by Lucian Bane
He shoved his chair back, sending it thudding to the carpeted floor. He suddenly needed to be out of that room, away from this. This sick bitch. Sold her brother for a high?
Bones rubbed hard at his temples and paced as a young Reggie entered his mind, making his fury boil. “I get it,” he said, nodding. “You were a… bitch of a sister, you feel like shit and you want to appease the pain of your guilt.” He went back and got in her face. “Can you tell me… how the fuck does that fix what you’ve done? You want to make your pussy feel good with pain now? Is that what you call paying for your crimes?” he barely whispered.
“I don’t just want punishment,” she whispered, her body shaking. “And I… do not want pleasure.”
Bones paused, staring in disgust at the tear streaked face before him. “Don’t make me ask what the fuck you mean.”
“I want… I want the same thing he got.”
Bones straightened as a cold realization crawled up his spine. Holy. Shit. He went back to pacing, slower now with this news. This news that meant he was slightly wrong about her. She wasn’t seeking pleasure in pain, she was seeking death.
Fancy that. Seeking death to do what? Make up for her brother’s? He glanced back at her, seeing a whole new person now. She wasn’t a slut. She was a dumb fucking slut.
Reggie would pick something like this.
“And at what point did you think… I would ever want any part of your sick, pity party?”
He watched confusion enter her body language now. “I-I was told by a friend that you’d… do it.”
The train wreck happened slowly in Bones, one train car after another, smashing into each other as his past plowed into his present.
“My friend said you’d friend request me,” she went on. “That you had tattoos and you’d ask for a masochist.”
Bones stared at her for endless seconds, Reggie’s rush of questions coming as a buzzing sound. He slowly made his way back to her and sat carefully on the chair. He leaned in and put his mouth right at her ear. “Winter… Rose… Brown,” he barely whispered. “I have some news that may disturb you… as much as it does me. But… I am not that man.”
He closed his eyes at hearing her gasp, taking in a deep breath of her fear and confusion. He remembered what that smelled like; remembered what he’d forgotten. The ghosts of his buried past crawled out of their graves and wrapped cold lips around his cock then sucked viciously, forcing a gasp from him.
“I… I don’t,” she stammered as he pulled slowly back and stared at her perfectly crimped forehead. “Who are you?” she whispered.
He sat down again, his mind understanding her words just not what they meant. Who are you? Something clicked inside and it became instantly necessary to know that while something else in him said don’t pry. Who was he?
Bones, he heard a voice say.
He angled his head and listened to the distant buzzing growing louder, then clearer. Bones! Bones, answer me!
Reginald. He knew Reginald… he remembered that he knew him. He always knew Reginald, he was always there. He was…
Who was Reginald?
A flash of panic struck and shot Bones out of the chair, forcing him to pace as he realized he should know that answer. Something was happening, he remembered this feeling, he had it before when…
Reginald came.
He came when…
Bones needed him. Why? Why had Bones needed him?
He angled his head at the blindfolded woman in the chair and feelings of loathing and the ugly craving crept in, all while hiding its face from him. Reginald had come because of that hidden face.
The cloaked face turned to him. Stared at him with a cold, cruel glare. His mother.
Bones fought for air and paced faster. He knew her, he knew this. He knew it was her and he’d hid it from Reggie to keep him from seeing it. Reginald was the light, he couldn’t be in that darkness. Reginald didn’t know the things Bones had done, he didn’t know. He wanted to be normal, he wanted Bones to be normal, that’s all.
It was over. The hiding was over, the monster was out now and Reginald had to be shown. He had to know and understand that the girls had come because fate brought them. The girls had come because the universe required it. Bones helped. He did it to protect Reggie. He helped the girls and protected Reggie. That’s what he had to do.
Now here she was. She’d come. Reginald didn’t know that forcing him to touch what was normal would unlock the hungers of Hell. He was just a good boy doing normal things.
“I’m here, Reggie,” Bones hurried when his yells turned desperate. “I’m okay. I’m done here. We’ll let her pick, okay?” Bones rubbed the back of his neck, comforting Reginald, his fears scraping at his skull still.
Shit, you scared me! You blacked out, are you sure Bones? Are you sure you’re okay? Wecan quit, I don’t need to be with a woman, okay?
“It’s fine, Reggie,” Bones said, not wanting him too worried. “I’m done here. Let her choose.”
Thank God, I’m ready to stop. I hate this, I didn’t want this.
“I know, Reggie. I didn’t want it either,” he whispered, angling his gaze at the girl. “I’m sure the choice will be easy now.”
I messed up, Reginald said. I didn’t know what I was doing, she’ll never pick me.
Nah, Bones said. Pretty sure it’s you she wants.
Hell, that would be a miracle. I don’t want to hurt you Bones. If she picks me, I’ll be very careful. I swear it, you know this.
I know you will, Reggie.
“This interview is over,” Bones informed the girl calmly. “There’s a paper and pen in the bathroom. If you still wish it, you may write the name of who you want for your master.”
She barely nodded her lowered head and Bones walked out, going to the second room they’d rented to wait. When she left, they’d go see who she chose. He knew she wanted Reggie, but he also knew she’d choose him. And if she did… that meant it was all fate. Ill fate, but fate nonetheless. And Bones was not fighting fate anymore
****
Winter yanked off the blindfold several seconds after the door shut. Her sobs burst free as she hurried on trembling legs to the bathroom. She saw the paper and pen and grabbed it then rocked back and forth with the pen tightly in her hand. A strange rage shook her body and stole her ability to think and breathe. She pressed the heel of her hand to the sharp pain in her right eye as another sob took her. She blinked through her tears and wrote her choice. She couldn’t remember what or why she was choosing anymore, why she was even there, she only knew she had to have one chance.
****
Bones got in the hotel shower, needing to think. As he stood in the stream of hot water, Reginald’s residual memory flashed through his mind and body. It was a very strange thing having his body aroused with a woman like Reginald had been. He couldn’t fathom how in the fuck he even pulled it off in Bone’s body. He thought his body might not cooperate, but it sure as shit had. Too well. And how was he supposed to let Reginald indulge if it marked their body that hard? To Bones, his body had undergone shock treatment and his muscles buzzed from the after effect. How many shocks could it take before he lost control?
You sure you okay?
Bones nodded to Reginald.
You didn’t do so bad by the way, Reginald said. I kind of expected worse.
Bones held his thoughts close to himself, not wanting to alarm Reginald with what he was pretty sure he would do when he found which she picked. I behaved just for you, Reggie.
He felt Reginald wanting to smile.
Thank you. And I guess I need more practice on my techniques.
Bones didn’t want to talk about it but he realized Reginald had nobody else to talk to. It takes practice.
Doubt I’ll get that now.
Bones tilted his face up to the spray. I’m sure you will.
What do I do if she picks me? We never really talked about it. You said we’d figure it out after?
And
we will.
Any ideas forming?
A few.
If she picks me I won’t go fast, I’ll go really slow so you don’t have to work so hard.
Appreciate that, Reggie, Bones said, sorry for him.
What if you win? What do you have planned?
Bones considered how to answer that honestly. She wants me to kill her, you realize this?
Yes, but you can’t obviously.
Of course not. Bones felt Reginald waiting for more confirmation. That’s why you’re here, remember? So I don’t do anything stupid.
Right. Although I’d like to know what it is that I’m keeping you from doing, Bones. At some point?
Bones took a deep breath. I know, Reggie. I’ll tell you everything tonight, okay?
Really?
It’s time you know.
You can trust me Bones. I won’t judge you.
I know you won’t Reggie. But Bones knew that wasn’t true. Reggie may not judge him like he thought he would, but once he knew, everything would change. How much it would change was what Bones wasn’t sure about.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Bones went back to the room when he saw her car was gone. Reginald hung in the back ground, letting him look. He felt Reggie’s urge to chew his nail and knew he was nervous about the name they’d find on the paper.
He walked into the room and made sure it was empty before heading to the bathroom. He put his hand over the paper and slid it off the counter, slipping it in his pocket.
What are you doing?
We’ll read it in the truck.
Reginald’s sigh swelled his chest as he headed out and climbed in their antiquated GMC truck.
Let’s see, Reginald said.
Bones dug the paper out of his pocket and held it on the seat.
Just look at it. Do it quick.
Bones glanced around the parking lot, scared of what was coming. He lifted the paper up and read it. Read her ugly scrawl, torn into it. Bones stared at her stupid words, wanting to kill her and yet so relieved.
Wow Reginald whispered.
The pain that slowly spread through his chest brought Bone’s fury. “She’s a fucking cunt,” Bones grit, starting the truck while the pain spread through his stomach now. That same selfish bitch that threw her brother away just threw his away. She was no different.
She wants to die that bad?
Bones bit his tongue. If he said what he thought, which was ‘no, she didn’t want to die that bad’, it would mean he was more worthless than he already felt. “She must,” Bones said.
What are you going to do?
“What do you think we should do, Reggie?” he asked.
She needs help.
Bones heard it, even in his brokenness, that need to be optimistic. He’d calculated as much. Reginald was his light in the darkness. It’s why he protected him, so he wouldn’t lose that, but in that second, Bones shared the opposite side of that trait.
“We’ll help her.” Not the way Reginald imagined, but help her nonetheless, he would. He’d cure her of that stupidity she suffered the world with. It’s nothing more macabre than hurting yourself because you feel bad for being a fucking loser. Why not change your fucking life instead of wallow in regret and self-loathing pity? He didn’t see a gun to her head, he didn’t see her tied to a bed with sharp objects being shoved up her pussy and ass until she bled out. There was nothing keeping her prisoner except her own stupidity. And that, Bones was ready to help her with. Help her real good. If it broke her, then she’d get what she craved and maybe by then she’d deserve it. She’d have to work her fucking ass off for that though, she could be damn sure. Especially now that her selfishness crushed Reggie.
What do you have planned? Reginald wondered.
Bones heard the worry in his voice. “I don’t know right now. How about we play it one ordeal at a time.”
Bones waited in the silence, struggling to breathe around the shit crushing Reginald. Fucking bitch. She’d hurt him bad. She’d have to pay for that one. He just had to do it in a way Reginald wouldn’t figure out.
I can’t believe she picked you. I don’t mean it like you don’t deserve to be picked, Bonesy, but you were…
“I know, Reggie,” he said, trying to keep the bite from his tone while he pulled out his phone.
What are you doing?
“Collecting our winnings, little brother.”
Our?
Bones shook his head and grinned. “What’s mine is yours. Always will be.”
Reginald shook his head and Bones waited before making the phone call that would initiate the beginning of an end. Is it bad that I don’t want to share her, Bones? I’m sorry if it is. It’s not that I don’t love you, I just… I can’t stand the idea of it.
Rage snaked through Bone’s muscles until it left a bitter taste in his mouth that caused him to roll his tongue with the need to spit. “Not bad at all. Normal, in fact.”
Reginald sighed shakily. Maybe I was all wrong about this normal stuff, Bones. Maybe you’re better off being just like you are, right?
Bones slid his hand over his neck, squeezing him tight. “We live and we learn, Reggieboy. That’s the way of life. I’ll be with you though. Every step of the way.” Bones found her number in the phone and hit send.
She picked up and her biting tone made him want to snarl. “Yes?”
“You ready?”
“I sure am. Tell me what to do.”
“Meet me at 10 pm tonight at the bottom of Waterway Bridge. Bring a blindfold.”
“I know that one,” she said, sounding brave.
“I’ll call you when I get there.”
“Will your brother be there?”
The quick question shook a little, and Bones wasn’t impressed with the pretense of regret in her tone. He’d help her figure out what she didn’t want out of life. “My brother is always with me.”
He wagered it was worry he heard in that silence. She needed to worry. “Yes sir.”
“Don’t call me that,” he muttered, loathing the stupid trends in that circus they called a BDSM community.
“Yes… okay. What should I call you?”
“If you find yourself in a position to need to address me, call me… Dragon.”
“Okay.”
He hung up, hating the whole talking requirement that came with being the least bit normal. Maybe he’d find a way to not talk to her. Maybe he could let Reggie handle… no. That would be torture for him. He’d have to do it. Wasn’t like Reggie hadn’t done it enough for him already.
****
Reginald sat behind Bones, feeling oddly comfortable with the back seat for a change. He didn’t realize he was so tired. He hoped Bones could handle doing the things Reginald usually did. The idea of having to see her much less talk to her was becoming a heavier weight by the second. Maybe they could just leave it all alone?
He closed his eyes, recalling the way she kissed him. She’d liked it. Loved it, he would even wager. And now this. He tried again to imagine why? She feels responsible for killing her brother, he reminded himself for the millionth time. Even with that, he couldn’t stop the pain in his chest. He’d tasted something so amazing only to be told he couldn’t have it. And she didn’t want it as bad as she wanted to suffer and pay for her crimes. To die even. That was some loyalty. But to what? To revenge? Revenge against who? Herself? Was it justice in her eyes? An eye for an eye? But what was the purpose, really? Bones was right about that. How did that fix anything?
He wouldn’t be able to get too comfortable in the backseat. Bones couldn’t be expected to drive in the normal seat for too long. It was bad enough he felt like Bones had a plan and was hiding it from him. He didn’t like to think like that about Bones but he did. He knew if Bones hid anything, it was because he thought Reginald either couldn’t handle it or would fight him.
But tonight. Tonight, Bones would tell him what he was there to protect him from. And why did Reginald feel like that wa
s just an appeasement? He’d know if he knew how to see past that five-foot-thick iron wall in Bones’ mind.
****
Winter waited where she was told, her eye glued to the side mirror, looking for a vehicle that could be him. Them. Why did Christopher have to come? Why did she even pick either of them now that she knew he wasn’t the one. Because of the odds. The odds demanded she pick one of them because the odds of her making this kind of mistake were too unrealistic. Which meant it was meant to be. He wasn’t the one, he said. Ha! He had the capability that was for sure. And the fact that Christopher was coming, well, wasn’t that fitting? Having to see the man who forced her to experience the most amazing things through only touching her? Kissing her? If he had liked her, that was all gone now. How could she tell him or explain that it had nothing to do with him, but her? Always her. Ruining everybody’s life.
Christopher was so out of place. He’d said he was a sadist but… how? The only thing torturous was not having more of him. Maybe he was the kind of sadist that brought you to that edge and then killed you. Yes, that would make more sense and not unheard of in that lifestyle. She was delirious to think it was possibly sincere
She gripped the steering wheel tightly, filled with shame and self-loathing at how stupid she’d turned out to be. She deserved that cruel Bones bastard.
Her heart jolted when headlights came over the bridge. Her stomach slowly knotted and then dropped when the lights angled and pulled up behind her.
Before she could wonder what to do, her phone rang.
“Hello?” she fought to keep her voice between strong and respectful. Mostly so she didn’t get kicked out or fired if that was even the term for this weird thing she was doing.
“Bring the blindfold and come to my truck. Before you get in, put it on. You’re leaving your car here and you’ll stay with me.”
Her stomach rolled violently. This was it. She swallowed and nodded, forcing herself not to ask questions. It wasn’t her concern what happened to her car or her current job. She would let him sort all that and she was sure he had.
“Got it,” she finally said, her jaw banging together from the cold and now nerves. Of course it would be in the teens the night she’d dress up in barely-there clothes. She half hoped he’d not show and she’d just freeze to death in her junk bucket broken heater car.