Kate
I slowly wake. I open my eyes, but there’s only darkness. Dark fabric covers my face, eliminating any chance for me to know whether it is day or night or even try to figure out where I am. I try to remove my blindfold, but my hands are restrained behind my back. I attempt to stand up, but my legs are tied to what I presume is the chair I’m sitting in. Not this again! How could this possibly be happening? Who in their lifetime gets kidnapped twice? Why frickin’ me?
I’m definitely more angry than I am scared. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I’ve been through this song and dance once already. In my gut, I know it’s the green-eyed monster who has me tied up. He’s dangerous, but I’ve survived it once; I know I can again. This time I have a definite advantage. I’m on my own soil. The guy is a complete idiot if he thinks he’s going to get away with it.
I tug at the ropes knowing full well I won’t be able to get out of them. Matteo has excellent knot-tying abilities. What he isn’t prepared for is the fact that when I got back from Italy, I started MMA classes. I wasn’t going to be a victim anymore. I was going to be a survivor. I never told Tony because he’s already freaked out by what I’ve gone through, and I stopped attending as soon as he returned to me. I’m not going down without a fight this time.
“Ha! I see you haven’t changed.”
I freeze at the familiar voice. Sure enough, it’s the green-eyed monster. “I’d say the same, but I can’t see you. I take it you didn’t get your fill of torture the last time we met.”
Footsteps approach rapidly. He grasps ahold of my hair, yanking my head back. “And I see you’ve forgotten your manners once again. Do you need a little reminder?”
God, nothing’s changed. It’s the same old game with him. He likes to be in control, and if he isn’t, he’ll force his dominance and inflict pain until he regains it. “My apologies. That was rude. I’ll work harder to show you the respect you deserve.” To me it sounds as though the sarcasm is pouring from my mouth. I guess it was exactly what he wanted to hear, because he let go of my hair.
“That will be your only warning.” The sound of footsteps move to my front. His breath warms my face. “You’re more beautiful than I remember. Your lips, they’re so full. I can imagine how they’d look wrapped around my cock.” He brushes the back of his hand against my cheek before he forces his mouth on to mine. I attempt to pull my head back, but the back of the chair prevents any movement. His tongue begins its assault on my mouth. The taste of cigarettes and ash trays fill my taste buds. I instinctively try to pull my body away from what feels like a sausage shoved into my mouth over and over. There’s nowhere to move. I’m starting to panic, and I can’t breathe. My heart is racing and I think I might pass out when suddenly, he pulls away, leaving me gasping for air.
What in the world was that? He never did anything sexual to me before. The green-eyed monster’s M.O. for torture was always a physical beating. I’m not mentally prepared for anything else, and a whole new level of fear washes over me. I take a few deep breaths and try to remain calm.
“Did you like that?”
I can’t speak. I’m at a total loss for words. Instead, I shake my head.
“Good. Remember how you feel right now before you decide to open that trap of yours. I’m sure I can find a way to make things even more pleasant the next time.”
All I want to do is spit. I want to purge all of his grossness out of my mouth and body. I can’t believe someone related to Tony could be so vile. If I had a hundred bottles of mouthwash, it wouldn’t be enough to cleanse my body of this guy’s toxins.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I’ve come back for you now.”
His voice startles me out of the happy place I went with my bottles of Scope. I don’t bother to respond.
He continues. “You see, when I came face-to-face with Massimo before, I knew he had taken a liking to you, as much as the two of you denied it. So, when we all got away the last time, I searched for him. My war wasn’t over. Unfortunately for me, your government put him in the witness protection program. They gave him asylum here in this country. Of course, it made it much more difficult to find him. So, I waited. I waited for him to come back to you. I figured it was only a matter of time. Sure enough, he couldn’t stay away. He didn’t give a shit if it cost you your life or not. That selfish bastard had to have you. You must have one hell of a voodoo pussy to have him give up the safety and security your government provided in exchange for a lay.”
Holy crap! What is going on? Is this true? Was Tony really in witness protection? How? Why? So many questions are running through my head. I don’t know if I should feel betrayed he never told me or happy he came back for me. My hands begin to shake. Sweat beads on my forehead. This is going from bad to worse, fast.
I close my eyes. I’ve got to get myself in check. He’s trying to mentally break me down. I’ve learned all this in my therapy and classes. He’s working my psyche, and no doubt he’ll proceed with physical torture soon. I have to be strong. I have to mentally disconnect myself from him. I take some deep breaths and try to put myself in a state of Zen. I can do this.
“How long until he comes to get you? Hours? Days? Weeks? Do you think you’ll make it out unscathed this time? Will he be able to save you?”
I tune him out. I have to, for my own well-being. I can’t let the scorned green-eyed monster over-power my mind. I search for a song to take me away to another place. Bastille’s “Pompeii” begins to play in my head. I had the privilege of seeing a quaint acoustic show of theirs. I imagine how the singer tapped the beat out on a table. I can hear the other band members singing in acapella. It’s the most beautiful rendition I’ve ever heard.
“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”
I say nothing. I just let the music continue to play on repeat in my head. I don’t know how long it is before he grabs my chin. The song skips.
“You will answer me when I ask you a question. Do you understand?”
I nod. Clearly the green-eyed monster doesn’t like to be ignored. Perhaps he realizes he loses his power without my full attention.
“Now, I believe you have something I need.” He reaches for my hand and pulls off the engagement ring Tony gave me hours ago.
Really, I have no concept of time. I don’t know how long I was knocked out. It could’ve been days or hours. The thought of it scares me a little.
“That’s mine!”
The green-eyed monster produces a sinister laugh that rattles me to my bones. “Yeah, I know. That’s the point.”
I hate his Italian accent. It’s pure evil. It’s amazing how the same accent is so sexy on Tony and anything but on this evil jerk. “I want it back.”
“Excuse me?”
Crap! I forgot rule one. Always make him feel like he’s in charge. “May I please have it back?”
“No! I let you keep the ring he gave you last time. By the looks of it, this one is much more valuable. I think it should be restitution for the expense associated with having to come all the way here. I’ve had to go into hiding and use my nest egg to accommodate the luxuries I’ve become accustomed to because of the likes of you and Massimo. I think it’s only fair.”
I hold back the tears that threaten to flood my eyes. I can’t give him the satisfaction. Instead, I grit my teeth. It’s my ring. It’s the symbol of the love Tony and I share. Who does he think he is to get in the way of that?
“It’s kind of sweet how he made it heart-shaped like his parents’ ring. He’s a lot softer than I originally thought. This could definitely work to my advantage.”
This man’s evil has no boundaries. I only hope, in time, I can get my ring back and make this jerk pay for the living hell Tony and I have been through. “It’s fake. It’s not a real diamond. He told me it’s a cubic zirconia. He couldn’t afford a real one.” I know it’s a bad lie, but it’s all I could think of.
He laughs. It’s a hearty laugh straight from his gut. It makes me sick. I want to vomit all over him.
“You’ve got to be kidding me? Did you think I’d really fall for that? Don’t you think a man of my stature can’t tell the difference between a diamond and a CueZ? You’re a lot dumber than I thought. It must be the voodoo pussy that keeps Massimo around, because it certainly isn’t that brain of yours.”
Mother fucker. I’m not one to swear, but this jackass has gotten under my skin to say the least. I’ve got to come up with something. “Fine, take it. I don’t want it anyway.” Maybe if I can feign that it’s not important, I can get it back.
“Thank you. I don’t mind if I do.” I can’t see what he does with it, but I can only assume he tucks the ring away for later because it’s certainly not on my hand anymore.
There’s no use in fighting over it, and begging isn’t going to do me any good. In the grand scheme of things, it’s an object. It can be replaced. What I need to focus on is my ability to find out where I am and figure a way out. “When can I get this blindfold off?”
“Hmmm, probably never. I don’t think it’s a good idea. You might recognize this place. Since I don’t have the reinforcements I used to, I have to take extra precautions to ensure you stay in my possession until I’m done with you.”
I contemplate this a bit before speaking again. I’m in a place I know; somewhere familiar. I need to bide my time until he slips up.
“Can you release me from this chair? I wasn’t able to sit for several weeks after the last time.” Okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating. I did have pressure sores on my bottom, and I had to use a big foam donut when I sat. It really wasn’t pleasant.
“Let me ask you a question. Would you rather be conscious and in the chair, or unconscious and out of the chair?”
This isn’t something I expected and honestly, it’s a tough answer. Yes, I want to be in a different position other than being tied to a chair. I want the opportunity to remove my blindfold and see what exists around me. On the other hand, if I’m unconscious, I lose some leverage even though I know I’ll wake up at some point. Here goes nothing.
“I’d rather be unconscious.” I silently pray, hoping that what I’m asking for doesn’t get me killed. Before I know it, there is a cloth over my face. The chemical scent I smelled before permeates my senses. My body warms and my world goes dark.