“Stop! What’s going on? Where are we?” she screamed wildly.
“You’re in hell. And the only way you are leaving is with me. So how about you shut the fuck up and get your ass inside,” Trevor growled.
“Watch it,” a new voice called out in warning.
McKenna’s eyes flew towards the open door and she saw Trevor’s Uncle Bobby waiting for them.
“Just get the bitch inside,” Bobby spat.
McKenna had no idea what was happening, but she did realize if she went inside that trailer, there was a very good chance she wouldn’t be coming out alive. The terrifying realization was enough to shatter through her panic and she started to fight. Scratching, screaming, clawing, and kicking—McKenna was determined to survive. Where were the other people? They have to hear me. They have to see this and know something terrible is happening. Why isn’t anyone helping me?
Trevor fought back. One of his punches landed square in the middle of her gut and another against her jaw. Although in reality the altercation could have only lasted less than a minute, it felt like lifetime to McKenna. Bobby came up from behind and reached for wrists. Trevor reached for her feet and they carried her up the stairs, while she twisted every which way and bellowed.
“Jesus fucking Christ, how many times have I warned you about damaging the goods?” Bobby grunted as they dropped her on an old, plaid-covered sofa that reeked of animal urine.
The front door of freedom was still open and McKenna was just about to vault towards it when Bobby pulled out a gun and cocked the trigger. “Probably not a good idea,” he slowly drawled.
Trevor hunched down in front of her. “What’s your fucking problem?” he growled. His eyes then turned gentle as he reached for her hands. “I thought you loved me. You said you would do anything for us to be together.”
His abrupt personality change sent her mind reeling so she didn’t notice the pair of handcuffs he pulled out of his pocket until he snapped one around her wrist.
“What are you doing?” McKenna cried.
Trevor laughed cruelly as he locked the other cuff onto a wall brace. “There’s been a slight change of plans. Normally, I don’t go to this much trouble, but when you admitted that your brother or father or whatever the fuck you want to call him is a billionaire, I realized I found myself a goddamn gold mine.”
He quickly stood up and glanced over at Bobby. “Any news yet?”
Bobby shook his head in denial and said gruffly, “Nope.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Trevor gritted through his teeth. “We’ve been gone three fucking days. Jesus Christ,” he groaned. “You weren’t fucking teasing when you said your family didn’t want you, McKenna. Those fucking queer ass shits haven’t even filed a missing person report.”
“What are you talking about?” McKenna howled. “What do you want with me?”
Trevor sat down beside her on the sofa. “Remember all those nights you begged me to make love to you? Well, you’re going to get fucked all right—it just isn’t going to be by me.”
“Everything you ever said to me has been a lie,” McKenna whimpered as her heart shattered into a million pieces.
“Not everything,” Trevor corrected. “My old man was a snitch, and he did sell me out. That kind of thing makes a man grow cold. Several years ago, I decided to branch out. All that peddly-ass drug running bullshit wasn’t getting me anywhere. Too many birds on that tree. I discovered there is a market for girls like you—pretty-faced virgins. You’d be surprised what some men are willing to pay to pop cherries,” he said as he ran a hand up her thigh.
McKenna tried to pull out of reach and Trevor laughed in her face.
“Don’t worry, doll face. You’re virginity is safe from me. Ain’t no pussy in the world worth a million dollars. That was my top bid,” Trevor boasted. “But I suspect you’ll go for higher. I would probably get even more if your family wasn’t a bunch of cheap bastards.”
“They’ll find me,” McKenna whimpered.
Trevor suddenly stood and waved his arms angrily. “Who are you fucking kidding? They aren’t even looking for you. They fucking hate you because you are nothing but a waste-of-air, whiny-ass cunt. Hell, I probably even did them a favor.”
“That’s not true,” McKenna cried.
“Go on and keep telling yourself that,” Trevor smirked. Turning away, he looked over at Bobby and then asked, “Any prospects?”
“I dunno, maybe,” Bobby said warily.
“What the hell does that mean?” Trevor snapped.
“It means we caught a fish, but I’m a little concerned with the terms.”
“How much? And what are the terms?”
“Five million,” Bobby stated flatly.
“Five fucking million. Jesus Christ,” Trevor declared as he spun around to look at her. “Can you believe that? Some sorry-ass motherfucker is willing to pay five-fucking-million dollars to get inside your panties. He would shit himself if he knew you wanted to give it to me for free. You had best be the greatest fuck of his life or he is bound to be disappointed.”
“Oh God,” McKenna sobbed. “What happens then?”
“If he’s disappointed?” Trevor questioned. “Hell, I don’t know, but if it were me and I just threw away that amount of money and you didn’t send me straight to the fucking moon, I would slit your goddamn throat. Fuck, for all we know, that may be what he wants to do anyway.”
“There’s always a chance her family will pay more. Maybe we should contact them,” Bobby said.
“They haven’t even filed a fucking police report,” Trevor hissed. “Hell, I was stuck in a fucking car with that bitch for three days, and I can see why they wouldn’t want her back. I don’t want to risk it for nothing—not when we have a solid bid.”
“You haven’t even heard the terms,” Bobby shouted.
“Fuck the goddamn terms. I’ll march the bitch up and down the goddamn street collared and leashed if that is what the motherfucker wants. It’s five-million dollars.”
“He wants the transport done over international waters,” Bobby said.
“Then arrange the goddamn transport. What is your fucking deal? Have you turned pussy or what?”
“I’ve just got a bad feeling about this,” Bobby admitted. “Her picture was only on the site for less than an hour when he made his bid. It was like he was looking for her or something. And then there was all this shit about precise nautical miles. What the fuck is that about?”
Trevor shrugged indifferently. “Sounds to me like he is just some lonely, desperate fucker that wants to cover his ass. Just arrange the goddamn transport or get your ass out.”
Chapter 24
Bound and gagged, the wind whipped McKenna long, platinum locks of hair in her face as the speedboat flew across the midnight sea. Only a little over a week ago, she ran away from everyone she loved and was now on the way to her death—unless some reclusive guardian angel planned on a last-minute rescue mission. Certainly, her family wasn’t looking for her, as Trevor reminded her every day.
Perhaps once this stranger was finished stealing her virginity, he would take pity on her and let her leave? It was her only hope, but McKenna had serious doubts. The very worst of Trevor’s many abuses was that he had stolen her faith and hope so completely.
The past five days had been pure torture. Trevor had felt the handcuffs weren’t enough to detain her so either he or Bobby watched over her constantly with the ever-present pistol within arm’s reach. She wasn’t even allowed to use the toilet in private. And showers were nonexistent until this afternoon when Trevor threatened to bash in her skull if she didn’t doll herself up after he tossed a discount-department store version of a prom dress at her.
As she stared down at the sequined nightmare laying in her lap, McKenna finally realized this was really happening. In her heart of hearts, she desperately clung to the belief that her family would find her. Surely, they had to be looking for her, despite his cruel tau
nts. They did love her. They did want her to come home. She wasn’t just a piece of trash better off gone.
In the distance, she spotted a flickering light upon the water. As they approached, the outline of decent-sized yacht came into view. Whoever had bought her was a wealthy man, a powerful man—then again, he had to be to spend five-million dollars for a single night of pleasure.
The driver of the boat looped around the yacht. When McKenna spotted the stranger, her heart pounded with terror. Wearing a designer suit, he held onto the railing and stared down impatiently as they tethered the line. The man was as massive as a mountain. Although not precisely handsome, had they met under different circumstances, McKenna was certain he wouldn’t frighten her so until she saw his eyes—pale-colored, void, and lifeless. She knew beyond a shadow of doubt that her pleas for life would fall on deaf ears.
“Why is she restrained?” he yelled out with a thick accent that she didn’t recognize. Eastern European, Russian, maybe?
“Untie her,” he growled.
Trevor pulled out a switchblade from his pocket and quickly cut the thick ropes from her wrist, clearly just as unnerved by the strange man as she was. Maybe not exactly as unnerved, as he wasn’t the one who was about to be fucked and then dumped into the ocean.
When her hands were released, the man leaned over railing and waved his hand forward. “Come,” he demanded.
McKenna looked back one last time at Trevor. If there was ever a time for him to remember his soul, now would be it, but instead, he shoved her towards the ladder. Tears blurred her vision and burnt the back of her throat. She started to whimper but gagged instead because of the cloth that had been stuffed into her mouth. She had only climbed the first two steps when she felt a pair of strong hands wrap around her waist and hoist her aboard.
For several long moments, he stood silently, staring down at her, until he finally reached down to wipe her tears. His touch was so surprisingly gentle that it only made McKenna cry more. After spending the last several days being pinched, poked, and shoved every which way, she almost forgot how a real human felt. He made quick work of the rope, pulled the cloth out of her mouth, and then tenderly massaged her stiff jaw. Watching her intently the entire time, McKenna saw a flash of something in his eyes, but it was gone as soon as it had come. Then he suddenly roared, “Do you have any idea who you brought me tonight? This child is royalty. Her mother is a queen. How dare you treat her so disrespectfully?”
What? He knew Mommy? McKenna was almost afraid to believe, to hope, that this man with the strange, soulless eyes would be her salvation.
“Come aboard and have a drink with me,” he demanded.
“That isn’t how this is going to work. I gave you the girl—now hand over the fucking money,” Trevor answered.
The stranger moved with such lightning-quick speed that McKenna heard the thundering blast of the pistol before she saw him pull it out from the holster that was concealed underneath his suit jacket. His aim proved to be both lethal and precise as he fired between where Trevor and Bobby where standing. With horror, she gasped as she saw the now-lifeless body of the speedboat driver slumped over the steering wheel.
“I insist,” he retorted blandly as he tucked his gun back in place.
Neither Trevor nor Bobby appeared to be comfortable with this turn of events, but both of them seemed to realize that if they didn’t do as they were asked, they would share a similar fate with the dead man. Although they were both carrying guns and knives, the man they faced was faster, stronger, and more fearless.
The man led McKenna with his hand on her back into an elongated room that had been tastefully decorated with a long sofa couch and several stuffed chairs. Music was softly playing from the sound system. It was a classical piece that she did not recognize, yet it wasn’t a relaxing number. It was more of a mad frenzy that played havoc on her already-shot nerves.
“Sit,” he said quietly as he motioned towards the sofa. Then he walked over to the bar and proceeded to pour three shot glasses full of a clear, alcohol drink.
“You as well,” he said absentmindedly as he waved at Trevor and Bobby. “Make yourselves comfortable.”
He handed them their drinks but remained standing as he and the two other men threw back the shots.
“Damn,” Bobby muttered harshly.
The man chuckled quietly. “That is some of the finest Russian vodka on this planet. Would you care for another?”
“Look, we had our fucking drink. Now just give us the money,” Trevor snapped.
“Did you have other plans for the evening?”
“What?” Trevor growled.
“You seem to be in a hurry. I thought maybe you had something to rush off to,” the stranger replied as he took off his jacket and draped it carefully over a chair. Next, he unbuckled his holster and placed it on the empty chair beside Trevor. Finally, he slowly began to unbutton his shirt.
McKenna watched with dismay. She had no idea what he was thinking but assumed he was planning to do the deed right there in front of them. Perhaps once he was finished, he planned to kill them all. Strangely, the thought that they would die right alongside her brought her some measure of comfort.
“I am an artist by trade,” the stranger finally explained as he stripped away his shirt.
McKenna’s eyes grew as wide as saucers. He was standing with his back to her and the broad, muscular expanse was covered with hundreds of inked markings. They trailed over his shoulders and down both arms.
“I become quite attached to work. Each one becomes a piece of my soul, and so I leave a mark to remind me of the beauty,” he explained as he turned to the side.
McKenna discovered that his front side was just as decorated, except for oval section of skin on his left breast that was bare.
“This,” he explained as he touched the unadorned piece of flesh, “is reserved for the queen of my heart. She is here now. Would you like to meet her?”
McKenna quickly looked around the room until her eyes settled on Trevor and Bobby. She noticed that they were sitting with an odd posture and that Trevor’s left hand was twitching.
“Come out, my queen. I assure you it is safe,” the stranger called out.
The moment Hannah strolled through the doorway, McKenna jumped up and flew into her arms. She began sobbing hysterically.
“Shh,” Hannah softly cooed as she stroked her hair. “Everything is all right, baby. We’re going home.”
“How does my queen wish for them to die?”
Hannah glanced over McKenna’s shoulder. Her eyes narrowed to lethal slits. “Slowly,” she pronounced.
McKenna dared to look up one last time. She saw the man standing with his hand covering his mouth and then heard him say, “You move me as no other ever has or ever will again.”
He turned back towards Trevor and Bobby and explained, “I must show my guests out… No, no, no, don’t try to fight it. It will only make it worse. I gave you a purified neuromuscular inhibitor. Fortunately, I’ve built up a tolerance for it, but you won’t be going anywhere, ever again. It is a great honor I bestow upon you—to become one of my masterpieces. In time, I hope you will cherish it as much as I do.”
McKenna left with Hannah without a second glance and discovered that another speedboat had arrived to take them back to shore. The man stood at the railing, watching their every move.
After they were settled, he said, “You stole my heart long ago. Do not force me to take it back.”
Hannah kept her features blank. “I will be in New York in a week.”
Once the yacht was no longer in sight, McKenna whispered, “Who was that man, Mommy?”
“He’s a very tortured soul, but don’t worry about him. You will never have to see him again.”
Chapter 25
Hannah cuddled with McKenna in her bed. Considering all her daughter had endured, and how graphic the news was these days, she thought about turning off the television but this particular piece had capture
d her attention. She thought it might be good for McKenna as well.
Last night, the clubhouse of the outlaw motorcycle gang, Devil’s Kin, was destroyed by a fire, killing at least thirty-three members and seriously injuring another fourteen. Authorities are saying they believe this was act of arson, possibly retaliatory in nature, but they have not released any suspects. The President of the gang, Earl Joints, was found dead on the scene by what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound…
Hannah reached for the remote and turned off the television set. “It’s over,” she whispered into McKenna’s ear.
“No, it’s not,” McKenna cried as she rolled over to look into Hannah’s eye. “Please,” she sobbed. “Please, please, please do not leave me and go see that man.”
“Shh,” Hannah whispered. “We’ve already discussed this. I told you I have to go. And we can’t talk about it with your mother because she wouldn’t understand. But one day—you will. When you have children of your own, you will understand that there is nothing a mother will not do to keep them safe. Besides, while I am away, your mother, Kenyon, Sam, Kate, and Abigail will all be here with you.”
Hannah arrived on time because Dmitri wasn’t the kind of man you kept waiting. It wasn’t their first rendezvous at this hotel, but she certainly hoped it would be their last. There had only ever been two people that she had willingly allowed to touch her naked flesh—Willow and him. He was no stranger and knew exactly what she was, but it didn’t give her any comfort. Every fiber of her being convulsed with revulsion at the thought of any other hands on her skin but Willow’s, but it was as she told McKenna—for your children, you would do anything.
He was waiting for her, wearing only his pants and socks. He was, no doubt, not trying to impress her with his prowess but instead with his art. On some instinctual level, it worked—cruel hands mold cruel minds.
“Hello, darling,” Hannah said quietly.
“My queen,” Dmitri said formerly and bowed his head. “I did as you instructed,” he said, handing over a packet of eight-by-ten photographs.
Baby Bitch (Bitches and Queens) Page 13
