“Fuck you.” I pressed my lips shut.
He shoved the pills against my mouth, mashing my lip against my teeth.
No.
His fingers squeezed cruelly into my skin. I tried to shake my head.
If you get those pills in your mouth, you die.
He squeezed my jaw harder, and slowly I felt my muscles giving way.
No. No. No.
I was going to die.
Then a gunshot echoed through the trees.
Chapter 30
Caden
My shot hit Moreland in the shoulder.
I watched his body jerk and swing to the side.
It was taking everything I had not place a well-aimed bullet between his eyes. The bastard was straddling Allie. She turned her head, saw me, and relief filled her face.
Fuck. That look.
There was a lot I’d do to see this woman look at me like that.
I raced across the clearing. As I neared them, I saw the redness and swelling on her face.
He’d hit her. He was trying to force pills into her mouth. They were now scattered all around on the dirt.
I kicked him and he fell off her with a grunt. Leaning down, I pressed the gun to the side of his head, and he froze.
“How’s it feel when someone bigger and stronger has you pinned down?” I growled. “You like preying on people who are more vulnerable than you. It makes you feel strong.” I shoved the gun barrel harder against his temple. “You’re nothing but a pathetic, cowardly parasite.”
Moreland whimpered. “Please…don’t kill me.”
I smelled the sharp stench of urine. He’d wet himself.
I glared down at him with disdain. Then Gunner and Hugh flanked me.
“We’ve got him, Caden.” Gunner gently pushed my arm down.
Hugh pulled handcuffs off his belt. “You take care of Allie.”
I slid my handgun back into the holster and turned. She was sitting there, huddled on the ground, and shaking.
I approached her.God. She was alive. She was okay. I felt a little light-headed.
“Caden, the duffel is filled with drugs.” She pointed to a bag nearby. “I took pictures. My phone’s here somewhere. He threw it.”
“You came out here with him to find the drugs.”
She nodded. “He had to be stopped. I was sick of being his chew toy. And last night, after Ollie, after making you blame yourself…”
