by JA Huss
“Shit,” Kristi says as she joins me. “And there’s Johnny.”
“Please,” Vaughn says to the camera. “We need your help. Grace Kinsella and Kristi Bolton were chased off the premises this morning by the paparazzi. We need your help to find them. Grace is my girlfriend and by now you already know about her past. She is Daisy Bryndle. Her story was never told, and I’m not going to be the one to tell it now, I don’t even know most of it. But I do know that she could be in danger. The psycho who killed her parents has resurfaced. In addition to that, my friend Johnny Blazen is also worried about his fiancée, Kristi Bolton. She’s six months pregnant and they are due to get married this evening. We need your help. We need to find these two women and get them to a safe place. Please, if you have any information, call the number on the screen.”
“Do you think it’s true, Grace?”
I have to lean over and place my hands on the table to steady myself. Back? He’s back? Could it really be true? My mind is just spinning out of control right now. The TV switches to the scene at the hotel where I escaped with Kristi. I walk back over to my lounge chair with wobbly legs and take a seat.
“I think you should call him,” Jack says. “Seriously, if there’s some guy after you, you need to be protected. This resort is huge, you’re not safe here. We have guards at the gate, but everyone else is gone on vacation. No one will be around for weeks.”
“Jack,” Kristi says in a stern voice I’m not used to hearing from her. “We’re not ready, OK? We’re sorting through things. And if we go back now, we’ll be pressured into making decisions. And we don’t feel like making any decisions right now. Right, Grace?”
I nod. “I can’t. Not yet. I need to process this. And Kristi, I know I’m totally in debt to you right now, but can I borrow some clothes? Even if I need to buy them from your gift shop or something? And take a shower?”
She gives me her best pouty face and takes both my hands in hers. “Yeah, I’ll take you up to one of the rooms. Come on.”
I grab my purse and my phone and follow her into back into the resort. I catch a glimpse of myself in the gift shop window and cringe. I look like hell.
“Come on, we can raid the shops. We’ll pay them back another day. Perks of being twenty-five percent owner.”
I pick out shorts, tank top, some underwear that is not tighty-whities, and she gets the same, but in a size that can accommodate her belly. Jack delivers two room keys to us and then we take the elevators up two floors, which is the top floor here, and she directs me to a room. “I’ll be across the hall if you need anything, OK?”
I take a deep breath and let it out. “Thank you. So fucking much. I’m so sorry I ruined your wedding. I hope you’ll forgive me and if you want, I will totally tell Johnny it was all my fault.”
She shakes her head at me. “No, Grace. It wasn’t you, really. I needed this time to get my head straight. If he loves me, this will not stop him. It’s just a bump, that’s all. Just a little bump in the road. I don’t need a man who will run away at the first sign of trouble, ya know? I need one who will stick.”
Hmmm. This really makes me think hard. We ran off today, right? So technically, aren’t we the ones who walked out at the hint of a bump in the road? I admit, my problems are pretty unique. But Vaughn was trying to help me and I pushed him away.
Why do I do that?
Pffft. OK, stupid question, Grace.
Kristi turns to go into her room and I go into mine. It’s a beautiful suite. A living room with a mountain view, and two bedrooms flanking the large living space. I head straight to the shower, and even though the soaking tub is totally calling my name, it’s all I can do to manage to stand up in the shower without passing out from exhaustion.
Kristi’s words are echoing in my mind. She wants someone who will stick. We all want someone who will stick. But what do I do at the first sign of trouble? I come loose. I take off. I run. I get the fuck out of Dodge and hit the road.
I can’t help it either. I really can’t. I’m not good at confrontation. I have been fighting with Vaughn since the moment we met. Literally, the moment we met in that bar and he was bossing me into that key lime pie martini. And that is so not like me. I’ve been the yes girl for so long, switching to the no girl just throws me all off balance.
Why does he bring that out in me? He must hate me. I’m not sticky at all. He deserves sticky too. And maybe it’s just my overactive imagination, but I think he was trying to tell me something important about this last night.
Goddammit, why can’t I remember what happened? And why would he ever want me? I’m so fucked up.
I wash myself quickly and then slip on my new clothes and lie down on the bed. The air-conditioning is cold, so after a few minutes I slip under the covers and my eyes get heavy.
The stench of urine and feces is all around me. No, my mind says. No, Daisy. That stench isn’t around you. It is you.
I gasp as the footsteps approach the closet door. I’m bound and gagged, but not blindfolded. He always wants me to see him coming. I lie on my side, my cheek pressed up against the nasty carpet, and I can see his boots through the crack under the door. He stops outside my closet and then the chain rattles as he unlocks it.
The door swings open and even though I’ve been staring out that crack for hours, trying to get my eyes ready for the blast of light that always blinds me when he opens the door, I’m blinded.
I have to close them, and he hates that, so he kicks me in the ribs. I moan, because he always kicks me in the same place and they are broken, I know it.
He leans down, right into my face, and when he talks, I piss myself. “Daisy. Are you ready to learn how to behave like a lady, my girl?”
He wears a mask so I can’t recognize his face, but I will always be able to recognize his voice. I will never forget his voice.
I wake up screaming and then hands are on me, and I’m struggling to get away. He’s back! He’s found me! He saw me on TV and he’s back!
“Grace!” Vaughn says as he pulls me close. “Please, Grace. Calm down. It’s OK, I’m here. I’m here.”
I start to cry. Just straight up bawling and wailing as he holds me. I tremble and shake, but his soft words make their way to me though all that. “Shhh,” Vaughn says. “He can’t get you, Grace. He can’t get you. I will never let him get you.”
Chapter Fifty-Two - Vaughn
#IWannaBeThePrince
SHE TREMBLES in my arms and I hold her tighter. “I’m here,” I tell her softly. “That was just a bad dream.”
She shakes her head in my arms. “I wish. I wish it was just a bad dream. But it’s not. That nightmare was my reality for eight months. You don’t understand, you don’t know—”
“I don’t, you’re right. But that’s over now. You’re here, with me.” I smile down at her and all the pent-up tension in my body evaporates.
She pushes me away. I give her some space, but I’m not about to let her go. “How did you find me?”
“Kristi’s brother called the hotline and we came right away.”
“We?”
“Johnny is talking to Kristi right now.”
Grace stops struggling and relaxes at the mention of her friend. She needs a friend right now and that’s exactly what I plan to be.
“Are you still mad at me?” My heart is beating so fast and my leg is bouncing as I wait for her response.
“Do I have a reason to be mad at you?” Her head tilts up and she finally looks me in the eyes. “I don’t think I do.”
I give her a weak smile, but she doesn’t know what I did yet. I might’ve fucked up royally. She might not forgive me once she finds out. “I’m not sure why you and I argue so much, but Grace, if you will just give me a second chance, you’ll see we can be good together. I can give you what you need.”
She stares at me. Silent.
“What do you need?” I ask.
“I don’t know.”
“Freedom? Equality? Bossin
g power?” She smiles at that and my body relaxes even more. “I get that you’re assertive and used to being in control. Calling all the shots for yourself—”
“No, Vaughn. You’re so wrong. That’s not me at all. All this fighting we’ve been doing? That’s so not me. I hate confrontation. I hate arguing. I never stand up for myself. I never make waves. I go along. I give in. I’m weak. I’m a…” She stops and I realize I’m holding my breath, hanging on her every word.
“You’re what?” I prod.
“I’m a… victim.”
“Oh, fuck.” I hold her tight again, bringing her cheek right up against my chest. “You said that the first night we met and if I had known what happened to you, Grace, I swear, I wouldn’t have been so callous with your emotions. You’re not a victim, you’re not weak. You’re a fucking fighter if I ever saw one. You are so strong, you have no idea.”
“I’m not. I’m the weakest link. I’m the one who got them all killed. You don’t know what happened, Vaughn. No one knows what happened.”
Shit. I’m so confused as to how to proceed with her. Do I prod her for answers? Or do I leave it alone? She’s held it in for ten years, is it just my movie-star ego talking when I think I might be the one she can finally confide in? “Do you want to tell me what happened?”
She’s silent for a long time. I let her think. I don’t push. I asked her the question, now she needs to figure out what her answer is. Finally, after what seems like minutes, she makes a decision. “I never told anyone because he said he would come back and kill me if I did.”
“He can’t get you, Grace.” And even as the words come out of my mouth, I know this is a lie. He can get her. He’s proved that today with the message he sent us via Tray. He’s watching very closely. But if Grace won’t open up and tell someone what’s going on, then our chances of finding this sick fuck are gonna be slim. We need to put an end to him, once and for all. “I’m here, OK? I’m going to protect you. No matter what. I’m going to protect you.”
She nestles herself deeper into my embrace, pressing her face to my chest. “I don’t know who he is. He never took off his mask. Not once. Not once did he ever let me see his face.”
“Did he rape you?” She says nothing and the rage is coursing through my veins when she gives her head a small shake. “No?” I ask, to clarify.
“No. He… he said he owned me.”
“What?” My whole body goes still.
“He tried to convince me I was sold to him by my father and brother and the reason he had to kill them was because they went back on the deal. He said I needed to practice how to be a good wife and follow orders. He said I was his. He owned me…”
She keeps talking but I stop listening. I stop listening because those are words that came out of my mouth too. I wanted to possess her. I wanted to own her. I wanted… I want her to be mine.
What must she think of me? Does she imagine I’m like her abductor? “Oh my God, no wonder you hate me. I’m so sorry, Grace. I’m so sorry.”
“I do not hate you, Vaughn. I swear, I know the difference between him and you. I don’t see you like that at all. You’re not him. I know that. You’re not him. You’re nothing like him. You’re my fantasy—”
“Jesus, I’m an asshole. I’m your nightmare, not your fantasy, Grace. I’m everything that went wrong back when you were a girl. I swear”—I cup her face and make her look me in the eyes—“I swear, if I had known, I would’ve never—”
“Touched me?” she asks in her sweet voice. “You would’ve never touched me, would you?”
And I don’t know what to say. I have asked every single sub I’ve ever had if they’ve been abused by a man. And the ones who answer truthfully and tell me yes, I get rid of them immediately. She’s right. I would’ve never touched her if I had known. It would’ve scared the shit out of me. I want to lie to her, tell her that I would’ve been able to see past her answer, but I can’t. I can’t do that to her right now. She needs the truth, no matter what.
“I would not have gone any further with you, no.”
She lets out a long breath of air. “I knew it. That’s why I lied. I wanted you that night. Even though I was fighting you on everything, I wanted you.” She lifts her heavy eyes up to meet mine. “I still want you. But I don’t think we’re ever going to be together.”
“Why?” I interrupt her. “Why can’t you see me as the perfect Vaughn Asher? I mean, I get it, Grace. I’m a huge asshole at times. I’m a dick. I’m a kinky, dominating control freak and that’s the last thing you need. But I have another side to me too. I tried to show you last night, and I thought I did a pretty good job, but now you say you don’t remember any of it. And I’m sorta stuck here, Grace. I’m stuck because we had the perfect night, sweets. We did. It was beautiful, and slow, and filled with moments.”
“And I missed it, didn’t I?”
“I—” But just as I’m about to tell her, there’s a knock on the door.
“Grace?” Kristi asks from the other side. “Can I come in?”
“One second,” she says back and then she pushes me away and we both sit up. “Are you going to stay?” she asks me with her sad blue eyes.
“I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”
She leans in and kisses me softly on the lips. It’s just a quick kiss, one that you’d give someone who is familiar to you. A peck really. But I swear to God, that kiss means everything to me. It’s like an invitation into her world. It’s like forgiveness and promise all wrapped up together. It’s like… a fresh start.
“I’ve been a bitch and I’m sorry.”
“Grace, please. I can’t have you apologizing right now. It will tear me up if I have to listen to you apologize. It’s not your fault.”
She gives me a solemn nod and then we get up. She smooths her t-shirt and squares her shoulders to prepare herself for the world once she answers the door.
Kristi is on the other side of the door looking sheepish. “Can I come in?”
“Of course.”
“OK, ladies, I’m going to step outside and make a phone call while you chat.” I give Grace’s shoulder a squeeze of support and exit the room, walking far enough away so that my voice doesn’t carry. I speed-dial Conner. “Anything?” I ask.
“No,” he replies. “Not so far, anyway. But I’m not optimistic and neither is Felicity.”
“So what’s that mean? He’s savvy in this computer stuff? Tray can plop a laptop down with a video for us to watch and we can’t get any info off it?”
“Pretty much means we’re dealing with someone smart and calculating.”
“Which he obviously is. Grace just admitted two things to me. He wore a mask, so she has no idea what he looks like. And he did some kind of brainwashing on her, trying to make her believe she was sold to him by her father.”
“What a sick fuck.”
“Tell me about it.”
“OK, well… we need more details. Do you think she’ll tell you anything else?”
“I’m not prepared to ask her, Conner. Not yet. I think it’s a bad idea to expect her to be forthcoming after all this time. She needs to make that decision herself. I’m not letting her out of my sight. We’re flying home to LA tonight and I’m keeping her there until we know more.”
“What if she refuses to stay with you? What then?”
“I’m already on it. Been on that for weeks in fact. She will either be with me or under constant surveillance.”
“She’s not going to like that.”
“Maybe not, but she has no say. It’s done. Call me if you find anything, otherwise I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He says goodbye and I press end just as Grace and Kristi come out of the room all smiles and laughter.
Kristi is overflowing with excitement. “Johnny and I are going to get married today after all. Here!” she says.
“Kristi, that’s wonderful. Congratulations.”
Kristi looks up at me with surprise. I’m a little surprised myself.
I have never talked to a friend of a girlfriend before. I mean, I really haven’t had a girlfriend like Grace before. But I’m tired of being that man. I want to be the Vaughn Asher Grace saw me as before we met. I want real relationships and that starts with making real friends. “If you don’t mind, I’ll stay by Grace’s side. I’m afraid I can’t let her out of my sight until we know what’s going on.”
“Of course. And you don’t need to change, Grace. Just hang out and relax. Your phone call to the hotel to get things moved over here worked like a charm. Thank you.”
“God, I so don’t deserve that. I’m the one who ruined your wedding in the first place.”
“Grace, stop. You asked me all the right questions. Questions I never wanted to face. And in the end I thought them through and decided Johnny and I are good together. I love him. He loves me. And we’re having a baby. So I really owe you a debt.”
They have a little personal girl moment and I walk back into the room and start collecting Grace’s things. There’s a plastic bag in the closet, so I stuff her blue dress from last night in there and twist up the ends. By that time Kristi is gone and Grace is sitting on the bed.
“Are you OK?”
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” she asks. “About the moments we had last night? Because I’d really like to hear about them.”
I pull her up off the bed and hug her close. “I’ll tell you, but under one condition.”
“What?” she asks, warily.
“You come spend the night at my house in LA tonight.”
She raises her eyebrows at me. “You’re serious?”
“Totally serious.” I’m not sure if she wants to argue with me about this or not, but I’m not ready to give in. So I give her more. “Grace, I’ve never had a woman at my house. Felicity and I bought this house together after I adopted her, and I told myself then and there, no women. But you’re different. I want you to be the first woman to come to my house and I want you to spend the night.”
“Won’t Felicity be mad?”
