Chapter 4.26
WARNING: Extreme violence, fighting
August
I was breathing hard as if I'd sprinted the 100 yard dash. I kept thinking, "Oh my God, I'm dead," over and over again. How did the asshole find out? I didn't tell anyone except Ethan. Beau knew, too, but neither of them would say anything.
The thugs brought me to an abandoned warehouse in a part of town I never knew existed.
After we exited the limo, the blonde dude shoved me forward. They'd tied my hands up with rope so I couldn't try to punch my way out of this. Not like I would since he carried a gun. He'd hit my face right before he even dumped me in the car, too. I knew that was probably the easiest part of what was going to happen.
"When we get inside, you do exactly what we say without a fight and maybe you'll come out with your skinny ass life. Got it?" the guy said in my ear.
All I could do was nod. I wasn't planning to resist. I was so scared, I was surprised I hadn't pissed my pants.
As soon as we got inside, they untied me, but all at once, Blondie seized my neck to hold me down while the other two started in on me. I tightened my stomach muscles, knowing this would help relieve the blows, but I couldn't keep it up all the time. Dreadlock dude got in a massive punch, knocking the wind out of me. And then he kicked me in the nuts. Severe pain sprang through my body as stars erupted before my eyes. I was about to pass out.
Instantly, I struggled, trying to break free from them. If I could do one of my moves, maybe I could run for it.
But Dreads punched me in the face for my idiocy.
Rough hands threw me from guy to guy until my body shivered in pain and I was nothing but a ball of blood, cowering on the floor.
I hated myself at that moment. So weak.
But what could I do against them? My training was for shit. Only taught me how to fight in a ring. Nothing like this.
And then as I heaved on the ground like a fool, he moved over me.
Daniel.
I looked at him with seething hatred. He could do anything he wanted to in Brindleton Bay and here I was helpless against him.
Pointing at me, he hissed, "Thought I wouldn't recognize you in that ridiculous wig, asshole? Hmph. I want you to remember who I am because if you forget again, I can promise I'll put you in the morgue as payment."
He nodded at one of his thugs and they hustled me to my wobbly feet. I was an empty shell without any fight left. Why wouldn't Daniel just stop this already? He'd done much more to me than I ever tried to do to him that night.
Dreads punched me in the jaw several times then shoved me down again.
I tried to curl up into a ball to hide from him, but he found me, striking again and again.
"It's over," I thought. "I'm dead."
I didn't think my brain could take any more pounding. And when my vision blurred, I heard Daniel shout, "Enough!"
They manhandled me to a chair. I could barely keep my head up and heard myself moaning from the fire that seemed to sizzle through my aching body.
Suddenly, I felt the cold, hard nuzzle of a gun shoved into my neck. "Let me put a bullet in his head, Boss. This bastard shouldn't live for what he did to you."
"Ahh!" I cried. Terror ripped through my quaking body.
Daniel didn't say anything. I was cringing, wondering what it would feel like to get your brains blown out.
"I've got a better idea," Daniel said.
"Throw him to his girlfriend and let her see what I do to her toys if she crosses me."
*****
Briar
It was such a bright sunny Saturday. I was in a great mood since August told me he was going to come back today and give me more guitar lessons. I knew I shouldn't allow myself the luxury of stoking the quiet fire I held for August, but whenever he came around me, I couldn't help myself.
It was my tiny secret. No one else had to know I was in love with him.
When the doorbell rang, tingles rippled through me. I could almost see August's beautiful smile as he towered over me. But when I opened the door, no one was there.
And then I saw him.
"Oh my God!" I shouted. Tears sprang to my eyes as I saw August's beaten and broken body crumpled on the ground.
Bending over him, I gently shook him, but he wasn't moving. Crying, I knew exactly who'd done this to him.
And it was all my fault.
******
I want to thank the very talented Joanne Bernice for making the fighting poses JUST FOR this story. Worked out so well!!! Check out her story, Fine Lines, and her tumblr for more posing mastery!
