Walking into the barn, an odd feeling swept into me. A feeling like something wasn’t right, but I pushed it away. It was probably just nerves getting the best of me. I went into the tack room and was working on getting my saddle and bridle ready for Oakley to run when I heard footsteps behind me. I smiled to myself. “Beau, you said we didn’t have time for that right now.”
“Aww, that’s really cute, Cassidy,” the voice that came from behind me was a piece of ice slicing through every vein in my body. I stilled. Heart beating so hard that I thought it may violently rip itself from my chest, killing me instantly.
It was a voice I’d been waiting to hear since the last time he caught me. It sounded of death and violence and hate and I knew why he was here. He was here for me. Devin was merciless. If he was here then I wasn’t walking away from this situation. I’d seen too many people disappear when it came to my brother in law. I didn’t dare ask what happened to them, but we all knew. You didn’t question people that were known associates of the mob. You just accepted that you never ever wanted to be on the wrong side of the pistol if it was ever pointed at you.
“Wh..wh..what do you want, Devin?” My voice was weak, terror coursed through me, stunning me.
He screamed at me, “I told you, Cassidy, you know what happened to my brother and now that your little boy toy isn’t here to protect you, I intend to find out.”
“Beau will be back s..soon. You better leave now,” I tried to sound certain as I pointed to the barn door where I knew he’d come from. I was the farthest thing from confident though.
An evil laugh dropped from his lips, “Now, why would I leave? When I have you right here?”
A tear slipped from my eye. “W-why?”
“He was my little brother, you bitch, and no one has seen him since you ran home with your tail between your legs. Now. What. Happened. To. My. Brother? I know you had something to do with his disappearance.”
I shook my head. Fear burning me from the inside out as my voice trembled. I didn’t want to be scared, but I was absolutely terrified of him. “I.. I don’t know what you’re talking about, Devin. I ss-swear to God. I haven’t seen or heard from him.”
“Okay then. That’s how you want to play this, bitch?” He reached into his pocket and removed a handgun. Bile formed at the back of my throat and I pushed it down with a swallow. He is really going to shoot me if I don’t talk.
With hands placed in front of me in defense, I tried to reason with him. “You… you don’t have to do this. Let’s talk, Devin.”
He pointed the gun at me. “We tried that route, Cassidy. Remember? You said you had no idea what I was talking about? Let me guess. You’re starting to remember what happened?”
I gulped again. My heart beating so hard in my chest, I wondered if I would pass out from the anxiety trying to fight its way through my body. I couldn’t breathe, but I knew I had to keep trying. He flashed his gun at me again and pointed toward the door.
He backed out of the tack room and waved the gun at me. “Out in the hallway. Walk. Now.”
I did as I was told, creeping around him and stepping into the hallway of the barn. I started to walk away when I saw an opening and he tsked at me. I heard the click of the gun and froze.
“I will shoot you, Cassidy. You have zero importance in my life anymore. I was nice to you because Andrew said I had to be and I wanted to try a piece of your sexy little ass. We could’ve been great together, but now he’s not here so what he wants is no longer important. And at this point, I don’t even care to take you for a romp in the hay.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Beau dart across the front of the barn. He needed to run. Go far away. If anyone was dying today it would be me. I wouldn’t let him defend me. I needed to own my past and now I would. Maybe my death would be sweet. I’d miss Beau, but I’d rather save his life than watch him die because of me.
He peered around the corner and I shook my head, telling him not to come.
Devin stood with evil in his eyes. They were pitch black and full of hatred for me.
“Now, let’s start over. What happened to my brother?”
“As I already told you. I don’t know. I haven’t seen or heard from him.”
“You really are stupid backwoods trash. I honestly don’t see the appeal of why he married you. Now, are you going to tell me what I want to know or do I need to just kill you now?”
I thought bargaining would help me with him, “I’m worth more to you alive than dead, Devin.”
He tapped the gun against his chin as he pondered my last comment. “Yeah, how the hell so?”
He walked toward me, gun pointed straight at my head, trigger cocked.
“Wait!” I heard Beau’s voice behind me and I cringed that he hadn’t followed my instructions.
He scoffed at Beau, but his eyes remained glued to me, “What do you want, pretty boy? Afraid I’m going to hurt your whore?”
I turned and watched Beau’s hands as they balled into fists, a vein popping out from the side
