When I'm With You (Little Hollow Series, #2)(25)

“Hey!” I shout, my voice coming out gravelly against my parched throat.

I bang against the front of the van with my foot, biting down on my lip as it stings and I wince in pain. “Hey!”

I’m glad they hadn’t thought to gag me; I smile a triumphant smile.

I bang and scream until my body suddenly jerks forward with the force of the brakes, and my body clashes against hard metal.

I sit up as I hear a door slam and prepare myself for whatever they’re about to do to me. The back of the van opens with a creak and my breath hitches as I feel hands wrap around my ankles as I get jerked forward. I try to steady my shaking hands, but who am I kidding? I’m scared shitless.

Apart from his hands pinning me down, he’s not made a move to do anything else yet so my pulse slows down and my head to mouth filter stops working.

“So let me guess, you’re the little bitch doing all the dirty work while my dad sits on his ass? Hmm? Oh come on, Mr silent, give me a little something, it’s not like I can do anything with it.” He doesn’t say or do anything. “Come on, the least you could do is tell me where you’re taking me, you have just taken me hostage, you sick fuck.”

Normally by now they’d have lashed out at what I’m saying, but apart from breaking into my salon and apartment, trashing the place and taking me against my will, he hasn’t actually made a move to hurt me. My mind is swirling, if he isn’t going to hurt me, then maybe I can try and get away?

Just as that thought rolls through my mind I hear the sound of another vehicle approaching, and I stiffen before my mind catches up and I thrash about tirelessly against his arms, but it’s no use. I manage to connect with a few parts of his body that has him wheezing, but he wraps his arms around me to restrain me.

The other engine cuts out and the sound of a door opening makes me freeze. I hear footsteps coming toward us and the gravelly lilt to my attackers’ voice grinds out over the air. “You were supposed to be here an hour ago, I had to drive around for a bit longer so I didn’t look too suspicious.”

I stop breathing, waiting for the other person to speak, but he gets no answer in reply. I feel him ease off me. “She’s feisty, watch out for those feet.”

He chuckles as if this is all just a big joke, like my life means nothing, and then I feel all his weight come off me and another replace his.

The sound of keys being exchanged and retreating footsteps are next, and I breathe in the smoke of whoever is stroking their grubby paws up the outside of my left leg. I stay still and try to contain the panic I’m starting to feel. This exchange is different; I can feel the dark vibes rolling off this person in waves.

Their hand travels across my thighs and down the other leg making me want to throw up as I feel their calloused hands glide across my skin. Fuck this shit, I kick out with both bound feet and smile as they connect with something that makes him curse.

“Fuckin’ bitch!”

I freeze as years of bad memories assault me, I know that voice better than my own. I’d rather die than be in his hands again. I try to scuttle backward but he grabs my legs and pulls me toward him again, pinning me down.

I feel a burning sensation on my ankle and I hold back a squeal, not wanting to give him the satisfaction that he’s hurt me. That bastard just put his cigarette out on me!

He laughs, the sound ricocheting off the inside of the van as I recoil back into the fetal position. I feel his body heat and smell his sweaty odor as he leans over me, grabbing at my neck. I panic as he squeezes, crushing my windpipe and I thrash against him.

I’m going to die in a dirty van in the middle of god knows where by the one person I swore would never rule my life again.

A rush of air fills my lungs as he lets out a sinister laugh, throws my head back down, and slams the doors shut. I back up and huddle into a corner as I try to catch my breath. Anyone but him, I can only wish it was my Dad that had come for me. This is going to be so much worse than I thought.

My head is filled with the memories from my past, all containing his hideous face. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone to sleep over the years, only to have it flash through my mind. But this isn’t a dream. This is real life, and I won’t be waking up anytime soon.

The terrain we’re driving on seems to change and the ride gets bumpier as we travel on what seems to be gravel. I know we’re driving down a dirt track, but I want to know where. I have a feeling in the deepest part of me that I won’t be escaping, but I’m going to give it everything I have trying.

He stops the van and I ready myself as the back doors open, and I feel the van tilt as he steps into the back with me. I try to lash out as he start to drag me out of the vehicle but he stops before we make it out and flips me over onto my stomach, grabbing a large handful of my hair and pulling my head back toward his mouth. “The harder you fight, the rougher I get, sweet girl.”

I gag at his use of the pet name my mom used to call me and I feel my scalp start to burn from where he’s pulling so hard, but I try not to cry out. My head jolts forward as he pushes my face into the bottom of the van. “Be a good little girl and climb out here.”

I don’t move, I’d rather he killed me than go anywhere with him.

“Fuck you,” I mutter under my breath.

“What was that?” He grinds out.

“I said... Fuck. You.”