I bring my leg up, hitting him in the thigh. He snarls and steps backwards, shoving me as he goes. I stumble back into the wall with a wince. He crosses his big arms, and he looks like he’s trying to control his panting. Suddenly he doesn’t look beautiful anymore, instead, he disgusts me. His eyes burn into mine, and I know it’s taking all his strength not to throw me down and tie me up. Both of us know that in a place like this, he’ll never get me away.

“Don’t call me that, and we will continue to play this for as long as I need,” I growl, clenching my fists.

My body is trembling inside, and I’m getting hot in this hoodie. I want to lower it, but at the same time, I don’t want him seeing my face. Not now. I feel myself becoming flustered, though, and I know I don’t have a choice. If I pass out, he wins. And he needs to know that, no matter how hard he fights, I’ll fight harder.

“Why don’t you lower the hoodie, Meadow?” He purrs, but it’s in no way sexy. “Let me see you. It’s been a long time. Don’t you at least have the guts to look me in the eye?”

The asshole is challenging me. Straightening my shoulders, I decide I’ll let him see me, so he can see what kind of damage he’s doing to a young, innocent girl.

I take hold of my sunglasses and I pull them off, then I lower my hoodie and rip my cap off. The breeze feels cool; I was so hot. I inhale deeply, needing to feel the fresh air filling my lungs. I turn my eyes to Axel, and he’s staring at me, his face expressionless. I thought I saw a glimmer of something in them, but right away they’re hard again.

“Well haven’t you grown up,” he leers, letting his gaze travel slowly down my body and back up again. “Filled out real nice.”

Pig.

I cross my arms, giving him a hard stare.

“Are we goin’ to stand here all fuckin’ day, or are you goin’ to give me what I need?”

“Do you think I’m stupid?” I say, trying to stop my voice from trembling.

He glares at me, and his jaw ticks. “You are fuckin’ stupid, because you’ve been wastin’ your time running for me for the past year. I will get what I want; I always do.” His eyes crinkle, and a cruel smirk appears on his lips. “Just accept defeat graciously, like a lady. Give me the USB, and go back to living your life like a normal girl.”

“You know nothing about me, Axel. I’ll never be a normal girl. And if you think I’m going to believe your promises of freedom, you’re wrong. I’ve been around bikers before, remember my father? The one you killed? I know how it all works. I won’t let you get your hands on me, not now, not ever.”

He flinches at the mention of my father, and his eyes harden. He takes a step forward. I brace myself to run.

“Smart mouth for a girl trapped against a toilet wall with nowhere to go.”

“Again,” I say meekly, reaching around behind me, and gripping the long metal poles I’ve been edging closer to. “You don’t know me. If you knew me, you’d know that I know what I’m doing by now, and no one traps me against a wall.”

I swing the pole. His body moves to block it, but it hits his hands so hard he goes reeling back with a roar. I swing it again, connecting with his kneecaps. When he drops to the ground, I run. It’s one thing I do know how to do. I put my head down, my arms by my side, and I run as fast as I can move.

I hear Axel’s bellow, and I know he’s calling for his men. I have seconds. I hit the trees just as I hear the shouts beginning to grow louder behind me. I skid to my left, running through a narrow set of tall trees in an attempt to get into the thicker shrubs. My sneakers crunch, and I know there’s no way I can pull this off quietly, but I will pull it off.

I hear the sounds of boots crunching in the distance, and I have no doubt Axel has his entire group of men spreading out to chase me. My adrenalin spikes, and I pick up my pace, ignoring the sweat pouring down my face, and the branches scratching into my skin. I won’t let him beat me now, not after everything I’ve fought for.

I pick up my pace when I come to a clearing, running hard and fast. It’s never good to be caught in a clearing; I’ve learned that. I put my head down, and run as hard as I can.

I can hardly breathe through my panting. It’s so intense. The sweat begins to fill my eyes, and it burns. I blink rapidly, lifting my hand to swipe it quickly across my brow, trying to remove some of it. It only makes it worse. My chest heaves, and my lungs burn.

“I will fuckin’ catch you, Meadow, give it up,” Axel thunders viciously, and I know he means it.

I look over my shoulder to see him and six other men running towards me. My adrenalin spikes, and I focus my attention in front of me. The only thing I can see is a large river off what looks like a small ledge. My heart skitters. Can I jump off that?

“Stop now, and I’ll make it easier for you.”

I don’t have a choice.

I have to jump.

I run to the edge, and skid to a stop as I look down at the flowing water. My entire body stiffens and my breath hitches. Memories of that night on the bridge flash through my mind. My skin begins to prickle, and it becomes even harder to breathe. It’s not the same. You can swim now, and the water is nice, clear and safe. You won’t die. You just have to get over the other side.

“She won’t jump,” I hear Axel yell.

“Hurry it up!” someone else bellows.

I hear the sound of boots crunching coming closer. God, if they get hold of me now all this has been for nothing. I stare down at the water, and goosebumps break out over my skin. I can’t breathe. I can hardly concentrate. I know they’ll get me any moment. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath.