Because You're Mine

by Marin Montgomery

  “Father Roberts,” I’m apologetic, “I have some concerns with my vows.”

  “Is that so?” he scratches his head. “This is common. It’s hard to put feelings into words and bottle love up in such a short timeframe.”

  I shift on my feet balancing from one foot to another.

  George tightens his hold. My arm’s a pin cushion for his nails as they dig into me.

  “Is that your only issue?” The priest’s observant gaze tries to hold mine. I look away. All I can do is shrug. I look around surveying the picturesque landscape.

  I try not to make it obvious I’m searching, searching for any way off this damned mountain. Am I better suited to get Father Roberts’ attention by whispering or passing him a note? My vows are tucked into the garter underneath my dress, as cheesy and over-the-top as I knew Alec liked.

  The priest turns back to Alec, and I can tell from Alec’s crossed arms and stilted conversation that he’s uncomfortable in this forced and awkward situation, anxious to get started with the ceremony.

  “George,” the priest asks, “would you mind grabbing me a chair?”

  “Of course,” George and Alec exchange a quick glance, and then George releases my arm. He walks off to grab a patio chair.

  Father Roberts reaches into his robe, his face mirroring his confusion as he looks around, consternation as he lays his hand on the bible he’s holding.

  “Dear,” he says, eyes kind, “would you mind going in and grabbing my glasses? I believe I left them in the kitchen on the counter by the coffee maker.”

  “Absolutely,” I try to keep the excitement out of my voice.

  Alec hesitates, “I’ll go get them. You stay here and tell Father Roberts what type of ceremony you envision.”

  “Okay,” I show my teeth in a big smile. “I’ll talk to Father Roberts about my vows, you go ahead.” His face turns ashen as his mouth tightens. He looks around for George so I’m not left alone with the priest. “Why don’t we just go in together?”

  “Actually,” Father Roberts claps him on the shoulder. “Mind if I talk to you alone for a second?”

  I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until I start to cough.

  Alec is scanning the yard for George who has a chair in hand but is now on his cell. His animated voice carries over to us, but I can’t understand him.

  He wants to keep me close, but Father Roberts is already leading him closer to the pergola to talk ceremony details.

  George turns his back to us, the phone cradled to his ear.

  Running is an option, but not a good one. I don’t look at Alec as I turn away, keeping my pace slow and steady as I start to head toward the door. I can at least find that. The wedding dress is heavy with beading and lace, and the shoes make my movements clunky.

  As soon as I step out of sight, I pick up the pace. Father Roberts left his glasses, but did he have his cell phone?

  My brain is amped up going a million miles a minute. Does this house have a landline? This might be my only opportunity to try for help, to get out of here alive and free.

  George will be hot on my trail when he sees I went off alone.

  I go to the left when I get inside and end up in the billiards room complete with a pool table and bar. The decor consists of cliché Brat Pack images and polished mahogany furniture.

  Eyes darting, I see all windows but no doors in the room.

  Seems to be the theme of this place.

  I head down a narrow hallway, a large floor-to-ceiling mirror at the end, my reflection a sore sight. My wrists are covered with burn marks, and my face stares back at me, ghastly, the makeup heavy on my face. It matches the feeling in my heart.

  The doors on either side lead into another bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and then a large study on the other side. It has a large oak desk with bookshelves filled with dated encyclopedias and detective fiction. It doesn’t look like Alec has ever used this room, everything is neat and tidy.

  My nerves are shot as I reverse direction and proceed the way I came. I consider hiding but the house is too spread out, and I don’t want to be stuck without any access or ability to find the front door which seems to be the only way out.

  My heels reverberate on the tile floor as I start down another hallway coming upon a large dining area with a two-sided fireplace that looks into the great room. The kitchen is beyond that. I see the black and white tiled floor and the stainless steel appliances. I want to sink down in relief, but I know this is the moment I’ve been waiting for.

  It takes me a few dead ends to find the kitchen from this part of the house. I try to slow my breathing, reminding myself that escape is imminent, that I’m close to being free.

  The reading glasses aren’t on the counter. I find them in his briefcase. I dip my hand in the front pouch, hoping to feel my fingertips graze a glass phone screen.

  Nothing.

  My heart sinks as the rest of the pockets are empty. I reach into the briefcase, one of the compartments has an object at the bottom.

  Jackpot.

  A flip phone rests inside the right pocket, large and clumsy, one that most likely came from the starting era of technology. It is even older than my basic burner phone.

  I punch in 911, let it ring, and say, “Emergency” into the phone and hang up. I can’t risk Alec seeing me on the phone. He’d kill us all.

  Since the advancement of cell phone technology made landlines and even phone calls, obsolete, I didn’t have anyone’s number memorized.

  I wish I knew Amada’s by heart. Maddy’s too far away. Or hell, even Jake’s.

  With no other options, I send a text to my work cell phone. It had been in Jake’s villa when I was snatched. I had accidentally left it in his walk-in when I was going through his suits. If my memory served me, it’s on the floor, hopefully not kicked into a pile of clothing.

  My hunch told me Alec would’ve grabbed my personal cell since it was near the bathtub when I was kidnapped.

  I wasn’t sure it if was even working at this point. Alec could have destroyed it, or the battery could be drained by now.

  All I knew was that I couldn’t risk Alec seeing me on this phone. He would kill me with his bare hands.

  My instinct says not to keep the phone on me. Alec will find it. I briskly open one of the cabinet doors and hide the phone in a spaghetti pot, careful to keep the metal from clanging as it falls into the metal bottom. I slam the door shut just as Alec enters the room, relief palpable on his face as he realizes I’m still here.

  “Did you find the glasses?” There’s an edge to his voice. He doesn’t like that I’ve been out of his sight for this long.

  I nod and start to walk past him. He seizes me and pushes me up against the counter.

  “What else did you find?” He snarls, his face inches from mine. He reminds me of a rabid dog, teeth bared, ready to pounce.

  He jerks my head back, and I gasp in shock before he pulls my head forward and releases me.

  I stare up at him, his eyes black slits.

  “Nothing,” I speak neutral, my eyes level with his as I keep my voice even, the terror inside threatening to grab my insides and twist until I lose all composure.

  He releases me and grabs the briefcase searching the pockets. All he comes up with is a piece of tissue and some scraps of paper. My heart skips a beat.

  Was the address of the property on one of those pieces?

  “Let’s go.” He pushes me ahead of him. He carries the briefcase with him. “I’m going to bring this outside. I don’t want any more surprises.”

  We are halfway down the hallway, when a phone rings, the tone shrill and unexpected.

  Alec touches his pocket, then glares at me. I shrug my shoulders.

  He hooks me around the waist and pulls me forcibly back toward him.

  The ringing continues.

  His hands are rough as he manhandles me searching furiously for any sign of a phone on my body. “You better not have a phone, bitch.” He
warns, his fingers harsh to the touch as he lifts my dress up and touches my crevices for proof that I am not carrying any contraband.

  He feels the paper in my garter and tears it out, ripping the vows in half.

  “Oh…” He’s chastened as he looks at the scraps in his hand. “Sorry, doll. I didn’t realize you put them there.” His voice softens, and he takes my hand, caressing it this time instead of yanking it.

  We head back to the kitchen, Alec unconvinced that it’s not on me by the way he keeps darting his eyes up and down my body.

  I pray the phone stops ringing, or he will be able to find it.

  Alec is a madman, tearing around the kitchen, opening drawers, pulling open cabinets. There is a lid on the pot I threw it in, so it is unseen by the naked eye.

  A loud beep commences signaling a message.

  The priest walks in at that moment to see Alec’s meltdown, a child in an adult body, throwing a tantrum. He is speechless as he stares between the two of us. He didn’t know Alec 3.0.

  “Is everything okay?” The priest’s concerned, his tone soothing. “Do we need to take a minute?”

  Alec waits until George enters the room and storms out, a curt nod toward me exchanged, thrusting the briefcase into George’s arms.

  The beep resounds again.

  “Sounds like I have a message.” The priest carries the briefcase over to the counter.

  I’m glued to the spot, wanting to sink through the tile. I move forward to hand him his glasses. It’s amazing they aren’t broken considering Alec’s manhandling of me.

  “Thanks, dear.” He slides them on his face and unzips his bag.

  He rummages around unable to locate his phone.

  “Hmm,” he’s confused. “I don’t know where my phone is.”

  George is staring at me, his jaw set in a hard line.

  The priest looks between us.

  “Have either of you seen my phone?”

  I shake my head making sure to keep eye contact with him.

  “Do you know where it is?” The priest’s voice is low, but there’s a pressing urgency in his tone.

  My eyes plead with his, silently begging him to drop it.

  He reaches back into the front pocket. “Phew,” he says, pretending to feel something in the bottom. He looks up at both of us, “I’m getting old and losing my mind.”

  George is placated though he’s waiting for him to pull the phone out.

  “George,” Alec’s yelling from down the hall, his voice echoing. “Take five.”

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Alec

  I decide to go into the study to check Levin’s phone. I am skittish about it being traced, so it has been turned off and locked in a desk drawer.

  My journal is next to it, as I’m still writing out my thoughts.

  I want to remember every detail of today—the wedding dress, the way she looked, the ceremony, and our vows.

  This is my tribute to Levin. Instead of keeping a lock of hair or a locket like I did with Heidi, I keep a history of her.

  The key is still in its same place tucked under a large oriental rug in the study, the wood floors covered by the massive gray monstrosity, the pattern of shapes an eyesore. I bend down under one of the corners and pull it out, the small metal key shines against the gloss of the floor.

  I sink down into the leather chair in front of the desk reaching my hand out to stick the key into the lock.

  The desk drawer squeaks in protest as I wrench it open. It’s lying face down on the black moleskin, dead to the world.

  It’s off.

  I flip the cover of the phone open and press the ‘ON’ button. The urge to know if Levin contacted her phone is eating at me. I have to know if she got to a phone.

  There’re multiple text messages and calls. I thumb through the history. Nothing alarming. I chuckle to myself. I mean, a lot of distressing voicemails from others, but nothing a few minutes ago.

  Might as well delete all of these. Some of the names I don’t recognize.

  A Maddy? Amada? I recognize the trainer’s voice calling again. A headache is brewing. I start humming to try to calm myself, the brink of disaster narrowly averted.

  I rest my head on the desk shutting my eyes against the cool wood.

  My mind drifts to killing her. The dress ethereal, a perfect funeral gown.

  Levin would look as peaceful in a coffin. I sit up suddenly.

  A wicked grin forms as I lean back in the chair, the leather crinkling underneath me as I picture her silent and still, her hair framing her features, though it might have to be a closed casket.

  Or they can put a high-collar dress on her to cover up the purple.

  No longer able to cause me pain and suffering.

  Leaving me a rich man.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Levin

  We give Alec his five minutes of peace, whatever that means.

  George is feeling me out looking me up and down, his creepy gaze undressing me until I’m virtually naked.

  I ignore his salacious eyes and make my way toward Father Roberts.

  “Oh Father, Alec’s just nervous. Me, too. It’s such a big day for us.” If George hadn’t lifted his shirt a minute ago and pointed to the gun in his holster, I’d be screaming for help instead of pretending nothing’s wrong.

  I roll my eyes, my fear not going to get the best of me with that jackass.

  Father Roberts is unaware of this exchange and nods in agreement. “It certainly is. You are committing yourself to each other before God. It’s not to be taken lightly.”

  Alec strides back in the room, his confidence back, his head raised like a peacock.

  There’s a perma-smile stuck on his face.

  I stare out the kitchen window taking deep breaths.

  I don’t want to be near him, and I desperately need us to get outside before the phone beeps again.

  My last-ditch attempt is to grasp Father Roberts’ hand and say, “Let’s go outside, I’m ready to be Alec’s wife.”

  Alec pulls his phone out of his pocket. He scrolls down, and as we head outside, he shows me a picture of last night—me tied up, passed out, him pretending to gut me with a knife.

  It’s pressed into my skin almost piercing it.

  That’s when I notice Alec’s body, blood coming out of a wound.

  My eyes widen as I realize it’s my initials carved into his skin.

  He’s looking for a reaction, a sick, twisted smile on his face.

  I’m not going to give him the pleasure.

  I keep my eyes straight ahead swallowing the fear I feel.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Alec

  I didn’t want either of them out of my sight.

  We head back outside to get married. Levin’s engagement ring is in my pocket nestled beside the wedding band I’ve purchased, both burning a hole.

  I want nothing more than for this disaster to be over with and fast.

  Houdini couldn’t make Father Roberts disappear fast enough. I want Levin to myself. If I have to hide her for the next nine months, I will keep her in seclusion.

  We’re going to start working on that baby tonight, I decide. And we’re going to keep trying until her belly is swollen with my child.

  Then… as soon as she has the baby, I’m killing her.

  Our gallant wedding party, if you can call it that, steps back outside to exchange vows. George is standing up as the required witness.

  We take our places in front of the priest. George does double duty as the unofficial wedding photographer.

  Father Roberts begins with an opening prayer. We’re on our way to man and wife. When we get to our vows, I read mine. They’re memorized, but I still need reminders, so I retrieve the folded slip of paper from my left breast pocket.

  I promise to cherish her, love her, and treasure her… until the day she dies. I focus on the words, intent on her reaction as I promise until death do us part.

  And I mean
every word.

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Levin

  A man who’s stalking me is the witness at my wedding to a cold-blooded killer. This would make for good reality TV. Isn’t there a show called my ‘Crazy Ex’ on Lifetime? This scenario would take the cake, literally and figuratively.

  My dress is itchy on my skin, and it takes all my concentration not to scratch at it—the feeling of ants crawling underneath the surface a very real sensation at the present moment.

  Father Roberts is reading passages, and I divert my attention between my sensitive skin and the text and phone call I made to 911. By some miracle, does Jake have my phone? Does he think I just left? No, he wouldn’t. He knew I felt like I was in danger. There had to have been a puddle of water on the floor from the tub.

  I finger the small tears in the dress where Alec had clawed at me in the kitchen. I’m despondent thinking that no one knows where I am.

  All these people knew I was on the run, but no one knew to look for me.

  My only hope is that the resort is suspicious since I didn’t show up for my shift. They might think I’m flaky or didn’t take work seriously, but Amada would tell them. She would also alert Maddy. Jake presumably would also be concerned. He might think I left town since my stuff left with me.

  Maybe water was left in the tub, and it raised the level of alarm?

  Could I get the phone and try 911 again or check to see if my text had gone through?

  I thought someone had answered the 911 call before I hung up, but now that I think about it, all I heard was static.

  My panic rises as I grasp the reality that I might be stuck with Alec after the ceremony and what that means.

  I might not be dead today, or tonight, but I was dead.

  There’s no way in hell Alec is keeping me around. He wants the money.

  If we marry, and I die, it goes to him.

  The priest turns to me and smiles. “Levin, do you have anything you want to say?”

  “Yes, Father Roberts.” I take a deep breath. “I don’t want to marry him. Not today, not ever.”