Staring at the man in front of me, I was certainly confused. The khaki shorts he wore showed off his narrow, pale legs. His light blue polo shirt was neatly tucked inside his shorts with a brown belt encasing his skinny waist.
As my eyes travelled up his face, his green eyes locked on mine, but there was a void of emotion there. A cold shiver ran down my spine, but I did my best to keep it hidden. This man was clean-shaven with a slither of a nose. His jet-black hair was styled intricately and swept to the side with some sort of gel.
This man reminded me of an All American good ol’ boy, except for the eyes. The eyes were freaking me the fuck out, not to mention all the swelling around them. I didn’t know what I expected, let’s face it, I never wanted to meet face to face with this man ever, but this was not what I pictured. And it hit me. I’d seen his picture before, at my dad’s. My pulse picked up fast.
“Hi there … Gab—” he stopped, and then continued, “I mean Savannah.” I began to try to move my body, not knowing what this man was going to do to me. “Oh, come on … you’re not getting out, so stop it.” His voice was totally calm, and as much as I wanted to freak out, I knew I needed to learn as much as I could. Grams always said ‘knowledge is power.’ I willed my body to listen and calm down.
“I’ve missed you.” His voice was trying to be seductive, but I just wanted to puke. “You gonna talk to me?”
I stared into those void green eyes wishing I had some kind of superpower to read his mind. But this was the real world and that wasn’t going to happen. I also wished for magical powers to get me the fuck out of here, but that wasn’t happening either. I needed to get him talking without pissing him off.
I continued to stare at him. He knelt down in front of me landing on his knees as he looked up at me. “Come on, Savannah. Don’t you want to know why you’re here?”
I slowly nodded.
“You know I do much better with words.” His voice was stern, and I wanted to calm him.
“Yes,” I said, my voice raspy as if I’d just woken up from a really long sleep.
“I’m glad to see you talking.” He reached up and placed his hand on my knee. I breathed slowly in and out, trying like hell not to flinch or move. I didn’t want to give him any more power than what he already had. He began to slowly stroke my kneecap.
“I’ve been waiting so long to have you all alone. I know you had to get rid of the toys I sent you, but don’t worry I bought new ones. I couldn’t believe the cops came to your house and just took them. I don’t get those guys. They’re just for pleasure.”
Confusion seeped in. I began trying to piece this crazy ass puzzle together. He continued, “I saw them carry the boxes out and you looked so scared. I’m so sorry they did that to you.”
His hand moved up to my face, cupping it gently as his thumb traced my jaw. “I’m fine,” I said, my voice very quiet. If this guy was feeling sympathy for me, I was gonna use it to my advantage.
“You are gonna be better than fine now. I’m gonna make you happy. I can’t wait to show you the place that I made for us. We will be so happy here.” His hand moved down and rested on my knee again. It took all the willpower I possessed not to try and knee him, but I didn’t think it would do anything but piss him off at this stage.
“You have my books.” My voice was barely audible.
“Of course I have your books, sweetheart.” The term of endearment spread fire throughout my veins. “I have every single one. I’ve even marked all the special spots for us to try.” The fire inside was instantly frozen at those words.
Needing to get him off the subject, I asked, “Why do you have me tied up?”
“I’m not stupid, Savannah. You have to learn to like it here. The sooner you learn and guarantee me that you’re not running off, the faster you will get out of the ropes.” His voice was eerily calm as if he did this type of thing every day. I knew better than try to reassure him now, because like he said, he seemed smarter than that. “Now, do you need anything?”
What a loaded question that was … yes, a gun to blow your fucking head off. I shook my head no.
“Great.” His hands started at my knees and began sweeping up my body. The repulsion I felt was only firing my anger at this man. I didn’t move as his hand came higher and higher. Thighs … hips ... stomach. Reaching my breasts, he cupped them, squeezing gently. Closing my eyes, I tried to block him out. “Open your eyes,” he demanded.
I opened them to see his flare back at me, this time filled with lust. His hands snaked up my neck and one rested behind my back. I knew it was coming before his lips landed on mine. As much as I didn’t want to kiss him, I knew it was the only way. In no way did I fully give into it. I only gave a little and when his tongue entered my mouth, I did not reciprocate.
Pulling away, he said, “That’s okay, Savannah. We’ll get there. The fact that you actually kissed me says you want this, too.” He smiled.
I wish my hand were free, one to slap this asshole … two to wipe my fucking mouth. His kiss was filled with spit making me gag. He definitely needed kissing lessons, and I was not going to be his teacher.
“I’m gonna go get you something to eat. You need to keep up your strength.” The words came out rushed as he was out of breath from the kiss.
Him leaving the room was good. “Okay.”
“I’ll be right back.” Getting up, he headed for the door. As he opened it, I peered through trying to see where I was, but only saw a wall. When he shut the door, I began pulling on the ropes, trying to loosen them, but got nowhere. Searching around the room, nothing was visible that could help me, and the blinds were shut on the windows, so that was of no help either.
Before I knew it, the rattling of the door handle came as he walked in the room carrying a small tray. “I’m gonna feed you.” He knelt down in front of me and held up a grape.
“No, thank you.” I didn’t want to eat anything. My stomach was in knots, and I was afraid I’d puke all over the place.
“Come on. You are going to eat.” The stern voice he used earlier came back in full force. Knowing I didn’t have much of a choice, I slowly opened my mouth as he fed me the grape. I slowly chewed and swallowed.
This followed some cheese, crackers, grapes, and strawberries. “Good job, Savannah. Now you’ll have your strength.” He rose to his feet, taking the tray with him. “I’ll be right back,” he said, closing the door behind him.
Trying to come up with some kind of plan, my head began to feel foggy making it difficult to hold up. My eyes began to close on their own, even though I was forcing them to stay open. Then … blackness.
17
Deke
I couldn’t go to the station and find out what Fly was coming up with. So I chose to head to Sully’s, not that it would help, but being holed up in my office was better than searching woods that showed nothing. I knew she wasn’t there.
It’d been hours. Hours this asshole had had with her, and there was nothing I could do about it. Nothing. I couldn’t escape the loud growl that came from my body as I stood up, throwing the chair behind my desk.
“Fuck,” Ace murmured by the door.
“What?” I barked, panting from my anger.
“You just want me to handle shit tonight?”
“Yes. Don’t bother me. Even if the damn place is burning to the ground.” I stared at him in challenge.
“You got it, boss.”
I didn’t blame him for his quick exit. I am not one to be around right now. Being helpless, I’d learned, was not an emotion that I handled well at all. If anything happened to Vann, I swore to God I would kill that fucker with my bare hands.