by Sophia Sharp
“Your thug did this,” I spit at her.
Amanda brings her face close to mine. I can smell her lavender perfume. It’s putrid. “Poor girl,” she says. “Still all bark and no bite.” She traces her hand down my neck, over my shoulder, and right down to where I’m wearing the cast. “Tell me,” she says, “how much does this hurt?”
I gasp and helplessly whimper as she presses her hand into my side, hard. Tears fill my eyes.
Amanda laughs. “You’re pathetic, you know that? I’d have hoped that Rich would have picked out a girl with more than fluff for brains to replace me. But you’re about as dumb as they come, aren’t you?” I grit my teeth to prevent myself from saying anything. “Did you really think you could count on Tam as an ally? You and Rich humiliated both him and Victor. These types of men do not forgive.”
Tam clears his throat. It’s a soft sound, but it draws everyone’s attention. “Let us not forget our purpose?”
Amanda rises from the bed. “Oh, I was just having a little fun with her. Why can’t you loosen up like your friend over here?” Victor chuckles and slaps her ass. She jumps. “Oh, you dirty boy,” she chirps at him. He grins dumbly, half his teeth missing.
“Keep an eye on the clock,” Tam reminds her. “We need to get to business.”
“What’s an extra few minutes?” Amanda pouts. “But I guess you’re right. Victor, give me the phone.” He tosses a Blackberry to her. She catches it and turns back to me. “Let’s see what your lover has to say about all this.”
“Amanda, don’t!” I beg. “Please! You can do anything to me. Just don’t get Rich involve—”
I am cut off as she backhands me across the mouth. I taste blood on my tongue.
“My, that felt good!” Amanda says. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time. Victor,” she barks, “keep her under control.”
The big man complies all-too-eagerly. He grabs my hair and pulls me up. Pain shoots through my scalp, pain bleeds down my side, and pain radiates from my cheeks. Victor lowers his face to mine. “You will be quiet,” he says. He does not need to add a threat.
Amanda smiles as she dials the number. She brings the phone to her ear. I can’t do anything but watch.
“Hiii Riiiiich,” she sings. “Guess who I have here with me?”
Amanda lowers the phone and covers the speaker. “He doesn’t believe me!” she complains. “Looks like we’re going to have to do something to convince him I’m telling the truth.” She walks up to me, puts the phone on speaker, and shoves it in my face. “Speak!”
I shake my head. Victor twists my hair. I squeeze my eyes shut and bite my lips together against the pain.
“Speak!” Amanda commands again.
I shake my head harder. Uncontrollable whimpers escape from my throat. I try to keep them in by keeping my mouth shut.
Victor twists even more. The pain becomes unbearable, until I can’t hold back. I cry out. “Rich, no! Don’t listen!”
Amanda snatches the phone away. “Thank you,” she mouths to me as she puts it back to her ear. I can hear Rich yelling on the other side. His words are too distant to make out.
“You’re going to have to mind your manners if you want to see her again,” Amanda says. She lounges on the armchair. “Come on, Rich, dear, screaming at me won’t accomplish anything. You want to see Penny? Come to the lot at the docks—” she gives him the address, “—in one hour. If you’re late, well, I don’t think any of us will be seeing Penny again.”
“Rich, no! It’s a trap!” I cry out. Victor snarls and hits my face. The blow is hard and knocks me off my feet. I collapse on the floor and start to tremble.
“Get up!” Victor barks. He pulls me by my hair again. Tears are streaming down my face. “If you want to avoid that, next time, you will listen to instruction, yes?”
“…and if I see so much as a hint of a cop, Richard, Penny will not survive the night.” Amanda ends the call.
“Amanda, please,” I whimper. “Leave Rich out of this! What do you want from him?”
Amanda cocks a perfect eyebrow at me. “I don’t want anything from Rich, Penelope. But Victor here is still upset with him for the way he left him that night. I think the two of them have some unfinished business, man-to-man.” Victor chuckles in agreement.
Tam glances at his watch. “It is time to go.” He takes my elbow. “I will escort the lady out,” he tells Victor. Victor frowns at him. After some hesitation, he gives me up.
Amanda walks over and takes Victor’s hand. “Come, my darling. Tonight promises to be full of adventure. I can feel it.”
We exit the room. I’m all too aware of the gun Tam has pressed up against my back as we walk. He hides it in his blazer pocket.
Amanda and Victor lead the way to a staff elevator. Tam hands Amanda a special key card. She swipes it through and the doors open. “So we don’t have any incidents,” she informs me.
The elevator goes all the way to the underground parking lot. There’s a black sedan waiting for us. Amanda unlocks it and gets into the driver’s seat. Victor sits beside her. I’m stuffed in the back by Tam. I shuffle into the seat behind Amanda’s.
“I’ll be back,” Tam says. “I need to check the room one last time.” He disappears before anyone can say a word.
“How long is he going to take?” Amanda complains.
“He will take the time he needs, no more,” Victor rumbles. He places his hand on Amanda’s thigh. “For now, we have time to ourselves, yes?”
“Victor, not now,” Amanda says. He raises his hand behind her neck and pulls her toward him. “Oh, all right,” she complies. I look away as they start kissing over the console.
Tam returns not a second too soon. Victor’s been groping Amanda’s breasts for the past few minutes.
Tam opens the door and slides next to me. Our eyes meet for a second. He gives an imperceptible wink. Immediately, I look away.
“Took you long enough,” Amanda grumbles, adjusting her bra. Victor snickers beside her.
Tam’s voice remains calm. “Everything is ready.”
“Good,” Amanda says, starting the engine.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask.
“Don’t ask stupid questions,” Amanda says. “Tam, keep her quiet.”
The blood-curdling smile returns to his lips. He shows me the gun.
I risk it anyway. “It’s not going to work, Amanda! Rich is never going to come!”
“Oh yeah?” She laughs. “I’ve known him longer than you, sweetie. I say he will.” She looks through the mirror at Tam. “Didn’t I ask you to keep her quiet?”
Victor hands Tam a roll of duct tape. Without a word, he motions for me to hold out my hands. I do. There’s nothing to gain by fighting now. When he’s done with my wrists, he breaks off a piece for my mouth.
“No, please!” I beg. “I’ll be quiet—” I start to say. The words end when he tapes over my mouth.
Amanda exits the lot and enters the main traffic. I stare out the window. I desperately hope Rich won’t rise to the bait.
I watch the buildings go by and wonder how I got myself into this situation. I’ve gone through so much in such a short period of time. I’m a far cry from the girl who set out on her own from California less than six months ago.
We drive along narrow back roads, getting farther and farther away from the city. Anxiety builds inside me with every passing minute. Rich must be so worried. He’ll be leaving soon, if he hasn’t already.
Suddenly, flashing lights appear behind us. Somebody else is getting pulled over.
“Shit,” Amanda curses. “This is just my luck. Tam, keep Penny down so they don’t see her as they pass.”
Tam puts his cold hand on my neck and forces me forward. I inhale sharply at the stab of pain that shoots from my ribs. All I can see are my feet. But, those lights are still flashing. Are they following us?
When the signals turn on, I have no doubt left in my mind. I hear Amanda’s panicked voice, “V
ictor, you idiot! Did you forget to change the plate?”
“No,” he growls. “Maybe you forget the speed limit.”
“No,” Amanda says. “I’m driving right at—Jesus, he wants us to pull over!”
“Do it,” Tam advises. “We don’t want to draw extra attention.”
“What about Penny?”
Tap rips the tape off my mouth in one quick jerk. My skin feels like it’s on fire. “As long as she does not speak, everything will be fine.” He cuts my wrists loose. “She is just a passenger, remember?” Tam looks at me as he says it, touching the gun at his hip in warning.
I swallow and nod. “I won’t say a thing.”
Amanda grunts, then quickly veers onto the shoulder. I can tell she’s unhappy about this.
She turns back to glare at me. “If you say anything,” she threatens.
“I promise,” I tell her.
She doesn’t have time to get a more reassuring answer out of me. I see a shadow move by my door. The policeman knocks on Amanda’s window.
She rolls it down. I can hear the smile in her voice. “What’s the problem, officer?”
“License and registration, please,” he says. “Your rear taillight is out.”
I watch as the tension oozes out of Amanda’s shoulders. “Honey,” she asks Victor, “would you please tell me why you didn’t fix it yet?”
He plays along. “I be taking the car to the shop tomorrow.”
“See, officer? You just caught us at the wrong time. We’re in a hurry. If you let us go, I promise the light will be fixed tomorrow.”
“It is a misdemeanor to drive with a dead taillight,” the officer informs her. “I will not ask again. License and registration, please.”
This is my chance. Do I dare risk it? All it will take is one cry for help…
I look at Tam. He’s watching me with his dark eyes, his hand on his hip.
I exhale, defeated. No. Now is not the right time.
“This vehicle belong to you?” the officer asks.
“Yes,” Amanda relies. “Now, can we go? Ticket me if you want, but just get it over with already.”
“Ma’am, is there anything in this car that does not belong to you?” the officer asks.
“No.”
“Did you allow anybody else access to this vehicle while it was in your possession?” he asks.
“No! What is up with all these questions?” Amanda’s getting agitated. “Am I under arrest? I don’t have to tell you anything if I’m not.”
“Ma’am, are you hiding something?” the officer persists.
“What? No!”
“Please step out of the vehicle.”
“What? Officer, this is my car. I don’t have to—”
She cuts off as the policeman points his gun at her. “Get out of the car! Now!”
The next few seconds go by almost like a dream.
Victor growls and starts to reach for something in his vest. He never gets the chance. Tam’s pistol is in his hand in a flash. Instead of pointing it at me, or the officer, however, he buries it deep in Victor’s neck. “Not a move, now,” he warns.
I open my door and duck out of the car. When I look up, Amanda’s hands are in cuffs. Victor is still frozen in his seat.
I watch three other officers in civilian clothes race to the car. One of them opens Victor’s door and tackles him to the ground. The other points a Taser at him as his partner cuffs his wrists.
Both Victor and Amanda are brought to the hood of the car. Victor is cursing loudly.
“…Two charges of drug trafficking and possession,” I hear one officer announce. “…Ten kilos of cocaine found in your rooms. Another fifteen in the trunk of your car…”
“I don’t have any drugs!” Amanda screams.
One officer pops the trunk and peers in. He retrieves a large suitcase that he throws to the ground in front of her. Amanda’s eyes widen. “That’s not mine! I’ve never seen it in my life!”
The officer opens it to expose dozens of small plastic bags filled with white powder.
Amanda looks like she’s about to faint. Her eyes meet mine. She notices the small smile on my lips.
Her face twists with rage. “You did this!” she yells. “You set me up! You fucking bitch, you…”
I don’t hear the rest. Tam comes up to me and offers his hand. I take it and shake.
“You did well,” he says.
“I never doubted us,” I reply.
“I apologize for the…” he motions to my cheek, “…incident.”
“Oh, I don’t think it’s that bad,” I say. “Victor was the one who did the most damage. I’ll wear it as a badge of honor.”
I feel a hand clasp my shoulder. I turn around to find Calloway beaming proudly at me. He offers his hand as well. “Penelope, my girl, you’ve impressed me beyond words today. I’m so glad I could help. Know that we could not have done it without you.”
“Thank you, sir,” I smile.
Calloway laughs. “Always so formal. You know, I think you might have a future in this type of trade.” He looks at Tam. “I know someone who would be happy to train you.”
“That’s very generous, but I think once is enough for me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have somebody I desperately need to call.”
Calloway nods. “You can use my phone.”
I dial Rich and turn away. My heart beats faster with every ring that goes by. Keeping Rich in the dark was the part I hated most about the plan. But it had to be that way. His response to Amanda’s call had to be genuine. Now, I just pray and hope that he’ll forgive me.
“Hello?” he barks. “Amanda, if you’re calling from a blocked number…” his voice sounds rough and full of worry.
“Hi, baby,” I say meekly.
“Penny? Oh my God! Where are you? I’m driving to the docks right now. I’ll be there in minutes—”
“There’s no need,” I tell him. “I’m good. I’m fine. I’m safe. I’m with Mr. Calloway.” I start to choke up. “Oh, Rich, I’m so sorry. But I had no choice…”
I tell him everything, from start to end. How Calloway and I planned to use Tam to deceive Amanda and Victor. How I couldn’t tell him about any of it. How I know he has every reason to hate me, and how badly I hope he’ll forgive me.
When I finally finish, there are tears on my cheeks. I poured my soul out to Rich.
What happens next is up to him.
The line goes quiet for a long, scary moment. I can hear his labored breathing. At least he hasn’t hung up. My heart fills with fear for our future together.
“Rich?” My voice shakes. “Are you still there?”
“Penny,” Rich says very softly, “turn around.”
Confused, I twist my neck back. Rich is looking at me from inside his car. In all the commotion, I haven’t even noticed him pull up.
I drop the phone and run to him. He throws the door open and scrambles to me. We meet halfway.
I fly into him, my head on his chest, where it belongs. I start to cry. He holds me tight. It’s a grip of possession, a grip that speaks of the horror he felt when he thought he’d lost me. It’s a grip of his promise never to be apart.
“Rich, I… I’m so sorry,” I mumble. His strong hands cup my face. He tilts me up so he can look into my eyes. His are sparkling like silver prisms.
He sees the swelling on my cheek, the cut across my lip. Sadness fills his eyes. His thumbs brush over my skin. “Shh,” he whispers. “Don’t apologize. When Amanda called, and I heard your voice…” he swallows. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost you. But never again, Penny. Never will I ever let you out of my sight again. I love you with all my heart. You are the brightest star in my sky. Only when I’m with you do I feel complete.” He smiles. “I know our relationship isn’t perfect. But hell, we’ve got the rest of our lives to fix things.
And then he kisses me, and the rest of the world fades away.
Epilogue
18 mont
hs later…
I wake up and stretch. Bright morning sunshine fills the room. The air outside is warm with the first hint of spring.
I pick up the red silk robe hanging on the wall and put it on. Tying the fabric belt, I wander to the kitchen.
I open the fridge, smiling at all the egg whites and chunks of meat in there. So this is what it’s like to live with a man who eats healthy and takes care of his body.
I grab the carton of milk—skim, of course—and pour it into a cup. Careful not to wake him, I ease the microwave open and set the timer. I still haven’t gotten used to the taste of warm milk, but the doctor says it’s good for me.
I hit “stop” with just one second left so the microwave doesn’t beep. I take the steaming cup out, careful to touch only the handle so I don’t scald myself. I lean against the counter, sip my drink, and look at the man still asleep on the mattress.
Rich is shirtless, as usual. The covers only go up to his hips. His entire upper body is free for my hungry eyes to devour.
I giggle, remembering the way he did that to me last night. I know that this morning, he’s not wearing anything under the covers, either.
He looks so peaceful when he’s asleep. The light shines onto his body, accentuating his lean physique. Light stubble covers his cheeks, just the way I like it.
He rolls over and his hand searches for me. I smile as he opens his eyes and looks around in confusion. When he finds me, he mumbles, “Mmm, baby, come back to bed,” still half asleep.
“I need to go for a run. You know the doctor said to keep up my exercise.”
Rich looks me up and down. “I think you’re perfect the way you are,” he rumbles, his voice thick and full. “Now get back here before I carry you myself.” His eyes have a mischievous glint to them. “You know I’ll do it, even with your ‘condition.’”
He makes forgetting the run hard to resist. “But no kissing,” I warn him. “I have morning breath.”
“I don’t care,” Rich says, pulling me into his arms and kissing me wildly. I gasp for air when he lets me go. “How was that?”
