Page 41 of Jonathan

Cold dread settled in her stomach as they moved through the house, his grip never loosening. Her eyes darted around the area, desperately willing someone – anyone to show up.

“No one is coming, sweetheart,” he told her with an evil smile. “They are all busy trying to make sense of what happened and forming a search party to try and find me.” He dragged her through the woods, keeping her close.

The stench of blood made her want to gag, but she swallowed down the nausea, determined not to show any form of weakness or fear. She knew instinctively that men like him preyed on things like that.

“Why do you think Jonathan is going to fork out five million dollars for a woman he just met?”

He laughed at that. “Honey, I have seen the way he looks at you and how jealous he was when he saw us dancing.” He stopped suddenly and before she could react, used his tongue to lick her cheek.

A shudder of revulsion went through her. He saw the disgust on her face and dug the rifle into her ribs hard enough for her to gasp in pain. “I am not rolling in dough, so my touch is not good enough. We’ll see how disgusted you are when we are alone,” he threatened.

Fear, cold and numbing settled over her like a cloak and the reality of her situation threatened to overwhelm her. But she was not helpless, and she was damned if she was going to stay still and allow him to rape her. Even if she had to go to drastic measures to defend herself.

*****

She focused on calming her racing heart and tried to think of a plan. Every step they took through the dense woods seemed to echo the beating of her heart. She had to keep her wits about her, wait for the right moment to make a move.

They trudged on in silence, the only sounds being the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional distant hoot of an owl. Her captor's grip on her arm was unrelenting, a constant reminder of her perilous situation. But she knew that any sign of fear would only embolden him further.

When the bastard started whistling tunelessly between his teeth, she felt the anger raging inside her and decided there and then that the first opportunity – the very first one, she was going to find something to brain him with.

The thought of feinting a stumble occurred to her, but that was quickly defeated, when he opened the door and shoved her into the driver’s seat.

“I don’t know where I am going.”

“I will be the GPS,” he told her cheerily as he sat down in the passenger side and held the gun to her face. “Why darling, don’t tell me that all you’re good for was keeping the sheets warm. Loverboy have not taken you on a tour of the place?”

Starting the engine, she shoved the lever into drive.

“And don’t even think of being a hero? Or is it heroine?” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. I know every trick baby. So, keep your foot on the metal and do as you’re told.” He nudged her cheek with the cold metal and actually laughed when she turned to flash him a dirty look.

“I bet you’re thinking of several ways to hurt me now.”

“Cutting off your dick comes to mind and shoving it down your throat.”

“Ouch.” He winced. “That sounds really painful. And the lady has a dirty side to her.” He stroked the left side of her cheek with the gun. “I am looking forward to finding out how dirty.”

“I would rather die than have you touching me.” She braced for his anger and was not disappointed. Inching forward, he gripped her around the neck, fingers digging in. Taking one of her hand from the steering wheel, he forced her to cup him.

Smiling at the look of revulsion and fear when she felt his arousal, he flung her hand away. “I can assure you, it’s even bigger than your cowboy’s. Women have been known to weep in gratitude when introduced to my cock.”

“Or weep in disappointment and disgust.” The words were out before she could control them. He did not give her time to brace when he slapped her hard across the cheek.

“Show some respect.”

The pain exploded in her brain and had her blinking. Shaking her head, she barely controlled the swerving vehicle, only managing by sheer will when he jammed the gun between her ribs.

“Mouth off to me again and I will shoot you in the gut. I never had a gut shot before, but I hear tell it’s very painful and the dying is slow. Now concentrate and take a left right here.”

Touching the tip of her tongue to where the side of her lip was split, she tasted the blood and felt despair weaving through her body. He had shown her that he was not above hurting a woman. Whatever he had done before he got here, involved causing a lot of pain, she was sure of it.

Taking a deep calming breath, she concentrated on the drive and realized to her dismay that they were going deeper and deeper into the woods.

The area was so dense that even though the sun was shining, the closeness of the trees, the interlacing of the branches and leaves, blocked out most of the rays, struggling to filter through. The path was jagged and scattered with loose stones and looked as if it had not been tended to in what seemed like ever.

The cabin was barely visible from the street. The dilapidated structure was almost covered with vines.

“Honey, we’re home.” He sang it out – the high voice, sending shivers up and down her spine.

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