by C. Hallman
Copyright © 2021 by C. Hallman
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Hard Times
A Dark Captive Romance
Even before I met them I knew they were trouble.
It was supposed to be a simple prison transfer that ended up anything but.
Hunter and Ryker were two hardened criminals that shouldn’t look as good as they do.
As a police officer it was my job to follow the rules and that meant ignoring whatever feelings these men stirred in me.
I read their files. Ryker likes to torture people to death. So when they kidnap me, I know my fate is sealed.
I’ll do anything to survive, but will it be enough?
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by the Author
1
The moment I woke this morning, I had a bad feeling about this day. A sixth sense, a premonition, or whatever you want to call it. Somehow, I just knew.
“What do you mean we’re going to take your car?”
“I mean what I said. We’re taking my car. How hard is that to understand?” Jeff asks, as if I’m the dumb one.
“We can’t transport the inmates in a civilian car. That’s not safe and completely against regulation.”
“Look, Annie, you’re a rookie. I’ve been a cop since you were in pigtails,” he reminds me, like he does every chance he gets.
“It’s not safe,” I repeat, sneaking a glance at the two inmates standing only a few feet from us.
Their eyes remain glued to me, like they haven’t seen a woman in years. Maybe they haven’t, or at least not this close. They definitely haven’t been in a car with one, and if Jeff gets his way, there will be no separation between me and the inmates.
Cuffs secure their wrists to their belts, with more chains running to their ankles. And that’s the only thing stopping my freak-out.
“The AC is out in the transport van, and I’m not driving three hours in 100-degree weather. We’re taking my car and that’s the end of it. Get them in there. I’m grabbing snacks for the road.” He unlocks the sedan with his key fob and walks away from me.
“Are you serious?” I’m dumbfounded, watching him re-enter the correction facility. Protocol is not to leave me alone with them, ever.
“Come on, Annie. We won’t bite,” Ryker taunts. The smirk on his lips tells me that’s a lie.
“It’s Officer Williams,” I correct, unwilling to show the panic making my palms sweat.
Men like these thrive on fear.
Ryker Hall, thirty-one years old, black hair, brown eyes. He is without doubt more dangerous. Unpredictable, cruel, and a borderline psychopath according to his file.
Even though it’s not required of me, I read both of their files last night. Knowing what to expect is always better. Although, knowing he tortured two people to death is not helping me right now.
His partner in crime, Hunter Lewis, thirty years old, brown hair, green eyes, is not much better. At least not when it comes to the crimes he committed, but he seems to be the calmer one. His file said he was highly intelligent and can be reasoned with. Most important, he won’t attack without being provoked.
“Of course, Sugar.” Ryker winks, and gives me a smile that would wet other girl’s panties… if they didn’t know what he can do.
Sucking in a breath to calm my nerves, I walk over to the two men cuffed to the door. The closer I get, the smaller I feel. I’m five-four, weighing in at 130 lbs., while each of these men are over six feet and probably weigh twice as much as me. Even being in chains, they could easily knock me to the ground, hurt me at the very least.
Don’t show fear. You’re in charge here, I tell myself while gripping the key in my hand so tight it hurts.
Instead of looking at them, I keep my eyes on the chain attached to the door. It’s definitely a mistake, but if I look at their faces right now, I’m really going to freak.
Forcing my hand to stay steady, I unlock the padlock and free the chain from the door.
“Walk ahead of me to that car over there,” I order, giving them my most stern voice.
“Yes, ma’am,” Ryker sneers.
As they walk, I stay a good two feet behind, and follow them to Jeff’s car.
Ryker stops by the back door. “You gonna open it for me, Sugar? I’m a little tied up at the moment.”
I roll my eyes. Even with his hands cuffed to his side, he could bend and open the door with a bit of finesse. Since I’m proving to myself that I’m not scared of them, I lift my chin and walk up to the door.
For a second, I turn my back and reach for the handle to pull it open. Big mistake. When I scurry out of the way so they can get in, I only make it half a foot before Ryker strikes. He moves so damn fast; I have no time to react. Before I can lift my hands to protect myself, I’m pressed against the side of the car.
The total weight of Ryker’s body pushes me to the hot metal of the car. He buries his nose in the crook of my neck and inhales.
“You smell divine, Annie,” he savors my name like he can taste it on his tongue.
An icy shiver runs the length of my spine. Petrified with fear, I want to scream, but the golf ball sized lump in my throat is barely letting me breathe, let alone talk.
“Ryker,” Hunter warns, reminding me he is here too.
With my face pressed against Ryker’s chest, I can feel the deep chuckles at his friend’s warning. He pulls away. Before he releases me completely, he bends and places a chaste kiss on my cheek.
“Thanks, Annie.” He smiles and steps away from me. My knees are so weak; I have to slump against the car for support.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I watch both men climb into the backseat like nothing happened. I take a moment to catch my breath and regain my composure. When I’ve re-grown the bones in my legs, I stand up straight and shut the door.
Just as I get into the passenger seat, Jeff exits the building, hands full of small packs of chips, cookies, and sodas from the vending machine.
As he slides into the driver’s seat, he shakes his head. “I was joking, Annie. I would have helped you get the inmates in the car. Fuck, you got bigger balls than I do, rookie.”
I want to shove the bag of Doritos down his asshole throat.
“Put your gun in the glove box.” Jeff points in front of me, urging me to do as he says, when I hesitate. “Do it. Don’t want them grabbing it from behind you.”
Grinding my teeth together, I take my gun from its holster and place it in the glove compartment. After buckling up, I move my seat to the front until my knees are an inch from the dash.
“Trying to get away from me?” Hunter’s gravelly voice fills the car, sending a wave of goosebumps across my skin.
“Shut up, inmate Lewis, before I taser your ass,” Jeff snaps, turning the key in the ignition.
The engine roars to life, but I feel like my heart is beating so l
oud everyone can hear it. As always when I’m nervous, I fiddle with my bracelet, running the pad of my thumb over the delicate butterfly charm. It’s become a subconscious habit that calms me. We pull out of the parking lot and head toward the outer gate. One of the guards waves us through and opens the heavy metal gate without questions. I’d hoped he would see the inmates in an unauthorized car and stop us, but apparently, I’m the only one who works here that actually gives a shit.
2
Time moves differently when you are somewhere you’d rather not be. We’ve been on the road for two hours, but it feels like two years.
Jeff has already gone through his stash of junk food, which I’m more than glad about. He made a point of chewing with his mouth open, spitting food all over the dash every time he made a dirty joke or an inappropriate comment.
“You know you can get more comfortable, Annie. Relax, lean back your seat a bit and take your uniform blouse off. I don’t mind.” Jeff winks and I suppress the urge to gag.
“I’m good,” I murmur, looking out the window. My back is ramrod straight, barely touching the seat. I’m hyperaware of the men sitting behind me. Men who are criminals. Men who have killed. “Relaxing is the furthest thing from my mind.”
“Suit yourself.” Jeff shrugs. “I guess you like that stick up your ass. Or did you forget to take the butt plug out last night?” He laughs like he just told the funniest joke of the year. Without looking over at him, I know his fat gut is shaking. Fucking creep.
From the side-view mirror, I catch Hunter looking at my reflection. I almost expect him to be laughing it up too, or at least grinning. He does neither. He actually stares at me with kindness in his gaze, almost compassionate. I must be imagining things.
Men like him are not capable of compassion. All they care about is themselves. Their needs.
The trees buzz by us, and I keep my eyes at the window, pretending I’m not here. My bubble of imagination bursts when Jeff switches lanes and takes the exit.
“Where are you going? This is not the way.”
“Calm your tits. Just stopping to take a piss.”
“We’re not supposed to make stops.”
“God, Annie, stop being such a fucking stickler. I just got to take a piss,” Jeff grumbles as he pulls into the rest area parking lot.
As soon as the car is in park, I rip the door open and bolt out. Fuck, I’m so angry. I slam the door shut and glare at Jeff as he gets out with a grin plastered all over his face.
“I’m going to report this,” I tell him, but his smirk just widens.
“You do what you got to do, rookie.” He closes his door and locks the car. “I’ll be back.”
“Unlock the damn car! You didn’t even leave the window open.” It’s over 100 degrees and with the car turned off and windows closed, it’s going to be a sauna in there within minutes.
“They’ll be fine,” Jeff yells before disappearing into the building.
Closing my eyes, I lean against the side of the car and rein in my anger. When I open my eyes a few moments later, I peer into the backseat.
Both Ryker and Hunter are already red in the face. Sweat drips from their foreheads. I know I don’t owe them an apology, but I mouth the word sorry anyway.
Ryker winks at me, while Hunter gives me a tiny smile as if he is trying to tell me it’s okay.
Jeff of course takes his sweet time, returning more than ten minutes later, walking like he has all the time in the world. Fake smiling at me, he unlocks the car. I rip both the back and the front door open, letting the guys breathe in fresh air until Jeff brings himself to turn on the engine.
I’m still livid when I get back into the car. This fucking asshole has nerves. “You do what you got to do, rookie.” His words ring in my ear. I don’t care how many years of experience he has on me. I’ll report his ass.
“After we drop the inmates off, you wanna get some dinner on the way back?” Jeff asks. His casual tone implies the last thirty minutes didn’t happen at all. Is he delusional?
“I’d rather take the bus home,” I say, making Hunter chuckle in the back.
“I don’t think she likes you, pig,” Ryker says.
“What did you call me?” Jeff growls.
“A pig. A nasty, fat, fucking pig,” Ryker says, annunciating every word so there is no doubt what he means.
Jeff turns bright red, and a vein pops out of his forehead.
“I’ll beat the shit out of you when we get there.” His hands white knuckle the steering wheel. “You’ll regret ever opening that mouth of yours, you crazy sick fuck.”
“We’ll see.” Ryker laughs, seemingly not worried at all.
Jesus, I can’t wait for this day to end.
The car falls into an uncomfortable silence. Not that it was comfortable before.
Other than the low rumble of the engine, the only sound filling the cab is the occasional rattling of chains every time one of the guys moves.
The road is pretty empty now, so when I see two black SUVs approaching in the mirror, my alarm bell goes off.
“What the fuck–” Jeff doesn’t even get to finish before Ryker and Hunter move with lightning speed and precision. I don’t know how they got out of their cuffs, but they did.
The last thing I see is the light reflecting on the chain Ryker wraps around Jeff’s throat. Then two powerful arms grab me from behind. One wraps around my neck, the other around my face. Hunter pulls me back, trapping me to the seat with my cheek pressed against the headrest.
I claw at his arms, trying to get him away from me, but his iron grip never loosens.
The crash that follows is so loud, I fear my eardrums burst. Metal bends, tires squeal, glass breaks, and a loud scream fills my ears. Only when I feel the burn in my throat, do I realize the scream is mine.
The car jerks around violently, spinning us over the road, before crashing into what I assume is the guardrail.
If Hunter wasn’t holding my head so tight, I’m sure my skull would have cracked the windshield by now.
We finally skid to a halt, and I’m now clawing into Hunter’s arm for dear life instead of trying to push him away.
For a moment, my mind goes black. Absolutely blank. I don’t move. I don’t think. With my eyes closed and the arms still slung around my face and neck, I stay in the darkness.
It’s the out of place gurgling sound that slingshots me back into reality.
Jeff, Ryker, Hunter, accident…
Shit, Ryker is killing Jeff.
As soon as I struggle against Hunters hold, he tightens his grip.
“Relax,” he whispers into my ear. “You’re gonna be fine.”
Fine? I’m not fine. I’m the furthest away from fine. Anger at his words clears my mind enough to remember the gun in the glove box.
Disoriented, I release his arms and reach ahead of me, trying to find the latch to unlock the compartment. Blindly I feel along the glove box, when both front doors open. Humid air from the outside blows into the car, and I sense and hear people move around us. Instinctively, I pull my arms back and grip Hunter’s forearm.
The sound of gunfire is deafening.
One shot.
Then a second.
3
I’m positive I’m dead. I don’t feel any pain and everything around me is black. I heard two shots. The gun fired close enough for me to feel the small shock wave.
Two shots, one for Jeff and one for me. I have to be dead, that’s the only explanation.
But if I’m dead, how do I feel my heart slamming against my chest?
“Not her,” Ryker’s voice meets my ear, confusing me even more.
“Take her,” Hunter growls close to my ear, right before releasing me. His voice differs from before, harsher and void of emotion. “Tie her up while you’re at it.”
His protective arms disappear and a set of cruel hands replace them, pulling me from the car. My eyes fly open, and I come face to face with an unknown man with dark hair and dark e
yes. A two-inch scar slashes across his right cheek. I take in every detail, just like I’ve learned in the academy. Great, now my training kicks in.
It’s fucking useless now!
The man drags me to a close by SUV. He is smaller and skinnier than Hunter, which gives me a better chance of fighting him off and making a run for it. I glance back over my shoulder at Jeff’s car where Ryker, Hunter, and a third guy search the interior, probably taking my gun and whatever else they find useful.
In a flash, I turn back, twisting my body into a self-defense mode and use the momentum to punch the guy in the kidney. He loses his grip and doubles over. Before I can escape, he grabs me by the neck and slams me onto the hood of the car, knocking the air from my lungs.
He follows up with a punch against the back of my head, and my vision blurs.
“You fucking bitch,” he sneers. Grabbing a fistful of hair, he pulls my head back. I’m positive he is about to smash my face back into the hood.
Bracing for impact, I wait for the pain, but it never comes.
The hand threatening to rip my hair from my scalp releases me, and I slump against the car. Still reeling from the hit to my head, everything around me spins.
“I said tie her up, not knock her out.” Hunter comes up beside us.
“That cunt tried to get away.”
“Get in the car,” Hunter orders, as his friend walks away with a huff. “Come on, Annie. Don’t be difficult.” He grabs my upper arm and pulls me up.
The sudden movement brings on a dizzy spell that about knocks me on my ass, but Hunter keeps me upright, cursing under his breath.
On wobbly legs, I do my best to keep pace with him as he leads me to the SUV where he sits me on the backseat like I’m a small misbehaving child.