Deep breath. Wait. Think.
This isn’t like her. Not at all. If I was doing something wrong, she’d tell me. She has safe words. She’s not stupid. And she’s not afraid of telling me to my face that I’m wrong. So what’s going on? Besides, her apartment isn’t going to be done for another day, at least.
Her room. She said she checked out. That’s a really easy thing to check. I’ve got this sinking feeling in my gut that something stinks, but I don’t know what.
I hate not knowing.
Taking the stairs two at a time as I run down, it’s a wonder I don’t pile into Paul coming up the winding stairs. He dodges just in time. “Jesus, Caleb, where’s the fire?”
“I’m worried about Viv. She’s gone.”
“Gone?”
“Meet me downstairs. Don’t ask me why, but I’ve got a really bad feeling about this.”
As I rush on, I vaguely make out “I’ll be right there” behind me. Which one was hers? Three. Four. Five! I knock.
Nothing.
I knock again, hard enough that a couple of the other doors near me open and concerned faces peer out at me. “Did any of you see Vivian? Bright red hair, green eyes, looks great naked on a stage?” They all shake their heads.
Alright. Fuck it. I’m going in.
I shake the door handle, but it’s locked. Of course it is. One of the things they modernized when they turned this place into a hotel was the doors. Electronic locks and metal. No way I’m breaking that down.
Paul comes to my rescue, running down the hall. “Locked?”
“Yep. Susan is in charge of the rooms, right? Do you know where she is?”
He pulls a card out of his pocket and swipes it. The little light turns green. At my questioning look, he explains, “Comes with being a cop. I’m in charge of the security.”
Good enough for me. I throw open the door and barge in. She could be here and avoiding me, but I don’t think so. The bed’s unmade, and all her stuff’s gone. Not good.
I check the bathroom. Shampoo, conditioner, her toothbrush. Unlike the main room, nothing has been cleaned out here. One of her t-shirts hangs over the shower curtain rod. Why wouldn’t she have packed any of it. Even Viv couldn’t have forgotten all that.
“Certainly looks suspicious.” Paul seems to agree.
It strikes me like a lightning bolt. “Any idea where Mason is?” I don’t want to be right about this.
“Who?”
“A participant. Tall, dresses in black. Dark hair. Arrogant as all hell. One of those, I’m the uber-Dom types.” Slimy fucker. If he’s responsible...
“I think I know the guy. Let’s get some people looking.”
I stop him. “If he, or someone, took Viv against her will, wouldn’t they have been seen? Seems strange to me.”
“There’s the back door. If he took her from the room, there’s an exit down the hall. It was put in to meet fire code. It opens right out into the woods.”
He says something else, but I don’t let him finish, running down the hall to check it out. The door’s cracked open. Someone’s used it recently. I kick it open and jump out, but no one’s there. If they left this way, there’s no sign of them.
Paul catches up. “Think they went this way?”
“Maybe? The door was open. But now what?” Fuck! Maybe I’m overreacting, but I think there’s a good chance Viv’s in trouble and I’d rather look dumb than risk her safety. Wait. “Hey Paul, can you get your buddies to track a cell phone?”
“What? Yeah, should be able to. Reception’s pretty crappy here, but it should be possible.”
“I got a message from her number a few minutes ago. It’s what got me suspicious. We need to find her ASAP.” I show him my phone.
“Got it.” He makes a call. “Hey, Em. I’ve got a number for you. Need to know where it is right now. We might have a situation in progress.” Leaning against the doorframe and tapping his fingers impatiently, he rattles off the number.
I look for tracks, or anything useful, but there’s nothing. What do I expect? I’m a city boy, not a fucking detective. I need to do something, though.
“Yeah? Great! Thanks! You’re a peach, Em.” Paul hangs up then points. “The phone’s about half a mile that way. There’s a parking lot, and the paths all pretty much end up there if we head in that direction.”
I should’ve known something was wrong way earlier. We better not be too late. Breaking into a run, I charge into the woods. I’m ready to fuck someone up.
Chapter 15
Vivian
Where am I?
I can’t move! I struggle, able to wiggle a bit, but my ankles are stuck together, just like my wrists. Why is everything dark? I blink a couple of times, but there’s nothing, just inky blackness. A blindfold.
Okay. Don’t panic. I’ll get out of this. “Hello?”
Quiet.
Was it really Mason? Maybe he’s run away? What the hell is going on? Why am I even trapped like this? I tug on the ropes. Not much give. Something connects my wrists to my ankles, but it’s not a full hogtie. I might be able to move around a little, but it’ll be like an inchworm. If he’s anywhere nearby, I won’t get far.
By bending and twisting, I explore what I can. Feels like a car. Yeah, there’s the shifter. The dash. The door to my right. So now what?
I can’t get away, but maybe someone’s noticed I’m gone. Of course, maybe we’ve driven somewhere already. It’s really quiet, wherever we are. No sound of traffic. How long have I been out?
No matter what I do, it ends up in the gutter, doesn’t it? Can’t a girl catch a break? I was finally feeling like I was figuring things out. Ok, can’t panic. Feel sorry for yourself later, Viv.
What do I know? I’m in a car. I seem to be alone for now. That’s about it. Alright, I know a lot about cars. Can I make it not start? Not without knowing what kind of car it is. Right. Need to get off the blindfold.
I can turn my head, so I rub it against the seat. It takes a bit of twisting but it finally catches against the headrest. Panic wants to bubble up. I need to hurry. If Mason comes back... well, I assume it’s him. There was no one else around. Why? I knew something was off about him. Why didn’t I listen to my instincts?
Or Caleb’s. Oh, God, Caleb. He’ll notice I’m gone, right?
No time. Worry later. Act now. The blindfold’s getting looser. I rub frantically against the seat like a cat marking its territory, and suddenly, it pops up enough that I can see through one eye.
Alright, where am I? A parking lot, surrounded by woods. I relax a little when I see the castle to my right. One of the towers is just barely visible through the trees, so we haven’t gone far. Yet.
The ropes are tied well. All facts certainly point to Mason. There’s no way I’m getting them off, so running isn’t an option. Instead, I take a look at the car.
He hadn’t been nice enough to leave the keys in the ignition. That would’ve been handy. What else? Anti-theft protection, maybe. If it’s the wrong key, the car won’t start. Or if the system gets no juice. Where are the fuses? I think fast, trying to remember what I know about these models. Glove compartment.
I bend and wriggle, and finally work it open. Fuck, there are a lot of things in there. Barely seeing out of one eye and practically immobile is no way to go about fixing cars, but I had a feeling Dad would give me an A for effort. Once he was done freaking out.
Getting into a position that gives my wrists a bit more play, I manage to pull out the owner’s manual, tissues and other crap until can reach the fuse panel. I have to contort like a circus performer, but finally I get my fingers in there far enough to twist the plastic lock. The cover falls down into the compartment with a soft clatter.
Which fuse? What am I thinking? All of them. In surprisingly short order, I manage to pull them and scoop them out of the compartment. It’s amazing what a little adrenaline and panic will do. I drop the fuses on the floor, then use my feet to push them, along with the other j
unk, in under my seat. Bumping it up with my knees, I push the compartment shut.
I nearly jump out of my skin and let out a squeal of surprise when I hear a click behind me, then the sound of the back hatch opening.
“You’re awake. Good.” Mason’s voice is icy calm and perfectly even behind me. “I really wish I didn’t have to do this. It wasn’t supposed to go this way.”
“Listen, Mason, I don’t know what you want, but please, let me go. I won’t tell anyone if you just let me out. I don’t have much money, but I’ll give you what I have. Anything. Please.” He’s crazier than I thought.
“I’m sorry, Vivian, but then you’ll just go back to him.” He emphasizes him like he just found a fly in his soup. Or a live cockroach. “I can’t have that. Not when you belong with me.”
“When I what? Mason, what are you talking about?”
“I know. You don’t see it yet, but you will. I’ll show you.” He throws something heavy into the trunk. “Jesus, you have some heavy luggage.”
Crap, he’s cleaned out my room. Caleb wouldn’t believe that I just left without a word.
Right?
“You’re not going to get away with this. They’re going to notice eventually.”
He laughs and shuts the trunk, making the car shake, then comes around to open the driver’s door and gets in. “Who will? You live alone, you don’t have anyone close in this city, and I’ve already used your phone to send a message to Caleb. He’s going to think you’re long gone by now.”
My heart drops.
He digs in his pocket for the key, pulls it out and slides it into the ignition. “No, I think we’re good. Just you and me. You’ll like my house. It’s all ready. The only thing missing is my slave. This is going to be good. You’ll see.” He turns the key and I hold my breath.
Silence. He furrows his brows, turns the key off and then back on. Still nothing. “What the fuck?” He taps the dash, but everything’s black. “Goddamn Japanese cars.”
I can tell him about the awesome service records this model holds, but somehow it doesn’t quite feel like the time. In the middle of all this, it feels like a little victory. But now what?
Mason reaches down next to his leg and pops the hood with a sigh. He looks over at me. “I take it you don’t know much about cars?”
I shake my head vehemently.
He’s just put his hand on the door handle when he glances up at the rear view mirror and quickly hits the door lock instead. His eyes are wild. What’s behind us? I want to see, but I can’t turn far enough. I don’t have to wait long, though.
Suddenly Caleb’s at the driver side window, pounding at it and yelling. His face is contorted in rage, and I’m so incredibly glad that’s not aimed at me, because that’s one of the scariest sights I’ve ever seen. Holy shit. His stormy eyes promise murder.
Mason shies away from the window, and keeps turning the key, trying to get something to happen, but it’s useless. My heart’s pounding, but I’m not out of the woods yet. I might just get saved, but we’re at a bit of a standoff right now.
Caleb takes a step away, then looks around. Spotting something over by the trees, he runs over and picks it up. My eyes go wide when I see the size of the rock he’s got. I’m not sure I could move it, much less lift it. He carries it like it’s nothing.
He charges right at the car, jumping up on the hood, his massive bulk leaving dents in the sheet metal. With a roar, he lifts the rock over his head and throws it right at the windshield in front of Mason’s face. Mason screams in terror and retreats in his seat with his arms up for protection.
The glass doesn’t break, but it shatters, a web of break lines scattering across it like a spiderweb. There’s a little hole and a big dent in the windshield where the rock is stuck.
Encouraged, Caleb lifts the rock and I turn my face away to shield myself as he throws it again at the same spot. This time it breaks through, leaving rock-sized hole behind and shattering the plastic on the dash in the process, before rolling down the outside of the steering column to fall down into the footwell. Mason screams again. His face is ashy green like he’s about to be sick.
I press myself against my door as well as I can while Caleb kicks out the glass around the hole. “You little shit. I’m going to fucking kill you, then get some paramedics to resuscitate your kidnapping ass, just so I can do it all over again.”
Mason scrambles into the backseat, desperately grabbing for the door as Caleb drops into the front. The whole car shakes with their movements.
“Where do you think you’re going?” A new voice from the other end of the car. Paul! The hatch clicks and opens, then a scream and Mason is pulled out of the car. I can hear the struggle, but I can’t see what’s happening.
“Viv. Are you alright?” Caleb’s transformed from the Incredible Hulk and back to being himself, looking at me such tender concern that I have to look away to keep from bawling. “If that fucker’s hurt a hair on your head...”
“I’m alright. I swear. Just... well, just a little stuck.”
“Right. Stuck” He grins. “I have to say, I don’t approve if they aren’t my ropes.” He pulls out a knife and cuts me free record time. “Shit, I thought I’d lost you, Viv. I wouldn’t have given up. Just so you know. I would have found you.”
The last rope falls and I throw my arms around his neck, clutching him hard and feeling his arm go around me. “I know.”
The dam breaks. I’m not the weepy type, but this time there’s no stopping it. All the stress and fear of the last half hour pours out like a river running over its banks. It’s awkward sprawled across the front seat, but I don’t want to let go and he doesn’t say anything. He just holds me with one hand while the other strokes my hair.
“I was so scared.” I can’t stop shaking. “But I got the fuses out while he was messing with my luggage, so the car wouldn’t start when he tried to drive us out of here.”
He laughs softly. “You’re fucking awesome. My automotive MacGyver. What a fucking creep. I knew he was trouble.”
“You have no idea.”
“Forget about it. Tell me later. We’re going home.” He holds me tighter. “Well, the castle anyway, but you’re coming up to my room. I’m not letting you out of my sight until I’m sure you’re okay.”
Paul appears outside the smashed windshield. “Hey, I’ve got him cuffed. How is she?”
“She’s alright. Scared, but okay.” Caleb reaches over to unlock my door. “Let’s get you out of here.”
Mason’s on the ground, his hands cuffed behind his back. Paul glances over at Caleb. “You want me to go take a leak in the woods for a while? I’d be happy to leave him in your care.”
Caleb laughs, putting his arms on my shoulders and leading me past. “Thanks, but I’m going to pass. Just make sure you get him booked.”
“Oh, no question about that. There’s already a car on the way.” He waves us along. “Why don’t you get her back to someplace she can feel safe. I can take a statement later.”
“Sounds good.” Caleb pauses. “Thanks, man. I owe you a beer. Lots of beers.”
“Don’t mention it.” He grins. “But I’ll take you up on those beers.”
I don’t get how they can joke around at a time like this. Oh right, because they weren’t the ones hogtied in a car. “Can we go back now?” I feel cold, even though it’s summer.
Caleb takes me in his arms, holding me close. “Yeah, let’s go. We need to talk, anyway.”
“But we can wait a little bit, right? I’m not quite ready for that.”
“Of course, Pet. Let’s get you home and feeling safe.”
I snuggle into his chest, finally smiling. “Yes, Master.”
Chapter 16
Vivian
His room is huge! I guess it pays to be Susan’s golden boy. On the top floor, it loses some of the castle feeling by having glass sliding doors to the stone balcony and a hot tub in the bathroom, but the gigantic canopy bed more than m
akes up for it. Caleb leads me right to it, easing me onto the bed before cradling me against him. His heat warms me, makes me safe.
I look up at him looking down at me. “It’s okay. I won’t break. You don’t have to hover over me anymore.”
He doesn’t move. “Who says this is for you?”
My heart melts a little. I just want to cuddle against him. Let him hold me and protect me from the insanity of the last couple hours. His powerful arms make me feel invincible. Is it crazy to always want him there?
But he was right earlier. We need to talk. “Caleb—”
“Viv—” he says at the same time.
“You first.” I shiver as his fingers walk slowly up my side. He might not even realize he’s doing it, but he’s already distracting me from what I was thinking about.
“Viv.” He seems stumped, which is totally out of character. “I’m not even sure how to put this into words. You make me feel things.” His finger jumps to my arm, sliding up towards my shoulder. “You were gone, and... shit, you don’t even know. I was ready to tear the world apart to find you.”
I swallow, feeling the hairs on my arm rise as his touch passes over it. It’s like he’s electric, sparks arcing between us. God, it’s hard to concentrate on his words when he’s got his hands on me.
“You drive me crazy. I spent ten fucking thousand dollars, just to keep you out of Mason’s hands. That’s how jealous you make me.” He draws a breath while tracing my collar bone. His brows are furrowed in concentration. “All I can think about is you. How to make you mine.” His hand cups my chin, making sure our eyes meet. “I need you to be mine.”
I fidget, not knowing what to do with my hands. Boring into me, his dark gaze sees straight into my soul, exposing my fears, my insecurities. His lips curl into a gentle smile, accepting.
Waiting.
It seems so obvious now. My heart beats faster, in time with my breaths. I’m choking up just a little. We belong. He gives me safety, comfort. Love. My eyes go wide. All I have to do is to admit what I already know I’m feeling.
“Viv, you know me. I’m not the begging kind, but I will, for you. Please, give yourself to me.”
Keep Me: A BDSM Romance Page 10
