by Jewel, Bella
And he’s going to mean it.
God knows, we both deserve it.
~*~*~*~
NOW – ELLIE
“You lied to me!” I scream, running out the front door of Slater’s house.
He follows me, close behind, and man, he looks pissed. If I didn’t know we were faking it, I’d be scared right about now. He needs to take some serious acting classes, because he is in the zone, there is no way anyone looking wouldn’t believe that this was a real fight.
“I didn’t fuckin’ lie to you,” he barks, following me out right into the middle of the front lawn. “I just didn’t fuckin’ tell you.”
“Tell me?” I laugh bitterly. “Tell me that you’re the reason I got taken, that I missed out on ten years of my life!”
“Knew you’d never fuckin’ talk to me if you knew, Ellie. But I fought every fuckin’ day to get you back.”
“Oh, you’re such a liar!” I yell, throwing my hands up. “Such a fucking liar, Slater Knight!”
His jaw ticks, and man, this is intense. I’m panting, because regardless of the fact that it’s a fake fight, the yelling is getting my adrenaline pumped up, and I’m feeling it, hard.
“You got one fuckin’ memory back and this is already happening, what are you going to do when you get more? You can’t keep running from this!”
“More? There’s more? Because that was enough. You broke up with me, you tore my heart in half, and then I got fucking sold!” I scream. “To a monster!”
He looks like I’ve slapped him, and for a moment, I forget we’re fighting. I take a step forward, horrified by the pained expression on his face, but his eyes flash, telling me not to move another step. If I do, anyone watching will know this isn’t real. I swallow, and stay where I am.
“I don’t know what you want me to say,” he growls, low.
“I want you be honest, but you’re not going to do that. I shouldn’t even be here. I’m safer with Erin. I’m going back there. I can’t stand to be around someone who can’t even tell the damned truth.”
I turn and start walking towards the street.
“You will not leave, Ellie. Stop. It’s dangerous out there and you know it. Did your little tantrum the other day not teach you that?”
I turn around, glaring at him. “Tantrum? You slept with me, and then had another woman over,” I yell.
“I told you she was a fuckin’ friend!”
“Screw you. I’m leaving.”
I turn and start running. He bellows after me, and even starts to chase me, but I’m quicker, at least, he’s letting it look like I’m quicker. I run down the street, following the same path I followed last time, only this time I stop at the park, where Malakai told me to stay. He said it’s easier for him to get hold of me, If I’m not somewhere that I can easily make a scene. But, he said I still need to try and make a scene, otherwise he simply will not believe it’s real.
I stop at a tree, panting and out of breath, my face red. I lean my back against it, and slide down, dropping my head into my hands.
And then I wait.
For a while, I don’t think he’s coming. After all, he was quick before, right on my trail. This time, it takes around about twenty minutes. But eventually, I feel the presence of someone else, and jerk my head up. The moment I see him, I start scurrying backwards on my hands, bottom still on the ground. My eyes are wide, and part of the fear I feel, is genuine. If this goes wrong...he owns me again.
“If you run, Raven, I’ll shoot you,” he growls, pulling his jacket aside to show me the gun he’s holding behind it. Pointed right at me.
I still let my eyes dart around, like I’m contemplating running.
“I’ll do it. You know I’ll do it. Now stand up.”
“No,” I whisper. “No. How did you get to me? No.”
He shakes his head, grinning. “Stand.”
“No, please, just let me go.”
“Now.”
“Please, just leave me alone,” I screech.
I stand, and then pivot, acting like I’m about to run. His hand lashes out, catching hold of me, and he hauls me against his body. He presses the gun to my ribs, causing me to freeze. I know Slater will be watching right now, and I know he’ll be angry. So damned angry. He’ll want to come in here, and inflict all kinds of pain, but he can’t, and that will kill him.
I scream, but he raises the gun and smashes it against the back of my head.
My mouth opens in a silent scream, and my knees give way.
Then there is something over my mouth, which has an awful taste, and my entire world goes black.
And once again, I become the slave to a monster.
Only this time, I’m praying, just praying, I get away.
Please.
~20~
NOW – ELLIE
I come to and I’m in a cabin, of all places.
I expected a warehouse. The back of a van. Anything. But not a cabin. I blink a few times, and glance around, studying as much as I can before he notices I’m awake. I’m cuffed, and my ankles are bound together. I’m on my back on the sofa, staring up at the ceiling. I turn my head to the side, and take in my surroundings. It’s a nice cabin, big and roomy, with lush furniture.
I can’t see much in this position.
I look to the other side, and jerk when I meet the eyes of my captor.
He’s staring down at me, leaning over the couch. “You’re awake.”
He says that almost casually, like we’re two lovers who have spent a romantic evening away.
“Where am I?” I say, letting my voice sound frantic.
It isn’t hard. I spent years with this man.
I know how I acted.
I know what works, and what doesn’t.
“In a safe place until we can return home. I’ve been waiting for you, Raven, and my patience was wearing thin. And then, you so stupidly ran out on your little boyfriend. Have you learned nothing?”
I stare at him. “Let me go. Don’t you think you’ve had me long enough?”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Sweetheart, I own you. I paid for you. That means, you’re mine for the rest of your breathing days.”
I bare my teeth at him. “They’ll find you this time, and they’ll kill you.”
He laughs. “I see you found some fire while you’ve been gone. Fair enough, I’ll let you have it, for a time. But you will bow to me again, Raven.”
“My name is Ellie!” I yell.
His eyes flare, and his hand comes down, curling around my shirt and hauling me up so our faces are only inches apart. “Speak to me like that again, and I’ll remind you of what I do when you disrespect me. Or have you forgotten already?”
I clench my jaw, and glare at him, but I don’t say anything.
My heart is racing.
I’m terrified.
Because, of course I remember. I see this man every single time I close my eyes.
“I escaped you once,” I breathe, angrily. “I’ll escape you again.”
He laughs, bitterly. Then he drops me back down. “You escaped me, because Riley helped you. That won’t be happening again. Riley is dead.”
My chest clenches, and I stare at him, so stunned by this revelation that I have no words.
“That’s right,” he snarls, then grins, “you think I didn’t know it was him? You think I wasn’t going to find him, and make him suffer for betraying me? Riley paid the price for his actions, and now you’ll pay the price for yours.”
“How could you?” I cry. “How could you!”
He shrugs. “Quite easily, actually. He was a thorn in my side. A waste of precious air.”
Monster.
Cold hearted monster.
And my heart breaks for Riley. It tears in two. Because he is the only reason I escaped this monster. He is the only reason I even have a chance at freedom again. It took so long for him to come around to me, and when he did, he gave me everything. He made sure I got free. For that, I’l
l owe him my gratitude for the rest of my days. He didn’t deserve to die for me.
My heart tears in two.
But I keep it together.
Even though the thought of yet another life turned upside down because of me, makes me want to scream.
“You’re a horrible man, and one day, you’ll pay the price for your actions,” I say, my voice wavering.
He leans down close. “Maybe I will, but not until I’ve made you live with me for the rest of my days. After that, I don’t really care what happens, now do I?”
“What have I ever done to you? Why can’t you just let me go?”
He grins. “Because, you’re mine. And when I own something, I own it. I simply do not let it go. If I were to let you go, I’d sell you, Raven. I’d sell you and get my money back. I don’t wish to do that, no, I wish you to be mine for as long as I’m breathing on this earth. It’s what I paid for, after all.”
“I won’t be,” I mutter.
He smirks at me. “Oh, but my sweet Raven, you will be. I promise you that.”
I don’t like the way he says that.
I don’t like anything about his confidence.
I look away, and stare at a window.
I hope they don’t leave me here too much longer.
I don’t even know how long I’ve been out.
All I know is that I want to end this. Once and for all.
I need this monster out of my life.
“Don’t look away from me, dear Raven,” he murmurs, coming around to the other side of the sofa.
The way his voice sounds, the low purr, has my head whipping towards him. He has never spoken to me like that before, in such a sultry tone. My insides instantly clench, and panic grips me from all angles. Why is he looking at me like that? Why is talking to me like that?
I want to vomit.
I don’t like it.
Something inside of me screams it’s time to go.
Now.
“Leave me alone,” I say, my voice trembling.
Real fear.
The one that you feel right down to your bones.
He sits beside me, and his hand runs up my leg.
I jerk, but I have nowhere to go. Suddenly, I’m very alone, and so incredibly frightened.
He wouldn’t...would he?
He had me for ten years, he never touched me sexually.
Why would he now?
What has changed?
I assured Malakai that he wouldn’t. That he wasn’t like that.
Was I so very wrong?
“You had no problem letting Slater touch you, now did you?” he murmurs, running his hand up my thigh.
I feel sick.
I’m going to be sick.
I’m helpless.
I can’t escape him.
I can’t get away.
“Don’t. Please.”
“I always saw you as innocent. Mine. I knew you weren’t, of course, but in my mind...you were. Now, you’re different. You’re louder, more sassy, and your body has changed in the short time we’ve been apart. I can’t help but wonder...how would it feel?”
No.
God.
Please.
Someone. Help.
Help me.
“Please, don’t touch me,” I say, my voice shaking.
“I wouldn’t usually, but my desire with the new you, is strong. There is an urge in me. I need to know what you’d feel like, my captive. I need to know, and I need to know now.”
No.
“Please,” I screech, thrashing as his hand climbs higher and he strokes my inner thigh.
I twist and turn and thrash as much as I possibly can.
This only seems to make him want it more.
A low moan leaves his throat, and he groans as he leans down, sniffing my hair.
I lurch my head forward, smashing into him. He hisses and reels backwards, and I cry out as stars dance in my vision. This earns me a hard punch to the cheek, one that nearly knocks me out. I cry out, trying to jerk my arms up, but I can’t. I’m stuck. I try to thrash my body off the sofa, anything to get away from him, but he’s having none of it.
“Sit still, or I will make you sit still,” he warns, pressing his forearm against my chest and holding me down with his body weight.
“Don’t. Please. I’ll do anything. Be anything. But please don’t do that.”
He grins at me, and I can see the harsh red mark on his forehead where I hit him. “But Raven, I own you. Which means, I can do whatever I like. That’s what I paid for.”
No.
Vomit rises in my throat, and I twist my head, trying to bite him, trying to do something.
His hand curls around my throat, pressing me into the sofa. My heart starts racing immediately as my oxygen is cut short. I see stars as my vision begins to fade, and everything in the room starts to spin. My body goes into overdrive, and panic sets in. I squirm and thrash, but with each passing second, I’m getting closer to being taken into darkness.
He leans over me, his hand travelling off to discover my body.
And I can’t stop him.
I’m helpless.
Please.
Someone.
Help me.
Slater.
Please.
~*~*~*~
NOW – SLATER
“We have to go in, now!” I roar, lunging out of the truck and going around to the back seat to get my rifle.
“Slater, calm down,” Malakai orders, his voice hard, but worried.
“Calm down?” I bark. “He has his fuckin’ hands on her. He’s goin’ to take the final piece of her, and I will not fuckin’ let that happen. I will not let him hurt her like that.”
“Fuckin’ know that, brother, but if you screw this up, and he knows we’re around...she’s dead.”
“What do you want me to do?” I pant, gripping the rifle. “Sit back and watch her get raped?”
The word makes my throat get tighter. We’ve been watching her, through a window that has no curtains. We’re far enough away he won’t know we’re here, but close enough that we can see with a set of binoculars. For a while, they were just talking, and everything seemed to be going well. And then everything turned. He was on her, touching her, hitting her, choking her.
That’s when I moved.
And now Malakai wants to tell me that I can’t do anything about it.
Like fuck.
I let her get away from me once, and live ten years of pain.
I will not fuckin’ do it again.
“You fuckin’ know I won’t let her be raped, Slater. But you gotta know we have to be smart.”
“One fuckin’ shot, and he’s dead,” I growl.
“Two fuckin’ shots,” Malakai barks. “Because there is a window, and you’re not that good. The chances of you hitting him through it, in one shot, are so fuckin’ slim. Which means it’s two shots. Two. Shots. If he moves and you miss, she’s dead. Do you understand me? We go down there, bust in, that’s the best option.”
“For who?” I bellow. “By the time we get down there, he has done enough damage to completely ruin her. I can see the fear in her eyes, I can see it as clearly as I can see you. She’s fuckin’ terrified. And he’s goin’ to have his hands in places his hands shouldn’t be, in a matter of minutes. We don’t have fuckin’ time to get close and bust in. I can do this. Because I am fuckin’ good enough. Two shots. Fine. I’ll have him on the ground in minutes.”
“Slater...” Malakai warns. “You are risking her life.”
“You do not get to control this one, Malakai. I trusted you this far. I let you have your way. But if you think I’m goin’ to sit back and watch my girl get hurt, you’re fuckin’ sadly mistaken.”
“Ten minutes,” he growls. “And we can get her out safely.”
“One fuckin’ minute, and his brains are scattered all over that cabin.”
“Slater...”
“I think Slater has the right idea,” Koda says, s
tepping out of the truck. “Let him go, Malakai. He can make the shot.”
Malakai turns to say something to Koda, and I move, quick as lightning. I disappear off into the darkness, nothing but my rifle in hand. I don’t fuckin’ need anything else. I’m a good shot with a gun, and this fucker is the best of its kind. Long range. He won’t see it coming. It’ll go straight through that window, and by the time he realizes what’s happening, I’ll have fired the other shot, straight into his head.
I will not let him hurt her.
“Fuck. Where the fuck did he go?” Malakai roars into the darkness. “Slater!”
I use my flashlight to find a spot high enough up that I can look down. I get down on my stomach, and set the rifle up, using the scope to zone in. I have the best night vision on the market. I can see him clear as day. What I see makes my stomach turn. It is a sight I never want to experience again in my life. His body on hers, hand on her throat. She’s thrashing, still trying to get him off. He’s laughing. The sick fuck is laughing.
I wanted this to go so many other ways.
I wanted to take him, and torture him slowly for what he did to her.
I wanted to make him suffer.
I wanted him to endure every type of pain there is to endure.
But...her...she comes first. She’s always come first.
She is my life, and fucked if I will let her down again.
I take a deep breath, aim the rifle so the red dot is right on his head, and then I murmur, “I hope you fuckin’ rot in hell, you bastard. This is for Ellie.”
I pull the trigger.
It takes almost a moment for me to see the result I want. It’s like everything is in slow motion. The sound of the rifle echoes through the night, and then I watch as the window smashes as the bullet breezes through. It doesn’t hit him, but I knew it wouldn’t. Wind, glass, and other factors affect where the bullet goes, and I knew it wouldn’t go directly where I needed once it hit the glass.
But it is enough for him to jerk, his head whipping up.
I have a split second before he moves, and I miss him.
I have the shot lined up. I haven’t moved a single muscle.
I knew he wouldn’t get time to leap off her, that he’d simply lift his head, and I was right. Which means, my next shot will go exactly where I need it to go.