Page 33

For the fourth night in a row, Charley was scheduled for the closing shift at the Boutique. It was a purposeful move since Elodie had been coming in to open. She assumed Oz had insisted she limit her hours again. Glad I wasn’t witness to that argument.

“Anything else you need us to do, Charley?”

She spun around to see the other three girls on the opposite side of the counter. Charley peered around the store.

“It looks great.” She rounded the counter. “You can all head out. Go enjoy your Saturday night.”

“Why don’t we all go out for a drink?” Emma asked.

“Yes,” Isla said.

“I’m in.” Saylor raised her hand then turned to her. “How about you, Charley?”

She smiled but shook her head. “I have a few more things I need to do. But you guys go and have fun.”

The girls grabbed their things from the back and started through the store. They waved as they headed to the door. Isla was the last to walk out, and she stopped, glancing over her shoulder.

“One of these days we’re going to make you come out with us.” Isla winked and walked out the door.

Maybe one of these days Charley would go.

She swept the floor and pulled extra hangers, bringing them into the back room. She grabbed her jacket, prepared to finally leave, but the garbage piled up by the back door had her dropping her pocketbook on the desk.

Keys, Charley! She reached into her bag, pulling them out and tucking them in her back pocket. The last thing she needed was to get locked out and have Elodie come down. Again. She tapped the opposite pocket making sure she had her phone on her.

Charley grabbed a few bags and pushed her hip into the door.

The cool breeze hit her face, and she gasped.

She knew the temperature was supposed to drop but wasn’t prepared for the arctic blast. She shivered and rushed across the parking lot to the dumpster in the back.

She’d just heaved the last bag in when a different kind of chill raced up her spine.

“Charley!”

She spun around, knocking her back into the heavy metal of the dumpster. Oh shit! Her heart pounded as he inched closer. She darted her gaze around the empty lot. There was no one in sight. She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced her nerves to settle.

Zeke advanced as if he was stalking his prey.

Me.

She held up her hands in defense. “I told you, Zeke, I don’t have your stuff.”

His gaze hardened. “Well, somebody fucking does, don’t they?”

Charley was confused and had no idea what he meant. She shrugged and was about to ask, but Zeke silenced her, slamming his hand against the dumpster only inches from her head. She jolted then froze.

“You fucking lied to me!” His jaw squared. “Cody’s in rehab, right? You haven’t talked to him?”

She widened her eyes and slowly nodded. It was the truth. The officer said Cody wouldn’t be able to call for another few weeks, though he was improving. She wouldn’t be sharing that information with Zeke. He wouldn’t care.

“He doesn’t have phone privileges yet, Zeke.”

“Oh yeah? Then why the fuck has he called me four fucking times, Charley?”

What? That was impossible. She shook her head, and he gripped her jaw in a tight squeeze.

“Yeah, he’s pushing to meet up. Now, how the fuck is he gonna deliver my shit if he’s in rehab?”

None of it made sense.

“You know what I think? I think your brother is trying to set me up. Who’s he working with?”

Working with?

“Cops? Feds? Who, Charley? Answer me before I break your fucking jaw!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. He’s in…”

She never saw it coming and had no time to move.

His fist landed directly on her temple sending the back of her head slamming into the metal.

Pain shot through the left side of her face, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

She’d never been hit before and felt the true magnitude of Zeke’s strength.

Charley tried curling closer to the dumpster to catch her breath, but he grabbed her shoulder, shoving her back against the dumpster.

“Let’s fucking try this again. Who?” Zeke snapped.

She blinked open her eyes and everything was hazy, including him only a few inches away. She lifted her hand to her face, but he yanked it away, showing her no mercy.

“Who?” he shouted.

Charley was in an impossible situation. She had no idea how Zeke could’ve spoken to her brother.

Officer Becker specifically said he couldn’t have any outside contact.

None of this made sense. But one thing was evident.

Zeke wasn’t letting her go without answers.

She’d promised them she wouldn’t tell anyone about Cody’s deal, but she had no choice.

“I-I can find out.”

He eyed her suspiciously. “How?”

“Um, the officer from the night he was taken to rehab. I can ask him next time he calls.”

Zeke’s eyes went wild as he scanned her face. “Cody’s got cops looking in on him?”

Charley shrugged. “Yeah.”

Zeke’s lips twisted, and his gaze darkened. “Motherfucker! He’s an informant.” Zeke pushed her against the dumpster and paced around a few feet away. “Fucking asshole!” Zeke screamed through gritted teeth. His anger was escalating.

Informant? Cody? No. Right?

Zeke jerked his head and pointed at Charley. “Call the cop. Right fucking now!”

Charley shook her head, and he rushed toward her, gripping her throat.

“You’re gonna fucking call him.”

“I can’t,” she croaked from the tight grip on her neck. “I don’t have a number. He calls me, and it’s from an unknown number.”

Zeke scoffed. “Of course it is.”

He stared down at her. “Well this sucks for you, then. ’Cause you ain’t leaving my side until they call.”

What?

“Zeke, I promise as soon as he calls me, I’ll get whatever information you need. Just give a few days.”

“Are you fucking crazy? We don’t have a few days.

I need my shit that Cody was holding at your house.

It’s not fucking mine. If my guy doesn’t get the cash or the missing product, they’ll fucking kill me.

And you! Already gave him your fucking name.

And I reached out to Killcreek and told Ace all about you covering for Cody and being the last person holding the stash that you’re hiding at the apartment.

You got a lot of fucking balls keeping that shit at Inez’s.

And if that ain’t bad enough, what do you think they’ll do when they find out Cody is an informant, huh? What do you think Inez will do?”

Inez? Charley was beyond confused and couldn’t make sense out of anything Zeke was saying. One thing was clear, she was in more danger than she’d imagined. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

“You’re coming with me as collateral, and I’m doing you a favor.

Fucking safer ’cause when Inez finds out she’s got an informant living at her place, you’ll never see fucking daylight again.

And they’ll never find your body.” Zeke’s mouth twisted in a sinister smile as he looked down her body.

“And you can bet I’ll be collecting on this favor.

I’ll find something for us to do while we wait it out at my place. ”

Oh God! A million scenarios raced through her mind and none of them were good. She had to get away from him. Unfortunately, she wasn’t in a position to defend herself. Her only weapon was her phone and her keys.

Keys. When she started working for Elodie, her boss insisted every woman working attached a bottle of mace to their keyrings. It was an extra precaution since they closed after dark. Charley had done what she’s been told but hadn’t considered ever finding use for it.

Thanks, Elle.

Charley had to act fast before he got her into his car. She slowly reached around her back to her pocket and gingerly pulled out the keys. She spun the mace between her fingers and lined her index finger on the pump. She’d only have one shot and if she missed, Charley was screwed.

Her heart beat heavy and fast as Zeke approached, reaching out for her arm. Charley lifted her foot, kicking him in the crotch. He hadn’t seen it coming and bent forward, cupping his groin and belting out an agonizing groan.

“You fucking bitch!” He blindly swatted, lifting his head, his eyes blazing.

Charley aimed directly at his eyes and pressed down.

She hadn’t missed. He immediately dropped to the ground covering his face but not before he was able to swipe the keys from her hands.

Without them she had no access to the store.

Charley wasn’t willing to fight him for the keys, especially when he rolled over and got to his knees.

She wasn’t sure how long she had and wasn’t willing to take her chances.

Charley started running through the parking lot and down the side street. She wasn’t even sure where she was going. She just ran. Her breath was so heavy, her heart started to ache, and she was forced to slow down, but she refused to stop.

She rounded the next street, and from the corner of her eyes she recognized a familiar house.

Penny.

Charley darted across the street and up the walkway and stairs. She rang the bell but didn’t wait for a response and started beating on the door. “Penny, It’s Charley!”

She looked behind her and ducked under the railing when she saw lights shining from down the road.

“Charley?”

She slowly looked up, scanning the door. It was still closed but she noticed a camera near the doorbell. Charley positioned her face in front of the camera.

“Can I come in?”

Please.

“I’m not home. What’s wrong?”

“Um…” She looked back at the road, unsure of how much she should divulge to Penny. The woman had helped her out once before, but she didn’t really know her well.

“Charley,” Penny snapped, and she spun around and widened her eyes. “The door code is 6-4-7-9. Get in the house, lock the doors, and call me.”

Charley nodded and did as instructed. She barely turned the lock closed when her phone rang and Penny’s name appeared on her screen. Charley answered immediately.

“Thank you so much, I just…”

“What the hell is going on? Are you in trouble?”