Constance ached all over and turned her back to him, slowly taking her clothes off.

“Come on, Constance. Time’s wasting,” he said.

“I’m hurting,” she said. Craig caught her arm, and she cried out from the shock of pain that his touch created, from the disgust she felt for him.

“You’ll do exactly as I say, otherwise I’m going to make you get on your fucking knees and suck my dick until you swallow every last drop of cum.”

She didn’t even question why he hadn’t forced that in case he actually made her do it.

“I have spent a long time thinking about this moment, and wanting to see you strip to show me what has always been mine.”

Closing her eyes, she gritted her teeth and kept trying to remind herself that she was in a very dangerous position, one she really needed to be careful of.

You can do this.

Just strip.

See, you’re down to your bra and panties. Yay.

It didn’t matter; Vengeance would come and she would be safe. There had to be a way for him to find her, and she was hoping, praying, and if anyone was listening they would help her. They would make this asshole pay.

“You knew Brando well?”

Craig snorted. “No. He thought he was good enough for you, and we both know that asshole could never give you what you wanted, what you needed.”

She pulled on the bra, unsnapping the lock, and then wriggling it down her body. Next, she got rid of her panties, and she hated that there was nothing else for her to remove.

“Turn around,” he said.

Come on, Constance. You’re better than him. You can do this.

Turning toward him, her hands clenched into fists, she forced herself to take his stares, and to know that one day very soon, like today, she was going to gouge out his eyeballs and smash them. Even the thought of it grossed her out but she liked to pretend she could do something like that.

“You are so beautiful. I always imagined what it would be like to be here like this, worshiping your body.”

She turned her head left and caught sight of her reflection. Bruises covered her face, and some dried blood was stuck in her hair. “How did you move me from the sofa?”

“I knew you’d be thirsty and difficult. I wanted to get that pasta from the supermarket you love so much. I put a sleeping pill in your water, and you went out like a light. Once we bathe, I’ve got a special dinner planned for you, and then we’re going to make love.”

When all of this was over, she was going to need an Oscar for her performance. A small amount of vomit filled her mouth, and it sickened her that she swallowed it down. One step at a time, and right now she had a psychopath intent on making her his little love slave. He reached out, and she froze as he placed his hand on her stomach. She tensed up, wanting nothing more than to throw his hand off her body, but she stopped herself.

The last thing she wanted to do was to give him a reason to hurt her.

“Go on. Get in the water. You do smell a little.”

She didn’t wait for him to tell her twice and climbed into the bath, grateful for the bubbles that were around her, keeping her safe.

Come on, Vengeance. Please be on the way, or…

Maybe if she was nice and got talking with him, it might stop him from hurting her. “This is really nice. Thank you.”

“I thought you would like it. The lavender is there to help you relax.”

“It’s lovely. I love the smell.” She ran her hands through the water, looking around the edges of the tub, wondering if there was a weapon. “So, erm, how have you been?”

“It has been really busy. There has been a lot of leaves to clean up around the graveyard, and you know I don’t like to leave messes.”

“Is that what you do? Make sure everything looks amazing.” She forced a smile to her lips. “You do an amazing job.”

“It’s morbid but it’s something I really have to do. I also feel that I’m respecting those that have passed.” Even as he spoke she remembered his confession and that he’d caused Brando’s death. He’d gotten that driver to run them off the road that night.

“Why did you never say anything?” she asked. “Brando could still be alive and so could my parents.”

The change in Craig was instant. “They always thought they were better than us. They would never allow us to be together. They were cunts, the lot of them, and you deserved better, so much better.” He stood up and began to tower over her.

“I always thought that too.” She held her hand up, hoping to ward him off and for him to see that he was scaring her. “My parents always wanted me to be a certain way and I could never be the person they wanted. I was always afraid, Craig. So scared.” Right now she was terrified of Craig. Part of what she said was the truth. Her parents had been so perfect and she felt that they deserved someone a lot better than her as a daughter. She would do anything to keep him away from her.

She tensed up as he reached out, stroking her cheek. Closing her eyes, she hoped she didn’t show her revulsion to his touch. Her gut was twisting and she didn’t know how long she was going to be able to keep up this charade. Surely Vengeance would find her. He had to find her. There was no one else she could trust.

“I would never hurt you, Constance, even though I’m threatening you now, you’re meant for me. I was always taking care of you. Always loving you and I knew one day we would be together.” He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. His eyes were closed, and she kissed him back.

Pulling away, she smiled at him. “Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me, beautiful. I knew running off with that biker was just a mistake. You were desperate for me, and I will deal with that criminal. You’ll never have to be afraid again.”