Twisted (Dark Book 1)

by Ashton Blackthorne

  Ayden!

  Ash

  Rolling over on the couch in the study, I reached out to clutch the coat Amber had left behind. If she left, I’d expected she would come back for it seeing how it was so chilly outside. She must’ve still been in my room.

  The light blue cashmere coat smelled of her perfume. Cradling it beneath my head, I thought of her. She was so soft, so warm and so beautiful. Was I an absolute idiot for pushing her away? She’d been right there in my dungeon so willing, so ready to play.

  As much as I’d wanted to, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Amber was much too important to me to risk losing. I just wasn’t ready to allow myself to feel again after Veronica.

  But God, how I wanted her.

  Curling up to her coat, I fell asleep dreaming of her beautiful smile, her silky hair, and her submissive pose…

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  The next morning, traffic was miserable as usual on Fifth Avenue. After being stuck for nearly an hour, I made it into the office. As I exited the elevator, Becky, my new receptionist nearly barreled me over.

  “Mr. Blackthorne! Mr. Blackthorne! You have to come here!” She waved her short, stubby arms around like a crazy woman.

  “Becky, what is it? Where’s Amber?” Noticing her desk empty, I looked around.

  “That’s it, Mr. Blackthorne! She’s not here. No one has seen or heard from her since yesterday.” Becky panted in hysterics.

  “Calm down, Becky. It’s only—“ I glanced at my phone. It was after 10:00 AM. Shit, Amber was never this late!

  “She hasn’t called in at all?” I flipped through my phone checking my missed calls. Nothing.

  Becky swallowed hard shaking her head.

  “No, Mr. Blackthorne. She hasn’t called anyone. She’s always here in the office no later than---“

  “---8:30, I know.” I bit my lip thinking about what might have happened. Perhaps she was still upset by my refusal of her last night.

  I walked over to Amber’s desk and flipped on her PC. There was nothing on there. Nothing to indicate she’d been in or that she would be absent. In all the years she’d worked for me, she’d never done anything like this.

  “Mr. Blackthorne? What’s going on?”

  I waved my hand at her.

  “I’ll find her, Becky. I’m sure she’s fine. Please go back to work.”

  Becky nodded as she waddled off to her desk.

  Walking into my office, I flipped on my PC. I began to scroll through my voice messages.

  Nothing.

  As the minutes ticked by, an overwhelming sense of panic began to set in. Amber was never late. She must’ve been upset over what happened last night. Quickly, I dialed her number.

  It went straight to voicemail. I dialed again and again with the same result.

  Sighing heavily, I grabbed my suit jacket and threw it back on. This wasn’t like her.

  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  After I arrived at Amber’s apartment, I opened it with the key she’d given me. The apartment was completely dark and silent. Walking around, I flipped a few lights on. Everything was still. Nothing appeared out of place.

  My God, what if something had happened to her? My heart caught in my throat as I envisioned all the awful possibilities. Then a horrifying thought…

  Ayden!

  Suddenly, my phone vibrated.

  Unknown number.

  “Hello?” I tentatively answered. I loathed telemarketers anticipating an annoying automated message.

  “Ashton?”

  “Yes?”

  “Is this the Ashton Blackthorne? The son of Ashler Blackthorne?”

  I sighed with irritation.

  “Yes. Who wants to know?”

  “I do,” a raspy male voice replied.

  “Who are you? I’m not interested in whatever you’ve got to offer.” I scratched my neck as I walked around her apartment.

  “Oh, I think you are very interested in what I’ve got.”

  “Look, buddy, I’m in the middle of something. I’m hanging up now.” Before I could click the hang up button, his voice changed.

  “DON’T HANG UP, ASH! Not if you want to see her again.”

  I froze holding the phone. My mouth went dry.

  “Ayden?” I whispered. God, I thought he was dead. I saw his car in flames. How could’ve he have survived that crash?

  “For a smart guy, you’re really quite stupid. You didn’t get that until now? Tsk, tsk, Ashton. I expected better from Manhattan’s biggest and baddest shark.”

  My stomach churned. It was my worst fear.

  “Is she okay, Ayden? Let me talk to Amber!” I demanded.

  “Oh, Ash, calm down. She’s just fine. You know she was mine long before she was yours. Such a pretty little thing. Long legs, huge, delicious tits, and a sweet, perfect pink pussy---“

  “DON’T YOU LAY A FUCKING HAND ON HER!” I roared, smashing my fist against the wall.

  His maniacal laughter lit up the other end.

  “Calm down there, Ash. I haven’t done a thing to her she didn’t want. Nooooo, I wouldn’t do that. She’s safe and sound right next to me. In fact, I can see her big tits pressing against her blouse her nipples sticking out. Isn’t she amazingly sexy, Ash? Have you tasted her sweet pussy? The way she wiggles when your tongue flicks her clit? Or when you slap her ass with a whip?” His voice was so husky and deep it made my skin crawl. I could only imagine Amber’s terror.

  “Look, Ayden, I don’t know what you hope to accomplish by doing this. Amber ended things with you years ago. She’s not my girlfriend. She’s my business partner and my friend. That’s all. Please just let her go and I’m sure she won’t report this to the police. Just tell me where she is and I’ll come pick her up.” I hated trying to bargain with this deranged asshole, but Amber’s life was on the line.

  I stood in the middle of Amber’s bedroom gazing at a black lace teddy lying on her bed. All I heard was silence on the other end that seemed to go on forever.

  “Ayden?” I spoke in a calm, but firm voice.

  “Ashton? I’m still here. No, I don’t think I’m ready to finish the game yet. We’re just getting started.”

  I sank down onto Amber’s soft bed. The whole room smelled of her sweet perfume.

  “I didn’t know we were playing a game, Ayden.”

  “Of course we are, Ash. A game I like to call ‘Fuck You’.”

  Rage began building inside me threatening to overtake me. I wanted to slam my fists into his face.

  “Why are you doing this, Ayden? Amber’s through with you.”

  He laughed hysterically on the other end.

  “This isn’t about her, you fucking idiot. It’s about you and me.”

  “Me? I just met you last night.”

  His voice turned dark and sinister. It made my skin crawl.

  “Oh, really, Ashton? I’m very close to you. You just never knew it.”

  My mind raced as I tried to place him in my memory. Business clients? A colleague? An old college buddy? A frat brother? Someone I had done wrong? There was nothing there.

  “I don’t recall knowing you, Ayden. If I’ve offended you in some way then that’s between us. Let Amber go.”

  “Oh, Ashton, the fun is just starting! Now that I have your attention I’m not about to call it quits. As for Amber, you’ll just have to find me to get to her.”

  Bile began to rise in my throat. I swallowed its bitterness reluctantly.

  “Let me talk to Amber, Ayden.”

  There was a slight scuffling on the other end. Then I heard a female voice faintly at first.

  “Ash! Help me, please!”

  “Are you okay, Amber? Where are you? What did he do to you?” Frantic, I jumped up and paced the floor.

  “I’m okay, Ash. But please help me!” Her voice was hoarse as if she’d been screaming. My heart felt as though it would break.

  Suddenly, her voice was muffled as Ayden’s raspy voice came back.


  “All right, Ash. You know she’s alive at least for the moment. I will call you back with further instructions.”

  “WHEN?” I demanded.

  “Tonight. I told you, Ash, we’d be seeing each other again soon.”

  “No, Ayden, wait! Please!”

  The line went dead.

  Throwing my phone down on the bed, I smashed my fists against the wall. Swearing as my knuckles crackled painfully, I blinked away my tears of frustration.

  Where the hell was Amber? And what the hell was Ayden planning?

  Amber

  Trembling with fear, I opened my eyes. Heavy bits of grit fell from my lashes scratching my eyes. Blinking several times, I looked around to see where I was. My wrists throbbed from the tight bindings and my back ached as if I’d been tied to the chair for some time.

  Ayden.

  How was he alive? I’d seen his car smash into the concrete median. There was no way he could’ve survived.

  I’d been coming out of Ash’s apartment getting into my car. I sensed someone in the car with me when everything went black.

  The room was dank and dark with the heavy musty odor of mold. Obviously a basement, I looked to see tiny rectangle windows at the edge of the ceiling. With a sinking heart, I realized no one would see me in here.

  Or hear me.

  Suddenly, I heard heavy footsteps above me. Ayden was coming. The footsteps got closer and closer. I held my breath pulling against the restraints.

  As he descended the wooden staircase, I watched as his shoes appeared. I held my breath bracing myself for the worst.

  He stopped at the foot of the stairs to stare at me. He was as handsome as ever with his dark hair falling over one eye. He jerked his head back to clear a lock from his forehead. He was dressed casually in tight jeans and a long sleeve thermal shirt. He was more muscular than I’d remembered. He must’ve been working out a lot more.

  As he walked toward me, I cringed dreading his touch. His hands brushed my cheek lightly.

  “Hello, Amber.” His voice was husky and deep. His hair was longer than he’d normally worn it. Several locks fell into his eyes. His build was even more defined his muscles rippling beneath his tight shirt. The sleeves were pushed up so high so I could see the tattoo, ‘Forever Amber’ still emblazoned on his bicep.

  “Ayden? What happened? Why did you bring me here?” My throat was so sore it was difficult to talk.

  He knelt beside me to stroke my hair.

  “Princess, I brought you here because it was the only way to get his attention.”

  “Whose attention?” My vision was blurry and I wondered if he’d hit me on the head as well.

  “Ashton Blackthorne. You’re his little sub now, aren’t you?”

  “Ash? No, not at all.”

  “Come now, Princess. I know what a dirty little girl you are. I saw you coming out of his house in the middle of the night! I doubt you were working at 3:00 AM!”

  “Nothing happened, Ayden! He’s my boss. And now he’s my business partner.”

  Ayden threw back his head laughing. He leaned forward to caress my breasts. My skin crawled at his touch.

  “Right, Princess. A man like him would have a beautiful woman like you over at his house in the middle of the night to simply work. Sorry, I just don’t buy it.”

  “It’s true, Ayden. I wanted Ash, but he told me to leave! So, there you have it!” I struggled against the ropes despite the pain.

  “Oh, my pretty little Princess, how I’ve missed you. Don’t you remember Daddy spanking your sweet little ass, how hard you would come as I would drag my fingers across your wet clit?” Ayden’s hands roamed my body.

  “DON’T TOUCH ME!” I screamed kicking at him.

  Ayden seized me by the throat pulling my face up to his. Staring into his eyes, I couldn’t believe I ever once thought he was handsome. He repulsed me. His breath smelled of stale cigarette smoke causing my stomach to churn.

  “Amber, you’re mine. You’ll always be mine. I don’t care how many times you and Ash fucked you’re still mine.” He pulled me even closer crushing his lips down onto mine.

  Pulling back with all my might, I managed to sink my teeth into his lower lip.

  “You bitch!” He cried stumbling back clutching his mouth. Blood dripped onto his t-shirt.

  “Don’t fucking touch me again, Ayden!” I screamed, struggling with my hands tied behind my back.

  I cringed waiting to see what he would do. Ayden reached for me pulling me to my feet. He smiled the blood staining his lips.

  “You’ve become quite sassy, haven’t you, Princess? Maybe it’s time for Daddy to correct you. Remember how I used to do it?” He growled bending his head low.

  Recalling the way he used to spank me which was more attuned to a brutal beating than a playful spanking, I trembled with fear. Tears began to well in my eyes. He wasn’t playing anymore.

  The time it was for real. And I sensed unless Ash showed up I would never escape from him alive.

  He walked over to me. His gait was slow, panther-like stalking me. When he spoke, his voice was low and evil.

  “Princess, I want you helpless, hopeless, and broken.”

  Tears poured down my cheeks as I trembled with fear.

  “Oh, Princess, such sweet tears.” He leaned over to swipe his finger across my cheek. He brought it to his lips.

  “You know you’re so beautiful when you cry. Gives me a fucking hard on, did I ever tell you that?”

  Sickened, I swallowed hard.

  “Ayden, please don’t. I’m sorry for the way things ended between us. It was never my intention to hurt you.”

  “Isn’t that what they all say? ‘I never meant to hurt you’. All the while they’re fucking some other guy behind your back.” Ayden grabbed me and spun me around.

  I shrieked with terror as he thrust me over a chair.

  “There now, Princess. Time for punishment.” With that, he pulled his leather flogger out.

  Seeing him standing there with the flogger in his hand, screams erupted from my throat. I shut my eyes tightly as I braced myself for his beating.

  “Princess? I want to hear one thing from you.”

  “What?”

  “Call me daddy.”

  Ash

  Sitting in the parking garage at a building in Queens, I waited for my PI to arrive. I couldn’t stop thinking about poor Amber. She must be so scared. God only knew what that monster was doing to her. She’d been through so much I just didn’t know how much more she could take.

  I heard wheels screaming echoing throughout the garage. An old blue Buick Century pulled up beside me.

  “I know, I know. The car sucks. But it’s inconspicuous.” A tall, burly guy in his mid-fifties with a shaved head emerged from the car laughing.

  “Hey, I’m not one to judge. I just need you to find my partner.” I walked over to his car.

  “I’m Sal. Get in.” The guy motioned me inside his car. The interior was even rougher than the outside of the car. The seats were torn up and the dashboard was sticky with old coffee.

  “I live out of this fucking car, I apologize. So, tell me about your partner. Amber, right?”

  I nodded. Quickly, I filled him in on all the details.

  “So, this guy Ayden has her? You’re sure?”

  “Yes. He called me this morning.”

  “Is that your phone?” He gestured to the bulge in my pants pocket.

  I nodded handing it to him.

  He typed several things into the phone.

  “It’s an app I use. It will trace any call coming into this phone.”

  “What if it’s private?”

  He shook his head.

  “Doesn’t matter. Look, this app isn’t for the general public. A little something I got from my days at the Bureau. It tracks via the cell phone towers, etc. Very technical.” He continued punching codes into my phone.

  “So he said he’s going to call tonight?” Sal asked, handing m
e back my phone.

  “Yes. He…he’s been violent in the past.” I struggled to get the words out. God, Ayden could kill her. Who knew what he was capable of?

  Sal nodded.

  “A domestic. You said he’s a former boyfriend. Guys like that…man, I’d like to say it’ll be okay, but in all honesty, I can’t. This Ayden, if he’s obsessed with her and it sounds like he is, he could do anything. Particularly if he feels he’s got nothing left to lose. Do you know if he just lost his job? Wife? House?”

  I shook my head.

  “I don’t know much about him except he really hurt Amber years ago. He broke into her house and the police thought he intended to kill her. Went to prison for a few years for it. He got out recently and just started following her again.”

  “What about you? Is Amber your girlfriend or what?” Sal asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

  “Not really. It’s complicated. She’s very close to me. I’ll do anything, anything at all to get her back. Money-it’s no issue.”

  Sal nodded.

  “Well, keep your phone on at all times. If he calls, we’ll get him. If not, I’ve got some guys to call in. They’re all former agents, so chances are we’ll find her. Let’s just hope it’s not too late.”

  My heart nearly stopped. I couldn’t let anything happen to Amber.

  “I’ll be in touch.”

  Walking back to my car, I sat there for several minutes in a stupor. Where could she be?

  Sixteen

  Amber

  “Ayden, please let me go!” I cried tugging at the restraints.

  “Not yet, Princess. I let you go once and you left me for three years. Now that I have you I’m never letting you go.”

  My heart sank. His normally beautiful hazel eyes had a maniacal wicked gleam in them. I had to do something to get him to trust me so that he would untie me.

  “Ayden, I’ve missed you so much.”

  He placed his hand on my shoulder caressing me. My skin crawled at his touch.