He pulls me up by my shoulders, pushes me onto my side and brings his fist down hard across my cheek, making me groan in pain – Bastard!
“That’s enough!” Kane snaps.
I glare up at my attacker, I feel blood swill in my mouth, so I spit it back in his face.
He reaches up to punch me again, but Kane shouts at him to stop. I take a good look at him. His eye is split, and there’s a streak of dried blood that’s run down his cheek. His left cheek is swollen, his ear is split and bleeding and his lip is split too.
And I know, I just know – he’s fought with Tristan.
“Bring her down,” Kane snaps.
Kane stomps across the hallway and heads down the stairs.
I’m instantly pulled to my feet, I quickly kick off my heels, I’ll fight better without them.
He grabs me by the scruff of the neck and drags me along with him.
We head down the stairs, and down into the basement. Kane is in front of me, but too far in front for me to kick him in the back. We bypass the cinema room, then Kane opens the door to the swimming pool, and I’m pushed through.
All the air leaves my lungs when I see him. I feel my heart thud to a stop then begin racing out of control. Tristan is next to the pool. He’s sitting on a chair, his arms and feet are bound to the chair with duct tape, and there’s several free weights taped to his legs. His face is almost unrecognisable; he’s been beaten so badly that he can barely hold his head up, his right eye is so swollen you can't see his eye at all.
There’s a man standing behind him, Tristan must have fought with him too because he has a split lip, a bloody nose, and his right cheek bone looks cracked. It’s really swollen and has blood pouring out of it, and he’s clutching his stomach as though he’s in pain.
I look down at the weights again, then at the swimming pool – And I know, it’s to make him heavier, so he’ll sink to the bottom of the pool – Fuck!
“Tristan!” I gasp. I’m shocked and horrified by what lies before me.
“Coral.” Tristan says, his voice so torn, so ragged, it’s as though he’s being hung drawn and quartered.
He takes a deep breath, wincing as he does. “RUN!” He roars wildly.
Kane laughs at Tristan and takes a seat on the bench by the wall. I hadn’t realised, but he’s dressed smartly in a suit, it’s almost as though this is some sort of business transaction for him, he crosses his legs, and straightens his tie, he looks very relaxed and serene.
Then I notice another man, sitting in the far corner, his arms have been tied behind his back, and he looks as though he’s in pain. The lighting is so dull in here that I struggle to work out who he is, then he leans forward, groaning in pain. The spotlight above him illuminates his face. In that instance I realise it’s Kane’s brother – Dillon.
“Let me go you fucker!” Dillon shouts.
My attacker pushes me further into the room. I’m only a few feet away from Tristan now. I try to struggle free and take a step towards Tristan, but Kane holds his leg up in front of me, effectively blocking me.
“Oh no you don't.” He warns and I’m yanked back again by my hair.
Kane nods to the man behind Tristan. He steps in front of Tristan, brings his fist up and slams it into Tristan’s face.
“NO!” I launch myself towards him, but my attacker wraps his arms around me in a vice like grip.
“Release her.” Kane laughs.
My attacker throws me onto the floor - with my arms behind me, I have no way to protect myself – as I hit the cold tiled floor, I grimace in pain. My shoulder feels like it’s dislocated and my lungs feel like all the air’s been knocked out of them. And as I fell, my head glanced off the corner of the wooden bench, blood starts pouring down my right cheek.
Stuart, where the fuck are you?
“What do you want Kane?” I shout, slightly disorientated.
He smiles widely at me, then leans down towards me. “It would seem your husband has been meddling in other peoples affairs. You should have told him Coral, don't try taking on the devil when you have something to lose.” What the fuck does that mean?
I try to work it out. I frown up at Kane, then I realise he doesn’t mean him. This isn’t Kane’s idea, it’s his father’s, and if it is, where the fuck is he? Tristan starts jumping up and down in the chair, howling with rage as he wildly thrashes about, trying to free himself.
“Finish him off,” Kane spits, gesturing to the man that fought with me to help the other. The two men both stand in front of Tristan, fists raised.
All the air leaves my lungs – No!
“No!” I shout. “Please, I’ll do whatever you want, just don't hurt him anymore, please,” I beg, keeping my eyes locked with Kane’s. He smiles as though this is exactly what he wanted to hear, then he starts to laugh again, and gestures for the two men to back off.
Tristan is still thrashing about, his teeth bared, his one eye wide as he continues to struggle free. “I’m gonna rip your fucking head off,” he growls at Kane.
I look up at Tristan, and subtly shake my head at him, mentally pleading with him to stay calm. I look back at Kane. “Why are you here? What do you want?” I snap.
He bends down in front of me. “A re-enactment.” He smiles, his eyes alight with joy. “That’s what I want, and that’s why the little bro is here.” I look up at Dillon, he has his eyes closed, his head hung low – He has no part in this. I wonder if he will do what his brother wants?
“As for the why...” He cocks his head to the side as though I should know.
I frown up at him, then glance at Tristan.
“Oh!” Kane laughs. “You don't know, do you?” He looks from me to Tristan, then back again.
“What do you mean?” I snap, trying to get my head round it.
Kane laughs again. “Shall I tell her Tristan?” He says turning to look at him.
“Get away from her!” Tristan growls, which makes Kane laugh again, he’s enjoying this.
He turns and smiles widely at me. “My Dad told me all about bumping into you again, as you can imagine, I was intrigued to know more, after all it’s been a good couple of years hasn’t it.” Kane stops and looks across at Tristan, who starts howling in rage again – Tristan, please calm down!
“You see Coral, turns out Daddy made one too many mistakes, trusted people he shouldn’t have trusted. Apparently, they’ve been investigating him for a couple of years now. They have a couple of witnesses, who of course won't testify, not if they value their families lives, but unfortunately, because of your dear husband here, and the very inquisitive Detective Annie Marsh, they have him on fraud and embezzlement charges, again! So, they have shut down all his companies, frozen his shares and there’s forensic accountants going through all the books as we speak.” I look up at Tristan, he hangs his head in shame – Oh Tristan, what have you done!
I blink back the tears, he lied to me, he promised he wouldn’t do anything about this. And now he has, look what’s happened. I stare down at the floor, I don't believe this!
Kane continues. “So, I thought, before I have to disappear for good, and because this was also a personal request from my father, that we’d all have a little fun.” I swallow hard. “Release her,” Kane snaps. I feel the bindings on my wrists being cut away.
It’s my chance to run to Tristan, but I know it won't do any good. So I just stay where I am, on the cold floor just biding my time. Where the fuck are you Stuart?
Just as I think that, Stuart comes waltzing into the room. Tristan instantly stops struggling, and we both stare, wide eyed and opened mouthed and Stuart.
Why isn’t he doing something? – I don't understand?
“Ah, yes. I suppose you want paying,” Kane says to Stuart, who nods once in return.
“YOU!” I bellow. I look across at Tristan, he’s in complete shock, I don't think he can believe it. Stuart glances at Tristan, then looks down at me, his eyes showing no remorse.
“Money ta
lks.” He simply says. I instantly realise that’s how they got in, why the alarms haven’t gone off and why they have got to Tristan and I so easily – He led them to us!
I don't even think about it, I launch to my feet to attack him. I go for a gut punch, but Stuart smacks my arm away, grabs me by the throat and slams me up against the wall. He’s so much stronger than I am.
“For once in your life, why don't you shut the fuck up.” He squeezes my throat tighter, crushing my wind pipe. “Always whining.” He adds, his jaw clenching.
“Let her go.” Kane snaps. Stuart releases me and I fall to the floor, choking and gasping for air. How the fuck didn’t I see this? Stuart of all people, Stuart!
Kane hands Stuart a black briefcase, and reaches his hand out to shake. Stuart hesitates, then reaches forward and takes Kane’s hand.
“Disappear.” Kane tells him.
“I have every intention of doing just that,” he says.
“Mother Fucker!” Tristan roars, trying to free himself again. “I trusted you...I trusted you!” He yells, still trying to free himself.
Stuart winces slightly as he glances at Tristan, then turns and stalks out of the room
I shake my head in denial - This is not happening!It’s all a dream, a very bad dream. I start to really panic now, with Stuart gone...what the fuck are we meant to do? I shake my head in disbelief. That did not just happen...this is just a bad dream...a very vivid, frightening dream...
“Now where were we?” Kane says, smiling cynically as he looks from me to Tristan. Then he opens his suit jacket and pulls out a gun. It’s a big black gun, like Mel Gibson uses in Lethal Weapon – I instantly stop breathing.
Kane smiles, loads the gun, clicks what I think is the safety and points it at Tristan.
“NO!” I scream in panic, my hands held up. “Not him, please...please. Kane!” He turns and looks down at me. “If you want to kill someone, kill me, not him. I’m begging you...” I cry out.
“NO CORAL!” Tristan roars again, still thrashing wildly.
I cannot allow Tristan to die, no way, not ever – I try to think of something to do, something to get us out of this!
Kane laughs again. “How very brave of you Coral, to want to give your life up for another’s? Hmm...I wonder?” He points the gun at my head. “Eenie.” He turns and points it at Tristan. “Meenie.” Then back to me – Bastard is toying with us. “Minie.” Back to Tristan. “Mo.” Finishing with me.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “Tristan I love you.” I shout out, and stay still, waiting for the inevitable to happen, but nothing does happen, so I look up at Kane.
He is laughing again, enjoying his game. “Just playing, that part won't happen yet. I have plans for you,” he says and kneels down in front of me.
He reaches forward, making me flinch, and runs his finger down my cheek. I want to slap it away, but I don't know what he’ll do if I enrage him. His finger touching me turns my stomach, making me want to gag. I fight back against the bile rising into my throat.
My whole body starts to shake with rage. I want to kill him, I want him dead.
I grit my teeth. “Just get on with it,” I snap. Not wanting to know what he’s going to do, or what his plans are. If they are what I think they are, I will just disappear, blank it out like I did as a child. Either way, it doesn’t matter, because I am reconciled with my fate.
My life for Tristan’s, always.
“Something to remember you by,” he adds, then looks to the two men next to Tristan. “Go get the kit,” he says with a jerk of his head. Kit?
I watch the two men leave the room. Kane walks over to Dillon and unties his arms. “Time to do your part Bro’ you should enjoy this, just like old times.”
My stomach turns again.
Kane yanks Dillon forward until he’s stood at Tristan’s side, and keeping hold of his arm, Kane looks down at me, smiling widely.
“You do remember, don't you Coral, what we all did together as kids? I want to see that again, I want to see him’- he jabs his finger at Dillon- ‘Fuck you all over again, we just need the camera’s. This room will make for an excellent scene, don't you think?”
Dillon hangs his head, he looks like he may throw up. I think I’m going to throw up too. I stare down at the floor, blinking in horror.
Tristan is thrashing about again, if he doesn’t stay still he’s going to topple over in the chair, and he’s so close to the water...and I won't be able to save him.
“Keep still,” I shout at Tristan. He stills, but he’s breathing so heavily, so deeply. He grits his teeth, squeezes his eyes shut and screams out, almost like he’s howling in rage.
Kane continues. “So, we’re going to make a nice little porno, and then we’re going to do something else. You see, sex sells Coral as I’m sure you are aware of, but nowadays it’s nowhere near as lucrative as snuff movies, and this is good practice for me. You see, I’ll be taking over the family business when I disappear.” Snuff movies?
I glare up at Kane, I try not to let him see it, see that his words have affected me, but I can't help it. My heart is going like the clappers, so I‘m breathing like I’ve been running up a hill, literally gasping for air.
I suddenly realise, I don't want to die, not like this. I want to die an old woman in my bed, safely wrapped up in Tristan’s arms.
I stare down at the floor again...shaking my head in disbelief.
This is about to happen, I’m probably going to be gang raped, then have a bullet put through my head – unless they decide to torture me first.
I swallow back more bile.
“Now, you’re not going to disappoint me, are you Coral?” I swallow hard, and try to concentrate, but my head feels so woozy. Tristan is still howling with rage. I glance up at him then look across at Kane. “Answer me!” Kane snaps.
“I’ll do whatever you want,” I croak, feeling utterly defeated. Maybe, if I do, they’ll let Tristan go, but somehow I doubt that – Tristan, why did you investigate, why!
“Oh I know you will,” Kane says, his voice dark and menacing. He releases Dillon, bends down in front of me, and reaching forward he cups my chin in his fingers. His touch makes me gag, but I try my best to keep very still, and keep him focused on me, because Dillon has silently bent down behind Kane and has picked up the iron barbell that held the weights on Tristan’s legs – this maybe our only chance.
“Can I ask you something?” I ask as timidly as I can, blinking up at Kane – I’m just giving Dillon more time, so he can position himself correctly.
“What?” Kane asks, cocking his head to the side. Right at the moment, Dillon whacks the barbell across Kane’s head.
He groans in pain, then his eyes roll into the back of his head, his body going limp –He almost falls on top of me as he hits the floor, but I manage so slide out of the way.
I watch as he crumples to the floor, the gun falls from his hand and goes skidding across the floor. I look down at him, he’s lying face down, blood oozing out of his head.
I think he’s dead. I look up at Dillon. What’s he going to do?
“I won't hurt you,” he says and lunges for the gun.
“Get the door!” Tristan shouts.
I launch to my feet, run over to the door, slam it shut and lock it.Hoping that will keep the other men from getting to us – unless they have guns too?
I run back over to Tristan, trying to free him. Dillon has the gun pointing at Kane, it’s shaking rapidly in his hand, he begins to cry out in rage.
“You bastard, you mother fucker...” He shouts, bouncing up and down, jabbing the gun at Kane.
“I think he’s dead,” I tell him. “Dillon?” I shout.
He doesn’t look at me or answer me. Shit!
I run back over to Kane, reach down and check for a pulse – nothing. I turn back around my hands held up and look Dillon square in the eye.
“Dillon, he can't hurt you anymore, he’s dead, ok, he’s dead.” Tears pool in Dillon’s eyes,
the gun continues to shake in his hands. “It’s ok,” I tell him. “It’s ok.”
A deafening bang makes me crouch down and cover my ears. I spin around and see a hole in the door handle. Fuck there getting in – Tristan!
I run back over to him, trying to free him, but I can't rip the tape of him.
“Coral, go!” He shouts.
“No!” I growl back. I hear police sirens in the distance. Please be coming to us! Another loud bang goes off, and the two men burst through the door – I don't have time to think about it, I just do it.
“Breathe!” I scream to Tristan, then push him into the pool and launch myself in with him. I wrap myself around him and we quickly sink to the bottom of the pool. I hear more muffled bangs going off above me, but I keep my eyes locked on Tristan’s one good eye.
I give him the ok sign and he nods. If there’s one thing Tristan and I can do well it’s hold our breath longer than the average person, one of the many advantages of being a good swimmer.
And right now, I thank god that we are!
I hear shouting, and what I think is fighting going on above us. Then I see an arm, a very bloody arm fall against the edge of the pool, and slip into the water. The blood instantly mingles with the water, turning it red, and I know from that arm that it’s Dillon – God, please let him survive this!
It suddenly goes deathly quiet above us. I look at Tristan and then at his legs, I need to get him out of this now! I give him the thumb up, letting him know I’m going up to the surface.
He frowns and shakes his head at me, I widen my eyes as if to say we don't have another choice. Jesus, he’s arguing with me now?
He’s going to run out of air soon and I can't drag him up, he’s too heavy, not with all this weight strapped to him – Fuck!
I frown at him and thumb up again. His eyes close in resignation, then he nods once. I have no idea what’s going on, or who’s up there, so I’m going to have to be as quiet as I can.
I lean towards him, kiss him hard on the forehead, then swim to the edge of the pool. I slowly come up to the surface, blowing all the air out of my lungs as I do.
When my face breaks through the surface of the water, I take a silent, deep breath in, just in case I need it. Then I silently pull myself up so I can scan the room.
Darkest Fears Trilogy: Fallen For Him / Freed By Him / Forever With Him Page 143