her ears. She could almost hear the sounds of pain as Robert and his goons tormented and beat Danny as she was restrained in front of him. She never forgot the look in Danny’s eyes. The way he pleaded for life and promised to never touch her again as long as he could live. He begged and cried out with such fear and pain, she had nightmares about him.
Oh God, please protect Carl and Richie. Please protect my friends.
She remembered Robert’s face as he slit Danny’s throat. She remembered the blood, the lack of respect for life, and how he kicked his dead body then grabbed her by the throat and brought her face right in front of Daddy’s beaten, battered corpse.
No man will ever touch you again. You know whom you belong to. Four more months, Juliana. Just four more months and you’ll be completely his. He’ll kill anyone that touches you.
She recalled Robert’s words as she cried out in agony and sadness. Robert killed Danny.