Chained: A Bad Boy Romance (19 page)

He released a loud, scratchy laugh. “You don't have the money I need, sweetheart. But, you're my ticket to getting it.” He yanked my arms behind me to bind them.

“You don't need to do that,” I said quickly. “I'm not going to run.” I twisted my head up to see his face. In the dimness of the flashlight only his profile was visible.

He wrapped my wrists tightly in the tape. “You bet your ass you ain't running. Now shut up and walk.” He pressed my arms into the small of my back and pushed me forward.

I stumbled forward. “How am I your ticket? If I don't have what you need then how can I help you get it?” I pushed my heels into the floor to slow down the pace.

He thrust harder against my arms. “Walk, and shut your mouth.” A pain seared up to my shoulder and I cringed. I felt the blade press firmly against my neck again, the tip only mere millimeters from actually piercing my flesh.

“You don't need to do this,” I said. ”Really, I'm sure there's another way! There has to be!” My feet dragged against the wood, trying to keep us in the house. I didn't want to go anywhere with this unstable stranger.

“
You're
my other way. You're my bargaining chip.” He leaned forward and opened the door. The knife lowered from my neck to the side of my stomach.

I had thought about running right there, but with the knife against my side, fear for my baby's safety hit strong.
Not yet, don't run yet. If you try to he could stab you.

He could kill you and the baby.

The unknown man stepped beside me and locked one arm into my elbow. From the corner of my eye I watched him glance around nervously before walking towards my car. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail, an unkempt beard fell down over his chin. Was I wrong, or did he look familiar?

As we approached the car I searched for anyone I could motion to for help. Every condo seemed lifeless. When he reached for the handle of the car door, I realized I didn't have my keys on me.

He can't drive without them. When he realizes that, he's going to have to go back in and I'll run. I'm not going to be held captive by some asshole for ransom.

And I'm definitely not going to risk my baby's life.

To my disbelief, he pulled my spare set from his back pocket. My shoulders dropped with despair at the sight.

He opened the back door and shoved me in, eyes still scanning our surroundings. I landed roughly, scooting towards the far window, away from him.
Be strong. Clear your head, Charlie.
“Where are we going? At least tell me that.” I started to push my questions. I needed answers.

“Didn't I tell you to shut up?” He climbed inside, starting the engine. The sound was like a chainsaw in my bones; every minute that went by, the more my chance at escape vanished.

“You did, but I still have questions. I think if you're going to use me I should get
some
answers. You can give me that, at least.” My eyes stayed firm on his in the rear-view mirror, I wasn't going to back down.

“I don't have to tell you shit. You mean nothing to me, but where we're going, you'll hold some weight.” A smile twisted up on one side of his face as he let out a wicked laugh.

Again, I felt like I'd seen him before, but I couldn't place it.
Is he someone from the prison? It's happened to other therapists before; a crazed, unstable inmate fixating on them.

Is that what this is?

I recalled a story where the woman's poor cat had been murdered and left on her doorstep by her stalker. My eyes welled up with the thought that he might have hurt Biscuit. “What did you do with my dog?”

“That little fucker is trapped in your closet. For a small dog he packs a sharp bite. Little shit bit me good. He's lucky I only kicked him.” He lifted the knife from the passenger seat, the cold metal glistening under the passing street lights.

Eyeballing the blade, I swallowed around my dry tongue. “Are you going to kill me?” It was a question that I figured wouldn't be answered honestly, but it was worth trying.

His smile broadened, but that was all.

I looked down at the floor and noticed a glow from under the passenger seat.
My phone.
I'd forgotten that I threw it there earlier.

My thoughts started to race.
I need to get it somehow!

His eyes locked on me in the mirror. I looked up quickly so I didn't draw attention to what I'd just realized. He didn't know it was there, and I didn't want him to find out.

I had to keep him talking, make him think and focus on my questions, not what I was doing. A sense of excitement and hope streamed through my body. “Why me?”

“Holy shit! You just don't fucking stop, do you? What part of shut up are you not understanding?” His fists clenched the wheel tighter, the car careening down a small one way street. I watched the phone slide out of view.

Shit! No!

I couldn't see it any longer, but maybe... maybe I could still reach it. It was the only chance I had, I just had to be patient.

Staring out the window, I watched the road signs pass. Knowing where we were headed would be helpful, but I didn't recognize this area. The terror in my body swelled with each turn of the wheel.

I had no idea what was in store for me.

Charlie

T
he street lights had disappeared some time ago.

I hadn't seen a house or building in a few miles. The deeper we went into the cover of the trees the more fearful I became.
Where is this guy taking me? He's driving into the middle of nowhere!

My eyes repeatedly shifted between his face in the mirror and under the seat. My phone hadn't come back into view, I wasn't sure how far under it had slid.
I need to get it, I could call for help if I could just reach it.
I dragged the edge of my foot around quietly under the seat.

I could see him watching me, taking in my every move. I didn't want him to become suspicious as I jostled around. If he started to think I was up to something, he might stop the car and look around, maybe find the phone. That was a risk I didn't want to take.

Quick, Charlie. Think.

“My arms are cramping up,” I said. My face scrunched with discomfort as I tried to adjust my position. “Can't you just loosen this? It's really tight.”

“Oh, your arms hurt, huh?” His voice was filled with a high pitched, teasing tone. “Well, too fucking bad.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head.

Briefly, it had crossed my mind that this man might have kids of his own. If he was desperate enough to kidnap me for his own gains, maybe it was to help his family?
Knowing about the baby could pull whatever soul he has left to the surface. I can plead with him to just let me go, he might take pity on me and send me on my way.

But, he could also not give a shit. Nothing I say will matter if he thinks he has nothing left to lose. What can I do? I need to protect this child!

He started to fiddle around in the pocket of his jeans, he patted it roughly then moved to the next one. I watched him nervously, unsure of what he was looking for. Eventually, he made his way up to the breast pocket of his tattered army jacket and pulled a pack of cigarettes from it.

He tugged one out with his mouth, resting both arms on the wheel to light it. “Want one?” He lifted the pack over his shoulder and let out a laugh. “Oh, that's right, you're tied up at the moment.” The bearded man blew the smoke in my direction as he continued to chuckle.

“I wouldn't take one, anyway. I don't want anything from you.” I glared at him from the backseat, wishing my eyes could burn a hole through his skull. Hesitating, I grabbed for the one thing I thought I could use.
Let him have a conscience, please!
“I also don't want you blowing your toxic fumes at me. It's not good for the baby.”

The dashboard glow lit his eyes. They widened with surprise as his hand came down hard and smacked his knee. “Son of a bitch! You're pregnant?” Maniacal laughter exploded from his mouth, dissolving my hope. “Well, ain't that some shit. My brother went and got you knocked up! This is going to be good, then, really good!”

His brother?

No way, it can't be true.

My brain began to spiral with confusion as the man's face cemented in my mind. The crooked grin that spread across his face, his beady lifeless eyes; I
had
seen him before, but it wasn't at the prison.

He was at the shop that day I brought Owen lunch. Why didn't Owen tell me who he was? I stood right beside this dirt bag and didn't have a clue.

I knew that Owen didn't like talking about his brother, he avoided that topic completely. But, to know he'd decided not to tell me that his brother was right there, standing beside him... I thought he trusted me.

The revelation hit me with such force my breathing stopped for an instant. A pain in my chest began to surge, panic rocketed through every piece of my body. The fear I had felt enhanced to horror, not only for myself and the baby, but for Owen, too.

Did he do something to his own brother?

I hadn't been able to get a hold of him all day. Was my suspicion possible?

“Did you hurt him?” I blurted out. “You piece of shit!” I battled with the tape constricting my wrists, intensely I rubbed them back and forth against each other as if I was trying to start a fire. The burning sensation was numbed by my emotions, I just needed to get  free.

He peered at me through the mirror, a look of satisfaction draped over his face as he watched me struggle. “We're getting close.” He dropped his head down, shaking it side to side. “I can't believe Owen got you pregnant.”

I continued to work at my wrists while we turned up a dirt road. I didn't recognize where we were at all, there was nothing but trees that seemed to span for miles. The tires crackled on the gravel as the forest gave way to a large clearing.

A small, rundown farm house came into view under the brightness of the headlights. The windows had been boarded up, the planks now hung partially off from decay. The roof was collapsed on one side and a tree was growing out from the gaping hole. It was apparent the place had been abandoned ages ago.

“What is this place?” My eyes took in the desolate surroundings. I knew that out here no one would hear me scream for help, no one would be able to find me if they came looking.

Is he planning on killing me? He could bury me out here and no one would ever find me.

The rawness of my skin stung beneath the tape. I had tried relentlessly to free myself, but still remained bound, unable to use my arms.

He pulled the car around the back of the house and cut the engine. The absence of light hid us in the shadows. “Now, we wait,” he said, peering into the darkness.

Wait for what? What is he planning?

“Where is Owen? Did you do something to him?” I asked, glaring at him as I started to feel the tape stretch and loosen around my wrists.

I could see the outline of his face as he turned to look over his shoulder at me. His expression was concealed in the night. “Just sit tight, sweetheart.” He opened his door and stepped out.

I was able to make out his figure under the moon light as he walked towards the side of the house, the black abyss swallowed him as he passed through the incandescent light.

Alright, come on.
I stared out the window, watching for him to come back as I brought my hands under my body to the front. My mouth sunk into the tape like a wild animal on its prey.
I'm not going to be a victim here.

The adrenaline pulsed through my veins as I tried to free myself, sweat beading up on my forehead while my eyes scanned the area.
Come on! Come on!
I spit pieces of torn tape onto the floor. Each piece was a step closer to freedom.

In the distance, the sound of an engine broke the silence. It roared up the abandoned road, the headlights shined so brightly they illuminated the entire area. My eyes narrowed from their intense glow. I tried to make out the vehicle through the holes in the decrepit building.

As the car turned and came to a stop, I caught a glimpse of Owen's brother leaning against the side of the house. I heard the muffle of voices, unable to distinguish who he was talking to.

Who the hell could that be? This isn't good! I need to get out of here and run.

The voices began to increase in volume. It sounded like Brice was yelling at the unknown person who had just arrived. Against the glow of the new vehicle I could see his figure walking back towards me.

No! Not yet!
Frantically I worked at my wrists. Unable to free them completely, I quickly leaned down and felt around for the phone under the seat.
Yes!
I gripped the hard plastic.

Brice's shadow fell over the window and I shoved the phone into my pocket. He yanked open my door and forcefully grabbed my arm. “You little bitch! Where do you think you're going to go? Get out!” He spoke through clenched teeth. If his tone had a color, it would have shined red.

He ripped me from the vehicle. I tried to pull back, tried to free myself from his grasp. “No! Let me go!” I screamed into the darkness, twisting and contorting my body in an attempt to break loose. His grip tightened around my arm as he dragged me through the grass and dirt.

As we approached the front of the house a figure was shrouded in the dark against the car. I watched his arms and chest puff out as my eyes made their way up to his face. The headlights cast enough light for me to see who had come to meet us.

Owen?

It's Owen!

Shock rested behind his eyes, they opened wide when I was brought into view. “What the fuck, Brice! Let her go!” His deep tone sliced through the night air as he took a step forward.

Brice dug his fingers harder into my arm. “I warned you, Owen. I told you I needed your help. You want to tell me no, fine. Now you need to say yes. Here is my insurance, no more fucking around!” Brice threw me in front of him, pushing me onto my knees, his hand still firmly grasped around my arm.

Owen's eyes fixed on mine for a moment, then rose to his brother's. “I'm telling you right now, let her go. I'm not helping you. I won't help you! And you're not going to do one god damn thing to her. I'll fucking kill you! How dare you threaten me and my family, threaten the woman I love?”