by Hole, Carrie
He walked over to her and wiped drops of blood off of her face. He didn’t say anything, but she could see the raging fire in his eyes as he tried to regain control.
“It’s not mine,” she whispered.
He dropped his hand, muscle ticking in his jaw. He stayed there in front of her keeping eye contact as he pulled out his phone. He made several calls, giving orders about a security team, while his gaze burned into hers. She bit the inside of her lip and looked down. After a moment he stalked to the kitchen and poured a drink.
Reina took the reprieve to slip upstairs and get in the shower. She let the water and cherry almond soap soothe her nerves then sat on the bench trying to process. Her world had shifted once again; she had no idea what the repercussions would be or what this situation brought to their future. Her only option was to try to calm her emotions and follow James’ lead into the unknown.
When her skin started to prune she got out, slipped into one of James’ t-shirts, and sat at the end of the bed to wait. She wasn’t ready to face the dragon yet, and she knew he’d make his way up eventually. She didn’t have to wait long. She looked up at him from beneath her lashes expecting some sort of angry response. His eyes had begun to cool, and he didn’t say anything. After looking at her for a few minutes he took off his shoes, lay down on the bed, and tugged her down into his body. Still trying to cycle through the fading adrenaline her body trembled slightly, and she snuggled in as close as she could.
James comforted Reina while he silently tried to calculate their next move. He was relieved that she had defended herself, and yet without realizing she had upped the stakes. Generally Eric’s prey didn’t fight back. She’d not only made herself more appealing, but now Eric would be out for revenge. Add to that the seething hostility between Eric and himself, and their situation had just become more dangerous than ever. It was highly likely that Eric would try to take her from him, one way or another. James ensured that a security team would be in place by morning, until then all he could do was hold her as if he might lose her.
Chapter 12
(One Week Later)
Reina and Amy were hanging poolside watching the guys play pool through the windows while Bob Marley played through the sound system. It was hot so they decided on fruity cocktails; a cooler filled with ingredients was nearby so they didn’t have to get up to make more.
“So what’s the status,” Amy asked.
“I don’t really know. I know he’s out, but that’s all I know,”
“Do you think James has heard from him?”
“He probably wouldn’t tell me, but I don’t think so.”
“James seems more relaxed.”
“Hmmm…”
There had seemed to be less friction in the air, but Reina was no fool. James had made it a point to make things seem normal, she knew him well enough to know that he was trying to shield her. It was both endearing and frustrating as hell. While she hadn’t realized that Eric was violent, and still didn’t know the full extent, she also wasn’t made of glass. Reina didn’t press him about it; she enjoyed their time together and let it go.
“I think the security has helped,” Reina added.
“And...I know how much you’re loving that,” Amy replied sarcastically.
The security made Reina edgy. On one hand she did feel safer knowing they had the protection, but having random people on the property all the time was not ideal. Whether it was security or Eric, her sanctuary was being invaded. At least one was safer than the other; it was a small team so she recognized each of them, but it was still extra people in her space.
“So...how long is this going to go on,” Amy asked.
“I have no idea, indefinitely I guess.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What are you going to do,” Reina shrugged.
“Have another cocktail,” Amy suggested.
“Yes! Another cocktail it is.”
When they got too hot they’d jump in and cool off, lather on more sunscreen, and sip their drinks. Reina drank a couple bottles of water in between, but by the end of the day she wasn’t completely sure how many cocktails she’d had. At least coconut rum and vodka isn’t quite as bad as whiskey, she mused, although even her thoughts sounded a bit tipsy.
As the sun began to sink below the mountains the guys came out, signaling that the fun was probably over. It was too hot for the fire pit anyway, and having James to herself didn’t seem like a bad idea. She smiled and unconsciously licked her lips as James walked toward her. Funny how yum rhymes with rum, she giggled to herself. He crouched down next to her lounge chair, so she put her hand on his neck and kissed him. For a moment everyone else faded away, there was only James and his intoxicating kiss. When she stopped to look at him he smiled at her, eyes warm and sexy dimples showing.
“Out of curiosity, how many cocktails have you had today?”
“Um, a few?”
She trailed her hand down his neck and across the top of his chest.
“I think you should take your shirt off,” she murmured.
“Hey drunk chica, maybe you should walk us out before you get naked,” Amy laughed at her.
Reina giggled and blushed. “I still think you should take off your shirt,” she whispered.
“Come on,” he said, as he stood and pulled her up.
Amy and Reina giggled conspiratorially on the way to the door.
“Call me if you want to hang out and not really go anywhere,” Reina waved.
“I’ll call you tomorrow, dork,” Amy called back.
“Reina, you can go out,” James said with mock sternness.
“Yeah, if I want an escort,” she rolled her eyes.
“Reina…”
She changed the subject, looking him up and down, “Just take your shirt off.”
She rubbed her hands up his stomach as she pushed his shirt up.
“Please. Please take off your shirt,” she pouted.
He shook his head at her and smiled as he pulled it off and tossed it on the banister. She grazed her lips over his neck inhaling with a humming sigh, her hands stroking down his back as she pressed her bikini clad body into his.
“Yes, I want you,” she murmured.
She skimmed her lips across his chest, “Please.”
She looked up at him with desire as she brushed her lips over his. She backed up and pulled his arm as she headed toward the stairs.
“Come with me,” she said suggestively.
As they entered their room he pulled her into him, hand going into her hair, but she put her hand on his wrist. James loosened his grip but didn’t let go, she looked into his eyes as she slowly sank to her knees, worshipping his body on the way down. Reina watched his possessive eyes as she unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. She teased with her hands and lips before sucked him into her mouth. She thoroughly enjoyed seeing his pleasure. She set the pace, fully intending to see it to the end, but he tightened his grip in her hair pausing her. She stood as he stepped out of his pants and backed them to the bed. He sat and pulled her down over him. With her hands on his back and face in his neck she rode him, taking what she wanted. As she neared orgasm he flipped her onto her back and set his own pace. With her body arched into him, his name on her lips, she took everything he had to give.
Chapter 13
Another week passed uneventfully and Reina actually began to let herself believe that everything was normal. She sat at the breakfast bar working while James got ready to leave for a photo shoot; the last of the promo shots were being taken so the design team could move forward. The shoot had originally been set for later in the afternoon, but he’d received a call that the time had moved up.
“Do you want to come with,” he asked.
“I always want to come with,” she laughed. “But, no. Amy is supposed to come by and I’m adding some finishing touches to what I’ve been working on.”
He looked at her for a moment with a hint of worry flashing through his eyes.
> “I’m fine,” she told him. “That’s what you’re paying security for. I’ll be here.”
He kissed her on his way out, his nearness automatically scattering her senses, she watched him leave as she tried to refocus. Deciding to switch up the pace she put on new music. She chose one of her many playlists, and “#1 Crush” by Garbage drifted from the speakers and through the empty house. She made a fresh pot of coffee and after grabbing a cup, settled back in at the breakfast bar with her laptop. Within a few minutes Amy texted.
Amy: Are we still on for today?
Reina: Yep, just hangin out working a little.
Amy: Headed that way soon.
Reina: Sounds good.
Around a half an hour later the doorbell rang. Expecting it to be Amy, she hummed herself to the door with happiness in her step. When she opened the door it wasn’t Amy, it was one of the security guards, or it appeared to be anyway. He was dressed like the security team but Reina didn’t recognize him, and he had a gun pointed at her. Her heart started pounding out of her chest, her fight or flight response completely frozen as neither option seemed viable. He took a step forward holding the gun within inches of her face. Endless seconds passed, she heard footsteps through the house coming up behind her. Her brain was trying to process what to do, and coming up empty.
Someone stepped behind her, and a hand came over her mouth. Her hands instinctively came up to pull the arm away, gun still pointed at her, when Eric’s voice was in her ear.
“Now you’re mine.”
He squeezed her face, holding her tight. With no chance of escape, alarm welled up as she felt a needle sink into her neck and her world began to fade.
She woke sometime later, her head pounding and mouth dry. She tried to gain her bearings as the world came back into focus. A few things were immediately clear. She was in a bolted down metal chair, shirt off, bra on, with her hands handcuffed behind her back and her feet zip tied. She had a moment of pure panic and despite realizing it was fruitless she struggled, the sound of the metal handcuffs against the chair echoing through her senses. Tears of angry frustration sprang to her eyes and she tried to force herself to calm the storm raging in her soul.
When she calmed down a fraction she took in her surroundings, as vague memories echoed through her head. She hadn’t been completely unconscious; she had flashes of being in a car, of a gravel drive, and of being led down a flight of stairs. She seemed to be in some sort of unfinished basement dimly lit by a couple of bare bulbs in the ceiling. Her chair was near the far right corner, with enough space for a small table laid out with a few various sized knives. About five feet in front of her, and slightly to her left, was an identical chair also bolted to the floor. The stairs leading up to a door were to her far left, beyond that the room was empty. She wondered why she wasn’t gagged but she didn’t have to wait long; light filtered in as the door opened and Eric appeared. Closing the door behind him he descended the stairs.
The first true hint of fear speared her heart as he looked at her with a mixture of madness and satisfaction. He spoke to her as he approached.
“You didn’t try to scream, I’m impressed.”
She didn’t respond, but even in her fear she felt a spark of anger. Impressing him was definitely not something she wanted to accomplish. He knelt down in front of her and ran his thumb across her jaw. She jerked her face away and he laughed.
“I’ll let you keep your defiance for now. You see, James is coming for you and when he gets here we’re going to play a game.”
His wild eyes gleamed, “Do you want to know the rules?”
When she remained silent he grabbed her hair, his face coming within inches of hers.
“I asked you if you wanted to know the rules.”
Inside she was raging. She wanted to pull away and spit in his face, but his eyes told her that neither was a smart choice.
“Yes,” she quietly replied.
He released her hair and continued.
“The rules are simple really. If you make eye contact with him, I’ll hurt him. If you make a sound, I’ll hurt him.”
Her heart started beating an erratic terrified rhythm.
“If he tells me to let you go or stop, I’ll hurt you,” he paused, and brushed his hand across her face again, “but I’m going to hurt you anyway.”
He smiled and she fought not to let her fear consume her.
Chapter 14
(James)
When James arrived the only people there were Alexis and an assistant.
“Where is everyone,” he asked.
“Well, it was a last minute change, I’m sure they’re on their way,” Alexis replied.
She walked up and put a hand on his arm, “This will give us more time together.”
James knocked her hand away, “Which is never on my list of things to do.”
He paced around for a few minutes before deciding that there was no way he could wait around with Alexis.
“I’m going to grab some coffee from the corner cafe; if they’re not here when I return I’m not waiting.”
“Whatever you say,” she smiled, “I’ll still be here.”
“Unfortunately,” he mumbled on the way out.
He walked briskly down the street, an edgy feeling nagging him. He took his time on the way back, in no hurry to wait around with Alexis. When he returned and no one else had showed up, the nagging feeling started to feel like a warning.
“What’s going on here Alexis?”
She gestured with her hands as if she didn’t know what he meant, but he saw the flash of worry in her expression. Before he could question her further his phone buzzed with a notification from the alarm company. He began to call them, but received a call from Amy first.
“Amy…”
She started talking before he could continue, clearly panicked.
“James, Reina’s gone.”
“What do you mean she’s gone?”
He looked up at Alexis as he spoke and saw fear in her eyes; he started advancing towards her as he listened to Amy.
“I mean she’s gone,” she replied, clearly on the verge of tears.
“Amy, I need you to tell me exactly what’s going on at my house.”
“I got here and the door was open. The music is playing, her purse is here, her car is here...but...she’s not here James.”
Her words sent a raging fire through his soul, up his spine, and started blacking out every sense of self control he had.
“Amy, it may not be safe. I want you to go home.”
“But…”
“Amy, I will call you when I know something. You need to go home. Call Seth, and go home.”
“Ok…” she whispered.
James backed Alexis into the wall caging her with his arms.
“Alexis,” he took a deep breath, “You have ten seconds to tell me why you called me here.”
For the first time since he’d known her, her facade dropped enough to show fear.
“Eric told me to distract you,” she said quietly.
James punched the wall beside her. He clenched his jaw and closed his eyes. He usually wasn’t violent towards women, but it took every ounce of control he had left not to throttle her.
“Alexis, when I leave here I suggest you start running because you will never want to cross my path again. Are we clear?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
James fought through the demon burning inside him enough to lower his arms and walk away. He stalked to his car and paced beside it, clenching and unclenching his fists. Fuck! He tried to regain sufficient control to calculate what the next step was, if he made the wrong move Reina might be lost forever. He was thumbing through his law enforcement contacts when his phone rang from a private number.
“Hello?”
“Hello James.”
“Where is she Eric?”
“Straight to the point I see,” Eric sneered.
“Where the fuck is she Eric?”
> “How badly do you want her?”
James stayed silent, trying to breathe through the fiery haze in his brain.
“If you want her, you’ll have to come and get her.”
“Where?”
“Do write it down; I won’t tell you twice.”
James repeated the address to himself as he dug a pen and an old receipt out of the car.
“I’m on my way,” he replied with menace.
“We’ll be waiting for you…” and the line was dead.
He made a call to one of his contacts.
“Eric has Reina...Yes...No, I can’t do that...I understand...No...I’ll text you the address when I get there...That’s not going to happen...I’ll text you,” and he hung up.
James took a deep breath, looked up the address on his phone GPS and started driving. Twenty minutes on the interstate and approximately thirty minutes from the main road he turned onto a long gravel driveway, at the end sat a nondescript white house. He texted the address to his contact and tossed his phone under the seat.
James knocked on the door and an equally nondescript man opened the door. He was the kind of man you wouldn’t notice on the street, brown hair, brown eyes, black t-shirt, black jeans, black boots, no visible tattoos. The only thing noticeable about him was his shoulder holstered gun and the knife holstered to his back. James stepped in as the man gestured him in. The inside was the average rental house, with mismatched neutral furniture and bland walls, no hint of personal occupation.
“Who are you, and where is Eric,” James asked angrily.
The man looked at him for a moment. “John,” he replied. “I’ll be checking you for weapons before we continue.”
