Felisha Goulding's Stolen Innocence Series

by Felisha Goulding

  Will stopped and stared back at her. He held the crystal glass out to toast her upcoming venture. “Cheers, Meg. I will definitely be the first in line to buy one of your books the minute they hit the stands,” he promised.

  “We’ll see. I am so far away from that right now, but hopefully I’ll get there eventually.”

  “I knew you would make something out of your life. You’ll write a book and become some famous author, you’ll see.”

  “Thank you, Will. I don’t know if I’ll be famous exactly, but if I can make enough income to support myself and continue to write, I’ll be happy with that.”

  * * * *

  The visit with Will was nice. His son looked absolutely adorable in the pictures. The closeness they once shared as friends wasn’t the same anymore, but a lot had changed over the years. They were both adults now and that playful time they once shared together had been outgrown. It felt a little odd, but they both had to choose their words more carefully. His eye’s told her he still cared, but she could tell he was in a very happy place in his life right now. Meg was thankful for that.

  Meg filled him in on all the details about Drake Noble. Well, most everything. She told him the story about how they met and how their relationship had evolved and blossomed into something truly wonderful. As the words escaped her she realized more and more how much she missed him and her heart ached at the thought of losing him. She also realized in that moment that he would never leave her over her past and they would get through it together. He loved her without a doubt and she loved him fiercely.

  Will seemed a little surprised. He told Meg he thought for sure she would one day end up with John Lake. Meg figured he had no idea what took place in NYC a few months back between her and John. She didn’t share any of those details.

  “That was a long time ago,” she laughed it off. “I wish you could meet Drake though. He’s wonderful and so perfect for me. I can’t imagine being with anyone else. I love him, Will.” This was the first time she told anyone that she loved Drake. It felt good to say it out loud, it felt right. Meg smiled to herself, and her heart warmed at the thought of him.

  “I’m happy for you, Meg. You did well for yourself, but I think I need to meet this Noble character. No matter how nice you say he is, I don’t think there is anyone out there good enough for you.” Together they stood, Meg was ready to leave and they hugged. Will kissed her forehead affectionately. His hands gripped both her arms gently and he stared down at her. “You sure you don’t want another drink or a coffee before you leave?”

  “No, I’m good, but thanks. I’ll try and come by again before I leave town, I would love to meet Ty and see Gayle. It’s been years since I’ve seen her. Make sure you tell her I said hi.”

  “I’ll tell her,” he promised, “How long will you be in town?”

  “I leave in three days, but I’ll try and make it back for a visit, I promise.”

  Will walked her to the door, once there he hugged her again and watched her leave.

  A shiver ran through her as she walked quickly to the car in the cold winter air. Once inside the car, she looked up to the large picture window, and Will was standing there, the curtain drawn to the side. They both waved and Meg backed slowly out of the driveway.

  * * * *

  “Meg! It’s so nice to see you again,” Tommy Jones grabbed her into a big bear hug and then stood back to take her in from head to toe. “It’s freezing out here,” She stood back and wrapped her arms around herself. Her teeth chattered from the cold wind.

  “Oh, sorry, come on in.” Tommy ushered her in and held the door open. The heat felt good and Meg struggled to remove her boots. “Here, let me take your coat,” he offered and hung it up on the hook inside the mudroom. Meg followed him in to the kitchen where he pulled out a chair for her at the end of the long wooden table. She realized how quiet it was and asked, “Where are your parents, Tommy?”

  “Oh, they had to go visit my grandmother at the old age home. The nurse called about an hour ago, she took a bad fall and they think she may have broken her hip. They rushed out to make sure she’s okay. So it looks like it’s just you and me for now,” he said with a nervous smile. “Mom made a bunch of desserts, I’ll get the coffee started.” He turned toward the counter.

  Tommy looked the same now as he did back then, although he was a little awkward to be around. He was always a bit of loner and shy, he didn’t mix in with crowds that well. He wasn’t a bad looking guy. His hair grew longer and a little darker from what Meg recalled. He stood over six feet tall. He was a giant of a man. Meg watched him maneuver around the kitchen. He always did tower over the other boys his age during their high school years.

  “So what time do you expect them back?” Meg was starting to feel a little uneasy. Her mom told her a few stories, but she tried to relax a little when she noticed he seemed to be okay. He was definitely tense though. Meg thought back to her grade school years, to a time when she felt sorry for Tommy Jones. She recalled that night when he escorted her to her grade eight graduation. She didn’t have a date and was going through that ugly adolescent stage. Tommy dressed up that evening in a suit and walked to her house, they walked to school and he accompanied her at the dinner and dance that evening. Sarah, of course, gave her shit afterward and told her how crazy she was. But Meg thought she was doing a good deed for Tommy. She really did feel sorry for him. It certainly didn’t help her popularity, all the kids made fun of her after that night. They taunted her relentlessly until she finally decided it would be best to ignore Tommy and eventually she stopped saying hello. She ignored him whenever they ran into one another shortly after that. Meg always felt badly for the way she treated him, but at that age, being popular was more important to her.

  Tommy’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “I’m not sure. They said they would call and let me know. Mom was pretty upset. She was hoping to see you.”

  “Well, tell her it was too bad I missed her, but I certainly understand. I hope your grandma is okay. It’s too bad this had to happen, and so close to Christmas. It must be hard on your folks.”

  “I wouldn’t worry too much. That lady has nine lives, she’ll be just fine.” Tommy reassured her. He placed cookies and a few pieces of cake on the table and took a seat at the corner next to Meg. She didn’t know all that much about schizophrenia, but he seemed perfectly fine to her right now. He settled back into his chair with ease and studied her. “So tell me, what’s new, Meg? I haven’t seen you in how long, almost eight years?”

  “Yes, that’s pretty much accurate. It’s been a little over eight years. I’m doing well. How about you? You look like you’re doing okay?”

  Tommy disregarded her question and continued. “You haven’t been home since you left high school.” It wasn’t a question, she could tell he was waiting for an explanation. His brows furrowed together as if he were upset. She grew a little uneasy with his body language. I need an excuse to get out of here. “I’ve been really busy,” Meg lied. “I went to university for five years, landed a job with a publishing company there, they just sold and once I leave here I head off to New York. Do you remember Sarah?”

  “Yeah, I think she’s come home a few times over the years. Isn’t she home now?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, she is. I’ll be moving in with her when I get back to New York, a lot of exciting things are happening for me right now.”

  “Well, you seem happy enough, you look great,” he looked a little uncomfortable after giving her a compliment and he blushed slightly.

  “I am. I’m very happy and things are going well for me.”

  “Are you seeing anyone?”

  “Yeah, there is someone special that I’ve been seeing since August. We’ll see. I hope it works out. So far things have been amazing. Tommy, are you okay? You seem to be a little nervous, can I get you…”

  Tommy Jones reached for the rolling pin and whacked Meg in the back of the head. She went down immediately before he caught
her and carried her upstairs to his room.

  * * * *

  Despite her efforts, Meg couldn’t open her eyes; the light was too bright and a searing pain shot across the back of her head when she tried to get up. “Shit,” she mumbled. “Where am I?” Her head was throbbing and could barely move. “Why am I lying on a bed, what’s going on?”

  The last thing she recalled was sitting at the table across from Tommy Jones. “Did I pass out? What happened?”

  “Hey, princess, are you okay?” A familiar voice stopped her from breathing. Princess? Oh God no! She froze, taken back to that dark place.

  “Tommy what’s going on, where am I, why are my hands tied, why is my head throbbing? What did you do?” It all made sense then. There was an edge to his voice, an underlying promise, that same voice that haunted her for the past eight years. Fear conquered her, and Meg’s world shattered at the thought of enduring what he would do to her all over again. Her mouth went completely dry and panic set in quickly. Everything she learned from kick boxing classes seemed to escape her. She was numb and couldn’t move. Completely panic stricken, she continued in a small voice. “Tommy, please tell me this isn’t real, tell me it wasn’t you,” she pleaded. But Meg knew now it was Tommy. There was no doubt in her mind when she stared back at him. Something shifted. He was different, unreadable. This wasn’t the same Tommy she met at the door. This was someone dangerous, and he was staring right through her.

  “Meggie, you left me over eight years ago, what you and I shared was special,” he reminded her.

  A chill went through her. Where is he going with this? “What are you talking about?” Shit, how am I going to get out of this? Do I scream? There’s no one here to help me. Think, Meg, think.

  “Don’t you remember? We made love; it was special. I know you didn’t forget.” His tone was softer now, gentle as he spoke to her.

  Fear ripped through her, his words confirmed what she already knew, but hearing him say it made it real. Her eyes filled and she sobbed into the pillow. She couldn’t hold his gaze any longer. She wanted to scream, to kick and hit him and God help her if she had a knife or a gun, she would kill him without a second thought for what he did to her. And for what he might do again if she didn’t get away from him.

  “It was you, wasn’t it? She whispered in acknowledgment. “Why, why are you doing this to me?”

  “Princess, no one will take care of you like I can. No one can love you as much as I do. Don’t you see that? You and me, we’re meant to be together.” He leaned in to kiss her and Meg moved her head to the opposite side trying desperately to avoid his touch.

  His voice went stern, “Meg, I’m going to tape your mouth shut. I don’t want anyone hearing you, okay? I’m sorry but I need to make sure you don’t scream or run away from me. I should never have left you eight years ago. If I had stayed and talked to you, we would still be together. Why did it take you so long to come back to me, princess? I waited all this time for you. There was never anyone else, just you, Meg. I promise I will never let you go again. I’m going to tie your hands behind your back after I undress you so cooperate with me and don’t make me hurt you.”

  Meg stilled. She was unsure of what to do or how she would get away from him. All she knew was there was no way on earth that she would ever get past this, not again. She managed to get through the pain and the nightmares all these years, but she wasn’t strong enough to relive this nightmare, not a second time. “Tommy, please,” she begged, Meg shook her head from side to side begging him not to do this. “I promise, I won’t scream. I’ll do whatever it is you want me to, but please don’t put tape over my mouth.” She was trying to buy time, hoping his parents would get back home any minute.

  “I’m going to undress you now, Meg. I want to see how much you’ve changed. I didn’t get a good look at you the last time we were together, it was dark. I thought you would want the lights off your first time. I was so happy you told John Lake to leave us alone that night that you didn’t give up your virginity to him. You knew how special it would be for us and you saved yourself for me. After I undress you, I’m going to give you a nice hot bath. You’ll like that, won’t you?” His voice was soft and caring. Meg shivered at eeriness of his tone. He was clearly fucked up.

  The sound of blood thundered through her ears. She had to think, to try and buy time. With amazing strength and courage, she responded. “Yes, Tommy. I would like that,” she lied.

  “Good, we need to scrub away the smell of your boyfriend, wash away his touch from your beautiful skin. After that, we’ll make love right here, Meg, in my bed,” he promised.

  Tears streamed down her face, her only hope was that Tommy’s parents would show up soon. She cried and screamed out just before he taped her mouth shut. He tore the buttons from her blouse and ripped the material from her body violently. When he found himself struggling to work the sleeves past her tied hands he used the knife he held to cut the material away and then he cut through the front of her bra and ripped it from her body. Tears streamed down her face at the harsh way it ripped from her skin.

  Meg tensed and started shaking uncontrollably, adrenaline ran through her body. She continued to struggle against him to keep him from taking her panties and he finally gave in and left them.

  He left her on the bed with her hands tied behind her back, ankles tied together and her mouth covered behind heavy tape. She was dying inside and praying just as she did eight years ago for someone, anyone, to save her. He was out of his mind crazy, and she knew he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. Meg twisted and turned on the bed trying to free herself. She rolled off and crashed on the floor with a loud thump. She could hear running water across the hall in the bathroom and thoughts of Tommy drowning her came to mind. She frantically stood to her feet and hopped her way over to the closed door. Somehow she managed to turn the doorknob and he was right there, waiting for her.

  Meg’s eyes flew open, “Where are you going, princess? Did you think you could get away from me that easily?” He scooped her up into his arms and headed toward the bathroom.

  Chapter 14

  Seven Hours earlier

  After booking the next flight out to Wisconsin, adrenaline ran thick through his body. His mind was a million miles away…seventeen hundred miles away to be exact. Drake stepped into his office. “Oh good, you’re still here, Ms. Jansen. I need you to cancel all meetings scheduled over the next five days.”

  “But, Mr. Noble, you have an important meeting scheduled for the twenty-seventh at one-thirty p.m.; you’ve been working on this deal for the last six months. You can’t miss it.”

  “The hell I can’t, get someone else to cover for me.”

  “Who sir? You have been handling this client since day one. No one has been briefed on any of your dealings with Mr. Sonoco.”

  “Call him, reschedule for the first week of January. I’ll be out of town. If you need me, call my cell. If he gives you any problems about rescheduling, let me know. I’ll call him personally.”

  “Okay, but if anyone asks where you are, what should I tell them?”

  “You tell them I’m out of town for five days, nobody needs to know any more than that. Thank you, Ms. Jansen. Oh and before I forget, have a nice Christmas, take a few days off and spend it with your family once you get things wrapped up here.” Drake handed her a card with a nice bonus inside and left before she had the opportunity to open it. He didn’t mean to be short with her, but he was in no mood for questions right now.

  * * * *

  God damn it, Meggie. Pick up the fucking phone. Where are you? He cursed under his breath. Drake sat back in his private jet headed for Wisconsin. He had to see her. He had to make sure she was okay. After he read the first few chapters, he saw red. How can anyone in their right mind betray her like that sick bastard did?

  She was only eighteen years old, for Christ sake. He knew she was strong. She had overcome a lot in the years that followed, but bottling this kind of sec
ret inside, all this time, wasn’t good for anyone. He wished like hell she would have told him; he never would have let her go on this trip alone. No wonder she didn’t visit home after what she’d been through. He couldn’t even begin to think what she must be feeling right now. Drake himself felt sick to his stomach.

  Every word echoed in his head about the rape. He didn’t get through the remainder of the book; all thoughts went straight to Meggie and her safety. He was eager to get to her now and make sure no one laid another hand on her. Guilt took a hold of him for the way she left that night. Had he known, she never would have left without him. He wouldn’t have let her. If anything happens to you, there will be hell to pay. He had an idea who it was, he wasn’t certain, but it made sense to him. He keyed in her number again. Why aren’t you picking up your phone? God damn it answer, Meggie. After calling her cell nonstop, Drake threw the phone to the seat next to him, tucked his folded hand under his chin and stared blindly out the window, out to nothing but an empty blue sky and the white fluffy clouds that lingered below. He reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and removed the small black velvet box he tucked in there over a month ago. He was ready to ask her to marry him that last night before everything went to shit but she left.

  He tried desperately to hold down the possessiveness that overtook him since reading the first few chapters. A feeling of helplessness overcame him, and with a heavy heart, he set out to find Meggie and bring her back home, in his bed, where she belonged for the rest of her life, safe and by his side. Where no one would dare lay a hand on her again.