Death Wish

  Death Wish

  K Webster

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Epilogue

  About Dangerous Press

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Landry

  What have I done?

  Disgust at my naivety has my stomach churning. It’s the fear, though, that has every muscle tight with tension and every hair on my body standing on end.

  I did this.

  To myself. To us.

  Della.

  I try to glean a sense of what I’m in for, scanning his bedroom for clues. It’s too normal for this situation. His bed is unmade from the morning before and clothes are scattered all over the floor. There’s a picture of him and his brothers framed and sitting on his desk. Nothing says that he’s a kidnapper…or worse.

  A sob of horror tries to make its escape, but Scout’s hand is clamped almost painfully over my mouth. His arm around me is powerful and unyielding.

  I’m trapped.

  Walked right into the one he set for me.

  Now I’m all alone with Scout. In his bedroom.

  Flashes of the bathroom at school assault my mind. Any pleasure I thought I got from it is erased in an instant. Whatever pain he inflicts on me this time will be worse because I won’t enjoy one second of it. On Friday, when it happened, I cared about him. Thought he was sick. Craved his touch and attention. Needed the promise of safety he offered.

  What a joke.

  And I’m a damn fool for falling for it.

  “You won’t scream,” Scout says, voice cold and sharp like an icicle, piercing its way into my heart. “Because if you do, I’ll tape your pretty mouth shut. Plus, you don’t want to upset your little sister.”

  I gag and tears flood my eyes. Though the urge to scream and hope someone will hear is high on my list of wants, I know that I won’t. Not if it means risking Della’s safety. I got her into this mess and I’m going to have to get her out of it.

  “Are you going to scream?” He takes some of the pressure off my mouth and nuzzles his nose against my hair, hot breath tickling my ear. “Hmm?”

  I manage to shake my head, almost imperceptibly.

  “Good girl,” he praises.

  Slowly, he releases his hold on me. My legs are trembling so badly, they buckle. He grabs on to my biceps, keeping me from collapsing completely.

  “W-what are you going t-to do to me?” I demand, voice hoarse with tears. “What d-do you w-want from me?”

  His thumbs massage into my skin. I want to squirm out of his grip but I’m too terrified to move. He doesn’t answer my questions.

  “Where’s Della, you freak?”

  “She’s fine. All things considered.”

  “I will kill you if you hurt her,” I threaten. Panic swells up inside me. “Do you hear me?”

  “No one’s hurting the kid.” He winks like that’s supposed to convince me. “Did you carry her the whole way?” Scout asks in a velvety tone that seduces me into a false sense of security. “No wonder you can barely stand on your own two feet.”

  My knees wobble again. His fingers bite into my flesh so I don’t fall. If I can’t stand, how in the hell do I expect to somehow grab my sister and run? I’m in way over my head. So over my head, I’m drowning.

  Someone pounds on the door behind us and I shriek.

  “Scout,” a deep voice growls. “Open this door.”

  “No can do, Sparrow,” Scout calls out, grinning at me. “Me and the lady are having a discussion.”

  Sparrow. I had sex with Sparrow in his car. Chevy.

  “Chevy, please,” I croak out, begging the other man to help me.

  Scout shakes his head at me. Sparrow slams another fist on the door making me jump.

  “Open the goddamn door. I won’t ask twice,” Sparrow warns.

  “Or what?” Scout taunts. “You’ll huff and you’ll puff and then blow the door in?” He laughs. “This door is solid. You’re not getting through.”

  Sparrow slams another fist against the wood. “Fuck!”

  His heavy footsteps thud away, leaving me alone with this crazy person.

  “I can’t…I can’t…” I try to suck in air, clawing at my throat and wondering why I can’t breathe.

  The room spins and darkens. With each unsuccessful attempt to bring air into my lungs, I grow dizzier and more lightheaded than before.

  Help me. Somebody help me.

  Tears continue to stream down my cheeks, but air is still difficult to obtain. A blanket of inky darkness covers my line of vision, blinding me to everything. My feet move but not on my own accord. He’s picking me up, I think. The world goes completely black and soundless.

  Everything blurs into focus again, though I’m unsure how long I was unaware and out. I’m now on a bed that smells smoky, like I’m lying atop the devil’s favorite blanket. Cool air kisses my thighs, jump-starting my heart.

  “W-what are you d-doing?” I croak out, frantic eyes meeting his.

  “Undressing you.”

  “N-no!”

  “That word doesn’t work here.” He flashes me a sinister grin before divesting me of my jeans completely. “Remember, you promised not to scream.”

  He goes for my panties next. I may have promised not to scream, but I didn’t say anything about not fighting. With as much force as I can manage, I kick at him, hitting him in the center of his chest. If I hurt him, he doesn’t flinch. Only smiles. Creepy and indicative of what’s to come.

  “The more you struggle, the more I enjoy this.”

  I shouldn’t give him what he wants, but I also can’t sit still while he strips me. I’m able to claw his face pretty good, earning a vicious snarl. That’s it. Too easily, he rips away the last of my clothing, leaving me naked and exposed.

  “You can walk or I can carry you. Your choice,” he rumbles, nearly black eyes boring into me. “Decide or I’m going to decide for you.”

  Sparrow must be back because the pounding on the door continues. Scout acts as though he doesn’t hear it.

  “Make your choice,” Scout murmurs. “Three, two…”

  I don’t know where he expects me to go but I’d rather walk naked than have him carry me. Shakily, I sit up as he counts to one and scoot to the end of the bed. It’s a futile attempt, but I try to cover my breasts with my arm and between my thighs with my other hand. It leaves my ass on display, but that’s better than nothing.

  His starved gaze sweeps over my flesh and he smirks at my hand covering my pussy. “Walk. Into the bathroom.”

  I’m not eager about having him at my back, but I don’t have any other option. Turning from him, I wobble on my way to the bathroom. Inside, the bathtub is filled with bubbles, smelling of lavender.

  The pounding on his bedroom door is muffled now.

  “What’s this?” I demand.

  “You’re not sleeping in my bed smelling like a street rat.”

  S
leeping in his bed?

  Another fresh wave of panic hits my bloodstream.

  “Get in.” He motions for the bath. “Now.”

  I can’t move. My feet remain planted on the tile floor, sore and aching from my long trek. His warm palms on my hips, though, have me skittering from his touch. I nearly faceplant in my attempt to escape him. The second the hot water touches my sore foot, I cry out. Not from pain. It actually feels really good.

  Sinking down into the hot water, I gladly hide beneath the suds to avoid his probing stare. I draw my knees to my chest, hugging them to me and rest my chin on top of them.

  “Better?”

  My eyes cut over to him and I glare at him. “Fuck you.”

  His chuckle is deep and wicked. “Filthy mouth, filthy girl.”

  Ignoring him, I try to make sense of my situation. How I got here. What will happen to me and Della. The events of tonight keep piling up.

  Is Dad alive or did I kill him?

  If he’s alive…

  For a split second, I’m thankful we escaped him. I can pretend we’re at Ty’s, safe and protected, not in the lion’s den.

  “Why are you doing this?” My voice comes out as a quaky whisper. “Why, Scout?”

  “Because I can.” He prowls over to the tub and sits on the edge. “You’re my prize—our prize.”

  He’s not making any sense, but now that he’s talking, I don’t want him to stop. I need answers. I need to figure out how in the hell I’m going to get out of here.

  “I want my sister.”

  “Your sister is sleeping. Don’t worry. She’s with the softy.”

  These three men tricked me into a false sense of security, kissed me, were intimate with me, and I’m supposed to not worry. Right.

  “I don’t understand,” I admit, my bottom lip trembling. “Why me? Why us?”

  “You were a job, prickly princess.”

  “A job.” My blood cools at his admission. “What exactly was your job?”

  “A little bit of this. A little bit of that.”

  “Seriously? These answers are pathetic,” I say with false bravado. “You’re pathetic.”

  “Oooh, kitty has claws.”

  I want to rip his eyeballs out.

  “What am I to you now?” I demand instead.

  “You’re ours. For a job well done.”

  I squeeze my eyes shut, chasing more hot tears down my cheeks. The water soothes my sore feet and achy muscles, but it does nothing for the anxiety clawing at me and shredding my mind.

  “We did you a favor,” he murmurs, his fingers tracing down over my spine.

  Shuddering at his touch, I jerk away from him and move to the other side of the tub.

  “A favor?” I demand in a shrill tone. “Are you insane?”

  “So they say. Sully thinks it. Sparrow says it.”

  “I want to talk to him,” I say, lifting my chin. “Sparrow.”

  He studies me for a beat, gaze roaming over every tearstained inch of my cheeks before he settles it on my lips. “No.”

  “Why not?” I shake my head in confusion. “You just said I was a prize for all of you.”

  Sully and I kissed. Several times. He was so good with Della.

  “I didn’t say not ever. But the answer is not now.” He cracks his neck and then stands, his dark-clothed body looming over me like a thundercloud. “It’s my turn. They’ll have theirs.”

  He reaches behind his neck and tugs at his black shirt. Tattooed, muscled flesh on his abdomen is slowly revealed as he removes the material. The artwork painted on his skin is beautiful—he’s beautiful—but it’s nothing more than a trap to lure in his victims. His hand goes to the button of his black jeans.

  “W-what are you doing?” I attempt to make myself as small as I can, pressing against the side of the tub. “Stay away from me.”

  He ignores me, shoving his jeans down his thighs. Black boxer briefs are molded to his thick erection that strains against the material. He’s hard. For me. For this sick situation we’re in.

  I want to run but my options are limited. I’m naked and outnumbered. Not to mention, my sister is here somewhere in this apartment. I need to think. Plot an escape. Running and fighting against any of them is pointless since they’re all much bigger and stronger than me.

  This is going to take more than physical strength.

  Think, Landry. Outsmart the monsters.

  Hell, I had enough practice with Dad over the years. I’m a master at pretend. These men think they can keep me as some fucked-up prize. I’m no one’s prize, and neither is my sister.

  He flings his boxers away. I keep my eyes focused on the edge of the tub. The bubbly water rises with each footstep and then dangerously reaches the top edge as he settles his weight into the water.

  “Come closer,” he orders, like one would call a dog. “Now.”

  I meet his stare, pouring every ounce of hatred I can into it. If my eyes were a weapon, he’d be slaughtered, burned to a crisp, shredded beyond recognition. His lips curl into a devilish grin. It’s not an amused one. More like he’s smiling at the idea of tearing my throat out with his teeth. Certain death.

  Shivering under the chill of his attention, I hug my legs to me tighter. My attempt to ignore him doesn’t work because he grabs hold of me and drags me between his legs. I’m unable to resist as he physically pries my arms loose from my legs.

  “Relax,” he murmurs against my ear. “Relax or I’ll be forced to make you.”

  I’m not sure what that entails, but I’d rather have full control of myself. It takes several deep, ragged breaths until I manage to calm down enough to straighten out my legs. His chest is warm against my back and his cock is throbbing between us.

  Is he going to make me have sex with him?

  The thought of being forced into it nearly makes me nauseous. If I fight, it’ll hurt. If I scream, Della might get hurt. I’ll have to take it.

  “You remind me a lot of her,” Scout murmurs, stroking my stomach beneath the water. “Not in looks or anything. It’s the fire in your eyes. I crave to snuff it out.”

  Psychopath.

  “They didn’t like Ash like I liked her. They weren’t obsessed.” He drags his fingers up, tracing beneath my breast. “You, on the other hand. You are very special, Landry.”

  “So this is what you three do? Find some poor girl, trick her, and then share her?” I sneer at him. “You guys are royally fucked up.”

  “We’ll have a family meeting soon to discuss your fate,” he assures me, his voice dipping a few octaves, “and then the fun can begin.”

  Chapter Two

  Sully

  Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

  I pace my bedroom, unable to tear my gaze from Della’s sleeping form buried under the comforter on my bed. She’s going to freak the fuck out when she wakes up, especially when her sister is nowhere to be found.

  Fucking Scout.

  I’m going to kill my brother. Sure, there have been times when I’ve wanted to beat the hell out of him, but tonight I actually want to get my hands around his throat and choke him.

  That’s not going to happen.

  Because Sparrow and I let him take her to his room. He’s in there doing God only knows what. We let him. We fucking let him.

  Though, from the sounds of it, Sparrow quickly came to his senses because he’s been trying to beat down the damn door ever since. I’m kind of glad Della is deaf in this situation because she won’t hear anything that’s being said. And even though I didn’t stop Scout right away, because I wanted to protect Della from the scene, doesn’t mean I’m not going to.

  Once I’m sure Della isn’t going to wake, I slip out of my room and make my way to Sparrow’s. He’s not in there and Scout’s door is closed. Landry hasn’t been screaming but that doesn’t mean anything. Knowing Scout, he probably gagged her.

  Or knocked her out.

  The thought of him hitting her ignites the blood in my veins making every
inch of me fiery hot with fury. I nearly slam into Sparrow when he rounds the corner, a big-ass screwdriver in his fist. His nostrils flare and every vein in his neck bulges.

  “Move,” he barks out. “I can’t believe he fucked everything up again.”

  “No, he hasn’t already done it. He’s presently fucking everything up.” I rub my palm over my face. “We have to get in that door.”

  Sparrow’s eyes darken. “I’m working on it.”

  I follow him over to Scout’s door, listening for any sounds of terror. It’s quiet.

  “What does he plan to do with her?” I ask, frowning as Sparrow jabs the flat end of the screwdriver into the doorjamb.

  “Fuck if I know.” He grunts and his bicep flexes as he tries to jimmy the screwdriver in between the wood. “We have to get her out of there.”

  “We can try, but have you met our brother? He doesn’t like when we take his things away from him.”

  “He’ll get the fuck over it.”

  “Accosting Landry is one thing, but man, we have a fucking kid asleep in my bedroom. Do you know how bad this is going to get?” I start pacing the floor in the hallway, popping my knuckles over and over. “This is worse than Ash. This is kidnapping a child plus whatever fucked-up shit he’s doing to Landry right now.”

  “She’s not screaming.” Sparrow grunts. “I hope that means he hasn’t done anything stupid yet.”

  “He better not be fucking her.” My stomach turns at that idea.

  “I’ll kill him if he raped her. So help me, Sully.”

  It’s too quiet. I think if he were hurting her, we’d hear it. Even if he was somehow getting her to have sex with him willingly, I think we’d hear something. Dread coils in my gut like a poisonous snake.

  “The water was running,” Sparrow mutters. “I think he filled up the tub.”

  The wood cracks and groans, but the door doesn’t open.

  Unable to keep my cool any longer, I start banging on the wall beside the door, hard, so he knows I’m not fucking playing. “Let us in, asshole!”

  “Give us fifteen minutes,” Scout calls out. “Then we’ll have a family meeting in the living room.”

  “Scout,” I growl, the tone in my voice saying everything I don’t.