Chapter 43

Bruce walked closer, a wicked smirk on his face as he greeted me with false pleasantries. “Well, well, look who decided to show

up. How have you been, Coco?”

My jaw clenched as my anger simmered just below the surface. I had hoped to avoid

any unnecessary small talk, but I couldn’t ignore the taunts. “Cut the act, Bruce. You called me here, now state your demands,” I

demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.

Bruce’s smirk widened, and he leaned in closer, reveling in my discomfort. “Il have to admit, I didn’t think you’d ever amount to

anything. But seeing you on the news, winning that court case, made me realize you might have something to offer me,” he said,

his eyes glinting with greed.

My blood ran cold at the mention of the court case. “And now you want my earnings?” I asked, not masking my irritation.

Bruce chuckled darkly, circling around me like a predator closing in on its prey. “Yes, Coco. I want a share of your winnings. You

owe me after what you did,” he said, his words coming out in a hiss.

“You seem fine,” I said, looking him over. “Still dodging you daily showers, it seems.” Bruce chuckled. “I always did enjoy your

humor, Coco.”

“Don't call me that.”

“Why not, Coco?” he persisted, his eyes darkening. “Hell, I don’t speak a lick of French, but damn are you as darling as the word

suggests.”

“God!” I huffed and forced my hands to my sides, suppressing the need to strangle him. “What have you even been doing alll

these years, Bruce? I mean, I besides extorting people.”

Bruce glanced around and shoved his hands in his pockets, “I’ve been trying to get back on track. Especially after you left home

so suddenly. You really broke my heart, you know?”

“Didn't know you owned one of those,” I muttered. “And you barely answered my question.”

His eyes narrowed. “If you’re wondering about your dear ‘ol stepmom, she’s doing

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I

all right. A little shaken still after step—douche died.”

My body shook at the mention of my father. I had almost forgotten about Laura, although she wasn’t exactly receptive to my

existence half the time. She had been pretty disturbed by my father’s death, however.

“Are you still living with her?” I asked. I wanted to add if they were still in my father’s house, but I honestly didn’t want to know.

“I swing by from time to time,” Bruce said, grinning. “She’s changed the place up quiet a bit. With your dad gone, she figured it

was time to switch it up a little.”

I hadn’t planned on returning to that house, but the thought of Laura tossing out his belongings, and likely my own, disturbed me.

I had left so abruptly that I hadn’t had the time to really collect sentimental items. It could have been Bruce trying to rile me up,

but it didn’t feel outside of Laura’s character to do this.

She hadn't even reached out after I disappeared that horrible night.

“I've dappled in various odd jobs around town,” Bruce continued. “After paying for all those hospital bills, it’s been a little difficult

trying to get my life together.”

I rolled my eyes. “Do you expect me to feel bad for you? Sorry you never applied yourself when you had the chance!” I retorted.

Bruce hesitated for a moment before his face twisted into a sinister smile. “Believe what you want, Coco. It doesn’t change the

fact that you owe me,” he sneered.

“I owe you nothing, Bruce. You were the one who made my life a living hell, and I’m done being manipulated by you,” I declared.

Bruce’s smile faltered. “You always were the naive one, Coco. Thinking you could escape your past and start anew,” he taunted.

My anger surged, and I fought to maintain my composure. “I’m not naive anymore, Bruce. I’ve grown since then, and I won’t let

you or anybody else control. me ever again.”

As Bruce looked down at me with a heightened curiosity, my stomach churned with unease. Coming out here was starting to feel

a little less sensical, but part of me wanted to know. He had survived after all, but he was returning with a

vengeance.

Chapter 43

If I hadn’t won, what would his intentions have been then? He had been contacting me even before then. Of course, I shouldn't

fool myself into believing that his interest in me was strictly monetary.

“You think I owe you something after everything you put me through?” I spat back, my anger bubbling to the surface.

Bruce snorted. “Oh, you owe me, Coco. That little knock to the head you gave me left some personal scars that need to be

compensated for,” he said, his voice dripping with venom.

“I didn’t do anything that you didn’t deserve!” I snapped. “And it seems you lost a few brain cells after the fact.”

Suddenly, his fist was gripping the roots of my air and I was being slammed against one of the storage units. My vision flashed

white as my head hit the sheet siding of the building and I groaned in pain.

Bruce leaned in, his sour breath invading my nostrils. “Still mouthing off I see.” His finger and thumb took hold of my chin as I

attempted to look away.

“Don't act like you didn’t miss me,” he whispered. “That little boyfriend of yours could never measure up. Admit it.”

“Get the fuck away from me!” I gave him a hard shove, sending him stumbling backward. “I'd rather douse myself in fire than let

you touch me, you filthy asshole!”

In that moment, his smile disappeared, and his shoulders hunched over. I took a few steps away and crossed my arms over my

chest.

“I'm not giving you any money,” I stated. “So go crawl back into whatever gutter you came out of.”

Anger flashed in Bruce’s eyes, and he lunged towards me, demanding, “Don’t make me ask again!”

Common sense seemed to finally kick in right then. Right as he reached out to grab me, I turned and sprinted down the long

pathway. Bruce began shouting my name and I could hear his heavy footsteps behind me as he gave chase.

“You could’ve made this a lot easier for me, Coco!” he yelled between pants.

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I turned the corner, finally reaching an opening. There was some relief in seeing. my car left untouched and still in the lot. As I

struggled to get my keys, I felt something hard hit the back of my head.

Ashockwave of pain rattled my skull, and I stumbled forward. My vision blurred and I reached to touch the back of my head

before losing the strength in my legs.

I collapsed to the ground, my face smacking against the concrete. Bruce’s footsteps. grew slower as he approached, his boots

the only thing in my line of sight.

“Change of plans,” he grumbled. After nudging my legs with the tip of his boot, he sent a hard kick into my ribs, causing me to cry

gasp for air. He then

out and grabbed my arm and hoisted me up.

As darkness enveloped my vision, the last thing I heard was Bruce’s malicious laughter echoing in my ears as my eyelids fell

shut.

I had walked right into his trap.

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