“Shit, you stabbed me, bitch!” Tobias roared as he held a hand to the wound. I glared at the prick in hate.
“And you, asshole, kidnapped and drugged me!”
“Because I needed to get you away from those terrible influences! They wouldn’t allow us to be together!”
“I don’t wish to be in a relationship with you, Tobias. When are you going to understand that? You can keep pretending that we’re in love, but the truth is you’re repulsive. I want nothing to do with you. It’s not The Wild Wind stopping us from being together! Honestly, Tobias, I think you’re pathetic, weak, and creepy. In my opinion, you’re batshit crazy and need to stay the fuck away from me. Next time I won’t go for the neck!”
“If I can’t have you, no one will, Chey,” Tobias cried dramatically and took a step towards me. A scream left my mouth as Tobias’s head exploded into a red mist, and half his face disappeared into nothing. The one remaining eye stared in hate as Tobias hit his knees and fell face-first to the ground. Still screaming, I moved backwards as Tobias landed on my legs, blood covering me.
“Shut the fuck up, Chey. I shot Tobias for silence. What do you think I’d do to you?” In complete shock, I peered up at Higgins, who glowered and held a shotgun. Shit, out of the frying pan and into the fire.
???
I sat rigidly as Higgins ran a bath in the cabin. I was surprised the awful place had running water, and I tried to make myself as small as possible. While he worked, Higgins muttered under his breath and offered dour looks. I was in more trouble than with Tobias, and I knew it. Higgins wasn’t easy to fool.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked quietly. Higgins sneered over his shoulder.
“Don’t act innocent, Chey, you know why.”
“Tobias was deluded, but I don’t think you are,” I said, playing to Higgins’ vanity.
“The asshole assumed he owned you, that everyone was keeping you apart. Tobias would have made a great patsy, but the asshole believed he was playing me. We met at a concert, both of us were banned, and security spotted and escorted us out simultaneously. We bonded, but Tobias thought it was because I loved you. Idiot had no idea of what I planned to do.” It was on the tip of my tongue to ask, but I held back. Something told me that if I asked, I’d set Higgins off.
“So, the plan was to outwit Tobias?” I inquired carefully, picking my words.
“Tobias wasn’t hard to outwit. The man was a trusting fool, obsessed with getting between your legs. But we know that doesn’t happen, don’t we, Chey? You’re a prick tease, like every other woman.”
“Tobias must have been shocked when you shot at me.”
“Nah, that was the plan. I’d pretend to shoot, and Tobias would swoop in and be the hero. Instead, I really aimed, and the idiot didn’t even realise. Boy, was Tobias pissed when that biker swooped in to save the kid. He’s the father, isn’t he? The biker,” Higgins asked as he checked the temperature of the water.
“Yes.” There was no point denying shit. “Celt will come.”
“Doubt it; the bikers will be chasing their tails out there.” Higgins shot back. That filled me with hope. Higgins didn’t know the cabin belonged to Tobias, which meant that the police or Hellfire could track me. All that was required was staying alive.
“Why did you use the juggernaut? Mick was killed in that accident.”
“Had to punish you for the way you played men. Doe-eyed and soft-voiced, waving your femininity around like a weapon. Fooled everyone bar me. Softly spoken, gentle mannerisms, but we both know the truth. Chey, you’re a viper and a man-eater. How many men’s hearts have you ripped out?”
“Well, Higgins, when have you seen me on dates with men? Never! Jesse always came first, and you can’t deny that!” I shot back angrily.
“You’re a slut!” Higgins roared.
“Name one guy!” I shrieked, and Higgins frowned. He couldn’t. I’d never been pictured with a date. If I had to have a plus one, one of the band stepped in. Higgins snorted.
“There’s been men, bitch.”
“No, there hasn’t. Which begs the question, why do you think I dragged you around by your dick. What interest did I show in you? Did I smile at you? Yeah, well, I smiled at fans, male or female. Did I say hello and ask how you were? Sorry, I treat everyone the same. That’s called being polite. I never led you on to believe anything other than I was being nice to a fan!”
“Chey, you twist everything to suit yourself,” Higgins snorted. There was no getting through to him. Higgins had convinced himself that I’d been playing him, even though Higgins never registered on my radar. Not until we were warned about Higgins in a security briefing.
“Get undressed,” Higgins snarled, interrupting my thoughts. My stomach flipped as I gazed at him, speechless. “I said undress so you can wash.”
“No!” I spat furiously. Whatever Higgins intended, I was going to fight.
“Oh, I ain’t interested in your broken body. I like women to react, not lie there like a slab of meat. But you look disgusting, and I’ve got plans for you.”
“I’m not getting naked!” I exclaimed. Higgins didn’t bother arguing this time. A wicked smile crossed his lips, and Higgin’s strode over and yanked me to the ground. I raised my arms to protect myself from a blow, but Higgins pulled a knife and slit it down the back of my top. Higgins cut through the bra strap and ripped the clothes from me. I cried out and tried to cover my breasts, but a hard shove forced me flat on the floor, and Higgins tore my shorts and underwear off. I couldn’t move my legs to hide anything, but Higgins showed little interest.