by Joan Davis
“I forgot, could you tell Samson that if he ends up having to take care of that private business matter he told me about earlier, he really needs to wash his hands first?” Risa said with a smile.
“Yeah, I guess so,” Conner said, looking confused.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it,” Risa said happily, and watched as Conner left her room. A minute later Risa heard Samson roar with laughter.
*****
He walked casually down the corridor of the women’s section of the county prison and pulled the bill of his cap low over his eyes. He made sure that his face was hidden from the solitary security camera located in the common area of the cell block. He glanced at his watch. It was just past 2:30 a.m.
He was feeling a vicious frustration. His plan to draw Knight outside so he could take him out had failed. He’d only had minutes after they found his little gift before he had to retreat or risk being caught. Knight had made it so easy to get inside and leave his mark, but Knight had never rushed outside to try to find him, the coward. He’d barely made his getaway before Knight’s little soldiers had shown up again. It was a missed opportunity, but one he would correct shortly.
Once he reached the right cell, he stopped and quietly waited for her to notice him.
Melissa Sue Banner looked up when a shadow fell over her cot. She put her hands over her mouth to keep from squealing in delight. Even in the dim light she recognized him. He had finally come for her, like he promised. “Is it safe for you to be here?” Sissy, as she was known, whispered, as she rolled off the cot and met him at the bars of the cell. Her voice trembled, “I think the police killed Saren. Who else could have done it?”
“Don’t you worry about that, Sissy, I’m here now. How could I stay away? You’re my girl aren’t you?” he asked her quietly. He cupped her face in one of his hands and bent to gently kiss her lips through the bars. It took everything in him not to grab her mousy brown hair and slam her head repeatedly against the cold steal. That wasn’t part of the plan.
“What if they try to get me?” she asked in a frightened voice.
“Now Sissy, would I let anyone hurt you? That’s why I’m here now, to take care of you.”
“I knew you would come. When can I get out of here? Will it be soon?” Sissy asked pleadingly. She was so scared and lonely, being locked away like this.
“You’ll be free soon, my love. I just want to make sure you’ve followed all the instructions you were given.” He looked into her eyes and added, “You have been a good girl, haven’t you?”
Sissy nodded eagerly. “Oh yes, I never even mentioned you or any of the others at all. I let them believe that Saren did everything by himself. They don’t even know you all exist. I was really good. They totally believed everything I told them.” She tried to reach for him again, but he drew back.
With a secretive smile, he drew a bag from behind his back. It was from Sissy’s favorite fast food restaurant. “I knew I could count on my girl. I brought you a treat.”
Sissy bounced up and down, trying to keep from making too much noise and eagerly reached for the bag. Her chubby cheeks grew ruddy with excitement. She tucked her lanky brown hair behind her ear and stared at the bag with glee.
“I went through the all-night drive through on my way here,” he said. Once he handed her the bag through the bars, he watched as Sissy sat down on her cot and eagerly reached inside to remove each item. Groaning, she pulled out a large iced-tea, a fully-loaded burger and large fries. She hurriedly popped a straw into the cup and began sucking down the sweet concoction.
“I made sure to get the tea real sweet. I know you love it that way. I hope you like it,” he said sincerely, watching as Sissy continued to drink and eat the food he had brought her.
That’s it, eat it all. Just the way I knew you would, you greedy bitch, he said silently to himself.
“Oh my gosh, you have no idea. I have been craving this stuff forever.” She stopped chewing for a moment to smile at him. “Thank you for being so wonderful. I am so glad you have finally come. I’ve really missed you.”
He watched her resume eating before he said, “Oh honey, the feeling is mutual. I am so glad I have finally gotten a chance to get to you. I’m really glad I could give you what you deserve.”
Sissy sighed in regret as she slurped the last of the tea and ate her last two fries. “Thank you again. It has been forever since I have had anything good to eat. The food here sucks.”
“I knew you would love it. Bring me the trash and I will carry it out. We don’t want anyone to know about this. They may get suspicious,” He coaxed softly.
Sissy quickly gathered the remains of the meal and stuffed it all in the bag, including the large cup. She got up and started towards him, but had to catch the side of the bunk as a wave of dizziness came over her. Shaking her head slightly, she stood up and slowly brought the bag to the bars and handed it through to him.
“Are you okay, Sissy?” he asked in concern. He caught her arms as she started to fall. He held her up against the bars with easy strength.
Sissy tried to look at him, but her vision was very blurry. “I don’t feel so good. I think . . . um . . . I need help,” Sissy said in a pitifully small voice. Her heartbeat was erratic, and she couldn’t seem to catch a good breath. She started to open her mouth to call out loud, but suddenly a hand covered her mouth and nose.
“I got you. You’re my girl. I’ll take care of you,” he whispered, as he stared into her wild eyes, as she realized he was smothering her. Her body was so weak she could barely struggle. “You didn’t imagine I would let you live did you? You were part of the ritual that night. You helped them murder my brother, you bitch. You did nothing to help him. The only reason I kept you alive was to keep that witch alive each time I punished her. Now you are just another loose end,” he hissed at her and tightened his grip over her face, watching her eyes slowly dim as the poison and lack of oxygen had their deadly affect. He stepped back after a few minutes and allowed Sissy’s dead body to slump to the floor and rest against the bars of her prison cell.
Straightening up, he stared at her dispassionately. Dumb bitch . . .
He knew he had a few hours before one of the guards made the rounds and found Sissy’s body. He had just a few more visits to make to the remaining members of the coven today. It was all coming together. He was cleansing the coven. Soon it would be free of the greed and poison. He moved back into the common area at a steady pace, so as not to alert those who may be watching.
*****
CHAPTER 11
Everyone had finally gone home, and Risa’s father was out of town on another carpentry job. True to her word, Risa was working on overcoming her fears. Samson watched her silently from his home office doorway. It was mid-afternoon, and for the last half-hour he had watched Risa pace up and down the hallway. She would stop at the basement door and stare at the doorknob, and then quickly walk back to the other end of the hallway. She knew Samson was watching, but she ignored his presence. This was something she had to do on her own.
Risa stood at the end of the hallway, trying to take steadying, deep breaths. I can do this. I can do this. Again she started down the hallway until she stood before the basement door. This time, she slowly reached out a shaking hand, wrapped her fingers around the doorknob and twisted it until the door moved in her hands.
“Don’t forget the light switches,” Samson said softly. Watching Risa struggle with her fear, Samson thought to himself that she was the bravest person he knew. She fought against her fears every day, while trying to reclaim her stolen life. Samson felt overwhelming pride and admiration for this woman he loved.
With a jerky nod, Risa reached up with her other hand and clumsily flipped up all four light switches. She saw bright light appear around the door edges. Slowly, she pulled the door towards her until it rested against wall. She saw a platform and stairs covered in pretty, soft tan carpeting. A bright-white wooden handrail ran down both sides of the
staircase.
Her chest tightened, and her breath grew ragged. She suddenly sat down hard in front of the doorway and put her hands in her hair. “I can’t breathe,” Risa gasped and kept trying to take ragged breaths.
Samson quickly sat down next to her. “Risa, look at me,” he said calmly. Risa sat up and turned her panic-filled eyes towards him. “Breathe with me. Breathe deep in through your nose, and now blow it out through your mouth, just like we practiced. That’s it. Take a couple of more breaths. Is it getting better?” Samson asked, wanting to take away her fear and anxiety but knowing he couldn’t.
“Yes,” Risa said, still taking deep breaths. She could feel her breathing becoming less ragged. She had decided that she wasn’t going to let her captors win. She deserved to be free of the fear and dread that plagued her life. Conquering the basement was just a small step towards that end. Risa asked, “Can we sit here for a while?”
“Baby, we got all the time in the world. We can sit here as long as you wish. You know I’ve got your back,” Samson teased gently and saw Risa smile. He watched her mentally prepare herself for another try.
After another few minutes, Risa was ready to try again. “Okay, here we go,” she said and stood up suddenly. She raced through the basement door and down the stairway before Samson could move. He followed her down quickly and found her bent nearly in-half and wheezing heavily.
She looked up from her bent position. “I . . . didn’t . . . think . . . I would . . . be . . . able . . . to . . . do . . . it . . . if . . . I . . . tried . . . to . . . go . . . slow.” Risa said each word in a painful gasp. She sat down on the soft carpet, her legs unable to hold her. She then lay on her back and tried to breathe, like the therapist had taught her. She stared blindly at the ceiling and kept trying to take in air. God, this is pathetic, Risa thought to herself, but she just kept breathing and turned her focus on Samson, who had calmly sat down beside her. He is so sexy. If I weren’t lying here gasping for breath and feeling like I’m going to die, I would so be jumping his bones, Risa thought and gave a gasping giggle at her irrational thoughts. Even at times like this, Samson was like a lightning rod to her soul. He jolted her world with passion and love and support.
As if he had read her mind, Samson said, “You look good lying there on my basement floor having a panic attack.”
Risa gave another giggle, and her breathing slowly returned to normal. “It’s my sexy look,” she said, and crossed her eyes. She loved that Samson was so fun and that his laughter made her heart sing.
Samson laughed and leaned down to touch Risa’s lips with a feather-light kiss. “Okay now? Just keep breathing deep, baby. Risa, look around and tell me what you notice first.”
Risa took a breath and looked around her. “Light,” she said simply.
Samson smiled and watched her sit up and look around fully. The room was filled with numerous bright, recessed lights that were scattered strategically throughout the entire ceiling of the basement. Samson got up and went to the wall by the stairway. He showed Risa another set of light switches, similar to the ones that Risa had flipped on minutes ago. He flipped the switches, and the ceiling lights and wall sconces went out, but the room remained filled with light. That was when Risa turned and noticed the French doors and egress windows. They were all large and let a flood of natural light into the basement area. “Remember me showing you the wide staircase that leads down to those French doors?” Samson asked softly.
Risa nodded and slowly got up and walked over to the doors. She found the door lock and disengaged it so she could open them. They freely swung outward onto a wide, brick patio area and a tall retaining wall. The brick-covered stairway flowed up to ground level. Risa breathed in the fresh air and turned to smile at Samson. “This is beautiful,” she said and leaving the French doors open, turned back to look at the basement’s interior for the first time.
Everything was bright and cheery. Plush, natural-fiber couches and armchairs were arranged casually in the living area. Colorful throws and pillows were strewn over them, making them feel warm and inviting. On the far wall was an enormous flat-screened TV. It sat over a large, bricked fireplace. On either side were white, built-in wood shelves and cabinets that held everything from books to an entertainment system. “Wow, no wonder the kids love coming down here,” Risa said smiling her brows raised.
“Yeah, it was strategic. I figured that to keep the parents from killing their rowdy kids during our little family gatherings, this would be a fun holding pin for the kids,” Samson said humorously. “I know having to chaperone at the lake and watching the kid’s every move can be exhausting. This place gives the parents a chance to take a breather from having to run after them all the time. I tried to make the whole basement interesting enough that the older kids wouldn’t mind looking out for the younger ones when they decided to come down here.”
“Smart man . . .” Risa said, smiling at the memory of the constant battle between supervising parents and wayward, adventurous children that went on during the Knight family’s last visit. Risa moved farther into the basement area and looked around the bar/kitchen area. It was sleek and modern, with white wood cabinets and light-tan granite countertops. Several bar stools were spread out along the granite bar that overlooked the kitchen. Risa moved on to find both a full-sized bathroom and a guest bedroom, which also had large, bright egress windows. Both rooms were filled with sunshine. The last room had been transformed into a weight and exercise room. Weight benches and other odd contraptions were loosely organized on one side of the room. The floor was tiled in black and white ceramic tiles, but several multi-colored, soft, pliable mats lay in strategic locations. The white walls were filled with sports posters and memorabilia. “Is this the room I have to thank for all of this?” Risa said looking at Samson’s muscular body and sighing dramatically.
Samson grinned teasingly. “What do you mean? This is all natural, baby,” he said, striking a pose for Risa that made her giggle.
On the other side of the room there was a large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, and it was surrounded by several big leather reclining chairs. Risa looked back at Samson. “LuAnne didn’t like sports, I take it,” she said, smiling with amusement.
Samson looked shocked for a moment before admitting, “She said the men should have a place to watch their little games without disturbing the rest of the house.” Samson was frowning at the memory.
“Uh-huh. Well, just so you know, I am not a big sports fan either, but you are more than welcome to disturb me anytime you want,” Risa said, smiling tartly. She sashayed back into the living area of the basement, where she looked out of the French doors again. She turned and smiled at Samson as he threw himself into one of the plush chairs, slouched down and rested his laced fingers on his abdomen.
“I want to disturb you now, woman. Come sit with me,” he said and crooked his finger slowly at Risa. She turned him on like no other woman ever could.
Risa smiled, “Why sir, what are you suggesting?” she asked, as she walked over and suddenly threw herself into Samson’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Are you trying to compromise me, sir?” she asked, batting her eyelashes at Samson.
“If compromise is another way of saying I’m trying to convince you to have hot, monkey-sex, then yes, I do believe I am trying to compromise you.” Sam grinned devilishly.
Risa burst out laughing, until Samson leaned down and kissed the daylights out of her. When he raised his head, Risa asked breathlessly, “Did you happen to know that I have on the panties with the bows?” Risa’s toes curled as her insides clenched with passionate expectation.
Samson’s eye grew hot with need, and he suddenly stood Risa back on her feet and lay back in the chair. “Show me,” he requested huskily. Samson loved watching her undress and became aroused. He also loved seeing the look in her eyes turn sensual and her body ready itself for him.
Risa’s insides clenched with pleasurable quivers. She slowly kicked off her san
dals and unbuttoned her soft white Capri pants and let them drop to the floor. She then slowly unbuttoned her shirt and shrugged it off her shoulders until it, too ended up on the carpeted floor. She was left standing in her lacy white bra and those temping panties with the bows. Her body throbbed, and all she wanted was Samson’s touch.
“I want to see all of you, Risa,” Samson demanded softly. He knew he was playing with fire. He loved pushing his control with Risa and seeing how long he could prolong her pleasure before he took his own. He watched her excitement build with every movement she made, and it drove his own passion higher.
Risa shivered and reached up, unhooked her bra and let it drop. Never taking her eyes from Samson’s, Risa slowly ran her hands down her sides until she felt her fingers brush against the tiny bows of her panties. At the same time, she pulled the strings until the panties loosened, and she let them dangle for a moment before letting them drop to the floor. Memories of their first time together made Risa’s breath rasp, as erotic pictures of Samson’s naked body played in her head. “Samson.” Risa gasped in need.
Samson rose from the chair and slowly circled her. At the same time, he pulled his black T-shirt over his head and shed his shoes and jeans. He silently pressed his warm, powerful body up against Risa’s back, but didn’t make any other move to touch her. He let her feel his arousal as he sensually moved against her body. “What do you want Risa?” Samson’s low growl brushed against Risa’s ear.
“Samson,” Risa panted softly and writhed against him.
“Say the words, Risa. Tell me what you want,” Samson said again and purposely lowered his voice so that it rumbled through Risa’s body. He felt her involuntarily shiver and smiled wickedly.
Risa tilted her head back against him. “Your hands,” she gasp, “on my breasts.” Samson’s voice had brought her arousal up higher, and she was frantic for his touch.