Page 73 of Home Again

21

It sounded like the flapping of wings, a whine, a fan going at high speed. For the life of her, Gianna couldn’t identify the sound but it was getting closer and closer.

It wasn’t a motorboat—she’d been on the lake with her Pawpa and knew the sound—so what was it?

The noise wound down and she heard the distinct sound of footsteps splashing, then squishing through mud. The door flew open. It was Darrel. He grinned at her. Three cans from a six-pack of beer dangled from his finger in their plastic holder while he drank a fourth can. “You’re awake.”

She didn’t say anything.

“You didn’t die.”

She just stared at him.

“Did you miss me?”

She continued to stare at him.

He threw his can of beer at her, forcing her to duck. “Bitch, say something!”

“What do you want me to say?”

He stalked over to her and grabbed her hair, hauling her up so that she was on her knees. “I want you to tell me you’re glad to see me.”

Gianna forced back her sob of pain and whispered, “I’m glad to see you.”

He thrust her away from him so that she bounced against the back of the couch. “Now that wasn’t too hard, was it?” He pulled another can of beer from the six-pack rings and popped the top, not seeming to care when foam overflowed.

“Can’t play with you yet. Brad’s made that kind of clear. But he’ll be done with you pretty soon.” He took a sip of beer and crouched down in front of her. “Does that scare you, or make you hot?”

“Am I supposed to say something?”

Once again the high-pitched whine of a fan sounded in the distance. “Shit. We’re going to have to wait to finish our little chat.” Darnell shoved the can of beer at Gianna’s face. “Want some?”

She turned her face away from him.

“You sure are uppity.” He pulled back the beer and took a sip. “That’s okay, you won’t be by the time I’m done with you.”

Gianna heard footsteps and hoped it was Bradley.

“Darnell, I don’t have to kill you, do I?” Fontenot shouted as he barged into the cabin followed by the other man. Gianna couldn’t remember his name.

Darnell stood up straight and turned around. “I’m the smart one, remember? I know how to take orders. What’s more, I want my money more than I want a piece of tail.”

“Quit calling me stupid,” the skinny man whined.

“Jesus, Linus, quit sniveling, it makes you sound weak,” Bradley sneered. “I say we film her from the couch today, what do you think Darnell?”

Darnell leered at Gianna, then looked at Fontenot. “Sounds good, cousin.”

Bradley came closer to Gianna. “Today’s Sunday. I know that your boy can’t get his hands on the money til probably Tuesday or Wednesday at the soonest. Still, we want to give him some incentive. I need you looking a little more desperate than you did yesterday.”

She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of any kind of response.

“Hmmm, nothing to say, huh?”

“What do you have in mind?” Darnell asked.

“I need you to do the filming this time. Think you can handle that?” Fontenot asked Darnell as he handed him his phone.