by Sandy Lynn
*
Duncan looked over at Jake. “Drive faster.”
“I’m already over the speed limit.” One glance at Duncan and he mumbled, “Fine.” Beneath him, the truck increased in speed. “But you’re paying for my ticket, and bailing me out of jail.”
“Done.”
Duncan wanted to sag with relief that Melissa wasn’t hurt, but he wasn’t sure how long she’d remain that way. Even if the man didn’t touch her, there was so much he could do that could cause irreparable damage.
It had only taken visits to two of the local thug hang outs before word began spreading like wildfire through the streets. Duncan would have laughed when the second gang leader pissed himself as he held him against the wall, flashing his fangs, but the situation was too serious. He was too afraid for Mel. Twenty minutes later they had found someone who knew where Travis was.
The asshole had thought he’d be able to use the information to extort money from him. Duncan sent Jake for his piercing bag. Using one of the needles, Duncan managed to convince the man he was not to be trifled with after his ear was pinned to the concrete sidewalk. When he showed the man the second needle, he started telling Duncan and Jake everything they wanted to know.
Duncan shook his head. He remembered when guys who called themselves “men” had a much higher pain threshold. But for now he couldn’t help being grateful that the man gave in so easily.
Jake pulled up in front of the warehouse their informant said Travis was staying at.
“You stay here. I don’t want you involved in this. When Melissa comes out, you take her to the club, make sure she gets to her brother.” Pulling Jake’s piercing kit on his lap, Duncan pulled out a few more needles.
“What about you?”
“Don’t worry about me. Cause I’m not coming out until this bastard has paid.”
*
“Nice try. You were a much better actress when you were younger. I know you’re awake.”
Melissa tried not to shiver. She tried not to show any sign she was awake.
A slap threw her head to the side and she instantly tried to curl into a ball, her eyes flying open when she couldn’t move.
“I knew you were awake.”
“What’s going on?” She strained against her bonds, her muscles trembling as she tried to pull them closer.
“Pay back. Now, all I need for this to be perfect is that freak of nature you call a brother to come rescue you. I’m ready for him this time.” Travis displayed a large silver cross hidden beneath his shirt.
She wanted to laugh. She wanted to tell him that would have about as much of an effect on Gareth as baby powder would, but she kept her mouth shut.
“So, you’ve become quite the high class slut haven’t you? Look at you all dressed up. Where were you going? Whoring yourself out for his friends? What are you, some kind of pampered pet?”
“Whatever I am, I’m still too good for you,” she told him, unable to take his taunts in silence any longer.
“Bitch.” He slapped her again. “Show some respect for your father.”
“You’re not my father,” she screamed.
“Just like your mother.”
“Thank you,” she spit out.
When Travis noticed she wouldn’t cower as she used to, he changed his tactics. “How very thoughtful of you. This will make it so much easier for me to have my fun. You don’t think your pimp will mind if we start the party without him do you? I have been waiting twelve years for this.”
“Don’t you touch me!” She struggled against the ropes that kept her body spread out in the middle of the bed. She twisted and pulled until she could feel them biting into her flesh, could almost smell the blood from the fresh wounds.
“And who’s going to stop me?” he asked with a smirk as his hand began to push her skirt higher.
“That would be me.”
Travis froze at the voice behind him. Melissa followed his glance and saw Duncan leaning against a wall as though he didn’t have a care in the world. She reached for him in her mind, seeking the warmth and comfort his presence always brought to her.
Instead, she felt as though she’d walked into a blizzard.
Chapter Fifteen
Duncan looked at the man who dared put his hands on Melissa. “You really don’t want to make me ask you to take your hands off of her again.”
“I don’t remember you asking a first time. Who the hell do you think you are? This is none of your business,” Travis said coldly, inching to the side.
“I’m the last person you’re going to see in this life. But don’t worry, you’ll be happy to descend to the pits of hell when I’m through.”
“Like I haven’t heard that before. So what, are you, her new master?” Turning his head, Travis asked Melissa, “So is this the man you’re whoring yourself to these days?”
Duncan slowly approached the bed Melissa was tied to, his face carefully arranged so he wouldn’t look like he posed a threat. “It’s not nice for you to talk to her like that. And you really don’t want to touch her again.”
“Who’s going to stop me? You?” Travis laughed. “Answer me, you whore.” He struck her again.
A quick glance at Melissa told Duncan her eyes were closed. He knew she would be humiliated because he saw her stepfather acting like that. He wanted to comfort her, but that would have to come later. First, he needed to teach this bastard some manners.
When Travis laid his hand on her thigh again, Duncan struck. Moving lightning fast, he moved behind Travis and jerked the man’s hand off her. Yanking the man away from her, he pushed him down and knelt on his forearm. A smile curved his lips as he separated one finger from the group.
Positioning his fingers just so, he felt the bone snap and Travis screamed in pain.
“See, I told you not to touch her again. You look like a hard learner to me. You like to learn things the hard way, don’t you? Allow me to give you a quick lesson.” He gripped another finger. “You do not ever talk to a lady like that, but more importantly, you never, ever put your hands on her.” Snap. “It’s wrong.”
Duncan released the broken finger. “Now, tell her you’re sorry.”
“Fuck you and that little bitch.”
“Wrong answer.” Snap. He broke a third finger. “Let’s try again, but I will warn you. I have all the time in the world, but you only have so many bones. And if I get through them all, well, I’m gonna have to start all over again.
“You would be surprised at just how much pain the human body can feel. Just how much can be inflicted before you pass out. And there’s so much more stuff we have to discuss, I’d hate to see you reduced to crying like a baby over a simple apology. Now…” he lifted the man’s pinky, “…apologize for calling her a whore.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Travis screamed as Duncan began to apply pressure to the finger.
“Good. I can see we’re getting somewhere. Now, I’m going to untie the lady, and she’s going to walk out of here while we continue our lessons. A smart man would stay right here.”
Duncan rose to his feet and began to untie the rope around her ankle.
Glancing behind him discreetly, he saw Travis reach for a lead pipe, gripping it in his right hand as he held his broken fingers on his left hand close to his body.
Reaching inside his pocket, Duncan pulled out the cell phone he’d “borrowed” from the thug who told him where to find Travis and dialed Jake’s number.
Sidestepping, he turned, curling his left hand into a fist and pushing it up into the man’s stomach. The pipe fell from his hand and hit the ground with a clang. “You really aren’t the sharpest tool in the shed are you?” He chuckled. “I’ve wanted to say that for years. The last time I had this kind of fun, no one used that phrase.” He pushed him into a table, enjoying the way the man’s eyes went wide as he was slowly stalked.
Behind him a door opened. Without turning around, Duncan spoke. “Jake, untie Melissa and make sure she get
s home safe.”
“Duncan.” Her voice was pleading. “Come with us.”
“No, Angel. He needs to be taught some manners.”
“I won’t leave without you,” she told him stubbornly.
“Love, you don’t have a choice. There are a few things I’d like to say to Travis here, that you really don’t need to see.”
“Don’t—don’t you mean hear?” Travis stuttered.
“No. I talk with my hands.” He smirked. “I’m much more articulate that way.”
“I’m not leaving.” There was a small scuffle behind him and he heard Jake groan.
He had to fight back a chuckle. Returning his concentration to the man still trying to slither away, Duncan decided to outline his plan. With any luck, Melissa would faint or leave without seeing him put it into action.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out one of the needles he’d taken from Jake’s bag.
“Is that supposed to scare me?” Travis laughed.
“Oh, it will. Using only this, I plan to peel the skin from your body. Don’t worry, I won’t work in one area too long. You see,” he said, tilting the needle, “the trick is, if you use something too sharp, the body goes into shock much too fast. It has to be just dull enough to keep you feeling pain, but not enough to let you become unconscious.
“After I finish that, well, then the real fun will begin. But first, I plan on breaking half the bones in your body.”
“Only half?” Travis sneered.
“Of course. The fun of torture depends on your victim being awake to feel it.”
The color drained from Travis’s face.
“What the fuck did I ever do to you?”
“I suppose you deserve to know. You see that beautiful woman, standing beside my friend? You hurt her.” Moving lightning fast again, he grabbed Travis’s shirt. “You dared to put your hands on her.” Duncan punched him in the stomach. “You stole her childhood.” His fist connected with the man’s nose and the bone shattered. “You tried to steal her innocence. You tried to steal everything from her, and I will see that you pay for that with blood.” He knocked the man to the floor and stomped on his leg with so much force he heard a pop. “Unfortunately, I’m not sure you have enough blood in your body. So we’ll have to find a way to make up the difference.”
“Duncan, stop,” Melissa pleaded. He felt her behind him as he picked Travis up from the ground. “He isn’t worth it.”
“As long as he’s alive he’s going to try to hurt you. Go to the truck with Jake, Angel. I promise I’ll be out there in a couple of minutes. You shouldn’t have to see this.”
“This isn’t who you are.” Her hand rested on his biceps. “Don’t.”
“This is exactly who I am. This is the real me, Angel. Nobody fucks with the people I love and walks away.”
“You love me?”
Darting his eyes to her, he responded, his voice filled with the depth of his feelings for her. “More than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life.”
“Then don’t become a monster. He isn’t worth it. Leave here with me. Take me back to your room and make me forget he ever existed.”
Looking at her had been a mistake. He couldn’t deny her anything, especially when she looked at him that way. As much as he wanted to snap the little man bleeding on him in half, he couldn’t refuse anything Melissa asked of him. Pushing Travis back with as much force as he could, he growled, “You owe her your life.”
“Take me home, Duncan. Take me home and help me forget.”
He pulled her into his arms and nodded against her hair. “Only for you Angel. I’ll let him live for you.”
Turning Duncan put his arm around her and walked toward Jake.
“Duncan,” Jake called, but it was a second too late. Beside him, Melissa stiffened, her eyes wide with shock, filled with pain. Jake rushed toward them. Looking down, Duncan saw a butterfly knife sticking out of her back. Duncan cradled her to his body.
“I love you, Duncan,” she whispered, before she lost consciousness in his arms.
“It doesn’t look like anything major was hit,” Jake said. “If we can close the wound, she should survive.”
Jake held her as Duncan pulled the knife from her body, quickly placing his tongue over the wound. Closing his eyes, Duncan prayed to all of the gods he’d ever heard of that she survived. After several swipes, he was about to give up hope when the wound began to slowly close. He continued to concentrate on healing her.
He didn’t stop until it was completely closed. The only proof she’d ever been injured was in the blood still on her flesh. Much to his relief, he watched her chest rise and fall, though the action was much slower than he’d like.
“Get her to her brother, he’ll be at Club Strigoi.”
“Shouldn’t I take her to a hospital?”
Duncan shook his head. “Take her to Gareth. He’ll know if she needs to go to the hospital. Tell him her bastard of a stepfather will never bother her again.” Jake gathered Melissa closer to him. “This wipes the slate for us,” Duncan told him seriously. “If anything, I’m in debt to you.”
“Duncan…”
“Get her to safety. Get her to her brother.”
Without saying a word, Jake gently picked up Melissa. Before he stepped away, Duncan placed a tender kiss on her lips. “I love you, Angel.”
He waited until Jake left the room. If anyone asked, he would be able to respond with complete honesty that Travis was still alive when he last saw him.
All games were over. Duncan picked up the butterfly knife he’d removed from Melissa’s back and stalked his prey.
“She saved your life. She spared you and you repay her kindness by trying to kill her.” Duncan gave one quick jab, smiling when Travis looked down at the blade sticking out of the center of his chest. “I hope you rot in hell.”
“I’ll take comfort in the fact that you’ll be joining me.” Travis coughed, blood leaking from his mouth.
“Maybe. The gods know I deserve to go there. But every time I see your face, I’ll know that at least I protected an angel from you.” Deciding that the other man wasn’t dying quickly enough, Duncan grasped the knife and twisted it sharply. He watched with pride as the other man’s lifeless body fell to the floor.
*
He didn’t bother to change his clothes. He walked straight to Gareth’s house from the warehouse. There wasn’t much time before dawn, but he had to know if she was all right. He had to know if she would survive, or if he’d be beating the shit out of her stepfather in hell that day.
Lalita opened the door and ushered him inside the house before running to get Gareth.
When he appeared, he held his hand out to Duncan. When he reached for it, Gareth pulled him into a hug.
“You saved her life.” His voice was thick with emotion. “She’ll be weak for a few days, but she’ll survive. If you hadn’t been there…”
Duncan shook his head. He refused to think about what would have happened if he hadn’t shown up. If he did, he’d only beat the shit out of himself for letting that bastard stepfather of hers die so quickly.
Now that he had his answer about Melissa’s condition, he turned toward the door.
“What are you doing?”
“You were right. I don’t deserve her. I never deserved her. But I will thank the gods every day that she allowed me to be a part of her life, even if only for a short time.” Reaching into his pocket he handed Gareth the velvet box.
“Thanks but I’m already spoken for. And you’re not really my type.”
“Give this to Mel for me.”
“Give it to her yourself.” He pressed the box back into Duncan’s hand.
Duncan shook his head and placed it on the counter. “I’m a monster. Tonight proves that beyond any shadow of doubt. I’m a villain, and we all know the villains don’t get the girl in the end.” Turning, he walked out of the house.
Chapter Sixteen
“Duncan,” Melissa calle
d as she woke up.
“He’s not here,” Gareth answered.
“Why? He told me he’d stay with me. You two didn’t fight did you?” Melissa propped herself up on the bed. “What happened?” she asked when she saw the bags under his eyes.
“You almost died, Mel.”
“No. Duncan saved me. Travis only slapped me a few times. You’d have been proud of him. I think he really would have killed that bastard. He loves me Gareth. Please don’t be mad I didn’t call you. You haven’t had any of my blood in the last few weeks so you wouldn’t have heard me.”
“I know, baby, I know.” He pulled her into a hug.
“Why aren’t you mad? What aren’t you telling me?” She pushed against him, forcing him away from her so she could see his face. “Tell me what happened,” she demanded.
“Travis stabbed you. He threw a knife and it hit you. Duncan saved your life. If he hadn’t closed your wound…”
“Where is he?” She looked around her bedroom as though expecting him to pop up and yell surprise.
“He wanted me to give you this. He’s gone Mel.” Gareth handed her a small black velvet box.
“Is he… Is he…” Tears rolled down her cheeks and she couldn’t finish the question.
“No, baby, he’s fine. He said he didn’t deserve you.”
“I’m gonna kick his ass.” She began to struggle to get out of bed.
“Easy, take it easy, sis.”
“He thinks he can save me one night then the next night he can just walk away without even letting me know he wasn’t hurt. Why the hell can’t I get out of bed?”
“You’re still weak. You’ve been asleep for almost two days.”
“Then help me out of this bed. I’ve got an ass to go kick.”
“It’s good to see that she’s feeling better,” Lalita chuckled.
“Gareth, get out. La can help me. Then we are going to the club and that man is going to be sorry he got out of bed tonight.”
She tossed the box on the nightstand beside her lamp.
“Aren’t you even going to open it?”
“Nope. He can give it to me, or he can shove it up his ass.”
“Yup, she’s feeling better.” Gareth gave her a hug, holding her so tight she thought he was going to break her ribs.