by Capps, Bonny
My father extends a hand to Gabe, “We finally meet, Gabe.”
Gabe’s lips curl up into a smile, “Tony.” I can see their knuckles turn white as they shake hands. Each having clamped down jaws, I wonder if they’re about to lunge at each other.
“The reservations have been set at the One & Only Pamilla. I have taken care of the expenses, of course.” My father responds. They finally release their vice grip on each other’s hands and Gabe sinks back into the leather.
“You’ll be joining us for dinner, I presume?” Gabe asks nonchalantly.
“Yes, I will. It has been set for 7 sharp. I do hope that is okay.” My father responds before looking towards me, “Amelia, has Gabe explained to you what is going on? Why we are all here?”
I glare at him, “Yes, father. He’s explained everything.”
He blinks at the sound of my voice. I am epically pissed and it’s evident in my hate filled tone.
My father nods haltingly as he whispers, “Has he been treating you alright?”
“Now, now Tony. Look at her. Does she look to have been mistreated?” Gabe answers before I have a chance to.
My gaze shifts to him, “No. I guess you’re correct my love. I GUESS that unseen bruises and scars do not count as mistreatment.” I pause and lock eyes with my father, “I guess the fact that I have not a CHOICE in my life would not be construed as mistreatment. I’m assuming that you would both agree that MY TREATMENT DOES NOT MATTER IN THE LEAST BIT.” My chest is heaving and I feel the blood rising to my face as I manage to calm myself and continue, “My treatment doesn’t matter. It evidently never has. Don’t worry about me. I assure you, I. Am. Fine.”
Gabe pulls his arm from behind me and claps loudly in my ear, causing me to jump.
“Great! I’m happy that we have that all cleared up!” He says cheerily and my eyes shift back to the screen once more.
I’ll play their game. I will sit here like a good girl. I’ll plaster a smile on my face when the cameras are flashing, because I will survive this. I will ensure that my mother and grandmother do as well.
It’s the silent ones that you have to watch out for, because they are ticking bombs waiting to be ignited.
I sit across from my father at the lavishly decorated table. It has been set up under a villa. The crashing waves catch the moonlight as they beat against the jagged rocks below. The light of the candle in the center of the table causes the white, satin tablecloth to glow. Beautiful purple and pink flowers surround the table.
The sun sinks right along with my heart. How much maltreatment does one take before they break? I’m not sure. I will not though. Every time that I look at my father I am clouded with memories. Memories that most girls would only dream of. He was always my hero – the provider for our family – an amazing father. Now, he’s a bendable man muddied by the influence of my captor - the man that stole his only child.
I know he’s sad. I know he has a handful of regrets because of this misfortune. But what has he done? Has he made an attempt to fix this? No. He sacrificed me. He gave me to a monster.
Once the limo stopped, the two men got out ahead of me. Gabe whispered threats regarding my mother and grandmother in my ear once more, ensuring that he ignites enough fear in me to play my part, and it worked. I saw flashes from the cameras as I slid across the smooth leather, wincing from the fresh welts on my ass. I plastered a smile on my face before I was visible, and once I emerged, I wrapped an arm around both my father and Gabe as they stood on each side of me. My smile never faltered – not once. Why? Because my father trained me to be a puppet, to smile regardless of the circumstances. No-matter how sad, angry or hormonal I was. I always played the part. Even now.
“Amelia, your mother and grandmother will be flying in tomorrow.” My father murmurs, and my eyes snap to his.
I’m not sure what to feel when I respond, fear or excitement? It’s hard not to be apprehensive about Gabe being anywhere near them, he’s only threatened to kill them in a horrific manner a handful times.
“Why?” I whisper as I look from him to Gabe.
A charming smile sweeps across Gabe’s face, “Well, for the big announcement.”
I raise an eyebrow as I try and contemplate what this “big announcement” could be.
“Gabe, you have yet to enlighten me of what this announcement is.” My father says, his voice tinged with warning.
They lock eyes as Gabe responds, “I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise.”
My father’s face flushes as he balls his fists, causing his knuckles to turn white. Seconds feel like minutes before he finally responds, “Well, I can’t wait.”
My gaze falls to my plate of barely eaten salad. I can’t imagine this announcement is a good thing. Generally, Gabe’s surprises are terrifying and cruel.
We finish our meal in silence and Gabe stands, moving behind me and scooting my chair out for me.
“Well, Tony. I’m afraid that we must retire. Big day tomorrow.”
I can hear my father growl as he also stands, “Let me have a word with my daughter. Alone.”
Gabe helps me from my seat and tilts his head to the side as his eyes burn holes into my father, “As you wish.” He pauses and looks down at me, “I’ll be right over there, eagerly awaiting you to accompany me back to our room.”
I nod as Gabe saunters into the darkness.
The air suddenly feels restricted as we’re left alone. I don’t want to speak to him.
We stand in silence for a while before I find my voice.
“You had the journalist killed. Mark Tipton. You had said what a shame it was that he had up and left his wife and child.” My eyes snap to his while I await a response.
“If I didn’t do the things that I did, Amelia, you would have never known privilege.” He says in his defense.
A laugh escapes my lips, “Ah! Privilege. You did this all for me. Right? You did this, so I could be abducted by a killer? You did this so I could have my life stolen from me?”
He takes quick steps towards me before grasping my shoulders, “Amelia, I will fix it.”
I scoff, “Oh? How do you intend on doing that?”
A somber look overcomes his face as he slowly shakes his head.
I wiggle out of his grasp, “I hate you. I fucking hate you!”
“Amelia, calm down. We can’t afford the attention!”
Calm down? Oh, fuck him. I rear back and slap the shit out of him. I can’t hit Gabe, but I sure as hell will hit him, this sorry excuse of a man. He reaches up shakily to touch his cheek, a look of disbelief taking over his features.
“I will act like an angel when I’m in front of those cameras, and I will do that for mom and grandma, but do not speak to me otherwise.” I grit out before turning heal and following behind the path that Gabe took earlier.
My breath catches in my throat when I’m forcefully shoved against the rough, stucco wall. Gabe’s eyes are dilated as he brushes his nose against mine, his breath invading my lips.
“You should listen to daddy, Amelia. We cannot afford the attention, and if you continue to act like a brat, I will start picking off the ones that you love, starting with him.” Gabe grits out.
I sneer at him, “Go ahead and kill him. I hate him almost as much as I hate you.”
Gabe snickers as he runs his hand down my side and cups my ass, “Let’s go for a walk.”
He backs away and grasps my hand, pulling me behind him.
Chapter Twenty-Five: Gabe
THE WAVES CRASH IN THE DISTANCE and the salt lingers in the air; resembling the sweat that’s collected above my brow. I feel the wet sand between my toes as I contemplate how I’m going to execute this. What I’m about to do is completely out of character for me, I assume that fact makes me more nervous than the actual act.
“Amelia, I am going to ask you something, but it is not actually a question.”
I stop in my tracks and turn her to face me. It’s just us here. The night’s sky is
heavy, sprinkled in stars. The moon peeks over the ocean. It’s actually perfect for the occasion.
Amelia narrows her eyes at me as I reach into my pocket. Her long, brown hair tickles her face as the breeze captures the strands along with the fabric of her dress.
Like I said, I don’t love her. My heart and soul cannot even begin to define love. Obsession perpetuates my feelings for her. It will not die. Normalcy beckons me. Yes. I’ve longed for normalcy since my lungs expanded with my first breath. She can give me that, and I’m not the type to ask for what I want. I take what I want.
For better or for worse, until death do us part.
She gasps and shakes her head as I drop to my knee. Her eyes fill with tears; however, they are not brought on by happiness. I can assure you of that. I’m not the prince little girls dream of. I’m the monster that lives in their nightmares.
“Amelia Bellarose,” I say, “Be my wife, my partner in crime. Stay by my side, and I will let them all live. Do not leave me, and I will not drive a knife into your throat. Do not look at another man, or dare to fall in love with another, because I will kill him as well. Your eyes are never to wander. Your desires belong to me, and only me. Give me your body, your heart, your soul. I cannot promise the same. My heart is vacant, but yours is capable of loving me, and only me. You will become my wife tomorrow. Tomorrow will seal your fate, a life with me. Death is your only salvation.”
I slip the solitaire diamond onto her finger, it catches the moonlight perfectly. She looks down at her spread fingers, the heavy diamond reflecting in her eyes.
Her gaze slowly travels back to mine as her hand drops to her side. I stand and fist her hair before pulling her mouth to mine - my tongue invades her mouth as hers reluctantly tangles with my own.
She pulls away and her brown eyes implore mine as her chest heaves slightly, “What does it mean? If I marry you, will you continue to treat me as a slave? As an object?”
Well, I’m surprised that she’s not beating on my chest in defiance, but I’ll go with it.
I smile as I circle my thumb over her cheek, “There aren’t any “ifs” in this scenario, Amelia.” I pause as I watch a stray tear bleed over her cheek, scathing her skin’s natural smoothness, “But, I will try. For you, I will do that, I’m not a good man, I never claimed to be. I’ve never been perplexed by a human before alive or dead, you, however have captured my interest.”
“Am I supposed to consider myself lucky?” She snaps.
I sigh as I pull her closer, “No, you’re not. You’ve got to be the most unlucky person I’ve ever met, even more so than Mr. Jackson or Mrs. Brooks. I want you. I want every inch of you.”
My fingers begin the spidery movements of lifting the thin material of her dress inch by inch, exposing her rounded hips. I grip her ass and lift her as she wraps her legs around my waist. She sighs as I grind my clothed erection against her core. Her eyes are clouded with lust as my hand works its way over the curve of her ass and dip into her wet, wanting pussy. That’s mine. I claimed it. I was her first, and I will be her last.
I put my flag there, and I will destroy any other man that tries to cross over onto my territory.
“I’m going to fuck you now, Amelia.” I growl into her ear as I drop to my knees with her trembling, wonton body wrapped around me. I lay her down on the moist sand, her hair fans around her like a halo. She’s the angel that could potentially shine light on my black heart. It’s doubtful, but possible. I’m selfish, taking what I could not otherwise have.
I glide my fingers through her glistening folds, causing her naked thighs to shiver.
I free my cock and lean over her, whispering into her ear, “Tell me you love me, Amelia.” She cries out as I thrust into her, but she’s not following orders.
“Tell. Me.” I growl as I thrust deep into her.
“I love you.” She whimpers.
I smirk as I drive my dick into her. Her walls clench around me, summoning my release, my want to coat her core with my seed.
Of course, I can’t respond to her declaration; if I did, I’d be lying.
Chapter Twenty-Six: Amelia
I WATCH THE BEACHGOERS as they enjoy the day’s festivities, normal people enjoying a normal vacation. Sitting under their white umbrellas; some reading, some cuddling, some watching their children play.
Here I am, wearing a white, breezy tunic top with some white cargo shorts, an eighteen year old girl – now engaged – to a handsome, green eyed murderer. A murderer - who, might I add - I cannot deny. A murderer who awakens the demons in my soul. Yeah, I like fucking him. I won’t deny it. Why would I? The way his hands caress me, the way his length stretches me. The way he fucks me with abandon as his muscles ripple above me. He’s a bad man, but he ignites a fire in me.
Did I sign up to be stolen? No. Did I volunteer to be handed over to Gabe? No. There is one choice that I have, and that choice is to fuck him and enjoy it. It helps me escape the horror that has become my life. My monster becomes my lover during those moments. Gabe will not take that from me. He may have taken everything else, but that one thing is the only decision that I have anymore, and I will not deny myself the pleasure that he can offer.
Just as he’s incapable of loving me, I’m also incapable of loving him. I’m not incapable of lusting after him, though. We’re more alike than he thinks. If he thinks I’ll ever love him, he’s got another thing coming. It’s only a matter of time before his ego gets a sucker punch.
The contempt that I have for him is unimaginable, and words cannot even begin to express how I love to hate him. It’s a fine line between love and hate, and I never quite understood it like I do now. The passion associated with hating someone is the equivalent of loving someone. It courses through your veins, and it becomes part of you. I may have never had a man before him, but I’m pretty sure that hate sex is the best sex. I’ll have to find out if that’s true when I get the hell out of this mess.
Gabe is typing away at his laptop. Doing ‘his job’ I suppose. His fucked up, insane job that entails ripping flesh apart. I shiver when I think of his victims. What I was forced to watch has been planted in my memory, never to be unseen.
I hear a light knock and look over my shoulder. He presses his index fingers into the corners of his mouth and offers a saccharine smile, reminding me to play the part of a soon to be bride.
Don’t worry, fiancé - I won’t fuck up your royal highnesses plans. Oh ruler of everything that is terrible.
He pads his way to the door and my mother comes bounding through the second that the knob turns.
“Amelia, where on earth have you been? We’ve been worried sick, darling!” She exclaims as she wraps her arms around me, nearly knocking me over.
My grandmother stands in the doorway, her eyes locked onto Gabe. I want to scream at them, “I’ve been taken, father allowed it! Help!”
But, I can’t. It’s imperative that I play this part. I’ve got to keep them safe. I rub circles over her thin back with my palms as I offer my grandmother a bright smile, “I’m sorry, mother. I am. I just thought that you wouldn’t approve.”
My grandmother’s eyes snap to Gabe once more, as she looks him up and down. My grandmother is intuitive, so she’ll be hard to convince. My mother on the other hand…
“Wouldn’t approve?” She says, sounding exasperated as she pulls away and grips my shoulders, “The way your father goes on about this Gabe, it sounds as if you’ve found a rare… expensive… diamond.” Her eyes snap to the direction of Gabe before meeting mine once more, “And, he is rather handsome.” She murmurs as she turns and slinks over to him.
“Gabe, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things, and it is no surprise that you’ve managed to steal our Amelia’s heart.” She states as she reaches out to shake his hand, “My name is Emilie Bellerose. I’m Amelia’s mother, and this is her Grandmother June.”
I scoff inwardly. Steal is definitely the appropriate word.
“The p
leasure is mine.” Gabe says as he puts on the charm, leaning down and kissing the thinning skin on top of her frail hand, and he is good at it too, my mother is practically swooning.
He turns to my Grandmother June, “June, you certainly do not look a day over thirty.” My grandmother doesn’t buy it as she shoves her way past him and grips my shoulders, “Amelia, my dear, you practically scared me to death. Are you alright, sweetheart? This isn’t like you.”
I smile weakly as I look into her brown eyes. She was my escape when I was younger, but no longer. If I dared to use her as an escape now, the result would be her death. I won’t do it.
“I’m fine, grandmother. I’m so happy to see you again.” She nods haltingly as she looks over at Gabe then back towards me. She leans in and whispers, “You just tell me when. I’m packing my 9.”
I laugh. My grandmother is my mother’s mother. She was raised in the country, and my mother was as well. My father was a man of wealth, and when he and my mother married, mom changed for the worst. Grandma June is certainly no bullshit, so I know she’s not lying about ‘her 9 that she’s packing’.
“I love you.” I whisper as she places a withered hand on my cheek. “And I you.” She responds before placing a kiss on my forehead.
Lunch is a freak show. Well, maybe not looking like one in the physical sense, but beneath the bubbling surface, it is.
My father sits at one end of the table and Gabe at the other. Grandma June has not touched her food, but she has taken full advantage of the booze that the waiter is steadily serving her. It still doesn’t settle her dagger eyes, it just offers a soft haze over them.
Father, on the other hand is digging in, his eyes not leaving his plate. Mother has her hand on Gabe’s as she unapologetically flirts.
Here I am, watching it all play out as I poke at the untouched prawns and risotto on my plate with my head rested on my palm as my elbow props me up.
“Amelia! Sit up!” My father barks as he nods in the direction of the paparazzi down below, perched in the sand. I offer a fake smile as they snap a few shots before they’re finally done. People stood behind them on the beach, shading their eyes as the cameras flashed. Wondering what they could possibly be capturing. I’m used to the gawking. I’ve practically lived in a fishbowl my entire life.