Chapter 3
Summer
“You’re related to Jessica in Virginia,” I say to Ben.
“Got it in one guess,” he smirks, walking over to the kitchen, opening the fridge and grabbing a beer.
He drags an old wooden chair beside me and sits down.
“When Jess found out you moved to South Carolina, she got in touch. Imagine my surprise when you were the new girl at my school. She wanted me to make your life hell, but I figured making you mine was a better plan. If I could get you to fall for me, I’d have easier access to your money. ”
“I’ll never be yours, so what’s your plan now?” I ask, dreading the answer. What are the odds? My bully from Virginia found me all the way down here. It feels like I’ll never escape my past. A chill runs down my spine as I look at Ben. No one in their right mind would kidnap someone.
“It’s twofold, Summer,” he tells me, a disturbingly excited grin spreading across his face.
How can someone look so pleased with himself but have lifeless eyes?
“You see, I need money. Jess’s dad made his last payment to my father, so when he inevitably loses his job again, we're screwed. You’ll give me enough money to start fresh somewhere.
With the settlement, you can afford to share.
I figure you can support me, including college and a place to live. ”
“You kidnapped me for money?” I just dropped from the world’s tallest rollercoaster. I’m handcuffed to a bed in the middle of nowhere over money obtained at the cost of my family’s life. Inconceivable.
“Mostly,” he shrugs, “I’m being generous, leaving you plenty to live on, but you’re forgetting something. It’s a two-part plan,” he reminds me, holding up two fingers with a disturbing smile on his face. “Want to know the second part?” He asks, draining the rest of his beer.
“Not really,” I mutter, because I know I won’t like the answer.
As I search my surroundings for anything I can use against Ben, he heads back to the kitchen.
There is absolutely nothing around me I can reach, but the bed and bedding.
I yank on the cuffs, the cool metal rubbing against my skin, but they’re tight and the hook on the wall doesn’t budge. Still, I keep pulling.
“I’ll tell you anyway,” he says, relaxing back into his chair with another beer.
“According to Jess, you resorted to sleeping with anyone for shelter, money, and even food after the accident until the settlement came in. So, I’m going to fuck you every time you refuse to give me the money.
If you truly are a slut, then you won’t mind.
If you’re not well,” he shrugs, “I’ll get creative. ”
Ben leans forward in his chair, getting closer to me.
“I really hope I have to get creative,” he says, licking his lips and leering at my body.
“I like to inflict pain when I fuck someone.” He gets a manic gleam in his eyes.
The first emotion I’ve ever seen reach his eyes, as he says, “I’m going to ruin you, Summer.
At some point, you’ll give in because you can’t take the pain anymore. ”
Tears dribble from the corner of my eyes, and my breathing becomes shallow, my body quivering as a cold sweat breaks across my skin. This guy is a sadist. He’s going to rape me and enjoy it. None of what Jessica told him is true, but pointing that out won’t help me now. What do I do?
“So, what do you think?” His eyes go blank again as he takes a sip of his second beer.
He sprawls back in his chair like we are having a casual conversation about the weather.
“It’s a win-win for me. I get to fuck you the way I want and get the money.
Great, right?” He stands, downing the rest of his drink.
“I’ll grab a few things from the car and jump in the shower.
I can’t wait to get our night started.” An unhinged laugh follows him.
Focus, Summer. Freak out later. I need to stall him and pray Zander can find me sooner rather than later. “How am I supposed to give you the money? I don’t have my phone or internet access.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got a laptop in the car set up for you.” Ben chucks his empty bottle onto the kitchen counter.
Think Summer, think. “It’s possible to trace the money,” I quickly add.
“Maybe, but I have a friend to take care of that,” he smirks, walking towards the front door.
Despair, like a suffocating blanket, envelopes me. I’ve no other ideas. “What is your plan for me after?”
“Nothing. You’ll be found eventually, but I’ll be long gone,” he says as he opens the door and walks outside.
Nick
We split up after we cross the river, checking homes and side roads. Signs of life decrease as we drive. Hours pass until we’re in the wilderness, without a car in sight, and I’m getting pissed off. No one's found the car.
Finally, I get a text with an address from Fawx. We’re closest and 20 minutes away. I text Z and E before telling Alex to follow the GPS on my phone.
The address leads us deeper into the woods, to a long dirt and gravel driveway.
I tell Alex to park just off the road, hidden from sight.
Grabbing my gun, we walk silently inside the edge of the woods along the driveway.
About a mile in, I see the Focus from the traffic cams parked in front of an old cabin. “Do we wait?” Alex whispers.
Summer’s scream reaches our ears. “No. Go around back in case there’s another door.
” Alex nods and runs through the woods. Once he’s out of sight, I quickly step onto the front porch to check the door.
It’s unlocked. Stupid asshole. I hear another scream, so I open the door quickly, using the noise to muffle the sound of the creaking hinges.
What I witness will haunt me forever. Summer is tied naked on the bed with her limbs spread as Ben leans over her with a knife. She’s already bleeding from multiple cuts, but not enough to put her life in danger. I walk quietly over to them as I holster my gun. Luckily, the floor doesn’t squeak.
Ben is so preoccupied with Summer that he doesn’t notice me. I lunge, sliding one arm around his throat and the other around his torso to pull him off the bed. Tightening, I place him in a chokehold as Alex comes in through the back door and rushes over to Summer.
Summer
They’re here. They found me. I can’t believe it.
Fear and stress lift off my shoulders like a heavy backpack being removed after a long hike.
Hot tears stream down my face as Alex pulls the rough sheet from under me and folds it gently over my naked body.
“We have you, Summer. You are going to be okay,” Alex’s mesmerizing voice whispers like a balm to my frayed nerves.
His face is pale, but his eyes are calm and focused.
A dull thud makes me whip my gaze towards Ben, who lies unconscious on the cold, hard floor.
Nick steps over his prone body to help Alex finish untying me.
A palpable aura of simmering rage radiates from him.
His jaw is clenched so tight that his teeth must be in danger of cracking.
He yanks off his t-shirt and pulls it over my head, the heat from his body clinging to the cotton, warming my shivering skin.
“Get me out of here please,” I say, my voice cracking.
“Soon, Shortie. Promise,” Nick almost growls. “Alex, pick her up gently,” he instructs. Alex carefully lifts me into his arms. I hug him, ignoring the burning cuts that feel like I was dragged through thorny bushes repeatedly.
Nick drags Ben across the floor by his leg, effortlessly picks him up, and drops him onto the bed. He uses the ropes to tie him down in the same manner Ben tied me, then motions for Alex to pass me over. “Grab the car,” he tells Alex.
Alex quickly exits through the front door as Nick drags the chair away from the bed, keeping it in view of Ben. He sits, placing me gently across his lap and cradles my head against his chest. “A few more minutes, Shortie. You holding up?”
I nod, choked up with so much relief. “Thank you for saving me.” It’s a miracle they found me before I was raped.
“Always,” he rasps out.
“Are Seb and Holly okay?” I ask.
“Fine. Chloroform. At the hospital, but not injured.” I nod as my head rests on Nick’s warm chest, waiting for Alex to return. My body trembles as tears continue to fall. I focus on the intricate ink on Nick’s upper arm to distract myself.
It seems like seconds when Alex reappears. “The car is ready,” he says, poking his head inside. “E and Bay are pulling up.”
“Take her,” Nick tells Alex. “I need to talk to Ben.” As I raise my gaze to Nick’s dark hazel eyes, I tell him to make it hurt. He nods as Alex picks me up, one arm under my butt, and takes me outside. E and Bay are rushing towards us.
“Oh, thank fuck,” Bay says, stopping beside us.
“She is hurt,” Alex tells them. “We are going to my SUV.” Both guys nod and turn back towards the vehicle. Bay opens the back door and slides in, holding out his arms for me. Alex gently transfers me to Bay, telling him to watch my injuries.
E climbs into the front passenger seat and turns around to examine me with worry on his face. “Are you really okay?” He questions.
“Yeah, mostly,” I reply as a full-body shiver takes over. I don’t voice aloud that I’m only talking physically, although I guess that’s not accurate either, because I can see my blood soaked into parts of Nick’s shirt.
“Turn up the heat, she’s shivering,” Bay tells E.
“I’m not cold,” I tell them.
“It is the adrenaline Summer,” Alex says, moving into the seat beside Bay.
I jump like a popcorn kernel in a hot pan at his voice, not realizing he's there.
He gives me an understanding smile. “I would like to check your cuts if you would allow me to take pictures before I clean them up for the police.”
“Okay,” I easily agree. Bay helps me swivel around so Alex can work. He moves my shirt up, and I hold my hand over my crotch area to keep some modesty. He snaps a few pictures of my legs, then opens a first-aid kit.