by KL Fast
“Shh, baby. Everything is going to be okay.” I know this is bringing up memories of when her mother left her. I try to reassure her.
Once Victoria is semi-settled and in her booster seat, I drive her out to Gage’s house.
On the way, I call Gage to let him know what's going on. He answers on the first ring, but I hear a woman giggling.
“Gage, it’s Donnie. Are you home?”
“Yes, I am brother. What’s up?”
“Verity never picked V up. I gotta find her. I am not sure what to think about that at this point.”
“Her stalker?” He asks.
“Who else could it be?” I feel sick just thinking about the sick fuck who has been tormenting my girl for so long.
“You bringing V by here?” He asks.
“Yes, is that okay?”
“Of course. Lorelai is here as well.”
“Perfect. I’m here.” I say, watching them come out the front door as I pull to a stop in the driveway.
I disconnect the call.“Daddy, you gots to bring her home. When you do, tell her I love her.”
“I will baby. Be good for your uncle.” I say.
“I will.”
She hops out of the truck and closes the door. She rushes into Gage’s arms.
I take off not sure where I am going. Eventually, heading to the college, I park in front of the library. I will be fine since I am in the squad SUV that denotes that I am the chief. Inside the library, I don’t see her anywhere. Back in the parking lot, I find her Escalade. It confuses me more than anything. I can see her stuff sitting in the driver's seat, keys included. Using my key, I open the door. Inside, I find her books, her engagement ring, and a typed letter to me.
Donnie,
I am sorry, but I can’t marry you. I can’t, knowing I love another man. Tell Jennifer I am sorry.
Love, Your Verity
I immediately realize this was written under duress. Several things stand out. The first thing is addressing me as Donnie. She always calls me D. I also wouldn't tell Jennifer shit. And Verity. She knows she is my Sunshine or my Kitten. I wonder if she is leaving me clues or at the very least telling me she is okay.
Sweat drips down my neck. It feels cloying as I lock her car back up. When I get back to my truck, I try to piece a timeline together. V needed to be picked up at three, so she would have left no later than two forty-five. Glancing at my watch, I see that it is after six. I call Zane at the sheriff's office.
“Hello?” He says answering immediately.
“Zane. She has been taken.”
“Whoa. Chief slow down. Start from the beginning,”
I relay the story, including the note.
“And this would be out of character for her?” He asks as soon as I am done. I clench my fists. I know he is just doing his job but questioning me isn't going to help find her.
“Yes, it is. She would never leave V by herself.” I say trying to keep my voice even. She would never leave me either. I keep that to myself.
“Even though it hasn’t been forty-eight hours yet, I will get the ball rolling on the missing person report. Do you have any idea who could have taken her?” He asks.
“I have no idea,” I say. But when I do know, I don’t know what I will do to the person.
“She told me about a creepy guy from her class, but I don’t have enough to arrest him. I can question him though.”
“Who is it?”
“Kyle Dennings.”
“I want to be there when you question him.” My rage is overwhelming me right now as I grip the steering wheel.
“I don’t think that is a good idea.” Zane hedges.
“I won’t do anything. I will watch through the two-way mirror.”
“Don’t make me regret this Donnie.” He says.
I speed from the ranch back into town. By the time I get there, Zane has rounded up this Kyle Dennings person.
“How do you know Ms. King?” Zane asks.
“She is in my Economics of Fashion class.” Kyle answers. He looks squirrely. That could just be me thinking that, of course.
“According to several of the members of your study group, you blew up about the news of her recent engagement.”
“How do you know that?”
“We have had a report of the incident.” I look over at Deputy Carnes. He was the undersheriff of Timothy Sunderland. He is the dick who is now married to Jennifer.
“Mrs. Jankowski, the librarian, told me when I canvased the scene. He started screaming at her.”
“The fuck?” I ask.
“He looks good for it.”
“Then where the fuck is she?” I ask him.
Zane continues his line of questioning but ultimately lets him go. His solid alibi of volunteering at the nursing home was all caught on camera. For being an unhinged fucker, he sure is good with older people.
I leave the station, but I don’t go home. I can’t. The memories are going to kill me. Her tinkling little laugh fills all the rooms, not to mention her perfume. Everywhere I fucked her tight little body.
◆◆◆
Two of the longest days of my life passed slowly.
I’ve slept in my office at the fire station because I couldn’t face Victoria without Verity. She has been with Gage the entire time, but I’ve Facetimed her several times. I left the police scanner on, so I could have heard any updates. There were none.
At midnight, I was driving around town, looking for something. Anything.
I can almost swear that a voice is speaking to me. A divine voice. Telling me to pay attention. The radio in my truck makes the all alert tone. My sense of dread returns with vengeance.
“Fire at an abandoned warehouse. 1236 Fallon Industrial Blvd. All Units Respond.”
I listen in as my guys respond with their call signs.
“1110 responding. On Route.” I say into the radio and fire up the lights. I know she is there. I have to get to her.
Pulling up to the sight, I see that the fire is contained to the second floor for now. I grab my mask and run into the building. I can hear shouting coming from a room above me. The fire is a far enough away that I am unhindered by any debris. I burst into the room. I see my everything unconscious, tied to a chair that has been set on its side. Her face is already showing bruises. Before I can reach the screaming man, the flaming roof falls on him crushing him to the floor. I react, pulling my knife from my pocket, slicing her binds. Lifting her into my arms and sprinting out of the building. The rest of the scene is a blur but ask me if I care that I left that man behind to die.
Once at the hospital, she still hasn't gained consciousness. Ryder and Suzi come up to check on her as well. Matt comes in to give an update.
“Chief. There is no swelling on her brain. She will wake up when the GHB wears off.”
That motherfucker gave my girl a date rape drug, good riddance. If he wasn't already dead, I’d kill him. I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Doc,” I say, shaking his hand.
“Oh, and don't worry your baby is fine as well.”
“Good, thanks.” Wait. What?
Chapter Thirteen
Verity
“Verity, it’s time to get up.” I shake my head, not wanting to. Why am I so tired? What the fuck happened? Everything comes back to me like a freight train and I gasp. My eyes snapping open. Where is George? Did Kyle hurt him? I go to stand up and realize I am chained to something. My arms above my head, my legs free. I start to panic, tugging on the chain trying to see if there is anyway. I can get out of my bindings.
“You are only hurting yourself, Verity. Those cuffs aren't going anywhere.” I know that voice. I look up and see George standing over me with his lip split. His always perfect hair sticking up everywhere. His normally nice clothes are all rumpled and have a little bit of blood on them. I look up at him in relief.
“Oh, thank God! I thought that Kyle hurt you too. Help me get out of these.” I say shaking my arms.
�
�Now why would I do that after it took me so long to get you here.” What? I look up at him in confusion.
“What are you talking about?” What the actual fuck?
“It’s time you realize who you belong to, Verity and it sure ain't the limp dick fire chief.” I start to panic. How the hell did I not know he was crazy? Or that he even had a thing for me. I mean for God’s sake, I thought he was gay. He was always so nice to me and let me bitch about stupid shit. I always just kind of thought of him as a really good girlfriend.
“George how about you just let me go and we can pretend nothing happened.”
He growls, and I automatically know that was the wrong thing to say. He squats down, leaning in close to my face. I see his evil grin. “Don’t you see, Honey, I am tired of pretending. I know you have just been pretending with that other guy. You know deep down in your heart that we belong together.”
This dude has clearly fallen off of the deep end. No way in fuck is that true. “If I gave you the impression or if you feel like I have led you on in any way, I am so sorry, but I don't feel that way about you. I have always just thought of you as a friend.”
The smack comes out of nowhere. I cry out as it leaves a tingly burning sensation in its wake.
“Shut up! You lying whore, why are you always lying? I know you love me. I knew you’d see it once I got you away from everyone.” He screams at me. I sink into the bed, trying to get as far away from him as I can. Hot tears running down my face. Fucking hell, that hurts. His face softens, and he caresses my cheek where he just hit me, causing me to cringe.
“I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just upset. Don't be upset with me, Verity. I hate having to hurt you.” Okay, Verity think. Obviously, he is unstable and reasoning with him isn't going to work. I need to gain his trust, so he will undo my bindings, then I can get out of here. That's what they do in the movies. I am not a good actress, but I will act my ass off to try and get out of here.
“It’s okay. I forgive you. I won't do it again.” He smiles and stands up.
“How about dinner? I know you must be hungry.”
“I am. Can I sit up please?” He looks like he is going to protest so I give him my best puppy dog eyes.
“Georgie. I can't eat if I am laying down you wouldn't want me to choke, would you?” No one is ever going to expect that my stalker is George. Hell, I am having a hard time believing it myself. No one will be looking in the right place. I am on my own.
“Yes, you’re right.” He nods his head and reaches over loosening the chain that is holding me down on the bed. “Here baby let me help you up.” He grabs my shoulders, sitting me up, the chain holding my handcuffs in place falls between my legs and my hair falls in my face. He awkwardly pushes it back behind my ear. It takes everything that I have in me not to move away from him. “There, all better.”
No. Not all better dumb ass. I really just want to kick him in the balls but that never seems to work out so well in the movies. He turns around and I get my first look at the place I am being held captive. It looks like a makeshift loft apartment. The paint on the walls is chipped, it has boarded up windows and only one door. When I look down on the mattress I have been laying on for God knows how long, I want to vomit. There are stains all over the place. I do NOT want to know what those stains are from. I look up when he walks back towards me he is holding a bottle of water. “Where are we?” I ask taking the water from him.
“Just outside of town.” He states matter-of-factly. “Can never be too careful.” He mumbles to himself as he turns away from me again. He rummages through something before coming back with a sandwich. “Here baby. I know how much you love turkey and tomatoes.” Ew, that is so gross that is the last thing I want to eat. First off turkey should never go on a sandwich it's only something you eat for Thanksgiving and tomatoes are only good in ketchup. I take it from him with a polite smile.
“Thank you.” I put it down on the bed and look up at him. “George is there a place that I can go to the bathroom? I really need to go.”
“Oh, I am so sorry dear, of course, you need to use the bathroom. You have been out for a couple hours.” He says like it is no big deal. “The bathroom is right behind that divider.” He says around a mouth full of food. I look at my chains then back at him. He wipes his mouth with his sleeve. Real classy. “The chain should reach over there.”
Oh Jesus, how long has he been planning on doing this?
“Okay, thanks.” I walk over there and surprisingly this is the only space in this hell hole that is somewhat clean. I do my business. While I am washing my hands, I look around trying to see if there is any way out of here, but there is none. The only way I am getting out of here is through that front door. When I walk around the side, I run into him. Literally, I run right into him. I scream out and jump back.
“Oh my God! You scared the shit out of me.” I say taking a deep breath. Hysterics are not going to get me out of this. Fuck he smells nasty. I never realized how much I hate his cologne. He just gives me that smile and grabs my cuffed hands.
“Come.” He walks us over to a table and I sit down. We stay there, him talking about himself and how much he knew that I was going to be his for what feels like forever as I try and choke down the sandwich he got for me. I wouldn't have eaten it if the seal had been broken off. It looks like it came from a gas station and it was still cold so there must be one pretty close. I spend the next couple hours listening to him tell me how wonderful our life is going to be together and how he can't wait to make love to me.
I just nod at everything he is saying as I am slowly trying to get my wrists free from my cuffs, under the table but it is no use I am going to have to see if he will loosen them.
“George, these cuffs are hurting me can you loosen them a, little please?” He looks at me suspiciously. “You don't have to take them off just loosen them a little bit, my hands are starting to get tingly.” He nods his head and pulls a key out of his pocket, loosening the cuffs a little. Damn, that was easier than I thought it would be.
The next twenty-four hours go by in a blur. The weirdest thing about the whole situation is that you'd think he would have tried to do something to me, but he hasn't. Maybe, I am starting to get through to him. He brings over something that looks like a cat barfed up and puts it in front of me. My stomach turns, and I run to the bathroom throwing up.
“Are you okay?” He asks as he comes into the makeshift bathroom. I look up at him then down at myself. Thank God, I didn't get it on myself.
“I think I’ll be okay, I don't know what happened.” I stand on shaky legs and almost fall. He roughly pulls me into his arms and tries to hold me close. Just his hands on me make me want to throw up. Again, I push out of his arms and look at him.
“I am kind of tired actually can I go to bed?”
“That's a great Idea. I will finally get to have you in my arms. I’ll make you feel better.” No. Calm your shit Verity, once he is asleep you’ll be able to get the fuck out of here.
“That sounds nice,” I say with a tight smile. Once we are in bed, he falls asleep quickly. I guess kidnapping is tiring. I think, rolling my eyes. I start pulling on my wrists, trying not to make too much movement. I don't want him to wake up. I bite my lip to keep from whimpering as I try as hard as I can to get free. I feel something run down my arm.
Looking up, I can see that I have blood running down my arms from where the cuffs are digging into me. I take a deep breath and yank down almost screaming out as my wrists slip free. I quietly get out of bed and run for the door, only to be yanked back by my hair.
“You aren't going anywhere.” He growls
“Get the fuck off me you bastard. Let me go!” I start to struggle, feeling little pieces of my hair being pulled out. He punches me in the face and everything goes fuzzy. He drags me back into the room and sits me on the chair. As soon as his hands are off me, I am out of the chair and running for the door again. He growls and throws me over his sho
ulder when he puts me back in the chair. He ties my legs to the chair and wraps the rope around my stomach. He pulls it so tight I can barely breathe. He then pulls my arms back and ties rope over my raw bleeding wrists. I scream out in pain, hot tears running down my face.
“Now why did you have to do that, Verity? We were getting along so nicely. I’ve always known you were in love with me. Stop fighting it. We are going to have a wonderful life together, you’ll see.” He says as he finishes tying the last knot. He walks in front of me trying to touch my face and I pull back.
“You can never have me. My heart has only ever belonged to one man and it will stay that way until I die! You crazy ass son of a bitch.”
He roars out and the next thing I know I am being smacked in the face so hard that the chair I am tied to falls over.
“If I can't have you, no one will.” He says walking out the door slamming it behind him. I lay there bawling, having no idea how I'm ever going to get out of here. Then I smell it. Oh fuck, he has set the place on fire. He walks back in with a crazed look in his eyes.
“Your little fireman is going to come to your rescue, then I am going to kill you both.” He growls into my face.
Chapter Fourteen
Verity
“No!” I scream sitting up so fast that I feel dizzy. My stomach turns. My breathing becomes labored and sweat starts running down my chest. Where the fuck am I? More importantly where the fuck is George? I look wildly around the room.
“Shh, Sunshine it’s okay. I'm right here.”
I look over and see Donnie standing beside me. I burst into tears.
“Are you really here?” Oh God, am I finally out of that hellhole?
He leans towards me and lightly runs his thumb over my split bottom lip. “Yeah, kitten I'm right here.”
I hold my arms out to him and he picks me up. He then sits on the bed with me on his lap. I finally take a deep breath for the first time in what feels like forever. He holds me a little closer and I rest my head on his shoulder not even caring where we are or how he got me here. I'm just happy I am finally back in his arms. After a few minutes, he kisses my head and sighs.
