by Lexi Blake
Julian dropped the phone and ran for the café.
He heard Finn behind him but couldn’t─wouldn’t─stop for anything. He had the car in gear and was off before Finn could catch up. His eyes caught Finn’s as he drove by, and the terror in Finn’s eyes haunted him. He was sure it mirrored his own.
Julian picked up the map and followed directions.
Chapter Seventeen
Dani came awake slowly, her head pounding and the sound of a woman crying leaking into her brain. She tugged at her hands. The feel of tight, hard plastic on her wrists was jarring, forcing her out of that fuzzy place.
She opened her eyes. The world came into focus in fits and starts. Brown walls. Wood. The scent of gun oil. Where was she? Oh, yes. She started to piece it together. She was in Jimbo’s family hunting cabin. Set back on the Smart family land, the small cabin had been his father’s retreat, and then Jimbo’s. She’d come out to this place on several occasions, mostly to pick him up when he was done “shooting deer and drinking beer,” as he put it.
It came back in flashes like pictures in her mind. She’d done everything Jeremy had told her to do, though this time obedience had been a vile thing. She’d driven Julian’s car to her house and traded it for an old sedan. The sedan had a map, but she’d known immediately where she was going. She’d stood outside her house and wondered if she dared to run inside and call someone, but a cell phone had rung in the sedan and she’d been told she had ten minutes to get to the cabin before he put a bullet in Val’s head. Unsure if she could make it in time, she’d flown down the highway and up the back road. When she was on the dirt road that led through the woods, she’d never felt so alone. She’d gotten out of the sedan with tears in her eyes, certain she would never see Finn again, never feel Julian moving against her again.
It had all happened quickly. One minute she was stepping onto the rickety stairs that led to the door, and the next she felt something sink into her shoulder. A sting and the world had turned odd and soft. She’d had the barest moment to register a face looming above her before she hit the ground.
Her vision wasn’t one hundred percent as she pulled at the zip tie that held her wrists together. She seemed to be tied to a hook that was anchored into the ceiling. It must be new, because it wasn’t something she’d noticed before. There were only two rooms in the cabin. There was a living space and a small bedroom. There wasn’t even a bathroom. She always remembered to go before she came out here because she was never going to use that outhouse. The small cabin, well, it was more like a shack, barely had electricity. What electricity it had was run from a generator. There was very little in the way of furniture. There was only a sofa bed, an easy chair, and a scuffed table with two chairs. She managed to turn her face.
“Val?” The words felt heavy in her mouth. At least she could remember why she was here. That monster had her sister.
She saw Val, tied similarly on another hook from the ceiling, just four or five feet away from her. Her head came up at Dani’s words, and a manic look came over her face, her eyes bulged, her mouth opened, and she shook.
“Dani. Oh, Dani. You have to get us out of this. You have to.”
There was a whine to Val’s voice that cut through her brain like a hacksaw. Still, she had sort of been the one to get Val into this. This Jeremy person must have taken her sister in order to get her to comply.
“I will. You have to give me a minute. Is he here?” Dani forced herself to try to focus. Everything was still a little fuzzy, and her mouth felt as dry as a desert.
Val kicked out at her. “He walked outside. I think he’s waiting on someone. Maybe he’s brought someone in to kill us all. You give him whatever he wants.”
“Shut up,” a husky voice said. “You’re getting exactly what you deserve, you deceitful bitch. You think I didn’t overhear your conversation with our giant ass of a kidnapper?”
“Lexi!” Dani strained to twist around. Lexi huddled in a corner, her legs bound with rope, and her hands seemed to be tied behind her. “Oh, Lexi, are you okay? Everyone’s looking for you.”
“She’s fine,” Val whined. “She would be better if she kept that big mouth of hers closed. She’s been spitting bile ever since she got here.”
Lexi’s deep blue eyes rolled. “Sorry, I guess I didn’t get the pamphlet that went over the rules of how to behave when an asswipe takes you off the streets. Next time he should hold a seminar or something. Or I could take a few lessons from you. After all, you’ve spent so much time with him, you should know his habits by now.”
Dani turned to Val, the quickness of the motion churning her stomach and making her queasy. Her shoulders ached from the weight being held on them. She forced herself to stand, though her legs felt wobbly.
“Lexi, please, give her a break. She’s never handled stress well.” Some of Lexi’s words were starting to penetrate. “What do you mean she spent time with him? Val knows Jeremy?”
“No…I mean I met him in a bar. He lied to me. I thought he liked me.” Val sputtered, and her hands went still.
Lexi snorted. “Sure you did. I don’t know a female over the age of ten with a gaydar so fucked up she can’t tell Jeremy plays for the other team. Don’t try that line of bull with me. Like I said, I heard the two of you talking, though mostly it was Jeremy talking and Val crying. Seems like her conspirator turned on her. Tell me something, Val, how much did he offer you to turn over your sister?”
She wanted to look at her sister and ask her if it was true. It would be useless. Dani knew deep down that it was true. Something was wrong with Val. Anger and rage warred with guilt in Dani’s heart. Had she failed Val? She couldn’t see how. She’d done her best. She’d sacrificed and worked hard to make Val’s life the best it could be under the circumstances. She’d told her sister she loved her, and she had, though it had become harder and harder as the years went by.
“Damn it, I never meant for it to go like this,” Val tried, obviously giving up the innocent routine. “I only wanted to scare you. I wanted you to see that leaving town was what’s best for you. I was giving you the shove you needed to be with Finn. Can’t you see I was trying to do this for you?”
Or not. Dani felt tired in a way that had nothing to do with the drugs that had been in her system.
“Bravo, Valerie,” a new voice said. It was soft but menacing. Dani got her first look at Jeremy Walker. He was thin and handsome, in a pretty boy way. “I admire you, dear. You’re a liar right to the end.”
“Please don’t hurt me,” Val sobbed. “I helped you, damn it.”
Jeremy sighed as he looked Dani over. “God, I hope you’re better than these two. This one can’t stop crying, and Lucas’s whore over there can’t stop raging. It’s giving me a headache.”
“I’m glad, motherfucker,” Lexi spat. “If I can do anything else to screw up your day, please let me know.”
Jeremy shook his head. “I have no idea what Lucas sees in you.” His head turned Dani’s way. “Of course, I have no idea at all what Julian is doing with you, dear. Slumming, I suspect, though he jumped fast enough when I told him I was going to slit your throat. He should be here any minute. I have plans for the two of you.”
“He doesn’t care about me. I’m just extremely submissive. He likes that.” Dani kept her voice low and her words calm. She’d dealt with more than one anxious patient at the clinic she worked at. The key was to remain even and calm. It would also be best to get him away from talking about Julian. “Now tell me what my sister’s done.”
Jeremy crossed to the table. There was a small duffel bag sitting there, and he opened it. His hands disappeared inside as he replied. “Well, your sister has been an excellent accomplice. She’s everything I could want in a partner. Stupid and greedy and easily cowed, with the right amount of pressure.”
“Don’t listen to him.” Val shifted from foot to foot as she pled.
Dani ignored her. She focused on Jeremy, who pulled out a small vial of clear flu
id. Her stomach rolled. Who was that for? “What did she want from you? Money?”
A hypodermic needle came out next. Jeremy plunged it in and gauged the dose.
Lexi answered when Jeremy seemed too interested in his medication. “She wants you to sign over your house. Something about her making a bunch of money off of it. When Jeremy turned on her, she offered to split it with him.”
“I am not interested in money.” Jeremy turned. Dani stared at the needle like it was a snake coiled and ready to strike. “What I have in mind is so much more important. You see, Julian thinks of himself as a teacher. I was his student. He is going to find out today exactly how much I learned from him. Julian is merciless, you see. Do you know what his first act as CEO of the company his mother left him was?”
He turned, and Dani tensed, waiting to feel that needle plunge in, maybe for the last time. Was that his plan? Would Julian get here and be confronted with her dead body?
“Please don’t.” Val squirmed as though she could shrink back.
Jeremy paid no attention to her. He stared at Dani. “No? Don’t follow the business world here in Willow Fuck? Pity. Julian’s first act was to begin a hostile takeover of a company his uncle owned. It was his uncle’s baby. He’d spent thirty years of his life building that company. Julian took it apart in a matter of days. I think his uncle is in a nursing home. The best of care, of course. Everything money could buy, except companionship and his dreams.”
“Why would he do that?” There had to be a reason. Julian was ruthless. She knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt. But she hadn’t seen any true cruelty in him. He was concerned about the people around him. He’d taken such good care of her.
“I’m sure he’d tell you it was all a good investment, but I know the truth. You see, you have to study the things you love in life. I’ve made a comprehensive study of Julian Lodge. His uncle became young Julian’s guardian after his parents died. He didn’t have any time to spend on a child. He was too busy building his own company, software of some kind. He hired nannies, but he hired them off the street, without references of any kind. He paid them little, and he looked the other way when they abused their charge. When they left, he would simply bring in another one. Once, one walked away and Julian was left alone for weeks. I believe he was ten at the time. It was only when the gardener came that Julian was found. It wasn’t that there wasn’t the money for good help. His uncle had tens of thousands per month for Julian’s care. He simply preferred to use it on himself.”
How chaotic must his life have been? Her heart bled for him. Even though her own childhood had been money poor, at least she’d had her mom. She’d worked most of the time, but she’d been there at night to tuck her in. Julian’s life had been a series of transient abusers.
“Don’t believe him. He’s making shit up,” Lexi said, shaking her head. “He doesn’t know anything. Julian would never have told him anything so personal.”
He struck and quickly. The needle was in Lexi’s arm before she could scream.
“Bastard.” Lexi’s eyes were glazing even as she said the words.
“Probably, though Mother claims not.” Jeremy sighed. “I really can’t have her yelling. You never know when the yokels will be listening in. I would have gagged her, but I’m afraid she bites. She’s just as much trouble as her mother. I’ll never understand the Dom who wants a willful slave.”
Dani couldn’t help it. “Because you were so well behaved? I heard what you did.”
His eyes lit up. “The Master…I mean, Julian spoke of me? Of course, he did. I was the best slave he ever had. The truth is he didn’t deserve me. I was far too good for him. And I’m right about his childhood. I lived with him, you know. I also worked in the building he owned. His secretary was given a cushy suite after her husband died. She was his final nanny, the one who stayed. He worships the ground she walks on. She keeps a diary. I read it. Mostly boring crap about her kids, but I found the volumes about Julian’s childhood to be illuminating.”
Dani didn’t doubt it. Nor did she doubt Julian would be horrified if he knew someone had read such intimate details of his life. “Why are we here? Why don’t you go and find another Master? I’m sure there are many who want an obedient slave. Of course, they might not after you murder your former Dom.” Dani decided to try logic one last time. “Come on, Jeremy, you still have a chance to make this right. Julian isn’t here yet. You haven’t actually hurt anyone.”
“Speak for yourself. He slapped me.” Now Val sounded sullen.
Jeremy’s face hardened. “If you speak again, I’ll seriously consider setting my friend on you. You remember the other night. I bought more than one snake, Valerie. Would you like to meet the second one? I’m certain he’s antsy by now.”
“You tried to kill Finn.” The truth rushed into Dani’s consciousness.
Jeremy shrugged. “If it makes you feel better, I was trying to kill Julian. I saw him talking to this Finn person. I had Val point out his vehicle. I knew Julian would go home with him. I know that look in his eyes. However, I thought Julian would drive. He always has to be in control. How was I to know he would change his habits?”
It seemed to Dani that maybe Julian was changing a lot of his habits lately. She fell silent, using all of her concentration to stay on her toes.
“I feel sorry for you, really I do.” Jeremy continued on, obviously enjoying the sound of his own voice. Dani briefly wondered if Lexi wasn’t the lucky one. “Julian will make you fall in love with him. He’ll give you everything you need for a time, and then when you think it’s all going to work out, that you’ll be the one who can truly change him, that’s when he finds a new slave and cuts you loose. He might be kinder about it with you than he was with me. Perhaps he’ll find you a new Master as he did for many of his former slaves, but in the end, you’re just another in a long line of interchangeable bodies. You don’t matter. Not really.”
It wasn’t anything she hadn’t thought before. Only hours before, Julian had dismissed her for the simple act of having a different opinion. Was she fooling herself into thinking she was different? Would she end up like Jeremy if she stayed with Julian?
He stared down at Lexi’s unconscious form. “As for her, it’s truly better she ends here, too. I’ve been watching her for months. She’s filled with rage, so much rage and pain. She seems fine when she’s in public, but she’s not. Not even Lucas seems to reach her. I’ve often wondered what happened to her. They don’t have sex, you know.”
That was news to Dani, but she kept her mouth closed. Jeremy put the needle back in the bag and came out with another two sets of zip ties. Dani wondered if he’d gotten a special deal since he seemed to buy them in bulk. He carried them to the far side of the room along with one of the chairs. He placed it far from anything else and then attached a set to each arm of the chair, leaving the open end dangling, waiting for someone.
Julian. He intended for Julian to sit in that chair. Was Julian coming here? Was he coming for her?
Jeremy turned back to her. “I managed to get myself into Lucas’s house through his cleaning service. You can’t trust the help these days. I set up cameras. Poor Lucas. He won’t fuck her no matter how much she begs. He’ll whip her, spank her, tie her up and use a vibe on her, but he withholds his cock, and would you like to know why?” Jeremy laughed and shook his head. “She won’t tell him she loves him. Who would have guessed that Lucas Cameron would hold out for a declaration of love? Pity. He should have fucked her while he had the chance. Carpe diem and all that.”
Jeremy’s head swung around. He cocked an ear as though he could hear something Dani could not. A wicked smiled creased his youthful face. “Looks like he wants you to live.” He strode to the table and pulled an odd-looking gun out of the bag. As he made it to the door, he turned. “Scream if you like, Danielle. I think Julian will appreciate it. He always did like the sound of a woman in pain.”
She kept her terror firmly lodged in her chest as Jeremy
walked out the door. Julian wouldn’t like it. It would horrify him. Julian liked to play. He played out his own fantasies even as he indulged her own. He enjoyed her cries as long as he knew they would lead her to something pleasurable. Julian would be horrified if he caused her pain that wasn’t erotic or didn’t seem to be something she needed. It was why he was harder on Finn. He would raise welts on Finn’s ass, and Finn would come all the harder for it. On her he used a light hand. He barely made her bottom pink.
“See, if you hadn’t decided to sleep with that sicko, we wouldn’t be in this predicament.” Val’s sullen pout was back.
“Shut up, Val, or I swear I’ll kill you myself.” She strained to see out the window. The ties bit into her wrists and her neck hurt at the unnatural angle. In the distance, she glimpsed a black Jeep coming up the back way. It rolled up the dirt road that ran from the highway, if you knew where to look for it. It didn’t go by the Smart house, so there wasn’t anyone to warn.
“I really wasn’t trying to kill you, Dani.” Val sounded small now.
She looked down at her sister. “You wanted the house? I was going to sell you my half.”
“I don’t have the money for your half, and then─”
“And then what?”
There was a small pause and then a deep, heaving sigh. “And then the mayor told me there’s going to be a big development right on our land. They’re going to build an outlet mall. It’s going to be huge. My piece of the land is worth two hundred and fifty thousand.”
“Well, it’s good to know my life was at least worth six figures to you.” Desperation edged out anger at her sister. She could deal with her later, after she’d figured a way out.
“I told you I wasn’t trying to kill you. Just scare you into leaving with Finn.”
“I don’t care. Take the land. I don’t care. All I care about right now is the fact that that whackdoodle is going to come back in here any minute and use me as a sacrificial lamb to punish Julian.” She slipped as she tried to get a better look outside. She groaned as her wrists took the full weight of her body.
