by J. G. Sumner
All I want to do is spit. I want to purge all of his grossness out of my mouth and body. I can’t believe someone related to Tony could be so vile. If I had a hundred bottles of mouthwash, it wouldn’t be enough to cleanse my body of this guy’s toxins.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I’ve come back for you now.”
His voice startles me out of the happy place I went with my bottles of Scope. I don’t bother to respond.
He continues. “You see, when I came face-to-face with Massimo before, I knew he had taken a liking to you, as much as the two of you denied it. So, when we all got away the last time, I searched for him. My war wasn’t over. Unfortunately for me, your government put him in the witness protection program. They gave him asylum here in this country. Of course, it made it much more difficult to find him. So, I waited. I waited for him to come back to you. I figured it was only a matter of time. Sure enough, he couldn’t stay away. He didn’t give a shit if it cost you your life or not. That selfish bastard had to have you. You must have one hell of a voodoo pussy to have him give up the safety and security your government provided in exchange for a lay.”
Holy crap! What is going on? Is this true? Was Tony really in witness protection? How? Why? So many questions are running through my head. I don’t know if I should feel betrayed he never told me or happy he came back for me. My hands begin to shake. Sweat beads on my forehead. This is going from bad to worse, fast.
I close my eyes. I’ve got to get myself in check. He’s trying to mentally break me down. I’ve learned all this in my therapy and classes. He’s working my psyche, and no doubt he’ll proceed with physical torture soon. I have to be strong. I have to mentally disconnect myself from him. I take some deep breaths and try to put myself in a state of Zen. I can do this.
“How long until he comes to get you? Hours? Days? Weeks? Do you think you’ll make it out unscathed this time? Will he be able to save you?”
I tune him out. I have to, for my own well-being. I can’t let the scorned green-eyed monster over-power my mind. I search for a song to take me away to another place. Bastille’s “Pompeii” begins to play in my head. I had the privilege of seeing a quaint acoustic show of theirs. I imagine how the singer tapped the beat out on a table. I can hear the other band members singing in acapella. It’s the most beautiful rendition I’ve ever heard.
“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”
I say nothing. I just let the music continue to play on repeat in my head. I don’t know how long it is before he grabs my chin. The song skips.
“You will answer me when I ask you a question. Do you understand?”
I nod. Clearly the green-eyed monster doesn’t like to be ignored. Perhaps he realizes he loses his power without my full attention.
“Now, I believe you have something I need.” He reaches for my hand and pulls off the engagement ring Tony gave me hours ago.
Really, I have no concept of time. I don’t know how long I was knocked out. It could’ve been days or hours. The thought of it scares me a little.
“That’s mine!”
The green-eyed monster produces a sinister laugh that rattles me to my bones. “Yeah, I know. That’s the point.”
I hate his Italian accent. It’s pure evil. It’s amazing how the same accent is so sexy on Tony and anything but on this evil jerk. “I want it back.”
“Excuse me?”
Crap! I forgot rule one. Always make him feel like he’s in charge. “May I please have it back?”
“No! I let you keep the ring he gave you last time. By the looks of it, this one is much more valuable. I think it should be restitution for the expense associated with having to come all the way here. I’ve had to go into hiding and use my nest egg to accommodate the luxuries I’ve become accustomed to because of the likes of you and Massimo. I think it’s only fair.”
I hold back the tears that threaten to flood my eyes. I can’t give him the satisfaction. Instead, I grit my teeth. It’s my ring. It’s the symbol of the love Tony and I share. Who does he think he is to get in the way of that?
“It’s kind of sweet how he made it heart-shaped like his parents’ ring. He’s a lot softer than I originally thought. This could definitely work to my advantage.”
This man’s evil has no boundaries. I only hope, in time, I can get my ring back and make this jerk pay for the living hell Tony and I have been through. “It’s fake. It’s not a real diamond. He told me it’s a cubic zirconia. He couldn’t afford a real one.” I know it’s a bad lie, but it’s all I could think of.
He laughs. It’s a hearty laugh straight from his gut. It makes me sick. I want to vomit all over him.
“You’ve got to be kidding me? Did you think I’d really fall for that? Don’t you think a man of my stature can’t tell the difference between a diamond and a CueZ? You’re a lot dumber than I thought. It must be the voodoo pussy that keeps Massimo around, because it certainly isn’t that brain of yours.”
Mother fucker. I’m not one to swear, but this jackass has gotten under my skin to say the least. I’ve got to come up with something. “Fine, take it. I don’t want it anyway.” Maybe if I can feign that it’s not important, I can get it back.
“Thank you. I don’t mind if I do.” I can’t see what he does with it, but I can only assume he tucks the ring away for later because it’s certainly not on my hand anymore.
There’s no use in fighting over it, and begging isn’t going to do me any good. In the grand scheme of things, it’s an object. It can be replaced. What I need to focus on is my ability to find out where I am and figure a way out. “When can I get this blindfold off?”
“Hmmm, probably never. I don’t think it’s a good idea. You might recognize this place. Since I don’t have the reinforcements I used to, I have to take extra precautions to ensure you stay in my possession until I’m done with you.”
I contemplate this a bit before speaking again. I’m in a place I know; somewhere familiar. I need to bide my time until he slips up.
“Can you release me from this chair? I wasn’t able to sit for several weeks after the last time.” Okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating. I did have pressure sores on my bottom, and I had to use a big foam donut when I sat. It really wasn’t pleasant.
“Let me ask you a question. Would you rather be conscious and in the chair, or unconscious and out of the chair?”
This isn’t something I expected and honestly, it’s a tough answer. Yes, I want to be in a different position other than being tied to a chair. I want the opportunity to remove my blindfold and see what exists around me. On the other hand, if I’m unconscious, I lose some leverage even though I know I’ll wake up at some point. Here goes nothing.
“I’d rather be unconscious.” I silently pray, hoping that what I’m asking for doesn’t get me killed. Before I know it, there is a cloth over my face. The chemical scent I smelled before permeates my senses. My body warms and my world goes dark.
Chapter Fifteen
Kate
I wake up. I’m cold. My body shivers reflexively. I still have my blindfold on, but can tell I’m naked. There’s not a shred of clothing covering my skin. Fear courses through my body. The green-eyed monster has once again found my weakness and now he’s exploiting it. Images of what he’s done to me while I was passed out shoot through my head like a bullet and take all the feelings of security that went along with it.
I go over every square inch of my body trying to figure out what position I’m in, if there’s pain, or if I’ve been violated in any way. My legs are spread apart in a “V”. Each of my ankles are bound by what feels like a thick piece of leather. I try to pull my legs together, but I’m unable to. They’re restrained. Despite my pelvic region feeling very exposed, I don’t think I’ve been touched there. I sigh in relief. My stomach seems normal. My breasts are cold, and I know my nipples have formed into tight buds in response to the nearby draft. My arms are tied above my head with what feels like the same restraints th
at are on my ankles. For the most part, everything is normal except for the fact that I’m lying here naked and exposed. This man truly is one sick bastard!
Footsteps approach and I instinctively try to pull my legs closed even though I know they’re not going to move.
“Modest, are we?”
I hate his voice. I cringe at the sound.
“You shouldn’t try to cover up something so beautiful. Besides, you were willing to give it up to Massimo rather quickly. I’m sure a little exposure doesn’t bother you.”
My fear is replaced by anger. It’s good. I need to be mad to get through this. It will keep me strong. “What do you want? Why are you keeping me? If you want money, my father will give it to you.”
He laughs. It’s hearty and comes from his belly. He genuinely thinks this is funny. “I don’t need your money! I need revenge. I need Massimo to suffer and to know what it feels like to lose everything that matters.”
“Don’t you think he lost enough when you killed his family?”
“I can see how you’d think that. His family slowly drained the life out of me. They took away everything that was important. I never had the chance to have my own family, I wasn’t afforded the opportunity to live a normal life, and they cut me off. No, he needs to have a taste of the medicine I’ve been forced to swallow my entire existence. Massimo had the charmed life. He’s the one who had people around who loved him. He got the chance to go to college in London and then take over the family business. He went through more women than I can count. He had everything. I should’ve had that.”
I can’t see the look on his face, but there’s no mistaking the pain in his voice. For a split second, I pity him. “We all make choices. You don’t have to do this. You could’ve stayed wherever you were and made different decisions. You chose not to. You chose a life in which you wouldn’t be rewarded with happiness and satisfaction. Instead, this hatred and jealousy will eat away at you until the day you die.” His footsteps come closer. I cringe, preparing myself for the impending beating I’m sure is about to take place because I opened my big mouth. Instead I shudder at his hand on my body.
“It’s funny how a woman who’s had everything handed to her on a silver platter thinks she knows something about suffering or satisfaction. I’m sure after your precious Tony is gone, I can find a way to satisfy myself.”
His fingers slowly creep toward my sex. I try to move my pelvis away from him, but I’m only able to go a few inches. He forces me down into the bed and sneaks a finger between my folds. I scream as I twist and turn trying to get his hands off me. I don’t know if anyone is even nearby, but I pray someone can hear me and free me from this place that is quickly becoming my own personal hell.
He grabs my mouth and forces it shut. I swallow my scream. “If you just let go of the past, you may enjoy the present. Isn’t that what you were trying to tell me? Why don’t you heed your own advice? You might learn to enjoy your time with me. I can assure you I’ll make you feel things Massimo never has.”
I bite my inner lip. There are so many things I want to say, but silence might be better. Perhaps it will keep him from continuing any further.
“That’s better. Just relax. There’s no need to get worked up. It’s hard to experience all the wonderful sensations if you’re tense.”
He places a hand on my breast and slowly massages it, working from the outside to the nipple. His hands are warm and surprisingly soft. I can’t control the whimper that escapes from my mouth. “Please stop. I don’t want this.”
He tsks. “How do you know you don’t want it if you’ve never experienced it?”
“Please…please stop,” I plead.
He takes my nipple in his mouth and begins to suckle it. His warm mouth and the slight pressure from his teeth causes my sex to pulsate defiantly.
“Stop, please!” The tears roll from my eyes. My anger is replaced by shame and embarrassment.
The green-eyed monster returns his fingers between my folds and continues his assault on my breast. I try to move my thoughts to another place and another time—anywhere but here. I think about Times Square. I’m standing through the sunroof staring at the stars and sipping champagne as the soon-to-be Mrs. Bertalucci. I shift my gaze to Tony’s eyes. The stars I was staring at only moments before pale in comparison to the amazing emerald green stars staring right back at me. My heart and soul belongs to this man. Oingo Boingo’s “We Close our Eyes” plays in my head drowning out any noise going on around me.
The stimulation on my breast has stopped. “For someone who claims she doesn’t like me to touch her, your body is sure telling an entirely different story.” He laughs before removing his hand from between my legs.
Relief floods my body. The tears stop as I attempt to put on the strong persona hidden somewhere deep inside of me. I lie in darkness and wait for what seems like an eternity for his next move.
His footsteps move away from me. I can’t help but thank my lucky stars. I’d much rather be alone in this world of darkness than to be able to see the look on the green-eyed monster’s face when he touches me.
“I’ll be back,” he calls. “Don’t go anywhere!” He laughs.
This is all a game to him. I just need to figure out how to get the upper hand. Clearly, he’s found my weakness, and now, it’s time to turn it into a strength.
Chapter Sixteen
Tony
“Have you found her yet?” I storm into Jasper’s apartment. It’s been over twenty-four hours since Kate’s been gone, and we’re no closer to finding her whereabouts.
“Sorry, mate. Everyone is looking for that car. It’s only a matter of time.” Jasper’s staring at a computer screen, scrolling through some data base I don’t recognize. “I do have some interesting information about Luciana.”
I’m still getting used to the fact that my cousin had a child when he was a teenager. How come I never knew about this? Did he have any sort of relationship with his kid? I urge Jasper to continue.
“She was working as a waitress up until her death. She had a significant amount of debt, like two hundred thousand euros worth. She was close to getting kicked out of her apartment. I wonder if she went searching for Matteo to pay her bills. I’d put money on him being the cause of her death.”
I ponder this. As much as I want to jump to the conclusion that my evil cousin dismembered the mother of his son, there’s something not sitting right with me. “What’s the debt from? Perhaps she was into gambling. Maybe a bookie came after her.”
Jasper lets out a howl—a rip-roaring laugh from deep within. He practically falls off his chair with laughter. Tears fall from his eyes, and he’s nowhere near done. He slaps the table. I’ve never seen him act this way and honestly, I didn’t think what I said was all that funny. It was a plausible explanation.
“What?” I ask.
He speaks in between trying to catch his breath. “Do you hear yourself? Do you know who you’re talking about? Your cousin might as well be Satan and that poor woman was playing with fire. There’s no way this happened because of ‘gambling.’” He puts his fingers in the air quoting what I said previously.
Unlike him, I’m not laughing. A poor woman is dead and this kid lost his mother. There’s nothing funny about this situation. “Do you really think it was Matteo?”
Suddenly the fit of laughter is gone and there’s a seriousness to Jasper that I’ve rarely seen. “I’d bet my life and everything I have on it. This screams of your cousin. He’s an evil son-of-a-bitch. I don’t even want to think about what he’s doing to Kate right now.”
I see red. Anger surges through my veins forcing my heart to race and if I were a cartoon character, steam would come from my ears. Why did he have to bring that up? I swear to God, if he touches her…if he lays one hand on her, I will kill him myself. I’ll have no reservations about doing it. What he did before in Italy was bad. Putting her through that kind of hell again is just sick. I kick the trashcan next to Jasper’s des
k.
“Whoa, chill out. No need to get worked up. I didn’t mean anything by it.” Jasper stands up and puts a hand on my shoulder in an attempt to stop me from breaking anything else in his apartment. I don’t know what to do. My hands are tied, and I have no idea where Kate’s at. I have to get to her. I feel so incapacitated.
The doorbell rings. Jasper and I both look at each other. Who could possibly be there? Why weren’t we alerted by any of the doormen? Jasper takes a gun from inside the desk drawer. I know he’s trained to use various weapons and I’m pretty sure he’s killed someone in his lifetime, but it still seems weird to see him holding it.
“Who is it?” he calls.
A female voice answers, and I immediately recognize it as Kendall’s. “It’s me.”
Jasper slips the gun behind his back under his shirt and pants before slowly opening the door. When he’s sure Kendall is alone, he opens the door completely. “What are you doing here?”
“I want to know about Kate. Have you found her? What’s going on?”
The barrage of questions makes me irritable. I roll my eyes and walk into the kitchen to get a can of soda. I could use some caffeine now. I haven’t slept a wink since Kate went missing. I pop the lid and lift the can to take a sip. The fizz floats against my skin enticing me to drink.
“Tell me you have some news. Is she going to be okay?” Kendall begins to whimper as Jasper wraps his arms around her to provide comfort.
It’s not that I don’t like Kendall. She’s a sweet girl with a big heart. It’s just that she seems a little bit like a superficial bimbo. In fact, she’s a spoiled brat. I can’t stand women like that. It absolutely drives me fucking nuts. One of the things that made me fall in love with Kate is how down to earth and real she is. Kate was given the world growing up, but she still values the simple things and can appreciate the beauty in everything big or small. There’s a certain childlike naivety to Kate, which I absolutely adore. Yet, at the same time, she’s as strong as an ox. I haven’t found many women like that.
