A Bedtime Story

by L. C. Moon

  Laura gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth, her eyes horrified as the two faces turned her way. Tanya’s eyes glistened with carnivorous thrill. Kayne’s expression was predatory, his stare callous and condescending, his alcohol-induced state reflected in his eyes.

  Laura shook her head, her hand still covering her mouth. She took a few steps back, then turned around. It was all a dream, she walked into a dream, a horrible crazy dream she just wanted to wake up from. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her mind racing with incoherent thoughts. More than the woman going down on him, it was the image of him and Tanya that kept playing over and over again in her head, keeping the constant pain shooting in her chest. He abandoned her for Tanya, had pushed her away the night before when he could’ve had her. She remembered the kiss she gave him, the fantasies she entertained. Don’t be naive and dream up a romance, Mrs. Drugova’s words came back to her. She felt her heart shatter, the pain, physical. She wondered how many times a soul could break apart before it ceased being itself, becoming something else.

  She walked to the front door, her feet carrying her of their own accord. She heard voices calling her, they’d seemed to be coming from another world. She kept walking, out of the front door and onto the paved lane. The gates were open; they were never open. She kept walking, past the open gates and the security men. Though looking at her, none tried to stop her. She walked into the street. The moonlight was shining brightly, illuminating her way. She removed her heels, carrying them in her hands. She kept walking, in her evening gown, bare feet on the asphalt. Cars passed by, honking. She kept walking.

  ***

  Kayne’s cellphone rang.

  “Sir, Miss Spencer is heading toward the front gate.” Lucas waited for instructions.

  “Is she still wearing the bracelet?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. Let her.”

  Kayne hung up and pushed the whore off him. Tanya’s face was glowing as she feigned concern, not even bothering to restrain her delighted smirk. “Oh, what’s wrong? Did the little bird fly away?” Kayne shot her a cool warning stare in response, turned around, and walked away. “You know the way out,” he threw back, his voice hard.

  ***

  Laura kept walking, numb, her mind blank. She didn’t know how long she’d been walking for. She didn’t know where she was heading.

  ***

  Kayne met up with Lucas in the office upstairs. Laura couldn’t possibly know that at the very moment, her chip-encrusted bracelet was popping up as a little red spot on their monitoring system.

  “Where is she headed?” Kayne asked coolly.

  “Nowhere in particular, I think. She seems to be just walking along the highway. Could be dangerous, sir. Are you sure you don’t want me to retrieve her?”

  “No.” His reply was instant. “I want to see where she goes. Have Kiev follow her. Only intervene if she gets close to a police station.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Kiev, a slim dark-eyed man with a crooked nose, was also part of the security team. Proudly from Kiev, he took the name of his home city for his own when he left the motherland. He was well into his fifties now. Though fit as they come, his body and posture still reflected the military training received during his early years back in his homeland. He specialized in interrogation techniques and executions no one else wanted to perform. He had been with the family for as long as Kayne could remember. He was very loyal to the Malkins, had helped Lev, and Kayne after him, get rid of unwanted obstacles and ensure their position in the Organization. Kiev wasn’t a sadist, just an unblinking soldier. Kayne could trust him to follow instructions.

  ***

  Laura saw the flashing red neon of the open sign at a shabby local bar and headed straight toward its wooden door. There were only men at the tables, a few waitresses past their prime, donned outfits suggesting they refused to acknowledge it. They all stared at her in an awkward moment of silence. She didn’t realize the absurdity of the situation as she walked straight to the counter on her dirty, bloodied bare feet and her dusty expensive gown.

  “A whiskey, straight up please,” she asked the barman, as he openly checked her out with curiosity.

  He lifted his brow, kept playing with the dirty towel on his shoulder. At last, he obliged, pouring her a glass, which he set in front of her. She threw her head back and downed it in one shot. She felt a head rush, the burn in her throat, the slow numbing of her senses. She smiled, smacking the glass back on the counter.

  “Can I have another please?”

  “Sure, three dollars for the first, unless you want to open a tab?” He eyed her suspiciously.

  “Oh…” She had no money. How silly… it hadn’t even crossed her mind; such an everyday worry. When did one of those cross her mind last?

  A man approached her and stopped by her side.

  “May I?” He offered her a charming smile. He didn’t wait for her answer and gave the man his credit card. “Two more please.”

  She kept staring ahead, refusing to acknowledge him. When the barman brought the other round, the man reached for both glasses before she had a chance to take hers. He handed her the glass, forcing interaction, and raised his own to clink it with hers. “To beautiful mysterious ladies appearing out of nowhere.”

  She didn’t return his smile. Looking at him, she cocked her head and sized him up. He was kind of good looking. Brownish hair, beautiful green eyes, but his teeth were crooked. They weren’t yellow or nasty, just crooked. Kayne’s teeth are perfect, she thought. They both swallowed the drink in one shot. She finally smiled at him, gripping the counter as she felt herself getting light-headed. “And she smiles…” he teased.

  ***

  “She’s at a bar, sir. Kiev is in the parking lot. She’s been inside for over twenty minutes.”

  “A bar…” Kayne licked his lips, pensive. “Okay. Let’s go.”

  ***

  Laura stood against the stone wall in the back alley by the bar. She felt comfortably numb, smoking a cigarette as the man leaned against her, one arm on the wall by her side. He’d been rambling on about himself nonstop, bragging about his career and ambitions. She wasn’t sure what else, she wasn’t listening anymore. She felt annoyed by his presence, by his obvious moves and sweet mannerisms. But seeing Kayne and Tanya in her mind, imagining them together, she let this unknown man get near her. She cringed as he caressed her cheek but allowed it. He leaned closer, kissing her on the neck. This was it. It was as far as she would let it go. She put her hand flat on his chest and weakly tried to push him off her, as she turned her head away from him.

  The man flew away, landing on the ground a few feet behind. She turned her head back to find Kayne staring at her, his eyes, open slits of fury.

  “What the f—” The man dusted himself off as he stumbled back on his feet.

  With his eyes still fixed on Laura, Kayne pulled out a gun and pointed it at him. “Stay down.”

  The man immediately raised his arms but remained on his knees. “Hey! Easy—”

  “Shut up,” he spat, disgusted.

  Laura could see two black SUVs blocking each side of the back alley, Lucas on one end, a man she noticed around the house at the other. Kayne’s eyes were still boring into hers.

  “Has he touched you?”

  “No, man... I didn’t… I swear… Listen, I don’t want any trouble…” the man mumbled, panicked.

  “Be quiet,” Kayne hissed, throwing him a quick but threatening glance that had him cowering further down on his knees, crooking his arms behind his head.

  Turning back to Laura, Kayne addressed her, his voice deceptively calm. “Laura, have you let him touch you. In any way?”

  Laura shook her head violently. Everything felt surreal. Kayne, here, the man, on his knees, the gun, Lucas…

  “Don’t lie,” he cautioned her, a wrath in his eyes she’d never seen. She was too petrified to even cry, shocked into silence. She finally stammered, her voice hushed, “He..
. he kissed my neck—”

  She was interrupted by a deafening popping sound. Warm liquid spurted on her face, and she recognized only what it was when she saw the blood on Kayne’s face, the red spots all over his white shirt. She remained very still, in shock, in denial, looking at the limp body on the ground, its head blown off. A body that was standing not a few minutes ago, breathing into her ear, annoying her.

  Kayne’s eyes remained locked on her, venom seeping through them. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face, slowly, never breaking eye contact. She felt herself shiver, her teeth chattering uncontrollably. Kiev approached them and began to drag the body, rolling it up in plastic.

  This isn’t real, it can’t be real. Laura was gasping for air as she watched Kayne turning away from her and walking back to the car.

  “Miss Spencer...” It was Lucas, his voice soft. He was trying to get her away, gently pulling at her arm. “Miss Spencer, we have to go.”

  The black SUV had pulled up to them, and Lucas led her to the backseat, where Kayne was already seated.

  She shook her head in terror. “Lucas… no, please no...”

  “We have to go, Miss Spencer.” He gently but forcibly pushed her into the car.

  Kayne didn’t look at her; his eyes were cold as stone. He looked straight ahead as she cowered in the corner, pulling her feet up on the seat. She hugged them, her entire body shaking with convulsions.

  “Do this again, and I will kill you,” he finally said, still staring straight ahead, his voice deadpan.

  She broke down crying and began rocking herself, waiting for the nightmare to end. The entire way back home, she wondered if it ever would. They got back to the house and Laura saw the gates close behind them. Was that how the nightmare would end? Would those gates be the last thing she would see before dying? Was he going to kill her? Or maybe just lock her in the cage until she went completely insane and died her own way? She was lost in morbid thoughts, when his harsh voice snapped her back to reality.

  “Get out,” Kayne hissed, waiting by the open door.

  “No… please no… . please… please…” she sobbed.

  He grabbed her arm and pulled her out roughly. She stumbled and would have fallen if it weren’t for his firm grip. He dragged her into the house, unresponsive to her desperate pleas. Olga was waiting inside, her face instantly paled as they walked in, covered in blood. Once inside, Kayne pushed Laura so hard she fell sideways on the floor. With her hands behind her, she crawled backward to Olga, grabbed her leg, and looked up at her pleadingly.

  “Master Kayne—” Olga began, her voice shaky.

  “Leave us,” he warned in a low growl.

  “Master, I beg of you—” She used her remaining courage to face his wrath.

  “Leave!”

  She looked down at Laura, offering her a reassuring smile, though her eyes conveyed the shame she felt as she obediently retreated to the western wing, closing her bedroom door behind her.

  Laura crawled further back until her spine hit the wall, until there was nowhere further to seek refuge. Her eyes were wide, as she panted like a wounded animal. She looked mad, shaking uncontrollably, while her eyes turned at the slightest sound or movement.

  Kayne stared at her, his own breathing loud.

  “Is this how you repay me?” His voice was controlled, his eyes blackened with rage.

  She shook her head furiously, unable to speak, unable to move, frozen with fear.

  “Do you have ANY idea what I’ve been through for you?” His voice was sharp, growing louder with every word as his self-control faltered. After a pause, he then added, his voice back to hair-rising softness, “Dimitri… wants you dead. Maxwell… wants to sell you… Had I known you were just dying to whore yourself, I wouldn’t have busted my balls over you.”

  “No… no… Master… I swear…” She pained to get each word out, her sobs unstoppable.

  “Oh, it’s Master now? Quite the manipulative little thing, aren’t we? Well… Master is not happy, Pet.” A sadistic gleam merged with the rage already present.

  “No… please… please…”

  “No…? You didn’t let this man put his dirty paws on you? You didn’t let him kiss you?” he pronounced every word, his eyes burning.

  “You were with your whores!” she wailed, shouting at the top of her lungs. “What do you want from me?” Her voice broke.

  He grunted, a diabolic smile matching his menacing eyes. “Don’t worry, Pet. I’ll show you.”

  Her eyes snapped to meet his, panic and pleading, fear and despair mirrored all at once. She opened her mouth to beg but didn’t have the time to utter a syllable. In an instant he was by her side, holding her up by her hair. He dragged her kicking and screaming, all along the hall, down the stairs, and into the dungeon.

  He led her to a bed and let go of his hold. She fell to her knees on the ground, her face and arms landing on the soft mattress as she wailed, caught in a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. His eyes malevolent, he cocked his head and watched her, enraptured by her distress.

  He tugged her hair again, bringing her up to his lips, and whispered softly in her ear, “Why did you do it?”

  She sobbed, vainly throwing her arms about, trying to free herself from his hold. He pushed her on the mattress.

  “Were you… jealous?… Again?” he asked her, his voice raspy, as she lay flat on the mattress, her cries swallowed by the comforter. “Whores don’t get to be jealous,” he callously threw at her.

  He then climbed on top of her, kneeling with one leg on each side of her body and ripped her dress off her back. She gasped, her body freezing for a moment, before her sobbing came back, even more desperate than before. He caressed her back softly, reached for her arms, and brought them to the bedposts where handcuffs awaited. He locked each of her wrists.

  “Please… please…” she implored, her voice throaty from all the screaming and crying. She panted, out of breath, her little body drained.

  He leaned close to her ear and made shushing sounds. “Tell me why you did what you did, and I might go easier on you,” he whispered softly in her ear, kissing her earlobe.

  “I don’t know… I saw you with her… I couldn’t…” Her voice was calm, numb. “I was jealous. Again,” she admitted, the words tasting sour on her tongue.

  “So you whore yourself to a stranger?”

  She lay her head down on the pillow, her eyes filled with bitter surrender. “I didn’t. Believe what you want.”

  A sardonic chuckle escaped his lips. “I believe I’ve been too soft with you.” He left her side, coming back with a whip in his hand. He cracked it on the floor. She jerked and screamed at the imagined pain, making him chuckle. She barely had time to compose herself, when the whip cracked down on her. It cut her breath, the pain unbearable. She was in shock, couldn’t even scream. It sank down on her again. This time, she bellowed with everything she had, her scream lingering in the air. He struck her again, again, and again. She hollered and shrieked with every strike. She thought she would pass out from the pain, convinced he’d drawn blood and that she’d be scarred for life.

  She wasn’t. He’d been careful not to break her skin. He liked her pristine skin and kept the intensity at a minimum, controlling the impact as it landed on her ass and back.

  “The only man who will ever touch you is me.”

  “Yes, Master,” she responded, her voice deadened.

  “Who do you belong to?” he hissed, unhappy with her response. “You…” she cried, the truth of her words resonating in her.

  A guttural sound escaped his lips. He caressed her, brought his hand down, and reached between her legs, growing hard at finding her wet. He spread her wetness through her slit, all the way back, wetting the tight little circle as he spread her ass cheeks apart.

  “You’re mine...” he said, almost to himself. “And you will never forget it.”

  He entered his finger. She gasped in response, contracting her muscles at
the unpleasant feeling.

  “Relax.”

  “I can’t,” she panted, lifting her head in panic. He pushed his finger all the way in and used his other hand to continue playing with her sensitive spot. He wanted her to relax despite herself, to get lost in the pleasure he provided her, despite the pain he had inflicted on her. She moaned, rocking her hips against his fingers. “Just like a bitch in heat…” He chuckled sadistically, knowing how deep his words cut her.

  A whimper escaped her lips, her eyes tearing at the sting of his words. Yet she couldn’t help rubbing herself against him, insane with the pleasure she craved so much, desperate for any pleasure she could get from him. He pulled out his finger and laid his body on top of hers. She could feel his erection rubbing against her ass, lingering at the entrance his finger had just violated. She wanted to plead, beg him not to, but he continued to play with and tease her pulsating nerve. She could feel his body surrounding her, his fingers driving her mad. She understood in that moment just how deep his power over her truly went. With his touch alone, he had more control over her than all the values and principles she clung to her entire life.

  “Beg me,” he commanded, his voice wolfish in her ear.

  She whimpered.

  He grabbed her hair, pulling her head back. “Beg me to make you my whore.”

  “Make me your whore… please, Master,” she sobbed.