by Ashley Jade
“Stop threatening a member of the FBI, Mr. Sand, or I will arrest you. I'm only letting it slide because I know how upsetting this all is. However, the money will certainly help. Consider it done. Tell your team to stay in contact with me so we can continue to work together.” He looked at me. “Leah, thank you for your time. Please know, we are truly working as hard as we can. Contact us with any new information you may have.”
I quickly nodded and the federal agent left.
Then, I broke down crying again. It seemed to be the only thing I could do. I was beginning to feel hopeless.
Lillian set a tray down in front of me. “Please, dear. Eat something. Look, I've made you lunch.”
I shrugged and turned away. Lillian was sweet, and I truly appreciated everything she was doing, but all I could think about was Danny.
I couldn't even go on my jogs and talk to Jamie anymore.
I needed to find my brother. I needed him to call me a pain in the ass, study for his English tests and raid the refrigerator.
I needed him to come home and be safe.
The last thought caused me to sob so hard, I started shaking. Lillian soothed my hair, as I continued to cry.
“We will find him,” Jacob said softly.
“What if we don't.”
“We will, Leah. Now please, just eat something and stop crying.”
“I'm sorry, I can't.”
I got up and ran upstairs to the bedroom. I flopped down on the bed and cried myself to sleep.
***
I woke up to Jacob carrying me into the bathroom again.
This time, he set me down in a tub full of warm water and bubbles.
“Just tell me what I can do to make you feel better.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I will find your brother. But what can I do to get you to eat something and stop crying all the time? I need you, Leah. Danny needs you. It's killing me to see you like this. I can't fucking take it," he whispered as he sat on the edge of the bathtub and washed my back.
I shrugged and stayed silent. The only thing that would make me feel better is finding Danny, alive and healthy.
He sighed and continued washing me as I sobbed quietly. Every hour that passed without hearing from Danny was pure agony.
With a sigh, Jacob helped me out of the tub, laid me on the bed, took out some lotion and began massaging my back. It was so soothing, I eventually stopped crying.
I figured he would initiate sex after that, but he never did.
He just continued massaging me softly, before shutting off the light and wrapping me in his arms.
I laid in bed for the next 24 hours.
***
“Get up, Leah. Enough of this shit,” Jacob said, storming into the bedroom.
I rolled over and closed my eyes.
“Please, baby,” he pleaded.
I nestled against his chest. “I want to go to the house. I want to see if there's anything I missed.”
He kissed my forehead. “There won't be. But, fine. Done. First, you have to eat something. Then, I will go with you.”
I still wasn't hungry, but I knew that I had to hold up my end of the bargain.
I got up and made my way downstairs.
“Finally,” Lillian exclaimed, leading me into the dining room. “I've made you a variety of different things. Just eat whatever you like, dear.”
The entire table was covered with plates full of various foods. There was no way I was going to be able to stomach all this.
I looked up at Jacob to protest, but he raised his eyebrow at me.
“I just want a cup of coffee and some soup,” I mumbled as Lillian frowned.
“It's better than nothing, I suppose. You haven't eaten in over four days, dear. You're going to wither away. You're skinny enough as it is," she huffed, before she left the dining room.
“Pick something else, Leah. More than soup or I swear I will force feed you myself,” Jacob grumbled, before turning his attention back to his phone.
I gave him a dirty look before I picked up a roll and buttered it, finally taking a bite.
He smirked. “Thank you.”
Another roll and a bowl of soup later, I went upstairs to get changed so we could go back to my house.
Ten minutes later, I entered my own house and walked through all the rooms, nothing seemed amiss. Nothing was out of place, besides Danny not being here.
I would have broken down again, but my body wouldn't let me anymore.
On a whim, I decided to check the mailbox and take out the stack of mail waiting for me back to Jacob's house.
At least sorting through it would give me something to do.
***
“I have some work to do in my office, but I'll be in to check on you in a little while,” Jacob said before giving me a quick kiss and leaving the bedroom.
I shifted through the mail and sorted it into piles.
Most of it was bills or advertisements. With the exception of a plain white envelope. There wasn't anything written on it and it wasn't addressed to anyone.
That was certainly strange. My stomach knotted, maybe it was a ransom note?
With shaky hands, I finally opened the envelope.
Luke,
I don't respond well to threats. I am not helping you, nor am I giving you a cent of my money. You will never take over my father's company. It is my company now. You will burn in hell before I ever sign it over to you, despite what my father may have promised you. I appreciate you offering your daughter to me. However, no pussy in the world is worth the net worth of my company. With that said—I have a little threat of my own. I've already met Leah and I intend to see to it that she never helps you. I will make her my little whore, just like your wife was to my father. I will use her for all my needs.
I will own her, and you won't get a cent from it.
—J. Sand.
I had to read it again, to make sure I read it right the first time.
Jacob had been lying to me about his real intentions the entire time. I thought he wanted to protect me—I believed him. I was just something for him to use and control from the very beginning, though. I wasn't worth anything more to him after all.
My heart broke and shattered at that moment. I thought the tears would start flowing again, but I felt something else entirely.
Something that was terrifying—but beyond my control. I just couldn't take the pain anymore. Enough was enough.
I crept downstairs to the living room.
Jackpot. I knew there had to be a bar of some sort in this place.
I pulled out a bottle of vodka—my mother's favorite and I brought it back upstairs with me.
I chugged down half the bottle.
It warmed my skin and I enjoyed the escape. I needed it. No wonder my mother was an addict. It took all the pain away. It took all the guilt and sadness away, too.
For the first time, I didn't feel suffocated by it. This was my paradise.
***
“I just wanted to let you know that I've increased the reward money to twelve million. That should definitely bring in a lead or two. If not—I'm prepared to increase it to fifteen million," Jacob said, before he focused his attention back to his phone.
I guess he expected me to be a good little whore now and reward him for it?
I could do that, he was helping Danny after all.
I walked over to him. Or rather, I stumbled, but I didn't feel it.
“Are you okay?” Jacob asked, concerned.
I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck.
He removed my arms and studied my face. “Have you been drinking?”
“A little bit,” I said, or rather slurred.
He sighed. “Come on. I'll get you some food, then you can sleep it off.”
I began undoing my top. “No.”
“Baby, stop. You're drunk. You don't know what you're doing.”
“Are you turning me down, Jacob?” I asked coyly as I undid another button on m
y shirt.
“Yes, Leah. I am.”
I dropped to my knees. “What's the matter? Don't you want me? We haven't had sex in like five days. I know it's killing you—especially with your sex addiction and all. Unless you went and fucked one of your other sluts already, because you sure haven't fucked me."
“Jesus Christ, stop. I haven't had sex with anyone else. I've barely even left the house,” he griped as I started undoing his pants.
I tugged his zipper down. “So let me take care of you then.”
He shook his head. “I don't feel right about this. You're playing a very dangerous game right now.”
I pulled his boxers down, revealing his erection. “Come on. I know you want it, I can tell. Now let me suck you off like a good little whore,” I said right before I took him in my mouth.
“Fuck, that feels good,” he breathed. “But, you're not a whore. You have to stop this—I won't be able to. It's not fair to me or you.”
“Come on. Say it. Tell me I'm your whore.” I took him in my mouth again, deeper this time causing him to moan.
“You're killing me. You're not my whore, Leah. I won't ever tell you that. You already know how I feel about you,” he said as his hand caressed the back of my head.
“Say it, Jacob.” I swirled my tongue around his tip, making him suck in a breath.
“No. Pick something else for me to say. Anything but that,” he groaned as he stroked the back of my head.
“Say it and I'll give you want you want.” I took him in my mouth as far as I could, gagging myself as I did it.
“Damn, that feels so fucking good, baby. But no, I won't say it,” he grunted as he grabbed the back of my head harder.
“Fucking say it,” I demanded. I repeated the movement, not even realizing that actual tears had started streaming down my face.
He looked down and pulled out of my mouth. “Dammit—Stop!”
I stood up and I felt stone cold sober suddenly. Sober and hurt beyond repair. “Come on, Jacob. I know this is all I am to you. I know this is all you want from me.”
“No, I care about you. More than that…I'm in—” he started to say, before I took the letter out of the envelope and shoved it in his face.
He read it and appeared uneasy. However, he stayed silent.
“Tell me it isn't true!” I screamed, snatching the letter back from him.
He looked down at the floor and his jaw worked.
I became so angry I shook. “Did you write this letter?”
“It's not what you think. At least, not anymore—” he started, before I cut him off.
“Yes or no, Jacob? ” I asked, even though I already knew the truth.
“Yes. I wrote it—”
“When?” I inquired, my heart on its last shred of hope.
“Right after our second session. But my feelings and intentions had changed before we ever slept together, I swear.”
“I never want to see you again. I can't believe another word that comes out of your mouth. I'm even starting to believe that my father, may in fact, actually be innocent. He tried to warn me about you for a reason. He did try to protect me from you—in his own way. I can't say that I blame you for not wanting to give up your company. However, as far and you and I are concerned. We are done.”
I ran out of the room. “It was a fucking set up from the very beginning. Everything makes so much fucking sense now. Everything. I hoped you enjoyed that before, because it's the last time my lips, mouth—or anything else of mine, will ever—and I mean ever; touch you again. I'm not your fucking whore. I'm not my mother—but you sure as fuck are your father!” I screamed, before I hightailed it down the staircase.
He chased me down the steps. “Leah, stop. Let me explain. I'm not that person anymore. You've changed me, in a good way. I don't want the things that I used to anymore."
“Stop chasing me,” I yelled. “Because I don't fucking want you anymore, Jacob. And if you continue to chase me—I will get a restraining order. Now leave me the hell alone and let me go."
I watched his expression change from angry and determined to agony and sorrow before I walked out the front door.
Chapter 21
Since I had run to Jacob's house in the first place, I had no choice but to run back.
It was dark out when I started, but I didn't care; I had missed running.
That was my addiction. Jacob wasn't anymore.
Tears streamed down my face as I made my way into the woods.
I needed to see Jamie. She was the only one who could make me feel better right now.
She tried to warn me that I wasn't safe, I should have listened.
She was right. I wasn't safe from all the hurt and pain that Jacob caused me. I wasn't safe, because even though he hurt me so much—I knew I’d somehow fallen in love with him.
He did own me, he owned my heart, no matter how battered and bruised it was—and I hated it.
I closed my eyes to block out the twinge of pain I felt at that thought.
I tripped and landed with a soft thud. Shit, maybe I was still drunk after all.
I opened my eyes and immediately regretted it. This couldn't be happening again.
No, not this time. Not again—not Danny.
I immediately felt for his pulse—there was a faint one. I said a silent prayer.
I laid my head on his chest, his breath's were shallow but consistent. I said another prayer before I picked up my cell phone to call an ambulance.
That's when a hand reached out and grabbed my throat.
“Hello, princess. Did you miss your father?” a sinister voice, whispered in my ear. “Drop the cell phone. Now.”
I dropped it.
I felt a cold metal object pressed against my temple. I already knew what it was. He moved us behind a large oak tree and I tried kicking him.
“How are you going to save your brother if you're dead, Leah?” he questioned.
I stopped struggling.
“What do you want?” I asked, refusing to look at him.
“You owe me, princess. And here's how you're going to repay me. I'm taking you, instead of your brother. Are you in agreement with that?”
I quickly nodded my head. “Yes, of course.”
He dug the gun deeper into my temple. “Good. You were the one they were supposed to take anyway, but they fucked up. Or rather, Jacob fucked that up by never leaving your side. That's precisely why I'm here now. I knew it was only a matter of time before you read that letter. I knew after you read that letter and saw that I was telling the truth about Jacob's real intentions—you would finally cooperate.”
“Cooperate with what?”
“You turned me in. Your own father. I tried to give you an out the day you came to visit me in jail. I figured so much time had gone by that maybe, you could learn to forgive me. Maybe, you would believe that I was innocent. I already knew I was getting exonerated soon—and I tried to give you a chance. The chance you never gave me. So now, I will make you pay."
He yanked my hair, causing me to yelp.
“You're coming with me. Your boyfriend thought he could threaten me and use you against me, but I happen to know; he's developed quite the little crush on you. I have very reliable insider—Mark.”
He snickered. “Jacob isn't aware obviously, but he tells me everything. He botched everything up on purpose. Mark is an old associate of mine—a business partner if you will.” His voice dropped down to a whisper, ”I think you know what kind of business I'm referring to. He's a silent business partner and the very best at what he does.” He clicked his tongue. “Jacob isn’t aware that I was promised a company by my dearly departed friend, in exchange for his son's life.”
Oh, god.
That’s why his father confessed to everything in the first place—to protect Jacob.
My father continued, “Unfortunately, Jacob has been nothing but a controlling and stubborn asshole. However, I have the perfect leverage now...you. You've made Daddy so
proud, princess. You must have been a good little whore—just like your mother. But after he signs his company over to me...I'm gonna kill the motherfucker anyway. Or rather, Mark will do it for me. I don't want to end up in jail again, you know.”
“No. Please don't. Please!” I screamed as panic shot through me.
He yanked on my hair harder. “Shut up, Leah. Don't wake your brother up. He's been in a nice peaceful sleep for the last five days. Doped up on tranquilizers every few hours. He won't remember anything—don't ruin it," he warned, before a voice in the background silenced him.
“Leah. I'm sorry. I know that I hurt you. You have every right to be angry, but let me explain—” Jacob's voice called out.
My father changed course and pulled us behind another big tree. “If you don't go with me willingly. I will kill you—but not before I make you watch me kill your brother and Jacob. I suggest you say whatever you need to in order to make sure it doesn't resort to that. You're a smart girl, a fucking psychiatrist. You better figure it out—and quickly."
I heard Jacob's footsteps approaching. “What the fuck…Danny?” Jacob yelled, before my father interrupted him.
“Don't you touch my boy. Leave him alone,” my father screamed.
Jacob's expression changed from concern to absolute horror when he noticed the gun pointed at my temple.
“What do you want, asshole? Name your price, just let her go,” Jacob growled, taking a step closer to us.
“You already know what I want. But I won't talk about that here. I have to make sure certain protocols are put in place first. Drop your cell phone, now, or I will shoot her."
Jacob dropped his phone instantly. His eyes darted back and forth between Danny and me.
“Look, we can work this out. You don't have to take her.” He took a step forward and his eyes darkened. “I won't let you take her.”
“Take another step and I will blow her head off. I'm taking my daughter. Maybe, I'll let you see her again.” He shrugged. “Or maybe, I'll just auction her off—you know, for old times sake."
“I swear to god, I'll fucking kill you,” Jacob growled, taking another step toward us.
