𝑀𝓎 𝑀𝒶𝓃#1~When Love Lasts
Chapter 38

“Why are you doing this?” I demanded to know as I tried to jerk my hand out of his hold as we walked around the restaurant towards the front door. “Let me go.” I growled, not wanting anyone to overhear what was happening and someone get hurt because of me.

“I'm doing this because you're mine. You should thank me,” He growled and tightened his grip on my shoulder and pressed the tip of the gun harder into my back.

“Thanking you? What the fuck do I have to thank you for? Terrifying me? Breaking into my home? Cumming on my panties?” I asked him, as my eyes locked onto Cedric. His talking with my coworkers and looking towards the women's bathroom. An uneasy frown formed on his lips.

I should have listened.

He said something didn't feel right.

He stated his gut was telling him I wasn't safe, and I didn't listen. Instead, I guilt-tripped him into staying in the seat and speaking with my friends.

I just wanted him to get to know them. I didn't want this asshole's doings to cause us to keep ourselves locked away from everyone.

“You didn't love the gift I left you? You are so hot, I couldn't help myself.” He whispered against my ear, causing a shiver of disgust to rock through my body.

“No, I didn't like some lunatic cumin on my panties.” I informed him and knew I should have kept my mouth shut because he snarled and pushed that damn gun harder into my back, making tears form in my eyes from the pain. “Please stop.”

“It's your fault. I did all this because you wouldn't be with me.” He growled and dragged me into the parking lot. “You don't even fucking remember me, do you?”

“It's not my fault you hurt those women, you're sick. Fucking disgusting.” I shouted and tried to jerk my body away from his now that we were outside and everyone else was safe. “Let me go.”

“It is! We met before.” He informed me as he walked us up towards a black SUV. “When you came down to pick up the keys to your new house. Don't you remember?”

“What the fuck are you talking about? The only place I went to when I was here, was to my house to grab the damn keys!” I cried, my braving fading as we got further and further away from the restaurant and from Cedric.

“I was there. When you sighed, those fucking papers! You see, this is what's wrong with women. They see me, and then they see someone like Chandler and think, oh the second option's better. I saw you first. You are mine, and he stole you from me.” The man screamed in my face, and that's when I remembered his face.

I know him.

I didn't talk to him, though.

He is the son of the old couple I got the house from. He was down sighing papers when I came and got my key. He had kept smiling at me and made me a little but uncomfortable, and I tried keeping my distance those two hours that I was here.

“Remember me now, you cheating bitch?” He asked, tone turning dangerously cold.

“Yes. Your Jacob. The son of the couple that used to live in my home. Why are you doing this? I didn't do you anything.” I cried, confused, and trying to think back to that meeting. I didn't even talk to him much. All I said was nice to meet you.

That was it.

“You smiled at me.” He whispered as he unlocked the SUV and shoved me into the back seat. “And when you smiled at me, I knew you belonged to me.” He growled before slamming the door shut.

I tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. It must be child locked. “Please, someone help me.” I screamed and pounded my fist into the glass, attempting to break it open. “Help me. Cedric!”

“Stop fucking calling for that, motherfucker. I told you you're mine. You don't fucking belong to him!” Jacob snapped and got behind the wheel and started the SUV. “Don't worry, we will be home soon.” He giggled before stepping on the gas.

No.

No, please.

“Cedric!” I shouted once more, hoping by some miracle he would have heard me.

Please replace me baby, I cried inside my head and curled myself up into a protective ball.

Cedric's P.O.V

Something isn't right. I have been sitting here waiting for Avery to come back from the bathroom, and it's been five minutes. I'm trying my hardest not to suffocate her with my worry, but I'm struggling with it. I didn't want to come out tonight, I only did because she asked me sweetly and if I'm being honest with myself, it's hard to tell my girl no.

Her coworkers are still trading stories back and forth, and I'm only half listening. I'm trying not to be rude. I want her friends to like me for her, but something just isn't right.

We have been combing over the evidence from the two missing women and have found nothing that points us to anyone. The DNA from her panties came back a few days ago, and whoever it belongs to isn't in our systems.

The thing that makes me worry the most is that he hasn't taken another victim, and I haven't told Avery anything else about the new pictures that man has taken that he placed around the second victim's body. His been stalking her, and she was worried enough. I didn't want to cause her more stress, not when she was starting to smile again.

She should be done by now. I frowned and looked towards the lady's room hoping I'd see her walking towards me, but I didn't see her. I know I'm probably overreacting and Avery would be the first one to call me out on my shit, but something just isn't fucking right.

“Excuse me.” I said to her co-workers before I headed towards the lady's bathroom.

Everything is probably fine. She is okay. I'm just losing it, I know this, and as long as she is safe, I'll let her fuss at me for this.

“Avery? Baby? Are you okay?” I asked and knocked on the bathroom door.

I waited a few seconds, uneasiness flooded my stomach as my heart squeezed inside my chest when she didn't answer me back.

“Avery? I need you to answer me.” I shouted, thinking maybe she couldn't hear me, and knocked harder this time.

Fuck.

Okay, Cedric, calm down dude. You can't just kick open a woman's bathroom.

That's illegal, I remind myself.

“Avery. I need you to answer me. Now.” I ordered, hoping to hear her throwing attitude on the other side of the door, but still fucking nothing.

Fuck it.

I raised my foot and slammed it hard into the door, I watched as it cracked open and reached inside and unlocked the door.

“Avery baby, I'm sorry. I just need to see that you're okay.” I told her as I pushed open the bathroom door. “Baby? Avery?” I called her name, and then my gaze locked onto something on the floor.

Her cell phone.

“Avery fucking answer me" I growled and started pushing open all the bathroom stalls, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest and I slammed my fist I to stall door.

Something did happen. She wasn't safe. I should have fucking said no about coming home tonight. This is my fault. That sick monster has my girl, and it's all my fucking fault.

My knees became weak, and I slid down onto the floor. Tears in my eyes. I quickly pulled out my cell phone and call Lucas.

“Yeah?” Lucas's sleeping voice cut through the fog that was surrounding me.

“I need you to come to Roxie's Restaurant. Avery is missing. Do you hear me? She is fucking missing, and I need you to help me fucking replace her.” I growled into the phone, making sure my best friend understood what I was saying. “He fucking took my girl. I need to get her back.”

“I'm on my way. Lock it down. Stay calm. I know you're pissed brother, but you need to keep your head on. You are no good to Avery if you lose your shit. You're no good to me if you lose your shit. Do you understand me?” He asked, and I heard him moving around, getting out of bed because it was around midnight.

“I am fucking calm. I have to replace my fucking woman. You know what he does to them, Lucas. He will rape her and cut her hair off-” I was shouting, but my voice cut off as I choked, emotions crawling around and burning my insides. “I need her. I can't lose her. I love her-”

“Listen to me. We will fucking replace her. We will get your girl back, Cedric. I'm going to call your dad and Conor." He growled and hung up the phone.