The air was eerie and stiff. The wind caused the trees to ruffle. Crickets sounded around me. There were no lights near the barn.
Leaving my car, I headed for the barn. Because I paid attention, I was able to insert the code to unlock the door. After hearing the click, I pushed the double doors open. On the wall I hit the button for the lights. I thought I was gonna have to head to the back where they had the holding cells—each with steel doors and slidable, rectangle peep holes that could be opened to talk to and see whoever was on the other side—but instead I saw two people in the middle of the barn tied to chairs. Their heads leaned forward and their bodies sagged.
Bringing my bookbag forward, I reached in and grabbed my gun, making sure the safety was off. I tossed my bookbag on the ground near the doors and stepped forward.
Electric currents ran through me and amplified my heartbeat. I always felt high when I was preparing for a kill.
Ted’s head popped up, hearing me approach. The other guy barely looked like he was breathing.
“Wake up, bitches,” I announced, bouncing my eyes between them. They were facing each other. I dropped my eyes to Ted’s missing hand and smirked.
“You just couldn’t let it go, huh?” I taunted, shaking my head. Both had their mouths taped shut.
His eyes cut into slits. I swiveled my attention to the other guy. Stalking toward him, I tapped my gun against his head.
“Wake up.” I grabbed the curls on top of his head and yanked. His eyes fluttered and he groaned. His arm was wrapped and that must have been where Nazai hit him.
“You thought it was smart to come for me?”
He grunted.
I lifted my gun, slammed it against his head, and released him. Stepping in front of him, I eyed him and dragged my tongue across my top teeth.
“You shot my husband twice.” I pointed my gun and sent a shot through each knee cap. He cried out behind the tape. He wiggled and attempted to free himself. My vision turned red as I stared at him. Knowing he’d gotten that close to possibly taking me out caused my ears to pound. My breathing increased. The back of my neck grew hot. My heart was like a raging bull in my chest, wildly pounding into my ribcage.
Stalking toward him, I lifted my leg and sent my shoe into his chest, causing him to fly back. I stood above him and glared down. His eyes widened in fight. Fireworks of excitement exploded inside me. It brought me joy knowing I was the cause of that fear. “And then you truly fucked up by making me your original target. I hope your life was worth being Neil’s bitch.” He mumbled behind the tape, quickly shaking his head side to side. “Have fun in hell.” Pointing the gun at his head, I pressed the trigger. The shot was clean, a bullet between the eyes.
Inhaling a deep breath, I closed my eyes and rolled my shoulders back. Turning, I faced Ted. Sweat beaded on his forehead. His eyes locked on the man’s dead body now on the side of me.
“You’re the reason he got inside the club.” I went into my pocket and pulled my butterfly knife out, flicking it open.
I tucked my gun into the small of my back and slowly walked to Ted. His eyes ballooned in fear. His body shook and he shouted behind the tape.
“You should have just let it go after you lost your hand, but no.” I grinned, placing the blade against his face and dragging it down, slicing his cheek. It slit open as if I was cutting into butter, blood leaked and dripped down his face. He screamed and attempted to move out of my reach.
“I planned on coming and finishing this quickly, but I don’t like snakes.” I lifted the knife and studied it. The once silver blade now was stained with his blood. My grin broadened. A warm glow flowed through me. “Did you know the best way to kill a snake is to cut its head off?” I narrowed my eyes on him.
Quickly, Ted shook his head. “How long do you think it’ll take me to remove your head with my knife?” I placed the metal to his neck. I slid the blade slowly, making sure to drag it out.
“Stop!” a deep voice bellowed from behind me, causing me to freeze. I dropped my eyes to where the blood was seeping from Ted’s cheek and now his neck.
Inhaling a deep breath and pushing it out, I pulled up and spun around.
I bit the inside of my cheek seeing Nazai standing at the entrance of the barn. His eyes were an icy storm and his lips were tightly pinched together. He slid his attention to the dead man on the floor and his jaw ticked. When he turned to face me, I fought not to shuffle under his glare.
“I thought you were sleep,” I said.
Nazai didn’t respond. He slowly made his way toward me. Each step he took caused my heart to tick loudly.
Stopping in front of me, he gazed down at me. I was about to speak when his hand went to my neck. My eyes bucked as his grip tightened.
“What the fuck are you doing?” he growled.
“Let me go!” I used my free hand and reached for his wrist. I struggled against his hold.
“Didn’t I tell you to stand down?” He yanked me forward.
“He tried to kill me. He shot you!” I strained to get out. My throat burned. Air became hard to retain. My vision grew fuzzy.
