“But did he see my brother?” Samuel asked, slowly rising up.
“No mention of seeing your brother. He was shot in the back. But he did say a scared woman ran up to him screaming for help. Blonde hair, on the short side, and very obviously young and running from someone. He was out for a bit after the shot, so he was sketchy on the details about what happened after, but he called the police as soon as he regained consciousness. He knows the general direction the two had moved in as well.”
Samuel’s heart was beating hard in his chest, the Jacobs’ words were already turning to background noise, but he was forcing himself to listen.
Camila. Someone saw her! She was scared, but alive!
He wanted to see her. He wanted to find her so he could hold her in his arms once more. He had failed at protecting her like he’d promised, but he would beg for forgiveness and do whatever it took to make sure she was safe once he had her back.
First, though, he had to go get her.
“Did the man have anything more to say?” he asked, already walking out of his study.
“Yes, sir. We didn’t actually get the direction they came from yet, because by the time someone arrived to see to him, he had passed out again and we just made the connection, so we haven’t been up to see him yet for him to tell us more about what happened. We’ve got people waiting for him to wake again. In the meantime, the police will begin searching the area for your brother and Ms. Blake.”
“What if they aren’t in the area?” he challenged.
“They should be, though. The man reported that she came running to him across the field, through a copse of trees,” Jacobs noted. “Not from a car. She was running, who knows for how long, but the fact that she was on foot means that she must not have been too far from there.”
“Has the search started yet?” Samuel asked leaving his study.
“Not yet, sir. As I said, the two cases were only connected an hour ago, only two officers and an ambulance had gone to see to the man after his call, but more officers are in route and we’ll start talking to people and get permission to search their homes and barns.”
Samuel finally made it to the living room, and noticed Morganna and Brianna were already awake and sitting on the couch. They saw him on the phone as he approached, and both of them shot up off the seat anxiously, watching him.
“They’ve found her,” he said, his voice fierce. He’d been waiting to give them this news for a while now, and he was so happy that he finally got to say it. “They don’t have the specifics, but they do know the general area where Adrien and Camila are, the police are starting to search the area now.”
He didn’t wait to watch the shock, then elation spread across their faces, focusing back on the call. “I want to go with you,” he said, more a demand than a request. “There are still some of your people outside, so one of them can either take me along, or you give me the details of where you’re going, and I’ll follow after.”
Jacobs hesitated. “Kane, you know that’s not protocol… the lieutenant won’t be happy if we bring you along…”
Samuel didn’t much care for his struggle, though. “I don’t give a fuck for your protocol, Jacobs, this isn’t the Army. I’ll write a fucking check to the Policemen’s Benefit Fund if that’s what it fucking takes, but I’m going!”
“Kane, listen, you coming along at this juncture…”
Samuel interrupted him. “I can be a part of the search, or if need be, I can sit my ass out of the action and let the police do the work. In any case, I want to be there when they are found. I am not asking, I am telling you to pick how your people want me to act while I’m there. In my own car, in one of your cars; moving on my own, or leaving you guys to go about your work. I will be there for Camila the minute she is found.”
Even if they had pulled through, like hell Samuel was just going to sit back and keep waiting for them to bring her back to him, when he had waited long enough. He ended the call, and then went back to the gun cabinet and removed the Glock and ammo. It didn’t matter if he’d need it or not, he’d rather be safe than sorry.
Chapter Twelve
Camila
Camila’s mind felt disoriented. For a moment, she wasn’t sure where she was, or whether she was awake or in a dream. Everything was dark, and when this realization hit her, she started to panic a little, until another thought popped up.
Oh. My eyes are still closed.
Still, that her mind was aware enough to make that distinction, then she was definitely waking up. Only she tried to pry open her lids and…nothing.
She couldn’t open her eyes.
What’s going on?
She was doing her best not to panic, but it was hard not to. This wasn’t something she’d had to deal with before, so she couldn’t tell what the hell was going on. And it wasn’t like the past several weeks had disappeared from her mind, either, so she knew she was still with Adrien. She had reason to feel afraid.
Did something happen recently, though?
Her more recent memories were a little fuzzy.
She had been so close, though. Day by day, watching Adrien degrade, watching and waiting for her chance to run away.
Did I? Actually run away?
It was what she wanted to hope, but she had a feeling that wasn’t it.
Calm down, Camila, think. What happened?
She tried to organize her thoughts and think back to what happened in those last moments she could remember. Something had definitely happened, something that made her very afraid. She frowned, or thought she did, as she delved deeper.
Then, in one wave, everything came back to her. Adrien unconscious, getting her hand on the collar remote and managing to run away. And of course, the bastard finding her again and…
Oh no! He killed someone again. Someone who’d been going to help her!
Her heart skipped a beat then started going really fast in her chest. Her eyes finally opened, lids pulled forcefully back at the recollection she would have rather not thought about.
Because of her, someone had died. This was a little different from Adrien killing people and involving her in his mess that was all on him. But if it hadn't been for her, that kind man who had been willing to lend her a hand had died and it was all her fault.
Camila could feel her eyes well up with tears at the thought of someone dying because of her. She attempted pull her hands up to cover her face, only to realize she couldn’t move her arms.
In the next moments, her situation registered to her.
She was lying back on what she assumed was a bed, because it was sort of soft, and a little lumpy beneath her. The inside of her mouth felt strange, like she’d eaten cotton, and moved her tongue, tried to get spit in her mouth. There was a draft, and her whole body shivered, her nipples perking up. Fuck! She was naked.
Also, none of her limbs would move no matter how much she tried.
What the fuck?
She tried moving, and her muscles were a little sluggish at first. She could barely feel her limbs, they felt so heavy, as if she were drugged. She struggled a little and found she could move them a bit, but she felt something tugging at her wrists and ankles.
Completely forgetting her reason to cry, she looked down at herself in disbelief. She was tied up, naked, on a bed.
What the hell?
She heard a derisive snort. “So you’re finally up, huh?”
Her eyes followed the sound, and she saw Adrien. Her eyes widened even more when she noticed he was also naked, sitting on a chair across the room. He picked up a bottle and drank from it. She couldn’t tell from the angle she was in, but it was probably more beer. Then, he set the bottle down, and stood.
Only, he could barely keep himself steady.
“Ugh,” he groaned. “You fucking bitch. Making me work for it even in my condition. So mean of you, you know that, Camila. Why aren’t you a better wife? Hmmm?”
He stumbled his way over, looking determined and feverish. His
eyes were glazed over, even as he stared at her.
“Adrien,” she whispered, her voice laced with fear and disbelief. As he got even closer, she started struggling, but all it did was make her wrists and ankles hurt from the ties around them digging in. “Adrien, please… you’re obviously not well… untie me and I’ll take care of you, okay?”
He chuckled. “Oh, you’ll take care of me, all right. But I rather like looking at you like this. Isn’t this so much better? You tied up and at my mercy. Mmmm, delicious.” He rolled his neck and gave her a look that spoke of dangerous things.
His laugh sounded delirious, but she thought that was just her. She was making rough noises in her throat as she tried to struggle harder, but it really wasn’t getting her anywhere. Then Adrien was right next to her, and he was reaching his hand to touch her. She followed that hand, and it seemed to be aimed at her breast.
“Don’t you fucking touch me!” she screeched.
Adrien stopped, but then glared at her, and she wondered if he was going to hit her. She didn’t mind him hitting her, as long as he didn’t try to touch her. It was already so humiliating that she couldn’t even cover herself in this situation. She had dissolved into sobs already, and she had to keep blinking her eyes to clear away the tears so she could watch him.
“Don’t… you dare fucking scream at me,” Adrien sneered at her, eyes squinted, voice threatening. “I’ve been putting up with you denying me for how long? You’re my wife and I’m going to do whatever I want now, Camila. I gave you too much leeway, and you mistook it for freedom and tried to leave me, didn’t you? This is your punishment. If you want to keep that noise up, I can make it worse. Do you want that, Camila? Do you want me to punish you more?”
He reached to touch her again, and Camila made a sound of disgust, but words wouldn’t come out of her throat this time. She kept squirming, so his hand landed just beneath her breast, where he’d probably been aiming. Small mercies, but she wished he wouldn’t try to touch her at all.
Thankfully, in the next moment, he did, but it was only so he could climb onto the bed. Her limbs were tied to the posts of the bed, so she was spread-eagled, and he kneeled right between her thighs. He looked her over from the top of her head to the juncture of her thighs, and a shiver of disgust ran through her body.
“Let’s get this started, hm?” He arched an eyebrow as he threw her a lecherous grin.
He licked his lips, and she watched as he took his soft penis in his hand and stroked himself. He was staring at her as he did so, thankfully not touching her yet. But after a minute, he started to frown. She looked down, and realized why.
Adrien was soft, even as he tried to stroke himself to hardness.
Camila looked at him more closely. His face was a bit red, but she’d just thought it was from the drink or his excitement. He was sweating as well, and the glaze in his eyes… he clearly had a really bad fever. He was really sick, he couldn’t even get it up, yet here he was, still trying to torture her.
Adrien groaned in frustration as he stroked himself harder, bringing his other hand underneath to play with his balls. Still, nothing.
“Fuck,” he growled, glaring down at her. Even with his mostly unfocused eyes, the glare was still frightening. “What the fuck is wrong with you! You’re so fucking disgusting, Camila, I can't even get hard!”
With a rough sound of rage, he moved to get off the bed, and almost stumbled right onto the floor before he managed to catch himself on the edge of the bed with his injured arm. He gasped in pain at the jarring of it.
She had been terrified before, but at that, she started to laugh. She laughed so hard that her stomach cramped, and her body tried to curl in on itself to relieve some of the pressure, but it didn’t happen.
“What is so fucking funny!” he screamed at her. “You’re supposed to turn me on and make me feel good, Camila! Otherwise, what good are you to me as my wife!”
That just made her laugh even louder, even harder, until she was just wheezing for breath. Her face was twisted in her hysteria and pain, but she just grinned widely at him.
Camila didn’t care anymore. He was going to torture her no matter what she did, so she told him. “I… infected… your wound,” she panted in between gasps, trying to catch her breath after all that laughing. “It’s funny, isn’t it, Adrien? With poison in your blood, of course you can't get it up!”
Adrien stared at her. The expression on his face was a mix of shock and bone-deep betrayal. It had her laughing again until tears came into her eyes, because what right did this bastard have to feel betrayed? Then, in the next second, his expression was angry, and he screamed at her.
“Camila!”
He raised his hand, and he hit her. A backhand across her face that sent her head flying in the opposite direction. Her cheek felt as though he’d broken her cheekbone. It flared up in pain immediately. He didn’t stop there, he kept hitting her, wordlessly screaming out his rage. She couldn’t move away, but she closed her eyes and prayed that he would stop before he did too much damage.
She could barely feel the blows after the first couple, her head felt dizzy. She did turn back to look at him when the blows stopped, just in time to see that the exertion finally made him faint dead away, eyes rolling into his head as he collapsed on the floor.
Camila would have been happier for it, even, if it didn’t leave her in such an uncomfortable position with no visible means of escape.
Chapter Thirteen
Her heart was still beating fast in her chest, and she stared at where Adrien had fallen to the floor.
Seriously Adrien? Now of all times, when I’m fucking tied up and can’t get away? Fuck!
Couldn’t he have just stayed down yesterday instead of following me? Why did he have to go and hurt people when he’s this sick!
Not that she was particularly worried that he was sick and wouldn’t recover, but if he hadn't come after her, then she might have made it home already, and someone else wouldn’t be dead.
He’s passed out now. Maybe I can get loose?
If he was like this now, she didn’t think he was much better when he came to drag her back to the farmhouse, so she might get lucky. He might have left the gun and remote in an easy to find place since they obviously weren’t on him, and besides, it was lights out for him right now and she didn’t think he’d be getting up anytime soon. The room she was in was the same one Adrien slept in, so everything should be in there.
She just needed to get out of the ropes, and this time, she’d really be free.
With renewed determination, she started struggling once more. The fear was still there, she kept looking at where Adrien had fallen, expecting him to jump up and scare her, but she couldn’t just lay there, naked.
Did someone find that man’s body?
She felt bad, but she knew it could mean something for her. If someone had died out in the middle of nowhere, as long as the body was found, someone would have called the police, and wouldn’t it be great if it meant they started searching the area? She had no idea how far out she’d gone last night, but she knew the general direction. If she went that way, would she find people?
Even if she waited for someone to find her, she couldn’t do it with Adrien still having the upper hand, and her being tied up naked. He’d definitely try to hurt her, and in the worst case scenario, he might kill her. She shivered again just thinking about it.
Ugh…
She glared at the ropes tied around her wrists. Adrien could barely walk straight, but he found the strength to tie the ropes up really tight, so she was having some trouble. The rope was rough, too, so it hurt her skin causing minor abrasions as she struggled. But, if she worked at it, she knew it wouldn’t be impossible to slip out of the twine bindings.
She decided to focus on one hand at a time and chose her right to start with. She watched Adrien as she twisted her wrist back and forth, pulling as she struggled to break free. Every turn of her wrist caused the rope to loosen
a little more.
Just… a little… more…
She watched her hand as she tugged, gently but firmly. She twisted it this way and that, trying to get the rope to slip past her wrist. She kept pulling, adding more and more force when it wasn’t enough, even though it hurt. It felt like her hand would come right off, but she kept trying to wiggle it out.
Just a little more… please…
She kept telling herself that, curling her thumb this way and that to make it easier. It looked like she was doing a whole lot of nothing, but she thought she was slowly making headway on the one wrist, because the rope had moved to the base of her palm.
Adrien might not be out for too long, I need to hurry.
She hoped he’d stay down and never get up again, but that was just her dreaming. If she didn’t hurry, he’d be up before she knew it. After all, she had seen him unconscious several times already, and he somehow always pulled himself out of it.
Just stay down there for a little bit longer this time, she kept wishing.
Camila was chafing her wrist badly. The skin burned, and she felt it would come right off, though there was no blood. The rope was squeezing so tight, she could feel her fingers start to go numb from lack of blood. She just kept fighting to get it loose.
She heard a groan on the floor and froze for a second, before she was back to struggling harder. He’s coming to, she thought desperately as she tugged on the rope.
Adrien was shuffling on the floor, obviously trying to get up, and her breathing started coming fast. She tried to control it as she focused all her attention on her one wrist.
Adrien’s hand came up to grab the edge of the bed, and she almost let out a scream, instead opting to snap her mouth closed and grit her teeth.
Finally, at the last moment, she got her hand free. Adrien had just raised his head so she could see him. He wasn’t all there, and he clearly looked very weak. With her hand free and fear riding her, it was easy to reach out and grab his hair, then whack his head hard against the bed frame. She did it as hard as she could, too, and heard a loud thunk, before he was slumping to the floor again.
Shattered Obsession: Book 3 of the Obsession Trilogy Page 8