Vanessa and I laid on our double bed on our backs talking way into the night like girls at a slumber party. She was a very sweet girl who had always wanted to join the F.B.I. but at the time she graduated they weren’t hiring so she had taken a state position in the same division as Brick and was currently on assignment in Florida where she said child abuse cases were her specialty since there was no shortage of perverts. We talked about my situation. Her being with the agency, she knew all about Jared and his latest attempt to treat me like a caged animal. I spent a lot of time answering her questions and telling her about our courtship. Along with me, she couldn’t believe a romance that was so fairy-tale perfect from the outset could turn out so deadly and be such a nightmare.
I knew from Brick that Jared’s attorneys had posted the astronomical bond required so he could be out to manage his chain of jewelry stores until his trial and that he had to wear a monitoring device, something my team of attorneys had been adamant about. The press had glommed onto the story and we’d even made a corner snap shot on the cover of People magazine, but thankfully, as I was in the hospital at the time, I hadn’t had to worry about the press hounding me. For the inside story the press had managed to come up with an old picture of me, one from my college graduation, our wedding photo, and the one Jared had circulated when he was offering the reward for my whereabouts. I really didn’t have to worry much about being recognized. I had gone back to my natural blonde hair coloring and now I sported a deep tan from spending so much time outdoors, and I had lost that “fragile” look. Riding bikes, taking long, arduous hikes, and fending for myself doing all the campground duties required when full-time Rving, had made a muscular dynamo out of a bony socialite. I still had all my former grace and agility, but now I had some power behind it. I was probably at the peak of my physical capabilities and it showed in my newfound confidence—which I currently needed to dumb down for this trashy tramp role.
We both fell asleep sometime after three and woke to a sunny day just as the maids were knocking on the doors to oust everyone. I was not thrilled to be wearing the same clothes and unable to shower but chocked it all up to the line of duty. Vanessa and I used what little money we had to go to the diner for lunch and to show anyone who cared to look, that we, as mother and daughter, hated each other’s guts.
Chapter Six
The party at Desperado’s was in full swing when I ostensibly towed Vanessa behind me. I saw Junior at the bar yakking it up with his cronies and he flashed me a wicked grin and a wink so obvious it scrunched up one side of his face. The man was vile, just plain vile. And I couldn’t wait to have this charade over with so that I could see that smug smile wiped off his face. With any luck at all, I might even be lucky enough to get a slap of my own in. That was my supreme thought as I “fought” with Vanessa and nursed a beer.
Junior motioned for me to join him and after slipping my hand down to reassure myself by tapping on the microphone hidden inside my belt, I scooted off the bench and heard Vanessa whisper under her breath, “Here we go.”
I sidled up to him and he snaked his arm around my waist. Again that putrid outdoorsy smell and body odor assailed me and I had to force myself not to wince and draw back.
“C’mon babe, take a walk with me,” he commanded and before I knew what was up, he led me through the tiny kitchen and out the back door. I remembered in a flash that Brick had told me that no matter what, I was not to leave the building, but I couldn’t see any way to accomplish this little transaction if I appeared suspect to his motives and at this point, I really wanted to nail this guy. Plus, I was really hoping he smelled better in the fresh air.
Behind the bar was a dumpster and a small path beside it led to a patch of moonlight glimmering on water. I could see nothing but darkness beyond that. Junior gripped my elbow and led me toward the worn trail. A feeling of dread washed over me. When he gripped me tighter and pulled me along faster, it escalated.
“Hey!” I shouted. But it was too late. We’d reached a clearing and there was a boat anchored at a dilapidated quay.
“Let’s go for a boat ride,” he said.
“No, I’m afraid of the water and I don’t like boats.”
“Tough.”
I opened my mouth to scream and a wadded handkerchief was stuffed inside. My initial thought was, Oh, good God, where in the world has that thing been, before I was shoved into the boat. Barely able to break my fall by catching myself on hands and knees, I fell over and landed ass up.
“Nice,” he murmured. “I expect to see you in that position many times.”
“In your dreams,” I mumbled around the rag as I stumbled to my feet. Big mistake. The tiny bass boat began to shudder and I swayed back and forth. I had to drop to the seat to avoid falling overboard.
I heard a cord being whipped out and an engine catching. I almost fell forward from the impact of the boat being thrust forward and out into the open water. Shit was the first word out of my mouth when I managed to dislodge the wad from my mouth and toss it away. If Brick was listening—and he sure as hell better be—I could imagine the curse word he was using was much, much worse.
An evil gleam shone in Junior’s eyes as he sat in front of me, his right hand behind him on the tiller. I tried to keep myself calm by remembering how many agents were nearby. Knowing they could all hear what was going on, I was more determined than ever to get what I needed on tape.
“Did you bring the money?” I yelled, acting naïve—as if Plan A was still on the agenda.
His eyebrows rose as if wondering how I could have missed the point in all this. He backed off the power so we could talk but he still kept us moving at a decent clip.
When he just stared and said nothing I asked, “Where are we going?”
He let go of the tiller and we coasted a few feet in silence before he spoke.
“We’re going to the Justice of the Peace over in Lexington. Then I thought I’d take you to the Injun casino in Miccosukee for our honeymoon.”
“What!”
“You heard me. We’s getting’ married.”
“Oh no we’s not! You’re giving me money for Vanessa.”
“Well now here’s the sad tale about that. Momma refused to give me the money. Instead she sat me down and told me she thought it was time for me to settle down. It’s her birthday today and she wants a grandchild or at least the promise of one. Seems Judge Potts has an envelope of cash for me from Momma that I get as soon as I make you my wife. And Momma’s promised me another bit fat one when I get you pregnant. So . . . much as I’d rather have the lovely Vanessa, I gots to make do with you.”
This could not be happening. “I don’t want to marry you. In fact I refuse to marry you!”
“Believe me, Judge Potts won’t give a damn. He owes Momma too many favors to pay any attention to anythin’ you have to say. It’s a done deed, so you might as well get used to the idea.” He spat over the side of the boat. I cringed.
“What you’re talking about is called rape.”
“I really don’t care what you call it. We’re doing it. And we will keep doin’ it until your belly swells. And if you’re any good at it, maybe even after.”
I didn’t know what else to do, but I was not going to let this pervert kidnap and rape me. I’d already had enough of that to last me a lifetime. I looked over his shoulder trying to gauge how far it was to shore. He saw me and guessed my thoughts. As he sprang up to grab me I knew I would only have this one chance. I leapt up, pushed hard against his chest and using the recoil, forced myself to go over the opposite side into the brackish, dark, and bitterly cold water. Momentum carried me forward and I cleared the side, but just barely—I felt my shoe being tugged off.
In the end it turned out to be a rash move. After righting himself, Junior sat back on the flat seat, crossed his arms and waited while I flailed and sputtered and screamed. All to no avail. The water was freezing. I couldn’t believe it was this cold, not in the middle of summer, but I felt my a
rms and legs becoming sluggish almost immediately. The water felt thick, syrupy, and I was covered with some kind of slime. It was coating my neck and my chin as I struggled to keep my head above water. His hand on the tiller, he shadowed me. I doubt it was five minutes before he was leaning over the side helping me back into the boat.
“Finished swimmin’?” he asked with pronounced sarcasm as he tugged me up and over the side. I curled into a tight ball on the metal floor of the boat shivering as if I had touched a live wire and couldn’t let go.
Then he moved to the back, restarted the engine, and instantly the little boat lifted high in the water. It bumped with each wave it crested and jarred my chilled-to-the-bone body. With each repeated slam I was jolted off the floor. I could feel pain shooting through me starting at my butt and driving up all the way into my clenched jaw. The wind whipping around in the bottom of the boat stung my eyes, froze my ears and made the wet strands of my hair batter my face until I had to bury my nose in my chest to avoid the harsh stings.
By the time the engine wound down and shifted into a low drone that filled the otherwise quiet night, I was anxious to get out of the boat and go anyplace that promised warmth.
With any luck Brick would find me before I was married to this backwoods pervert, but knowing my stupid stunt had probably short circuited the electronics I was wearing in my belt, I knew I’d be lucky if he found me before I gave birth to Junior’s junior. I shuddered at the thought. I’d have been better off with Jared was the last thing I remembered thinking before I let the cold take me and lost consciousness.
Chapter Seven
When I came to I was in the middle of a bed piled high with ruffled pillows. I could feel them all around me as I shifted and sank even lower in the enveloping fluff. It was like being in a quicksand of quilts. I patted each one, not quite trusting what I was seeing. Above me, encircling a tacky art deco chandelier, were dozens of diaper-clad cherubs playing harps and shooting off arrows. Where the hell was I?
Then I remembered the last place I had been and I panicked. I pushed myself up off the mountain of plush and felt pain dart through my eyeballs. I gasped and managed to take in my surroundings before the pain had me falling back onto the old-fashioned brass bed. At first glance I would have sworn I was in a bordello of old, but as my eyes adjusted and I turned my head from side to side, I realized I was in a very prim, yet very overdone bedroom. Was I in a boudoir at a Zsa Zsa Gabor-inspired B&B? Dear God, tell me the marriage to that wacko hadn’t already taken place! My hand went to my heart and I was instantly filled with dread as my hand connected to my bare chest. I ran my hand down my body. The cherubs on the ceiling with their tiny sashes had more clothing on than I did. I felt my pulse spike and then with what I considered superhuman effort, I managed to sit up and stay up. Big mistake.
The gilt-framed mirror on the dresser reflected an image of a much tousled and stark naked woman that I did not recognize. Then I remembered I had colored my hair, teased it to the moon, pancaked my face with gobs of makeup and even stained my teeth for this gig. I groaned and then my eyes flashed wide as I saw an older women come out of a door behind my image carrying an armful of towels.
“Oh, you’re awake. The judge will be so glad.”
“W-who are you?” The woman was Aunt Bea if she was anybody.
“I’m Judge Potts wife, Louellen. What a sight you were when Junior dragged you in here. Clothes all muddy, hair dripping on my newly-polished wooden floors, eyes like a raccoon from all that makeup—a sight, I’ll tell you that.”
“Where are my clothes?”
“I took them off, then I did my best to bathe you. Had a dickens of a time getting that swamp smell out of your hair though, I can tell you that. You’re going to have to borrow one of my dresses for the wedding; your clothes won’t be dry for an hour or more. I’ll find something we can pull together with a belt as I’m a bit more full-figured.” That was an understatement.
“Wedding?” I remembered that’s what I had been brought here for but I wanted to hear what she’d been told.
“Can hardly believe it myself—Junior getting married! His momma must be tickled to death. Surprised she’s not here for it. She’s wanted grandbabies for so long. And you,” she looked pointedly at my naked form, “I don’t suppose you’ll have any problems getting them for her. Now, c’mon, let’s see what we can find for you to wear.”
She walked over to a series of bi-fold doors that had been painted gold and jerked them open. Every floral pattern you could imagine was represented in the flowing housedresses, all frou-froued with lacy collars and sleeves. I fell back on the bed and groaned. Where was Brick?
I was really getting worried now. Had they been following us? Did they even know what had happened to me? I knew no “real” judge would marry me against my will, despite what junior had said, so I wasn’t all that concerned about the threat of Junior. And I saw no need to continue the ruse if Junior was no longer interested in buying Vanessa, but it seemed more prudent to stay in character. I had to concentrate on getting out of here.
I saw my belt lying over a chair. Could it still be working? I stood and accepted the dress that was being offered. I stepped into the voluminous flower garden at my feet. It buttoned all the way up the front, from hem to collar, and was so big it left me gaping at the top. I was swimming in what I supposed was a size 22 cotton confection. But for now, it was covering the essentials—if I kept my hand clenched in the fold at my neckline.
“Can you hand me my belt so I can cinch it in the middle?”
Louellen turned back to the closet and produced a matching belt. I had no option as clearly it was the better fashion choice. I used it to gather the folds of material.
“There now, that looks nice,” she said.
A loud bellow came from somewhere outside the door and I watched Louellen transform from sweet nice old lady to a highly agitated nervous wreck.
“Oh, they’re ready! We’d better hurry up!”
Then the door flew open, crashing into the opposite wall.
“Louellen! Ain’t you got her cleaned up yet? We don’t have all day you know! They got to git to Miccosukee for their honeymoon. That’s way down there in Florida.”
“This here’s my husband, the judge,” Louellen said, clearly intimidated by her husband who appeared quite drunk. The half-full tumbler dangling from his fingertips and the unsteady sway made it pretty evident that he’d drank his lunch and had kept right on going.
“Judge, there isn’t going to be a wedding, I’m not marrying anyone.”
He stared at me then blinked with owl eyes, which appeared to cross and uncross as his brows furrowed into a sharp vee. Clearly no one ever defied him; he didn’t seem to know how to react. Then his face turned red and he sputtered.
Junior came into the room behind him and grabbed me by the arm.
“You get your ass downstairs or I’ll carry you down. We’re getting married whether you want to or not. Judge Potts has already been paid and so have I.” He patted a fat pocket in his jean jacket. “I’d like to do this before he passes out and he’s clearly on his way.”
“I am not marrying you. I refuse to say the vows.”
Junior looked over at the weaving judge. “Just sign the papers Judge, I don’t need the words. Just make it legal on paper for Momma so I can take my bride to that fancy Indian hotel she paid for.”
“You cannot marry someone who refuses to get married,” I said.
Junior came over, pushed Louellen out of the way then bent and threw me over his shoulder. I immediately began pounding on his back and kicking my legs. He gripped my legs tighter, smacked my rump hard, and then clasped his hand around my neck so hard that after a few seconds I saw stars.
“Git me the papers, Judge. We don’t need to do this formal-like, just give me something that says we’re married and that I kin fuck her.”
Louellen gasped and the judge jerked back, eyes wide. But the wad of bills puffing out of his sh
irt pocket was enough incentive for him to follow Junior down the stairs and start filling out the forms. I was forced to sit in Junior’s lap, a hank of my hair wrapped around his fist as he held my head at a painful angle. He began a whispering a litany of all the things he planned on doing to me once we were alone.
“You got that truck ready like I asked?”
“It’s outside, filled up, the keys in it,” the judge mumbled as he put his stamp on a certificate. “What’d you say her name was?”
He looked at me. The surprise was evident. He’d never bothered to ask and I hadn’t volunteered. “Tell the man.”
I spat in his face.
His hand reached out and he slapped me so hard that if he hadn’t been holding my hair I felt my neck might have broken. He ripped the sash from my dress and used it to tie my hands together while I was still reeling from the blow. Removing the sash caused the balloon of a dress I was wearing to gape provocatively. My breasts were practically on display.
Brick and his team chose that exact moment to break through the door while two agents crashed through the window. In the process I was dumped off Junior’s lap and hit the floor jarring my hip. The bodice, which had already been gaping, fell off one shoulder baring a breast.
There was chaos for a few moments while both Junior and the judge were apprehended and then I felt Brick’s hands lift me from the floor, his hands not finding purchase in the flimsy material causing him to bare my other breast in the process. His eyes widened and instantly he dragged me to his chest and clutched me to him shielding me from view. His hot breath fanned my ear as he said in an exasperated voice, “What is it with you? Every time I rescue you I find you topless.”
Running Into A Brick Wall Page 4