by Thomas, C. M
“Wait, I need to do something. I can’t just sit in a hotel room while she is out there with him.”
“I know, Zane, but right now that is the best option. We will do anything to get her back. We’re all trained to do this, okay?” Dax said before he walked out, Mark and Ryder close behind him. Kylie sat on the arm of the chair and took my hand in hers.
“We have to be strong for her,” she whispered to me. Tears were rolling down her face. I pulled her down to me and hugged her. I’d forgotten that this was her sister.
“Okay, Ky, let’s get back to the hotel,” I said before I got up and took Kylie in my arms. She was crying against my chest. I thought that if I let her go, she would fall, so I just held her close. Marco came in and lifted her up into his arms. We all walked behind him.
Back at the hotel, we all gathered in mine and Anna’s room. Marco placed Kylie on the couch and kissed her on the head before he headed out. We all knew that he was one of the best Dax had, so he needed to help find Anna.
I walked over to Kylie and lifted her head so I could sit on the couch. She rested her head on my leg, and I just tried to calm her as much as I could. An hour or so later, Kylie fell asleep; all the crying had worn her out. I looked up and saw the look on my brothers’ faces.
“Any news?” I didn’t have my phone; Cole took that from me so I didn’t call Dax every five minutes. If I weren’t so tired and exhausted from all this anger and sorrow, I would have kicked his ass.
“Not yet.” I could see on his face that he wasn’t telling me everything.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I snapped at him. I needed to know everything. They could keep Kylie out of it if they wanted, but me? Hell no.
“The police won’t do anything; she hasn’t been missing twenty-four hours. And since she didn’t report the attack back in Colorado Springs or the messages he sent her, they don’t believe she is in any danger.”
“What the hell? Just because she was scared out of her mind to go to the police, they won’t help?” The anger was back. How could they not help? Dax had the evidence they needed, and I knew he gave it to them. And still, they wouldn’t do anything. I didn’t get this. Why the hell did we have police if they wouldn’t help at a time like this? I knew it was not their fault—they were just following the law—but still.
I needed to be angry at someone, so the police and Dan were the ones I chose to be mad at. And of course, that idiot that gave Dan access backstage. I didn’t know who did it, but I figured Dax knew. And if it was some of his men, he would take care of that. Where are you, baby?
“I know. But Dax and the team are doing everything they can, and you know they won’t rest before they get her back, right?” I looked at Caleb. I knew he was right, but still, what the hell was wrong with the police?
“I know. I’m just worried about what he will do to her before they find her.” I closed my eyes and tried to control the anger running through my body. I promised her that she would be safe with me and look where that got her. She was at his mercy, and all I could do was sit here in this stupid hotel room and wait. I knew they would find her at some point, but in what condition?
Just the thought made me sick. I ran to the bathroom just in time before I puked. I rested my head on the rim after I emptied my stomach in the toilet. Cole was standing behind me.
“They will find her, okay?” He pulled me up from the floor and walked me into the bedroom. I sat down on the bed with my head bent and closed eyes. I would get her back, and never again would anyone hurt her. But in what condition would they find her? Would they find her before he hurt her? Would she ever trust me again?
“Liam called your father to let him know what’s going on. I think he told your sisters about this, because Gia is calling your phone nonstop.” I looked up at him, and he handed me my phone. “Don’t call Dax. He will call us when he has news. But maybe call Gia back. She is calling all of us, but only wants to talk to you.” He smiled. Of course she only wanted to talk to me.
I took the phone and moved on the bed, so I was resting against the headboard. Cole walked out and closed the door behind him. He knew me well; he knew I didn’t want any of them to see me like this. I looked at my phone. Gia was calling again. Knowing she wouldn’t stop until I answered, I did just that.
“Hey.”
“Zane, are you okay?” she almost whispered into the phone.
“No.” I could feel the tears running down my cheeks.
“Of course not, stupid question. What can I do?”
“Just talk to me.”
“Okay, I can do that. I can’t wait to see you in Denver. You and Anna.” Just the mention of her name broke me. I didn’t think I’d cried like this since I was a baby.
“I love her, how the hell am I supposed to get through this? I promised her she would be safe with me.” I didn’t even think she could understand what I was saying.
“First: you will get through this with her. They will find her, okay? Second: this is not your fault. You did everything you could, okay? Dax will find her.”
“But how can she ever trust me when I didn’t keep that promise to her? I can’t live without her…”
“She knows this is not your fault. From what you’ve told me about her, she is strong, and she loves you too. All you can do right now is not to lose faith. You will get through this together.”
We talked for another hour or so. Or rather Gia talked and I just listened. When we hung up, I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes.
Where are you, baby?
Chapter 27:
Anna
I opened my eyes. My head was pounding. I looked around. Where am I? This is not our hotel room. Then it came back to me. Mark was gone from the hallway when I came back out from the restroom. Then there was yelling down the hall, and I started going down there, and that’s where it all went black. Oh my God, he found me. I tried to move, but I couldn’t. I looked at my arms. Handcuffs.
I looked around the room. I didn’t see him anywhere, but I knew he was here. I could feel him. What was he going to do with me? Did they know I was gone by now? I didn’t have any idea how long I was out. It could have been hours. Then the door opened, and I saw him. Dan? I knew him. We went on one date, if you could call it that. He creeped me out so much that I faked to be sick so I could get away from him.
“I see you’re finally awake, sweetheart.” He came to the bed and sat next to me. I tried to move away from him, but I couldn’t. I was stuck here.
“What do you want?” I screamed at him, hoping that there was someone close by who could hear me.
“Shut up. Or I will make you shut up.” He struck me across my face. I could taste the blood on my lips. I closed my eyes and prayed that Zane would find me soon. “I don’t want to hurt you, sweetheart, but you give me no choice when you scream like that. So be a good girl and behave.”
He reached over and cut my shirt with a pair of scissors. “I’ve missed you. Since our first date, I’ve wanted to be with you. We did have a good time that night, didn’t we? I was just so sad that you got sick that night.”
My stomach turned, and I could taste the bile. I tried to breathe through it. How could he think that night was any good? We talked for about thirty minutes before I went home. Tears were rolling from my eyes.
“I’ve been watching you, sweetheart. I was so proud when you graduated college. I wanted to celebrate with you, but your family was there, so I just sat at another table at the restaurant.” He was there when I was out celebrating my degree? What kind of sick bastard was he?
“Please let me go,” I cried.
“I can’t do that. We’re going to be together forever. I forgive you for cheating on me with that dumb rock star. I have you now. And I will never let you go. Not again.” He ran his hand down my cheek, down to my breasts. My whole body was shivering. This couldn’t be
happening. He couldn’t touch me. Zane, where are you?
I woke up again, not knowing how long I’d been out. He must have drugged me with something, because I was still so tired. But I fought to stay awake. I had to fight him. I couldn’t let him rape me; I needed to stall him somehow. And hopefully, Zane would find me before Dan really hurt me.
I looked around and saw that Dan was standing on the other side of the room. How do I get away from him? Then his phone rang.
“What do you want?” he answered, sounding angry.
“Mom, I’m fine. I don’t know what Mark has told you.” He knows Mark?
“I’m with my fiancée, just like I told you when I left Colorado Springs.” Fiancée? Was he totally delusional? He really thought that he could keep me hidden, or did he think that over time I would just be happy with him, love him?
“Yes, Mom, you will meet her when we get back. We just want some time alone.” This couldn’t be happening. He really thought I would go home with him? That no one would look for me? Stupid asshole. Zane would find me, I knew that. “Bye, Mom, I will call when we get back home.” He turned around and looked at me.
“Morning, sweetheart, you sleep well?” He smiled at me.
“Yes.” I tried to smile but failed. My stomach was still turning and rumbling, and I didn’t know how long I could keep the contents down. My stomach and throat were burning with the need to vomit. “I need to use the bathroom.”
“Okay, but don’t do anything stupid,” he warned me. He came over and took the handcuffs off me. I tried to get out of bed, but he caught me before I did. He took me in his arms and carried me out to the bathroom. The moment he put me down, I puked. “It’s okay, sweetheart, I will make you feel better.” He moved behind me. But his words just made me puke even more. When I was done, I looked over my shoulder. He was standing with his back to me looking at something.
This is my chance. I have to try. I got up and ran out of the bathroom. When I got to the door, it was locked. I kept trying to get the door open, even though I knew that I couldn’t. But I would not give up; I had someone to fight for. To live for. Zane, my gorgeous boyfriend. The love I felt for him gave me the strength to keep fighting Dan. And I would fight until I took my last breath if that was what it took.
“Didn’t I tell you to behave?” he yelled at me. Then he took my hair in his hand and yanked me back. I closed my eyes and prayed that he didn’t pull out my hair. He pulled me down on the bed and straddled me. “I was going to wait until we got home, but I see you need to know that you’re mine now.”
He put the handcuffs back on. I was stuck on the bed now. He smiled down at me before he moved his finger along my bra. With one pull, he slid it open and took my breast in his hands. I closed my eyes. Save me, please. I can’t go through this again. This time, I couldn’t get away from him. He would rape me. And from the look on his face, he would do it more than once. For all I knew, he would keep me locked up.
I felt his hands move from my breast, and for some reason, I hoped he would wait. I opened my eyes and saw that I was not that lucky. His mouth was inches from my breast. I knew what was coming. Last time his bite marks were all over my body. I just closed my eyes and hoped that someone would hear me.
“HELP ME!” I screamed. I knew this would anger him, but I had to try.
“Bitch. Shut up.” He took the pieces of my shirt and put them in my mouth. I kept fighting him, even though I knew that it was pointless. His mouth was on my breast, and then the biting began. I screamed. It hurt so much. How could he think that this was nice? He was a creep, so he thought this was totally normal. Like a normal fiancé would have to hold his lover down just to have sex. Then I heard it. Someone was outside the door. Someone was knocking.
“Don’t do anything or I will kill you.” He struck my face twice before he got up from the bed and went over to the door. He opened the door, and before I knew it, he was on the floor with Dax on top of him.
They found me. I cried like I’d never cried before. Marco came through the door and walked over to me. He took off his jacket and put it on me.
“Shhh. You’re safe. Are you hurt?” He looked at me. “Where are the keys to these?” I shook my head. I didn’t know where the keys to the handcuffs were. Dax looked up and said something. I didn’t really hear it. I closed my eyes and breathed. I’m safe. Moments later, Marco removed the cuffs, and he took the shirt out of my mouth. I just cried. I was so scared. Thank God they found me before he raped me.
Dax was talking to someone in the hallway. I didn’t know who, and I really didn’t care. I just wanted to get out of here. I wanted to go back to Zane, to have him hold me. To just melt into his body, feeling his warmth. I wanted Zane. I looked around. He was not here. Where is he?
“You have to stay until the police come, okay?” Marco said, just like he could read my mind.
“I don’t want to. Zane?” I cried.
“I know, but we have to do this right so he can’t hurt you anymore. Zane is back at the hotel with Kylie. I will stay with you.” He sat down on the bed and pulled me into his lap. I rested my head against his chest. I’m safe.
What felt like hours later, the police finally let me go. I told them everything, and Dax gave them all the messages from Dan. They asked me why I didn’t report it when he attacked me back in Colorado Springs. I told them what I told everyone else. I was scared, and I really didn’t think they would do anything about it. What could they have done? I couldn’t describe his face; they would not have had a chance to find him. The officer didn’t look happy about my assumptions, but I really couldn’t care less. It wasn’t him who had to go through what I did. His opinion didn’t matter.
“You ready to get back to the hotel?” Dax asked.
“More than you know. I need a shower and sleep.” I tried to smile, but I was still crying. I couldn’t seem to stop. And I needed Zane.
“Okay, can you walk?” he asked. I was still resting on Marco’s lap. It might be weird that I was this comfortable in my sister’s fiancé’s lap, but for some reason, I felt safe. Like he was my brother or something like that.
“I don’t think so. My legs feel like jelly.” He nodded and looked at Marco. Marco got up from the bed with me in his arms. He carried me out of the room and down to the car.
Chapter 28:
Zane
I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I don’t even look at the display before I answered.
“Hello?”
“Zane. We found her,” Dax said. I sat right up on the bed. Is she safe?
“Is she okay?”
“I don’t know. We will be at the hotel in about thirty minutes. Stay in the room. I will try to get her inside the hotel without the press seeing her.”
“Okay, but is she hurt?” I needed to know that she was okay.
“Yes, Zane. We will see you soon.” With that, he hung up. She is hurt, but she is safe. I got out of bed and went into the living room, where Kylie was still sleeping. Caleb, Liam, and Cole were talking but stopped the moment I walked into the room.
“They found her,” I said before I broke down on the floor. Liam was the first one up from his chair, and he came over to me.
“Is she okay?” he asked, and rested his hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eyes.
“I don’t know. Dax wouldn’t tell me.” I felt like a girl. I have to be strong. Don’t cry like a baby. I took a couple of deep breaths before I looked up. Liam was looking concerned, and so were Caleb and Cole. Cole walked over to Kylie and woke her up.
“Kylie, they found her,” he said.
“Where is she, is she hurt? I need to see her.” She moved up so fast from the couch that she almost fell. Lucky for her, Cole caught her.
“Dax is bringing her here. They will be here soon. I don’t know what happened, but she is hurt,” was all I said. It was all I knew.
I couldn’t say much more than that.
The wait seemed to last for hours. It was like time stood still. Then the door opened and Dax walked in first. Behind him was Marco. He had Anna in his arms; she looked so small like that. Kylie gasped before she ran over to both Marco and Anna.
“Oh my God, Anna. I’m so sorry,” she said when she hugged Anna. Marco walked into the bedroom and laid Anna down on the bed. Kylie was right behind him. And the moment he let go of Anna, Kylie was in his arms. She was crying. I just looked at my beautiful girl. This wasn’t her. I needed to get a smile back on her face. I walked over to the bed. Marco moved out of the way, taking Kylie.
“Baby, open your eyes.” I sat on my knees on the floor. My head was right in front of her. She had bruises all over her face. I wanted to hurt him for doing this to my girl. When she opened her eyes, they were all shiny and red.
“Zane?” she whispered.
“You’re safe, baby. He can’t hurt you.” I took her hand. I knew I had to be careful. I didn’t know what he did to her. I just prayed that he didn’t rape her.
“I was so scared.” She sniffed.
“I know. I’m so sorry.” I didn’t know what to do at this point. Should I just stay here with her? Should I walk out and let Kylie take care of her? Would she ever trust me again? My head was full of questions. The most important was, what did he do to her? And where was he now?
“Hold me, please.” I could see the plea in her eyes. I moved from the floor and to the bed. When I lay on the bed, I pulled her close, and she rested her head against my chest. “I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?” I didn’t understand why she was sorry. It should be me who apologized to her.
“For bringing the mess with me when I came on tour.”
“Hey.” I pulled her hands away so I could see her eyes. “This never will be your fault, okay?” I gave her a small kiss on her forehead.
