Bully Me Then (Bully Me #3): A Best Friend's Brother Bully Romance
Page 7
I’m speechless.
Totally heartbroken and speechless.
I knew this would happen eventually. I guess I just didn’t prepare myself well enough to take the hit. How could I be so stupid? I’ve foolishly fallen victim to him again, like the stupid, naïve little girl I’ve always been.
I watch as he slides a hand inside his jacket pocket, and I freeze.
No. He wouldn’t? Would he? I know Colby’s done some pretty fucked-up shit in his time, but would he really shoot me? Could he actually bring himself to kill me?
“Take this,” his voice is low as he withdraws his hand and holds out a brown envelope. I look between the envelope and Colby and he smirks. “For services due. And there’s a little extra in there too. Call it a satisfied tip.”
I swallow hard as the tears threaten to spill over and fall down my face, but I don’t care how hard it will be, I will not cry in front of him.
“Take it and get the fuck out of here.” He thrusts the envelope in my hand with such force that I almost stumble backwards.
“You’re an evil son of a bitch.” I seethe back at him.
“I aim to please, princess. Now do yourself a favor. Turn the fuck around and leave Redlake. There’s nothing left for you here anymore, and I don’t want to see you in this town again.” I hold my breath as he steps even closer to me and he brings his head down to mine, and I reluctantly breathe him in. “No jokes, princess. If I see you around, I’ll make sure you live to regret ever defying me. Do you hear me?”
I nod once as a hot, salty tear finally breaks free and I shove past him and out the door before he can see me break and crumble beyond repair.
I have no idea where I’m headed, because aside from Hadley’s I don’t really have anywhere else to go. I have no one to call, and I don’t even have a place to call home.
This is all kinds of fucked-up.
I’ve always known Colby was out of control, but he’s been hot and cold more than I’ve ever known him to be, and man, it’s utterly soul destroying.
Obviously, moving back with Hadley hasn’t turned out to be one of my wisest moves, but how the hell was I supposed to know that Colby would arrive back on the scene and ruin everything that I’ve worked so hard for.
Maybe if I would have known, things wouldn’t have ended up this way. I would have been more cautious. Maybe instead of running, something which I’ve always done, like some crazy ass knee-jerk reaction when times get tough. Maybe then I would have been stronger and had the power I needed to stand my ground.
I could have been the one to kick Seb out instead. But that wouldn’t have worked in my favor because his place would have just been a reminder of what was—another failed relationship to add to the collection. I needed a clean break so I could start afresh and forget all the bullshit that has been thrown at me along the way.
The cold air whips around my face and seeps into my bones and a strong sense of unease rushes through my body with each step I take down the darkened street.
I guess I could always go back to Sinners. The only problem with that is the questions—questions I don’t want to answer. Plus, I really don’t feel like coming face to face with Tiffanie any time soon.
Actually, the more I think about it, the more I realize Tiffanie and Colby were made for each other, and after tonight’s performance, they’re both fucking welcome to one another.
I hear footsteps behind me. I keep my tearful eyes focused on the street ahead, willing my feet to keep moving forward. If Colby’s suddenly had a change of heart and thinks he can come groveling to me then that motherfucker can think again. I need to be a hell of a lot stronger now because I know nothing between us will ever change. I kind of knew that already, but my heart wanted to believe that even someone as immature and reckless as Colby could grow up eventually.
More fool me…
The heavens open, as though mirroring my soul and rain hammers down on my face and it feels like all the Gods are crying out for my foolish actions. None of this seems to deter Colby in his tracks and his eager pursuit as the sound of his heavy footsteps grows louder. What, does he really think he can come running after me and try to make everything okay? Has his lack of conscience suddenly kicked in and caught up with him?
He gets even closer to me and before I can make my legs move any faster, a hand creeps around from behind me and clamps firmly around my mouth—completely silencing me.
I can’t shout…
I can’t breathe…
All I can smell is heavy duty chemicals invading my senses and my eyes start to fall out of focus.
Everything’s a blur and my legs suddenly lose control, and just before the darkness sweeps in and claims me, I hear a familiar deep, evil voice whisper down my ear.
“Colby won’t be able to save you this time.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
COLBY
I hear the constant tick of the clock, but it does nothing to soothe my damaged and corrupt soul.
I did it.
No matter how much it pained me to do it, I made sure I did what needed to be done and I feel like I’ve been thrown back in time. I mean, talk about a fucked-up de-ja-vu.
Willow is gone.
Out of sight, but never out of mind. That girl always has and always will be etched into my mind. I know this because no matter how many times I’ve tried to get rid of her or forget about her—to make her completely irrelevant, she always finds a way back to haunt me. Reminding me of all the wrongs I have done.
If it could have been any other way, I would have done it. I would have found a way to make it possible, but with Deano back on the scene I was left with no other choice.
I had to let her go.
I had to make her leave and to do that I had to make her feel like she had nothing left—nothing to live for here in Redlake. There’s no way I can sit back and allow her to stay here. Even though she doesn’t know it, she’s too much of a distraction. Too much of a risk.
Willow could put us all in the firing line without even realizing what she’s done. So, I did what I had to do, and I’ll face the consequences at a later date.
A life of misery will be worth living if I know Willow is out of Redlake for good. That way I know she’ll be safe.
Yes, I know I should have acted sooner. I should have set my plan in place, but instead I messed around and got distracted. I didn’t even think for a second that Deano would show his face around here. After all, Redlake is my territory, not his.
I just hope I don’t have to come clean to Hadley about how easily I disposed of her best friend, but then I guess there’s no such thing as an ideal time.
I lift the bottle of Jack to my lips and drink it dry, hoping it will be enough to knock me out and remove the unwanted images of Willow’s broken and tortured face the last time she looked in my eyes.
I’ll never see that look again. I’ll never see Willow again because this time I know she’s gone for good and she won’t ever be coming back.
And she’s gone because of me.
BULLY ME NOW
PRE ORDER YOUR COPY NOW:
Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B085N5NFPC
Amazon US: www.amazon.com/dp/B085N5NFPC
Amazon CA: www.amazon.ca/dp/B085N5NFPC
Amazon AU: www.amazon.com/au/dp/B085N5NFPC
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lacey Heart is a book and latte lover.
Both reading and writing are her passions, latte’s are her life source.
Offer her either of the above and you'll be friends for life.
Lacey was born and raised in Manchester, U.K and she still resides there today with her amazing friends and beautiful family.
Let's stay connected:
BOOKBUB: www.bookbub.com/authors/Lacey-heart
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/laceyheartauthor
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/laceyheartauthor
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/laceyheart_
READER GROUP: www.facebook.com/gro
ups/356728454917156/?ref=share