I pass the small road before I realize it. Luckily, I see the old barn with a mallard painted on it. I remember that from when Skull and I drove out here. I make a U-turn and find the small road I just passed, and sure enough, there’s a small pale green sign that says “Old Mill Rd.” right there with vines growing on it. I drive even slower on this road, looking along the side of the road for any sign of Skull—or anyone, for that matter, because I’m not sure what to expect.
I see a flash of blue and slam on my breaks. Teena’s old truck. When I get my man back, I’m going to set that bitch on fire just to watch it burn. The only thing that would make it more fun would be having Teena inside of it. I pull Skull’s truck alongside of the bitch’s, then take off on foot, gripping my gun tightly. I keep moving north, just like the road goes, figuring that will take me to the strip joint. After about twenty minutes, I’ve decided that I am way too out of shape for this shit. I’m so focused on looking around me that I almost fall when my feet run into… a body.
I scream before I can stop myself. I clap my free hand over my mouth, especially when I see the second body. I can only assume that this is my man’s handiwork. Why couldn’t I have fallen in love with a nice, boring accountant?
I break through the timber and see the building which has a big sign of a woman with large boobs that are covered up with peaches. Above her in neon colors, it proclaims the place to be: The Juggling Peaches. I shake my head, then wonder why it’s lit-up if the place is out of business. I don’t guess that matters. I wonder why a place with such a great name didn’t have a booming business, sarcastic bitch that I am.
When I make my way carefully to the back of the building, I see an open window and want to cry. Not again! Jesus! I’m not going to fall for that shit a second time. I go on towards the side. There’s a side door where I guess deliveries used to be made. It’s locked, but luckily I know how take care of that. I pull the pins out of my hair and get to work. Thank God I made Katie show me how she managed to pick all of those locks at grandfather’s.
It takes me three tries, but I get it. I open the door carefully, half expecting someone to jump out and attack me. It’s almost a disappointment when no one is there. I can hear voices. Yelling. I know one is Skull. The other makes my blood run cold.
It looks like I’ve found Colin. I hate the fear that courses through me… He’s the last devil I have to face.
I can do this. I have to.
I think I’m home free until I hear the gun click as someone cocks their revolver behind me. I freeze instantly, thinking what a stupid fuck I just was.
“Well, well. Look what we have here.”
I know that voice. I’ve dreamed of ending that voice.
“Colin.”
“It’s good you know the voice of the man who’s going to kill you. No, don’t turn around. I’d prefer you not to know when the bullet’s going to end you. I find anticipation makes the game so much better.”
“Don’t worry. I have no plan on you being the last fucking face I see. That’s more punishment than any one man deserves,” I tell him, trying to play the game while my brain is busy figuring out how to get out of this mess. I can’t give up, not now. I have too much to lose. Where in the fuck is Torch and the others? Had Beth delivered the message to whoever the fucking mole is?
“You’re being awfully brave, talking to me like that while I have a gun pointed at the back of your head. My thumb is already getting sweaty. If it slipped off the hammer of the gun…”
“You won’t end me that easily. You and Viper went to too much trouble for it to end that quickly.”
“Usually, yes, but just in case Viper’s connection failed to make sure your men won’t follow… I’m afraid time is of the essence, in this case. Don’t worry, I’ll take my time with Beth. I’ll make sure she agonizes for months before I send her to Hell to join you.”
My hands shake at his words as true fear grips me. I try to blot out the pictures his words bring to my mind. I can’t let that happen. I’ve let Beth down too damn much now. I can’t let her endure anymore.
Colin hasn’t taken my weapon yet. Maybe he thinks I’m stupid enough not to have one. Maybe he thinks he can shoot me before I reach for it. He probably could. I need a diversion…
“Bring him in here, Colin, before you end him.”
The voice is Viper’s, coming from the main room.
“You heard the man,” Colin says.
As I make it into the main room, I see Viper sitting at a booth with some naked chick on his lap. Viper’s got both his hands palming the chick’s tits.
“Glad you could join us, Skull. I was beginning to wonder if Teena was going to do her job.”
“Teena?” I ask, things starting to clear up in my head.
Beth had been right about her. And those feelings I had about her being too calm click into place, too.
“How do you like fucking bitches my dick has already stretched open? Never would have figured you for the type to take my sloppy seconds, but you sure got all hot and bothered over Teena quickly, didn’t you? Fucking blind as a bat, too. She fed me info about your club for months before you started mooning over that Donahue bitch again.”