Too Close

Chapter 38

Olivia's P.O.V.

"He's not back yet. Why isn't he back yet?" I said walking up to where Colton, Reed, and their friend Curtis stood talking quietly. It was getting dark out and by the looks on their faces, I knew something was wrong. Colton glanced at me.

"Everything's going to be fine. Just stay here with Curtis. Reed and I are going to go back and look for him." I opened my mouth but he gave a sharp shake of his head. "You're staying here." And with that, Reed finished wrapping a bandage over his jeans and a leg wound that had him limping, and they loaded their weapons then they were gone.

I looked over my shoulder at Curtis who leaned against Colton's car, smoking a cigarette. I couldn't understand how he could look so relaxed and not offer to go with them.

"I'm not so bad," he grinned, catching my gaze. I didn't smile back. I'd never seen him before. He had to be younger than all of us, maybe fifteen or sixteen. I wondered what Tyler was thinking, getting him involved in this.

I turned back to the trees where Colton and Reed disappeared through. They'd said Tyler was right behind them, how did they get separated to begin with? Was Tyler hurt? Had he been...Had he been—

I didn't finish that thought.

I ran. I ran back through the trees after them. I heard Curtis behind me, swearing and calling after me. I picked up my speed, not stopping until I came to a clearing by a lake.

"Shit!" I brought my fingers to my hairline, scratching my head and looking at the water bank in front of me. I must've gone the wrong way!

I turned at the sound of loud voices. There stood Jason talking to someone in front of him. A minivan was parked on the grass not too far away and three of his men holding guns stood with them, guarding him. None of them saw me yet. Hesitating, I crouched, not that there was anything for me to hide behind. That's when one of them saw me.

"Hey!" He bolted toward me and Jason turned to look. That was also when I saw the person he had been talking to was Tyler, kneeling on the ground, tied to a wooden post with his arms behind him and a guard at his side holding a wooden bat. The bat and Tyler's face dripped blood and his shirt was also bloodied.

"NO!" I yelled running toward him. A pair of hands wrapped around my throat–the guard's. Tyler looked up with pain filled eyes and I was dragged toward Jason.

"Well, hasn't this been a lovely plot twist of events, aye?" He was beaming when we reached him. I struggled to breath with the man's hands closed around my throat but he didn't lessen his grip. Jason looked down at Tyler. "This is my son's first girlfriend that I've gotten to meet!" I locked eyes with Tyler.

"She is a lovely girl, son. I'm proud. Very sexy, very...feisty."

"Ssson?" I croaked through my choke hold. Jason chuckled and nodded his answer.

"I'm Jason Durfee. Tyler's father." He looked at the man behind me and told him to let me go. I fell on all fours, knees banging over the cold dirt.

"Father." I wheezed. I looked back and forth between father and son. Tyler looked at the ground and slumped forward with shame. My eyes stung with fresh tears.

I got to my feet and went to him. Jason let me pass, watching as I kneeled in front of him. I grabbed him by the hair and with more gentleness, tugged his head up to look at me.

"Seeing how shocked you are by that bit, did he tell you his mother is dead?"

"Because you killed her!" A flash of anger flared in Tyler's eyes as he looked at him over my shoulder. It was a look of pure hatred.