Broad Daylight

by A. M. Wilson

  “I hope you both know that whatever you’re planning won’t work.”

  As soon as the words leave her mouth, I slam my body against the door. The force has it knocking against Bolt enough that she falls to the floor. I close the few feet of space between us, bearing down on a shocked Bolt just as she tries to scramble to her feet. I kick her legs out from underneath her, and she falls back on her hip.

  Something clangs against the floor, and we both look at the device lying only a few inches away from her hand. I dart forward, determined to get to it before her, but Bolt sweeps her foot out, knocking me off balance.

  I regain my footing just as Bolt’s hand lands on the device. I know what’s coming next, but I can’t let it deter me.

  A torturous scream pierces my ears, and the sound rips a jagged hole in my soul. With a roar, I launch myself at Bolt, where she’s still sitting on the floor. My knees jar against the concrete floor, and I bite down on my tongue, instantly tasting the coppery taste of blood. Ignoring the pain and the screaming still coming from next door, I rear back and aim a punch to Bolt’s stomach. The bitch is quick and manages to roll to her side so my fist barely glances off her ribs.

  I grab her wrist, intent on breaking it so she drops the device, but she waylays me with a knee to my chin. More blood fills my mouth. I spit a mouthful out on the floor.

  When Bolt tries to crab walk backward, I grab her ankle and yank her back. The device falls from her hand, and I slap it away before she can grab it again.

  “You’re fucking dead,” I growl, climbing on top of her and wrapping my hands around her throat. Using every bit of strength I possess, I squeeze.

  Just as the first waves of victory and relief hit, an electric shock goes through my body. I stiffen, and my hands lose their hold around Bolt’s throat. Pain like I’ve never felt before runs through every limb, and it feels like my head is going to explode.

  I fall to my side, and a rumbling shout leaves my throat as more bolts of electricity steal all of my control.

  I don’t know how long I lay there—it could be minutes, hours, or days. My only thoughts are of the pain and the realization that Dani and I screwed up.

  The electrical shock stops, but the pain is still very much present. Just before my vision goes blurry and I pass out, I hear the devastating wails of Dani yelling my name.

  I jackknife up in bed when I hear the door in the next room bang against the wall. I’m on my feet and at the window by the time Bolt walks through the doorway dragging a length of rope behind her. I keep watch on her, but I see Dani out of the corner of my eye, standing against the wall by the bed, her stance defensive and wary.

  Dani and I have been separated since the day we tried to escape. I know it’s been three days because Bolt consistently, from the beginning, has fed us once a day. We’ve gotten three meals since I was forced from Dani’s room.

  Each time she’s opened the door, she hasn’t said one word and hasn’t forced us to do anything. Not knowing what she has planned next—I have no doubt retribution will come eventually—is driving me insane.

  The creepy-ass smile Bolt has on her face as she glances at me through the window has me desperately wanting to get my hands back around her neck. I don’t care what it takes. The bitch will die by my hands. The only thing that lifts my spirits marginally is the red welts around her neck.

  “Guess what time it is?” Bolt asks, her eyes moving back and forth between us. When neither of us plays her game, she pouts. “You guys are no fun.” She dramatically waves around the device she controls us with. “It’s playtime, and the vote is in on what game we’re playing!”

  I clench and unclench my hands, dreading whatever she has planned for us this time. I don’t give a fuck what she does to me. Dani is my main concern.

  “Back up to the corner, princess,” she demands, jutting her chin to one corner of the room. “You’re really going to like this game. It’s one of my favorites.”

  Dani doesn’t move at first. She only stares at Bolt with so much hatred it’s a miracle she hasn’t burst into flames.

  Dropping the rope and pulling a gun from her back, Bolt takes a threatening step toward Dani, her own eyes shooting sparks of malice. “Cunt, I suggest you move the fuck back, or your boy toy will pay the price. Those shocks I’ve been giving you are nothing compared to full blast. I can’t promise his heart could take the hit. You want to find out?”

  “Move, Dani,” I growl, fearful of what would happen to Dani if I were no longer in the picture.

  Dani glowers at me but moves to the corner.

  “There now, that’s a good princess,” Bolt croons to Dani.

  Moving to the center of the room, Bolt tosses the looped end of the rope over a beam in the ceiling. Threading the other end through the loop, she tugs on it until it’s tight, then she crooks her finger at Dani.

  “Over here.” Taking slow steps, Dani walks to Bolt until she’s standing in front of her. “Turn around.”

  I hold my breath as Dani turns away, and Bolt grabs Dani’s wrists, lifting them above her head.

  What in the fuck does she have planned now? Dread fills my insides, knowing whatever it is, it won’t be pleasant. Given our escape attempt and knowing Bolt thrives on other people’s pain, whatever is going to happen will be especially gruesome.

  Once Dani’s hands are secure over her head, Bolt’s eyes slide over to the window. The lecherous smile she gives me confirms my suspicions.

  She turns and leaves the room, not bothering to close the door with Dani incapable of escaping. A second later, my door opens, and she moves to the trapdoor. Once it’s open, she jerks her chin toward it.

  “Go.”

  Uncaring if I’m coming across like a starved man being led to a juicy steak, I quickly cross the room and crawl through the opening. The minute I’m in Dani’s room, I take the deepest breath I’ve taken in days.

  Holding back a flinch when I see Dani hanging there, I rush over to her. Behind the pissed-off look Dani is giving the door as Bolt walks into the room is another deeper emotion. Something I know she would be angry with herself for showing Bolt.

  Fear.

  I don’t say it out loud, and I hope to fuck I’m able to mask the look from Dani, but I’m scared shitless too.

  I turn to face Bolt, finding her in the mouth of the doorway. I use my body in a worthless attempt to shield Dani from her.

  “Aww… that’s so cute, you trying to protect your cunt,” Bolt mocks.

  “What in the hell do you have planned this time?” I growl my question. “You want me to fuck her while she hangs from the ceiling?”

  I feel rather than see Dani’s wince behind me.

  Bolt laughs. “You aren’t getting off so easily this time. I can see I’ve been too easy on you both. With your lame-ass attempt to thwart me”—she runs a finger over the red mark on her neck—“things are going to be different. I was being nice before, letting you get your rocks off on the princess. It’s about to get dirty and very”—she leans forward, twisted delight in her eyes, and drops her voice—“very interesting.”

  She grabs something from outside the door, and when I see what it is, my blood runs ice cold.

  Bolt grins, showing off perfectly straight, white teeth when she sees the fearful look I don’t have a shot in hell of hiding.

  “It looks lovely, doesn’t it?”

  She strokes the handle of the whip affectionately, moving her hands down the long, black tails.

  “You’re not fucking touching her with that.”

  “Move, Reece,” Dani says firmly behind me.

  I ignore her, wanting to keep what’s about to happen from her for as long as possible.

  Bolt tips her head to the side. “I’m not doing shit to her.” She pauses. “You are.”

  “Fuck you,” I growl. “Blast me with as much electricity as you want, but I’m not doing that.”

  She looks down at the whip before looking back at me through her lashes.
“I bet I could make you.”

  “What in the fuck do you want with us? Why are you doing this?” I ask the same questions I’ve asked multiple times that I’ve yet to get answers to.

  She shakes her head. “It’s not time for that part of the game yet.”

  Feeling my nails biting into my palms and the stirrings of rage rushing through my veins, I rein in my temper. I need to keep my calm and try to talk my way out of this situation. That fucking whip is taunting me.

  I suck in a lungful of air through my nose and let it out slowly through my mouth.

  “Just let us go, Juliet.” I use the name she gave me the first time I met her, hoping a small part of her is still rational.

  “Juliet. Such a fucking bleeding heart. Juliet is just one of many, sweetheart. Who would ever suspect the neighbor down the street? Or the sad woman missing her dog. Or how about the bitch in the bar? That was my favorite, slapping the shit out of your little friend.”

  A shiver races down my spine at how close Parker was to hooking up with this woman. “Let us go, and we’ll pretend this never happened. We both have people looking for us. The longer we stay missing, the lower your chances are of getting away with this.”

  With a laugh, Bolt tips her head back, exposing the full effect of my choking her.

  “You’re so cute when you’re being funny, pretty boy. I’m not worried about being caught. That brother of yours and his ex-partner don’t have a chance in hell of finding me. It’s ironic really, given where you’re being kept. The last place he’ll look is the place where his pretty little wife was held for all those years.”

  My body locks tight, and I jerk back as if the woman struck me. What she’s saying can’t be true. I dart my eyes around the room, seeing the space with new eyes. The room, which mirrors mine, is dark and dingy. The toilet in one corner is so old and filthy, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s never seen a scrub brush or cleaner in the many years it’s been down here. The concrete walls are sturdy and strong, but looking at them with a contractor's eyes, I know the structure has to be at least fifty years old.

  The thought of my sweet and innocent sister-in-law being in this place for fifteen years, the horrors she endured, twists my stomach into knots.

  “You’re lying,” I accuse.

  Bolt shrugs. “If you say so. But just sayin’, I’m not.”

  Dani shifts behind me, and I feel her agitation in hot waves. Hearing her sudden inhale of air tells me she sees the whip in Bolt’s hand.

  Bolt’s eyes move past me to Dani, and a cruel grin curves up her lips. “Looks like the princess is getting anxious. We shouldn’t keep her waiting.”

  “You can take that whip and shove it up your ass because it’s not coming near Dani.”

  “How about I shove it up Dani’s ass instead?” Bolt takes a step forward. “And I still make you beat her with it.”

  The wooden beam above us creaks, and a distressed sound comes from behind me. I harden myself against the sound.

  “Take the whip, pretty boy.”

  “No.”

  My eyes briefly drop to the control in her hand just as she presses a button. Dani’s screams fill my ears.

  “Fucking stop it!” I demand with a roar.

  “Take the whip and use it on her,” Bolt states calmly, like she’s not currently tearing my world apart.

  “No!” I yell back.

  “Have it your way then.”

  Dani’s screaming intensifies. I try so fucking hard to ignore it. Not to give in to Bolt’s demands and snatch the whip away from her. I like to think I can take a lot of shit, but using that whip on Dani is something I can’t do. There will be nothing left of my soul if I do.

  “You fucking bitch! Stop!” I scream when I can’t handle Dani’s cries anymore.

  Turning, I feel bile rising in my throat when I find Dani hanging there limply. Her head is dropped forward, and her chest heaves. Small whimpers slip past her lips. I go to her and lift her head. Her eyes are barely open into slits.

  “I’m sorry,” I croak. “I’m so fucking sorry, Dani.”

  “Not… your… fault,” she says haltingly.

  “You ready to do what you’re told?” I glare at the bitch. “You can still say no, but the alternative is me doing it for you, and I can’t promise she’ll survive the outcome.” She comes closer, gripping the control in one tight fist and holds out the whip in the other. “You should know, though, that if the cunt dies, I will replace her with someone else. I bet Aislin misses her old stomping grounds. I might just invite those two precious babies along for the ride. Twins are a hot commodity right now.”

  With a muted growl, I reach out and jerk the whip from her hands. She doesn’t let it go immediately.

  “That temper of yours is going to get you in trouble, pretty boy,” she warns with narrowed eyes. “If you so much as think about aiming that whip my way, your whole fucking family will pay the price. I’ll make each of them watch as I strip layers of skin off the ones before them.”

  With a grunt of compliance, I jerk my chin up.

  Bolt grins slowly and steps back, letting the whip go. “I knew you’d see it my way.” She twirls her finger toward Dani. “Now let’s get on with the show.”

  “Reece.”

  I look down at Dani, my heart breaking for what’s about to happen.

  “It’s okay,” she says quietly.

  “It’s not,” I whisper brokenly.

  She’s already so fucking weak she can barely lift her head to meet my eyes.

  “I won’t blame you… for this. You… can’t either. Just do what she says and get it… over with. I can take it.”

  So much hatred, more than I’ve ever felt before, hits me in the chest. Dani says she won’t blame me for this, but I know deep down, she will. She should. Because I’m not able to stop it. When this is over, she’ll hate me as much as I hate myself.

  Leaning forward, I softly press my lips against Dani’s, hoping the kiss will tell her everything I can’t. That I would give my life a thousand times to keep from doing this. I would endure any torture Bolts throws at me if it meant I could save Dani.

  Surprisingly, Dani doesn’t pull back from my kiss. Her mouth softens under mine. If it were another time and place, I wish I could freeze time and stay here just like this.

  “Hey!” Bolt calls. “Time’s a ticking.”

  Lifting my mouth away from Dani, I whisper one more time, “I’m sorry.”

  With stiff legs and even stiffer arms, I move around to Dani’s back. My heated stare meets Bolt’s over Dani’s hunched shoulders.

  “Rip her shirt off first.”

  Gritting my teeth, I step forward and grip the sides of Dani’s dirty shirt. Careful not to jostle her too much, I rip the material until it falls to the floor.

  “Excellent job,” Bolt praises. “Now the bra.”

  I unsnap her bra, and the straps fall loose.

  “Now make it good,” Bolt taunts.

  I take my eyes off Bolt and look at the smooth skin on Dani’s back. It’s been twenty years since Dani and I were together, but I still remember what it feels like, what she tastes like, to kiss along her spine. Dani used to love when I kissed her back. No matter what we were doing or where we were at, it would always get her in the mood.

  I’m going to ruin that delicate flesh and scar it for life.

  Just before I bring the whip over my head, Dani lifts her head and her shoulders and back straighten, showing just how strong this amazing woman is. I have no doubt she’s looking defiantly at Bolt.

  Bolt smirks and winks at Dani. “I’ll enjoy watching that look slide off your face and hearing your screams of pain.”

  With my heart dropping to my toes, I lift the whip over my head and silently count to three before swinging it forward. I’m grateful when only red marks appear and not the broken welts I was expecting.

  Other than a slight twitch and a grunt from Dani, she doesn’t move or make a sound.

&
nbsp; “You can do better than that,” Bolt says to me while keeping her expectant eyes on Dani’s face.

  I grind my molars as I lift the whip again. Worried about what Bolt will do, I add a little more force to my next swing. More welts appear on Dani’s back as a little more of my soul withers away. She still doesn’t cry out.

  “Harder, pretty boy. Don’t make me tell you again.”

  Baring my teeth at the woman who still has her gaze glued to Dani, I swing the whip again. Air rushes out of my lungs when a line of crimson forms on Dani’s back. As a drop slowly slides down her spine, the first tears slip from my eyes, mimicking the downward path.

  Bolt's eyes light with anticipation at Dani’s whimper.

  “More!”

  The next swing has more flesh tearing on Dani’s back, and her whimpers turn into a careening cry. Her head drops forward, and she struggles to stay on her feet.

  Another part of me dies.

  “Yesss!” Bolt hisses, her face filled with rapture.

  “That’s enough,” I grunt through a tight throat.

  “The fuck it is. We’re far from over. Now hit the cunt again.”

  As much as I want to look away from the destroyed flesh in front of me, I keep my eyes open as I take another swing. This is my punishment for what I’m being forced to do.

  Dani lets out an agonizing scream, and her legs buckle. I drop the whip and take a step forward. The zap from the fucking collar drops me to my hands and knees instead.

  The pain recedes almost as fast as it comes. I pant and stare at the floor.

  “Pick the whip back up, or the next button I push will be hers. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think she can handle the delightful buzz at the moment.”

  Grabbing the whip, I get to my feet. The soft leather feels smooth in my hand and can’t weigh more than a pound or two, but it feels like it weighs a ton.

  “You better make this one count, or I’ll be taking over.”

  That’s the last thing I want. There would be nothing left of Dani if Bolt used the weapon.

  The muscles in my neck strain with my roar as I swing the whip over my head and slam it forward. The tails lash against Dani’s back, peeling away slivers of skin. Tiny droplets of blood litter my face, chest, and hands. Tears fall freely down my cheeks.