by Lucy Rinaldi
Davey couldn't believe his eyes when he picked me up in the limo. My dress is the usual ballgown type prom dress. All big and sparkly, red with a black sash around my waist. My brown hair is curled in the most wonderful of styles.
Lora and Mark were in the limo also. Lora looking amazing in her baby blue prom dress. We laughed because we were wearing matching dresses just a different color. Our dates were both wearing dark gray tuxes. Each one looked handsome. Of course they did, they're the best looking guys in school.
And yes, we had a blast at prom. Until Mark asked me to dance. Lora was too busy chatting with Tommy outside, had been since prom started. I did go in search of her at one point. I found her in Tommy's arms as they danced slowly, having their own private prom. It was sweet. I left them to it.
Lora and Mark, of course, won prom queen and king, me princess, Davey prince. No sooner had the king and queen been crowned, Davey dragged me out of there by my arm so fast I lost my shoe twice!
He dragged me streets away to the waterfront, and now here I am freezing cold and a little scared. Davey and I aren't in a relationship, we never have been and never will be. So why then is he yelling at me as though I were his girlfriend and I'd cheated? I danced with Mark. That's all.
“Why are you such a slut?!” He yells while raking his fingers through his perfectly slicked back black hair, messing it up.
“I'm not a slut! I haven't done anything wrong. I danced with Mark. I don't owe you anything.”
“I'm your date! Do you have any idea how lucky you are to even be at prom with me?” I raise my eyebrow. Idiot! He's lucky to have had me accept! “You were with me and fucking around with everyone else!”
“I was not, you jackass!”
I gasp in shock and fear when he grabs my upper arms and shakes me, yelling at me, calling me horrible names while dragging me towards the boathouse across the way.
“Let go of me!” I scream, punching and kicking at him. I hadn't realized how strong quarterbacks were. But the hold he has on my arms is leaving big bruises, I can already feel it. “Let go of me, Davey. Please!”
He pushes me back hard against the side of the boathouse. The boathouse belongs to the Cartwright family. The local rich family who own half the town. The boathouse is, of course, very beautiful and looks a lot like a summer house from the outside, but of course, it houses a magnificent boat that I would love to take out on the water one day. But right now, I wish I was anywhere else but here.
“I'm tired of you teasing me all the damn time.”
“I don't.” I shake my head, my eyes wide with fear. “I don't know what you mean, Davey. I don't tease you. I don't tease anybody...” I'm just not that kind of girl.
“Shut up!” He screams.
I whimper as frightened tears fall.
His fist connects with my face as he punches me in anger. And as I fall to the floor, he jumps on top of me.
It's funny, but I never thought Davey was the kind of young man who would do something like this.
Have I teased him?
Have I made him think I wanted more from him?
I haven't, I know I haven't.
“I'll teach you to be a dirty little prick tease.”
I'm trying to fight him, but my strength is failing me. He hit me so hard I feel disorientated. I can't even see straight, everything seems so fuzzy. And... am I really screaming or is my mouth just open with nothing coming out?
“Tease! I like it when you fight... What the fuck?!” I hear him yell and my body suddenly feels lighter.
I can hear someone being beaten. The sound of fists connecting with flesh is suddenly all I can hear. I drag myself up into a sitting position as best I can, but my head feels like there's a led weight inside my skull.
I can hear more voices, there's a blue light.
Why can't I see properly?
What the hell is happening to me?
“No!” I scream-whimper. Someone has their hands on me.
“Aimee, look at me.” I think I know that voice. I think. I whimper again when whoever it is, takes my face in his hands. “Aimee, it's Kory, can you look at me?”
My body is trembling, tears are streaming down my face. My hair is probably all over the place, and I know my dress is torn. I have scrapes all over my arms and back. What the hell just happened here?
“Aimee!” He snaps. He coaxes me to look at him, to breathe deeply, to focus on nothing but his face and his voice. It helps. A lot. “That's it, sweetheart. Everything's okay.” His voice is like silk. An angel. Heaven enveloping me in a blanket of peace and comfort.
“Kory,” I sob. “My head.” I sob again.
I remember flashes of light in my eyes. Voices. Echos.
Then nothing until I woke up in the hospital the next morning. Kory by my side. My parents also. Kory's father, Sheriff Harper, asking me questions about what happened.
My mother told me that if it hadn't been for Kory coming out of the local bar and hearing me screaming, Davey could, and most likely would have raped me and strangled me to death.
Apparently, Kory pulled Davey off me, beat the crap out of him, held him on the ground with his knee in his chest, and called the police.
Davey hadn't even denied what he'd tried to do to me, what he wanted to do to me after being arrested that night.
Sheriff Harper said that Davey wouldn't get away with what he'd done to me, he'd be locked up for some time to come.
Even then I loved Kory. My savior. My love. My heart. My life. My husband...
Eight
Aimee
Present Day
It's funny, isn't it? How easy you can slip into a routine. This pig I call a husband has kept me a prisoner in his house for over three weeks now. I haven't spoken to him once. Why the hell should I? I'm not going to make this easy for him.
He wakes me up every morning at 7 am. I make breakfast because I know he'll burn the damn house down if he tries. He leaves for work after telling me every damn day that there's no way I can get out of the house so there's no point trying.
Doesn't he realize that the fucking house could burn down and I wouldn't be able to get out?
Would make this whole keeping me here pointless if I died, now wouldn't it?
I clean his stupid house while he's out because the boredom would kill me if I didn't do something. I shower, change, and then I prepare dinner, having it ready for when he gets home.
He arrives home around 6 pm, eats, showers, tries to make conversation with me. Ends up giving up when I refuse to answer.
I take myself to bed at 9 pm, he follows around midnight.
Yeah, he doesn't allow me to sleep alone. At least he doesn't try and force himself on me. I'd scream the fucking house down if he did. He can't think he can drug and kidnap me and then have sex with me. Lunatic.
I tried to sleep on the couch when I first came here, but he refused to let me. He told me he needed me sleeping beside him. And I should get used to it because that's where I'll be sleeping from now on.
Our wedding anniversary came and went. He tried to make it special, I can't say that he didn't. He bought me a huge bunch of red roses, a box of chocolates that I didn't eat. Even gave me a necklace that I didn't even look at. He made dinner for us, candlelit, perfect. And if I wasn't in such a foul mood I would have loved it all.
I won't lie, I bought him a gold watch months ago as a wedding anniversary present. I'd kept it in my bag in hopes he'd come by. Stupid of me, I know. But I gave it to him, he smiled and kissed my cheek. Even thought it meant I'd forgiven him and that I wanted to give us a go.
I told him not to get his hopes up, giving him a watch did not mean I'd forgiven him for anything he's done to me over the weeks he's kept me here. I will never forgive him. Ever!
I stormed away from him and went to bed. There was nothing else for us to talk about. Simple.
His brother is coming to dinner tonight. I could do without it, I don't want to socialize with anyone. I feel so
depressed it's unreal.
I miss my parents, my friends, my home, my boutique. He won't even allow me to call anyone. Not that I've asked but I'm sure he knows I'd like to.
He's taken over my whole life. And as much as I wanted my husband in my life, I didn't expect it to be like this. I don't want to live here, I want to go home. I want to go back to Oak Springs, to my home. The only home I've ever known.
I miss my godson's so much. I'm Godmother to Callie and Sonny's son, Todd. To Lora's little boy, TJ. To Roya's little boy, Jaxson. I want to see them, to hold them. I've never been away from town this long, I see those little boys every single day, or I did before this happened.
What hurts me more is, all three of those boys are also my nephews, which makes the bond even more special.
Okay, they didn't know I was their aunt, but I knew.
I wonder what my friends are thinking right now. No doubt Kory's told them some lie about how much fun we're having when we're having anything but.
I hope Roya is coping at the shop, I really hate that she's dealing with all those orders by herself. I've never left her in charge of the boutique for more than a couple hours before. And even though I know she's quite capable of taking care of things, the orders were backed up like crazy before I left.
I just hope she hasn't taken on more than she can handle. I only wish I'd had time to change the order turnaround on the website. If she's struggling with filling orders it could mean bad publicity for us, which mean we'll not only get bad reviews, but we'll lose business.
Great.
I bet jackass didn't think about that when he kidnapped me.
I've made the effort tonight for when Greg and his wife arrive. I don't want to make Kory look stupid. Why the hell I don't, I don't know. I should. It would serve him right.
But I've showered and changed into a short black dress that Kory laid out for me. Yes, he's still dressing me every day.
I've got on silk black pumps, my hair in a French braid, and I've even applied light makeup. And right now, I'm in the kitchen wearing an unattractive apron as I potter around making sure I have everything ready. The table is all set out, the wine is chilled, the beef casserole is just about done, and the guests have finally arrived.
While Kory answers the door and shows them in, I fetch the wine from the chiller. I hear Greg telling Kory that his son is with his in-laws while he and Maya, his wife, have a few hours to themselves.
Greg is the only other person who knew about Kory's and my marriage. I'm not sure if he's told anyone he knew, but I suspect he hasn't. Why on earth would he want to risk the wrath of his family when he doesn't have to?
I don't know what Kory told him in order for Greg not to say anything to anyone, but he kept his mouth shut just as much as I did.
I take off the apron and lay it on the counter, plaster a fake smile on my face as I welcome Greg and his wife. It's not their fault Kory is a lunatic.
Greg wraps his arm around my shoulder and kisses my cheek. “It's good to see you, Aimee.”
“You, too,” I tell him before greeting his wife.
I've only met Maya twice before this day. Once at their wedding and the next when they brought the baby to town to meet everyone. She's a nice girl, my age, short, slim, even after having a baby. Her hair is blonde and short, her eyes brown, and she has a smile that lights up a room.
She's a nice person. A lot like Callie. Always has a kind word to say about people. Although, if you piss Callie off you'll know about it. I don't know Maya well enough to think she could be the same way.
Once everyone is seated, I serve them like some damn waitress. Pouring wine and dishing out the casserole. I sit quietly while they all eat. I don't want to eat, I'm feeling rebellious. I'm on my fourth glass of wine before Kory even notices that I haven't touched my food.
Fuck him. He did this, not me. If I have to suffer, then so does he!
He grabs my wrist as I reach for the bottle of wine. “I think you've had enough.”
“I think you should mind your own business, Kory. You're not my keeper, regardless of what you may think.”
He leans into me. “Stop acting up in front of my brother!” He hisses.
I laugh and yank my arm from his grip before pouring myself another glass.
He sighs and leans back in his chair, getting lost in conversation with his brother again. I have no idea what the hell they're finding to talk about, they work together all week. Surely they're bored with each others company by now?
“So, how are you finding married life and finally living together?”
“Oh, we aren't living together,” I inform Greg. I will not let Kory think I'm just going to roll over and take this. He can go fuck himself. “I'll be going back to Oak Springs real soon. Back to my life.”
“She means, we'll be visiting soon to sort things out. We kind of left in a hurry without dealing with things. Isn't that right, sweetheart?”
I roll my eyes at his saccharine tone.
“No, that is not right, darling,” I lace the word with as much sarcasm as I can muster. “I do not intend to live here indefinitely. I want to go home, and I will. You cannot stop me as much as you try, Kory Harper!”
His eyes burn into me. I've angered him. Good. Maybe now he knows how I feel!
“What the hell is she talking about, Kory? Are you forcing her to stay here?”
“Of course not, Greg.”
I laugh to myself behind my wine glass. It's amusing to me watching him trying to lie his way out of this. I'm not sure if Greg and Maya believe him, but like I've said before, Kory is a very good manipulator. And as he sits there telling them that I'm a little homesick, had too much to drink, they chuckle.
How the hell is this even funny?!
It doesn't matter what I tell these people, they'll always believe Kory.
They leave not long after. And yes, I have had a little too much to drink, three-quarters of a bottle of wine too much. But I didn't think he'd storm into the living room and yell at me like he is right now.
“How dare you act up like that, Aimee! How old are you exactly?”
“Go fuck yourself, Kory!” Is all I say to him. I won't engage in direct conversation with him. He wants to be a prick about things, then fine, but I will not “behave” no matter what he says.
“You totally embarrassed yourself, not to mention Greg and Maya.” I fold my arms around myself and shrug. I couldn't care less.
He yells on for a few more moments about how I need to learn that nothing I do will make him let me go. We are husband and wife and we will remain so. And no matter how I try to compartmentalize my thoughts, I can't make myself believe I will ever be happy here.
I want to say that I'm falling out of love with him, that I hate him with a passion. But the truth is, I don't. I love him as much as I ever did and I can't hate him as much as I try. I'm just rebelling against been kept here against my will.
I know in my heart that we could have a happy life together if only he would listen to me. Come to some agreement about where we go from here. But he's not willing to listen to anything I have to say. It has to be his way and that's the end of it.
I don't want to cry in front of him, I won't give him the satisfaction. But I am so frustrated with this whole thing. This isn't any kind of life for me, stuck in this house with no way out. I haven't smelled fresh air since the day he brought me here.
What does he honestly think he'll get out of this?
Because sooner or later, people are going to start asking where I am and why they can't talk to me. Roya knows I would never just leave my business in her hands and disappear like this.
“Why the fuck are you acting like this, Aimee?” I roll my eyes. He is seriously crazy if he has to ask me that! “You wanted me to be a husband. I'm trying to be that to you! I'm giving you the life you wanted!”
This is not the life I wanted. And I know now that nothing I ever say to him will make a difference. He'll get bored with me
soon enough. I won't talk to him and I won't allow him to touch me in any way. He'll send me home and walk away from me for good.
All I have to do is stick to my guns.
That should be easy, right?
I walk away from him and into our bedroom – his bedroom that he forces me to stay in – and close the door. I want to go to bed, I've had too much to drink and Kory is driving me crazy.
I've only got my dress over my head when hands grab my arms from behind drawing a scream from my throat. “I'm done playing this game with you, Aimee.” He yanks me back sharply against him, making me gasp. “You are my wife! You will damn well act like it.”
“Let go of me!” I hiss.
But he doesn't let me go, he drags me kicking and screaming toward the bed, where he throws me down face first. I struggle against him as he straddles my hips. I can't fight him in this position. I'm screaming at him to let go, but he ignores me and unclasps my bra, flips me over without getting off me, and tugs my bra off.
Is he seriously going to do what I think he's going to do?
“Don't do this to me, Kory, please.”
No answer.
He drags me by my arms to the head of the bed. He holds my wrists in his hands, still straddling my waist so I can't move, all the while unbuckling and removing his belt.
I scream even louder when he ties my hands to the headboard with said belt.
“Scream all you want, Aimee, no one can hear you, this place is soundproofed.” But of course, it is, why the hell wouldn't it be?
Only when he's sure that I'm secure does he get off me. I won't look at him as he strips his clothes, discarding them across the room. I know how beautiful he is without his clothes, but I don't want to have sex with him, dammit!
I try not to let any sound escape my lips when he kisses my feet, my legs, my thighs, stomach, breasts in turn. But my stupid body defies me and my back arches as he sucks my nipple into his mouth. I feel his smile against my skin and I could just kick myself.
