by Mia Michelle
“Please, Lucas, please help me bring my family home.”
Lucas
Witnessing Sebastian Thorne on his knees, begging me to help him is something I never thought I’d ever see. Thing is, he doesn’t have to beg me for this. There isn’t anything I won’t do to bring the woman I love… that we both love, back home.
The message he sent Sebastian is chilling. Not only does he have Skylar, he knows about the baby.
“I think he’s planned all of this from the beginning. Think about it! When I made the deal with Maverick to bring you down, it never involved Skylar. He made sure to mention that he wanted Brandon to have no part in that because he didn’t want him ending up back in prison. I think Brandon somehow found out about all of it, and that’s why he took out his father.”
“I don’t think he could get away with that though. It would be damn near impossible to pull that off without someone else knowing about it,” Sebastian replies.
“Michael said that Brandon had been the last one to talk to Maverick before he left town on some emergency business. There is no emergency business. Brandon’s just stalling until he gets what he wants from you.”
“He has her! What more does he want? Money? I’ll give him everything I have.”
“This isn’t about money or Skylar, Sebastian,” I reply, trembling.
“What is it about then?”
“Revenge,” I reply, choking on my own fear.
Brandon
Walking back into the open space, I spot Skylar curled up on the bed reading a book. Since she’s been here, we’ve spent a lot of time talking. I want her to know the real me. She has listened to every detail about what it was like for me growing up as Maverick Larson’s son. The son that always failed him. I’ve even told her things I’ve never told another living soul. I’d been terrified to admit to some of the monstrous things I’ve done over the years, but she never once flinched at a word of it. Better yet, there is no sympathy in her eyes or judgment cast upon me. Something about this girl makes me want to confess everything and be a better person.
When I’d finished confessing most of my sins, I did what I should’ve done the minute I was released from prison. I got down on my hands and knees and begged her for forgiveness for what I did to her that night in the parking lot. I never want her to be scared of me again. I want her to see that I’m a changed man and that I want her to be mine forever. Shaking like a leaf, I’d sat there waiting on her to lash out, but instead my gorgeous Skylar forgave everything.
She’s really digging this place, I can tell. I’d planned on staying in Austin once all of this was over and living in Pops’ penthouse, but now I think we need to start over somewhere far from here, just the two of us.
Skylar wants to have the baby and then give it away just to torture Sebastian. I’m beginning to love this woman even more. I can’t believe the lengths she will go through to make him pay for keeping us apart so long. As much as I love her idea, there is no way I’m letting that kid destroy her perfect body any more than it already has. As much as I want to be inside of her, I haven’t done anything more than kiss her. Every time I see her bump, I become enraged.
She doesn’t know it yet, but after I demand Thorne liquidate all of his assets and wire them to my off shore accounts, we’re terminating the pregnancy. I’m even going to send the remains to Sebastian as a final present. Yes, I plan on completely leveling this man. I’m going to take everything away from him, just like he tried to take away everything from me. I will do whatever it takes to destroy Sebastian Thorne, including walking away with the woman he loves… the woman who really loves me.
My father’s phone starts vibrating in my pocket.
Damn it! Mikey’s calling Pops’ phone again! Pushing the end button, I send the call to voicemail. I’ll listen to it and deal with it later. My phone begins ringing in my pocket, and I know it’s him.
“What’s up, Mikey?” I answer.
“Hey, Lil Bro. I’m trying to get up with Pops. It’s really urgent. Have you talked to him lately?”
“No, dude, the last time I’ve talked to him was right before he flew out of town.”
“Did he say where he was flying to? I already checked and his jet hasn’t left the airport in over two weeks. You and I both know that Pops ain’t flying commercial.”
Our father had grown up poor and refused to do anything the cheaper route. Flying on a commercial airline to him was like asking him to ride on a donkey across the country. It is equal to a slap in the face to him.
“No, he talked like it was a really big business deal, so I guess he flew out with the other person he was meeting with.”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. It’s just not like him not to check in on things. You know how obsessive he is with having to know every detail behind what’s going on. He’s never left us in charge of the business for more than a few hours before. I just think something’s up. I mean, he didn’t even take one of his men with him.”
“Everything is fine, Mikey. You know no one is stupid enough to mess with Maverick Larson and besides that, he can handle himself. If something were wrong, we’d know about it before now. If he didn’t take any of the guys with him, then he’s probably with someone he knows pretty well. Stop worrying, Bro, I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”
“Well, until he does, I’m going to need you to pull your own weight. I know you got this new girl and all, but I can’t manage all of these jobs on my own. You think you can help Dex out uptown? He’s having trouble collecting our cut from that contractor we funded last year. You remember, the one up near the Overton Complex?”
“Yeah, I remember. I’ll run out there this afternoon and see what’s going on, shake some things up a bit.”
“I’ve got to deal with that shipment coming in from that pharmaceutical company, so I’ll be in and out until we get that in storage. Pops wanted the deal to work out and so I want it to go off without a hitch.”
“You take care of that and I’ll take care of the contractor.”
“Sounds good. Let me know if you hear anything from Pops. I guess I’ll just keep trying to call him,” Mikey replies.
“I will. Later, Mikey.” I say, ending the call. Mikey’s not stupid and if I don’t do something soon, he’s going to fuck everything up. If I’m going to make this plan work, I’ve got to get my shit together. First things first, I got to score some blow, quick.
Double checking the room, I know there is no way she can escape.
“Please don’t handcuff me to the bed,” she begs.
I hate doing this to her, especially now that we’re doing so well. Handcuffing her is the only way I can make sure she doesn’t do something stupid while I’m out.
God, if she only knew how much I wanted to fuck her senseless right now. Seeing her handcuffed to the bed is torture for me. I want her so fucking much, but when I think about the demon spawn growing inside her, I want to cut it out myself. Once that kid’s out of her, I’m going to give that pussy a cock beating. She won’t be able to walk for a week once I’m done slamming myself up in her.
“I’m going out for a bit. You just be a good girl and watch TV or read something,” I say, kissing her lips. God, she tastes so good.
“Are you meeting Sebastian? Is that why you’re leaving?”
“I’ve just got shit to take care of. Don’t worry about it, all right? I’ll be back later and bring you something to eat then,” I say, placing some water and a leftover sandwich next to the bed. I watch the metal of the cuff pull at her delicate skin, and I feel my cock twitch.
God, I’ve got to get out of here before I lose it.
Three lines later and I’m throwing my head back against the headrest of my driver seat. Madison, one of the girls from the strip club downtown, has followed me out to my car, begging for a hit of blow. Leaning down beside of me, she takes her hit off the mirror and then wipes her nose, smiling as the high rushes over her. The wild look in her eyes tells me all I ne
ed to know. These girls pay for things they want the only way they know how… with their bodies. I’m still so worked up over not being able to fuck Skylar just yet that I think my cock is going to explode.
With a devilish grin, Madison begins unfastening my jeans and tugging them down to allow my feverish cock to spring free. Grabbing a head full of her stringy blonde hair, I force her head down on it.
“Come on! Suck that cock! Take it all, you fucking whore!” I demand. Goddamn, this woman knows how to give good head. Pumping my hips up, I force her to meet my pace. She gags a few times, and I can’t help but smile. I want her to strangle on my length. Finally, I let her come up for air and she maneuvers her body like she’s going to straddle me, but I push her back down to finish what she was doing.
“Don’t stop. I said to fucking suck, you cunt!” I scream, tugging her hair hard, yanking a handful out in the process. She likes it rough, but I’m stepping way over the line. I don’t care, I need this.
Picturing Skylar, I feel the release coming hard. “Fuck yes, Skylar!” I yell as I feel the thick jet of cum shoot into Madison’s mouth. Opening my eyes, I’m reminded that it isn’t Skylar and anger fills me. Holding Madison’s head in place, I refuse to let her come up for air.
“Swallow it all, you bitch!” I demand and she obeys me. Looking at me with her eyes opened wide, I know I’ve just scared the hell out of her, but damn do I ever feel better. Now that I’ve got my hit and release, I can go check on that job for Mikey. The last thing I need is him on my back or snooping in on my business.
Skylar
I’ve watched the sun rise and set now for three days from this bed. I don’t know how much longer I can keep this act up around him. I’ve worked so hard to gain his trust these past few days, trying to buy time for Sebastian to find me. I know my husband and I know he will move heaven and earth to get to me, but part of me is losing hope fast. Feeling my baby move inside of me is the only thing that gives me strength. I’ll do anything I have to do to keep her safe, even if it means pretending that I care for Brandon.
Listening to how he’d grown up definitely explains why he is the way he is. It’s been so hard to sit here and listen to the things he’s done to other people, even as a young child. Some of it is said with remorse, while other times he speaks as if he’s proud of himself. He’d even asked for my forgiveness for what he’d done to me that night at Jaxx’s. I didn’t have a choice and ended up lying to him that I forgave him for it. Maybe he really does feel badly for trying to rape me, but I don’t know what to believe when it comes to him. How am I supposed to believe someone is sorry when he’s kidnapped me and handcuffed me to a bed? He says he loves me, but this isn’t love. It’s insanity.
Brandon comes staggering in sometime this morning, collapsing on the couch in the corner. I don’t know how long he is planning on dragging this thing out. Every time I press him to tell me, he says it is still too soon. He wants to make Sebastian suffer for as long as possible, it seems, but there is no way I can live for weeks or months like this. I’m afraid I’ll lose my mind if I do.
Settling back against the pillow, I carefully adjust my handcuffed wrist so that I don’t wake Brandon. Closing my eyes, I place my hand on my stomach, rubbing it softly.
“Daddy’s coming for us.” I whisper softly.
Please, hurry Sebastian. Please.
Sebastian
“Please! Someone help me!” Skylar screams.
“I’m coming baby! Just hold on!”
Her screams grow louder. I fight to open the door. She’s just on the other side of it.
“NO! Don’t touch me!”
Slamming my hand on the steel door, I fight to find a way to pry open the lever!
“Get away from her, you motherfucker! SKYLAR!”
“PLEASE! GOD NO!” she screams hysterically, and then there is silence.
“NO!”
“Sir? Wake up, sir.” Harrison’s voice startles me awake.
“Skylar,” I whisper as I open my eyes.
“You were having a nightmare. I heard you screaming from across the other side of the house.”
Looking around, I find myself in Skylar’s favorite lounger downstairs. Stroking the soft suede fabric, I’m reminded of my beautiful girl who could spend hours cuddled up in this chair reading. We’ve even made love here, quite a few times. Oh God, I’m dying inside without her.
“You dozed off, sir. I didn’t want to wake you up. You haven’t slept in days.”
“I told you to wake me up if I fell asleep.”
“But sir, you’re no good to anyone unless you get some rest.”
“You want me to rest?” I ask, raising my voice.
Hesitantly, he nods at me. He can see I’m about to lose it.
“Then fucking help me bring my wife home. I won’t rest until she’s back home safe.”
“I assure you that I’m working damn hard on doing just that, sir. One of my contacts just phoned me back with new information on Brandon.”
“What information?”
“Brandon was spotted leaving Insidious with a stripper last night. He bought some cocaine from a dealer I know. Seems he bought a shit load of it actually. When my fellow asked him what he needed that much for, Brandon told him he’d be gone for a while.”
“Gone? What else did he say?”
“He didn’t know any more than that I’m afraid, but it proves he’s getting messy. “
“The only thing it fucking proves is that he’s even more dangerous around my pregnant wife.”
Looking around the room, I turn back around to face Harrison.
“Where is Lucas anyway?”
“He left a little while ago. I think he said something about needing to pick up a change of clothes. He said he wouldn’t be long.”
Harrison’s phone rings in the other room. Excusing himself, he hurries down the hall to answer it. Sitting up, I drop my head down in my hands. I can feel her, and it’s killing me. I’m slowly losing my mind. Today is day four and I’m borderline delusional. Just last night, I’d thought I saw her lying in our bed. Lucas had to stop me because I was talking to the comforter.
I haven’t eaten more than the few bites that Lucas finally forced down me yesterday. I’d watched him chase his with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey. God knows how much I want a drink. Just one drink to make all of this pain and torture go away. But that one drink had done all of this from the beginning and I’ll be damn if it will ever touch my lips again. I’ll take the pain sober. I have to be clear-minded when I finally get word.
Lucas
“Where’s Sebastian?” I ask, sitting the food down on the island in the kitchen.
“He’s asleep upstairs. I put a mild sedative in his coffee. He’ll be angry with me for letting him sleep, but he’s become too irrational. If I hadn’t done something, he would have ended up jumping the gun and getting her killed. I don’t know what we are going to do if this drags on for much longer. He’s already broken furniture and put holes in the walls. Not being able to do anything is driving him mad.”
Harrison jumps and turns his head, listening to something coming through the radio in his ear.
“Yes, bring it on up to the house,” he says, pressing the ear clip.
“Sir, the men say there is some sort of delivery down by the front gate. They’re bringing it up to the house now. Perhaps we need to waken Mr. Thorne.”
“No, I’ll handle it. There is no sense in disturbing him unless we have to,” I reply, following Harrison to the front of the house where the men are approaching the foyer.
“Sir, a Fed-Ex truck just delivered this package. We checked the driver out before we allowed him to leave. He’s a legitimate employee for them.”
“Perhaps I need to check the package first,” Harrison offers, but I refuse, shaking my head.
“No, I’ll do it,” I reply. Inspecting the box for clues, I see that it is addressed THORNE FAMILY with no return address on the label. As
I walk back into the house, the men remain outside. Harrison, still uneasy, follows me into Sebastian’s office where I quickly retrieve a letter opener. I break the seal of the clear tape, fold back the flaps, and spot bright colored tissue paper with a fluffy white rabbit’s ear hanging out. Relief floods my body.
“It’s just a baby gift.” I look up at Harrison, who returns the same look of relief.
“I’m going to go check in with the men and make sure they are careful with any deliveries in the future. You never know when Larson might try something,” Harrison says before leaving.
Just as I start to shut the box, the tissue paper moves and I spot the dark red blood on the other stuffed rabbit’s ear. When I lift it, the dried blood covering the other side stops my heart, and a note is pinned to front of the rabbit.
It’s time you pay.
Brandon
Holding up his finger for me to wait, Mikey screams to whoever it is on the phone.
“What do you mean you don’t have room for it? This shipment is part of your deal too, you cock sucker. Yeah? Well, you listen to me. I’m going to move this shit on my own, and when my Pops gets back into town, he is going to fucking end you!”
Hanging up the phone, he turns to take his anger out on me. “Jesus Christ, Brandon! Why haven’t you been answering your fucking phone?”
“Excuse the hell out of me! I’ve been busy with shit. I’m here now, so what the fuck is the problem?”
“The problem is that this cooler is broken, and it’ll be tomorrow before the guy can fix it. This delivery’s got to be kept cold or it’s gonna go bad. I’m bringing it over to the warehouse to use the one there. I was just going to give you the heads up, since you seem to be spending all your fucking time there anyway.”
FUCK! If he goes there now, he’ll know everything. I can’t risk him seeing our father’s body in there.
“Um… You can’t. That cooler’s been fucked up since before I went to jail. Pops never had anyone look at it since he had other places like this one.”