by Joy Blood
“It sucked. My mom died of an aneurysm and dad drank himself into a stupor. He forgot I was even around, I got by because our neighbor would drop off food and my friend Dawn…”
“Dawn what?” I look at him, still talking about her hurts so much. I haven't had any time.
“She helped me through school, gave me clothes and things.”
“What about her? Can she take you in?” I shake my head and tears well in my eyes. “He killed her didn't he?” I can only nod my head and the tears spill over. “Fucking bastard.” He says under his breath. That's when I find my own.
“I had gotten away from him, he found us.”
Then
Three months of being cooped up in the spare room and I finally got to move back into our bedroom. Not that I really wanted to but I was biding my time. He let me off of the chain the month before giving me free reign of the room but still keeping me locked in. Now I got to walk around the house, I had someone watching me most of the time, though. Avil seemed to be nicer the more pliant I was, so I played the role of the meek sex slave he wanted. Obeying him. The day I found my chance was the day I found out I was having a boy. I heard my baby’s heartbeat and right there knew I needed to do everything in my power to keep my child away from his evil father. My saving grace was the ultrasound technician, I knew her from the hospital just by luck she was now working at the clinic he took me to. I was able to get a message to her for Dawn when Avil had to leave the room to take a phone call. I didn't say a word just grabbed a pen and paper wrote down what I needed to say. I actually shoved it in my mouth and swallowed it after she read it when I heard him walking back into the room.
My day came a week later when he had to leave for another one of his business trips, needless to say, he no longer took me with him. I was in the kitchen making my breakfast when he came to say goodbye letting me know who was going to be watching over me for the three days he was to be gone. It was no surprise to me when he said Vaughn was the one to be my babysitter. He always was when Avil had to leave for more than a night. So far he hadn't tried anything just leered longer than usual. I had a feeling my time was about up. A man like that could only be patient for so long.
“Vaughn will be with you while I am gone behave yourself.”
“What if he tries something? Avil what if he hurts the baby?” I ask him in a pleading voice. “Please don't leave him here with me.”
“He knows what will happen if does something to hurt my child.” He cups my facing his hand. “No on your knees, I have three whole days away from you.” I do as I'm told and drop to my knees. Getting ready for what comes next.
“Boss the car is here,” Vaughn says from the door smirking at me down on the floor.
“Shit.” Avil's says stopping in the middle of unzipping his pants. “Until next time baby girl.” He says then pats my head like I'm a pet then walks out leaving me with the devil’s right hand.
“While you are down there sweetheart,” Vaughn says walking toward me unzipping his pants. I quickly scramble to my feet. My now slightly swollen stomach not being a problem with my balance yet. Backing away from him I go back to my cooking.
“You aren't supposed to touch me, you know that.” He just laughs at me.
“Had the cameras disabled.” He shrugs walking over to me. “Can do whatever Thar fuck I want with you for three whole days. And if you struggle I will hurt the baby and it will be your fault. I’ll tell him how you tried to escape and I had to use forceful measures to keep you here. He can always put another kid in you.” I feel sick, this man is deranged, I can't decide between him and Avil which one is worse. That's when he comes for me pinning me the counter with his hips. I'm in a dress without panties on, of course, it's still one of Avil's rules. Always a blue dress of some kind and no underwear what so ever. Right now it is at Vaughn's advantage. I don't move, he is right I don't want to hurt my baby. Hitching me up so I'm at a better angle for his assault, I wait for the right moment. Bracing myself for what he will be doing to me in seconds. I cry out and tees fill my eyes when he pushes his dick into my unprepared sex. It hurts so bad but I keep my mind clear. He starts thrusting losing himself and all awareness. I grab the hot pan I have on the stove and without any more thought slam it as hard as I can on the side of his face. He lets out a curse and abruptly backs away from me letting my feet drop to the floor. In his dazed state I take one more swing so hard it knocks him down to the floor. I take that as my chance and run for the door and out. I get a block from the house and see Dawn sitting there in her car waiting. Right, where I told her to keep an eye out for me until I was able to make my break. Getting there as fast as I can.
“Oh thank god Elle I was beginning to worry you wouldn't be able to get a chance.” She tells me when I get in a hug her. The car looks like a disaster, she obviously has been living in it for days now, and I feel horrible for putting my friend in this position.
“We need to go who knows how long he will be down,” I say referring to Vaughn. She doesn't even ask what I had to do to get away or who ‘he’ is and for that I'm grateful, she just focuses on the task at hand. Getting as far away from here as possible.
“I have things for you in the back we will drive all night. I know of a place to go.” I nod my head at her and grab the bag feeling a weight being lifted as she pushes the peddle down and we drive out of Cental and as far away from Avil and Vaughn as we can get. I look in the bag and let out a thankful sigh when I see a package of underwear jeans and tee shirts. Oh, I love this woman. Putting them on right there in the car and throwing the horrid blue dress out the window I try and start to feel safe once again. If only for a moment.
We drive for what seems like forever until we get to a small town four days away from the place I used to call home. Dawn gets a job working as a waitress and I stay hidden. We agreed that it was for the best. While she can change her appearance I can't really hide my baby bump. Her once long blond hair is now a short brown inverted bob. She has stopped wearing makeup altogether, her explanation being no one notices an ugly girl but of course, she still is beautiful though she would argue otherwise.
Weeks go by and turn into months. We start to get comfortable. I have almost two months left to go and I'm getting anxious and excited. We have settled into a routine, Dawn goes to work and at lunchtime I sometimes take a walk to the diner to eat with her on her break. This was our mistake, routine. One day when I got back from lunch they were there waiting for me. Avil, Vaughn and three other men.
“You looked so shocked to see me baby girl,” Avil tells me as I walk into the living room of our small country rental. Vaughn has a red circle imprinted on the side of his face from the hot pan I whacked him with. I smile to myself at that, knowing at least I was able to leave some kind of lasting damage on the awful man. They are all sitting casually throughout the room, a kitchen chair has been pulled in for one to sit on. They all look so comfortable like they are over for a visit and a cup of tea.
“Come and make yourself comfortable we have a few hours to kill before Dawn gets here.” This has my ears prickling.
“We don't need to wait, let's just leave, please. It wasn't my fault Vaughn attacked me I had no other choice, you left me with him. You shouldn't…” Smack! The back of his hand flies across my face so hard I'm almost flung to the floor. I cup my cheek and right myself.
“Shut your mouth, you no longer get to open it unless I'm fucking your throat. We will wait for your friend so you can tell her goodbye, then we are going home.” He barks at me. Hesitantly as instructed I take the seat Vaughn has vacated and we all sit and wait for Dawn to get home.
When she walks through the door Avil's men are right there grab her and throw her down onto the coffee table in the middle of the living room right in front of me. We look at each other both knowing what is going to come next.
“See if she is as tight as my Ellie for me will you Vaughn?” Avil tells Vaughn who stalks over to her.
“No please just
let her go I will be good I promise. Please just don't do this to her. Please, Avil.” I plead with him. I must get through because he holds up his hand stopping Vaughn’s pursuit, making him glare at me.
“You want me to let her go? You will be good?”
“Yes I will, please don't let them do that to her.” He considers this for a moment then nods. Without a second glance at Dawn he pulls out a gun from behind his back and in slow motion I watch him aim it at her head and pull the trigger. Blood is spattered everywhere and there is a screaming that won't stop. It's me. That is when Avil's slaps me across my face then snaps his fingers in front of me until I look at him. His eyes are so cold and dead I wonder why I never saw it before.
“I let her go without being raped, that is what you wanted now go get into that bedroom, I have been too long without you.” He says pointing to my room. In shock, I do as he says. He has me strip out of my bloody clothes and is on top of me in no time. When I break out of my shocked state my adrenaline kicks in and I snap thrashing and swinging my arms at him. Kicking and screaming I lose myself trying to inflict as much pain as I can on the evil bastard in front of me. He yells something to Vaughn and then he is in the room also. They both come at me one on each side overpowering me then suddenly I feel a sharp pain in my neck and slowly start to feel myself go limp and drift off into darkness.
Now
Vin is quiet when I tell him the story but soon after he curses and leaves the room. Hopefully going up to rest in his bed. I wait. Grab myself something to eat then head upstairs to take a nap. Only when I walk past his door I decide to go in. He is sitting up in his bed reading something on his phone when he sees me he puts it down quickly.
“He did a lot worse to you didn't he?” he asks and all I can do is nod my head. “Come here.” He tells me and I go to sit on the edge of the bed, but he must want me closer, shaking his head. “Get on here with me you look tired, lay down.” So I do, not knowing where to put my head since he has the only pillow behind his back. He scoots down further than pulls me down to rest my head on his uninjured side. I relax and curl into him. It's so quiet except for our breathing so I ask a question trying to fill the silence.
“Why chocolate chips?” I ask, in hopes to get an answer this time. I think I hear him laugh a little.
“A friend and I always used to sneak into the kitchen while our housekeeper baked cookies. We would sit and talk to her while eating chocolate chips. It became a comfort to me I suppose.” It's a sweet story.
“You had a housekeeper, were you rich or something?”
“Or something.” Is all he says. “Sleep Elle.” He says and I start to drift off to sleep.
Now
I wake up with a start, rolling over to find Vin, but he isn't there. I get up and shout for him. “Vin,” I yell as loud as I can, but I hear no one. Getting up and leaving the room I still hear nothing, dead quiet. When I walk into the kitchen I see blood everywhere. Jake and Finn are both laying on the floor with matching bullet holes in their foreheads.
“Nice to see you again baby girl.” I cringe at the words. Turning around I see Avil with a knife to Vin’s neck. Holding it tightly he starts to press in and I see blood spilling from his neck.
“NO!” I scream.
“Jesus wake up Elle!” I hear Vin shout coaxing me awake. I'm shaking all over, just a dream, just a dream. I chant to myself over and over. It doesn't seem to be helping.
“He was here, he killed Jake and Finn. And he was…” I can't even say it.
“Was what?” Avil asks.
“He was slitting your throat, killing you right in front of me.” I sob out. Why is it affecting me so much? I'm crying again.
“Hey.” He says in a harsh voice. “Hey. Look at me.” I do and the look he gives me is one of a determined man. “You see me?” I nod at his question. “See what I look like now? This is from him, all of it. He has tried to kill me twice before and didn't succeed. Once when we were boys and then again when we were men. Only that time he tried a little harder.” Boys? He must know what I'm thinking because he nods. “We grew up together our families were once close. That asshole won't kill me, I won't allow it.” He tells me so sure of himself.
“Please don't because I don't know what I would do without you,” I tell him surprising myself. I must surprise him too because he slightly flinches. “Sorry. I…”
“No don't. You can't count on me, you have to count on yourself. I wont be around much longer.” Ouch. I don't even get to respond because a large gush of liquid comes from between my legs. Oh no. Looking up at Vin I don't even have to say anything because he must feel it soaking the sheets. He gets up and throws the covers away revealing that my water did indeed break. I feel a pain start out slow then like a snake tightens around my stomach turning it rock hard. I let out a groan from the pain.
“We need to get to a hospital Vin,” I whisper to him.
“He is probably watching all of them waiting for you to show up.”
“I don't care right now my baby is going to need a doctor. I haven't had hardly any prenatal care what if something is wrong with him?” he thinks for a moment then leaves the room. I'm panicking too much to even care that he just did that.
“We need to go now.” I hear him say sometime later. He walks in with Finn right behind him.
“How far apart are they?” Finn asks. I tell him five minutes maybe, but constant. It's happening so fast I always thought that the water breaking and the baby flying out was a bunch of bullshit but my baby seems to be proving my wrong.
“Alright we will go, I got people I can trust, they can guard the hospital. Avil wont fucking go near it with Hell’s Riders out front.” I'm into much pain to even really care what he is saying.
“The Riders Finn? We're going to involve them? I don't know man.” Jake says when he comes into the room. “Got the truck ready to go, locked and loaded.”
“Going to have to or he will get to her,” Finn tells Jake. Vin is quiet during their exchange then speaks.
“The mission we are on is to get Avil not to protect her. If he comes for her so be it, we will just have to be there waiting.” I flinch at his harsh words. Finn and Jake start to argue with him about my safety. Swallowing the lump Vin has put in my throat I interrupt their exchange.
“He is right, Avil is who you are after. Drop me off and worry about getting to him.” I choke out after a contraction rips through me. God, they are getting stronger and now I'm angry at Vin for what he just said.
“Fine but I will be calling that backup, we may need some help.” Finn gets the last word before Jake helps me up and out of the room.
Stepping outside I see it's daytime and I shield my eyes from the sun. It's maybe late morning still cool and quiet. There is nothing for miles it seems just flat dry ground and an abandoned barn. Getting into the truck I look back at the house, it's white with green trim, weathered chipped paint, and plywood covered windows. Just a lonely rundown house but still a place I once called safe. Pulling away I get lost in another contraction taking me away from the comfort of the old house.
We ride for what seem like hours but are only minutes until we get to the familiar outskirts of Cental. I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding but do it too soon. A loud crash and glass shattering everywhere knocking the wind right out of me. My world is spinning as the truck rolls over and over more times than I can count before it comes to a stop on its roof leaving us all upside down. I'm still conscious and so is Finn, he is hanging upside down next to me.
“You okay Ells?” he asks in a pained voice.
“I think so.” All over hurts and I can't determine the contractions for injuries I have possibly sustained. Thank god I was thinking enough to put on my seatbelt.
“Hold on I will get you out.” He tries to unbuckle himself but it won't go so he takes out a knife from his back pocket and cuts the belts to get himself loose. He drops to the ground with a thud and groans. That's when we hear a vehicle
pull up to us.
“Stay put and stay quiet.” I try to tell him not to go but he does anyway grabbing an abandoned gun from the ground. His door is no longer attached so it's easy for him to get out the cab of the truck and all I hear is gunshots. In a panic to get to the friend I know just got gunned down I try and get my belt undone. Mine lets loose and I fall to the top of the cab slicing my arm on some broken glass. I still keep feeling the contractions but the adrenaline must be helping with the pain because it isn't as bad at the moment. I try to see if Vin and Jake are still alive but before I can someone is at my door ripping it open and pulling me out. I don't recognize any of the men but they must work for Avil. Suits, all suits. I have more pain shooting down my leg when I stand and see that I have a piece of metal in my thigh and oh god a large stain of blood growing on my abdomen. Shaking I gingerly turn my head to get a better look afraid of what I'm going to find. A large shard of metal is lodged in my stomach. That is all I see before I drop to my knees and fall to the ground. Closing my eyes I hear sirens in the distance and my last thought before I black out is my baby is gone.
To be continued…
There will be more to come for Vin and Ellie. I promise I won’t make you wait forever. If you liked what you just read leave me a review and follow me on Facebook at http://facebook.com/JoyBlood31 to be updated when new releases are available.
Books from Joy Blood
Trio Series
My Anchor (Linn’s Story)
Shane’s story coming soon
Cris’s Story coming soon
The Reckoning Series