Chapter 13

THIRTEEN

Shannon

"You sure you're ready for this?"

It was the second time Matthew had asked me, and my answer had yet to change. I wanted nothing more than to confront Davis. To show him that he didn't win, that I was stronger than he was.

When we got the call a little after lunch, I was surprised to hear how quickly they found Davis. It helped that Matthew and one of his teammates were still in my hometown, and Davis had stayed in the area.

Good for us.

Bad for Davis.

"I'm ready."

I just wish someone would let me take a weapon in with me. I had a feeling a wrench to the stomach would go a long way in showing my displeasure, but both Matthew and Jack didn't think it was the best idea. This whole field trip was simply so I could say my piece. Matthew's team would be dealing with Davis. They refused to tell me how exactly. Plausible deniability they reminded me and maybe they were right. I didn't want to be the reason any of these guys got in trouble. Not after they were willing to help me.

Matthew opened the door to what appeared to be an abandoned shed. It was located in an industrial part of Boston that looked run down and no longer active. There wasn't another car in sight and it was unlikely we would see one anyway considering the road was more alley than an actual street.

The inside was nothing more than a large open space. Dirt and grime covered the few windows and the floor had a thick layer of dust across it. Except for the footsteps and what looked to be drag marks.

The drag marks made sense when I looked at the center of the room and saw Davis tied to a chair. Each leg was strapped to the metal chair's legs. His arms were wrapped tightly around his back and something was shoved in his mouth preventing him from whatever vile words I'm sure he wanted to spew at me.

The humane part of me wanted to feel bad about the way Matthew's team treated him but then I remembered my father's shop. Suddenly I could feel nothing but joy for Davis’ current predicament.

"I expected him to look scared," I said to no one in particular but it was the man standing behind Davis that answered. I was ashamed to admit I hadn't even noticed him when I walked in. My entire focus was on Davis and nothing else registered.

"Oh, he was scared all right. Pissed his pants when we first kicked his door in. That's why he's soaked now. I wasn't in the mood to smell piss the entire time we were together."

Huh. Now that Matthew's teammate mentioned it, Davis was soaked. Shirt, pants, the whole nine yards. The bastard must've put up a fight when they tried to hose him down. That or he just pissed them off. Either one was possible.

I didn't bother to wait for Jack or Matthew to give me permission. I marched straight up to Davis and ripped the dirty sock out of Davis’ mouth and clenched it in my hand.

"Why me?"

That was all I cared about. What made him pick me? Or any of the other three women for that matter. How did he pick his next victim? Not that there would be any others. Not after Matthew was done with him.

"Because you had no one," Davis spat. "You looked weak after your father died and ripe for the picking. Too bad I wasted my time trying to earn your trust. I should've taken everything from you from the start."

Nothing but anger and hate was directed back at me. This was Davis' true personality and it killed me that I was so lost in my grief that I never noticed it. Not until it was too late.

"You're sick, but that ends now. You picked the wrong woman."

I watched fear creep into Davis’ eyes for a moment before he shut it down. He was trying hard to be brave.

"They can't do anything to me. The public loves me. They’ll miss me."

I leaned close but paused when Jack growled, legit growled . I waved him off. What was Davis going to do? Bite me. Let him try it. I was itching for him to give me a reason to knock his lights out. It was no fun punching on a tied-down man.

"No one is going to miss you. Not after I tell everyone what you did. The police might have blown me off, but they’ll listen when they learn about the other three women you destroyed. And believe me, I will make sure they have all the evidence they need. You loved to remind me that money talks. Well, guess what? It's going to be the reason for your downfall."

I straightened my spine and shoved the sock back in Davis’ mouth before he could come up with a reply. I doubt he would. The fear that was missing before was leaking from every one of his pores.

I spun on my heels and walked away without a single glance back. I was done with Davis. I no longer cared what happened to him. I said my piece and was ready to move on.

"Let's get out of here."

Jack didn't argue and Matthew looked proud. We walked out of the decrepit building with my head held high and Jack's fingers laced with mine.

"I'm so damn proud of you," Jack told me as soon as we were alone by the SUV and he pulled me into his arms. He peppered my neck with kisses. The adrenaline from moments before slipped away and I was left to slump into Jack's body.

"That felt good."

"I bet it did. I wanted to be the one to get in his face, but I have to admit, watching you do it was much better. Oh and sexier. I'm not ashamed to admit that little domination stunt was a real turn-on."

I mustered up enough energy to chuckle. Only Jack would find anything about that situation sexy. The man had sex on the brain twenty-four seven. It was a good thing I could keep up.

"Then let's get out of here so you can show me exactly how much you liked what I did."

Jack pushed me away just enough so I could see his face, and wiggled his eyebrows. There was no mistaking the meaning behind them.

We drove back to the hotel, a smile plastered on my face. Davis would no longer be an issue and tomorrow was a new day.

And I knew exactly how I wanted to spend it. I just needed to convince Jack to go along with my plan.