Unbreakable Hearts

by Harper Bentley

  Oz couldn’t take this. He walked down the steps and stood in the front yard, hands on his hips as he looked down at the snow, trying to keep himself in check.

  “We’ll find her,” he heard Gunner say quietly. Oz hadn’t even heard him approach.

  “How?” he looked up and asked.

  “Someone’s got to know something. We’ll find her.”

  Oz nodded as he clenched his teeth, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and finger, closing his eyes. He dropped his hand and looked at Gunner and said, “Swear to God, Gun, anyone hurts her, they’re dead.”

  Gunner looked him in the eye and nodded back.

  ***

  Tilly awoke and slowly blinked open her eyes, frowning because her head was pounding. She felt tape over her mouth and it took her a few seconds before it all came back to her. She sucked in air through her nose when she remembered that someone had broken into her house and chased her up the stairs. But that was all she remembered. She now lay on a bed in a bedroom, looking up at the ceiling fan that spun lazily overhead. She turned her head and gazed around the room but didn’t recognize the place. There was nothing on the walls or any personal effects on the dresser except for a small lamp whose light was soft but still hurt her head when she looked at it. When she tried sitting up she realized she was tied down. Her arms were outstretched as were her legs, all bound with straps to the bed. What in the world?

  “Ah, you’re awake,” a man said as he walked into the room.

  She glanced at him knowing she’d seen him somewhere before but couldn’t place him. He was very good looking, tall, dark and handsome. So cliché, she thought. But there was something off about him. She watched as he came toward her and sat on the bed, reaching a hand toward her. She automatically pulled as far away as she could from him which made him chuckle.

  “You do that now, but soon you’ll be begging me to touch you.” He laughed again.

  It was then she figured out what was off about him. It was his eyes. When he’d laughed, his smile hadn’t reached them. They just looked back at her, cold and gray. She shuddered as he reached his hand toward her again and caressed her breast, rubbing his thumb over her nipple, which made her turn her head away as she held back a whimper.

  “Careful. Don’t wanna piss me off. I can black your other eye if necessary,” he said, leisurely moving his hand down between her breasts, over her stomach and between her legs where he cupped her, moving his fingers over her jeans. He then slowly dragged his hand back up, pulling her sweater up with it and sliding his hand under her bra, groped her breast again.

  She squeezed her eyes tightly shut and focused on trying to keep the bile that was rising up her throat at bay. God. That explained why her head was pounding. He’d hit her and knocked her out. Dang. As he continued touching her, she couldn’t help the tears that flooded her eyes then trickled down the sides of her face.

  “I’ll give you a few minutes to collect yourself. When I come back, I expect you to be willing to do what I say. If not, you won’t like the consequences. But I will.”

  ***

  Graham liked this. He liked it a lot. He’d seen the Maxwell woman the day of the parade but hadn’t realized how beautiful she really was until he was up close and personal with her now. She was a fucking knockout. Literally. He laughed at his pun as he left her room. He also chuckled at how she’d tried moving away from him. She’d learn to like his touch, want it, plead for it, of that he had no doubt.

  Going into the kitchen, he pulled a bottle of Lagavulin off the shelf in the liquor cabinet. Fucking Zim always had good taste in scotch, he thought as he poured himself a glass. He sat in the leather wingback chair and watched the fire blazing in the fireplace. He’d never been to Zim’s getaway house but had heard it was a pretty sweet setup, and that it was. Hancock and Moore sofa and chairs, Henkel Harris coffee and end tables, a Jackson Pollock on the wall above the fireplace. Graham wondered how he’d kept the two Russian girls there for two years, but then figured Zim probably shared them with the Russian mob they all had dalliances with. Maybe they’d be up for helping him keep the Maxwell woman there. But he didn’t feel like sharing her with anyone just yet. Maybe after he’d had her for a month or two he’d grow tired of her then they could have her. He felt his dick twitch at the thought of taking her now.

  He rose to return to her room when his cell phone rang. He looked to see it was Brynne calling. Fucking great.

  “Yeah, babe,” he answered, looking up at the ceiling.

  “Are you coming home soon? Daddy wants to deliver the Lamborghini he got us. Wasn’t that an awesome surprise at Thanksgiving?” she squealed.

  “Definitely. What time’s he going to be there?”

  “Around ten. He said his friend from the dealership just got back in town, so he’s going to pick it up and drive it over.”

  And put miles on it when he did. Graham rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “It’s eight-thirty. I’ll be home in an hour.”

  “Okay! Be safe. Love you!” she said and rang off.

  Fuck. Now all he’d have time for was to make the Maxwell woman send emails to the media to which she’d sent her pictures, requesting they not use them. He’d already checked the local papers and magazines and saw they hadn’t used any pictures with him in them, so maybe he could head the rest off at the pass and the situation wouldn’t be as dire as he’d originally thought.

  He set his glass on the end table and picked up his laptop from the coffee table then went to the bedroom. Upon going inside, his dick twitched again at the sight of her being bound to the bed. Nothing sexier than a woman tied up. Jesus.

  “You ready to cooperate?” he asked placing the laptop on the dresser.

  She turned toward him and nodded.

  “Good.” He walked to the bed and reached a hand out to her face, liking that she winced when he did. “I’m going to remove this tape, but if you so much as utter a sound without my permission, I’ll knock you out again. Understand?”

  She nodded.

  “That’s a good girl,” he said. He ran his hand over her breast again, tweaking her nipple between his thumb and finger, smirking when she closed her eyes. His hand moved up and tugged at the tape, pulling it back from her mouth slowly, not wanting to rip her skin. She wouldn’t be able to use her mouth on him later if he did that. “Now, I’m going to undo your wrists and ankles.”

  When he’d undone both, he put a hand between her shoulders helping her sit up. She rubbed her wrists when he went to the dresser and retrieved the laptop. He turned to look at her sitting there, disappointed that he wouldn’t have time to play a bit with her tonight. Soon, he reminded himself. Going to the bed, he sat down and opened the laptop putting in the password and logging online.

  “I need you to go to your email,” he said, placing the computer in her lap.

  She did as she was told, then looked at him. Oh, she’d make a good little sub, he thought watching her sitting there waiting for directions.

  “You sent pictures out. I know some might’ve already gone to press, but I need you to email the vendors that haven’t, telling them you want them to delete everything you sent.”

  She frowned as she looked at the emails, clicking through them then looked at him nonplussed.

  Might as well fill her in. Not like she was going to get out of this and have the opportunity to tell anyone. “I’m in the background of some. I can’t have those being published. I actually think I’m being very nice about this because what I should do is kill you now.” He liked the little gasp she made at that. “But I’m giving you a chance to see if these vendors will cooperate. You’d better pray that they do.” He smirked at the shock on her face. He next moved in and kissed the side of her neck moving up to take her earlobe between his teeth then he whispered, “In the meantime, you and I will play a bit while we wait for their answer.”

  When he pulled back, he couldn’t help but smirk again as her eyes got bi
g with worry. He kept his hands to himself while he watched her email each company, telling them she didn’t want the pictures published, impressed at her wording when she warned that if they used them, they’d be subject to litigation to the maximum extent permitted by law.

  “That’s good,” he said when she finished. “I’ve got to leave now, but I’ll be back first thing in the morning.” He got up and walked around the bed to strap her arms and legs back again before he left.

  “Wait!” she said with a raspy voice.

  He shot a look at her which made her flinch, which in turn made his cock jerk in anticipation. God, he wanted to have some fun with her but knew he had to get back to the city. “Did I give you permission to speak?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

  She bit her lip as she shook her head, watching him warily not knowing what he’d do.

  “What is it?” he finally asked.

  “Um, could I use the restroom first? And maybe get a drink of water?”

  He stared at her for a few seconds. Wouldn’t do to have her soil herself he guessed. He’d just have to clean her up and that’d take time away from fucking her. He sighed then said, “You have two minutes.”

  She pulled her legs up, bending them at the knees and wrapping her arms around them in a stretch before turning to step off the bed. The room was the master so there was an en suite, so while she used it, he went to the kitchen to get her a cup of water, returning just as she came out of the bathroom. He handed her the water watching her sip it with her delicate lips. Oh, he was going to enjoy playing with this one.

  “Finished?” he asked, eyebrow raised.

  She nodded and handed the cup back to him then stood where she was, unsure of what to do next.

  “Get on the bed,” he commanded. When she did what she was told, he moved to lie on top of her grabbing her by the chin, digging his fingers into her skin and said, “I’ve changed my mind. I’m not going to tie you down, but don’t get any ideas. The windows are covered with metal shutters that are locked on the outside. Don’t bother screaming. There’s no one around for miles. The deadbolt on the door is double cylinder so there’s not a thumbturn. You won’t get out so no need in wasting your energy. Questions?”

  She shook her head.

  “Good. I’ll be back in the morning.” He ground his pelvis against her, then kissed her roughly, and pushing himself off her, got up and left the room. He pulled the keys from his pocket to turn the lock and then his fucking wits came back to him. He opened the door going back inside and picked the laptop up off the bed. “Whoops.” He smirked at her knowing she’d probably hoped he’d forgotten. He went out the door again and locked her in.

  That’d been close. He had to be careful around this one. Her beauty was distracting. Enough so that he’d almost made the fatal mistake of leaving the computer with her. Damn. He couldn’t wait to come back in the morning.

  Chapter 19

  Doug was having the time of his life. He’d gone to Buster’s for a drink and run into an old girlfriend. Now they were playing pool and he knew he was going to get laid at the end of the night for sure.

  “Oh, pooh,” his ex, Jalissa, said with a pout when she missed her shot, stomping her foot and turning to look at him.

  He wondered why he’d ever broken up with her. She was so sexy in her tight jeans that were tucked into high-heeled boots. Her sweater barely covered her belly that still carried some baby fat, but he’d thought it cute when they’d dated and he liked it now. He was also enjoying the way her smallish tits poked out at him enticingly under the knit fabric. Her long, brown hair was streaked with auburn highlights, her big, brown eyes expressive.

  She was the total opposite of Tilly and he now found that’s what he liked the most about her.

  “Dougie, I missed,” Jalissa said, going to him and wrapping her arms around his neck, still in full-pout mode.

  Oh, yeah. Now he remembered why they’d parted ways. He’d hated how she talked like a baby and that she was so clingy. But after two years of being with Tilly, who’d barely shown him any affection or paid any attention to him at all, this was a welcome change.

  Yeah, he was getting laid tonight for sure.

  And then his cell phone rang.

  He pulled it out of his pocket and answered as Jalissa nibbled on his neck. “Yeah?”

  “Doug? Where are you?” Jeff asked.

  He rolled his eyes. When he’d wanted her, Tilly was nowhere to be found, but now when he tried getting away from her, she was everywhere. Even had her new boyfriend and brother bugging him. “I’m out. What do you need, Jeff?” He shivered when Jalissa bit fairly hard on his neck and she giggled at the effect she was having on him.

  “Gonna ask again. Where are you?”

  God, what a jerk. “Buster’s. What do you need?”

  “Don’t move. I’ll be right there,” Jeff said and hung up.

  A half hour later, Jeff and Tilly’s new boyfriend came into the place followed by two other huge guys. Holy shit, talk about intimidating, four guys that big and muscular walking in together. Looked like an Ahhhnold convention had broken out or something. Doug wished for the millionth time that he was at least six feet tall and weighed more than a large child, damn it.

  “What do you need, Jeff?” he asked again, eyeing the Osby guy and the other two with him. One had shockingly blue eyes that constantly shifted seeming to watch every move every person in the place made. The other one was just mammoth with muscles bulging everywhere.

  “We need to talk to you. Can we go outside?” Jeff asked.

  “Kinda busy,” Doug said and turned to Jalissa seeing her looking all googly-eyed at the four guys who were there to talk to him. Whatever. She wasn’t worth it anyway. Bitch.

  “Need you to come with me now,” Jeff said, his hand coming up in front of Doug as if he was going to grab him by the shoulder then he clenched it into a fist bringing it down while the other guys moved in on him.

  “Okay, okay. I’ll go. Not gonna beat me up or anything, are you?” he asked warily looking at all of them, seeing the two new guys chuckling at what he’d said.

  “Need your help, Doug. Can we go?” Jeff said.

  He nodded and followed the men outside, still a little leery of what they were going to do but too curious to let it lie. They walked to the parking lot and got in a truck, which he assumed was the blue-eyed guy’s since he got behind the wheel and started it turning the heat up.

  “What’s this all about?” Doug asked after he got in, turning to look at Jeff in the backseat.

  “Tilly’s missing.”

  Doug frowned. “What do you mean, ‘missing’?”

  “Her house was broken into around eight tonight and the guy took her.”

  Oh, shit. He may have been pissed at her, but he damn sure didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. “You’re kidding.”

  “No, Doug, he’s not,” the Osby guy said from behind him.

  “And you have no idea what’s happened to her? Have you tried Quinn’s? She’s always there if she’s not home.”

  “She was talking to Quinn on the phone when it happened,” Jeff said, watching him carefully, probably thinking that he’d been involved somehow just like the new boyfriend did.

  “It’s not me,” Doug said quickly. “I know you guys think I’m involved, but I’m not.”

  “Oz said you might know who is involved,” Jeff replied.

  If he gave them Hightower’s name, he’d throw away his dreams of becoming a millionaire. But if he didn’t, Tilly could end up getting hurt. Damn. Damn. Damn. He sighed before saying, “I might.”

  ***

  After the man left, Tilly sat on the bed for a long time staring off into space. Things like this only happened in movies, right? They weren’t real. She was going to wake up any second and be back home, having fallen and hit her head on the banister or something stupid like that as she’d gone upstairs.

  She squeezed her eyes shut for a minute, but u
pon opening them saw that she was still in the room apparently in a house that was out in the middle of nowhere, and there was no way out. Taking a deep breath, she got off the bed. Stepping down she realized she was barefooted and looked around for her shoes but they were nowhere to be found. Strange. She walked to the bedroom door testing to see if she was really locked in. Yep. Definitely locked in. She next went to the windows and pulled back the curtains. Metal shutters like those on businesses covered them. Dang. Whoever owned the house apparently didn’t want anyone leaving without their permission.

  She went into the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror gently touching her eye that was swollen and bruised badly and hurt like a bitch. Obviously, the guy didn’t have a problem with hitting women. She’d have to make sure to be careful around him.

  Oh, hell, what was she talking about. He was coming back in the morning and raping her that much was certain, and she knew his idea of “playing” during sex was on the other end of the spectrum of hers. And she couldn’t be there just waiting for him to violate her. No way.

  Digging through the drawers, she saw they held the essentials: toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, soap. Whoever’d been kept there before her had at least liked to stay clean.

  Maybe she could sharpen the end of a toothbrush somehow and stab him with it when he arrived in the morning. Or if she could find a nail file, she could use that. She suddenly sat down on the edge of the bathtub, holding onto the sides tightly trying to curb the need to vomit. God, she was thinking about stabbing a man. She was thinking about stabbing a man! She put her face in her hands and shook her head as the tears fell. She had to get out of there.

  Removing her hands from her face, she sniffed a couple times before standing up and looking through the drawers again. This time she found some bobby pins. After thinking for a second, she went to the bedroom door, and straightening one pin, stuck it in the lock thinking she might be able to pick it. Yeah, ‘cause you know so much about doing this. Ugh. After working on the door for a few minutes and actually sticking another pin in (because that’s how she’d seen them do it in the movies), she gave up and went to the bed and sat down.