EMMA

He had guards bring up a small bistro table and chairs, placing them on the balcony. The drinks are served out there. His knees rub against my leg, and I tighten my muscles to keep from shivering. His fingers dance along my arm. I swallow the bite of stuffed tomato and tzatziki, the rich, tangy flavors turning to dust in my mouth. I fight, stifling the urge to throw up. How could I have felt sympathy for this man? His childhood had turned him into a monster, one that couldn't be redeemed.

He is talking, but my mind is racing. Terror is my constant friend now. I try to smile at him, to appease him, but it doesn't reach my eyes. He reaches for my hand, and I try to pull back quickly. His eyes narrow as his hand shoots out, connecting with my cheek right below my eye before his fingers close around mine in a bone-crushing grip. I cry out, wincing at the pain.

His hold loosens, and I hear the words that make my heart sink. "Why do you make me hurt you?" I know that question will be repeated until he kills me. How many times did Sally hear those words before her man broke her bones and bruised her skin? Sally's eyes, filled with defeat and hopelessness, flash in my mind.

I remember reading an article that said abusers were often like Jekyll and Hyde, but as Arias rubs my hand gently and speaks to me in a soft voice, I think he is like Bruce Banner and the Hulk. Bruce is currently talking to me about our life and how wonderful it will be, just moments after the Hulk almost broke my hand. He is more than human, he is stronger with at least one power that I'm aware of.

I find myself saying, "Sorry." I hate myself for that word. His finger comes under my chin, bringing my gaze to his. His smile is breathtaking. I don't resist as he moves closer, my only thought is survival. Aislin survived. I can survive. His lips are hot on mine. I can't help but think if I was somewhere else, I would admit he is a very good kisser. He applies pressure, he wants entry. I open my lips, and he deepens the kiss. Groaning, he pulls me closer and deepens the kiss more. He finally breaks away, drawing in a deep breath.

"You see, my love. It will be so wonderful between us." Either he doesn't notice my revulsion, or he chooses to ignore it. He pulls me to my feet, leading me inside. I know what comes next. I don't know how I'm going to do this. I am frozen at the foot of the bed, his hand reaches and shackles my wrist, hot and hurtful. My eyes close, hoping to hide my terror.

"Please, don't do this." My rage at my helplessness can be heard. For a moment, I wish my terror would pull me into the darkness like earlier, but I knew if it did, I would be lost. I would awaken to either a body broken from his rage or bruised from his lust. He looks at me with eyes radiant and imploring, and I am suddenly aware of his beauty - full rosy lips, dark lashes, and brows framing brilliant blue eyes. Eyes that are filled with lust and longing. He bends slowly, covering my lips with his. His fingers slip around my neck, and for a moment, I think this it is - he's going to kill me now. My hands come up to his chest, pushing lightly. He breaks the kiss, and his eyes focus on mine, questioningly.

"I won't do this. If this happens now, you are raping me," I whisper quietly.

He jerks back as if slapped. "I would never force myself on you. You kissed me back." His hand comes up to my hair and he grips tightly. "I love you, don't you understand that? Why don't you believe me?" I try to turn away as his head bends back toward my face. His fingers tighten slightly, his lips grazing along my cheek. His other hand moves to touch my breast gently, rubbing lightly at the nipples. Again I long for the blackness of unconsciousness but here I stand, helplessly unable to flee. His lips move down to my neck, his teeth grazing the pulse there. I shiver at the unwelcome sensation that runs through me. My neck has always been that one spot that causes my pussy to clench, moisture leaking from it. Today my body betrays me. My nipple peaks, and he growls in hunger.

"You see, you want me too."He squeezes my jaw so hard it feels as if the bones are breaking. My cheeks are cut on my teeth and blood stains my teeth, Releasing me, he shoves me away stalking to the door. "I'll be back. I will make you love me." He doesn't look back. I flinch as he closes the door quietly.

I lie on the bed, frozen for long moments. I know I'm going to die. Might not be tonight, but I will. Tonight he will rape me, most likely beat me either before, during, or after. The thought of him holding me down and forcing himself into my body galvanizes me into action. My fingers drift up to gently touch my face. I don't need to see; I can feel it swelling already and the bruises are starting to form. I try opening my mouth but squeeze my eyes at the pain. Standing, I look around the room. I only have moments before he is back in his office. I move out to the balcony, leaning on it. I look down as blood drips and falls, the drop splashing on the white pebbles below… Two stories… How far is that? I realize it doesn't matter; I must get out of here. I climb over the carved stone and edge to the corner where it meets the wall. I lower myself to the bottom edge. Hanging off, I figure now I'm only a story and a half from the ground. I take a few deep breaths and feel my fingers beginning to slip. I let go. It isn't like in the movies. I hit hard. Bones snap, and I slam my hand over my mouth to muffle my scream. Pain pulses in my face and tears pour from my eyes. It shoots from my right ankle. Years of dancing and sprains inform me that I have broken it. I suck in a breath through my nose before looking down. It was turned at a ninety-degree angle, and I gasp. The pain intensifies the longer I look at it. I won't get away. Pushing up on the wall, I grit my teeth at the pain as my foot drops and dangles. Sweat coats my body as chills race over my skin. I feel nauseous, and bile rushes up my throat. My jaw is on fire from me grinding it closed. Pushing off the wall, I take a tentative hop, crying out at the jolt of pain from my ankle. Darkness dances across my vision.

"Miss?" I barely hear the urgent whisper. Head whipping around, my eyes widen. The guard that had taken me to Arias’ office stands a few feet away. I try to move backward away from him, but falling, I slam my elbow on the rocks. He holds out his hands, slowly moving to my side. I'm sobbing silently. "Shh, miss, please. We must hurry. He is going to kill you. I just carried my friend from that room. He could be a bad person, but he didn't deserve that. I'm going to take you off this island." He moves to pick me up, and I cling to him, desperate.

He moves quickly down toward the water, splashing into the waves to reach a small boat tied to the shore. He gently places me in, careful of my ankle. He shushes me once more and runs up to the beach. Crouching down, he works furiously at the knot of the rope holding the boat. We both jerk our heads the direction of the house. Footsteps pound toward us.

"Start the engine, miss. Start it now." Fear chokes me as I fumble with the key. It finally sputters to life, and I look up, my arms waving at him. I shriek as a dark specter rises up behind him, grabbing his neck. Arias' eyes are crazy as they bore into mine. Silver glints in the moonlight, and the guard's face is filled with resignation and sorrow. He mouths 'go' at me, a second before Arias slits his throat. I throw the throttle in reverse, thanking god I grew up driving boats in the Bayou.

"EMMA!"

I don't look back. Turning the wheel, I aim the boat away from the island, praying I'm heading to safety. Racing away from the island, I'm soon surrounded by nothing. Every bump sends pain firing along my synapsis. My sobs echo across the water as I slow the engine trying to find my bearings. There is nothing, no lights, no land ... Have I gone further away from help?

I turn, looking behind me. I hear the faint sound of a boat, and my heart drums in my chest. Pushing up, I balance on my good leg and begin waving my arms frantically.

"HELP! Help me!" It turns toward me, slowly moving closer and closer.

Light suddenly flares to life and blinds me, shining right in my eyes, and I put my hand up, shielding them as I grin. My tears slide down my cheeks, and I hiccup, trying to calm myself. The light is still blinding as the boat pulls up and bumps the little skiff I'm in.

"Thank god, I was so afraid I was lost out here. I need to go to the mainland. I've been kidnapped. He was going to kill me," I was sobbing again as I finished.

The light goes out. A scream is ripped from my body as Arias' furious face stares at me from the boat. "I'm so disappointed in you, Emma. You made me kill that man. I love you. Why would you leave me like that? I would never hurt you. You know that." His voice sounds so reasonable. So sane. Loving.

"Let me help you." He steps into the smaller boat and moves to my side, clucking his tongue when he sees my ankle. "Look what you did to yourself. Why would you do this?" He doesn't wait for my answer. Instead, he lifts me in his arms and climbs onto the other boat, carrying me below deck and into a plush bedroom. Laying me gently on the bed, he sits beside me. Pulling out his phone, he scrolls through his contacts and taps a name, moving the phone to his ear. His fingers caress my leg, and my tears begin to fall again. I will never escape.