by Myers, Kelly
“How about some water, then?”
I keep my lips sealed, and I sense him coming closer. I hear the twist of a cap, and his fingers gently touch my chin, pushing it up slightly and securing it in place. He pours a little bit of water on my lips before he pours it into my mouth, and I swallow, no longer able to fight. It drips down, and I feel the wetness on my shirt slowly seeping through to my breasts and bra padding. It’s cold, making me shiver as I feel the goosebumps invade my skin.
“You must be freezing,” he whispers.
The cool thread of water pierces through my insides, and I can literally feel it land in my stomach to settle.
He takes the bottle away before his hands pull me forward, wrapping something around my shoulders. It’s warm and fuzzy like a blanket. But then he fiddles with my hands tied around my back, and I hear a snap that announces the release of my wrists. I can’t feel the skin there or anything at all. Only a numb, cold sensation. He then inserts my arms into thick sleeves before he fastens some buttons at the front.
His warm hands then engulf mine, and a slippery sensation ensues. Soon, I smell something that resembles rosemary and tea tree extract. Is it lotion? Oil of some sort?
“It’s not as bad as I expected,” he mumbles with a low voice. His face is so close to mine that I can almost hear his breathing. “You’re stronger than you look.”
“Halle-fuckin’-lujah,” I grunt in a state of trance, barely keeping myself upright.
“You gotta remember how privileged you are, Dina.”
Here we go again.
“The Guantánamo Bay hunger strikes? The Irish republican prisoners? Gandhi? They all had great causes, and I have high respect for all of them. But they had nothing else to do, Dina. Their backs were against the wall. Unlike you.”
A criminal and a philosopher, how enchanting. “Wow, did they blindfold you, too?” I finally find the energy to toss a sarcastic comment now that I’m feeling relatively warm.
“I like you,” he chuckles. “I really do. But if you turn off the cynicism for a minute and be receptive to what I have to say, then we can accomplish a lot together.”
“What about this situation implies that I’m gonna go from an unrelenting enemy to an ally? I’m curious.”
“None of the men history deemed evil really was…you know that, right? They might have used the wrong strategy or came on too strong. But they all had the best intentions in mind.”
“You mean their misleading egos deluded them to believe so. And here you are, justifying massive criminal acts against humanity.”
“I’m willing to humor that thought.” I hear him shuffle and settle on the ground. “Set me on the right path, then.”
“Do you even sleep?”
“You must have done your homework on that.”
Is he implying that he is Gabriel Palanick? Is he finally revealing his identity to me? I have to be sure.
“So, rarely.”
“We’re far too preoccupied for such luxuries.”
He keeps using ‘we’ and not ‘I.’ He can’t trust me yet, and I can’t blame him.
“Palanick Holding has enough money and power to last you several lifetimes.”
“Where’s that open mind I’ve been pleading for?”
“Right. The dark web. The demons lurking in muddy manholes. The wasted resources and abused human beings.”
“Weapons that ignite wars. Mercenaries tearing nations apart. The list goes on…it breaks my heart.”
I catch myself contemplating his logic, and I begin to doubt my own sanity. I quickly dismiss the notion and berate my mind for finding a reason behind his twisted, distorted view of the world.
“What’s your plan, then?”
“Simple. Put an end to it and grant this planet a fresh start.”
“And you trust that your employers won’t be tempted into using this information for their benefit?”
“I swear to you on my life.”
“You must have great faith in the cause.”
“I do.”
“Do you have children, Zero?” I know the answer already.
“In the current state? I’d be mad to even consider it.”
We agree on this, too. I can’t help but carry on.
“Would you, if things were to improve?”
“Maybe…” he pauses. “It’s risky business.”
“Procreating?”
“Thinking that you can inflict this existence on a human being without experiencing immense amounts of guilt.”
I shake my head. “What happened to you?”
“You’re one to talk,” he scoffs.
“If I never get out of here alive, don’t you think that you owe me an explanation?”
“Nothing’s gonna happen to you. I won’t allow it.”
“What if Gabriel deems me useless and orders you to end my life?”
“Gabriel’s not a murder.”
“Yet. He seems adamant on carrying on his plans, crushing whoever stands in his way.”
“It won’t get to that. But I think you’re a valuable asset.”
“Why? I’m just a lousy journalist in a gazette that’s not even really on the map. Your words, not mine.”
“I said those things in anger. Your gazette is quite influential, at least in this city. And you…”
I wait for him to finish.
“I see myself in you.”
“If you think that sweet-talking me is gonna get you somewhere, you’re wrong. You say you respect Gabriel because of his commitment. You must respect the hell out of me now.”
“I do.”
“Is that why you untied my hands?”
“Every move I make is carefully calculated. You can’t take me, not normally…and especially not in this state.”
My wrists start throbbing, and a sudden sting begins to radiate through my arms. Instinctively, I begin to rub them with my fingers.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “My men and I tend to get carried away sometimes.”
He’s warming up to me. Now is the time to start making demands.
“I wanna meet Gabriel,” I announce.
“You won’t get anything much different from him than what you’re getting with me.”
“Is he that much of a coward? Can’t he stomach the consequences of his own acts?”
“Oh, he can take worse.”
“So what’s the problem? I already know he’s behind this, so it’s not really about his fear of the authorities, in case I escape.”
“It’s not.”
“But?”
“I’d like to talk to you some more. What’s really behind you ending every relationship the minute it gets serious?”
He’s trying to get personal with me so that I become more lenient. It’s like I’m arguing with myself.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but they simply didn’t work out.”
“Was there an almost?”
“You already know about the ring returned. The almost wedding. The almost family.”
“But is that what it was, really? Or were you trying to convince yourself?”
“What gives you that idea?”
“I’ve looked him up. Peter Simmons, promising Wall Street trader. Clean record. Good looking. Well-off family. He just didn’t have the time to worry about anything outside of his little bubble, did he?”
How does he do this? Read between the lines and extract the one piece of information that’s not written anywhere. I have to throw him off his game.
“Show me your face,” I sternly demand.
He chortles. “Excuse me?”
“You’re trying to level with me, yet you won’t grant me this simple right. You know what I look like. You know everything about me. I know nothing. Zero.”
“What will you get out of it?”
“A sense of the humanity you’re trying so hard to prove.”
“I’m not a droid if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Oh, you’re a
man, alright. A very interesting one, for that matter. You were right. In another lifetime, maybe…an alternate universe, we could’ve been friends.”
“Speaking of which. You never actually gave me your definition of that.”
“Does it ever occur to you that I don’t have all the answers?”
“Oh, I’m sure of it. But how do I know that if you see my face, you won’t launch at me and try to bite my nose off?”
“You’d knock me down with one motion of your arm. You said it, I can’t take you.”
“I’m afraid I’m far too pretty to take that risk,” I hear the disdain in his tone.
“Then tie me back up. Tie my legs if you want. I can’t exactly leap down from here with my ankles stuck together.”
“What’s the sudden interest in my appearance?”
“I have a theory.”
“Care to share?”
“You loathe yourself.”
He suddenly makes a noise that resembles a losing game show horn before laughing out loud, his humorous chuckles bouncing off the walls and harshly making their way into my ears.
19
Gabriel
“Then show me your face.”
She repeats her request, a nagging tone that lets me know that I’ve got here right where I want her. I’m finally humanized in her opinion—no longer an enemy whose identity is irrelevant.
Reminding myself that she’s still one of those intellectual snobs that make my blood boil, I examine her appearance, slowly scanning every inch with my eyes. When was the last time I enjoyed an exceptional encounter like this?
Have I ever?
I stand up, opening the single closet that’s concealed in the wall, producing handcuffs. “I’m sorry, but I’ll have to take your advice now.”
Approaching, I make sure my steps make a sound. She seems alarmed, apprehensive as her body tenses up in anticipation. I grab her foot, and her leg straightens before she loosens it in my grip. She seems nervous, yet…I haven’t seen her forced breathing exercise that Ramone talked about. In fact, I don’t recall witnessing it once since we started talking.
Wrapping the leather cuffs around her ankle, I take a deep breath as my fingers deliberately touch her soft skin. “You’re not scared.”
“No.”
“One told me you were…before.”
She purses her lips and says nothing. I fasten the latch in place and tug on it once, twice, just to be sure.
“You do understand, don’t you?”
She sighs in resignation. “What?”
“I’m not just an evil suit on a power trip like you thought.”
“Oh, no, you’re certainly a head-scratcher,” she humors me as I fasten the other side. She winces a little, and a brief groan escapes her lips. It turns me on a little. Actually, it turns me on a lot.
The sight of her in blindfolds and cuffs, completely at my mercy. Helpless yet somewhat trusting. She didn’t ask for this, but here we are, and she’s not exactly complaining.
“Does it hurt?” I whisper, tilting my head, imagining what her eyes look like in real life.
“Does it matter?”
“Why can’t you answer a single question without making a fuss?”
“I’ve always been the plight of my teachers.”
“Do I remind you of your teachers?”
Now there’s a delicious thought.
“You sure act like them. You have control over the situation. You don’t threaten, but you talk as if you’re doing this for my own good.”
“I thought you were the ideal student.”
“On paper,” she shrugs. “Many score high, but how did they get there? That’s the question.”
“And your parents?”
“What about them?”
“Did you give them a hard time, too?”
“You have all of my communication tools. Why don’t you ask them yourself?”
“Does it hurt?” I repeat.
“It’s funny that you care.”
Agitated, I swiftly bend over forward, clasping her chin between my fingers and hissing in her face. “I have all the time in the world, Didi. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
“I thought you barely slept for how busy you are,” she inches her face closer, defying me.
I shove her face away and recoil. “Jesus, you need a shower.”
“And you need to keep your side of the deal. You’ve tied up my legs. You don’t need to worry about bite marks anymore.”
“With the lack of intention to end your life on these premises, it’ll be a huge risk for me to reveal my identity to you.”
“Then I won’t say another word.”
“And deprive me of this riveting dialogue? How could I possibly go on with my day?”
She presses her lips together. Her breathing is even and calm. Frustrated, I begin to pace once more, sliding my hands into my pockets.
“Well, later then, Didi. I hope you change your mind soon.”
I stare at her, and she doesn’t budge. Her arms are now crossed in front of her chest, and she just sits there. I open the door and calmly close it behind me, walking away.
In the shower upstairs, I let the scorching hot water wash over me. I feel the immense heat hit my skin, but I like it. I enjoy it. I let it go deeper, holding my breath and challenging myself before I squirt a little shower gel and begin to lather it all over my arms.
Closing my eyes, I picture Dina naked, with those unfortunate marks around her wrists symbolizing the pain I have inflicted upon her. I wonder if she has any hidden tattoos or piercings.
My mind paints a thousand pictures of what her small breasts must look like in that cold room. The vision of her protruding ribs tickles my fantasy. What does her belly button look like? Her fair skin stretched between her hip bones. Does she shave, or did she get everything lasered off like all the women of our generation?
My body reacts, and the thought of it takes over, painfully overwhelming me with the mere thought of her moaning in pain…in ecstasy…in both. I’ve never met anyone like her, but is that it? Does novelty really hold such a strong grip over my desires, or is there more to it? Is it because she’s the first woman I’ve ever held hostage? Am I really the monster she thinks I am?
Why does my body crave the real sensation of power when I have countless women ready to submit to my every whim without resistance?
What’s wrong with me?
I finish my shower, my own mind berating me over reflections I never thought would possess me in regards to my little guest.
Going into my home office, I call Amanda.
“Hey, boss,” her breezy voice greets me.
“How’s it going?”
“I dodged a bullet some thirty minutes ago. Michael called, and I missed it on purpose. But then I texted him that I have back-to-back meetings.”
“Did he buy it?”
“He asked if he could come over later, and I said I’ll be working.”
“Fair enough. Other calls?”
“Her mother. I also texted her. And Zoe.”
“And?”
“It’s all under control. How much longer, though?”
“Don’t worry. Dan will deliver something to you soon. A tool that will help you answer calls and not sound suspicious.”
“Great.”
Next, I call Dan to give him new instructions.
“Need a ride?” he asks.
“No, I’ll be working here for a while. Listen, Enya in IT is working on a little software that she’ll have ready for you in about an hour or so. Pick it up and deliver it to Amanda.”
“Does she know how to use it?”
“The flash drive will have the manual on it. Just give it to her, and she’ll know what to do.”
“Gotcha.”
I’ve instructed Enya—one of our young, creative programmers—to develop an app that uses Dina’s voice to change anyone’s into hers. All Amanda needs to do is install it on Dina’s ph
one, activate it and make any call. She’ll instantly sound like Dina, which will buy us more time.
A few hours pass between me working, attending conference calls and online meetings, and taking a thirty-minute power nap. Upon waking, my housekeeper offers me a meal. I happily take it since I forecast that my next encounter with Dina will be nothing short of challenging. I wish she would eat something, but her mind is hell-bent on breaking my will.
She has another thing coming.
As I pour myself a drink, my phone buzzes with a call from Galina. I pick it up and slowly sit down, staring at her name on the screen.
“God,” I grunt from between my teeth before I answer. “Hello.”
“Should I take a hint?” I can picture her smile.
“I’m swamped.”
She laughs, and I imagine her throwing back her head. “What’s new?”
“Just a project that’s eating up the hours. I haven’t been sleeping, either.”
“I asked what’s new. Come on, Gabriel. Remember fun?”
I force a chuckle. “How about I come over when I can?”
She softens her tone. “I’m not just gonna sit here waiting for you.”
Which means that she most certainly will.
“Then give me some space, and I’ll call you when I can.”
As we end the call, I leave Galina hanging with no tangible outcome to her initiative. It’s interesting how most of the women in my life behave the way she does—claiming that they don’t want to speak to me then contacting me when I try to honor their requests.
Dina Cormack, on the other hand…well, I’m beginning to think that she’s enjoying this as much as I am. Something about her energy is dark and inviting. Would things have been different if we met any other way? Do I see us flirting somewhere and going back to my place for some intimate explorations of our own? I guess there’s no way of knowing.
The colors of the sunset invade the sky, changing and glowing with shades of pink, orange and a thousand vibrant blues. I put my laptop to sleep and walk out of the office, heading toward the elevator.
“Hey, boss,” I see Ramone approaching in the corridor. “I was just downstairs. She’s sleeping.”
“Any luck feeding her this time?”
“She took some orange juice,” he shrugs. “Hell, I’ll call it progress. Looks like you’re better with her than I am.”