Page 56 of Hutch (Minnesota Raptors #2)

Daisy

My body bounces as I’m dragged down a set of stairs. I can feel it every time my flesh meets the cold metal stairs, every time my head bounces against the hard metal steps. The concrete floor scrapes my face as I am pulled across it.

“Go to the store. We’re going to need a lot of bleach to clean up the mess.” He leaves me laying there and walks over to what I think is a table, but my vision is a little blurry. And I can’t move. Why can’t I move?

Bleach? My mind’s a little fuzzy, but I understand what he wants with bleach. He’s going to kill me.

“Why the fuck do you want bleach? I signed up to scare the bitch, not kill her.”

“What did you think I was going to do? Beat her and then let her blab to everyone it was me? Fuck no. She’s going to disappear so she can’t cause me any more problems. She’s mine to do with as I want. If she’d kept her fucking mouth shut and been a good girl, none of this would be necessary.”

“Dude, I did not sign on for this…”

“You want your shot in the NFL or not?”

“You know I do.”

“Then shut the fuck up and go get the fucking bleach.”

The guy doesn’t move and his head turns to me. I can barely see him, but I can see his head tilt down toward me. Maybe he’ll help me.

“Now!” Joseph screams and the guy all but runs up the stairs. I had a glimmer of hope for a second, but he’s not going to do anything but go buy bleach.

Joseph comes over and sits down beside of me. He’s oddly calm as he leans down and strokes my hair. You wouldn’t know he’d just screamed at a guy to go get bleach.

“My poor girl…why did you have to go and get a restraining order? Do you know the trouble you’ve caused me?

I was asked to quietly withdraw from the draft until this situation resolved itself.

Why did you do that, Daisy? Why ruin my dreams?

All I did was call you and send you a birthday present.

That’s all I did. I tried to explain it, but the NFL wouldn’t listen.

They saw a restraining order for past violence and chucked me out until I resolved the situation.

Do you understand how embarrassed I was? ”

He’s so calm, it’s actually scary.

“Cat got your tongue, sweetness?” His thumb strokes my cheek.

“I suppose I’d be quiet too if I were in your shoes.

But let me tell you how I felt. In one moment, everything I’ve worked so hard for was threatened.

All my dreams could go away because you couldn’t keep your fucking mouth shut.

I was embarrassed, enraged, and hurt. Yes, yes, I was hurt. I thought you loved me. I love you.”

He doesn’t understand what love is.

“I’ve loved you for so long and this betrayal, it cut deep.

We were supposed to be there at the draft together.

I was going to be a first round pick with you next to me, smiling and sharing in all the glory.

I’m a fucking Heismann winner. Oh, did I tell you that might go away to according to my coach if it can be proven I really did what you alleged?

You and I both know those pictures will paint an unflattering picture of a misunderstanding. ”

“Misunderstanding?” I whisper, the fear finally giving way to anger. “Misunderstanding? You almost killed me!” I wish my voice was stronger, but he’d punched me in the throat during the initial attack tonight and it’s swollen. I can whisper and that’s about it.

“If you hadn’t of tried to break up with me, then you never would have had to see this side of me.

I treated you well, Daisy. Gave you anything you wanted and made sure you were always first when I was with you.

It’s more than any woman could ask for and you go and backstab me.

I can’t let that go. Your allegations could cost me my career. ”

“You almost cost me my life.”

“Your actions have cost you your life this time around.” He turns my face up to look at him. “But it’s not going to be quick. You’re going to suffer because of how you made me suffer. Do you understand?”

The calmness has fled from his eyes. They look crazed.

His fingers twine with mine.

“I wish you didn’t force my hand. We could have been so happy together.”

He pulls my hands to his mouth and kisses my knuckles.

“I will always love you, sweetness.”

Then he flips all my fingers back on one hand, forcing a scream out of me as I literally feel the bones break.

He stands.

“Remember, you caused me to do this.”

My biggest regret is not telling Hutch I love him. I tried so hard not to, but I do. And now I’ll never get to tell him. Because I’m going to die. Its written all over Joe’s face.

“Daisy!” he barks and I look at him, the crazed, insane expression still there.

“Good girl,” he says and then he starts to kick me everywhere. It’s not long before darkness overcomes me as a glancing kick to my head robs me of consciousness.