by Lisa Gerkey
I tug and twist my hands and wrists to loosen the cord. I’m rubbing my skin raw, but I can’t let the pain stop me. I pull as hard as I can until I feel it slip. A few more times and my hands are free. The first thing I do is rip the tape away that’s covering my mouth, and then I tear away the rest of my bindings.
“Lindsey! I know you can hear me. Listen to me. We have to get out of here. I don’t know where Jayson and Danny went, but I’m sure they’ll come back soon. I don’t want to leave without you. Please.”
My chest aches when I look at her. The poor girl has been put through hell. It’s evident from looking at her battered body. It makes my stomach weak to look at her, but I don’t have time to let it slow me down. I get to work untying her and removing the tape from her mouth. Once that’s done, I get up and scour the place for clothes, anything I can use to cover her body. I’m not much better in only a bra and a scrap of silk between my legs, but I’ll worry about me later. I locate the jacket and shorts I had on when Danny and Jayson brought me here.
“Come on, Lindsey. Let me help you get these on. We have to hurry. Do you understand me?”
“I…I can’t. Who are you?” Her voice is weak, and she rolls herself into a protective ball to get away from me.
“My name is Kennedy. Do you remember Jaycee Jennings? She’s my sister. I talked to your grandma and Lucas. They’re worried about you, Lindsey. Everyone is so worried. Please. I know you’re hurt, and you don’t think you can, but you need to try. We have to save ourselves.”
I know we’re fucked. Before I accomplish anything with Lindsey, I hear the door creak above us and footsteps pounding down the stairs. It’s too late to claim the spot where they left me, so rather than hunker down with fear, I stand up, ready to fight our captors.
“Well, well, look at this shit. Think you can outsmart us, huh, sweet cheeks?” Jayson looks from me to Lindsey. “Trying to steal my girl away from me? Nah, Lindsey ain’t going anywhere. I worked too damn hard to get her back.”
“This is going to end, Jayson. You know that, don’t you? You’ve been lucky, but sooner or later, your time is going to run out. You could do the right thing just once in your life and let us go.”
He throws his head back and laughs. I’ll never get used to the sound he makes. He cackles like a deranged idiot.
“The only thing that’s going to end is you, doll face. Boss lady might let you live long enough to see your fuck buddy walk down the aisle if you behave yourself.”
“You’re crazy! All of you are fucking crazy! Josh loves me. He won’t marry Staci. He doesn’t want her.”
“We’re going to convince him otherwise.”
Danny stays several steps back while Jayson and I have our exchange. He doesn’t get involved until Jayson motions for him. I see what he pulls from his pocket.
“No! No drugs. I can’t. I don’t do that anymore.”
My heart rate spikes. I step from one foot to the other. Seeing the needle and vile of liquid, the old me comes back. This mess would be so much easier for me to handle if I had just a little… When this is all over, I can stop again. I did it before. Josh will help me. He said he’d always help me.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. You want it, don’t you, Kennedy? Just like old times, huh? Tit for tat. We give you what you want, and you give us what the boss lady wants…”
Jayson wraps his arms around me from behind so I can’t move, and he forces my arm out so Danny can do the rest. When he’s done, he tosses the empty syringe to the floor.
Tears slide down my cheeks. What have I done?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Josh
“I don’t know what kind of goddamn scheme you’ve cooked up, but I’ll not be a part of it.”
They’re holding me captive in my own fucking apartment. I’ve heard bits and pieces when Paula talks on the phone or when she gives her sidekicks orders. I still don’t have a clear picture of what’s going on.
“You’re getting married, Joshua. That’s why we’re in Nashville. Staci’s going to pop out a bouncing baby boy in a few months. That’s when you’ll claim your share of the Reynold’s fortune. Didn’t dear old Dad tell you that? You’re the chosen one, Joshua. Apparently, Nathaniel and Matthew saw something in you when you were a child. They thought you’d be the most likely Reynolds heir to carry on the good family name. The money should be mine. In fact, it will be mine.”
Does this crazy bitch think I’ll go along with her fucked up plan? What planet is she from?
“I’m in love with Kennedy, Paula! When the baby is born, I’ll do my part, and I’ll be a good father, but I won’t be marrying Staci.”
“What if I tell you there’s no other choice? Unless of course, you want something terrible to happen to your precious Kennedy, or to Grandpa. He’s getting old. Probably ready to kick the bucket any day now, but we can speed up the process if you don’t do this for me. Hell, once I get my hands on that money, I couldn’t care less where you end up, but you will be there when Staci walks down that aisle, and you’ll convince everyone she’s the love of your life until then.”
Paula has four big ass bastards standing guard. They’re all armed with weapons. They took my phone away first thing; probably left it back in Kentucky so it wouldn’t be traced here. As far as I know, everyone is still in Bowling Green. Jaycee’s in Tennessee, but I can’t bother her even if I could find a way to reach out to her. I could never put her in harm’s way. Grant would kill me if anything happened to her.
“Where’s Kennedy? I know you can answer that.”
“We should have an update soon. If you fail to follow orders, it doesn’t matter. Kennedy dies, Matthew dies. No one is safe, Joshua, not if you don’t do this for me. Jeffrey, your father… There’s a long list I can go after. I have the influence, many powerful people working for me. No one will trace anything back to me. Malcolm wasn’t so careful. He trusted Jayson with too much of the business, and those god-awful women he let work for him, but Malcolm is no longer in charge of the business. I am.”
Why am I only now learning so much about Paula? I knew from things my father’s said through the years that she was messed up with sick people, but how did I not know she’s connected to Malcolm Phoenix? Perhaps, Dad believed if he kept us in the dark, it offered some sort of protection to Jeff and me, but damn, knowing things before could’ve prevented a lot of shit that’s happened.
Dad always said Paula is dangerous. He wasn’t wrong.
“What makes you so sure Staci still wants to get married? For all I know, she’s moved on with someone else.”
“Staci does what her father wants. I’m terrific friends with Edward Cline. He’s been a business associate for years. I trust him to make sure Staci doesn’t back out of our agreement. She’s getting a fair payout from the settlement when it’s all said and done. The only requirements are that you shall be married and have a son. We just have to wait until the little bastard gets here.”
Confused more than ever, I shake my head. Nothing makes sense. The web she spins gets more complicated and mysterious.
“Are you telling me that you’ve been in on this with Staci all along? She fucking drugged me that night, didn’t she? That’s why I don’t remember anything. Is that how she got pregnant?”
“I don’t know who the baby daddy is. I don’t care as long as we make this work. It was supposed to be you, but Staci had a few little indiscretions after I put the damn ring on her finger.”
“You gave her the ring? She convinced me I bought it off of someone in the club that night. The money I paid for the ring was missing from my bank account, so I just assumed…”
“Such a gullible fool you are, Joshua. Just like Clayton. He was so easy back then. It took a while to get my hands his family’s money. He didn’t see it coming. Poor bastard was too busy being in love. You know, he really cared about you two little rodents when you were born? Such a shame he ruined his life the way he did with the whiskey and the women
after I left.”
Furious, I stand up from the couch. Two guards step between us. “You fucking ruined his life! He tried. He did a lousy job, but at least he fucking tried to do something. You’re evil, Paula. You’re fucking sick.”
She picks her phone up when it buzzes on the table, a satisfied smirk on her face as she looks at the screen. “Looks like we have an update on your little whore.” She spins the phone around so I can see.
My heart shatters when I watch. Much like the event I interrupted in the alley that night. Red lipstick is smeared across her face. Her head flops from side to side. I can’t see his face, but her cheek is resting near a man’s crotch. He takes a handful of her hair and pulls her closer as he guides his dick with the other hand.
“Stop! You did this! You fucking drugged her. Kennedy was getting better. She didn’t need the drugs anymore…”
Everything I say is a lie. I let the words die on my lips. She’s won. Paula’s fucking won.
“For whatever reason, I know you love her. You either do what I want, or the next video you see will be when Jayson slits her ugly little throat. She’s useless to us now. Since you’re my son, I’m willing to let her live a while longer. When I’m long gone, maybe you can save her again. The only way you’ll have the chance is if you marry Staci. Do we have a deal?”
Bile rises in my throat. I can’t focus on anything the bitch is saying, not when I have the awful image of Kennedy in my head. I know these assholes are responsible, but can I forget what I just saw?
I did before. But, that was before I fell in love with her. Before I’d been inside her. Fuck. I feel like I’m free falling into a dark pit of hell with no way out.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kennedy
“Wake up, Kennedy.”
Lindsey strokes my hair. After everything she’s been through, how is she the strong one now? I want to keep my eyes closed, pretend I don’t hear. I haven’t heard Jayson or Danny, so I assume it’s just the two of us again. Even though they forced me, I’m ashamed of what I did before I passed out. I don’t even know how long I slept.
The drugs, the sex, I thought I’d left all that behind me. I swore I wouldn’t do anything or risk ruining my relationship with Josh. I didn’t keep my promise. Can he forgive me? He’s a good man, but I don’t know if even he is that good. I don’t think I could forgive him if he slept with Staci again. It would break my heart in two.
“Do they ever bring food?” My stomach growls loudly. I don’t know when I last eat.
“They brought a sandwich once. I know. I’m hungry, too. We’re going to die, aren’t we?”
“No. We can’t think that. We can’t give up, Lindsey. Someone will find us. They have to. The preacher lives beside the church. Surely he’ll notice the traffic. Maybe he’ll find us, or he’ll call the police.”
“He won’t find us, Kennedy. I think he’s dead. I heard Jayson and the other guy talking. He tried to stop them from coming to the church the same day they brought you here.”
Josh will be heartbroken. He just learned Matthew is his grandfather. He was so happy they connected. They have a lot in common. I hope Lindsey’s wrong. Jayson doesn’t always get the job done. I’m living proof of that. Maybe someone found the old man in time to save him. I hope…
Neither Lindsey nor I mention the drugs Jayson and Danny gave me. We don’t talk about anything that happened while I was under the influence. Perhaps she’s been through this enough she understands it isn’t something to bring up now. I wish I could wipe the whole thing from my memory. Bits of it are fuzzy, but I remember enough. Too much.
I fight the need to beg for more drugs. While last night’s events were disgusting, the fact that the drugs allowed me to escape for a few hours, didn’t go unnoticed. The only problem is I’m forced to face reality without them now.
I huddle closer to Lindsey when I hear the familiar sound of someone coming down the stairs. I can’t mentally or physically handle much more. I lived like this for years and somehow got through it, but Josh made me see there’s another life out there. I had only a small taste, but I want more. I want Josh. I love him. Please, God, please let Josh find me before it’s too late.
“Okay, ladies, we have a few people nosing around here. Boss lady wants to move to another location. I can’t wait to get this shit all taken care of so I can take Lindsey and get the hell away from here. You’re a pain in my ass right now, you know that, sweet cheeks.” Jayson nudges my side with the toe of his boot, hard enough it hurts. I wrap my arms tight and shrink away from him.
Another man speaks, letting me know Jayson isn’t alone, and Danny doesn’t appear to be around. “We need to get them to the van. Pete’s watching the road so he’ll let us know if he sees anything. We need to hurry.”
Jayson throws some clothes on top of Lindsey and me. “You think you two can get on your feet and get dressed. I have no problem taking your asses out of here naked. In fact, try anything stupid, and that’s how it’ll go down. Understand?” He bends over and grips a handful of my hair tight to pull my head around, forcing me to look at him.
“Please, Jayson. Leave us here. Just go somewhere and hide. I’d rather die alone here than have any part in whatever sick, twisted scheme is going on. What does that woman have to do with all this?”
“Paula? You know she’s your boyfriend’s mommy, right? Paula is my aunt, sweet cheeks. Or, was my aunt. I’m not really sure about their status now that Uncle is in prison. Paula runs the show now. At least she thinks she runs everything. I’m just biding my time until I can have it all for myself. I told you before…I’m going to make my uncle proud of me.”
“Where’s…where is Josh? I know he’s looking for me. He’s going to find me, Jayson. He’ll kill you if he gets his hands on you…”
“Shut the fuck up! You want to know what your boyfriends doing? Huh? He forgot all about you. Decided he couldn’t handle seeing you fucked up on drugs again and sucking another man’s cock. We showed him everything. Yeah, sweet cheeks, we sent him a video of you slobbering all over Danny’s dick. Your boy ran back to his fiancé. Guess he wanted a real woman.”
“No!” I scream and throw my arms out to hit him, but Jayson’s quicker. He punches my stomach hard.
“Put the damn clothes on! Help Lindsey get dressed, too. Now!”
Jayson stomps to stand a few feet away. I forget about him while I slide on the oversized t-shirt and the sweatpants. When I’m dressed, I turn to Lindsey. Her eyes are open, so I know she witnessed my exchange with Jayson. I should try to be more like her and keep my mouth shut. If I’d stayed quiet, maybe my chest wouldn’t feel so empty right now.
I know Jayson is lying. He has to be. There’s no way Josh is with Staci. He promised.
After being locked in the basement so long, I’ve lost all sense of time. I’m surprised it’s dark outside when the men haul Lindsey and me to the van parked behind the church.
I can’t see what’s going on, but I hear Jayson’s loud grunt, and Lindsey screams out painfully. I fight against the man holding me to see what’s going on. “Keep moving, or you’re going to get what your friend’s getting.”
Lindsey cries out over and over. Jayson’s probably beating her. I’m sure she saw the opportunity and tried to get away.
I don’t think we’ll ever be free from the sick bastards.
The man holding me opens the back door and lifts me inside the van. Jayson’s right behind him with a limp and unconscious Lindsey in his arms. He tosses her inside and climbs in with us.
“What have you done, Jayson?”
I try to move closer to get a better look at the damage he’s done to her, but he shoves me back hard, causing my head to hit hard against the side.
“Shut the fuck up! I didn’t want to fucking hurt her, but I can’t let her get away from me again. She will listen to me and stay alive, or I fucking kill her. The same thing goes for you!”
“Were you born evil or did it just happ
en, Jayson? I don’t understand how someone can be so cruel.”
“Fucking bitch!”
I scream when Jayson leaps on top of me and starts hitting me. Over and over, he pounds my body. He wraps his fingers wrap around my neck, reminding me of another time. I start to count…one, two, three…
Only this time I don’t get far.
The van swerves, tossing us all against one side. I hear the sound of metal crunching and glass breaking. I smell smoke, something burning…
***
Something beeps, over and over. The noise makes my head hurt. I try to open my eyes. The light’s so bright it takes several attempts before I can see anything.
Everything hurts.
I lift my hand and look at the IV attached. Both my arms are scratched and bruised. My stomach feels like a boulder crashed into it.
Crash. Oh, my God. I feel around on the side of the bed until I find the button that works to raise my head higher so I can look around. I’m alone in the tiny hospital room. How did I get here? Someone must have found us after the wreck. Lindsey. I need to find her… find out if she’s alive. I push the button to call a nurse.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Josh
“What the hell’s wrong with you, Josh? For fuck’s sake, you’d better start talking to me, or I’m going to kick your goddamn ass myself! This doesn’t make any sense!”
I spin around to look at my best friend. I pretend. There’s no way I can look her in the damn eye.
“She made her choice, Jaycee. I tried. I gave it everything I had, but it wasn’t enough. I’ll never be enough for her. She needs the drugs more than me. I can’t compete. It’s over. I’m going to do the right thing for my son. Staci and I are getting married. Leave it alone. I know Kennedy’s your sister, and you want to save her, but you can’t. No one can.”
The last part isn’t a lie. I’m trying my goddamn hardest not to break and let the wrong thing slip. I’m a part of the fucking scheme my mother’s cooked up, and whether I like it or not, I have to play the role.
