by Daria M Paus
Popping the cork of the bottle, I poured a good amount of alcohol onto the towel before bringing it to Johnny’s chest.
He winced as the alcohol stung. "Fuck."
"Sorry," I whispered. “I have to do this.”
He gave me a short nod, then clenched his jaw and focused his gaze on me as I was working.
"I'm so sorry," he said, making my hand stop in the air. I let it drop, and the puzzled look on my face made him explain.
"It's my fault," he sighed, shifting his position. He reached out a hand and brushed his fingers across my cheek down to my jaw, and I flinched from the soreness. I had no clue how I looked, but I had a feeling it wasn't pretty.
"I'd rather kill myself than do this to any woman," he said, and for a moment it looked like he was far away in thought.
"I know.” I took his hand, guiding it away from my face. "They were talkin' bullshit." I squeezed his hand. "You didn't do this to me; it’s not your fault."
He still didn't look convinced, but gave up on talking and let himself fall back against the cushions. I finished the work in silence.
"Can I get you somethin'?" I asked. "Anythin'?"
He shook his head. "Just need a bit of rest.”
I gave him a weak smile, leaning over the back of the sofa to fetch the blanket and draped it over his shoulders.
He reached up a hand to hold it in place, but soon it slipped down to rest in his lap, and the blanket gaped opened as his eyes drifted close. I stared as a thick drop of stubborn blood slid down his chest.
Resisting the urge to clean it, I sat on the edge of the sofa, ready to jump up any second. Rest? How could he rest when Sean was still out there? He could come back any second. What could I do? What could Johnny do? All the what ifs made my pulse quicken. So many questions and no answers. My body started to tremble. I didn't want to die here. All I'd wanted was a calm trip away from home. Ever since I'd set foot on this island I'd been tossed between heaven and hell. Lately, the scale tipped more toward hell, and I couldn't see the way out of it. There was no light at the end of this tunnel. No silver lining.
I watched Johnny's bruised body with a sinking feeling in my heart. How much more could he handle? If Sean came back now, when he’d allowed himself to relax, I wasn't sure he’d be able to get up again for a new fight.
He’d try, no doubt. He’d rather die than to admit defeat, but I couldn't let him do that to himself. Not again. The creep had gotten away because of me. It was up to me to find him.
19
Bree’s Game
I grabbed a knife off the kitchen counter. Johnny was still asleep when I left him and headed out into the slowly fading evening light alone. I had no plan, no idea of what to do once I would find Sean. My motto had always been live in the moment, and right now I was unable to think further than that. The only thing on my mind was finding Sean before he would come back to finish what he'd started.
My plan backfired as I reached the beach. I realized, when Sean stood over me, with dirty jeans and clenched fists, that I should’ve been better prepared.
He glared at me as I lay on the sand, panting from the sudden shock of having my legs kicked out under me. He had somehow broken free from the ropes which were now sticking out from a back pocket. He'd saved them. Ready to use on me. I gulped, trying to crawl away but a foot on my thigh stopped me. He pressed down and I squirmed and whimpered under the pressure.
Sean looked down at me with cold eyes, and when he laughed, the sound was just as chilling.
"You really made it too easy for me." He shook his head as if he couldn't believe my stupidity, then dropped down to his knees. With one swift movement, he straddled me, grabbing my arms and holding them in place above my head with one hand. He leaned in, hissing in my ear. "Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now." His rotten breath made me gag.
"Please," I begged.
"Please?" He raised a dirty eyebrow in question. "You are in no position to plead."
My mind reeled. He was right, I’d screwed up. Who was gonna save me now? Johnny wasn’t here, he didn't know I’d gone after Sean. And I hoped he wouldn't notice that I was missing. The last thing I wanted was him coming looking for me. Heading out alone had seemed like a good idea at the time, but trapped under Sean's heavy body and with his stinking mouth just inches from my face, I realized I’d made a huge mistake.
Think, my inner voice urged. Do something!
I racked my brain. This was the time for a mind-blowing solution, the kind that happened in the movies. The thing the hero did in the last minute before they were crushed. No matter how I tried I couldn't think of one thing, I couldn't even move; my body was pressed down into the cold sand. Little pebbles dug into my skin from the pressure. My hands tingled, it was just a matter of time before they would grow numb from the cut-off circulation. For a moment, I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds of the waves. The rhythmical sound as they kept coming and going taunted me with their peace. How could they keep on doing their thing when my whole world was falling apart around me?
The usually comforting sound triggered my anger. My eyes opened and took in the face hovering above me. His pig eyes shone with lust that made me want to vomit, and the smirk on his thin lips told me—killing me was only one of the options. He wanted to do more than just kill me. I couldn't stand looking at him. If he touched me—I couldn’t finish the thought. What could I offer him? What was more tempting than my body?
It suddenly hit me and I shouted it in his face. "Money!"
As the word left my mouth I was stunned at the stupidity.
Money? My mind echoed. How can money save you now? You don't even have any. But as soon as the thought crossed my mind, I knew the answer. It could.
A look of confusion came over Sean's face. The impulse had paid off. He was listening to me instead of undressing me with his eyes.
"I can get it for you."
I had his attention, but I only had seconds before I’d lose it again.
"How?"
"Johnny," I said. "He's a freakin’ millionaire; he’ll pay you."
The laugh was so unexpected it made me flinch. Then he snorted and added in a dry voice, "Nice try, bitch."
"No really." I squirmed under him. "Let me go. I'll make him pay anythin’ you want." I tugged at my arms but he tightened his hold, leaning down over me so his face hovered directly over mine.
"Lies."
"No, I—"
His free hand grabbed my face, pinching my chin between rough fingers.
"You've been nothing but trouble the whole time." Spit flew from his mouth as he spoke. "Give me one reason why I should believe you now?"
I hesitated, and he was quick to jump to conclusions.
"Bitch," he muttered. "Fucking waste of time.” His fist tightened and my heart leaped in anticipation of the blow.
"She's right!" I blurted it without thinking. "Nancy."
Sean’s hand froze mid air. I went on. "He did it to me, too."
The hand dropped and a frown came over his face.
"What are you talking about?"
"He's not who I thought," I managed to whisper the words. "He's unstable as hell; he hurt me, forced me to—" My voice broke. I couldn't say it. I didn't even wanna think it.
Sean straightened but kept my arms in a tight grip.
"You look like someone who's more than willing to fuck someone like Grey," he said, and I cringed.
I swallowed down a lump in my throat. “Yes. But—" Tears burned behind my eyes. "But not like that. He’s a psychopath; I was wrong about him. I found out the hard way."
Sean scoffed. "You're fucking lying."
I shook my head, fighting back the tears. There was no time to cry, this was my only chance of getting out of this alive. I wasn’t going to let emotions get in the way. Not this time.
"There's a knife in the waistband of my bikini. Take it. Let me up."
He hesitated but followed my instruction and I tried t
o not shiver as his rough hand found its way into my dress. I held my breath. He found it, and let his fingers linger on my skin far longer than necessary before removing them.
The pressure finally loosed and as soon as I could tug my hands free, I scrambled to sit. For a few seconds, I considered running, but then quickly discarded the idea. I'd never be able to outrun him, and where would I run? Not back to Johnny. That was the worst thing I could do. Being stuck on an island, there weren't many options available.
My eyes drifted to the man in front of me, trying not to shudder at the sight. He held the knife, and a sick grin played on his lips. I silently prayed I’d made the right decision.
“My life’s in your hands." My voice trembled but I went on. "I need you to trust me, too. I'm not lyin’.”
He let out a short laugh. "Fucking hard to trust you after this." He waved his injured hand in front of my face. "You were fighting like a wildcat for the man who raped you? That's what you want me to believe? Stupid bitch."
I forced myself to nod. "I had to."
"Why?"
"I needed him to trust me; to think I'm on his side."
"Why?"
I scoffed. "Well, you two ruined my plans." I looked down at my hands, taking a deep quivering breath. "But I have enough to bring him down."
"Like what?"
"That’s my leverage. I can't tell you."
He laughed. "Clever." Then his face turned skeptical. "And why would you do this?"
"I told you. Money."
He still looked doubtful, and I went on.
"I didn't know anythin’ when I came here. I was just a stupid fan and he used it against me. He used me. I want him to pay for that. And he will. I know things. He will have no choice but to give me everythin’ I ask for. You can be part of that."
A hesitant grin started to spread across Sean’s face. "You're serious?"
I nodded. "Damned right I am."
He got to his feet, gesturing for me to do the same. "Ladies first," he said.
I gulped and turned my back on a guy with a 5-inch knife pointed at my back.
“If you really mean what you say, you’ll go back there, tell him the truth, tie him up, and let Garrett out. Then you will watch as we have our way with him, and if you as much as look at us in the wrong way, I’ll have your fucking neck slit with this knife.” Sean poked the knife into my back, and I couldn't do anything else than nod.
Back still turned to him, I said, “That’s not a very smart move’.”
Sean scoffed “You said you had enough dirt on him.”
I nodded. “I do, but with more time I could—"
“There’s no more time for you,” he spat. “Either you end your little game and prove to us which side you’re on, or I’ll kill you right now.”
I nodded again, swallowing down the lump in my throat.
“I’ll do it. I’m on your side.”
My legs shook as I made my way back to the house.
Sean followed me inside, slamming the door shut as he entered. When I stepped into the living room, Johnny shifted, muttering a few curses under his breath. When his eyes opened and focused on me, it took all my willpower not to run back the way I'd come. Sean stood behind me, touching the knife to my back.
"Bree?" Johnny's eyes grew big. He struggled to sit, and when he was about to get up, I shook my head. "Don't."
He looked confused, but remained sitting.
Sean let out a cold laugh. "What to do with him?"
I swallowed, taking too long to reply, and when I finally spoke my voice was just an emotionless whisper. "Do whatever you want." I looked down at my feet, but I could feel Johnny's gaze on me.
Sean gestured toward Johnny and hissed into my neck, "Prove it."
Blood froze in my veins and for a moment I forgot how to breathe. I lifted my head and looked at Johnny. The question was written all over his face.
"What the fuck is going on?" He turned his eyes on Sean. "What have you done to her?"
Sean laughed. "Tell him."
"Tell me what?" Johnny’s voice was hesitant, suddenly uncertain, almost as if he expected something bad.
The knife pushed into my skin.
“I—" My voice broke but I forced myself to go on. “I’m that kind of girl, what I said I wasn’t. I'm worse. It was so easy with you. The whole time you had no clue I was just playin’ you." I let out a short laugh. "Guess it's your curse, to fall for the gold-diggers and the psychos." I didn’t recognize my voice as I spoke. It was too cold, too harsh. And as the look on Johnny’s face slowly changed from worry to shock, tears burned behind my eyes.
I tore my gaze away so I didn't have to look at him.
"He's yours," I said to Sean who seemed more than pleased. As he walked up to Johnny, waving the knife in front of his face, Johnny's eyes were locked on me. He didn't even move as Sean played with the knife, letting it slide across his skin in a slow taunting reminder of what he wanted to do. He kept on looking at me as if he couldn't believe what I’d said, as if the words themselves had cut him deeper than the knife ever could.
Sean spoke. "Give me the key." When Johnny still didn't move, he lashed out. The sound as his fist slammed into Johnny's face made me feel sick to my stomach. I looked away as he fell back onto the sofa.
"The key."
Johnny didn't try to defend himself, and the second punch hit him hard. Sean held the tip of the knife under his chin, forcing him to tilt his head back.
"Girl, come here, give me the fucking key."
I obeyed. Johnny closed his eyes as I searched his pockets, and I had to resist the urge to do the same. Being so close to him was torture. Blood trailed down his face from the nose and a split lip, leaving a red trail across his chin and down the side of his throat.
I found the key, and before I could hand it to Sean, he gestured toward Johnny.
“Tie him.” He tossed the ropes onto Johnny’s lap, and I obeyed. Sean watched me with a pleased grin on his face, and when I was done, he shoved me aside, tightening the knot before snatching the key from my hand, and headed for the kitchen.
I hesitated a few seconds at Johnny's side. When he turned his head to look at me, our eyes met. For a few seconds, the world stood still, then I tore my gaze away. Ignoring his sad eyes, I followed Sean into the kitchen without looking back.
He fumbled with the lock. "It's not working."
"It's rough; it will work." I grabbed a bottle of Johnny's whiskey from the counter, holding the bottle up for Sean to see. "Want some?"
Sean laughed. "You're fucking awesome."
“You have no idea."
I slammed the bottle down onto his head and watched him collapse.
"Creep."
20
Emotions
I dashed back into the living room and found Johnny in the same position as I'd left him.
"Johnny," I breathed, fumbling with the ropes. "I got him, we need to lock him in."
He turned two tired eyes on me, and the blank expression on his face broke my heart. The knot fell opened.
”Come on, there's no time to waste."
He got up without looking at me. Without moving a single muscle on his face, he brushed past me and headed for the kitchen. I looked away as he staggered, holding on to the wall for support before forcing himself to push forward.
When the basement door finally slammed shut, my knees were weak from relief. Finally, both the creeps were behind a locked door, and we were safe. Finally, we could relax.
"It's over," I said, turning to find the kitchen empty. "Johnny?"
I found him on his bed, laying on his back with eyes closed and a hand pressed to his forehead as if to ward off a headache.
“Hey?”
I sat down on the bed, brushing a hand over his arm. "How are you doin'"?
He shifted, but instead of looking at me, he turned his head the opposite way. I took his hand. "I'm sorry.” My voice trembled with held back emotion. "I didn't mean it; I
thought you'd understand. Or, hoped." I squeezed his hand. "It was just an act. He would’ve killed me, I had no choice."
He turned his head, looking up at me in silence. I gave him the time he needed to take it all in, giving him a small smile as I watched the range of different emotions on his face.
“I’d never do such things,” I said. "You have to believe that."
When he still didn't speak, and that dazed expression stayed on his face for too long, I blurted. "For Christ sake! Johnny!"
He flinched, then his eyes grew wide.
I shook my head and sighed. “It was an act; you of all people should understand that."
He dragged himself up into a sitting position.
"You went after him on purpose?"
I looked at him, surprised by his tone.
"Yeah."
"You risked your fucking life, and for what?"
His sudden anger rendered me speechless.
"How could you be so stupid?" He got to his feet, standing in front of me.
"He could’ve . . .” He cut himself off, shaking his head. “I can't even think about it, fuck it, Bree."
I stared at him, waiting for my mind to catch up with the whirlwind of feelings rushing through me. The words burst from my lips like a bottle of champagne blowing its cork.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I yelled. "I did it for you!" I jumped up, brushing past him as I stormed toward the door.
"Is it too much to ask for some freakin’ gratitude?" I slammed the door, and in just a few seconds he opened it, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me back into the room.
He held my upper arms in a firm grip, breathing heavily as he stared at me.
"Didn't you hear them, what they wanted to do with you—" He looked down, but his hands never left my body. "Did he—"
"No!" I yanked myself free. "He didn't touch me." I struggled not to cry as my mind filled with memories of Sean's heavy body straddling me and his hand on my skin in the search of the knife. Johnny was right, but he didn't need to know the details.
