by Amy Deason
He listened intently on the other end and gritted his teeth. “It doesn’t matter how. All that matters is that she is gone and never coming back. Time to forget her and finish this damn thing,” he replied before slamming the phone shut and stomping the gas pedal to the floor, desperate to get as far away from Madison as he could, hoping to leave her and the memory of her in the dust.
Chapter 23
The days and nights flew by and before Madison knew it, almost an entire week was gone. With the holidays swiftly approaching, the hours were filled with activity from morning until evening. Tommy and Michael, the twins, were thrilled to spend several hours entertaining their aunt Madison. And even though they were only five years old, they could talk a blue streak like no other.
Alex was grateful to have someone to watch over his wife, worried that she might decide to have the baby while he was in court trying to put another criminal behind bars. Rachel stubbornly protested that she had been through this baby business once before and she knew what to do. Her husband would only grin, giving Madison a knowing wink before he went out the door. But Rachel seemed to be the one watching over her. Madison appreciated where it was coming from but at the same time, she resented being baby-sat. But she welcomed the distractions with open arms. The less time she had alone, the less time she had to think. And to hurt.
She had more than enough time at night for that. She went to bed and tried desperately to think of anything, anything but the nightmare she had gone through. But it was no use. Her mind remembered what it chose to whether she wanted it to or not. Stacy and Robert lost their lives time and time again, Andre continued to repeat his attack in the alleyway, and of course, Seth both hurt her and loved her over and over. Sleeping was impossible. If she did somehow happen to doze off, it wasn’t for long and it wasn’t restful. Sometimes she woke up in a cold sweat with a scream trapped in her throat. Other times, she was amazed to find her cheeks wet with tears. Once awake, she was unable to fall back to sleep and instead lay for hours staring at the ceiling waiting for the sun to rise.
Christmas was only three days away but she had never felt less like celebrating in her whole life. She tried to be happy and upbeat but as the days dragged by, it was getting harder and harder to fake her enthusiasm for the upcoming holiday. Rachel continued to hover just around the corner, never really leaving her alone, afraid what might happen if she did.
“Aunt Madison, can’t you come with us?” Tommy begged, his brown eyes pleading from under his blue stocking cap.
“Please, it will be so much fun. We’re gonna sit on Santa’s lap and have hot chocolate and a cookie,” Michael chirped as he slipped on his heavy down jacket.
“And Momma and Daddy said that if we’re really good, we might get a present tonight. And it’s not even Christmas yet!” Tommy squealed with excitement.
Before she could make up another lame excuse, Rachel swooped in to save her. “Boys, boys, leave your aunt alone,” she chastised gently. “Maybe she’ll feel like going next time. Now get out in the car. Your daddy’s waiting on you.” She waited until they went out the door before turning back to Madison.
Uh oh, here it comes, Madison thought and braced herself for another one of her sister’s loving, overprotective chats.
“Sis, I know you’re going through a lot, although I don’t know how much because you won’t tell me. But it’s not healthy to stay home by yourself this close to Christmas. I’m glad that you help out with the boys and watch over me for Alex but I know you’re not happy. I hate seeing you this way. Tell me what to do to make you feel better,” Rachel begged helplessly.
With a smile she didn’t feel, Madison shrugged and dropped her gaze to the floor so Rachel couldn’t read the lie in her eyes. “There’s nothing you can do. I am fine really.”
“Fine? Fine?” Rachel exclaimed, unbelieving. “Somebody who is fine doesn’t have dark circles under her eyes and wakes up either screaming or crying at night.”
Madison looked up at her sister in shock then quickly returned her gaze to the floor, not sure what to say.
“You didn’t think I knew did you?” Rachel asked. “Alex and I hear you every night but we don’t say anything because we figured you would tell us when you felt like it. But it’s been almost a week. You’re barely eating or sleeping. I see you struggling every day and night. You can say your fine until your blue in the face but you’re not. Maybe you just need more time, I don’t know.” Rachel dropped her hands to her sides. “You can have all of the time you want, of course. I just wish you would come with us. I don’t like leaving you here by yourself.”
Recovering from her sister’s confession, Madison forced herself to raise her head and she rolled her eyes. “I am going to be fine. I’m going to soak in the tub and try to relax. I really think that a night by myself is just what I need. I love you Rach but you don’t need to baby-sit me. You have enough to deal with. Just trust me when I say that I am going to be ok.”
Rachel stared at her dubiously for a moment, a worry line creasing her forehead.
“Really, go, have fun with your family. And when you get back, I promise I will be a changed person,” Madison said, crossing her heart.
“Okay, okay,” Rachel sighed, “have it your way. But just so you know, when we get back, the boys are going to make you watch Frosty the Snowman with them. And nobody can be unhappy watching that!” Wrapping her coat around her huge belly, she kissed Madison on the cheek before she went outside.
The sudden silence was almost deafening and Madison felt her heart lurch painfully. Maybe she should have gone with her sister, then she wouldn’t be facing this emptiness right now.
“Stop being such a baby,” she said, her voice echoing in the empty house. “Sooner or later, you’re going to have to get used to being alone. Might as well start now.” With that resolution firm in her mind, she locked the front door and trudged up the stairs to start her bath water. She locked the door and trudged up the stairs and started the bath water.
The bathroom was as foggy as a sauna when she finally sank up to her neck in the garden tub, letting the hot water envelope her. She lay with her eyes closed underneath a cool washcloth, letting her mind drift lazily. It wasn’t long before the tears started to flow, sliding from underneath her eyelids and dripping into the bath water. The mourning had come at last. The mourning for everything. Robert, Seth, her old life, even her fat and lazy housecat. She hoped that Mrs. Hawkins was taking good care of him, feeding him and petting him. Milo always loved a good scratch behind his ears. Madison sat that way for a long time, crying uncontrollably. The water started to turn cool before she was able to stop. Climbing out, she had to admit that she felt a little better.
For a few moments, the road ahead of her didn’t seem so long, so rough. It was going to be lonely but what the hell, life wasn’t perfect or fair. She was not going to continue being the victim to anyone’s sick, twisted games. She was going to move on with her life, one step at a time. As if in agreement, her stomach began to grow, surprising her. She took it as a good sign. Slipping into a pair of thin cotton pajamas, she padded downstairs to raid the refrigerator. Opening the door, she spied a plate of leftover turkey and reached for it. The lights went out.
Surrounded by darkness, she stopped mid reach, and listened, straining her ears. There was not a single sound and as the seconds ticked by, she began to feel ridiculous as she continued to stand bent over, her arm halfway in the door. Shutting the refrigerator door, she turned blindly to the kitchen cabinet to her left and felt around until she found the family junk drawer. Her fingers skittered over pencils, tape, and something sticky before she found the flashlight. Relieved, she pressed the button with a click. Nothing happened.
“Are you serious?” she growled, her voice very loud in the darkness. She tapped the bulbous end of the flashlight against the palm of her hand and nearly
blinded herself with the beam of light.
Blinking against the sudden flash, she aimed the beam into the drawer. Glue. She had stuck her fingers in an opened bottle of Elmer’s Glue. Shaking her head, she shut the drawer and turned around.
She saw his face for only a second before she was knocked to the ground. The long jagged cut across his fine features had just begun to heal. The flashlight flew out of her hand and hit the floor, spinning out of control. He was on her in seconds flat. Screaming wildly, she was unable to move as he pinned her to the floor with his full weight.
“Shut the fuck up!” he yelled before his open palm struck her across the cheek, silencing her.
Stunned, her eyes stinging against the pain, she tried to see her attacker but the flashlight came to a stop in the opposite direction, creating a small circle of light on the far wall.
“Hello, Madison, remember me?” he asked with a voice of velvet, his breath sweet on her face.
Her heart jackhammered in her chest. She knew that voice. Without warning, he yanked her to her feet, his fist tangled in her hair.
“Thought you could get away from me, didn’t you?” he whispered, his mouth grazing her ear.
A crazy kind of anger filled her and replaced the fear that had been building. “I got away once, you bastard. And hey, I bet that scar’s a real hit with the ladies,” she hissed. Tipping her head back a little, she spit in his face.
“You bitch,” he growled, striking her harder this time, his fist colliding with her mouth.
The last thing she remembered was her lips splitting and the coppery taste of blood.
Seth unpacked the bags, trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with him. He should be happy. Despite the odds, Ryan had uncovered the more intricate details of Vance’s scheme. If it hadn’t been for Jonathan’s suspicious ways and even more suspicious death, they might never have found what they needed to completely stop New York from falling prey to one man’s sick and twisted plan. One half of the mission was neutralized. The other half would be finished by tonight.
The final preparations were in place and he and Vance had just arrived at the cabin. Buried deep in the mountains of Sangre de Cristo, the cabin was secluded enough that it wouldn’t draw any unnecessary attention until it was too late. And then there would be a media firestorm. But by that time, everyone involved in Vance’s demise would have neatly disappeared. Just as planned. But something was wrong. He didn’t know what it was. And that bothered him. A lot.
Carefully, he retraced his steps, lingering over each and every detail from beginning to end. He could see nothing out of place. The only unforeseen obstacle had been Madison but she was effectively out of the picture now. Vance, of course, had been upset to learn that this slip of a woman had escaped him again but he was certain he would have her soon.
Good luck with that asshole, Seth thought, shoving Vance’s clean shirts into the empty drawers. In less than eight hours, you’ll be dead.
There was a relief in that. It wasn’t only because Vance was one sick son of a bitch or that thousands of people would be saved. It was because one would be safe. Madison. God, that woman was like a thorn in his side. He tried, unsuccessfully, to remove her from his mind but every time he thought she was gone, he’d turn around and there she was, taunting him. She’d fill his head with her long blond hair and deep brown eyes, those luscious lips and that sinful body. It was enough to drive him crazy.
It was just a fuck, it was just a fuck, it was just a fuck. He repeated this litany over and over, trying to disengage Madison’s strange new grip on him but she refused to let go. He knew, in time, that he would be able to forget her and move on. But the last memory he had of her was one that would continue to haunt him for a long, long time.
He hadn’t liked the way she’d looked at him at the airport. The hate shone in her eyes so clearly, it might as well have been painted on the wall. But, damn it, he’d done what was best for her. For her to hate him is what would keep her safe, keep her alive. She was not for him and never would be. She could never be a part of his life. His world was filled with darkness and death and she deserved better than that. Better than him. He was not who she needed but the exact opposite. It would be better for both of them that she was gone. He didn’t love her. He was incapable of love. But he had to wonder. If that were true, why was there this dull pain in his heart that continued to throb like a nasty toothache at her absence in his life?
There was a loud rapping at the front door. Who in the hell could that be? Vance wasn’t expecting anyone. Leaving the suitcases unpacked, Seth went to answer the door.
“Hey, Seth,” Jason said, a sneer ruining his face even more than the healing gash that was now emblazoned upon it. He stood just outside the door with one arm out of sight. “Aren’t you going to invite me in? Or should I say us?” He jerked his arm into view, and Seth fought violently to keep himself in check.
With a soft cry, Madison nearly fell into the doorway. Jason’s hand was the only thing keeping her upright and his fingers dug into the soft flesh. With his other hand, he gripped her chin hard enough to make her cry, forcing her to lift her face. Her hair was a tangled mess and a large bruise was beginning to form on her right cheek. There was dried blood on her chin where her lips had been busted. She met his eyes, full of the hatred just as he’d remembered. Although he could see the bright sheen of panic just below the surface.
“What’s wrong? You act like you’ve seen a ghost,” Jason continued, taunting him, squeezing Madison’s chin even harder.
The cold wind blew in through the doorway but Seth didn’t feel it. He could only stare into those furious chocolate eyes, stunned while a volley of emotions raced through him. Anger, lust, fear, regret.
“Now, Seth, is that anyway to treat our guests?” Vance replied, coming up behind him, his voice smooth as wine. “Jason, so nice of you to join us. And look, you’ve brought . . .” Vance trailed off. “What the hell happened to her face?” Vance roared, shoving Seth aside and pulling Madison in the cabin.
“She didn’t want to come along easily so I had to convince her,” Jason replied, stepping inside the warm cabin.
“I told you not to hurt her,” he said through clenched teeth, his face red with anger.
“Oops.” Jason shrugged with a nonchalant grin and shouldered past Seth and sat next to the fire, warming his hands, ignoring them.
Quickly donning a cloak of sincerity, he turned to Madison. “I’m so sorry, my dear. Are you ok?” he asked, his voice filled with gentle concern.
Madison pulled her eyes from Seth and glared up at Vance. “No, I’m not okay. What the hell am I doing here?” Her voice was strong with anger but Seth could hear the thread of fear slipping through. Oh, sweetheart, now you’re in for it. If you had any idea what Vance was capable of . . .
All niceties thrown aside, Vance’s eyes narrowed, glittering dangerously. The monster was beginning to break through the surface. He pulled Madison closer to him and Seth saw that fear was at last registering in Madison’s face. “You’re here because I want you here. And I always get what I want,” he whispered loudly, dipping his head down to taste her neck. Madison pulled away, only to have Vance yank her back, harder this time.
“Stop!” she yelled, her free hand trying to claw at Vance’s face.
Laughing lightly, Vance swatted her hand away. “Oh no you don’t, my dear,” he said, his voice deadly. Then, lightning-quick, he struck her face, hard.
Madison’s eyes rolled but she didn’t fall. With his hand wound in her hair, he jerked her face closer and crushed her broken lips with his, the kiss brutal and vicious. Whimpering, she tried to pull away but his hand on the back of her head kept her firmly in place.
Seth stood unmoving as the fury ripped through him like a tidal wave. He allowed no expression on his face as Vance continued to rape
Madison’s mouth with his tongue but his hands were clenched into tight fists behind his back, the nails digging into his palms. He wanted to kill him, right where he stood. But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t.
Finally pulling away, Vance licked his lips slowly. “Very, very nice. You are going to be more fun than I thought, Ms. Sinclair,” he murmured quietly. Still holding her tightly, Vance turned toward Seth, a wicked smile on his face. “She was definitely worth the wait. You don’t know what you’re missing out on Seth.” A slight pause. “Or do you?” Vance stared at him intently, trying to read his impassive face.
For a second, Seth was sure that it was all over. That he would have to finish things now and to hell with the plans. He tensed, ready to strike, knowing he would have to take out both Vance and Jason as quickly as possible.
Vance chuckled, breaking the building tension. “As if you’d be interested in something like this,” he said, shaking Madison roughly. “Well,” he said conversationally, “it seems as though Ms. Sinclair and I have a lot to catch up on so, if you will excuse us.” Vance crossed the room, dragging Madison with him. But not before Madison looked back as Seth, her eyes filled with terror and hate. He stared back at her blandly, uncaring, as Vance forced her up the stairs.
“You bastard!” she screamed at him, trying to jerk away from Vance’s iron grip. “You cowardly son of a bitch!”
Pausing on the stairs, Vance spoke to Madison but his eyes were firmly resting on Seth. “Why, Ms. Sinclair,” Vance said with a chuckle, “you didn’t really think that my assistant would help you did you? He works for me. And there are consequences for anyone that goes against me, aren’t there, Seth?”