Break, page 36
Mina’s head falls back, moaning up to the ceiling at the first graze of her clit against the base of my cock. “Just like that, rock on me until you get the movement you want, and then you can try out anything else.”
She works her body against mine, picking up speed once she realizes that she can get herself there quicker than I did when I had my mouth on her.
“Vincent?”
“Yeah, sweetpea? Fuck, there’s no way I’m going to be able to hold back for long. You feel so fucking good,” I grit out, trying to hold back my orgasm so we can prolong this.
Crying out, she whispers, “It’s okay. It’s okay… I’m-”
I feel the walls inside of her lock down around my shaft, and I lose it. There’s no stopping as I empty myself. Her body collapses on top of me with jerking hips as she screams out her second orgasm into my chest.
My hips thrust up over and over, so I grip her to hold her body against me. I need something to fucking hold on to as the best goddamn orgasm I’ve ever had destroys me. It’s bordering on painful, it’s so intense.
She’s shaking on top of me from her own powerful orgasm. We’re barely coming back down to Earth when a fist pounds on my door.
Ethan’s voice carries through the door and sucks us right out of our happy place.
“Sorry to interrupt, but you both need to come downstairs. Danny sent another note, but this time, he sent it through your windshield.”
Chapter 48
Glass
Ethan
*Shattering glass*
Walt and I have been sitting on the front porch for twenty minutes when we both sit up and look toward the garage at the sound. What the fuck was that?
Max’s dog does the whole ‘lift the ears and trot toward the noise’ before his ears lay back. He lets out a low growl, and takes off around the corner of the house.
I don’t need to call Max because he comes tearing out of his woodshop seconds later, looking to me for answers I don’t have.
Of course, this motherfucker is already gone by the time we run over to Vincent’s truck. We find the passenger side back window shattered with a brick and a piece of paper laying in the mess on the seat.
“Goddamnit!” Max snarls out, looking toward the woods. I’m not interested in running after a man we both know is already long gone. What I do have a problem with is that he’s clearly watching the house, and none of us have noticed him.
Wrenching the door open, I ignore the pieces left in the window that fall over my arm and pick up the brick. Pulling off the rubber band around it, I open the note and read.
To the Whore,
I fucking told you to come home, but you didn’t. You stayed there.
I told you we needed to talk this out, and you refused.
I told you to stay away from THEM, and you ignored me.
How badly do you need cock that you have to whore yourself out to every man available to you? How badly do you need attention that you’ll fill their heads with lies for a bit of sympathy? Are you that hard up for attention?
Pathetic and worthless… that’s what you are. That’s all you’ll ever be.
I fucking gave you everything, whore… fucking EVERYTHING. And you’ve completely destroyed me. Destroyed US.
This is on you.
Hope you enjoyed the movie, you bitch.
Danny doesn’t sign off on his threat, but it’s clear this is from him. Grunting in frustration, I hand the note to Max and stomp over the shards laying in the grass toward the house.
I hate interrupting Vincent and Mina, but we need to go down to the station. Clearly, Danny is becoming more unhinged than he already was, and we need to go down to the station.
Knocking on Vincent’s door, I holler through to them. “Sorry to interrupt, but you both need to come downstairs. Danny sent another note, but this time, he sent it through your windshield.”
I hear a curse and then bodies moving around behind the door. I’m not going to wait around and have Mina feel embarrassed in whatever state Vincent has got her in, so I turn and head back down to wait for them in the living room.
Within minutes, Vincent and Mina are coming down the stairs, and Max is slamming the door behind him as he storms into the house.
He doesn’t see the other two behind him when he waves Danny’s note at me. “This motherfucker has gone off the deep end! First yesterday, and now this shit? How the hell is he watching us!?” Max is shouting by the time he finishes his rant, only to spin around at Mina’s gasp.
“Yesterday?” She looks at me, then Vincent, and then back to Max.
My angry friend shuts his eyes in frustration, groaning over his wish to take back his words. Apparently, Max didn’t get around to filling our woman in on her stalker.
“Mina, I didn’t want to ruin your afternoon with Ethan. Then, well, things happened, and it just didn’t seem like the right time. I was going to talk to you this morning. Why don’t you sit down while I fill you in?”
We can all visibly see Mina cave in on herself, shutting down from knowing that Danny has been watching her and has been more active than she knew.
“Darlin’,” I call to her. “Come sit with me, would you?”
Thankfully, she doesn’t try to stay away. Instead, she shuffles over to where I’m sitting perched on the edge of the couch, then dives onto the cushion next to me.
Pressing a kiss to her temple, I tell her softly so the other two don’t hear, “Max had no intention of keeping this from you. There honestly wasn’t a good time to share it until now.”
Nodding against my cheek, she gives my hand a squeeze and then turns to Max. “What happened? And what’s that?” she asks, pointing at the paper in his hand.
“Right,” Max says. Both he and Vincent sit next to us, Vincent on the other side of Mina and Max perched on the coffee table in front of her.
Ensuring he has our attention, he explains. “When I was driving us home yesterday, I noticed a car following us. Ethan informed the station, and that’s why we went for the drive around the lake. I wanted to give the officers time to catch up to us and hopefully corner Danny. Unfortunately, he caught on pretty quickly that I knew he was following and disappeared before they made it to us.”
Tapping Mina’s hand, I get her to look at me. “I caught the make, model, and plate of the vehicle he was driving. It all got reported, and they’ve been looking for him and the vehicle since we got home.”
Clearing his throat, Vincent adds, “Yeah, we found the car last night. It belonged to an elderly woman who left her keys in the ignition outside her home.”
My lip curls at that piece of information. I didn’t get an opportunity to talk to Vincent last night, so I didn’t know either.
“Why didn’t you tell me what was happening yesterday?” Mina asks, some hurt filtering through her question, and I know it guts Max when he winces. I hate we didn’t tell her, but I still think it was the right decision.
Swallowing, he gives her a forced smile. “You were having a good day, dove. I didn’t want to put a damper on it. I knew the police were handling it, and there wasn’t anything we could have done last night.” His eyes shoot back and forth across her face, willing her to believe him. “I just wanted you to have a good day. I’m sorry if that was the wrong decision.”
Mina’s eyes fill with tears, and she leans forward to press a kiss to his lips. “I appreciate the apology, and I forgive you. I would like to know these things in the future, though. Not knowing makes me feel like I don’t have any control.”
“Got it,” Vincent says. Looking at us, he nods his head in a silent promise. We won’t keep any secrets from her in the future.
“So, this,” Max holds up the note, “was left in Vincent’s car. It’s another letter from Danny.”
Taking it from him, Mina spreads it out over her thighs to read with Vincent leaning into her side, skimming it over his shoulder. His head shoots up to me first, rage consuming him, but he doesn’t say a word.
I give him a sharp nod in understanding and wait quietly while she reads. It takes about five minutes before we all hear the first tear drop, hitting the paper.
Sniffling and wiping her eyes with the side of her fist, she looks up. “So, what now?”
“Sweetheart, where’s your head at?” Vincent asks her, shifting closer, if that’s possible. He’s practically sitting in her lap now, and she releases a watery chuckle.
“I have no idea. We knew he was going to be angry when I didn’t go home. I think I’m mostly upset because he was watching us. Yesterday at the park and then earlier at our drive-in. He’s spoiled my happy memories.”
I feel like a fist is clenching my heart, squeezing tighter as a new wave of fury surges through me. Picking her up, I turn her so she’s sitting sideways on my lap. Then, tucking a finger under her chin, I bring her face up to look at me.
“Don’t let him take it away from you. We’ve got so much time to make a thousand new memories. Got it?” I know I sound angry, but she’s not afraid of it.
“Got it,” she whispers back.
Clearing his throat, Max scrubs his hands across his thighs. “Let’s get down to the station, yeah? We’ll get everything sorted there.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We’ve been sitting in this damn interview room for the last three hours with Cooper, Harrow, and Officer Knox, the woman who sat with Mina the morning after she was brought in by the hospital.
The plan of sending in a Mina-look-alike is out the fucking window now. Danny knows she doesn’t plan to head to the house, so sending someone in is pointless. He’s not watching their home. He’s watching her.
Mina insisted she sit in while we discussed new options and other alternatives on how to trick Danny out into the open. She hasn’t contributed much, except to answer questions we have about his habits or places he likes to go.
When discussing the possible places Danny could have been hiding, Max jerks in his chair. “Shit, Walter is outside!” He jerks his head up to me, then looks to Vincent. Mina is zoned out, working on folding a stack of paper that Vincent brought from the printer. She’s sitting in the chair next to me as we continue to beat our heads against the wall.
I know Vincent can’t leave, and Max is the one in charge of Mina’s protection through Barriers, so I speak up. “If you all don’t need me here, I’ll head home and let him in. Take a look around the property.”
“I’ll send an officer to the house later tonight to see if we can figure out where the hell Danny is watching you all from,” Cooper says.
Standing up, I push in my chair, then lean down to Mina. “Would you like to ride home with me? It’s been a long day in here.”
She barely has the chance to open her mouth before Harrow pipes in. “I think it’s important for her to stay a little longer. We may have some more questions about Danny.”
“Agreed,” Cooper adds. I don’t look at any of them, keeping my gaze on the only opinion that matters right now.
“Mina? Up to you, darlin’,” I tell her. There’s no way I’m going to pressure her into staying if she’s been pushed past her breaking point.
Max reaches over and squeezes her hand when she doesn’t answer right away, letting her know that it’s okay for her to tell us what she wants.
Her smile is brittle, but she shakes her head. “I’m okay. I want to be here to help if they need it. I’m sorry if I’m not contributing enough.” She glances up over at Knox, who gives her a gentle smile.
“You’re helping immensely. We appreciate all the help you’re giving us.”
Mina’s shoulders drop in relief. “Good. I’ll stay until you don’t need me anymore.”
Vincent snorts. “I’ll always need you, sweetheart.” The wink he gives her has her turning red faster than she normally does. I glare at him, trying to tell him without words not to embarrass her.
Cooper narrows his eyes at him but refrains from commenting.
“You sure, darlin’?” I ask her, just wanting to make sure.
“I’m good. Poor Walter is probably terrified being outside like that.” My lip twitches, wanting to smile over her concern at that fucking dog. Max snorts, knowing what I do. Walter isn’t his anymore. He’s chosen a new human.
Placing my hand on her shoulder, I squeeze it gently. “I’ll wait for you guys at home.”
Saying quick goodbyes, I head out of the station and make it home, only to find Walt laying on the front porch with his head hanging off the top step. He doesn’t pick his head up when he sees me approach, familiar with the sound of my car. His eyes follow my movement, droopy and sad, as I make my way over to him.
“Had a rough day, huh?” I ask him.
His tail thumps in answer, and I chuckle as I lean down to pat his head. “Let’s get you inside.”
He fucking groans as he picks himself up and follows me inside. I make quick work of filling his food bowl and changing out the water for him. Once he’s settled, inhaling his meal, I head back outside.
The first place I want to go is back to Vincent’s truck. Surveying the area, I glare at the shattered glass littered through the grass. What a fucking mess.
I walk over to the area where Danny would have had to stand to throw the brick and notice a divot in the grass from his foot. Glancing around, the only thing I can think of is that he had to run around the opposite side of the garage after he was finished.
There’s only one window on that side of the garage, facing the woods, and it’s not in the same space as Max’s wood shop. There’s no way we could see him from the house, either.
Following the path around, I don’t see any more signs of him. We haven’t had any rain for about a week, so the ground is dry, not conducive to leaving footprints. Slamming my fist on the wall of the garage, I stare out into the woods, but nothing seems out of place. He must be sneaking through the woods from this direction and then leaving the same way.
It bothers the fuck out of me that he watched Mina out here, watching a movie with Vince. How long did he watch her for? How much did he see?
Shoving my hand through my hair, I head back inside. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, and pull it out to read Max’s text.
Max: We probably should have sent Mina home with you. We’ve got a few more things for her to go over, then Harrow is going to drive her home. I’m sure you want to come back, but just stay there.
Me: I can come get her.
Max: Harrow has to come out anyway to look around the property. Text me when she gets home.
Me: Alright.
I spend the next couple of hours checking in with Breaking Barrier employees, getting updates on all the cases we’re handling from them. It’s only to distract myself from where I actually want to be. Leaving Mina in the room was torture, and as each minute passes by, I get more and more eager to see her.
Checking the clock for the hundredth time, my thoughts start to lean toward saying fuck it and going to get her myself.
I jolt when my phone rings, dislodging Walter’s head where he’s got it laid across my foot. Swiping to answer the call, I mutter an apology to him. “Sorry, buddy.”
Holding the phone to my ear, I answer. “Riley.”
“Hey, man. I had to step out of there for a few minutes and wanted to check in. We are literally going in circles,” Vincent complains.
Grunting a laugh, I settle the phone between my ear and shoulder to free up my hand. Thumbing through the next paper I’m reading, I ask, “How’s it going? How’s Mina holding up?”
Vincent pauses, then asks, confused, “What do you mean? That’s why I was calling you. She was exhausted when she left. Max and I were worried about her.”
Setting the paper down, I flick my eyes up to the clock again. “What time did she leave?”
“Dude, she left almost two hours ago. Don’t fuck with me right now. It’s been a nightmare here.”
Bolting to my feet, I begin to move through the house, still holding the phone to my ear. I call out for her. “MINA? You here, darlin’?” I don’t hear anything, and my heart starts to beat harder as I jog outside to check for cars. “MINA!” I shout.
“Goddamnit, Ethan. She’s not there?” Vincent’s voice comes through panicked, and I shake my head. He can’t see me, but my tongue is stuck, unable to get any words out.
“ETHAN. Tell me she’s fucking there with you!” he shouts at me.
“She’s not here,” I choke out, squeezing my eyes shut.
I drop my hand, holding the phone to my side, and grip it so hard I hear it crack from the force. His voice is shouting under my palm, but I don’t hear what he’s saying.
Spinning on my heel, I run back inside to grab my keys. Jerking the phone back to my ear, I hear the end of Vincent’s rant.
“…Harrow. Get him on the goddamn phone. She’s been gone for two hours already.” He must be letting everyone else know what’s going on, so I wait until he pauses before interjecting.
“I’m on my way. Harrow was supposed to bring her here, right?”
“Yes! Cooper is calling him now,” he hisses.
“I’ll watch for them on my way to you. Hopefully, they just broke down or something. I’ll call if I see anything.”
My chest is caving in on itself, compressing my lungs, and I’m struggling to breathe. We all know that Harrow didn’t break down. If they’d been in an accident, someone would have found them by now. The hospital would have called the station the moment they saw it was a squad car.
I know in my gut that Danny has Mina. Harrow is going to suffer for helping take her away from me.
I’m going to fucking kill Danny Reed.
Chapter 49
RAGE
Danny
“Danny…”
Her fucking voice scrapes over every inch of my skin, and I want to dig my nails into my arms to get the feeling to go away.
“Shut. The fuck. Up!” I scream at her. I just need her to shut her whore mouth for five minutes so I can think. Digging the side of my fist, holding my father’s knife next to my eye, I try to think things through. But everything is a fucking mess. It’s so fucked up.
