Paying the Price

by C Davis

  “Go, baby. I’ve got this.” I heard Chloe say as she led me to a chair.

  “Chloe, I just don’t know what to do. I’m at a loss for words. What if Colton never gets out?”

  Chloe sighed and took both of my hands in hers, “My brother is coming home—sooner than you think.”

  “What did you say?”

  “Jenna, Tilly knows a few people and pulled some strings. She set up a parole hearing for him.”

  “He’s coming home?”

  “Let’s hope and pray that God’s in our favor and bring home your child’s father.”

  Even though, Chloe had been through hell and back with Colton, she still believed in him. She forgave him, even when he hurt her. And now, he might be getting out on an early release. We can be together and be a family.

  “Chloe, do you know what the note said? Benjamin wouldn’t tell me.”

  “He never told me what it said.”

  “I can answer that.” Amber said, leaning across the table.

  “What did it say?”

  Amber closed her eyes and took a deep breath, “Roses are red, violets are blue. You better hope the police can get to me before I get to you.”

  A loud clapping made all of us jump as a dark voice chuckled. “Ladies.”

  “Jenna, run!” Chloe grabbed my wrists, but Tommy was too fast. He yanked me back by the hair and aimed the gun for Chloe.

  “Not so fast, precious. You girls are going to shut your pretty little mouths, and I’m going to walk out of here.”

  “What did you do to Benjamin?” Chloe whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “He’s a little tied-up at the moment. And as for Jeff, let’s just say he’s right where I need him to be.”

  “What did you fucking do?!” Amber hissed, fists clenched.

  “Did you miss me, baby?” Tommy asked, running his tongue down the side of my neck.

  “Fuck. You.”

  “You will be, my darling. You and I are going to have so much fun together.”

  No.

  He’s not saying what I think he’s saying, is he?

  “Colton will kill you for this. Just let me go and I won’t say a word.”

  “Sorry, can’t do that. I’ve got too much at stake right now. Be a good girl and walk to the car.”

  “Chloe!” I screamed, but Tommy placed a cloth over my mouth.

  “What did you do to me?” I slurred.

  “We got a long drive ahead of us, baby. I don’t need you causing trouble on our way home.”

  “I hate—” I slurred, my eyes feeling heavy.

  Just before my eyes closed, Tommy cooed, “I love you too much to let go. You’ll learn to love—”

  Chapter 15

  __________

  Colton

  I was awakened thirty minutes before wake-up call to a guard commanding I come with him. He practically dragged me all the way down the hall and into the warden’s office. I didn’t put up a fight, but I did demand to know why I was woken up to be taken to the office.

  “Colton Davenport, I’ve called you here because it’s come to my attention you’re up for a parole hearing. The board has studied your case, and we’ve had no problems with you. No fights. A model inmate. Actually, you’ve been the best here yet, besides your cell mate.”

  “Why am I here?” I asked.

  “You are here because all the charges have been dropped against you. As of now, you’re free to go.”

  “This doesn’t make any sense. I shouldn’t be up for parole for another year.”

  “Colton, go back to your cell and gather your things. As soon as I get everything finalized, Miss Tilly Scott will be ready to pick you up and take you home.”

  I asked suspiciously, wondering what the hell is going on. “Is this some kind of trick?”

  “I never joke about things like this. I hear you have a girl and baby on the way. Congratulations and good luck to you. I hope you use this as a lesson—now that you have something to live for.”

  Baby, I’m coming home.

  To both of you.

  I stepped back into my cell and collapsed onto the bed. Javier glanced to me, raising an eyebrow. “Something wrong, mate?”

  “I just came from the warden’s office.”

  “You get yourself in trouble, eh?”

  I shook my head and smiled at him sadly. I have gotten close to him and now I’m leaving him behind. At the same time, I wanted to go see Jenna, but I also hated to leave abandon him. “I’m getting released today. How is that possible?”

  “Do you remember our talk? Corruption, my friend. If you wave that money around to the right people, you can have anything you want.”

  “There’s no way someone paid their way to—oh, shit.”

  “What?”

  “My sister’s soon to be husband. His sister is a lawyer.”

  There’s no way he’d try to do this, unless it was necessary.

  Fuck!

  Jenna.

  “What are you doing still standing there like a fool? Get your ass moving and get to packing your shit. You have a family now.”

  I smiled and nodded, “A family.”

  A few hours later, I was released and walking with Tilly Scott to her car. There was something going on with Benjamin, or was it Jenna?

  Did something happen to the baby?

  I put the box in the back of her car and shut the trunk. Sliding in the car, I looked over to Tilly and asked. “Tell me what’s going on? You’ve barely spoken two words.”

  She shook her head and pressed her head to the steering wheel. “I can’t. It’s better if you hear it from someone else.”

  “Tilly, is it Jenna? Chloe? Please, tell me why someone paid off the warden to break me out of prison.”

  Tilly shook her head and started the car, pulling out of the parking lot. The ride was silent. A little too silent. Half an hour later, we pulled into her driveway. She turned to me, placing her hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Just remember, be strong.”

  Be strong?

  I stepped out of the car and inhaled deeply. I’ve missed this. The freedom. No chains to bound me in a confined area. I was free. Chloe ran to me and hugged me tight. So tight I thought I was going to lose my breath. I wrapped my arms around her and whispered, “I’ve missed you, Chloe.”

  She clung onto me and tightened her grip around my neck. I patted her back and that’s when I figured it out. There was something wrong. She’s never acted like this. Not once. I pulled back and frowned, “Chloe, what happened? Everyone is acting so weird. Tilly wouldn’t say shit to me about it, and you’re crying. Wait a minute, where’s Benjamin?”

  “I’m sorry.” She repeated over and over.

  “Tell me, sister. Did something happen?”

  “I couldn’t do anything. I’m sorry. He was there. Jenna was there—the gun. Oh God, Colton—I couldn’t do anything.” Chloe said through choked sobs.

  “Come on, Chloe.” Amber grabbed her arm and led her inside. Benjamin raked his hand through his hair and pulled me to the backyard. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured two glasses. One for me and one for him.

  “Benjamin, are you going to tell me what happened? What happened to your face? And, where’s my fucking girl?!”

  “Drink and I’ll tell you.”

  I took a drink.

  He took a drink.

  I blinked.

  He inhaled and exhaled.

  I blinked again.

  “I’m sorry to have to tell you this. Jenna is missing. Colton fucking knocked me out with a shovel and tied me up. When I came to, she was gone and so was Colton. I was in the process of getting a restraining order for her, when I got the call from Chloe.”

  I pulled back and hissed, “No, I don’t believe you!”

  “Everyone is out looking for her. The entire town is searching every single abandoned house.”

  My hands flew up and gripped my head as I fell to my knees. “No. No. No.
This can’t be happening. I—fuck!”

  “Hey,” Benjamin knelt down and shook my shoulders, “I’m going to get her back for you. Even, if it’s the last thing I do.”

  “I’m going to fucking kill the bastard. He better hope the cops get there before I do. I’ll break his bones piece by piece until his blood is—”

  “No,” he hissed, “I’m not letting you go back to prison for this. If anyone is going to prison, it’s Tommy.”

  “We do this together, brother. You and I will find Jenna and bring her back. Then, we’ll make Tommy pay for hurting her.”

  “Come on, let’s get the boys together. We have a girl to rescue and a bastard to catch.” Benjamin said with a wicked grin.

  Chapter 16

  __________

  Jenna

  I groaned in pain and opened my eyes. My head ached as I tilted my head to see where I was. I tried to move, but something was keeping me from moving. My arms had been tied to the headboard together, and my ankles cuffed to each side of the end of the bed post I glanced around the room and saw Tommy lying down on a dirty brown sofa, eyes closed and snoring.

  Tugging on the rope, I tried to break free as he continued sleeping. How did I not know he was a lunatic? I yanked harder on the rope, making the chains from the cuffs lightly rattle. I froze not knowing if it would wake Tommy.

  Tommy sat up and opened his eyes. He looked me up and down, licking his lips. Taking in my body little by little. Tommy stood, stalking towards me with a gun in his hand. He narrowed his eyes as he stood over me and caressed my cheek. “Finally awake, are we baby?”

  “Let me go!” I hissed, my voice full of anger.

  Don’t let him see your fear.

  That’s what he wants.

  “I can’t do that. Not when I finally have you right where I want you.”

  “You’re pathetic, Tommy. How can you be so—”

  Tommy raised his arm and slapped me, causing my face to whip to the right. “Shut up! You’re the sad little girl that hopes Colton will love you, but I know he’ll never see you for who you are. Don’t you know you were just being used by him? Used like a fucking whore.”

  “No. He loves me and I love him. You’ll never be half the man he was. Never make me feel like he does when he makes love to me. Never make my heart flutter when he pulls me close and whispers in my ear.”

  Tommy scratches the side of his head with the gun an laughs bitterly. “Is that what you think? Let me be more clear. Nobody will ever love you like I do. Can’t you see, baby? It’s just you and me now. No one to fuck this up. No Benjamin or Jeff to keep you from me.”

  “What did you do to Benjamin and Jeff?” I asked.

  “Not to worry, darlin’, I took care of them. And when Colton gets out, I’ll take care of him too. We’ll be a family once I take care of that bastard growing inside your belly.”

  Tommy set the gun down on the nightstand and climbed over the top of me. He ripped the front of my dress and cupped my breast with one hand. It made me sick to feel him groping me, but I had no choice in the matter.

  “Don’t fucking touch me!”

  “Now I know why Colton likes you so much. Dirty mouth and full of fire. Maybe I should put something in it to keep you quiet.”

  “Stop.”

  Tommy ran his finger down my chest, making his way down to my swollen belly and stopped. He glanced down and said, “Don’t worry love, I’ll make sure you’re pregnant with my child soon. Right after I get rid of Colton’s baby.”

  “No, please.” I begged, tears falling from my eyes.

  “Maybe I’ll let him live and use him against Colton. Make him hate Colton so much that it breaks him.”

  “Oh God, Benjamin was right—you are certifiable crazy.”

  “Crazy! You haven’t seen crazy yet, baby. Just wait until I take this sweet body and have my way with you.”

  “Benjamin and Colton will kill you.” I whispered.

  “Good. Then, they won’t be in my way anymore.” Tommy said as he ran his tongue across my cheek.

  “Go to fucking hell. I hate you. I hate you so much.”

  “Don’t worry, you’ll learn to love me like a good wife is supposed to. Just like Mr. Davenport said you would.”

  “What?”

  “Oh, you didn’t’ know? Colton’s father told me if his son betrayed him, I could have anything I wanted. And, what I want is you. I’ve always wanted you, Jenna. Ever since you were fifteen years old. Now that I have you, I’m never letting you go.”

  “I could never love you. Colton is the only man I’ll ever love.”

  “We’ll see about that when I’m buried so deep in your pussy. Then, we’ll see who you love.”

  “Yeah, and what will you do when it’s Colton’s name I scream out. You can take me by force, but I will never beg you nor cry out your name. It’s always been him.”

  “Stop it!” He hissed, gripping my jaw so that I was forced to look him in the eyes. “You want to anger me. To piss me off and make me hurt you. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to. So, be a good girl and shut that pretty little mouth.”

  I shut my mouth and froze when I felt something hard press against me. He loosened his grip and smiled sickening as he took a cloth and a bottle from his back pocket. I shook my head as he dampened the cloth and pressed it to my mouth. I squeezed my eyes tight and heard him whisper. “Good night, Princess. Sweet dreams.”

  I ran through the wooded area as fast as my legs would carry me. I turned the corner to be pressed up against the tree and a hand slamming over my mouth. “Did you think you could really escape me, Princess? I told you before an I’ll tell you again. You are mine. Always an forever, baby. Until both our hearts stop beating. And even in death, you’ll still belong to me. “See you in hell, baby.”

  “Noooo—”

  I groaned and regained consciousness as I came back to reality. This time I was tied to a chair, sitting to what looks like a replica of my kitchen. Tommy hummed as he stirred the food.

  Oh. My. God.

  This man was delusional.

  Like Norman Bates crazy.

  I whispered under my breath, “Please, save me. Anyone.”

  Chapter 17

  ___________

  Colton

  I may be free now, but it’s not like I thought it would be. Not without Jenna here by my side. This was my punishment for being an asshole to my sister. For not protecting my mother, and anyone else my father hurt. My chest clenched, my throat closing in on me as I fought for air. I held onto my chest trying to gasp for air as Benjamin and I made our way to the bar. I didn’t know how I felt about facing the men who hated my guts. Everyone in this town should hold a grudge against me. Loathe me and damn me to hell for all eternity. Let the demons rip me apart and eat me alive.

  “Why would they help me? They should be disgusted by me. Be repulsed by my presence.”

  Benjamin came to a halt and turned to me. “They don’t hate you. You’re one of us now.”

  We stepped into the bar and I felt my heartbeat quicken. It seemed like the entire football team was here. Everyone I’d gone to school with was standing around the pool table with a map of our town spread out on top. Benjamin cleared his throat, “Now that we’re all here, we can start breaking into groups. Jeff, Drew, Colton, and I will search the East side.”

  A small voice from the end of the bar spoke, “I think I can help.”

  Benjamin clenched his jaw at the sight of Chloe and Amber standing in the corner. “What the hell are you doing here?!”

  Chloe stepped forward and stood nose to nose with him and pressed her palm against his chest. “I think I can help. Jenna mentioned Tommy wanting to take her away to a cabin once before. I think your best bet will to go to Riverton Lake Resort. That’s the only place with cabins in the woods. If he’s got her holed up in one of them, you’ll find her.”

  Chloe turned to me and whispered in my ear. “You’ll let me know when you find h
er?”

  “Of course.”

  Benjamin, Jeff, Drew, and I took Drew’s truck to the lake and split up in two groups. Benjamin and I searched the East side, while Jeff and Drew searched the West side. For hours, we searched, but came up empty. Nothing but abandoned cabins were on the East side. They had yet to repair the cabins from the big storm that came through last year. The one’s on the West side were renovated just last month. So, there’s a good chance she might be there.