She smiled, fancying herself as Santa on her way to the dumpster. A soft chuckle whispered free as she thought about how horrifying her younger self would have been had Santa filled her stockings with trash instead of chocolate and candy canes.
The sound of a vehicle parking somewhere nearby reached Scottie’s ears, and the smile on her face grew wide. A quick glance at her watch let her know Chase was right on time, and she was more than ready to greet him with a kiss.
Kiss. Cheeseburger and fries. Shower.
That was her new plan, and she intended to carry it out in that order.
And after?
Her lower belly tightened with anticipation. Because after she’d refueled her body and washed the day away, Scottie was finally going to make her move.
Chase was being a gentlemen, of that she had no doubt, but she didn’t need a gentleman. Not tonight, anyway. Tonight she needed…
Him.
Still lost in her thoughts of all the gloriously naughty things she wanted to do to that man, Scottie tossed the bag up before twisting and tilting her body to the side, letting the bag slide over her shoulder and into the nearly full dumpster.
Not bothering with the lid—it wouldn’t have shut regardless—she was still lost in her own thoughts when an angry male voice sounded from behind.
“Where is she?”
Not Chase.
With a gasp, Scottie spun back around, her stomach filling with dread when she saw the face of the man standing before her.
Tommy Gallo.
He was maybe two yards away, and he looked like he’d come ready for a fight. Dressed in a pair of black suit pants and a white button-up shirt that was only halfway tucked in, the man’s slightly slurred words and swayed movements gave away the fact that he was drunk.
“Mr. Gallo.” She did her best to remain calm as she raced to come up with a plan. “This area is for employees only. You’re not allowed back here.”
How was he able to get back here?
“I asked you a question!” The infuriated man marched a few steps toward her. “Tell me where my wife is!”
“I don’t know.” It was the God’s honest truth, not that she expected him to believe her.
But even if Scottiedidknow Allison Gallo’s location, there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell she’d ever give it to him.
“Liar!” Tommy spoke through a set of clenched teeth. “I know you know her. And I know you and that cunt boss of yours helped her escape!”
Uh, no…she hadn’t. Sloane had helped the man’s terrified wife, of course. That was what Sloane did.
“Mr. Gallo, I swear to you, I have absolutelynoidea where your wife or daughter are.” Not that the jerk had even mentioned the precious little girl. “Now please. You need to leave or I’ll have no choice but to call the police.”
“Bullshit!”
He barreled toward her so quickly, Scottie nearly stumbled backward as she attempted to retreat. “Mr. Gallo, no!”
She put a hand up to stop him, hurriedly sidestepping the dumpster to avoid a collision. It wasn’t enough.
Before she could react further, Tommy Gallo grabbed Scottie by the shoulders. Using a tight, painful hold, he kept his meaty grip in place to swing her body sideways and then push backward…not stopping until he had her entire back pressed against the nearest exterior wall.
“Ah!” Scottie cried out as the back of her head and shoulders met the unforgiving brick. Pain flashed through her skull, and she winced from the impact.
“That’s right, you little bitch.” His rancid, liquor-laced breath nearly made her gag. “You have no idea how connected I am. Now you’re going to tell me where you’ve hidden my wife. And if you don’t, I swear to God, I’m going to?—”
“Take yourfuckinghands off her!”