Hard Times: A Dark Captive Romance

by C. Hallman

  Still disoriented, I don’t even know where he pulls the cable ties from, only that in the next instant they are around my wrists.

  “Lie back.” He gently shoves at my shoulders and I do as he asks, partly because I’ll lose fighting him, and partly because I really want to lie down.

  He removes my shoes and binds my ankles together, before adjusting my body, so I’m spread out across the back-seat row.

  The door on the opposite side opens, and I squint my eyes against the sunlight filtering in until Hunter’s large body blocks it. He lifts my head and climbs into the seat, cradling my head on his lap.

  “Hey, sugar,” Ryker greets as he slides into the other side, lifting my calves onto his lap.

  Another guy gets into the driver’s seat and starts the car. As we pull away from the crash site, I notice the front passenger seat is empty. I can’t help but wonder why Ryker or Hunter didn’t take that seat? Is there a reason they’d rather ride cramped in the back with me?

  The thought is still coursing through my mind when Ryker grabs hold of my sock clad feet and massages the heels. Hunter swipes some loose hairs from my forehead.

  I shudder at their touch, scared of what’s coming. I’m not stupid. They’ve been incarcerated for years and men have urges, after all.

  Hunter removes the clip holding my bun in place, and my hair falls down freely against his legs. He runs his fingers through the long brown strands while Ryker continues stroking my feet.

  If I wasn’t being kidnapped by a group of criminals, I would thoroughly enjoy this.

  Hunters fingers against my scalp feel amazing, and the way Ryker is running his hand up my calf now has my muscles relaxing.

  “Fuck her already so we can dump her body halfway home.”

  I can feel the blood drain from my face as panic sets in. I look up at Hunter’s face, only seeing the outline of his sharp jaw at this angle. Turning to Ryker, I find him staring directly at me. His hands haven’t stopped moving, his touch is so gentle, but his glare is anything but. He looks unhinged, like he is on the edge of losing it, and that scares me more than I can explain.

  “She is coming home with us,” Hunter tells the guy up front, without sparing me a glance.

  “You sure? She is big trouble, man. Not worth it. I can get you a girl to fuck. Let’s dump her into the river we’re about to pass.”

  My entire body shakes. They’re going to kill me. They killed Jeff, and now it’s my turn. I’m as good as dead.

  Ryker leans forward, pulling a gun from his waistband. He shoves the barrel against the head of the guy driving.

  “He said, we’re taking her home. Are you deaf, Link?”

  I’m about to pee my pants from fear, and I’m not even the one with the gun against the side of my head. The guy who’s name is Link, only chuckles.

  “As crazy as ever. Fuck. Ryk, I missed your stupid ass. Now get that thing out of my face before I stomp your guts out.” He swats away the gun, like it’s an annoying bug. “Keep your pet, but if she becomes an issue, I’ll put her down myself.”

  Hunter runs his hand over my forehead. “She’ll behave. Won’t you, Annie?”

  I nod my head, not able to form words at the moment.

  “Why don’t you close your eyes, sugar,” Ryker coos, “Relax. Take a little nap. It’s been a long day.”

  I’m fairly certain he only wants me to close my eyes so I won’t be able to see where we are going. Regardless of his intentions, I let my eyes fall shut. My head is pounding, and the light is making it worse.

  “My head hurts,” I whine, not sure why I even said it or if anyone heard me. If they did, no one cares. Why would they if they’re going to kill me anyway?

  With my eyes closed and their fingers massaging me lightly, it’s hard to stay awake. I try as long as I can, but I lose the battle.

  The only hope I have is that I get a chance to wake up.

  4

  I’m faintly aware of being moved. A set of muscular arms lifts my body into the air. Voices fade in and out around me, too low to understand what they are saying. I’m trapped somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, and something tells me that’s where I want to stay. I don’t want to wake up, but all too soon, that’s exactly what I do.

  There is a distinct pressure behind my eyes and a pain in the back of my head. Lifting my hand to touch the spot, I realize that I’m still tied up.

  Groaning in pain, I blink my eyes open and take in the ceiling of an unfamiliar room.

  “Welcome back, Annie.”

  I turn my head to the sound of the voice. Hunter is standing a few feet away from the bed I’m on. My mouth goes dry. Other than the black boxer shorts he is wearing, he is completely naked. His brown hair is wet, making it look darker than before.

  He moves towards me with more grace that should be possible for a large man like him. I watch his well-defined muscles flex with every move he makes. Taking a seat at the edge of the bed, he grabs something from the nightstand and holds it in front of my face.

  “Open up.”

  “What is that?” I croak, my throat dryer than a desert.

  “Advil.”

  My mom always told me I’m way too trusting. Don’t believe everything someone tells you. I can basically hear her voice in my head. Still, I open my mouth and let him drop the pills inside.

  Grabbing a glass from the table with one hand, he slides his other arm under my shoulder and lifts me up slightly. The clean, manly smell of him invades my senses.

  Eagerly, I gulp down the entire glass of water he holds to my lips. While I drink, my eyes drift to his chest, taking in every tattoo covering his skin.

  “Where are we?”

  “Somewhere safe and secure… and very secluded. So if you think about screaming, go ahead. No one will hear you,” he says all matter of fact as he lowers me back to the bed.

  The windowless walls are bare concrete, leaving no doubt he is telling the truth. We must be somewhere underground, a basement perhaps.

  “Look who is awake,” Ryker’s voice startles me.

  I turn my head so I can see him approach. By the looks of it, he also just stepped out of a shower. Water droplets cling to his body, covered only by a thin gray towel around his waist.

  As if he could hear my thought, he reaches for the towel and undoes it, letting it fall to the ground. My eyes widen as I take in his naked form. His thick cock is already half hard, and the earlier panic rises back to the top.

  Averting my vision, I look up to the celling.

  The bed dips on both sides and my body goes rigid. Both Hunter and Ryker come into view, hovering over me like I’m their last meal.

  “We will not hurt you,” Hunter tells me, and I hope that’s true. In his mind, he probably doesn’t view this as hurting me. That’s the thing about criminals. Their twisted brain tells them things are not that bad. They are masters at downplaying the situation and making excuses.

  “You’re just gonna rape me and then let me go?”

  “Rape is such an ugly word… and it doesn’t have to be like that,” Ryker coos.

  “How do you think this is going to happen then?” My voice is trembling, but it’s only partly out of fear. Mostly, I’m mad, mad at myself for being so weak, for letting this happen.

  “We can make it good for you,” Hunter promises.

  “Very good, in fact,” Ryker chimes in.

  “And what about after?” I ask, knowing damn well, there is no after. There is no chance in hell I’m getting out of here.

  “Let’s not worry about what happens tomorrow,” Hunter tells me, reaching for my belt.

  As he unbuckles my pants, Ryker grabs my wrist. Only then do I realize he is holding a knife. Before I have the chance to freak out, he cuts the cable ties, freeing my hands.

  After he does the same to the ones around my ankles, he throws the knife across the room and unbuttons my blouse.

  While they undress me, I close my eyes and let escape options run
through my mind. It doesn’t look good. There are two of them and one of me, and they are bigger and stronger. We are somewhere underground, and I do not know how to get out. I could fight them, but it would be hopeless. I would probably hurt myself more than I hurt them. I’m pretty sure the end result will be the same. Me dead.

  Ryker finishes with the buttons and opens my blouse slowly, pushing it away from my shoulders. His thumbs skim along my collarbone, gentle as a feather. I want to melt into his touch; I want to forget where I am and concentrate on this pleasure, but I can’t. My body is stiff, unable to let go.

  “Just relax, Sugar. Let us make you feel good. Can you do that, Annie? Can you relax for us?” Ryker asks, his voice low and oddly calming.

  “I don’t know,” I tell them honestly.

  “We told you, we don’t want to hurt you,” Hunter says, as he runs his warm hands up and down my legs.

  I’m wearing a thin white camisole which is pretty see through. Suddenly, I’m self-conscious about my underwear because I’m wearing a plain white bra and cotton panties. I shake my head at the ludicrous thought. Who cares what I’m wearing?

  As if he has all the time in the world, Hunter pulls my pants down my legs. Then he dips his fingers into my panties and goes through the same motion, leaving me bare from the waist down. My tank top and bra are next.

  When I’m completely naked, both of them groan.

  I have to admit I am surprised by their restraint. I figured they would rip my clothes off by now, forcing themselves into my body whether or not I want it. Instead, they are going slow, their movements calculated but placid.

  Keeping my arms next to me on the mattress, I do my best to relax. I try to forget tomorrow and concentrate on right now. This is not so bad; I attempt to convince myself. They are not hurting me right now with their gentle touch.

  I can pretend this is just a date… we’ve met at a bar earlier and they seduced me to come home with them. We’re gonna have sex and then one of them will drive me home…

  Warm hands cover my breasts and knead them softly. A moment later a tongue licks over my skin, then a mouth covers one of my nipples. A zing of pleasure shoots through my body and I hold on to that desire.

  Another set of hands runs down my legs, stopping at my knees.

  “You’re very beautiful, Annie,” Hunter tells me while prying my legs apart. Cool air hits my center, reminding me how exposed I am. I try to close my legs, but Hunter keeps them pushed apart.

  The need to do something with my hands is powerful, so I grab the sheets I’m lying on, holding onto the soft material like it can somehow protect me from what’s happening.

  I stay calm and collected despite everything that’s going on. Despite there being four hands on me who I didn’t give permission to touch.

  I remain detached… until I hear voices from the other side of the door. Two men fighting about something. I can’t make out what it’s about, but they are angry. Then a loud sound filters through the door.

  A thud, glass breaking, more yelling… and suddenly I’m back in my old house, locked in the bedroom. I’m fourteen and my mom is screaming, begging him to stop. I jump up and try to get to the door, try to help her.

  I need to help her.

  I need to stop him.

  I’m the only one who can save her.

  “Shh, calm down,” a raspy voice whispers in my ear. “You’re fine.”

  Amid gasping for air, I’m anything but fine. I’m drowning, suffocating. Unable to help my mom. I let her die. It’s my fault she is dead.

  “Open your eyes, Sugar,” a second voice tells me. “Come on, look at us.”

  Blinking my eyes open, I take in the two men. Hunter is holding my naked body, cradling me to his chest. Ryker is pinning my wrists together at my middle, inspecting me like I’m an ancient riddle to solve.

  “W-who was that?”

  “Just our friends being rowdy. Don’t worry about them,” Ryker says dismissively.

  “After all the shit happening today, this makes you have a panic attack?” Hunter questions. I don’t correct him. He assumes the prospect of sex triggered me, when in reality it was the noises coming from outside the room.

  Deciding it is best to keep it that way for now, I press my lips into a thin line.

  “How about you just let us look at you for now?” Ryker releases my wrists.

  “Yes, let’s do that.” Hunter puts me back down on the mattress. “Let’s see you. Spread your legs for us.”

  I do what he asks and part my legs again like he did before. Both gaze at my pussy like it’s the holy grail. Hunter jerks down his boxers and fists his extremely hard cock.

  “Touch your pretty cunt for us,” Ryker orders while stroking his erection. “Make yourself come.”

  Closing my eyes, I reach between my thighs and touch my clit.

  “No, keep those open,” Hunter demands. “Look at us, while you get yourself off.”

  With my hand trembling, I draw small circles over my still dry flesh.

  “Let me help you.” Ryker grins and takes hold of my hand. He lifts it to his mouth and sucks my index and middle finger between his lips, swirling his tongue around my fingers while jerking himself off and looking straight into my eyes.

  This whole situation is perverse, and to my utter shock excites me. Ryker releases my fingers with a pop, grinning as if he can read my mind.

  When I return my hand to my clit, my now wet fingers run over the compact bundle of nerves with ease. Biting the inside of my cheek, I suppress a moan at the unexpected desire that overcomes me. Watching two grown men jerking themselves off, seeing the lust and barely there restraint in their eye. The thought of using Ryker’s spit as my personal lube. All of this is wrong. So very wrong. And yet, I rub my clit faster and faster until I’m so slick with my own juices that I can hear my fingers move over my skin.

  “Fuck.” Ryker groans and grabs my knee. “Come for us.”

  Panting, I rub myself. Harder and faster. I’m close. Hunter is close too. His face contorts in pleasure, while he strokes himself furiously.

  Sublime pressure builds, and knowing my orgasm is about to overcome me, I tilt my hips up.

  Hunter reaches between my legs and shoves two thick fingers into my opening. The uninvited intrusion pushes me over the edge.

  My back arches off the bed and I come with a loud moan that mingles with Hunter’s grunts. The sounds echo through the room as wave after wave of pleasure washes over me. Hunter curls his fingers, rubbing them against my inner wall, elongating my orgasm.

  I haven’t calmed down from my high when Hunter sprays his hot cum over my inner thighs. Ryker moves up on the bed so he is kneeling beside me.

  He takes my chin between his fingers and tilts my face towards him. “Open your mouth for me, Sugar,” he groans. His demanding tone leaves no room for discussion.

  I open my mouth and stare into his eyes while he finishes jerking off. A moment later his eyes close and his head falls back. His fingers on my jaw tighten as ropes of cum shoot out of his cock and onto my face and open mouth.

  The salty substance hits my tongue and I cringe at the taste.

  “Swallow it,” Ryker orders when he glances down at me. Even though my instincts tell me to spit it out, I work my throat and swallow it. “Good girl. That was fucking hot.” He releases my chin and runs his thumb over my bottom lip, rubbing his cum into my skin.

  “Yes, that was fucking hot,” Hunter agrees. “The question is, what are we going to do with you now, sweet Annie?”

  That is the question, indeed.

  5

  “Let’s get you in the shower, while I find you something to eat,” Hunter tells me while pulling me up from the bed.

  My knees are weak, mostly from the orgasm that wrecked my body moments ago, but also because I have eaten nothing all day.

  “I’ll take her,” Ryker says.

  Hunter lets go of me and walks out of the room without looking back. Worry worm
s its way into my stomach. Now that the sex haze has lifted, I see the harsh reality of this situation again.

  I’m their prisoner, and right now I’m in Ryker’s hands–a man who is unpredictable and cruel.

  “Don’t look so scared, Sugar. It’s just a shower.”

  We step into the attached bathroom and I take in the small space. Just like the bedroom, there are no windows, and the walls and floor are concrete. The space holds nothing but a sink and a shower.

  He turns on the spray and motions for me to step in. As I do, I brace for cold water, but am more than pleasantly surprised when warmth hits my skin.

  Without pulling the shower curtain closed, Ryker steps away and leans against the wall while I wash my body and hair. I might feel embarrassed or self-conscious if he wasn’t also completely naked.

  His eyes never leave me and when I glance between his legs, I find him hard again. Pretending like I haven’t noticed his cock pointing up to his navel, I finish rinsing my hair and turn off the water.

  Ryker removes a blue towel from the cabinet under the sink and holds it open. I step into it and he dries me off, starting with my face and hair, then moving down until he finishes with my feet.

  He straightens and throws the wet towel into the shower. My nerves finally get the better of me and I fiddle with my bracelet. His always watchful eyes notice, of course, and he takes hold of my arm to inspect the bracelets.

  “Please, don’t take it off,” I blurt out.

  “Wasn’t planning on it.”

  “I mean when you kill me. It’s not worth anything. Don’t take it from me.” The thought of someone taking it from me is suffocating. This is all I have left of my mom; I need to hold on to it even after I’m dead.

  Ryker doesn’t correct me or tell me he won’t kill me. At least he is honest.

  “Annie, sweet as sugar and brave as a lioness.” He lifts my hand to his face and places a feather-light kiss on the inside of my wrist. “I’ll make sure no one takes your bracelets.”