Awe-Struck, Book 2 (13 page)

Sunny stumbled back as if slapped. Gabe had never raised his voice to her.

“Gabe she
loves
you! Wants to meet-”

“I told you I don’t want to meet her! My relationship with my mother is none of your fucking business!” Gabe yelled at her.

“Gabriel Wolf! Don’t you dare talk to me like that! Not my fucking business?! I’m supposed to be tying myself to you in every way for the rest of our lives, yet your family is none of my business?!” Sunny yelled back.

“I’m not discussing this with you. Conversation over.” Gabe said with dead finality.

Gabe walked out of the bedroom leaving Sunny dejected and crestfallen. Tears threatened, but she refused to shed them. She already hated the media and getting her picture taken a million times. But she refused to face them with red-rimmed puffy eyes or smeared mascara.

She couldn’t believe how irrational Gabe was being about his mother. He needed her, needed a relationship with her, to heal old and deeply buried wounds. And the fact that he so quickly had slammed her efforts hurt liked hell.

Sunny tried to apply the rest of her eyeliner, but her hands shook too badly from pent up emotions. She dropped her hands to the counter and clutched the edge, breathing deeply through the nose trying to calm her nerves. When she felt she was under control and that her hands were fairly steady, she continued finishing her makeup.

Sunny gave herself a dramatic smoky eye and added a clear lip-gloss for a more nude lip. She walked into the bedroom when she was finished, Gabe was nowhere in sight, probably not even wanting to be in her presence. All she could do was sigh and walk
into the closet to get the dress she had chosen out of the several that at least five designers sent over.

Apparently now that she was engaged to Gabe and she had suddenly become an involuntary spokesperson for plus-sized women, Sunny was now the
“It”
girl. Every designer apparently wanted her to wear their clothes and designed them with her in mind. It was overwhelming for her, but nice. She’d never in her life expected to wear couture anything.

Many of the dresses were cute and flirty and she instantly loved them and vowed to wear them soon. But cute and flirty wasn’t what she wanted tonight.  She had always been the ‘cute chubby one’; tonight she wanted to be sexy, especially since this was the biggest red-carpet event they had attended so far. Gabe was sexy as sin and she wanted to at least try to look like she belonged with him.

So she chose the one sexy dress that had been sent to her. It was an all-white modern take on the Grecian gown. It had a sweetheart neckline that pushed her bust up till it was almost overflowing. The rest of the dress fit her body like a glove, all the way down to right under her knees. The expensive material was ruched and gathered slightly, to cleverly disguise any lumps and bumps she had. And her favorite part of the dress was the large gathered material that acted as a strap that crossed from the top of the left bust up and around her collar bone and neck to come back around to attach at the back giving it a sexy toga look.

To finish out her whole look, she added a silver and rhinestone Grecian leaf hair clip above one braid, chandelier earrings, and sparkly bangle bracelets to partially hide her uneven arms, since her formerly casted arm was atrophied from lack of use for six weeks. And last she slid on the yellow wedge heels.

Once Sunny was finished she grudgingly headed down to meet Gabe. When she rounded the corner downstairs he was sitting on the couch with a tumbler of amber liquid and ice. He looked up and his eyes widened in shock and he swallowed loudly.

“As usual Sunny you take my breath away.” He said standing and kissing her on the cheek.

“You look fantastic Gabe.” Sunny meant every word, but her voice held no inflection.

And he did look ridiculously sexy in his midnight blue tux that had the slightest shimmer to it and a skinny black tie and black shiny dress shoes. And for the first time since she’d known him personally, his hair was slicked back in a sleek sexy way that emphasized the light stubble on his square jaw.

“Ready?” Gabe asked softly, as if she’d fall apart if he spoke too loudly.

“Yes.” Sunny responded shortly.

“Sunny, I…” Gabe started, but his voice trailed off.

“Let’s just go. We’ll be late if we don’t get going. And isn’t the whole point of getting there on time, the walk down the red-carpet?”

“Alright. Let’s get going.” Gabe put his hand on her lower back leading her out of the house to the awaiting limo.

The ride to the
Kodak Theater
was excruciatingly silent. Gabe wasn’t quite as angry as he was at first, but couldn’t find the right way to apologize. And Sunny was still hurt and tight-lipped not making any apologizes easy on Gabe.

The limo pulled up and the cameras were poised with anticipation to burst with flashes at whoever got out of the car. Gabe looked at Sunny sadly, leaned in and gently kissed her temple and then opened the door and stepped out. Instantly several men shouted Gabe’s name to get his attention to get the best angles for their photos. The crowd that was wrangled in on the temporary bleachers went nuts.

Gabe turned back and reached a hand in to help Sunny out of the back. As she stepped out and the cameras exploded with blinding flashes and the crowd remarkably got louder. She had no idea how it was possible that she had become an overnight sensation just for falling in love, especially after the initial poor reception she had gotten at first. But here she was and though it made her uncomfortable, she wouldn’t give Gabe up for the world, even when he was being a stubborn ass.

Sunny smiled brightly at the cameras and crowd. She and Gabe may be in the middle of a battle, but she knew she couldn’t show that, so she mirrored Gabe as they made their way to the first interview station along the red carpet.

“Wow, Gabriel! Sunny! You both look amazing! Who are you wearing?” The female interviewer waved them over.

“Coincidentally I think we’re both wearing
Valentino
. Right, Sunny?” Gabe smiled down at her.

“Yes, we are. I didn’t even realize it.” Sunny chuckled.

“I guess great fashion minds think alike.” The male interviewer chimed in.

“So you two have had quite the
crazy last couple of months. I’m so glad to see you’re doing well Sunny and you finally have that cast off.” The girl commented.

“Yeah, life has been pretty interesting to say the least. I wouldn’t mind a little quiet for a while.” Sunny responded honestly.

“I can imagine. Well you look stunning tonight. And we’re rooting for you guys. You’re the hot topic around the water cooler these days.” She said to Sunny.

“Oh boy! I’m not nearly as interesting as all that.” Sunny exclaimed.

“Wanna bet.” Gabe said before kissing her temple, making both interviewers laugh.

It was time to move on the next interviewing station. It took them a few minutes to make their way down the red carpet because every show had to get an interview from the hot couple. The whole time the crowd of movie fans screamed and shouted their names adding “We love you, Sunny!”, “You’re so hot Gabe!” or “You guys are perfect t
ogether!” Practically the whole country’s view of them had changed after their time on The Chat and the video of Gabe’s proposal was aired and went viral. Apparently it had gotten over three million hits.

At the end of the red carpet many of the celebrities were standing around chitchatting with one another before the show started. The first person to come up to them as they walked up to the
gathering was Sophia Morales.
Oh great! My favorite fucking person.

Sophia sashayed
up to them in a long gown with a plunging neckline that nearly went to her bellybutton and the matching back went down to the bottom of her tailbone.
Stock must have gone up in double-sided sticky tape.
Sunny felt like an Oompa Loompa next to the Latin bombshell.

Sophia sauntered up to Gabe seductively; her back to Sunny, she double kissed him on the cheeks.
Like she’s fucking French or something. Bitch you’re probably from Queens
! Sunny didn’t actually know where she was from, but it felt good to think it.

“Hello Gabriel. How have you been?” Sophia purred at Gabe.

“Fine.” Gabe replied awkwardly.

“How did you like that rumor that was going around about us and that sex tape? It reminded me of old times.” She seductively rubbed down his arm.

Gabe looked uncomfortable and at a loss for words. Sunny had plenty and was in no mood to play the close-lipped pushover.

“Are you fucking for real right now?!” Sunny said angrily as she tapped the statuesque woman on the shoulder. “Do you not see me fucking standing here? With his ring on
my
finger? Learn some respect and back the fuck off.” Sunny growled.

Sophia gasped and Gabe sputtered, holding back his laughter. Sunny just scowled at them both and then turned on her heels and walked away.

“Hey, what did I do?!” Gabe ran after her.

“It’s what you didn’t do, Gabriel.” Sunny turned to face him.

“Are you kidding me?!” Gabe looked shocked.

“First you rip me a new one for contacting your mother, which I did for you, with the best of intentions. And now you let that woman caress all over you in front of me like I’m not even fucking there!” Sunny exclaimed. “I’m not an irrationally jealous female, but sorry that shit hurt, Gabriel.” Tears threatened Sunny’s eyes for the second time that night. “You know what, don’t worry about it, I’m fine. Let’s just find our seats.” Sunny turned away and Gabe followed guiltily.

They didn’t really get a chance to talk again once the show started. It went fairly quickly with the presenting of awards and performances, which Sunny was grateful. She knew her and Gabe needed to talk, she hated having this barrier between them, though Gabe continued to keep the physical contact between them. He held her hand caressing it gently with his thumb throughout the show.

The presenters for Best Male Performance came out and as they listed the nominees, Sunny squeezed Gabe’s hand showing her support and encouragement.

“And the winner for Best Male Performance is…Gabriel Wolf for Clutch!” The presenters yelled into the microphone in unison.

“Congratulations, baby!” Sunny grinned at Gabe brightly, forgetting their problems in the moment.

He grabbed her face and kissed her deeply on the lips in front of the cameras and the whole audience, before jumping up to climb the stage to receive his golden popcorn. Sunny blushed to her roots as the camera stayed on her a little longer.

“Thank you!” Gabe started. “I just wanted to thank the cast and crew of Clutch. For making if fun for me to crash into crap and destroy stuff. I’d also like to thank the fans for keeping me employed. And to my Sweet Girl, you’ve brought back my passion
for this and life in general, and for that I can’t thank you enough. Just bear with me when I’m being a total jackass.” Gabe looked to where Sunny was sitting as the audience guffawed in surprised laughter.

Sunny grinned back at him and nodded her head letting him know she acknowledged the apology, forgiving him instantly for being said ‘jackass’ earlier. Gabe held up his golden popcorn and headed off the stage.

Sunny was tapped on the shoulder a few minutes later, by an usher.

“Ms. Stone?” He asked.

“Yes?” Sunny looked up.

“Mr. Wolf is requesting your presence in the press room.” The usher said, gesturing for her to follow him.

“Oh, okay. Thank you.” Sunny said getting up from her seat.

Sunny followed the young man around the theater and to a side door. He held the door for her.

“It’s at the end of the hallway.”

Once Sunny stepped inside, he closed the door and semi-darkness enveloped her and that same feeling of unease she felt at the bar came over her.

“Ah Ms. Stone, you’re looking as plump and ripe as ever.” A voice whispered next to her ear.
Josiah!

Sunny jumped at the proximity of his voice. Before she could turn and run she was grabbed around the waist from behind and a large hand came down covering her face with a sickly sweet smelling cloth. She tried to kick back, hoping to connect with a shin or something valuable. But panic and genuine terror filled her as her world started to go black.

Chapter 10

Sunny heard the sounds of car alarms, loud honking and sirens.
Since when did it get so loud in our neighborhood?
Sunny’s eyes slowly opened, though it was difficult because they felt so heavy. Her mouth felt like cotton was stuffed in it. When her eyes were able to focus, she stared up at a dingy cracked ceiling.
Shit!
Sunny’s eyes flew open fully and her head whipped to the side to see Josiah sitting in a chair looking down at her with a satisfied sneer on his face.

Sunny tried to jump up, but was restrained. She looked around and realized that she was lying on an unmade mattress that was on the floor of a tiny crappy apartment. Ropes were tied around her wrists and ankles forcing her in a spread eagle position. She was slightly relieved to see that she was still dressed. But that relief was to be short lived.

“Good. You’re finally awake. This wouldn’t be much fun if you missed it.” Josiah said, getting up from his seat and kneeling on the bed.

Sunny tried to move away from him, but the ropes bit into her skin. Her freshly healed arm ached from the restraint. As Josiah moved closer to her she saw the glint of metal in his hand.

“Oh, do you like my toy? Don’t worry I’m not going to use this on you…yet?” A sinister smile crossed his face as he brought the large blade of a knife up to her face turning it this way and that, taunting her.

“Please Josiah! Why are you doing this?” Sunny pleaded.

“You fucking know why. You and your fucking boyfriend destroyed my life! And if he loves you so fucking much, what I’m going to do to you will destroy him too.” Josiah said bringing the knife closer to her face.

“Oh God! Please Josiah, don’t do this! HELP!” Sunny finally screamed.

“Shut the fuck up!” Josiah shouted in her face before he slammed the handle of the knife across on her eye.

Sunny cried out loudly and she felt warm liquid trickle down her face as her eye throbbed. Almost instantly she felt her eye start to swell close. He shoved a rag in her mouth to silence her cries. Then she felt the cold steel against her face. Josiah slid the blunt end of the blade down her cheek to her neck, and then traveled down to the bust line of her dress. He lifted the material and slid the blade underneath and cut into the fabric and sliced it all the way down the middle.

He parted the now shredded dress baring her bustier and panties. Sunny turned her head away, unable to look at him. That’s when she saw the collage of pictures of her and Gabe. Tears slid down her cheeks.
Oh God! This isn’t happening. Please, tell me this isn’t happening.

“Oh I can’t wait to feel what the hype is all about. Your pussy must be made of gold for Gabe to act like such a fucking pansy. And after all he’s taken from me; I might as well get a taste of all
of what he has.” Josiah bent down and licked the top of her breasts that overflowed from the strapless bustier.

Sunny went wild, trying to buck him off of her. She screamed against the rag in her mouth and glared at him with hatred.

“Yes, struggle. That’ll make fucking you so much better.” Josiah said gleefully.

Taking the knife, he again ripped through the bustier and panties, leaving her naked. Sunny sobbed behind the cloth stuffed in her mouth. She couldn’t believe that this was happening to her. As she felt Josiah’s hands run down her naked body she closed her eyes trying to picture Gabe, trying to find her happy place hoping it would help her live through the worst moment of her life or what life she had left.

“God! I’ve never fucked a fat chick before, but your body does look perfect for fucking senseless, like you could take a good pounding.” Josiah said as he stood up over her.

Sunny looked up just as he unbuckled his belt and dropped his pants. He stroked his hard erection as he stared at her with eyes filled with lust.
Oh God…oh God…oh God! Please let someone find me!
Sunny turned her face away from the sight of Josiah rubbing himself over her. Her eyes connected with her little clutch purse that lay on the floor near a dirty ripped couch. She knew her phone was in it and that the GPS tracking was on.
GABE! Please hurry! Please fine me!

~~~

Gabe walked back to his seat, ready to take Sunny home early, get down on both knees and apologize, and have incredible makeup sex. He sauntered up to their aisle and the moment he saw Sunny’s empty seat, dread coursed through his bloodstream.
Don’t freak out, she probably just went to the bathroom.

He turned around and strode back out of the auditorium and to the bathroom area. He hovered near the door to the ladies’ room for a second, trying to decide whether to go in or not. Something told him to go in and check and he didn’t question it.

Striding in not caring who he offended or what he saw.

“Sunny!” Gabe shouted her name, but there was no response except for the yelp of a few females reapplying makeup at the mirror, shocked at the intrusion.

Then he remembered about the tracking they had downloaded on her phone. He tapped the App and the moment he saw that she was several miles away somewhere near downtown L.A., Gabe’s blood turned to ice. His heart stopped and when it restarted a second later adrenaline pounded through his veins sending him running full speed out the theater.

Gabe ran to the street forgetting that he didn’t have a car as he searched his pockets for his keys.
FUCK!
He sprinted over to a cab, jumped into the back and threw several hundred dollar bills at the driver.

“I’m going to eighth and San Pedro.” Gabe said looking down at his phone seeing where the tracker had stopped. “I need to you to get there as quickly as possible, like your fucking life depends on it! Is that clear?” Gabe practically growled wanting no arguments.

“Whatever you say buddy.” The cabbie replied looking down at the money.

“Good. Head south on Highland. And don’t worry about speeding. I want the cops to come anyway.” Gabe instructed the cabbie.

“Hey aren’t you that famous actor guy?” The cabbie asked looking at Gabe through the rearview mirror.

“I’m not playing ‘getting to know you’ or ‘twenty questions’ right now. If you get me where I need to be in time I’ll give you ten grand, now start driving!” Gabe yelled.

“Fuck yeah!” The cab driver faced forward completely and put the petal to the metal, throwing Gabe back against the seat.

Gabe pulled out his cell and dialed Detective Hernandez, putting the phone on speaker so that he could talk and track Sunny at the same time.

“Hernandez.” The detective answered.

“He’s got Sunny!” Gabe wasted no time getting to the point.

“Josiah?” Hernandez asked.

“Yes. I’m tracking Sunny’s phone and heading that way now.” Gabe said in a rushed voice.

“Gabe, you have to wait for us! You can’t just take the law in your own hands.” Hernandez reasoned.

“There’s no fucking way I’m waiting for you guys to get there when you’re all the way in Long Beach. God knows what the fuck that sick bastard is going to do to her. I can’t lose her detective.” Gabe nearly sobbed.

“Okay Gabe. We’re on our way now. Where are you now?” Hernandez said calmly.

“
In L.A., I’m headed south down Highland Avenue. It looks like they stopped on the corner of Eighth and San Pedro.” Gabe panicked, praying that he’d get there in time before Josiah did anything to Sunny.

“Okay, we’re actually not that far from you. We’ll be there soon.” Hernandez informed him.

“You need to inform the rest of the authorities because I’m in a cab and we’re breaking every law possible and we’re not stopping for anyone.” Gabe informed the detective.

“Rhodes is calling it in now. You’ll have an escort in a few minutes.” Hernandez responded.

“And let them know not to fucking get in my way or try to stop me from getting to her.” Gabe warned.

“Alright
, Gabe.” Hernandez sighed, knowing there was nothing he could say to change the man’s mind.

“Okay. You should have several units escorting you any minute and I’ll send some straight there.” Hernandez said.

Just as the detective finished his statement, several cop cars surrounded the cab with their lights flashing and sirens blaring.

“Okay, the cops are here, so floor it!” Gabe shouted at the cab driver.

With the police escort, they were able to make it to their destination within minutes. Gabe threw open the door to the cab and ran break neck to a rundown building. A convenience store was on the bottom floor and he saw a door into the building. He slammed through it and into a darkened entryway with a stairwell up to the second floor and
the apartments above the store. Gabe took the stairs two at a time.

Once he got to the top, there was a little Hispanic kid playing with toy cars in the hall. The moment he saw Gabe run up with the cops quick on his tail, he pointed in the direction of a door down the hall. Gabe realized that he must have seen Josiah with Sunny, and he vowed that if the kid was still there when this was over, that he wouldn’t have to worry about money for the rest of his life.

Gabe ran up to the door the boy pointed to and pressed his ear to the door, he could hear the low rumble of a male voice. That was enough proof for him, he jiggled the doorknob but it was locked. So with all of his force he slammed his shoulder into the door, it was flimsy and gave with little effort.

Stumbling into the tiny apartment, he frantically looked around, his eyes almost instantly focused in on the occupants in the makeshift bed on the floor. To his horror Sunny was in the middle of the bed spread wide and tied down completely naked and her left eye was swollen shut and bleeding. The look in her good eye when their eyes met destroyed him.

Josiah was kneeling between her thighs with his pants down around his ankles; the look on his face was complete shock at being found. Gabe took all this in in only a fraction of a second before he was blinded by a rage that surpassed any he’d had felt previously.

He heard a loud guttural roar as he charged the bed and realized that it was him. He tackled Josiah to the floor and his fists flew into the man’s face over and over again. He vaguely heard the crunch of skin and bone and didn’t know if it was his hands or Josiah’s face, but he didn’t care. He intended to kill the man.

Several arms grabbed at him, trying to pull him off the unconscious man. He just flung them off like ragdolls. His strength and rage was no match for the officers.

“Gabe! You have to stop! If you kill him you will go to prison.” He heard Hernandez’s voice in his ear as he tried to fling the man off of him. “Sunny needs you.”

The mention of her name was the only thing that finally got him to stop. He looked back at the mattress and Sunny was now untied and wrapped in a sheet. Tears streamed down one side of her face from her good eye as she clutched the sheet to her naked body. His heart broke at the sight of her devastated and bruised face.

Instantly Gabe felt guilt over not going to her first to make sure she was alright and let the cops handle Josiah.
He looked down at Josiah’s mangled and bloody face. Gabe’s chest heaved with heavy breaths and the adrenaline flowing through him. He turned to crawl over to her and she gasped.

“Gabe! He stabbed you!” Sunny cried.

Gabe looked down and saw the handle of a knife sticking out of his left side. For the first time he felt the piercing pain. The adrenaline had kept him from feeling it, though the pain didn’t stop him from going to Sunny. He pulled the knife out and threw it to the floor before going to her. Sunny balled up part of the sheet covering her and pressed it to his wound.

“God Sunny, I’m so sorry!” Gabe knelt in front of her
.

He lifted his hands to brush her now wild curls from her face, but he stopped when he saw his bloody hands. He quickly wiped his hands on his suit, not caring about the expensive fabric. When the excess blood was wiped away he
gently cupped her face as she sobbed.

“I was…so…so scared!” Sunny choked out.

“I know baby. I’m sorry. I tried to get here as fast as I could. Did he…did he…” Gabe couldn’t finish the thought.

“N…no. You got h…here…before he could.” Sunny cried, understanding what he was trying to say.

Her body began to rack with tremors, Gabe tried to embrace her, but the sting of the stab wound made him hiss.

“Gabriel! Are you okay?” Sunny exclaimed.

“I’m fine.” Gabe grimaced.

“Gabe, you need medical attention. The paramedics are here.” Hernandez said.

Gabe looked back to see Josiah being loaded onto a stretcher. He wished it was a body-bag. More paramedics came up to him to get him on another stretcher.

“I’m fine I can walk.” Gabe said standing up.

Sunny stood as well, trying to help him to take some of the weight off of his side for him. Sunny gripping her sheet to her and Gabe clutching his wound, they slowly made their way down the stairs and outside where a crowd had gathered and flashing lights of the ambulances and cop cars assaulted their senses.