“Take off the robe,” he instructs, his foul breath against my skin. I have no choice but to comply. I can’t risk fighting him and ending up back in that room. But I must be smart. I will get out of here, no matter what it takes.
I slide the soft material down each shoulder, allowing it to fall onto the back of the chair. I reach down, pulling on the sash, completely removing it.
“Stand,” he purrs. “It’s been too long, Isabelle.” His hungry eyes rake over my cold, naked body. An evil, humorless chuckle escapes him, and I know he’s not laughing because something is funny. It’s sinister, like I’m missing the point, like he has a plan. I slowly stand, pushing the chair back, turning to him.
“Jesus.” He exhales an unsteady breath. “You’re all skin and bones. We need to correct that. We need to get you back to the old Isabelle.” His face contorts, and it’s like he’s angry with me, his eyes burn into mine. I swallow the huge lump in my throat as I try to work out whether I should be apologizing. Nothing makes sense. He tortures me, but somehow the product of his torture is my fault.
“I will,” I blurt out. “I’ll look healthy again, I just need you to give me a chance.”
“You betrayed me, Isabelle. I want to believe you won’t do it again, but you are feisty, rebellious even. When I found out that your father had died and you escaped, well I was sure you’d be the willing victim. You were already so accustomed to isolation.”
What. The. Hell?
I ponder his words quickly. He knew about my father? He knew I had escaped?
“How?” my croaking voice asks.
“How what?” He smiles, shaking his head at me as I stand in front of him completely bare.
“You knew my father had me locked up? You knew I escaped and came to find me?”
“Yes,” he says with a tone of satisfaction.
“But… but… how?”
“Now isn’t the time.” He dismisses me with a wave of his hand, standing from his seat and closing the gap between us. I shudder as he gets closer, but can’t concentrate on his actions because his words swim around in my mind.
He knew? How? How could he possibly have known?
The questions buzz over and over in my fragile mind while his calloused hands graze down my arm, across my stomach. His warm body is close to mine and I shake as he touches me, my heart racing in time with my mind.
“I will get the doctor in again for your next contraceptive injection.”
I draw my eyebrows together, confused by what he means.
“Come on.” He lowers his face until it’s positioned right in front of my own. “You must have known.”
“I don’t remember.”
“Maybe you were too out of it,” he says with a shrug. “I only use drugs as a form of control when I really have to.” He reaches inside his jacket pocket, pulling out a fully loaded syringe. It has a small cap on the end of the needle, and I watch as he removes it, pressing the bottom until a small amount of the drug squirts out. “We won’t be needing this now, will we?”
I shake my head loosely from side to side and he replaces the plastic cap, pushing it back inside his jacket pocket.
“I want to make you scream out my name, Isabelle. You remember I promised to take you into the pool?”
I nod, remembering how he said he wanted to fuck me in there and worship my body. His words sting deep inside—the only man I want to touch me is Brax. But I have to do this. Complying is survival 101. “I remember,” I acknowledge with the faintest of smiles.
“I’m going to take you there now,” he informs me, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me against his chest. “I will make you forget about that bastard who dared to take you from me. I will wash him clean from your body, reclaiming what was always mine.” His hand caresses the back of my damp hair, stroking over and over like a father comforting his child. My stomach rolls at the feel of him touching me and I internally recoil. I want to scream; I want to do something to satisfy the craving I have for revenge. To hurt him the way he has hurt me. So that he can never hurt another innocent girl.
I feel his hand snake inside mine and I have to do everything I can not to snap it away. I still my hand, holding it in his as he leads me out of the room and toward the corridor that leads to the pool. I turn my head sharply at the sound of footsteps, only to see Harlan following closely behind, a gun in his hand. He glares at me, and I force my eyes away, glancing up to the evil, twisted man who leads me into the room.
“You are in for a real treat, my Isabelle.” He pushes open the door and we slowly walk inside. The increased heat instantly hits me. It’s so warm. My almost tensed, cold body starts to relax. I scan the huge room. One Olympic-size pool fills the center of the room. In the corner is a walk-in shower and hot tub.
“What about him?” I whisper, jerking my head in Harlan’s direction.
“He stays.”
I look over to him. He stands tall, hands held together in front of him and his head lifted a little, a smirk dressing his lips. I glare at him, knowing the bastard is enjoying this.
“Please,” I beg, “I really don’t want him to watch. If he’s here for your protection, fine, I understand that. But watching?” I try to say my words softly, hoping not to fuel his annoyance. His eyes search mine as if he’s looking for something but can’t find it.
“Okay,” he says softly, catching me off guard as his hand cups my cheek. I jerk, a little scared at first, before making myself relax into his touch. “I frighten you, don’t I?”
“Yes.” I choke back the emotion as I try to fight back the tears.
“Good,” he barks at me. “You should be frightened.” He nods to Harlan, and I watch as he walks out of the room, standing on the other side of the door, his head just in sight through the glass pane.
For a moment I thought I saw sincerity in his eyes and his words. I almost kick myself for believing his bullshit.
He dips his head, angrily crashing his lips against mine. He forces his lips against my own, holding my head in place with his hands. I have no other choice but to kiss him back, opening my mouth allowing his foul tongue access. My nostrils flare as I fill with utter disgust, bile stinging the back of my throat. Clamping my eyes shut I remind myself this is just part of the plan. I need to survive to get out of here. Grasping a handful of my hair tightly, he forces me back against the tiled wall. He presses against me roughly, his straining erection digging into my stomach. I reach up, slipping the jacket down his arms and throwing it on the floor. I risk a glance as it lands just beside the pool.
“You fucking want this,” he murmurs against my lips. I don’t respond, I just let him continue to do what he wants, trying to blank it out. My mind wanders back to my time with Brax. The only time where I didn’t feel completely broken.
Reaching down, he unfastens himself and completely removes the rest of his clothes. The old, disgusting man stands in front of me completely naked. He takes his dick in his hand, stroking it, all while his eyes are fixed on me.
“On all fours,” he growls at me and I quickly comply. Dropping down on my knees, I quiver as I watch him circle me, anxiety growing as I wonder what his next move will be. Holding out his hand, he works it down my bare back, slapping my ass so hard I let out a cry.
“Tell me what you want me to do, Isabelle? Let me hear you beg for my cock.”
I die a little inside as I try to force out the words. “Touch my clit,” I stutter, knowing it’s what he wants to hear, but it’s the last thing I want.
“Really?” he replies with excitement in his voice. Dropping down behind me, his hand rushes over my hot, flushed skin, his fingers work over my ass and he works his finger through my folds, rubbing back and forth. This is not happening, I say over and over in my mind, but I know it won’t work. My body will betray me like it did before. The way it craves to be touched even if I despise the man doing the touching. I arch my back as I feel his fingers entering me repeatedly.
“Good girl,”
he purrs, “come for me, Isabelle.” I’m embarrassed and broken, but wish my body to give in to his command. The sooner I come, the sooner this part of the torture is over.
He removes his fingers and I let out a huge breath only to gasp again at the feel of his tongue against me. He laps and licks at me from behind. My stomach contracts as I fight back the urge to heave. He knocks my legs apart wider to gain better access, my knees scrape on the cold, hard floor.
“Sweet, sweet fucking pussy.” His words send a chill down my spine, my eyes flicker toward the door. Harlan is still there, the back of his head rests against the glass. Then I notice a door next to the huge windows that line the entire length of the room. It overlooks the garden, the door leading out there.
“Touch me again,” I mewl. I have to get him to finish this. And quickly.
“Like this?” he asks, his finger flicking and working my clit.
“Yes,” I breathe, pressing back against him to heighten the contact. A few more strokes and I can feel myself tightening as I know I’m close. I relax my body back as my sex starts to pulsate.
Finally.
“Fuck, you are beautiful when you come. Now it’s my turn.” Standing, he grabs my hair, dragging me up from all fours. Positioning my head near his crotch, he tugs a little until my mouth is on his dick. “Make it good,” he growls. His hand relaxes but rests at the back of my head. I slip my mouth over the head of his cock, watching as he drops his head back, his eyes closed as I take him in, deeper and deeper. I look at him standing in front of me, his feet only inches away from the pool side, his jacket on the floor right beside me. I squeeze his dick tighter as I work both my hands and mouth up and down vigorously.
This is my chance. My heart gallops uncontrollably at the thought of what I’m about to do.
“Fuck, Isabelle,” he says breathlessly. I use my free hand to grab the jacket as quickly as possible. I locate the inside pocket, pulling out the needle. I flick the cap off the end and in one sharp movement, I raise back my hand and stab it into the side of his leg, pressing down the plunger. His head snaps down, anger flaring in his eyes, but I don’t give him a chance to say anything. I part from him, stepping back and rear up my leg. Kicking out my foot, I watch as it connects with his hip. It’s as if everything is happening so fast, yet I’m seeing it in slow motion. He stumbles sideways, the force enough for him to lose his balance. He grumbles incoherently, and it looks like the drug has taken an immediate effect. He falls back, a huge splash covers me in droplets of water, a groan escaping him as I watch his head connect with the side of the pool. My hand shakes as I drop the syringe to the floor, the clattering sound causes me to jerk out of my shock-like state. I gasp loudly, looking over to the door checking for Harlan. I see the back of his head and I know now is the time.
I have to get out.
I have to escape.
Only if I don’t, I know I’m sentenced to death.
I look at Alvrez’s lifeless body in the water, the water surrounding him now a pale shade of pink. I’m not sure whether he’s just unconscious or whether he’s actually dead. Either way, I have to get out. Picking up his jacket from the floor, I push my arms into the sleeves as I run over to the door I noticed earlier. I race over, my eyes scanning the door as I look for a way to open it. I don’t see any fingerprint recognition, just a sign that says fire escape and a huge metal handle. Depressing it, I close my eyes as I use every last bit of energy I can summon to attempt to open it. An alarm starts to ring out as the door flies open, and I can hardly believe it. I race out, my feet pounding against the wet grass beneath my feet. The daylight has faded and the only light is coming from the house. The cool night air feels freezing against my bare body. I don’t have time to take in my surroundings, all I know is that I’m charging forward making my way out of the grounds. I race, my heart hammering in my chest, my weak body not moving as fast as I’d like.
“Isabelle, stop,” the voice calls to me, but I don’t stop.
“Shit, shit, shit.”
I keep running, darting through the thick woodland that surrounds his house in the middle of nowhere. Shit. I’m in the middle of nowhere and he’s chasing after me.
“I said stop,” he roars. I turn my head quickly, checking to see how close he is to me. He’s gaining on me. I have to move faster. The adrenaline thuds through me so fast, it’s the only thing still keeping me moving. I hear the sound of his footsteps as he closes me down. The thump of his feet against the grass. The fury inside tells me not to stop. I can’t let this bastard catch me. I swerve through the trees again, taking a different direction. Charging forward I find the road. No longer shaded by the trees, the rain falls down on me, soaking me and slowing my speed.
“Last chance, bitch, or I shoot.”
I whip my head, looking behind me to see Harlan standing a few feet behind, pointing his gun at me. I shake my head as I slow my speed, realizing that I’d made a mistake by leaving the woods, the trees would have given me some protection from his ammunition. A surge of pain rips through me at the realization that there’s no way I can escape.
“How far is it, man?” Zane asks, his eyes flitting between me and the road.
“Not much further,” I say, squinting through the windshield, trying to remember exactly where we are, the rain blurring my vision.
Nate’s hand lands on my shoulder, squeezing it gently. “We should try to…” he says but is cut off mid-sentence by Zane shouting.
“What the fuck, man?” He presses the brakes with force, causing the van to skid in the wet rain, our bodies jolting forward as we come to a heavy stop. I blink down heavily as I try to get a handle on what is happening. My eyes widen at the sight in front of me.
My heart stops beating for a second.
Isabelle.
Standing in the middle of the road.
“It’s her,” I yell. “That’s Isabelle.” Unfastening my belt, I reach for the handle of the door, opening it and using it as a shield. The lights of our van blind them. Isabelle has her arm covering her eyes as she blinks rapidly. I look at the man pointing his gun at her, noticing it’s that motherfucker Harlan. I grab my gun, pointing it at him. The Savages follow me, but stupidly step forward, in front of the van.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the biggest Savage pussy ever,” Nate yells over to Harlan who still hasn’t lowered his gun. Rage rips through me, the level of anger is uncontrollable. I want to rip him to a million little pieces. Nate and his men stand, forming a line. I see the opportunity, so I take it. Stepping out from behind the opened door, I race over to Isabelle.
“Oh my God, Isabelle,” I blurt out, picking her up in my arms and carrying her to the van. Lowering her slowly, I reach down, placing my lips against hers, over and over. Her eyes are wide and she shakes like she is terrified. I can’t help but notice she is completely naked, her body slight and her eyes sunken. I shake with absolute rage at the sight of my beautiful girl who has been reduced to what I see in front of me.
“You need a blanket,” I whisper, parting from her as I look under the seats, grabbing the checkered blanket and wrapping it around her fragile body.
“You’re alive?” she stutters. “He shot you.”
“Carter found me, got me to the hospital just in time.”
Reaching up, cupping my face, she smiles, but I can’t help but notice her eyes look sad. “I didn’t know if you’d be alive. I wasn’t sure you’d make it.”
“I made it, baby. Just for you.” My heart beats thunderously and I can’t rip my eyes from her. “Listen, I need to go take care of this asshole. Stay here. Don’t move.”
“Please don’t leave me,” she sobs, her whole body shaking.
“Where is he?” I ask quickly. “Where’s Alvrez?”
“I fought him, Brax. I left him in the pool. I’m not sure he’s dead, but I just needed to get out of there,” she whimpers.
“I’ll be back. I promise.” I place a soft kiss on her forehead before closing t
he rear door and making my way beside the Savages.
“What are you doing here, Nate?” Harlan asks, dropping his gun and pushing it in his pants.
“I came for the girl, and the drugs and money you stole from us last time.”
“If I remember rightly it wasn’t stolen, it was left. That asshole failed to deliver the deal we had set up.”
“Either way, brother or not. I ain’t leaving here without it.”
“Brother?” I gasp looking between the men. “Harlan is your brother?”
“Only by blood. Dad kicked him out of the family a long time ago. Fucker had no loyalty to us. It was that or kill him. I think Dad went easy on him.”
“Dad…” Harlan screeches. “He’s no father to us. He showed us no love, no compassion.”
“As much as I’d love to be witness to your family reunion,” I interrupt, “we’re not here for that. Let’s finish the job. We got the girl. Let’s get the money and the drugs and get out of here.”
“You think I’m just going to let you take the girl, the money, and the drugs?” Harlan laughs loudly. “This is all mine now,” he says with a menacing smile. “Alvrez is out of the picture, that bitch made sure of that.”
He called her a bitch. How fucking dare he? Before I know what I’m doing, I’ve cocked my gun and pulled the goddamn trigger. The fire rings out, echoing through the empty area of the dark night. Harlan drops onto his knees, clutching his right shoulder. I dart toward him, knocking him flat against the harsh, wet ground. Rearing back my painfully clenched fist, I punch the bastard over and over, his lip splitting wide open, covering me in blood. But I don’t stop. Every punch is an outlet for the years of anger and pain I’ve felt without Isabelle. I want to break his face into smithereens, just like he broke my fucking heart when he took her away from me again.
“Brax,” Nate yells at me, but I don’t stop. He pulls my shoulders, dragging me away from his body. “He’s out cold.”
The complete scars series: Books one-four Page 28