Hate me

Aspen

I can’t do this. 

I know Knox wants to keep me safe, but there’s no way I can sit on this bus like a good little girl while he’s off doing God knows what. 

Rage erupts like a volcano in my gut. 

Leo killed my father. 

And then he looked me in the eye and told me he loved me and that he would always take care of me. 

He killed my father. 

Yet he had the nerve to console me and make me feel safe and protected. 

To take my virginity while we were at his funeral. 

All while knowing he was the one responsible for ripping the most important man in my life away from me. 

The bus driver goes to close the door, but I quickly leap to my feet and rush to the front. “I need to get off.” 

“Sorry, miss. We can’t wait any longer if we’re going to arrive on time.” 

“Don’t worry. I won’t be getting back on.”

With a shrug, he opens the door and I hop out. 

The bus leaves and I try to gather my thoughts so I can formulate a plan for revenge. 

Anger burns my throat and I dig my nails into my palms so hard I leave indents. 

He has to pay. 

On instinct, I reach around for my phone to pull up the Uber app, but remember I discarded it in a trashcan just like Knox told me to. 

Making sure no one is looking, I walk over to the bin and pull it out. 

I’m about to request an Uber, but think better of it. 

The police will be able to track my whereabouts. 

I suppose I could go inside the bus station and ask to use the phone so I can call a cab, but there are probably surveillance cameras everywhere. 

Blowing out a shaky breath, I force myself to relax. 

They’ll only check the surveillance cameras if I give them a reason to. 

I glance around, trying to figure out what to do next because I’m going to have to account for my whereabouts after I left prom.  

There’s a motel right next door. By the looks of it, it’s definitely one of those pay by the hour and ask no questions type of establishments. 

Perfect. 

I can change out of my prom dress and call a cab company. 

Hiking the duffle bag over my shoulder, I make my way over to the entrance of the hotel. 

A thin man, who’s missing most of his teeth, eyes me up and down like a prime piece of meat as I amble to the front desk. 

“Hi. Are there any rooms available?” 

“Sure are, pretty lady. Would you like one for the night, or just a few hours?” 

That’s a great question. “Uh. Can I rent one for a few hours, and then if I want to extend my stay, come back and do that?” 

He winks. “Fine by me. And hey, if you’re looking for some company, just say the word.”

Ugh, I hate the way he’s leering at me. Or rather, my tits. 

“My boyfriend’s right outside,” I tell him because I don’t want him getting any ideas. “Do you take cash?” 

“Yup.” His flirty demeanor fades. “Forty dollars for four hours. A hundred if you and your boyfriend want to spend the night.” 

I pull some money out of the duffle bag and slap it on the counter. “Here.”

He hands me a key. “You’ll have to pull around back.” 

“Thanks.”

I trek around to the back of the building, but my next thought has my stomach knotting up. 

If I use the phone inside my room, they can probably track that. And if I’m going to claim I spent time here after prom…why would I call a cab? 

A woman wearing a short dress paired with fishnet stockings and smoking a cigarette a few doors down from mine snags my attention. 

I don’t want to assume she’s a prostitute or anything, but I’m really hoping she has a phone. 

“You lost, sugar?” the woman says, and I feel bad for staring at her. 

“I’m sorry.” I stride over to where she is. “You wouldn’t happen to have a phone I could use, would you?” 

She raises a penciled in eyebrow. “You know there’s one in the room, right?” 

 “I know.” I dig my teeth into my lip. “I…uh. Between you and me, I’m kind of ru

I don’t know what the woman sees in my expression, but I don’t have to go into any more detail because she hands me her cell. 

I quickly call a cab company and the man tells me they’ll be here in five minutes. 

“Thanks,” I say, giving her back her phone. 

She nods. “No problem.” 

I take a wad of money out of my duffle bag, but she halts me. “Are you sure you won’t need that?” 

Shaking my head, I place it in her palm. 

I’m about to walk to my room so I can change…but pause. 

“If someone inquires if a redhead wearing a yellow dress ever asked to borrow your phone—”

“Not to my recollection,” she assures me with a smile. 

“Thanks,” I tell the driver as I step out of the cab.

I gave the driver an address that was a few houses down from Leo’s, just in case a potential neighbor spotted a bright yellow taxi pulling up to his home. 

After the driver is long gone, I trek up the pathway to the door wearing the black sweatpants and shirt Knox packed for me. 

Leo once told me he keeps a spare key in a potted plant outside, and sure enough, it’s still there. 

Using the sleeve of my shirt, I wipe my fingerprints off the key and place it back. 

A glance at my watch tells me the nurse left twenty minutes ago. 

The house is quiet when I enter. The only light comes from the large flat screen television in the living room.

The living room where his wife is. 

Her eyes turn into saucers when she sees me and my heart knocks against my ribcage. 

She probably thinks I’m here to see her husband, and she would be right…but not for the reason she assumes. 

I’m not here to fuck him. I’m here to end him. 

Because he murdered my father. 

And while I’ve never been one to believe in the whole eye for an eye thing…right now getting my vengeance is all I can focus on.

Being as quiet as I can, I walk over to her. I feel terrible that she can’t move or speak, but the fact that she’s unable to is a good thing right now. 

Still, the woman deserves some kind of explanation. 

Leaning over, I whisper, “Leo killed my dad.” 

Her eyes widen in surprise, and then just as quickly they fill with pity before they drop to my hands and linger there. 

I’m confused as to why she keeps staring at my hands, until I realize she’s probably looking for a weapon of some sort. 

But I don’t have one. 

Thinking quick, I walk into the kitchen and grab a large knife from the butcher’s block. 

It’s not perfect, but it will have to do. 

Besides, they say a dull knife hurts worse than a sharp one…and Leo deserves every ounce of pain coming his way. 

I walk past the living room again, this time holding the knife. If I had to guess where he was, I’d say he’s in his office burning the midnight oil, but I’m not sure. 

Pointing down the hall where his office is located, I look at Lenora. 

‘Blink twice for yes,’ I mouth. 

She does. 

I’m not sure if she’s playing me, but I take my chances and slink down the hallway. 

My heart thunders in my chest the closer I get to the door. 

Leo once mentioned that he had a gun at home, but said he kept it locked up in a safe. 

Hopefully, I reach him before he has time to punch the security code in and grab it.