Vanguard Security

by S. J. Bishop

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” I answered fluidly, returning her smile. “I owe you. Big time.”

  “Good. I knew you were smart.” Her smile shifted into a grin before she leaned over, popping open the glove compartment. Carefully, she pulled out a yellow envelope. “You’ll find everything you need in there.”

  I grabbed the envelope, looking through the contents. Once I was satisfied that all was there, I stepped out of the car.

  “Emil!” Cassandra screamed.

  I hesitated, my hand on the door frame.

  “You won’t be too harsh with her, will you?” I asked, despite myself.

  “Harsh?” She laughed. “Oh no, of course not. I’ll be a sweet little mistress.” Her grin turned sinister.

  My fingers tightened around the door. “What do you plan to do with her?” When I had set up the exchange, I hadn’t bothered to ask. All I’d cared about was getting away – a life without bondage.

  “Oh, you know, I have a few things in mind. First of all, I’ve been dying to hear her scream. I’m sure she’ll sound divine.” Her eyes sparkled sadistically. “And in those shouts, she’ll reveal to me all of VanGuard’s secrets. It’s about time someone took down that pesky business. They’ve been poking their noses in every nook and cranny of this city. I’m going to make it stop.”

  “I see.” My tone was flat, a bitter taste forming in my mouth.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to stick around and give me a helping hand? We can have one hell of a time,” she suggested.

  “You’re all sick,” Cassandra spat out, suddenly popping into the conversation.

  Roxanne laughed. “Oh, honey, you haven’t seen anything yet.”

  Before I could respond, someone slid into the backdoor.

  Mavis.

  Immediately, he wrapped his arm around Cassandra’s slender waist, pulling her close. “We’re going to have so much fun together…” he murmured into her hair. “Aren’t you excited?”

  “Get your fucking hands off of me!” she screamed.

  “Shh… wouldn’t want anyone to hear you and ruin all of the fun, now, would you?” Harshly, Mavis slapped his hand over her mouth.

  Her eyes grew wide and full of fear.

  In that moment, I nearly jumped into the back and knocked his brains in. But somehow, I held back. “Well, I’ll see you later. Thanks for everything.”

  Just then, Cassandra bit Mavis’ hand.

  “Emil, you can’t do this!” she wailed, trying to catch my eye. “You can’t just leave me with this –” Before she could finish, I slammed the door.

  “Emil!” This time, her shout was muffled. As I walked away, I heard her pound on the window, but the tinted glass would make it impossible for anyone to see her panic-stricken face.

  Before I had time to reconsider, Roxanne peeled away, leaving skid marks in her wake. I knew that was the last time I’d ever see Cassandra.

  I would say it had been nice while it had lasted, but I’d rather just forget about her.

  So taking a deep breath, I cleared my head and walked inside.

  There, I melded with all of the other people. Some traveled with their families while others clung to their partners. It seemed that all of the individuals who traveled alone were businessmen with an agenda. Still, I faded into the muted background, presenting my fake passport at the counter. Since things were busy, I was let through without as much as a question. No one seemed to think it weird that I traveled with no luggage.

  It would truly be a fresh start.

  I looked down at my ticket. I still had an hour to kill before it was time to board my plane. With nothing else to do, I browsed some of the duty-free shops, but in the end, I settled into a seat with my eyes closed and my head tilted back.

  “So, we meet again,” came a slightly familiar voice not a second later.

  When I looked up, I was surprised at the black shadow that stood in front of me.

  Evita.

  I tensed, sitting up in my seat, ready to book it through the airport. I wouldn’t let this woman ruin my chances at freedom.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to appear calm.

  “Where’s Cassandra?” she returned.

  Fuck, she was onto me.

  20

  Cassandra

  Emil!” I screamed, pounding on the window. How could he do this to me? I had trusted him, and he had just thrown me to the lions like a piece of meat.

  Suddenly, Mavis yanked me back into his body. Since my wrists and ankles were tied, it made fighting him off all the harder. Nonetheless, I did everything I could to ward him off, but it wasn’t enough. His hands continued to roam my body, pawing at my curves, the smirk on his face becoming permanent.

  “Oh, I’m going to have so much fun with you,” he chuckled.

  “Go to hell!” I screamed, thrusting my head back as hard as I could. I groaned in pain as it collided with his face.

  “Fucking bitch!” he roared, holding a hand to his now bleeding nose.

  “Can you get her under control?” Roxanne asked, her expression bored.

  “I’m trying. She’s a feisty one.”

  “Well, if you don’t succeed, she won’t be the only one screaming tonight. You got that?”

  Fear flashed across his eyes. Quickly, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a switchblade. With the press of a button, the sharp edge came within inches of my face.

  Fuck, I was in trouble now.

  “Don’t damage her,” Roxanne growled.

  “No promises,” Mavis answered, pinning me down onto the seat.

  I wiggled underneath him as best I could, trying to defend myself against his advances, but as soon as I felt the cold metal against my neck, I stopped, frozen in place.

  “That’s right,” he mused. “Now, be a good little girl and no one will get hurt…” He brushed back my hair. “At least… not yet.” He laughed like a madman as the car continued down the highway, bringing me toward my unknown fate.

  In that moment, all I could think about was my daughter. What would happen to her if I died?

  No. I couldn’t think like that.

  One way or another, I’d survive this. I had to. For her sake.

  Still, even as I racked my brain for every ounce of training I’d had, I came up short for options. There was nothing I could do but go along for the ride.

  We drove for what felt like an eternity. I had a hunch that Roxanne was doing circles just to disorient me. It was working. I had no bloody idea where we were.

  But finally, she stopped the car. I lifted my head, trying to see out the window, but before I could do so, Mavis grabbed me by the hair. “Close your eyes,” he hissed, with a knife once again against my neck.

  I did as he said. He didn’t seem like the most stable of characters. The last thing I needed was for him to lose his cool, especially when I was tied up and helpless. I would make my escape, but I needed to wait for the perfect moment. Making a rash decision would only get me in trouble.

  Soon, he tied a blindfold around my head and pulled me out of the car. The cords around my ankles were cut. For a moment, I thought about kicking him and making a run for it, but there was little chance of that actually working. So I suffered through the humiliating march into the unseen building.

  Suddenly, I was thrown into a chair. I gasped as the air flew from my lungs. With my mouth open, they took the opportunity to stuff it with a gag that made my cheeks bulge. I tried to spit it out, but already, duct tape was being wound around my head.

  This wasn’t good.

  If Roxanne wanted VanGuard secrets, then she needed me to talk. The gag meant she was more interested in torturing me.

  When rough hands grabbed my wrists, I lost myself and struggled as hard as I could. I nearly freed myself, but before I could succeed, a stabbing, electrifying pain shot through my thigh. It pacified me in a second, my muscles turning into mush.

  Roxanne took off my blindfold and smiled at me, a c
attle prod in her hand. “I’d suggest you be a good little girl.” She brushed back my hair with the tip of the torture device, her eyes shining brightly.

  This woman was sick in the head.

  How did people like this even exist? It didn’t seem possible that anyone could be this evil, yet as I looked into her eyes, they were as dark as night. This woman had no soul; she had sold it to the devil long ago.

  And I was in her clutches, betrayed by the man I loved.

  Fuck.

  “Now, we are going to ask you some questions, and you’re going to answer them for us, alright?” She smirked, enjoying the game of cat and mouse she had set up.

  I tugged at my bondage, but Mavis seemed to know what he was doing. It would be impossible for me to free myself.

  Things were not looking good.

  Still, I had to keep faith that I would survive this – that I would get to see my daughter one more time.

  The thought brought tears to my eyes.

  “Aww, would you look at that?” Roxanne remarked.

  “What?” Mavis stood beside her, his eyes bloodshot from a recent hit. He rubbed his nose, sniffed deeply, and looked at me, his head cocked in question.

  “She’s already crying. We haven’t even started yet, dear.” She leaned in, her hands on my thighs. “But don’t worry, there’ll be plenty to cry about in just a second.” Her long nails dug into my skin, nearly drawing blood. “So, let’s get this party started, shall we?” Without hesitation, she shoved the cattle prod into my stomach.

  I spasmed with pain, my muscles cramping with the overload of electricity.

  “Oh, and to make things a little more interesting, why don’t we make this personal?” She reached into her back pocket, pulling out a picture of Kimmy. “Cute kid. Too bad she’ll be dragged into this, too.”

  My eyes widened.

  No.

  21

  Emil

  Evita sat down, her body folding elegantly, her hands placed on her knees. “If you’re worried, don’t be. I won’t tell anyone you’re here.”

  I eyed her suspiciously, but it was hard to gauge whether she told the truth or not when her face was obscured by her hat.

  She tilted her head back slightly, revealing dark colored lips that curved at the ends in the tiniest of half smiles. “I’m no stranger to running.”

  “I’m not running.”

  “No?” Her smile deepened as she crossed one leg over the other, the slit in her dress revealing pale white skin. “Then what else could you be doing at the airport? It’s not like VanGuard to discharge someone.” She spoke like a person who understood every inch of the universe.

  “I…” I looked around, trying to come up with a proper excuse. As I did so, I noticed that she also traveled without luggage. Strange. “Well, what are you doing here?” I shot back, hoping to turn this conversation on its head. “Don’t you work for the company, too?”

  “Not quite,” she answered. “I’m just an acquaintance.”

  “But you were the one who sent us on the search mission for Mavis and Roxanne.”

  “I don’t work for VanGuard, per say, but I have the power to pull some strings here and there. I needed a favor,” she explained, but I still had no idea what to make of this woman. Every word she offered me just placed her motives in a further fog.

  Who was this woman?

  We sat in silence for a moment. My brain was working a mile a minute, just trying to make sense of the situation. “Why are you here?” I asked. “Did you find what you were looking for?”

  “Not quite.” She chuckled, the sound soft and musical. “But it’s time I leave.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m needed elsewhere. London was never my home.”

  I found myself nodding my head. Once in my life, I’d thought it the greatest city in the world. Now, I just saw it for what it really was. A shit hole.

  Again, silence settled around us. It didn’t seem like she was much for talking, but I couldn’t stand it. Slowly, it was driving me insane. “So, why aren’t you going to turn me in?”

  “You’re the only person who can shape your own fate.”

  Huh. What did that mean?

  She leaned forward. “I was like you once.”

  “I don’t think I understand.”

  Suddenly, the overhead announcer called my flight number. I got up. I couldn’t miss my chance to start a new life.

  “Emil,” she called out before I could walk away.

  “Yes?”

  “Just remember, sometimes, love is more powerful than freedom.” For an instant, her face flashed into view. Pale. Ghostly. Eyes hollow with a prior trauma. Without another word, she got up, her black dress disappearing among the crowd.

  I was left standing there, my confusion so thick that I almost choked on it.

  What did she mean?

  I didn’t love Cassandra. She didn’t love me. I scoffed at the idea, dismissing the woman as insane. What did she know, anyway?

  Still, even as I headed for the boarding gate, I searched for her. It was as if she had vanished into thin air. I was starting to think that Evita was some sort of apparition that popped up only to leave a second later. Her sole purpose was to confuse and mystify.

  I’d be better off forgetting about her. It didn’t matter. I was going to start my new life in Australia. There, everything would be better. I’d build up a reputation bit by bit until I was just another bloke walking down the street.

  But as I waited in line with all of the other passengers, the guilt started to settle in. Thoughts of Cassandra, with those fearful eyes, penetrated my mind. I knew, first hand, what Roxanne was capable of. I had seen her handiwork plenty of times before. She was cruel – sadistic. Cassandra would never make it out of her clutches alive.

  Would I really be okay with being her executioner?

  No. I couldn’t think about it that way. I was just doing what I needed to do for my own survival. That’s all it was. It was nothing against her, personally. Well, maybe a little bit, but already, the anger was waning. Of course Cassandra had found it difficult to trust me. I had a track record of deceit. She was just being cautious.

  I would have done the same thing.

  Fuck.

  What had I done?

  Suddenly, I couldn’t stand it any longer. I broke from the line and started into a sprint for the exit. The security guards perked up, grabbed their nightsticks, and chased after me. I ignored them, dashing down the emergency stairs.

  At this point, I didn’t care about anything other than getting to Cassandra. I needed to save her before it was too late. My heart tightened just thinking about everything she must be going through. Why had I been such a fool? Why had I betrayed her? She was the one woman who had given me the time of day, and I had ruined it.

  I ran as fast I could to the parking garage. There, I headed for the rental cars. I knew from experience that the keys were already hidden somewhere – behind the license plate, under the windshield wipers.

  As I searched, the guards got closer and closer.

  “Don’t move!” They aimed their guns at me, but I knew they wouldn’t shoot.

  Finally, I found the keys tucked away in the underbelly. Quickly, I unlocked the door and got inside.

  As I reversed out of the parking spot, the guards ducked for safety like a couple of bowling pins. In another situation, I would have found it funny, but right now, I was incapable of laughter.

  I had to save her.

  Even if she hated me for the rest of her life – even if I went to prison for the rest of my life – I needed to make sure she was okay.

  I loved her.

  22

  Cassandra

  Pain radiated from every inch of my body. My muscles throbbed, the ache permanent. Unable to find the strength to hold my head upright, it slumped onto my chest. Long ago, the gag had been removed, but I couldn’t utter a sound.

  Despite all of my training, a few hours with that w
oman had broken me. I had shattered into a million pieces.

  Now, here I was, trapped in this darkly lit room, tied to a chair, unable to escape.

  I thought of Kimmy’s smiling face. She was the only thing keeping me sane. I had to keep fighting – for her – because I no longer had the strength to fight for myself.

  It didn’t help that my heart was the part of me that hurt the most. All its jagged pieces stabbed into me every time I breathed.

  How could Emil do this to me?

  Had I been a fool to think that he actually liked me? That there was actually something between us? Or had I brought this upon myself by pushing him away?

  He probably hated me. That was why he’d done this.

  The thought nearly made me sick.

  Suddenly, the door swung open.

  No.

  I couldn’t take anymore. Not yet. Not now.

  “Please…” I croaked, my lips so dry they felt like pieces of paper. “I’ll give you – tell you – anything you want… just stop. Please.” I had lost my decency. “Just…” I searched for the words that would persuade the she-devil to leave me alone. At first, I had done everything in my power to resist her, but she’d known exactly how to break me down.

  To my surprise, however, I did not hear the woman’s heels click on the ground. Instead, the footsteps were muted.

  With the last of my strength, I looked up.

  My heart froze.

  No.

  I was seeing things. I blinked, but still, he stood there, like a ghost come to haunt me.

  “Cassandra…” he whispered in disbelief.

  His voice snapped me out of my trance-like state. “What the hell are you doing here?” I growled. “Come to add insult to injury?” Despite my situation, anger boiled through my veins, my cheeks turning red with rage.

  He didn’t answer me as he started to untie me, being as gentle as he could. Even so, his touch filled me with pain. My body was destroyed.