by Tobin, Val
Henderson burst back into the room, snapping Dani back to the present, and she screamed, her screams echoing through the cabin. He carried the duct tape, scissors, and a belt.
“Shut up, you stupid bitch, or I’ll fucking give you a reason to scream.”
Dani cut off the screams. She’d learned long ago that it was best to obey without hesitation.
“Lie on your stomach.”
“Greg, please. Please.” Dani didn’t know what else to say. Surely, he understood what she begged for.
“Now, baby, I have to teach you a lesson.” He sounded regretful. This will hurt me more than it’ll hurt you hung in the air between them. “Lie down. Don’t make me ask you again, or I’ll have to punish you for that, too.”
Dani lay on her stomach, body shaking with cold, fear, and ceaseless sobs. The sound of the duct tape peeling off the roll brought her close to screaming and begging again, but she stifled it. With gentle hands, Henderson bound her wrists above her head and then taped her ankles.
“So sorry, baby. This’ll hurt, but you brought it on yourself. You’ll get five lashes, and I want you to count them with me. Understand?”
“Yes.” Choking. She needed air and gulped like a landed fish.
Henderson raised the belt.
Chapter 35
Cope sat waiting on a chair in Ben’s office. Katherine stood next to Ben and watched what he did. Cope tried to stifle the impatience that made him so restless he’d spent most of the last two hours pacing. Should hacking into someone’s files take this long?
Ben had tried to explain what he was doing when he got fed up with his younger brother’s nervous energy, but it was jabber to Cope. When Ben got technical, it made Cope think accessing Henderson’s email and other files would be impossible. After that, they were still searching for something they’d recognize only when they found it.
“I have it.” Ben waved to Cope, who jumped from his chair to peer at the monitor.
An email message displayed on the screen, and Ben toggled to another screen. “Here. See that map? It leads to a cabin Henderson bought two years ago under another name.”
“Let’s go. We have to get to her before he hurts her.” Or kills her. That threat was real. Too many times women ended up murdered by exes who refused to let them go.
Katherine moved toward the door, and Cope stopped her. “No. Too dangerous.”
“You’re not leaving me behind.” She confronted him, fists on hips, feet planted on the floor.
Cope pulled Enders’s card out of his wallet and handed it to Katherine. “Call the cops. Tell them where we think he is, but give us a half-hour lead. I don’t want Dani killed in a shootout.”
He saw her hesitate. “Please. I need you safe and the cops on the way.”
Resignation showed on her face and she took the card. “Okay. Go get your girlfriend back safe. Be careful.”
He leaned in, kissed her cheek, and gave her a quick hug. “Okay, Ben. Let’s go.”
Ben retrieved a Colt .45 from his desk. “Ready, bro. Just gotta grab my ammo.”
***
Punishment over, Henderson cut the duct tape from Dani’s wrists and ankles and helped her climb under the comforter. To her horror, he stripped off his clothes and climbed into bed with her. She recoiled.
“No, babe. None of that. You’re mine now. Just us, together forever.” Henderson put his arms around her and yanked her to him.
Afraid of another whipping, she put her head on his shoulder and pretended it was Cope she leaned against. Eyes closed, she pictured herself back in Cope’s arms. She was thirsty and wondered if she’d be risking another beating asking for water. Her mouth was so dry. Chills wracked her body, and she shivered.
“Are you okay, baby? Do you need anything?” The concern in his voice made anger swell inside her, but she suppressed it.
As she had with her mother, she’d have to play pretend. Pretend everything was normal. Pretend it was okay. Don’t cry. Don’t complain. Most of all, be invisible, silent. Speak when spoken to. She’d been spoken to now, so she replied. “Water, please.”
Henderson leaned over and kissed her cheek and her lips.
Dani flinched, but he didn’t notice—she’d have to do better next time, make it appear she was okay with it, but not encouraging more.
He got out of bed, said, “Don’t move,” and walked out.
Dani took him literally and remained frozen until he returned. He came back with two bottles of water and gave one to her. Should she thank him? Or would that be speaking without permission? If she didn’t thank him, he might get angry at her rudeness. If she did, he might get angry that she spoke. One way to find out: “Thank you.”
She sipped the water while he slipped back under the covers. Her heart beat rapidly, sweat broke out under her arms, and her spine prickled at the thought of what would happen next.
“Had enough water?”
It was a question anyone might ask, and under normal circumstances, it would be considered polite. Coming from Henderson right now, it chilled Dani to the bone. She tipped the bottle to her lips again, sipping, buying time—even another second helped.
When she took yet another slow sip, he realized what she was doing and grabbed the bottle from her. He recapped it and set it on the nightstand next to the bed. “It’s been a long time, babe. Come here. I’ve dreamed about fucking you ever since we did it on set.”
“Greg, please.” Dani wriggled to the edge of the bed, but didn’t get out.
His expression grew dark, the frown vicious. “Behave, Daniella. I’ve been wanting this. You know you want it, too. I don’t want any trouble from you.”
“I’m not feeling well.” Maybe she could talk him out of it. At least keep him talking though she’d have to choose her words with extreme care. “I haven’t eaten since—I don’t even know how long. Please. Can we eat first?” She kept her voice even. No whining. Normal speaking voice. Reasonable.
“Okay.” He got out of bed again, unlocked and opened the closet, and took out a woman’s bathrobe, which he tossed on the bed. “Put that on and come with me.”
Dani moved slowly and deliberately. Normal. It became her mantra. She picked up the robe and slipped into it, grateful to conceal her body. Henderson retrieved a robe for himself, put it on, and took Dani’s hand.
He guided her out of the bedroom and into the main living area of the cabin. Had she been here with Cope, she’d have called it quaint, even lovely. The furniture was rustic, and a large, fieldstone fireplace dominated the living room. An open kitchen had all the conveniences: fridge, stove, dishwasher—even an apartment-sized stacked washer and dryer. A pine table with seating for eight people was the focal point in the dining area.
Henderson motioned for her to sit at the table, so she pulled out the closest chair and sat. The silence got to her, but she was afraid to break it, and looked around instead, trying to find a potential weapon. It hadn’t escaped her he’d had a woman’s robe on hand. Had he been planning this, or did the robe belong to a former girlfriend?
Dani peeked into the fridge when he opened it and noted it was stuffed with fresh food. Henderson pulled out a prepared salad and a bottle of dressing and set them on the table. An urge to help overcame her, and she almost stood when she remembered he’d told her to sit. She folded her hands on the table in front of her and realized she was chewing on the inside of her cheek. It was a nervous habit she hadn’t indulged since she’d live with her mother.
Henderson opened a pantry, and Dani scoped that out as well: lots of canned goods, cereals, pastas, and rice. The door slammed shut before she saw more, and Henderson held a French loaf in his hand. He returned to the fridge and took out various cheeses. By the time he finished, he’d amassed a decent meal.
“What would you like to drink? Wine?” He held up a bottle of Sauvignon blanc and tilted it toward the glass he’d set by her plate.
A direct question. Answer him. “No, just water, please. I l
eft it in the bedroom. May I go get it?” Best to ask. If she asked, she was being respectful, and if she was being respectful, he wouldn’t get angry.
“I’ll get it. Don’t move.” He strode into the bedroom, his pace hurried. So he didn’t trust her at all. How long would it take to lull him into a false contentment? Dani feared it would be too long.
Oh, God, she didn’t want to sleep with him, and if he realized that, he’d hurt her. She had to get out of here. She caught herself before she folded onto the table in despair. No, don’t let him see fear, or he’ll suspect I’m planning escape.
Henderson returned and set her water on the table next to her hands, which rested, still clasped, on the table in front of her plate. As he walked past her, he stroked her hair and then her cheek. Her mouth dry, Dani swallowed, and when he sat next to her, she picked up the water and drank.
“Is this okay? Need anything else?” So polite, he was. So solicitous.
Shrieks welled up inside her, and it took everything she had not to open her mouth and scream until she woke from this nightmare. “Fine, thanks.”
Henderson poured himself wine, and Dani’s stomach lurched. It was worse when he drank. When they’d dated, they’d both drank to excess. When Dani drank too much, she became livelier, then wound down, passed out, and, if she’d really overdone it, she’d puke. But when Henderson drank too much, he became quieter, then meaner, to the point where he’d frighten her.
He picked up the knife and cut slices of cheese, and, when he was done, set down the knife out of her reach. Every move he made, she followed. If he touched something, she considered its use as a weapon.
At least she was no longer naked. With food in her stomach, she might muster up the strength to attempt escape, though not if she had to fight her way out. But if she tried to slip out after he was asleep, she’d have to have sex with him first.
Panic rose in her again, and she distracted herself by nibbling on the food and sipping her water. He’d given her a fork for the salad, but she knew she’d never be able to stab him with it. Sure, she could work herself up to hate him enough to do it, but she’d never incapacitate him, and a wounded, angry Henderson might kill her. He was capable of murder, she was sure of it.
“Tomorrow, I’ll show you the view in the back. There’s a mountain stream where we can fish. It’s gorgeous.” He smiled at her, a big, smarmy, motherfucking grin like they were lovers on a romantic getaway.
Her hand tightened on the fork. “Sounds lovely.”
He hadn’t asked a question but was making conversation. Amendment to the rule: speak when he seems to want to converse even if he hasn’t asked a direct question.
Sweat beaded on the back of Dani’s neck, and she rubbed it with a napkin. Another sip of water calmed her nerves. She’d lost her appetite, but forced herself to eat. If she escaped, she’d need her strength.
All too soon, her salad bowl was empty, and she couldn’t stomach anything else.
Henderson noticed and stopped eating. “Had enough?”
Dani gulped water, saw that almost three-quarters of the bottle of wine was gone, and sought the courage to answer. “Yes.” A whisper. No good. He’d pick up on the fear. She cleared her throat. “Yes. Thank you.” Clearer. Better.
“Shall we retire to the bedroom, my love?”
“We shouldn’t leave this stuff out. Let me help you clean it up first.” No shaking in her voice. She was giving the performance of her life—for her life.
“Yes. You’re right. Sit. I’ll take care of everything. Don’t move.”
Dani held her breath while he wrapped up the food, rinsed the dishes, and put everything away. It didn’t take as long as she would’ve liked, and all too soon, he was done and heading toward her. Gaze darting around the room, she saw no way out, nothing she could use as a weapon. Unable to help it, she begged. “Please, don’t make me sleep with you. Not tonight.”
He grabbed her by the arms, eyes sparking anger. “You belong to me now, and you do as I tell you.”
“I don’t belong to you. I don’t belong to anyone. Let me go. Please. You must know what you’re doing is wrong. Why did you do this?”
In answer, he kissed her on the mouth, hard, forcing her to feel his desire. She tried to pull away and failed. He pressed his body against her, pressed his hardness against her. Henderson lifted his mouth from hers and with one hand, shoved her head forward so she saw his penis thrusting out of the part in his robe. “See what you caused? Tease. You tease me and then you don’t want to give me the relief I need. You have an obligation.”
He lifted her in his arms and carried her into the bedroom, her sobs now the only sound she could hear.
Chapter 36
Cope and Ben had to leave their car at the bottom of a trail that led to the cabin where they suspected Dani might be held. They spotted a car amongst the trees and recognized it as a vehicle the police had described when the APB went out on Henderson.
Ben had his gun ready, and Cope led the way. He hurried though the dark trail was littered with rocks and tree roots that tripped them up despite the flashlight he carried. When the cabin came into view, Cope motioned for Ben to watch the front of the house while he went around back.
Everything was dark inside. Cope tried to look in a window, but it was shielded by a curtain. He approached the side of the house and found an uncovered kitchen window. He’d have to hurry. The cops would be close behind them. By the time the police arrived, Cope wanted to have Henderson gift wrapped for them.
Silence blanketed the house and surrounding yard. Mouth drawing into a tight, grim line, Cope shoved aside thoughts of what Dani might have suffered in the time she was missing. If he didn’t, he’d kill Henderson on sight. The kitchen window was open, the screen the only obstacle. Cope removed the screen, raised the sash higher, and climbed in.
Once inside, he sat for a moment on the kitchen counter, letting his eyes adjust to the semi-dark room. A faint glow from the LCD on the stove and moonlight shining in through the windows afforded the only illumination. The front door should be on his right. Cope eased to the floor.
The boards creaked under him as he walked, and he froze. Breath held, he waited and listened. Nothing. One foot forward. Another step. By the time he reached the front door, sweat drenched him.
Cope ran his hands along the door where the faint outline of the doorknob was visible. Under it was the deadbolt. He quietly opened the door, left it propped open, and returned to the kitchen without waiting to see where Ben was. His priority was getting to Dani.
The kitchen and dining area abutted a living room on the right. A sliding door beside the fireplace in the living room lead to the porch. Cope crossed the kitchen into the hallway beyond and followed it, opening doors as he went. The first one led to the bathroom, the next, a closet. A noise behind him told him Ben had entered the house. Not caring about silence anymore, Cope picked up the pace.
He opened the bedroom door. It was darker than the rest of the house, shades blacking out the windows. The king bed was occupied, but Cope couldn’t tell who was in it. At first it looked like one large person. He drew closer, and in the dim light from the clock radio, he saw Henderson spooned around Dani. Cope screamed in rage, grabbed Henderson by the arm, and yanked him to the ground.
As soon as Henderson hit the floor, he moaned and puked. Cope leaped out of the way, and, leaving the kidnapper to writhe on the floor in his own vomit, rushed to Dani. Cope’s heart broke at the sight of her bound hand and foot, hands secured behind her back with duct tape, her pale skin mottled with bruises.
Rage bubbled up in him and it took all his self-control not to round on Henderson and kill him. Before Cope could flick on his flashlight, the overhead light went on. Ben had arrived.
“Make sure that fucking bastard on the floor doesn’t move, Ben.”
“Got him.”
Oh, God, Dani. Cope couldn’t speak. Since she had her back to him, he could see welts covered her back, butt,
and thighs. Her arms were bruised and her fingers swollen. Cope grabbed the scissors off the night table and cut through the tape on her wrists and ankles. As he peeled the remaining tape from Dani’s skin, Cope noted drug paraphernalia and traces of white powder next to the lamp. Henderson had been doing drugs. What if he’d forced them on Dani, too?
Where were the cops? Now Cope wished he hadn’t told Katherine to wait thirty minutes. Henderson would be too out of it to resist arrest—the fucker wasn’t sober enough to make it to the toilet to puke. Groans from the floor told Cope Henderson was conscious, but still struggling with nausea.
Dani in his arms, Cope’s gut lurched as she remained limp and unresponsive though she was breathing. Her blackened eyes stayed closed, and her head flopped against his chest. “Call nine-one-one and get an ambulance here,” Cope called out to Ben.
He pulled the comforter over her naked body and held her. When he checked her pulse, it seemed normal. “Dani.” He bent his head to hers and kissed her hair. “Baby, please wake up. I’m here. You’ll be okay now.”
She was still unconscious when the police and paramedics arrived.
***
Dani had a concussion, and the doctors told Cope they didn’t know when she might wake up. She’d slipped into a coma while Henderson had slept. He’d tried to rape her, failed to get it up, probably from the alcohol and coke he’d consumed, and then beat her in a fit of rage. Henderson claimed he couldn’t remember doing any of that. At last, he was in jail with no chance of bail, but now the waiting game was on as Cope sat by Dani’s bedside and held her hand.
Liz, John Madden, people from Star Power and Danger Play, and others who cared for Dani stopped by. Many more sent flowers. A shrine grew in front of Dani’s apartment building, and fans held candlelight vigils.
