by C. M. Steele
“Mira, you’re always loud, but I like it. Now, give me a kiss.”
I open the door and smile at the two. That’s when I catch a note on Dane’s corkboard near the door. I move back inside to look at it.
Jones’s complaining about the basement. The hinge is broken on the large hidden storage area behind the bar. I told him you were out until next week on a job. -Ben
I step out with the note. I need to ask Ben about it. No one has ever complained about the work. I wonder if it’s been taken care of.
“Hey, Mira,” I greet her, grinning from ear to ear.
She narrows her eyes at me but then gives me her own smirk. “Whatever. Good morning, Brenda.”
“I would ask how you’re doing, but it’s clear you’re doing very well,” I tease her. She’s glowing. At seven months pregnant she looks so adorable. I wish I could have his baby, but I’m afraid it will never happen. I was on birth control when we first married because I had hormonal issues since I was twenty. I stopped taking them a month after we married, hoping to get pregnant, but every month my period kicks in. I had a short one about two weeks ago.
“I am. I have to get going. Let’s do lunch this weekend.”
“Okay,” I say. I’m about to deliver shitty news to Ben. I’m not sure she’s going to want to hang out on the weekend.
“Ben, are you decent?” I ask, knocking on his door.
“Come on in.” I come in with the note. “Is that your resignation?”
“What?”
“Why are you looking at me like I’m crazy? Am I wrong? Are you not considering leaving?”
“How the hell?”
“I’ve known you for six whole years. We’ve been working together for so long I can tell. Does Dane know?”
“He doesn’t, and I don’t want him to know just yet.”
“Can I read it at least?”
“Oh, this isn’t it. I found this on Dane’s board while I waited for you two to finish talking.” I wink. I can’t believe he seems so calm about it. I’ve been his right-hand woman for years.
“What is it?”
“It’s a note about Jones’s basement. Has someone else been sent?”
“No, he didn’t want anyone else to come besides Dane.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, he said he didn’t trust the guys who did the install of those pieces.”
“So he’s going to wait for Dane to come back?”
“Yes. So tell me. Why?”
“Why what?”
“You know what I’m talking about. Why are you leaving?”
“To be honest…I can’t keep watching women come in here, flirt with my husband even just to try and get a discount because I want to rip their souls out.” I’m completely serious, and Ben can see the look in my eyes is legit.
“I get it. And I’ll look for a replacement, but I don’t want you to quit. You know that right? You’re the best, and I hate to say it, but I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”
“Thanks. I’ll give you my two weeks, but I’m on a razor’s edge as it is lately, especially with that bitch Tiffany.”
“Do me a favor. Take the rest of the day off. Enjoy a relaxing day. Maybe you need a little time off, You and Dane barely took a week for your honeymoon.”
“Okay. I’ll be back tomorrow, but I’m still sticking to the two-week notice. Thanks for being so understanding.” I stand up and give him a hug then get my bag and head home. I get a text from Dane. I love you. I miss you so much.
Miss you too. Call me when you can.
I walk inside our condo and collapse onto the sofa. I didn’t realize how tired I was or how achy I’m feeling.
Three hours later, I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing. “Hello,” I mumble.
“Hey baby, did I wake you?”
“Yes, but it’s okay.”
“I called you three times but didn’t hear back from you. Ben told me he sent you home early because you weren’t feeling well.”
“Sorry, yeah. I think I’m getting sick.”
“Shit, baby. I’m actually only here until tomorrow. Ben said the guys can handle it and if they have a problem they can call.”
“Really? I’m surprised,” I say nonchalantly, then I jump up from the sofa and do a happy dance. I want him home to make me feel better.
“Yeah, well he knows that I don’t trust the owner.”
“Great. I miss you, Dane.”
“I miss you, too. I have to get back to work so I can leave as soon as possible tomorrow.”
“Have a good night. I love you.”
“I love you too. Have some soup and get some rest please.”
“I will. Have a good night. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
I woke up to a noise in the condo. I scramble out of bed and see someone standing at my bedroom door. “Get out,” I scream at the stranger.
“No,” he replies, staring me down. I shove the blanket off of me realizing I’m only wearing one of Dane’s tees and a pair of panties. Having nowhere to run, I try to grab my phone, but I don’t have time to type more than a word before I’m hit with electricity. Fuck. I didn’t get to hit send on the message before I black out.
Chapter 6
Dane
I’m running my hands through my hair, feeling completely worried. I’ve already hopped in my truck and left Angelo in charge. It’s earlier than expected, but I have to get back to Brenda. I have a strange feeling something’s not right. I called her three times before she was supposed to be at work and she didn’t answer. I didn’t get a text or anything. She should have been at work two hours ago. I called the neighbor who said her car was still there, but no one answered when she knocked.
“Call Ben,” I tell the car system.
He picks up on the first ring, but I don’t give him time to say hi. I’m in too much of a panic for it. “I can’t get a hold of Brenda.”
“What? Fuck. She’s not at work either,” Ben adds.
“What the fuck do you mean she’s not there?” My fear just went up a notch.
“She was supposed to be here, but she didn’t come in or call.”
Fuck, a million fucked up thoughts are running through my head. I have to find her well. I hope she just overslept because she’s sick and that’s it. “What and you haven’t gone over there?”
“I was about to call you to see if you heard from her when you called me. I’m on my way to the condo right now.”
“I’m on my way too.” There’s no way I’m not going to look for my wife. “She was complaining that she was sick last night.”
“Yesterday, she was a little irritable, so I sent her home. Damn, I’m outside the condo now. I’m going to get your building manager to let me in.”
“Okay. I’m going to stay on the line.”
“Hello, Mr. Carrington. Mrs. Bates says Brenda isn’t answering. Is that why you’re here?”
“Yes, I need to check on her. Can you unlock it? Dane is on the phone with me.”
“Miller, can you let Ben in. Brenda was sick last night.”
“We’re on our way up, Dane.” I hear the keys in the background, and I get more anxious by the moment. I’m still an hour away, and I feel my heart dropping as I wait. Our condo isn’t highly secure because we don’t need it where we live, but hell if I’m not regretting it.
They knock twice, but I don’t hear anything else. “We’re going in,” Ben says. A surge of adrenaline kicks in.
“Brenda, Brenda,” each man calls out, but there’s no answer. I wait for the worst news of my life. I pray my wife isn’t dead. I can hear Benedict walking around.
“I’ll check the bedroom,” Ben tells Miller. Yeah, I don’t want anyone to see my wife undressed yet I trust Ben. He’s had years to fall for Brenda and never did. I don’t know Miller like that. All I want to know is my wife safe and well. I hear several doors open.
“She’s not here, Dane,” Ben says.
“Are her things
there?”
“Everything is here. Her purse is on the counter.”
“I’m calling the cops.”
“Call me right back.” After I end the call, I try her cell again.
“Dane, the phone was under the bed.”
“Shit.”
“I’ve got the cops on the line.” Ben has both phones going.
“My assistant, Brenda Harris has gone missing. She was home last night, but now she’s not here. She didn’t show up to work, and all her things are in her condo—even her phone. She was sick last night, so she wasn’t going anywhere.”
“We’ll send someone to the condo. Do not touch anything. Please wait for the police outside the condo.”
“Okay.”
“Dane, you heard it all.”
“Yep.”
“Hold on. I’m going to switch phones. I’ll call you back. I want to check her phone before the cops get here.”
“Okay. Call me back. I’m about twenty minutes away now.”
He hangs up and calls me from his phone. “Fuck, I feel like a dick.”
Does he know where she is? “Why?”
“I feel like I should have told you sooner, but she left yesterday because she gave me her two weeks’ notice and was a little emotional.”
“She quit?” And she didn’t tell me. What the hell kind of bullshit is that? I can’t believe it. I hope she didn’t run away. I don’t understand. She was so happy when I told her I was coming home.
“Yeah. She asked me not to tell you, but I can’t hold back with her missing.” And she told him to hide it from me? Damn, I can’t believe it. She may have left me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think she would run. In fact, she didn’t seem like she had any reason to leave.”
“Is it fucking crazy that I would have rather she leave than someone take her away from me?” My heart is breaking as I try to fight the pain in my soul. Brenda’s my everything. I work hard and like crazy to make a name for myself. Ben knows that I have plans for more. I thought Brenda understood that too.
“Dane, I can’t argue on that. Let’s hope she went out for a walk and got sick and someone took her to a hospital.” I breathe hard, but I keep speeding down the road. “Holy fuck, she was in the middle of sending a text to you. It says ‘Jones.’”
Fuck no. I turn off on the next road. I know where to go.
Chapter 7
Brenda
I feel him carrying me, but I’m not fully conscious. The fucker tagged me with a taser. I need to get away from him. I know he’s going to kill me. I drag my heavy eyelids open as I feel him slide me into the back of a van. He cuffs my hand to a side of the van, then brushes his fingers across my face. “So perfect. I’m going to have so much fun with you. And no one can stop me.” I can’t hold back the urge to vomit, and I let loose, throwing up on him. “You, dumb bitch. I have to go to work. Now I’m going to have to take you home first.” I feel a stinging slap across my face.
“Asshole,” I grumble as he closes the van doors before passing back out.
I wake up as he pulls up to his driveway. Fuck, I’m so scared and wish that I told Dane that I loved him and that’s what’s wrong with me. Tears fall down the side of my face as I lay on my back. He opens the back door, and I see that I’m in his garage.
“Come on, princess. I’ve got to get ready and can’t leave you in here all day.”
He reaches to uncuff me, and when I’m free from the van, I start to fight. I’m not nearly as strong as he is, but I claw at his face. And something fucked up happens. His skin peels. I feel a shot of electricity against my skin again. This bastard, he’s trying to kill me. He should have just did it already. He carries me into the house as I barely contain the contents of my empty stomach. Vomiting acid is one of the nastiest feelings, and that’s all I have left.
“I’m thirsty and hungry.”
“Well, I’ll give you a snack, but no more food until I get home, princess. You’re going to learn to listen to me and serve me well. As soon as I saw you, I knew you were perfect. Will you fight me like the last one, or will you get to live as my personal love slave? It will all depend on you.”
Once we’re inside, I notice that he goes to the mirror and fixes his face. He’s wearing a mask. But who the hell is he?
He carries me down to the basement, I want to attack him again, but I’m not sure it’ll do any good. I have no food, and I’m on the verge of being killed with a damn taser. I see the basement we built for him. It’s superior craftsmanship and would make a magazine cover if it wasn’t a part of a crazy killer’s personal playground.
He drops me roughly on the floor. “Ahh,” I cry out. The jagoff wants me to be the weakest possible before he has his way with me.
“Oops.” He opens the hidden keg room. Damn it. That’s where he’s going to keep me? It can only fit two barrels in the space, and there’s no light in there. He specifically said no light because he wanted it to be lit only with a flashlight when needed.
He drags me to the door and pushes me in, slamming it behind me. The darkness overwhelms me, and my heart starts racing. I’m more scared than ever before. I rest my head back against the wall, then do my best to calm down. Two minutes it opens, and he throws a bag of chips and a bottle of water to me before locking me up.
“I have at least a full day before anyone comes to look for you with your husband out of town. It’s perfect. And they have no reason to look for you here.” He laughs, and his voice rings a bell. Where have I heard it before? I think about it in my dark hole. I hear the vehicle drive away, but I don’t move yet. I’m not strong, and I don’t trust this fucker to not come back right away. I eat the generic ass chips and freaking store brand water. What a douche? I can’t get some Doritos at least.
About two hours later, I’m a little more relaxed, but I feel like my air is thinning. I have to break out. I don’t know what he does for a living, but I know that he said he had to go to work.
That’s when I remember the structure of the build. The hinge is messed up. I hope he’s right. The storage wasn’t meant for a human. I’m sure I can kick the door down. I try to find the proper leverage. Once I have it, I kick the lock. It budges just a little, but not enough I do it again, but it’s still not enough. Then I remember he said one hinge was loose. I nudge the door and realize it’s the bottom hinge. A take another drink of water and then give it all I got. With one kangaroo kick, I bust the door. Yes. Thank the Lord. There’s something heavy blocking the way, but I can shimmy my way through. I look around, and the coast is clear. I can’t see outside from here, but I climb the steps.
And motherfucking hell, there’s a lock on this door, too. I need to get out of here. I head back down to see if I can find anything to break the door. Nothing. I want to try brute force, but I barely had enough for the small door.
“Shit,” I screech out. I hear a vehicle. The doorbell rings, knowing it’s not him gives me a sense of relief, but I’m not sure anyone can hear me. I shout my loudest for help. I don’t hear anything, then footsteps start approaching quickly.
“What the fuck? There’s a padlock on this door that we didn’t install.” I recognize the voice.
“Dane. Dane, I’m down here.”
“Baby, stay calm.” I hear footsteps rush away. Fear and panic do a double take. It’s like getting pulled to safety while in the water with sharks. Never knowing if you’re going to get bit at the last minute. I hear a toolbox hit the floor and seconds later the door is opened from the hinges and I’m in my husband’s arms.
“Brenda, baby. Brenda,” he chokes out, hugging me tightly to his chest.
“Sir, we need to get her out of here and to a doctor.” I’m lifted off my feet and cradled in Dane’s arms.
“Can you take the toolbox?”
“We’ll come back for it.” The cop has his gun out leading the way out. “Do you know where Mr. Jones is?”
“He said he was going to work.”
Dan
e growls out his frustrations. “You all better find him before I do.”
“The thing is, he’s not who he says he is.”
The police officer interrupts me, “I know. No one by the name of Jones’s lives here. This house is in the middle of an estate issue after the death of the owner. That’s all we know about the house.”
“There’s more. I scratched his face, and he’s wearing some sort of skin-like mask.” Both of them freeze and stare at me.
“What the fuck?” That came from the cop. He gets on his shoulder walkie and calls for backup and an ambulance. I can’t stop looking around.
“How did you find me?” I ask Dane who’s taking me to his truck.
He doesn’t answer until he sits me inside the passenger seat. “Ben went to the house and told me that your phone had Jones typed into it as a message for me, but you didn’t send.”
“Thank goodness you guys found it.”
Chapter 8
Dane
I want to take her in my arms and love her until she understands that I would move heaven and earth to keep her safe. I can’t fucking believe this would happen to us. I thought it was terrible when I thought men were looking at her to steal her from me, but now I’m on a new territorial fuck it all mode. Someone tried to permanently take her away from me.
“Tell me, are you hurt?” I ask. She looks so weak. I don’t even want to know if he did something to her sexually. I won’t be able to control myself. I’m doing my best, but the thought of someone taking her against her will burns my soul. I’m supposed to protect her and I didn’t.
“He didn’t do anything sexually yet. He admitted that was his goal, but he had to leave to work before he could attack me sexually. He tased me several times and hit me.”
When I find him, he’s a dead man. I’m getting my conceal and carry to-motherfucking-morrow.
“Brenda, where did he hurt you?” It guts me to see her weak with pain. I want to make it better. Waiting for an ambulance is a bit much. She lifts her shirt and there it is several marks from the damn electrodes. I bend down and kiss them just as the ambulance pulls up. I remember we’re not alone and I lower her shirt. I rub her arms and whisper, “I love you,” over and over again.
