UNLEASH ME, VOL. 2
BY
CHRISTINA ROSS
The Unleash Me series ends with the next book, Unleash Me, Vol. 3. With this book, we are now at just over 100,000 words between the two volumes. This series is an extension of the #1 best-selling Annihilate Me series, with more than 500,000 books sold worldwide in a matter of months. While the Unleash Me series is a completely stand-alone series of three books, readers might enjoy the series more if they also read the Annihilate Me series as it shares the same characters.
The Annihilate Me series focuses on Jennifer and Alex’s relationship.
BELOW ARE THE U.S. LINKS.
IN FRANCE, THE SERIES IS CALLED “CAPTIVE-MOI”.
IN GERMANY, THE SERIES IS CALLED “UNTER FEUER”.
ANNIHILATE ME, VOL. 1
ANNIHILATE ME, VOL. 2
ANNIHILATE ME, VOL. 3
ANNIHILATE ME, VOL. 4
ANNIHILATE ME, HOLIDAY EDITION
UNLEASH ME, VOL. 1
For my dear friends.
And my family.
And especially for my readers. Thank you for beginning a new journey with me with Lisa and Tank’s story.
Unleash Me will be told over three volumes.
Copyright and Legal Notice: This publication is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, and all rights are reserved, including resale rights.
Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if we use one of these terms. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from the author.
First ebook edition © 2014.
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to persons living or dead (unless explicitly noted) is merely coincidental. Copyright © 2014 Christina Ross. All rights reserved worldwide.
CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Books by Christina Ross
Cover Reveal for Unleash Me, Vol. 3
UNLEASH ME, VOL. 2
By
Christina Ross
CHAPTER ONE
New York City
January
As the taxi sped away from Kevin, I looked out of the rear window and gave a start. He was getting into a taxi of his own. I felt my heart leap in my chest as I saw his car launch into traffic and start to move toward us.
“He’s following us,” I said to the driver.
“The guy who tried to get into the car with you?”
“Yes. Please get away from him.”
He stepped on the gas.
“Where am I dropping you?”
“I want to go to 800 Fifth, but I don’t want him to follow me there. Do whatever you can to ditch him. He wants to hurt me.”
“Do you want me to call the police?”
I considered that. I’d already called them once tonight about Marco Boss. And what did I really have on Kevin? Nothing but a threat that only I’d heard and whatever my driver had seen. Neither were enough to do much of anything but inflame Kevin if he found out that I’d called the police on him. “Just get me home safe,” I said. “And maybe walk me to the door if you would?”
“I can do that.”
“Can you see them?”
“They’re right beside us.”
My stomach sank. I turned to my right, and saw a clear warning—Kevin’s scruffy face wearing an utter look of hatred filled the rear side window. He looked straight at me as our cars ebbed and flowed through traffic. When he gave me the finger, I sank back against my seat so he couldn’t see me, and then reached for the cell phone in my clutch. I turned it on and tapped out the number for the doorman at my building. As it rang, I leaned forward and held it up so Kevin could see the lighted screen.
Let him think that I’ve called the police, I thought as I brought the phone back to my ear.
When the doorman answered the line, I stifled my fear and said in the most controlled voice that I could manage, “George, it’s Lisa Ward. I’ll be arriving by cab in a few minutes. Would you please look for me and escort me into the building when I arrive? I’m being followed by someone who has threatened me. No, don’t call the police. Just get me inside, and I’ll go to my apartment. But if anyone gives you any trouble from that point on, then yes, call the police.”
“The light’s turning yellow,” the driver said. “I’m going to take a hard left onto Forty-Second. Buckle up now if you haven’t already.”
“I haven’t”
“Then do it, lady.”
I buckled my seatbelt just as he slammed onto Forty-Second Street. He did it so aggressively that my head knocked against the windshield, taking my breath away.
“Are you all right?”
“We Maine girls are tough.”
“You better be, because they just made the same turn. They’re behind us.”
“Keep driving,” I said. “I have plenty of money. There’s two hundred dollars in this for you if you can lose them.” I took the money out of my clutch and tossed it onto the seat next to him. “He’s insane. Just get me home safe.”
“You know I’m supposed to call the police in situations like this.”
“And a two-hundred-dollar tip doesn’t come around often. Should you need it, there’s more. I appreciate what you’re doing. I know it goes against your rules. But please don’t call anyone. It will ruin my career if you do.”
“Your career?”
“Let’s just say that I’m about to become very well known. Right now, my face owns much of Times Square.”
“Who are you?”
“Right now? A nobody. In a few days, probably somebody. At least to some. Do what you can to lose them. I’ll be grateful if you can.”
He zipped through traffic. “Who’s following you?”
“A madman.”
“You know him?”
“I used to. But now that he’s on meth? I don’t know him at all.”
“Meth?”
“That’s right. He’s out of his mind.”
“They’re two cars behind us at this point. Your luck depends on the timing of the lights.”
“And on your driving ability.”
“You’ve got luck there,” he said. “I’ve been driving in this city for twelve years.”
“If we get pulled over, I’m fully prepared to tell the police exactly what has happened. I’ll protect you. I know people who can and will protect you. Just please, help me now.”
“Who are you?” he said.
“I told you—a nobody.”
“Come on. Who are you?”
“A writer who’s about to enter the Twilight Zone.”
“Just hold on,” he said. “I’m about to bust a red light on Broadway.”
As he did, I saw cars coming at us and I heard the blaring of horns, bu
t he made it. He made the turn. I looked behind me and saw that Kevin and his car were caught at the red light. “Thank you!” I said. “We might have a chance. 800 Fifth.”
“Don’t get your hopes up, girl.”
We drove at a fast pace until we reached West Fortieth Street. There, he took another sharp turn and started to maneuver toward Fifth. I looked behind us again, but all I saw were headlights. “Are they there?”
“I’ve lost track. I don’t know.’
“Here.” I reached into my clutch and tossed what else I had on me—another two hundred dollars—into the front seat. “I hope this makes it worth your trouble.”
“Keep your money.”
“I insist.”
“So do I.” He reached for the additional two bills I’d given him, and handed them back to me. “My mother was abused. I don’t do abuse. We’ll get you home safe. We’re not far now. Just sit tight, lean back against your seat, and try not to be seen. I’ll have you there in five minutes.”
“Do you think they’re behind us?”
I saw him look in his rearview mirror. He hesitated. “I can’t tell.”
“My doorman knows that I’m on my way.”
“Did this guy have a gun?”
“I don’t know. But I doubt it. He never showed one to me.”
“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have one. Come on.”
What if he did…?
“Look, your doorman and I will get you inside,” he said. “OK? You’ll be safe. You’ll see.”
And they did.
When the driver pulled in front of my building on Fifth, he wasted no time getting me out of the car. He sprang out of his seat, met me when I opened my door, and took me by the arm. Then there was George, who quickly greeted me before they both hurried me inside.
“You’re an angel,” I said over my shoulder to the driver.
“Be safe,” he said. “Get into your apartment. Move!”
And then he was gone.
CHAPTER TWO
By the time I was safely inside the apartment I shared with Jennifer, it was just past ten-thirty, which seemed absurdly early to me given all that I’d been through. Had this evening really ended so soon—and this eventfully? What the hell? I still couldn’t believe what had transpired or how fast it had gone down.
And how much had gone wrong.
I took off my cape, tossed it onto a chair in the living room, and then sank onto one of the two sofas that overlooked the city. Jennifer and I had one of the penthouses, and from here, the view was spectacular.
Not that I gave a damn about that now. I thought about Kevin’s older sister Katie. For the two years that Kevin and I had dated, she and I had been like sisters. I hadn’t talked to her since I’d broken it off with Kevin, but it occurred to me that she might be able to answer a few critical questions. If I could somehow find her number, would she take my call now?
It’s worth a try.
I went into my bedroom, flicked my finger across my Mac’s mouse to waken the computer, and then went to Google to search for her phone number. After a few minutes, I actually found it—or, at least what I hoped was her number—and I called her. She answered on the third ring. I felt a start when I recognized her voice, and a shot of relief coursed through me.
“Hello?”
“Katie?”
She hesitated. “Who is this?”
“A blast from your past. It’s Lisa Ward.”
“It says ‘Jennifer Kent’ on my caller ID.”
“Then you know it’s me.”
I heard her take a breath. “I can’t believe it,” she said. “I haven’t heard from you in years.”
“I’m sorry it’s been so long.”
“It’s so good to hear from you!”
“I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“What does that mean? Are you all right?”
“I’m sorry to bother you with this.”
“You’re not bothering me. I haven’t heard from you since you broke up with my brother. Something’s wrong.”
“Your brother is the reason I’m calling.”
“Why would he be the reason you’re calling? He lives in New York City now. He’s been there for years. You’re in Maine. I don’t understand.”
“Actually, since May, I’ve been living in New York.”
“You live in New York?”
“Jennifer and I moved here so we could have a fresh start.”
“I hope that’s happened for both of you, because it certainly hasn’t for Kevin.”
I decided to feel her out. “What do you mean?”
When she didn’t answer, I sensed it was because she was ashamed of what had become of her brother, so I didn’t press.
“Katie, do you remember how close we once were?”
“Of course I do. You, Jennifer, and I used to do everything together. But then you disappeared when you left my brother.”
“It was no offense to you.”
“Knowing my brother as I do now? I believe that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say that it’s a long story. But I have to ask—why are you calling me at this time of night? It’s been forever, Lisa. I understand your breakup with Kevin was ugly, but I thought that you and I were close enough to overcome it.”
“I was a kid when it ended. Your brother had become abusive. And after what he did to me, I wanted no part of him or his life. I’m sorry if I hurt you, Katie. That never was my intent. But to get my head on straight, I needed to sever all ties with him.”
“Kevin hurt you?”
“He did.”
“How?”
“At first, it was verbal. Then, one night, I thought for sure that he was going to rape me.”
“Did he?”
“If he’d had the chance, he would have. On the night that I broke it off with him, we were at a motel. He was drinking. He’d been drinking regularly for a good year at that point—his older friends always got him whatever booze he wanted. And when he drank, he became verbally abusive. I couldn’t take it anymore. I told him that it was over between us. He was already drunk at that point, and he told me to take it back. If I didn’t, he said he’d rape me. I got up to leave, but he came after me. He grabbed me by the back of my hair, threw me down on the bed, and punched me in the face. It took me a minute to get my bearings, but when I did, I kneed him hard in the balls and got the hell out of there.”
“I had no idea,” she said. “And I’m so sorry. I wish I could say that I was surprised that Kevin did that to you, but I’m not. Did you know that he was charged and sentenced for rape several years ago?”
“I didn’t.”
“He spent six months in jail for it.”
“Just six months?”
“Just six months.”
“That’s all a woman is worth?”
“Apparently. Look, I don’t know why you’re calling me tonight, but my brother isn’t the person I thought he was. He’s been estranged from the family for more than four years. He’s a drunk, he’s a rapist, and he’s a drug addict. We have no way to reach him. He can’t afford his cell phone, so it was turned off a good two years ago. I think he’s living on the streets—at least that’s what he said to me the last time we talked. He’s gone from our lives. You said you were calling about him. Have you seen him?”
“I saw him tonight.”
There was a silence. “In Manhattan?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t believe it. What happened?”
I told her all of it, from meeting him when I was taking a photo of my billboard in Times Square to him coming after me in a cab.
“You’re a best-selling author?”
“Let’s discuss that another time.”
“I’m sorry—of course. You must have been terrified,” she said.
“I was. I am.”
“Was he drunk?”
“I could smell alcohol on his breath. He kept asking me
for money so he could score some meth.”
“What’s happened to him…?”
“I don’t know.”
“How did he look to you?”
“He looked like he’d aged—like he was forty. Big, bushy brown hair. Stubble on his face. He smelled like hell. And then he threatened me.”
“Threatened you how?”
I didn’t want to expose the real crime of what Kevin had done to me, but I had no choice. If anyone could help me in this situation, it was Katie. So, I came clean with her. “During our first year together, Kevin and I used to go to the Motel 6 in Bangor. That’s where we’d make love—if you can even call it that now. Unfortunately, that’s also where he took several nude photographs of me when I was asleep without my consent. According to him, he still has the photos and he’s planning on blackmailing me with them. My question to you is simple—when Kevin left Maine, did he leave with any of his possessions?”
“Not really,” she said. “I was there when he filled a suitcase with clothes, got on the bus from Bangor, and went directly to Manhattan.”
“Did he leave behind a computer?”
“Actually, he did.”
“The photos he took of me were digital. I think he took them on his iPhone. I’m wondering if he loaded them onto his computer, and if there’s any way you could find out.”
“My parents cleared out his room years ago. They were hurt by his treatment of them—then angry when he refused to seek help. I think his problems go beyond the booze and the meth, Lisa. I think Kevin is mentally ill. To what degree, I don’t know. But it goes way deeper than any of his addictions. I think he’s dangerous. You need to be careful with him.”
“I remember that iPhone,” I said. “He had the first version when it came out.”
“He did. And unless he’s tossed it out or sold it to buy drugs, then he still has it. The photos might be on his phone.”
“Did your parents throw out everything?”
Unleash Me, Vol. 2 (Unleash Me, Annihilate Me Series) Page 1
