Page 73 of Hold On

I look forward out the windshield, steeling myself for a final time. One last internal pep talk. One final moment of calm before the storm. I take a deep fucking breath and let it out silently, feeling a sense of control wash over me. Tonight is about my girl and making sure she’s safe for the foreseeable future. One we’re about to finally be able to spend together.

I’m glad I’m ready as we crest the top of the drive, and I’m immediately forced to dodge a pack of hyperactive Dobermans. They’re big fuckers too. “How many goddamn dogs does this douche baghave?” I complain as I try to maneuver through the sea of canines towards the mansion.

“Afuck-ton!!” Alina shouts as a vicious set of teeth flash in her window, a mean fucker clawing dangerously at her door and scratching the fuck out of my Audi. She shoots towards the center of the car, fearfully crowding me. I park behind the vehicle Cade climbed out of. I’m met by another angry Dobie on my side as its heated breath clouds my window from its manic barking. We both jump, grabbing for each other as we huddleover the center console. “Remind me to never get a dog,” Lina says shakily.

“Yeah.Done,” I mumble back as they continue to snap and snarl at us. Cade walks towards us and the dogs zoom over to him in a sea of aggressive growls, yips and saliva. But as soon as they register who he is, they’re jumping on his body affectionately and licking at his face. He smiles, petting and praising them as he runs towards the house. The Dobermans follow him without a hint of hesitation. “Well, I’ll be damned,” I say as I watch them retreat and Alina shakes her head in disbelief.

“He wasn’t lying… I’m hoping that’s a good omen for us the rest of the fucking evening,” she says as she unbuckles her seatbelt, and we watch two men exit Cade’s car. She slips her stilettos onto her feet. “Shall we?” she asks hesitantly. I shake my head no furiously.

“I’m not getting out until Cade texts you it’s safe,” I say defensively, looking around to see if any stray dogs are looming in the darkness.

“Oh. Duh. I’m so nervous, I’m not thinking straight,” she admits. I grab her face in between my hands, taking a steadying breath so she’ll follow my lead. We repeat this for a few rounds until I see her settle a little bit. My heart constricts in my chest as I take in her beauty. Lina has always been the only woman to ever make me feel this way. I’m fucked up when I stare into her eyes. It’s a weird cocktail of soothing rage when we gaze at each other. I hope it never goes away. I don’t think it ever will. I sigh, biting my bottom lip as her face morphs into concern.

“I need to talk to you,” I quietly admit.

“What’s wrong?” she asks anxiously, stroking my face. I lean into her fingers before answering her.

“I need your permission to act a certain way tonight,” I continue as her confusion deepens.

“What do you mean?” Her voice is unsure as her hand drops from my cheek. I exhale again, my stomach flipping a fuck-ton as she waits for me to reply.

“If you want to send a message to Luke, then the best way to do that is to be totally submissive to me. And I need to know that you’re ready to act out anything I tell you to do. And it may trigger you, Lina. I know he’s hurt you sexually. And for this to have the effect you want, I’ll have to be in control tonight,” I explain to her. She smirks with a roll of her eyes, surprising me.

“I completely trust you. I know exactly where you’re going with this. And you have my permission to make me your fuck doll. In every sense of the name, Bash Cox,” she says dangerously. “Itrustyou,” she repeats to emphasize her point. I’m relieved as fuck that she does. I needed to hear that shit again.

“Ok. Let’s fuck this asshole up, baby,” I say as I bite at her pulse. I can’t stop. It’s reminding me she’s ok, alive and right next to me. I fist the fox tail in my hand and look at her, while petting it. “You’re going to look so fucking hot with this in your little asshole,” I growl as she melts into her seat.

“Oh, I’m aware. Eat your heart out,” she snarls as I bite at the space between us and my jaw snaps in the quiet of the car. A buzz sounds from her phone. She smiles wickedly, the air charged with anticipation.

“It’s time, Bash.”

“After you, fuck doll.”

We hug each other tightly, our fingers digging into the flesh of our bodies. I take a mental note of her scent, her warmth and her energy as it consumes me. I never want to forget this moment or how she felt in my arms before we murdered Luke. It’s hard as shit to let her go, but I finally do. With one last glimpse into her emerald eyes, we exit the car.

*****

Alina:

My heels click with each step I take upon the stone of the pool area. It’s absolutely massive, resembling something you’d see at a resort. The water surrounds an outdoor, in-ground amphitheater that’s tiered. It’s a brilliant stage for our final performance. Bridges allow one to enter the pit, spanning above the pool, which lazily surrounds the area like a river. Palm trees decorate the edges of the backyard. Their fronds blow lazily in the breeze as Bash tunes his red and white guitar. I pace nervously in front of him. The echo of my heels is loud in the loaded silence while we wait.

There’s a heavy chair that two of Cade’s men placed in the center of the amphitheater for us. Big and gaudy, it’s complete with red velvet fabric along the seat and up the back. We found it sitting in Luke’s living room. Golden filigree juts out menacingly around the top of it. It’s where Luke will see Bash seated before him when he comes to. Luke will be tied into a sturdy, yet boring and practical chair. He’ll know that it’s lacking the moment he looks up and sees Bash in front of him. Staring down into his pathetic face from behind the eyes of the plague doctor mask.

I’ve set my tools up on a table I found on the pool deck. I covered it with a black silk scarf that a client once gifted me. It’s the perfect personal touch to my macabre workspace. Bash finishes tuning his guitar and sets it in the stand next to his chair. He turns his head to look at me. Neither of us speak as we share a moment. I hear footsteps to my left and look to see Cade and his men carrying over a limp, knocked-out Luke. I suck in a surprised breath.

“He looks so pathetic like that. I’ve never seen him appear so powerless.” My voice is quiet as my mind tries to compute whatit’s seeing. Bash grabs the first piece of his mask, a simple black piece of fabric resembling a ski mask that he throws on over his head.

“Heispowerless now, Lina Girl. Remember that tonight. The more scared he becomes, you fucking feed, baby. Take every ounce of energy back that he’s ripped from you,” he snarls dangerously as he fucks with his mic and turns it on. I help him fasten the bird mask to his face, placing a kiss upon the tip of his nose before doing so. Lastly, he covers it all with a hood, posing in front of me. The mask definitely completes his outfit and I’m able to get a sense of the character he’s about to play.

“Holy shit,” I breathe out as I look him up and down, turned the fuck on and ready to party. “You look stunning, Sebastian.” He laughs softly into the mic and helps me out of my jacket. Goose bumps erupt across my skin due to the cool night air as Cade and his men cross the bridge, lugging Luke between the three of them. His head bobs stupidly as he’s set into the smaller chair and is tied without remorse to it. I cling to Bash, a sudden feeling of deep fear consuming me due to our forced proximity to Luke. His fingers tumble gracefully over my arm as he comforts me by playing a series of invisible notes upon my skin.

He finally releases the tail he’s clung to all night by handing it to me and sits in the chair across from Luke. He pats his leg, calling me to him as I obey, sitting upon his lap by straddling his leather-clad thigh, my stilettos making me taller than normal against him. I place the tail over his leg as well, sitting up straight to appear confident. Taking a deep breath, I look at Bash and smile. Even though I can’t see his face, I feel the power of his returned affection. He squeezes my leg as Cade and his men disappear.

Bash picks up the smoke bomb next to his throne.

He clears his throat before kicking Luke’s chair. He doesn’t move. We wait a few more minutes before Bash tries again, andthis time, his head begins to roll unsteadily on his shoulder. Bash sets off the black smoke bomb and points it all at Luke’s face. Hacking continues for a few minutes as Luke’s lungs are assaulted with the substance directly. I dig my nails into Bash’s arm as our final performance begins.

Sebastian:

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