Chapter Nine
The more we sat in silence, the more uncomfortable I grew. There was a lot to say and so much I’d been afraid to address. Sawyer was intimidating to say the least and so damn gorgeous, even when he scowled. Excusing myself was the only thing I could do. When I exited his office, Cynthia was in the ladies’ room, and she smiled when she saw me.
“I told you, girl.”
“I guess you were right. Now we’re waiting for his lawyer to show up in a few minutes.”
“Probably to go over the prenup.”
“The prenup?” I whisper to myself. Of course he’d want me to sign a prenup. Sawyer is all about making money, and I have nothing to my name. The bathroom walls seem to close all around me, the air thickening and my head feeling heavy. Escape. That’s all I can hear.
“Are you okay, Jill?” she asks, pressing her hand on my shoulder with her face suddenly inches from mine.
“Yes. I need to go.” She doesn’t ask any questions as my feet move quickly and lightly to the elevator before anyone can stop me. My body doesn’t quit moving until I hit the platform at the train station. The inside of my inner thighs rub together and begin to ache as I rush to my parents’ front door.
I’m almost there when my arm is gripped hard. Turning my head, I’m staring into the crazed eyes of Frankie Johnson. Damn, did he always look this wild? “Long time no see, Jilly Bean.”
“Don’t call me that, Frankie,” I hiss, staring at my dangerous neighbor who I’ve always kept my distance from—until today.
He drags me closer, his breath against my cheek. “What’s wrong? You too grown up for that?” The stench is enough to make me sick, but my instincts kick in and I remain in control of myself.
“No, it sounds gross coming from you. Anyway, you better let me go,” I demand, yanking at his hold, but he’s insanely strong and he only holds on harder.
“Why would I? We’ll see how much you’re worth to the Masterson boys.”
“That’s silly because I’m nothing to them.”
“No? I was listening to your parents talking about the new job and how they were sure you’d be engaged to one of them by the end of the day, and what do we have here? An expensive engagement ring.” He attempts to tug it free from my finger, but I curl my hand into a tight fist.
“Stupid bitch. I’ll get it off one way or another.” His free hand flies backward and strikes me across the face. My head spins, twisting almost like a damn owl. The ringing in my ears is so loud I almost don’t hear him. “Come on. I want to get paid, so don’t go passing out on me.”
“He’s not going to pay you. Trust me, I’m not that important to him.”
“We’ll see.” He chuckles and drags me off to his old bungalow, which has seen better days. Most of the concrete steps have deteriorated, so I stumble on them and then he rushes me into the open door. Strangely, no one else is inside. He has a family and most of the Johnsons still live here, including his abused wife.
He drags me deeper into the house until we reach the kitchen, and then I realize we’re not alone. “Another one?” her voice says, sending my morning meal upward. It was one thing when I thought she was just another domestic violence victim, but she’s complicit in his activities.
“Shut up, Sue. This one is going to give us a big paycheck.”
“Oh, yes—it’s the Mastersons’ little bitch.”
“To think I used to feel sorry for your lousy ass,” I snarl at his wife. My father tried to intervene, even getting Frank arrested and charged. She always dropped the charges because that’s what so many battered women did, and it was a vicious cycle until it either ended in violence, like Sawyer’s parents, or the victim made a safe exit.
“Don’t feel sorry for me. You’re the one going to see he doesn’t care about you once you’re spoiled.” Frank runs his hands down my arms, and I shrug my body away but it’s too late. His touch sears into my skin like a filthy brand.
He grabs the basement door and opens it, and I know my chance to get away is going to be slim because no one will hear me from down there. “Even if Sawyer doesn’t want to waste his money on me, my father will end you.”
“Jilly Bean, those words cut deep.” Sawyer’s standing at the top of the basement steps with a big handgun trained on Frank.
They both shout and in his shock, Frank releases his hold, sending me into Sawyer, but his body easily takes the hit and he slings his arm around my waist, holding me to his chest while still aiming the gun at his target. “You’re getting several spankings when we get home, Jilly Bean.”
“How did you find us?”
“What the fuck makes you think it would be difficult? If you knew I stalked my wife, then you know I had someone watching and when you took her, I was only seconds behind.”
“I didn’t do anything. I’m his victim,” his wife says, trying to move past her husband to get between Frank and the gun, creating a commotion.
“Shut up, bitch. I heard you threaten my wife.”
Frank shoves his wife into us and takes off running through the house. I push the bitch off, sending her to the floor, but she clings to my hair and takes me with her. Sawyer helps me get up, but not before I give her a swift kick in her crotch. The fucking cunt.
“What about Frankie?”
“Don’t worry about him.” We hear a loud crash in front of the house, and then I hear several other voices. Suddenly there’s movement behind us and shouting from Sue. “Let me go, you stupid fucking pig. I’m going to sue you for assault, you fucking pig.”
Her Miranda rights are being read by none other than my father.
“Let’s get you out of here and seen by a doctor.” He tucks his gun behind his back into a holster I didn’t know he carried.
“I don’t need one.” We continue toward the chaos that’s happening outside. We watch from the screen door to see two men in suits have Frank pinned to the ground.
“Just do it for me,” Sawyer insists. Several police cars pull up, so we step out onto the dilapidated porch. The ambulance slides up behind them, killing their sirens.
“Nobody move,” the officer instructs.
“She needs a medic,” Sawyer insists.
“Is there anyone else injured?”
“This asshole, but he deserves it,” the guy stepping on Frank’s back says.
“He kidnapped me, and his wife helped,” I answer, pointing to Frank. The door opens up behind us and I flinch, only to see my father step out.
“Oh, shit, Detective Krieger. We heard you called it in, but we thought it was a tip.”
“No, they attacked my little girl. Have these two booked and charged.” He ushers Sue past us with a little extra aggression, giving me a smirk and patting Sawyer on the shoulder.
“Ms. Krieger, we’ll need to speak with you.”
“Yes, Officer.” They take both of them into custody, and Sawyer holds me close.
“I was roughed up a bit, but I’m okay, Sawyer. There’s nothing for them to check out.”
“Yes, there is. You two hit the floor, and not to mention that fucker was manhandling you. I saw his fucking grip on you. There’s no way you’re not going to be seen, baby girl.” He cups my face, gently caressing it.
“Okay.” He scoops me up in his arms and carries me twenty feet to the back of the ambulance. “I can walk, you know.”
“That’s true, but I love holding you as often as I can.” He brushes his lips against mine and then sits me inside the vehicle. “Please check her out.”
“Yes, sir.” It takes about ten minutes, but after seeing a rough bruise on my face and arm, they rule that there is nothing wrong with me and let me go.
“Now, let’s speak with your parents before we can go home so that I can correct some of the thinking going on in that pretty head of yours.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The weight of the conversation doesn’t need to be had right now.
“No?”
“I don’t.”
“Sweetheart,” my mom calls out, throwing her arms around me and sobbing. “Let me see you.” She checks me over, her nursing and motherly instincts kicking into full gear.
“Mom, I’m fine. I promise.”
“I don’t care.” She hugs me so tightly I choke.
“Mrs. Krieger, she can’t breathe.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, sweetheart. Let’s go inside and we can have something to eat. I was cooking when your father disappeared.” We lock arms, and Sawyer follows behind.