Night's Promise (24 page)

“What’s going on?”
She tried to press him for answers when Duncan took her into his arms. “
I don’t remember anything after I spoke to Gareth. Oh gods,”
she panicked.
“Is he okay?”

“Your brother is fine, Angel. Remember what I said. Stay as still as you can. Concentrate. What happened after you hung up the phone?”

Melissa fought to listen to him. He sounded so worried. What could have happened? “
I got my keys,”
she began slowly, the images becoming slightly less fuzzy. She moved in the bed slightly. “
It’s hard. It’s so hard to try to keep my mind and body separate.”

“I know, Angel, I know.”
He caressed her hair. “
Please, try for me? I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”

“What’s going on, Duncan? Am I hurt? Am I in the hospital?”

“What happened next?”

“I left the house. I remember getting this strange feeling, like someone was watching me…”
Her flesh began to crawl and her muscles jerked as the rest of her memory returned. She began to struggle, both in her mind and in the bed until Duncan wrapped his arms around her so tightly that she couldn’t move. Feeling his steel grip on her, her body grew still, as though it too were pinned to the bed.

“Oh gods, he’s found me. He’s got me Duncan, he’s got me,”
she sobbed. “
Please tell me Gareth doesn’t know. It’s a trap. Travis is going to use me to kill my brother.”

“No, he won’t.”

“Yes he will. You don’t know him, he’s evil.”

“Angel, listen to me,”
he told her gently, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “
That’s why it’s so important for you to remain calm. As long as he believes you’re unconscious, you’re safe. He’s going to want to make sure you are alert before he does anything.”

She nodded in her mind. “
I’ll try.”

“No, love, you will. This is one time that try isn’t good enough. I’m going to find you
.”

“No,”
she screamed. “
I don’t want you to see. Duncan, I don’t want you to see me after he’s—”

He’s not going to touch you. I promise, Angel, I promise.

* * *

Travis smiled as he hid in the shadows and watched her struggle to remain still. He’d allow her to play her game for now. He’d noticed how she jumped, her delicious struggles. He’d also caught the way her body jerked, as though she were being held still. No doubt she was in touch with someone.

It had been a stroke of genius to knock her unconscious before he brought her home. If he hadn’t, he may have had to bruise all that beautiful flesh as he tied her to the bed. As tempting as it had been, he’d managed to keep his hands off of her. But that hadn’t stopped him from looking. First thing she would learn is that she needed to shave her pussy. He wanted her smooth, just the way she would’ve been all those years ago.

Besides, what fun would it be, punishing her without his intended audience? No, he’d allow her to send her pimp instructions, the few details she could give him.

He just hoped that she told him enough to help him get there quickly. His dick was already straining inside his jeans at the thought of enjoying her as she remained tied to the bed. She would remain tied to the bed during their fucking until she’d learned to love what he did to her.

No doubt that wouldn’t take very long. She would surely be thankful he’d rescued her from those things that took pleasure out of draining her blood as they fucked her.

He’d also taken a good long look at the pucker of her ass. He wondered how many men had been there. He couldn’t wait to bury himself inside of her. But again, he would be careful, making certain that she was unconscious before he flipped her around on the bed and retied her with her ass up.

More and more lustful thoughts entered his head of how he would use her body, how he would make her scream. Rubbing his hand over his jean-covered erection, Travis wondered if he would be able to wait until their guest arrived to start the party.

If not, he’d just have to make certain to give him an even better show to make up for starting without him. He was certain he could think of something. The thought of having her mouth around him as he slammed into the back of her throat almost forced a groan from him as his dick got harder.

His pleasure was almost ruined as he decided she would probably use her teeth in an attempt to hurt him. A smile crept onto his lips as he decided he’d just have to use his fist if she bit him. A few black eyes, or bruises on her cheek should quickly remind her that he wouldn’t be trifled with, and have her working eagerly to please him.

* * *

Duncan looked over at Jake. “Drive faster.”

“I’m already over the speed limit.” One glance at Duncan and he mumbled, “Fine.” Beneath him, the truck increased in speed. “But you’re paying for my ticket, and bailing me out of jail.”

“Done.”

Duncan wanted to sag with relief that Melissa wasn’t hurt, but he wasn’t sure how long she’d remain that way. Even if the man didn’t touch her, there was so much he could do that could cause irreparable damage.

It had only taken visits to two of the local thug hang outs before word began spreading like wildfire through the streets. Duncan would have laughed when the second gang leader pissed himself as he held him against the wall, flashing his fangs, but the situation was too serious. He was too afraid for Mel. Twenty minutes later they had found someone who knew where Travis was.

The asshole had thought he’d be able to use the information to extort money from him. Duncan sent Jake for his piercing bag. Using one of the needles, Duncan managed to convince the man he was not to be trifled with after his ear was pinned to the concrete sidewalk. When he showed the man the second needle, he started telling Duncan and Jake everything they wanted to know.

Duncan shook his head. He remembered when guys who called themselves “men” had a much higher pain threshold. But for now he couldn’t help being grateful that the man gave in so easily.

Jake pulled up in front of the warehouse their informant said Travis was staying at.

“You stay here. I don’t want you involved in this. When Melissa comes out, you take her to the club, make sure she gets to her brother.” Pulling Jake’s piercing kit on his lap, Duncan pulled out a few more needles.

“What about you?”

“Don’t worry about me. Cause I’m not coming out until this bastard has paid.”

* * *

“Nice try. You were a much better actress when you were younger. I know you’re awake.”

Melissa tried not to shiver. She tried not to show any sign she was awake.

A slap threw her head to the side and she instantly tried to curl into a ball, her eyes flying open when she couldn’t move.

“I knew you were awake.”

“What’s going on?” She strained against her bonds, her muscles trembling as she tried to pull them closer.

“Pay back. Now, all I need for this to be perfect is that freak of nature you call a brother to come rescue you. I’m ready for him this time.” Travis displayed a large silver cross hidden beneath his shirt.

She wanted to laugh. She wanted to tell him that would have about as much of an effect on Gareth as baby powder would, but she kept her mouth shut.

“So, you’ve become quite the high class slut haven’t you? Look at you all dressed up. Where were you going? Whoring yourself out for his friends? What are you, some kind of pampered pet?”

“Whatever I am, I’m still too good for you,” she told him, unable to take his taunts in silence any longer.

“Bitch.” He slapped her again. “Show some respect for your father.”

“You’re not my father,” she screamed.

“Just like your mother.”

“Thank you,” she spit out.

When Travis noticed she wouldn’t cower as she used to, he changed his tactics. “How very thoughtful of you. This will make it so much easier for me to have my fun. You don’t think your pimp will mind if we start the party without him do you? I have been waiting twelve years for this.”

“Don’t you touch me!” She struggled against the ropes that kept her body spread out in the middle of the bed. She twisted and pulled until she could feel them biting into her flesh, could almost smell the blood from the fresh wounds.

“And who’s going to stop me?” he asked with a smirk as his hand began to push her skirt higher.

“That would be me.”

Travis froze at the voice behind him. Melissa followed his glance and saw Duncan leaning against a wall as though he didn’t have a care in the world. She reached for him in her mind, seeking the warmth and comfort his presence always brought to her.

Instead, she felt as though she’d walked into a blizzard.

Chapter Fifteen

Duncan looked at the man who dared put his hands on Melissa. “You really don’t want to make me ask you to take your hands off of her again.”

“I don’t remember you asking a first time. Who the hell do you think you are? This is none of your business,” Travis said coldly, inching to the side.

“I’m the last person you’re going to see in this life. But don’t worry, you’ll be happy to descend to the pits of hell when I’m through.”

“Like I haven’t heard that before. So what, are you, her new master?” Turning his head, Travis asked Melissa, “So is this the man you’re whoring yourself to these days?”

Duncan slowly approached the bed Melissa was tied to, his face carefully arranged so he wouldn’t look like he posed a threat. “It’s not nice for you to talk to her like that. And you really don’t want to touch her again.”

“Who’s going to stop me? You?” Travis laughed. “Answer me, you whore.” He struck her again.

A quick glance at Melissa told Duncan her eyes were closed. He knew she would be humiliated because he saw her stepfather acting like that. He wanted to comfort her, but that would have to come later. First, he needed to teach this bastard some manners.

When Travis laid his hand on her thigh again, Duncan struck. Moving lightning fast, he moved behind Travis and jerked the man’s hand off her. Yanking the man away from her, he pushed him down and knelt on his forearm. A smile curved his lips as he separated one finger from the group.

Positioning his fingers just so, he felt the bone snap and Travis screamed in pain.

“See, I told you not to touch her again. You look like a hard learner to me. You like to learn things the hard way, don’t you? Allow me to give you a quick lesson.” He gripped another finger. “You do not ever talk to a lady like that, but more importantly, you never, ever put your hands on her.” Snap. “It’s wrong.”

Duncan released the broken finger. “Now, tell her you’re sorry.”

“Fuck you and that little bitch.”

“Wrong answer.” Snap. He broke a third finger. “Let’s try again, but I will warn you. I have all the time in the world, but you only have so many bones. And if I get through them all, well, I’m gonna have to start all over again.

“You would be surprised at just how much pain the human body can feel. Just how much can be inflicted before you pass out. And there’s so much more stuff we have to discuss, I’d hate to see you reduced to crying like a baby over a simple apology. Now…” he lifted the man’s pinky, “…apologize for calling her a whore.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Travis screamed as Duncan began to apply pressure to the finger.

“Good. I can see we’re getting somewhere. Now, I’m going to untie the lady, and she’s going to walk out of here while we continue our lessons. A smart man would stay right here.”

Duncan rose to his feet and began to untie the rope around her ankle.

Glancing behind him discreetly, he saw Travis reach for a lead pipe, gripping it in his right hand as he held his broken fingers on his left hand close to his body.

Reaching inside his pocket, Duncan pulled out the cell phone he’d “borrowed” from the thug who told him where to find Travis and dialed Jake’s number.

Sidestepping, he turned, curling his left hand into a fist and pushing it up into the man’s stomach. The pipe fell from his hand and hit the ground with a clang. “You really aren’t the sharpest tool in the shed are you?” He chuckled. “I’ve wanted to say that for years. The last time I had this kind of fun, no one used that phrase.” He pushed him into a table, enjoying the way the man’s eyes went wide as he was slowly stalked.

Behind him a door opened. Without turning around, Duncan spoke. “Jake, untie Melissa and make sure she gets home safe.”

“Duncan.” Her voice was pleading. “Come with us.”

“No, Angel. He needs to be taught some manners.”

“I won’t leave without you,” she told him stubbornly.

“Love, you don’t have a choice. There are a few things I’d like to say to Travis here, that you really don’t need to see.”

“Don’t—don’t you mean hear?” Travis stuttered.

“No. I talk with my hands.” He smirked. “I’m much more articulate that way.”