His Captive Bride

by Suzanne Steele

  Mandissa

  Mandissa did her best to park where she could watch her vehicle. Her volunteer had opted out for the day and some of these people wouldn’t get groceries if she didn’t show up. She couldn’t get Preciosa out of her head either.

  It was sprinkling outside which meant that the locals who were normally slinging dope or shooting craps weren’t out. Mandissa couldn’t help be relieved, not that she was scared, she had grown up in the barrios of Puerto Rico, but the cat calls could get old. She successfully made her way to the back of her SUV and loaded up, struggling with shutting the trunk and not setting the box down on wet pavement.

  She walked through the darkened hallway that had to be entered before she made her way indoors, only to be greeted by another darkened hallway, but this time with the smiling face of an older retired Preacher greeting her. “Ah, Praise God, why it’s my little friend Mandissa. Good to see you girl.”

  “Good to see you too Mr. Brandon, I see that you preached all the dope slingers away this morning.”

  “Girl, you know it; God’s word still works today.”

  “I know that’s right, Mr. Brandon. I brought you something special, some of that vanilla flavored coffee that you love so much.”

  “Ahh, Mandissa you are such a blessing thinking of me and remembering, so very thoughtful.”

  Mandissa had paid for it herself, though she was able to get groceries from the local food bank for cheaper, many times they didn’t carry specialty products. It was her pleasure to do so. Mr. Brandon was a good man and she had purposed in her heart to look out for him. There had been times in the past that she had anonymously paid his rent and though he suspected her of being the culprit; he never tried to misuse, or abuse her kindness, by mistaking it for weakness.

  She loaded him up on groceries, taking the opportunity to look through his cabinets and make sure that he had all that he needed.

  “All right Mr. Brandon I’ll see you next week.”

  “Lord willing and creek don’t rise,” he chuckled, watching her make her way next door.

  “Psst,” he called in her direction; causing her to set the box down and walk back towards him.

  “Ya know she got some new boyfriend, ain’t nuttin but trouble. He be slingin that dope and he got her shootin Heroin now. They call it ‘speed ballin’ she be doing that coke and then that heroin. Ain’t nuttin but a matter of time for she kill herself, but it’s that baby that I be worried about. Don’t you tell her that I said nuttin. I’m just an old man tryin to live my last days in peace.”

  Mandissa ran her soft hand over Mr. Brandon’s arm, “It will be our secret.”

  She felt an unfamiliar fear grip her heart, one that had nothing to do with gang bangers, or dope slingers; but one that had everything to do with being totally out of control—out of control of the little girl’s life which hung in the balance.

  Mandissa took a moment to get her wits about herself and then knocked on the door.

  “It’s her Mommy, it’s her, I know it is, open the door, hurry Mommy.”

  “Shut up girl!” Rosa hissed.

  She opened the door eyeing Mandissa with envy, not caring that she had heard the way that she talked to her daughter. Though Mandissa was bringing groceries to her, there was a part of her that was jealous of her and another part that resented her, though if Rosa would have clearly accessed the situation, she have seen that Mandissa had worked hard for what she had.

  Mandissa’s face lit up as she looked into Preciosa’s clear, innocent eyes. She tilted her head as if she had a secret and Preciosa squealed knowing that she had something for her. Rosa took her time opening the door, she was feeling unusually bitchy today and just exercising a little control over the situation made her feel better.

  Mandissa made her way over to the bed setting the box down. But not before she removed a bag and handed to Precious.

  “Look Mommy, outfits for my doll.”

  “Whatever,” she answered, as she slithered her way around putting away groceries.

  “Give me a hug, Preciosa.”

  Preciosa leaped into her arms and Mandissa swung her around laughing.

  “I know that you’re going to give her that phone back that you lifted out of that box, right Rosa?” A low voice rumbled from the doorway.

  Both girls looked up, shocked to view Drake leaned against the doorway cleaning his nails with a knife.

  “Ha, ha, my bad; here ya go.”

  Rosa sauntered over towards Drake, as she licked her lips.

  Drake leaned in and spit hissed, “Back off bitch!” The low rumble had now become a growl that resonated from somewhere deep within Drake’s chest cavity.

  “Damn baby, so forceful,” she purred.

  Mandissa lowered her head not wanting to get involved.

  “Well I guess I’ll be going,” Mandissa stated, moving sideways to get past Drake.

  Drake followed behind her making his way out to her car. “Get in,” he whispered, from the stance that he had taken behind her. He was so close that she could feel him almost pressed up against her. The threatening posture only served to send a chill up her spine that was spawned from a mixture of fear, intrigue, and sexual tension.

  Mandissa could feel her heart beginning to race and it was hard to decipher whether it was from fear, or from Drake’s presence. Maybe both…

  Everything in Drake wanted to reach over and rub the leg that housed that thigh high that was peeking out lace from beneath her dress. He shifted in his seat trying to reposition the ever growing need in his jeans. This girl was beyond fine, she was classy, gutsy and right now she was doing a number on his body and mind.

  “So now you just come out to the most drug infested areas that you can find with no back up, huh?”

  “You would know, with the way that you stalk me.” She answered with ease, as she swung out into morning traffic.

  He picked her phone up and began inserting his number, as if it were his own.

  “Pull in, I need coffee,” he stated, without even looking up.

  He took his wallet out that was hooked by a chain onto his jeans belt loop and leaned over giving their order, “Two double cappuccinos.”

  Mandissa almost had to stifle a giggle, as she watched the girl drool in Drake’s direction.

  “You like the strong stuff?” She purred, handing the tray in his direction.

  “We do, yes, and thank you for your customer service.” It was Drake’s way of letting the cashier know that he didn’t appreciate her ignoring Mandissa.

  At that point Mandissa couldn’t help but giggle.

  “Park!” He stated.

  “You’re an awful bossy stalker.”

  “You have no idea, Mandissa….. Yet….”

  She couldn’t ignore the fluttering in her lower abdomen.

  Drake made no attempt to even hide the fact that he was staring. He started at the top of her curly blond bobbed hair, moved his way to her bright hazel eyes that changed colors due to her mood, down to her full red lips, on down to her bright pink fitted dress, down to those black thigh highs that peeked out lace from beneath them and all the way down those long legs that housed the black four inch heels that she donned today.

  “Always the epitome of class,” he stated.

  Mandissa squirmed in her seat, this guy stirred up emotions that she couldn’t quite identify. She would definitely be pondering on it later.

  She jumped at a noise and he chuckled, as he clicked a business card between his fingers. She still hadn’t forgotten the knife that he casually cleaned his nails with just moments ago.

  He leaned in almost whispering. “Now here is what we are going to do ‘Little girl lost,’ from now on, when you traipse down into the dark area of the woods—you are going to call the big bad wolf to escort you. Boo!” He exited the car, chuckling when she jumped.

  “I’m not scared of you!” She hissed through her rolled down window, as she peeled off in her car almost spilling her cof
fee.

  “You better be, you better be, run along to work, ‘little girl lost…’”

  Chapter Five

  I sat on my bed with my laptop and eyed the business card that my stalker had given me. It looked nothing like he did. It had an elegant black back-round with gold embossed writing that boasted of professional photography skills. Now I had all that I needed to research the man who seemed to know more about me, than I did about myself.

  I was shocked when my laptop began to spit out info faster than I could process it. This guy was some world renowned photographer. The articles went on and on, each more impressive than the last. I had taken this guy for some kind of street thug and he was a famous photographer. Photography is a highly competitive field and for him to be that successful said quite a bit. Suddenly it hit me and part of me was excited, yet part of me was scared, my stalker had been photographing me. Just how big of a shrine did he have built in my honor? I would be shocked when I found out.

  Drake

  I knew that she would be finding out who I was now. I didn’t care though, because I knew that she wouldn’t try and use it against me. I went out of my way to keep my identity from the people that she took care of, the last thing that I needed was some gang banger popping a cap in me for twenty bucks.

  I looked down at the computer screen. I was pleased with this batch of pics. They had come out really well. She mesmerized me without even trying. That girl had put a spell on me and she didn’t even know it. The only problem is, that I am a ‘predator’ by nature and now ‘Little girl lost’ has become my prey! It remained to be seen if she could handle the intensity of my innate nature, very few women could. The only women who seemed to be able to handle me were the women that frequented kink clubs. Though there were some beautiful women to be had there, they weren’t the woman I wanted.

  The predator in me had mandated that Mandissa be taken and made mine. Any man, who houses the primal nature that I do, fully understands that once the cravings have begun, only that which the predator craves will satisfy. Yes, my primal nature had lifted its nostrils into the night air of desire and I would not only take Mandissa—I would consume Mandissa. I would consume her, until she craved me with the intensity that I craved her.

  Mandissa

  I didn’t sleep well that I night. I couldn’t get Drake out of my head. It wasn’t some kind of lovey, dovey, dream of romance either. To put it simply, Drake scared me. He put every instinct within me on high alert when he was around. The professionals call the term, “Fight or Flight.”

  What I couldn’t figure out, was why I liked it. It was settled, I would be staying away from Drake. It was evident that he could have any woman that he wanted and I sure as hell didn’t plan on being a notch on any man’s belt. For me it was all about work and Mid-way…And now my little Preciosa…

  Precious

  Precious cried herself to sleep. She didn’t like the new man Mommy had staying here. There was only one bed and before she and Mommy slept in it, but now she and the new man did. She now slept on the floor with the cock roaches and mice, it scared her.

  She hugged her doll tightly against her. It was the only thing that made her feel safe in her ever changing world. Things just seemed to be getting worse and she wished that she could live with Mandissa. She went to sleep and dreamed about what it would be like.

  Chapter Six

  “Now Mandissa, I’m not the pompous prude that you think that I am. You might even find that you liked me if you gave me a chance. You know, maybe dinner some evening.”

  “Well, as flattered as I am Richard, I don’t mix business with pleasure. I have found that blurring the lines only leads to trouble. I simply don’t ever break that rule.”

  Mandissa held her gaze as she spoke. There was nothing that intimidated her about this man, nothing at all, and she wanted him to know it. In fact Mandissa wasn’t intimidated by much of anyone.”

  “Well I will not hear of it, I have made a reservation for lunch and if it makes you feel any better we can discuss the terms of you branching out into a broader area. It is an inner city show that you host, so I believe that it would be beneficial to branch out, well…… Shall we say…….Into more prestigious areas.”

  Yeah, that is a real smart idea, being that the rich and elite are so concerned with the ‘hood’ and all…..Rolls eyes…….

  Mandissa knew that there were those who were wealthy that did have a concern for those less fortunate, but Richard, damn sure didn’t fall under that category. He was not fooling her one bit.

  He had spoken as if he didn’t hear a thing that Mandissa had said, or maybe he just didn’t care. She knew that it was probably the latter but whatever, it couldn’t hurt to have lunch, or so she thought.

  Drake seethed as he took pictures. What in the hell could she see in a guy like that pompous ass? He watched as Richard touched her arm, or leaned in when he spoke to her and there was no denying it. Drake was jealous and Drake was mad. Those were two combinations that did not go well with his intense personality. He cringed every time that he saw Richard touch her.

  Mine! The Predator within him growled.

  This was not good and Drake would be dealing with it before it got out of hand.

  He watched as Richard palmed the lower part of her back when they exited the restaurant, the lower part of her back that housed the dimples that he considered to be his. Yes, Drake would be dealing with this.

  Mandissa

  “Mommy won’t wake up and I’m scared.” The tiny voice trembled from the other end of the phone line. “I’m on my way!”

  It struck me as sad that a three year old knew enough about survival to use her Mother’s phone to call me. Grant it—she was almost four but she was growing up far too fast due to her Mother’s neglect.

  I jumped up and tossed on jeans and a t-shirt and made my way out of my apt. I don’t even remember the drive over, but I would remember what was getting ready to happen, it would be seared within my sub-conscious for the remainder of my days on earth. I exited the car not even worried about the element that now housed the Mid-Way area. There was anything and everything out tonight that could be imagined. There were pimps, whores, drug dealers, and the clients that sought out the drug of their choice. Whether it was flesh, drugs or alcohol, they were here to feed the craving that was deeply lodged within their souls.

  “Ah hell yeah! Look at what we got here; why little Miss. Bleeding heart decided to grace us with her presence. Are you slumming tonight, baby?”

  I chuckled and stated: “No, just babysitting.”

  “Well you can baby sit me any day of the week. You are one fine ass woman and classy too.”

  I was grateful that I was a staple in the neighborhood and silently prayed that I would make it out un-scathed. The men had gone back to their crap game by the time I entered the next darkened hallway. Suddenly, I was pinned against the stained wall with an arm twisted behind my back and threats being whispered in my ear, “You’re in trouble!” A hand reached up and squeezed down on the braless nipple that my tight white t-shirt housed.

  “Oh God…….. That hurts…… Drake……. Please……..”

  I felt him harden and it hit me; Drake was excited by my lack of control and the fear that it ignited in me. The fear that I emitted excited him, because he had caused it, the fear that had gained him control over my body in a darkened hallway, had been birthed by him and Drake reveled in the knowledge of that.

  “Please Drake; I’m begging you, just let me go and get her, I think Rosa over dosed, please.”

  I felt him stiffen even more so at the sound of my pleading. This guy was dangerous, he knew it, I knew it and it only served to ignite something within both of us. The problem was that I had never been privy to it before.

  As quickly as he had pinned me, he released me and spoke into her door way. “Open the door little bit.”

  “Open the door baby, it’s me,” I pleaded.

  The door opened and Dra
ke scooped her up.

  “Wait! My doll, I can’t leave her with them.”

  I scooped up the doll and we made our way down to the car.

  “Give me the keys, I’m driving.”

  I threw him the keys and jumped in the back seat with Preciosa.

  “What the hell do you think that you are doing, coming down here at night? I’m not done with you, you get her ass inside and bathed and then you and I are talking.”

  I was grateful to be in the backseat. Drake was mad to say the least. The rest of the ride back to my apt was spent in silence.

  Chapter Seven

  I sat with a glass of wine and my legs tucked underneath my long T-shirt, the T-shirt that I slept in when I needed something safe and familiar.

  “Hell no! I don’t want anything to drink, what I want is for you to stay out of drug infested neighborhoods. Are you trying to get raped, or killed?”

  “Geez, I just ask if you wanted a drink.” I made the mistake of giggling and he came out of the chair so quickly that I almost doused myself in wine.

  “Stop it, Drake! You’re scaring me.”

  “Stop it Drake, you’re scaring me.” He mocked me, as he ran the pad of his thumb beneath my jaw line. He stared down at my trembling lip and moved in towards it, taking it between his teeth and running his tongue over it. I licked my lip at which point he then took my tongue between his teeth. His hand made its way beneath my t-shirt clamping down on the hardened pebble that cried out for his attention. He squeezed, once again to the point of pain as he began to speak—no growl—into my ear. “What I want to know is what you are doing going out to lunch with ‘Dapper Dan?’”