MasterMind_An Anna Monroe and Never Far crossover

by A. A. Dark

  “But, dear, you don’t deserve him. Inside, you must know he’s better than you. Besides, he’s not quite right in the head lately. I’m going to fix that.”

  Broken cries left her as she attempted to lift. “You’re n-not right in the head. I want to go h-home. I—"

  The fiberglass rod split the air, and the impact to the lowest part of her ass had her entire body jolting. More skin split at her innermost thigh, and blood trickled from the now gaping wound. Seconds went by before Lucy could catch her breath.

  “Ahhh! Ahhh!”

  More sobs. More screams. Her upper body thrashed, and she sucked in a breath, going silent through the following short gasps. Within seconds, her body went limp and blonde hair swayed. Beautiful. Graceful even. My fingers locked around the heart necklace dangling amidst the tresses, and I broke the chain free, stuffing it in my pocket as vibrations met my fingertips. They had been going off for quite some time. A mix between Boston and Daniel.

  I pulled up the texts, seeing it was the latter.

  Daniel: One’s dead. I wasn’t ready!

  Where are you?

  I’ve been calling. You didn’t show.

  I wasn’t ready to kill her, but I couldn’t stop.

  I thought you were my doctor. Why aren’t you answering?

  The sly smile that came accompanied my fingers as I texted back.

  Me: I apologize. Problems with another client.

  Daniel: But you were supposed to be helping me. I’m so mad. I don’t know why I’m even talking to you. I took care of it.

  Me: You were careful?

  Daniel: You think I want to get caught? I’m always careful.

  Me: Then I’ll talk to you soon.

  I didn’t care that I sounded callous or unprofessional. And I would to Daniel. That didn’t matter anymore. I checked my watch, looking between it and Lucy.

  One minute.

  Five.

  Thirteen.

  A gasp.

  A groan.

  Awareness.

  “Welcome back. As I was saying…Boston, he’s not like everyone else. Take how possessive he is over you. How he can’t have you out of his sight. Did you really think it was because he loved you? Surely, you can’t believe he’d voluntarily love trash like you.”

  At her sniffle, I paused. I waited for an outburst so I could punish her, but she kept quiet.

  “Possession is the root of insecurity. But he’s not insecure for reasons he can help. The emotion stems from obsessive love. I don’t throw the word obsession around lightly, but unfortunately, he is, in fact, clinically diagnosed.

  “For years, I battled whether it was obsessive compulsive disorder. When involving another person, most of the time, the obsession comes into play when a patient needs to resolve a question or situation. They might not even know the part that’s driving them to behave the way they do. I never got that from Boston. Sure, there were things that could have contributed to that diagnosis, but what drove him was more than that. So then, I questioned whether he suffered from erotomania. I don’t even know why I gave it thought. Boston wasn’t delusional. He knew the difference between what was and what could be. So, I continued testing, and we continued our sessions over the years. Obsessive love isn’t classified under the DSM-5, but it does indeed exist. Most doctors misdiagnose because they feel better hiding the condition under attachment disorder, or borderline personality disorder. I’m no fool. Although I hoped I could somehow transition his needs to better fit my own, I’m afraid that didn’t quite happen.”

  Lucy’s head bobbed and her body shook through a new round of cries.

  “Now, obsession is not always a bad thing. There are different degrees of severity, and even the strongest can be managed. But Boston is different. He doesn’t just have the obsessive love to worry about. No. He’s a prodigy. Smart. Clever beyond anyone could imagine. I should know. I’ve been his doctor since he was twelve. Had he merely been obsessed with you, I think we wouldn’t be in the situation we are now, but you see, it didn’t take me long to discover there was more to his fascinating mind. Boston admitted to me early on that he had this need to cut up your brother. He hated Jeff. He hated him so much, I feared I wouldn’t be able to convince him to wait. But I came up with a plan. One he almost didn’t take me up on. I guess he didn’t want to be watched. That’s okay. I walked him through the abductions and settled for the stories. Even afterward, at the beginning, I helped him clean up. He learned fast. Boston…he sure did have a talent and passion for mutilating bad men before his amnesia.”

  “W-What?”

  Lucy’s head lifted to reveal a flushed face. Her eyes could barely open and her lips trembled as she looked over at me.

  “You heard me. How does it feel knowing the man you so freely give your heart and body to is responsible for killing at least nineteen people? Two of which you happen to know.”

  “Jeff. You’re l-lying. He didn’t want to hurt him. He was trying to help.” Her head shook in denial, but I was already bringing down the cane again. This time, on her uppermost thighs. The slight whistle from my speed barely reached my ears before she was screaming.

  “I don’t lie. I never lie. You accuse me of it again, and I’ll remove your tongue. I have little use for it anyway. I don’t need you to talk. I need you to listen. To obey me. And you better be ready to fucking obey every single demand I give. This,” I said, pointing the cane toward her, “is nothing compared to what I’m going to do to you if you so much as bat your pretty eyes at the wrong speed.”

  “W-Why are you doing this? I don’t understand what’s h-happening.”

  My finger stroked down the fiberglass, slick with blood. From just below her tailbone, down her thighs, the damage was significant. Each welt held almost black bruising at the impact point. Shades of red radiated from there. In seven places throughout the multiple thin ridges, her skin was lacerated. None too deep, except the one at the bottom. Even seeing her skin slit open a good amount, I felt nothing…nothing but the anger growing at her query. I should have had held satisfaction or pleasure with how my plan worked out, yet even holding Boston’s most cherished treasure provided no relief.

  “Do you know what questions are good for?” I aimed the tip of the cane toward the deepest wound, extending my arm to circle around the opening. Lucy jerked, crying as I eased the point into the bleeding crevice. “Questions get you into trouble. Questions,” I said, pushing the fiberglass in even more, “lead to answers you can’t handle. They get you hurt.” Flesh popped and broke at my force. Blood raced out in a fast stream, and I rotated my hand, digging into her flesh deeper.

  “Ahhh! P-Please! No!”

  “No? No, what, Little Lucy? No more pain? I hate to break it to you, but pain is life. Pain is love. Without pain, how would you know how good it feels not to be experiencing it?” I removed the cane, making a line of red up her ass and over to trace her folds. She tried to thrash at the contact, but she wasn’t going anywhere. She was so smooth. So perfect. I could see why Boston couldn’t get enough of fucking her. He was running from hormones and lack of sense. His obsession had become ruled by his cock. I couldn’t have that. I created him. He was mine. And my creation wouldn’t go to waste over pussy.

  “You were a virgin when you gave yourself to him. Did it hurt the first time?”

  My cane moved closer to her entrance, inching in, probing in leisurely thrusts. A high-pitched shriek echoed from the walls of the farmhouse. Where we were located, no one would ever hear.

  “Get away from me. Sick. Fuck! Fuck!” The last was elongated and shrill through her continuing screams. Her body was jerking, going crazy against the ropes. Red trickled down her wrists and ankles while I stood there and let her wear herself out. I wasn’t in a hurry, and there was something captivating about the desperate terror she displayed. It held me still, keeping me entertained.

  “Help! Someone, please! Ahhh! Ahhh! F-Fuck. You. Help! Boston!”

  Time ticked by, and
her voice turned raspy, and then barely audible. Her limbs were the last to stop. Even as she slowed, they still fought the good fight. She’d go lifeless, and then they would try to jerk against the rough hemp.

  Deep breaths filled the room, and I found myself walking to crouch at her side. Bloodshot green eyes blinked slowly while she shook from the silent cries.

  “You waste your strength. No one can hear you. No one will find you. You’re what I make of you, and for the outburst you just had, you’ll have to suffer. Tell me, Boston claimed your virginity, but did he take it from everywhere?”

  Understanding took a moment to dawn. Lucy’s eyes widened, and she came to life all over again, struggling in her draped position on the chair.

  “You’re n-not going to get away with this. B-Boston will come for me. He’ll find you.”

  “And what? What will he do? Kill me?”

  I laughed, tracing my thumb over her lips. Lucy shook her head back and forth while letting out a raspy scream.

  Fisting her hair, I jerked her face back to me, digging my digits into her jawline with my other hand. I didn’t ease up until she yelled out through the intense pain.

  “By the time the sun rises, you will be broken in more places than just your mind. I’m going to fuck you up beyond repair, and you…you’re going to be nothing but a shell I bend to my will. You’re weak. Even as you fight, we both know it’s coming to an end. You’re nothing. Orphan trash. Lost. Alone. You were doomed from birth, and outcast by your pathetic little town. Boston was the only thing that made you special, but I think we both know without him, your existence is worthless.”

  Lucy lifted her head and spit splattered across my face. Instinct had my hand rising, and I didn’t hesitate to slam my fist into her cheek. The impact had her head snapping and falling lifelessly back down. My teeth clenched, and I stood, wiping the saliva from my nose and cheek.

  She may have been out now, but I had the perfect way to wake her up. Lucy was going to feel my wrath. She’d wear it—body and mind.

  Chapter 5

  Detective Casey

  “Criminal minds?”

  I looked between Boston and Anna, twisting my mouth at Anna’s angry tone. She was mad, but so was I. She shouldn’t have been here. She shouldn’t have been alone with this man. How many times in the past had I reached out to her for something…anything denoting attention? How many times had she denied me? Now this? This…Boston got all of her focus? We knew he didn’t physically kidnap his girlfriend, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have something to do with her disappearance. It ate at me. All of it. I just wanted her to be mine. I wanted us to be together again. I wanted her safe. Why couldn’t she see how much she meant to me? Why couldn’t she give me five minutes of her time so we could talk and work this out?

  At the question, I faced the jealousy I couldn’t control. I faced the truth. Her motives for being alone in a hotel room with an attractive man was clear. Mine were not. I was out of control. Maybe I always would be concerning her.

  “Forget it,” I breathed out. “Anna, can we talk outside?”

  She took two steps before Boston reached out.

  “You’re coming back, right? Anna?”

  She paused, throwing me a look before she glanced back to him. “Yes. I told you I would help, and I have every intention to.”

  Relief flooded his face, and Anna continued toward the door. The moment I shut it behind me, her finger poked into my chest.

  “Predator versus predator? You have some nerve. I can’t believe you’d say something like that. Especially in front of a man who just had his girlfriend kidnapped on the day he was planning to propose. Do you know how terrified he is that something bad has happened to her? Then making the one person he’s counting on for help sound like the bad guy?” Her head shook. “That may be a new low for you.”

  My heart sank, knowing she was right. Knowing I’d only make this worse if I continued to lose it. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have called you that at all. The truth is, you know nothing about this man. Who’s to say he didn’t have someone take her? We are way too early in the investigation to know anything for sure.”

  “That may be true, but Boston did not have his girlfriend kidnapped. I’m sorry, Braden, I just don’t feel it. And I don’t think you do either. You saw him after it happened. He was devastated. Hell, beyond devastated. Someone behind their girlfriend’s disappearance couldn’t pull that depth of emotion off. Besides, even if he did, why would he call me for help?”

  To me, there were a million reasons why—Anna was beautiful. “I don’t know. I’m not so quick to jump on the innocent train. I’ve seen acting before, and some of it would blow your mind. Until I learn more about this guy, I would very much like you to stay away. Please.”

  Her head shook, sending more stands of blonde escaping the loose ponytail. “I can’t. I understand I’m putting myself at risk, but I’m going with my gut, and my gut tells me Boston is sincere. I’m going to help him find Lucy and whoever is responsible.”

  “And then what?”

  Silence.

  “What are you going to do if you happen to uncover anything?”

  When she didn’t answer, I put myself inches from her face.

  “Anna, I asked you a question. You will tell me if you uncover anything, won’t you?”

  “Of course.”

  “You sure about that?”

  Emotion was nonexistent, making it hard to believe her.

  “I said I would. What do you think I’m going to do? Go in with my gun blazing to save the day? I’m not looking to be a hero, Braden. I just want Lucy found…before…” A ragged breath left her, and it broke my heart. “I know you’ve seen the aftermath of these situations, but you’ve never lived through one. You can’t imagine what fear and horror she must be undergoing right now. The longer we take to find her, the worse it will become. He’ll get comfortable. When that happens, there’s no telling how bad it will get.”

  My hands lifted, cupping her face. Agony cramped my chest, and I almost couldn’t believe she didn’t pull away as my forehead came to rest against hers.

  “I’m sorry for what you went through. I swear I am. There are so many things I wish I could change about those months, but I can’t. You went through hell. So did I. I thought I lost you. In the end, I did lose you. Do you have any idea how bad that hurts? How much it kills me not to be with you? Goddammit, Anna.” My palms rubbed over her cheeks as my fingers embedded in her hair. Our lips were so close. Too close. I wasn’t thinking, but I couldn’t stop. “You used to love me. I still love you. I’ll always—”

  Pressure pushed against the bends of my elbows and she slipped free, scrambling back.

  “Don’t say it. Just…don’t. You should go.”

  My lids closed, only to open a moment later. Could this ache in my chest get any worse? It was shredding through my heart as if there were still damage that could be done. And there obviously was. Each time hurt worse than before. Breaking me down. Killing me more than a bottle ever could.

  I took a step back, pushing away the why’s. I’d lose her completely if I didn’t give her space.

  “Don’t stay too late. I’ll be waiting to see if you make it home.”

  “Braden, you don’t have to do that.”

  “It’s done. I’ll be waiting.”

  I turned, heading toward the elevator. Thump-thump. Thump-thump. Each step increased the speed of my pulse. Jealousy didn’t want me to leave. I almost felt like I couldn’t. But what was the alternative? Anna was too stubborn to go against what she wanted. And after what had happened to her, I understood her need to solve this mystery, even if I didn’t like her spending time with another man.

  “Braden?”

  My finger paused over the button, and I turned to see Anna taking something from her purse. She handed it back to Boston, who stood at the door. Jogging toward me, I could barely breathe as she approached. Faster, my heart raced, until I was drawing in my
fingers to clench at my sides. When she approached, her eyes stayed at my chest, refusing to meet my gaze.

  “Here.” She opened her palm to expose a key. “Don’t wait outside. I may be a while.”

  The elevator opened, and I reached toward the door, placing my hand over so it wouldn’t close while I stared at what she held. Was it a symbol to get inside her home…or possibly her life? Confused, I could only pray. When her eyes finally rose to meet mine, there was a spark of something. Not just lust. I saw that buried within, but possible motives I didn’t quite understand. It had me hesitating.

  “Tempting, Anna.”

  “You don’t want it?”

  “The key? Or you?”

  “You haven’t been to church in the last few weeks.”

  “I’ve been busy. Don’t change the subject. You’re up to something. You’ve done nothing but push me away. What happened in that mind of yours in the time it took me to walk away?”

  She didn’t answer immediately. Shifting told me she was uncomfortable, but the longing was still deep in her eyes. It called to me, telling me she needed me so much more than she would ever admit. “Is it so wrong to offer you comfort over the confines of your car? We were really close at one time. If you’re going to wait for me, you might as well do it inside.”

  Again, my stare went to the key. The temptation was overwhelming, but what if I was only seeing what I wanted to? What if I wasn’t? “We both know there’s something more you’re after. If there wasn’t, you wouldn’t offer.” I gazed into her eyes, silently pleading for the chance to turn things around between us. “Do you want more, Anna? Do you need me? All you have to do is tell me. Tell me.”

  Chapter 6

  Anna

  All I needed to do was tell him? Tell Braden what? As if he would understand everything I was going through. As if I did. I had no idea what the hell I was doing. My mind said one thing while my heart longed for another. For hours, I let our conversation outside the elevator loop in my mind. I could still see him standing there, staring at me with those deep green eyes. When he took the key, I quickly turned and jogged back to Boston’s room. I couldn’t even face Braden. Was he inside right now, waiting for me? Had he decided to just sleep in his car?