Page 49 of Someday Away
The room falls silent, the weight of the revelation hanging heavy in the air. My chest tightens, and I struggle to breathe. Hunter, of all people. How could he do this?
King steps forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. “What do you want to do, brother?”
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to think clearly. “We find Hunter. We bring Snow home. And when we do, that fucker is going to pay for what he’s done.”
The men nod in agreement, their faces grim. I turn back to Nathan, my voice cold and steady. “You’re going to help us. And if you lie to us or try to lead us away from Hunter, my buddy here will make you wish you were dead.”
“But I’ll make sure you live through the games so that we can play again,” King smiles coldly.
Nathan nods quickly, his fear evident. “I don’t know anything else. I swear,” he cries. “Wait, last week he mentioned something about having to stop skimming money from the club. I don’t think it will help find your girl, but I promise that’s all I know. Just... please, don’t hurt me.”
The betrayal digs deep, latching onto old memories and turning them sour. He’s the one who's been stealing from me.
“I don’t know anything else,” he says.
I nod, my mind already racing with plans. We need to find Snow, and we need to find her fast. And when we do, Hunter will wish he’d never crossed me.
“Scare him a bit and let him go,” I tell King low enough that the kid can’t hear.
He smiles coldly and nods
As the men start talking and gathering information, I head outside for a moment, needing a breath of fresh air. The night is cool, but it does little to calm the storm inside me. Hunterbetrayed me, and he has Snow. But I’ll get her back. No matter what it takes.
Chapter Sixteen
Amara
As I slowly awaken, I take note of my body. I feel sluggish. I must have had a seizure in my sleep. It wouldn’t be the first time, but Sky usually tries waking me up before it hits to take my nose spray. Maybe he was in a deep sleep and didn’t catch the changes in my body. It’s never happened before, but there’s a first time for everything.
My eyes flutter open, adjusting to the dim light filtering through a small, high window. The room is unfamiliar, dank, and musty, with concrete walls and minimal furnishings. Fear grips me as I realize I’m not at home. Memories flood back—seizures, the hospital, packing my bags, being kidnapped and threatened.
“Here’s water. Drink it. Can’t have you dying on me just yet.”
That voice. The malice in it sends a shiver down my spine, freezing me in place. My heart races as I turn towards the source, finding Hunter standing there, a bottle of water in his hand. He looks different now, his pleasant facade shattered by the cruelty in his eyes. He reaches down, adjusts himself, and licks his lips.
Panic claws at my chest. Did he rape me?
I force myself to sit up, ignoring the dizziness, and take the water from him with trembling hands. I drink, trying to push down the fear threatening to overwhelm me. My mind races, trying to make sense of the nightmare I find myself in. Hunter, someone I barely know, someone I thought was nice when we met briefly. How could he do this?
The room feels smaller, the air thick with tension. I cross my arms across my chest, feeling exposed and vulnerable. Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back. I can’t let him see me break down.
But the questions won’t stop. Did he hurt me? Did he take advantage of me while I was unconscious? My heart races when I realize that my pants and underwear are off. My whole body hurts, but I try to focus on my private parts. They feel sore. Tender.
I was raped. This sick bastard raped me while I was unconscious from another seizure.
I swallow hard, trying to push away the rising panic. I have to stay strong. I have to find a way out of here. I have to survive this.
I frantically search for my pants and put them on.
“Ghost is going to kill you for this,” I say. I can’t help the tears that fill my eyes and fall down my face, but I refuse, absolutely refuse, to let this man know how much he broke me.
“He’ll never know,” Hunter laughs. “In a few weeks, he won’t even remember you existed. And as for me, he plans on buying my half of the Undercage. I overheard him talking about it. I could say no, but then that fucking King will beat the yes out of me. So, I’m going to act shocked, put up a fight, and then give in. With the money I get from that, plus what you’re making me, I can leave this fucking town and start over somewhere fresh. Might even get a dog.”
“What’s going to happen to me?” I ask.
“Who knows,” he shrugs. “I’ve never killed anyone before, and I don’t plan on starting now.”
“But you don’t mind raping them?” I ask sarcastically.