I lift my head and look her dead in the eyes.
“Don’t ever be sorry. I’m the one who decided I wanted to help you. I’m the one who couldn’t get you out of my mind ever since my eyes landed on you.”
Her eyes get watery and her cheeks turn a shade pinker. I can feel the sadness that’s filling her from within. I didn’t want to upset her. Today’s about having fun and spending time together.
I clear my throat.
“Listen, although I’m probably the happiest man on earth right now that you were able to write something to me, but today is about being happy. So I want you to smile, and let go and live today with me like there’s no tomorrow.” I pause and hold both her hands in mine. “Can you do that for me?”
She gives me a tight smile, but it’s enough to make the butterflies flutter in my stomach. When the man yells out our order number, I hurry toward the counter and pick up the tray before bringing it over to our table.
I’m hungry, since I haven’t eaten in hours, but I’m mostly hungry for her, and so I’ve been ever since I met her.
She dives into her food and I do the same. Silence prevails the whole time we’re eating. But I can’t wait till we go for a walk in the park that’s close by to where we are.
* * *
Katya
It’s the first time in so long that I’ve finished my food completely. Because although I could feel Connor’s eyes on me the whole time I was eating, it didn’t create the reaction I usually get when Logan’s fiery gaze is the one that’s on me. I feel safe with Connor, and that’s a fact. Nothing out there can shake the serenity my broken soul lands in when I’m with him.
“This way,” he says, guiding the way to the park.
I follow him silently, yet everything in my body is screaming for him to hold me. I want his arms to snake around me and for him to never let me go. I need this feeling of safety to never fade away when I’m around him.
We walk past beautiful, green trees and colorful flowers on the grass. The further away we get into the empty park, the stronger the tension gets between us.
When we get to a big, tall tree, he stops and inhales deeply before turning his head toward me and hugging my waist. He pulls me toward him with enough force that I lunge toward him.
“There’s something about you that drives me crazy,” he whispers against my forehead, bringing his firm body against mine and slowly pushing me against the tree behind me.
I look up at him. I can hear my own ragged breathing and I can also feel the heat radiating from his body.
I am suddenly overcome by a strong desire to press my body against the thick hardness of his desire for me. My nipples are erect and every single hair on my body stands up as a cold shiver runs down my spine.
The last time I got a reaction like this due to arousal was when I was in love with Logan, and when I thought that he was prince charming instead of the monster he later on became.
My arms snake up and twine around his neck as he leans down and takes claim of my mouth. He sucks my mouth deep into his and kisses with a ferocity that causes heat to ripple through me.
One kiss, and I’m a goner.
His hand reaches for my cheek and he brushes his fingers against my skin. I cling onto him, wanting and needing more. Craving to feel him inside of me right this moment.
The kiss goes on and on, with his hand now on my leg, pushing my dress up. He breaks the kiss and buries his head in the crook of my neck.
I gasp in pleasure as I quiver underneath his body. The moment he runs his finger on the silk fabric of my panties, a silent moan erupts from my throat, and he pulls his head away and looks deeply into my eyes.
“I hear your moans and gasps in my head. Nothing about you is quiet, Katya,” he murmurs under his breath while sliding my panties down my legs and plunging a finger inside of me.
My soul goes to heaven with his. I’m no longer the mute, desperate woman who wants to escape this life and its torment. I want to stay and live every single moment with him.
“You’re wet. Fuck, you’re so wet. You’re driving me crazy.”
Then what are you waiting for? Fill me with your thickness and let’s merge into one.
As if he heard my thoughts loud and clear, he pulls his finger out of my folds and unzips his pants before releasing his hardness.
I stare at his cock for a moment with fascination. It’s rock hard and thick and nothing compared to Logan’s small one. And although I should be scared and terrified since that’s my reaction every time Logan pulled out his, I’m not.
My body’s throbbing with need for him to be inside of me, and I don’t think I can wait any longer.
Gripping his strong arms, he lifts me up and positions himself at my entrance as I snake my quivering legs around his waist. He doesn’t give me a warning before he drives himself inside of me.
Rainbow colors explode in my brain as he continues plunging himself inside of me while keeping an even pace.
I’m used to running away toward my safety net every time Logan forced himself inside of me. My insides would feel as if they have been ripped apart. My body would be under so much shock that I could barely move it.
But with Connor inside of me, sex has never felt so good, even before Logan showed his true colors.
Connor picks up his speed, and leaning his forehead against mine, he breathes heavily into my face.
“Fuck, you feel good,” he whispers against my parted lips. His breath, warm and minty against my mouth, makes my knees turn to water.
I arch my back as heat pools in-between my legs. My back that’s against the tree is probably screaming from pain, but I don’t feel anything but absolute ecstasy.
The moment our eyes meet, his hot liquid pours deep into me, filling the folds of my wet pussy as we both finish together.
He remains buried inside of me as we both struggle to catch our breaths. When he pulls out, I feel his seed sliding down my thighs.
I pull my panties up and watch him zip his pants up and wipe the sweat off his forehead.
Even with his hair looking like a mess on the top of his head, he still looks handsome.
The moment Logan comes to my mind again, my heart skips a beat and a shiver of fear runs through my body.
I need to go home as soon as possible.
Connor
The moment I drop Katya off at the back of her house, my phone starts ringing.
Frowning, I fish it out of my pocket and smile when I see Brian’s name on it.
“Hey man,” I say.
“Are you busy right now? Can you pay me a visit at the station?”
“Sure I can pay you a visit. Is everything okay? Is Maria okay?”
He blows out a sigh.
“Yes, everything’s fine. It’s not about her, this is about your neighbor, Logan.”
He hangs up before I get to ask him more. Anxiety crawls back into my skin. I press on the gas pedal, not wanting to miss another minute without knowing what Brian wants to tell me about the monster that lives across from my house.
Ten minutes later and I’m parked in front of the police station. I walk inside and ask to see Brian. The lady tells me he’s waiting for me in his office.
I hurry toward his office and shut the door closed behind me as soon as I step inside.
“What is it?” I ask, a slight edge to my voice.
Brian motions to one of the chairs across from his desk.
“Sit down first.”
I sit down and raise my left eyebrow, waiting for him to let out the words I’ve been dying to hear ever since our phone call.
He hands me a brown file that I instantly open. Inside, there’s a picture of a blonde woman sitting on Logan’s lap. They’re both smiling at the camera. Around them are a bunch of balloons. It looks like they were at a birthday party.
“Who’s this?”
“Logan’s ex-girlfriend. A Russian woman named Irina Kuznetsov. She disappeared to Russia around the time he start
ed seeing Katya. Heartbreak from him cheating or whatnot.”
I stare at Brian, dumbfounded.
“What do you mean? This wasn’t in any of the documents Maria gave me on him.”
“What Maria got you is his legal status in the country. His job, his taxes, all of that stuff. I dug further into his personal life and came out with the information I gave you.”
“I need to find this Irina girl. If she can testify against him or prove that he was abusive toward her then I can get Katya out of that shitty life she’s living. I’ll also be able to figure out what he has on her that’s stopping her from getting her freedom,” I explain, feeling the rage boiling in my blood.
Brian sighs heavily.
“When you told me about her in the beginning I was worried it was just—”
“My OCD getting in the way of my life,” I cut him off, and he drops his gaze to his lap.
“Yeah, something like that,” he admits.
“I know I’ve struggled with it my whole life, but Katya has nothing to do with it. I need to help her, Brian. I feel responsible for her happiness.”
Brian looks me square in the eye.
“You’re that much into her aren’t you? You know out of all the women you have dated in the past, this is the first time I see you investing your time, energy, and everything into a person. You don’t even do this shit with your own cases, man.”
I chuckle.
“Yeah well, she’s different,” I say honestly. “What made you look into Logan? I thought you didn’t want me to include myself in their mess. I thought you didn’t want to help me.”
He crosses his arms over his chest and nods.
“You’re right. I didn’t want to help you, because I was worried about you, and I still am. But I can see how this is very important to you, and I know you won’t give up until you bring Logan down. And since you’re my best friend and the one man I respect the most, I decided to bring Logan down with you.”
“Thank you,” I say honestly, feeling grateful to have had Brian by my side all these years.
“Don’t thank me until we figure it out and we crush the fucker. I did some research in Russia and I couldn’t find anything about her yet. If he was abusive to her and let’s say he threatened her or something, there’s a big possibility she might have changed her name legally once she got to Russia so he never finds her. I’ll keep looking into it and let you know as soon as I find something.”
I lean back in my chair and huff loudly.
“Katya, Katya, Katya …” I murmur to myself and shake my head. “You will be my downfall.”
* * *
Katya
No sleep. It’s 9 pm and I keep turning around in bed, trying to force myself to fall asleep but to no avail. Sliding out of bed, I take a quick look at Logan, who’s fast asleep.
Swallowing thickly, I put my robe on and make my way downstairs to the kitchen. I’m thirsty and a cup of water would do me good right now.
On my way to the kitchen, I pass by the basement door and I halt. I stand in front of it, staring, my heart crashing against my ribcage. I run my fingers through the small screen on the wall where he always types in the code.
Guilt, sadness, and betrayal all settle against my chest. For the past years all I have tried is to get this code. I tried paying attention to his meaty fingers every time he typed it in, but he does it so well, never allowing me to steal a single glance at the small screen.
Closing my eyes, I lean my forehead against the cold surface of the door. My tears burn the back of my throat and I shiver, a sob lodged in my throat.
“What are you doing?” Logan’s voice echoes in the hallway, making me jump.
I turn my head and look at him. His eyebrows are furrowed as he regards me with evil eyes.
Nothing. I just came downstairs to have a drink of water.
He takes a step forward and smirks.
“What? You miss it down there already?”
I shake my head and swallow the needles in my throat. I take a step back and clutch my robe by the hem.
“How about we go downstairs together and I fuck you in the cold? Would you like that?”
I shake my head frantically as he places both of his palms on the wall behind me, boxing me in. I don’t want to go down there. I don’t want him to drag me down the stairs to hell.
Please. Not tonight, I’m begging you!
“I’ll make you a deal. Let me hear your voice and I will never take you downstairs again. Say something, anything, and you never have to go to the basement ever again.”
My lips part as his words sink in. If he promised to give me the code to the basement if I uttered a word, then I would speak. I would force my voice to come back to life and I would make him hear it.
But I won’t. Not if he simply won’t bring me down there anymore.
I peer up at him through my eyelashes. My breathing is heavy and I’m sure he can hear the loud thumping of my heart in the deadly quiet hallway.
Logan feeds off my pain and misery. He loves watching me struggle. He craves destroying me in the most cruel way possible.
He licks his lips and nods.
“Fair enough,” he whispers, and fists my hair in a savage jerk. He searches my eyes intently. “Since you don’t want to fucking speak, let me give you some pleasure that will make your body shiver underneath mine,” he hisses, and reaches with his other hand to the screen behind my head. He puts in the code, then unlocks the locks.
The smell invades my nostrils. And I begin hyperventilating, desperately needing to run away from the present.
But as he drags me down the stairs, I realize my mind is not cooperating and doesn’t want to pull me toward the darkness. The further we go down the stairs, the more intense the smell gets.
I can’t take this! I can’t do this!
He throws me on the cold concrete floor and I wince at the radiating pain up my leg and my hip.
The moment their gasps fill the air, I’m gone—faded toward the blackness that lives within me.
Connor
“Drink and have fun. Stop thinking about her constantly,” Brian says, handing me my whiskey glass that was sitting on the table untouched.
“I can’t. I need to get her out, Brian. I won’t forgive myself if something happens to her.”
Brian places his drink on the table.
“It’s getting handled. I told you I’m looking into finding the Russian girl. I haven’t found anything yet.”
I inhale sharply and place my drink on the table before shooting up from my seat. I walk over to the big window and stare at their house. The lights are all off and something doesn’t feel right. I take a quick glance at my watch and frown. It’s 9:15 pm. Usually at this time, their lights are still on.
A hand lands on my shoulder, dragging me away from my thoughts.
“What’s on your mind now, counsel?” Brian asks.
“Something doesn’t feel right. I’m going to check up on Katya.”
I walk away and he grips my forearm.
“Are you crazy? Logan’s for sure there. His car is there. Are you trying to get her or yourself killed?”
I pull my arm away from his hold.
“I’m going. I don’t give a fuck about him. What if he hurt her? What if he knows that she was with me this morning? I’m not wasting time. You can wait for me here.”
I walk away from him, heading toward the main door. I hear his footsteps following me and before I open the door, I turn around swiftly and scowl at him.
“You can’t fucking stop me, Brian. Wait for me here,” I bite out, and he lifts his arms in the air.
“Wow, okay fine I got it. I’m coming with you. I’m the cop here, remember?”
I roll my eyes and storm out of my house with him following me closely. I cross the street and ring the doorbell once. I wait a few seconds, but nobody answers. I ring it again, and still no answer.
I walk over to the back of the house to their back d
oor and try to open it, convinced it won’t open, but it does.
I turn around and look at Brian, whose eyes are wide. He motions for me to walk in with his head and I slowly slide the door open and get inside the house.
It’s dark, and there’s no sign of anybody here. I walk slowly, careful not to make any noise when I reach the main hallway.
But the moment I hear the beastly scream, my heart stops beating, and every sinew in it tightens. I look over at Brian, who already pulled out his gun and is in position to shoot if needed.
The scream.
Just like my mom’s.
I force myself to focus and to not let my past haunt me. Not now. I can’t afford to lose focus when that scream could be Katya’s.
We both walk toward the red door to the basement that’s fully open. My heart is in my throat and every single horrible thought is swimming around in my mind.
What if he killed her?
What if he hurt her because of me?
I pick up my pace down the stairs, with Brian following. But the moment I see it, I take a step back as my pupils grow two sizes bigger at the sight.
“What the actual fuck? Hands in air! Now!” Brian screams as he takes a couple of steps in front of me.
I’m speechless, unmoving, and my mind can’t grasp what’s happening.
“Help us, please!”
The desperate voice of a woman gets my attention. I look at her, blonde and beautiful, as she holds a kid in her arms.
“What the fuck are you two doing here?” Logan yells, backing away from Katya, who’s lying naked on the floor. Her eyes are open, but her mind is somewhere else. Far away from the horrible things that are happening in this basement.
Once his voice reverberates off the walls, the fury that only comes to life when I hear him talk comes back to life. I ball my hands into fists and dash toward him. I don’t realize that I’m beating the shit out of him until Brian pulls me with enough force that he pushes me away and I land on the floor.
Dirty Puppet Page 8
