Taken by a Monster (In the Arms of Monsters 2)

Even now, hearing the news of his cheating, she didn’t feel anything. Rubbing at her temple, she felt the beginning of a headache.

“Here we are. Would you like me to stick around?” Billy asked.

“No, that’s okay. I’ll be fine.” She wanted to be alone with her thoughts. Unbuckling her belt, she tried the door and Billy touched her arm.

“If there is ever anything you need, anything at all, please, contact me. Don’t hold back. Let me know what you want, and I’ll be there.”

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

She climbed out of the car, closing the door. The large floodlight turned on and as it did, she covered her eyes.

“You can do this the easy way, kid, or the hard way. I really don’t care. That bitch is coming with us and you’re surrounded. There’s no way for you to stop what’s happening.”

“I’m not letting you get her.”

“Then it’s your funeral. I did warn you.”

She stumbled but caught herself as Billy drove out. Giving him a wave, she looked back at the house, a sickness twisting inside her.

As she took a step, another memory flashed in her mind.

“Yeah, daddy dearest will be pissed, but come on. What’s asshole really going to do? Complain that he can’t keep me in line? I’m sick and tired of being PS. I’m one vowel away from being PMS!”

Only this one wasn’t outside of the house.

Bishop was present in both memories, and only the voice of that man. The one she kept hearing in the back of her mind that made her think something was important.

She moved to the porch steps and sat down, resting her head in her hands. A spiral of sickness worked its way up her body, threatening to spill out. She took several deep breaths, wanting to remember.

But again, her thoughts wouldn’t come.

Staring at the ground, she wondered what she should do when she heard a bike roaring down the driveway. Getting to her feet, she stepped into the darkness, wanting to hide from any impending doom.

There was nothing for her to worry about as the floodlight came back on and she saw Preacher.

“Don’t you think you should wear a helmet?” she asked.

“I haven’t worn a helmet in a long time. Do you want to tell me what’s going on? Billy called me. He told me he dropped you off here. Imagine Bear’s surprise when I asked him and he went to check on you. He’s worried.” Preacher threw his cell phone in her direction. “You’re going to have to call him.”

She stared down at it. “I … I just needed to get out of the house. That’s all.” She handed him back his cell phone. “No other reason.”

“Yeah, well, your dad worries about you. Let him know you’re safe and I’ll look after you.”

She turned his cell phone on and found Bear’s number. “You really should protect your phone with a password or something.”

He chuckled. “I rarely use the thing. Believe me, there’s nothing worth shit on that thing.”

She followed him into his house as she put the cell phone to her ear. The moment she stepped through the threshold, she felt like she’d come home.

“Preacher, do you have her?” Bear asked.

He did sound slightly panicked, which immediately made her feel guilty. “Hey, Dad, it’s me.”

“Robin, what the fuck were you thinking? Do you have any idea how scared I was? I thought someone could have taken you. It’s not safe.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I just needed a bit of a break. You’ve been very … protective.”

She didn’t want to hurt his feelings. It was the last thing she wanted to do.

Bear sighed. “I caused this?”

“No, no, of course not. It’s nothing. Believe me. It’s all my fault and I’m so sorry.” She cringed, hating how ungrateful she sounded. “I just needed to walk and I’m with Preacher. He’ll keep an eye on me. I promise. Next time, I won’t climb out of my window.”

“You know you’ve never done that before, don’t you?”

“Done what?”

“Climbed out of a window. Damn it, Robin, you’ve got to be careful.”

“I will. I promise.”

“Put Preacher on the phone.”

She handed Preacher his phone and took a seat as he pointed at one. Lowering herself into the seat, she waited as Preacher nodded, doing some humming and then hanging up.

“Has he always worried like this?”

“I think it’s now his new hobby to worry about you. He just wants to take care of you.” He shrugged. “Surely you can understand?”

“Yeah, of course, I do.” She looked down at her wrists, seeing the chains wrapped around her wrists.

She caught Preacher looking at them and she pulled her wrists close, folding her arms.

“You wanted to come here?”

“Billy asked to drive me and this is the only place I haven’t been to. I hope I’m not intruding.”

“You’re not. This was your home once. Has Bishop been in touch with you?” Preacher asked.