Page 43 of Encircled in Darkness
“The night after you told us about the parties, I did something that I hoped we wouldn’t need. Turns out I was right.” He reasoned and his gaze moved to Devlin.
I looked at my brother and saw he was hiding something from me too. I felt betrayed as I realized my brothers hadn’t trusted me enough to keep me informed. Flexing my hands, I stepped in front of Skid.
He raised his eyebrow and spoke. “Something about the whole situation rubbed me the wrong way when you brought her into the family. I was worried she would take your money, break your heart, and go back to him so... shit. I put Jacob into the house as a server for the parties. Just in case. He just text me they carried an unconscious and bleeding Amaya into the house and put her into one of the bedrooms downstairs.”
Grasping him by the shirt, I hauled him close to me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was hoping I was wrong. I was, and now we have someone inside to help us.” I released him with a small shove and turned to my brother.
“Did you feel the same way? That she was a whore who just wanted me for my money.”
“Not anymore. We had to be certain and I’m sorry if that makes you mad, but I look out for my family. Amayaisfamily and it’s time to bring her home. Let’s come up with a plan and go kill those stupid fuckers.”
He clapped me on the back, and we sat down around the wobbly table, plotting how we were going to get her out of there before they hurt her, or worse. Nova brushed between my legs and I reached down and patted his head, causing Devlin to chuckle.
We checked our weapons as Skid contacted the DeathHounds and we all got into my truck, headed to Lincolnville. Skid was getting random texts from his brother, the same brother who Devlin had saved all those years ago, the same brother who was now in a position to save my woman.
“Thank you.” I spoke into the silent truck and the grumbles of acknowledgement gave me reassurance.
We weren’t men who showed our emotion, but knowing Amaya was in danger had everyone exposing their vulnerability. We needed to push past that and find our anger. Devlin sent Freddie to find Amaya’s car and retrieve any personal effects, then he was going back to the building to watch over Elise.
“Jacob just text me that Victor just arrived. He’s still in with the lawyer, but he says he seems anxious.” Skid remarked as Devlin drove us faster down the road. “I told Jacob to keep me informed and if he finds a way to get her out of there, take it.”
We passed a Lincolnville Police car and they flashed their lights at us before turning the other direction. It was good to have the reputation and connections we had, and I’m sure we would have to use them when I murdered Victor and that slimy fucker Greg. I checked my gun again as we got closer to the house where my beautiful girl had sacrificed so much.
Stopping at a neighborhood under construction a half mile from the entrance to his house, we waited for the DeathHounds to arrive. We planned a shock and awe approach to saving Amaya as soon as Jacob let us know exactly where she was being kept. Then I was going to bulldoze anyone who got between me and her.
Amaya
My head throbbed severely as I fought to open my eyes. There was a metallic taste lingering in my mouth, and I swallowed, my throat dry and scratchy. I could hear faint voices and I blinked slowly, trying to shake the fog threatening to pull me back in. The soft glow of the lamp across the room cast shadows, and I didn’t recognize where I was. My heart raced, and my headache threatened my sanity as the memories returned.
Natalia. I had lost my sister, my best friend.
The pain sliced deep into the darkness and all I wanted to do was let it consume me. Losing her, I lost a piece of myself that I was afraid would never return. I wiped the tears rolling down my face and remembered my promise to her.
I had to figure out where I was and how I got here. The last thing I remember was leaving the hospital headed to Pierce Bluff and then nothing. Running my hand through my hair, I felt dried blood and a few stitches on my forehead and realized something must have happened to me.Where was I?
There was a gaudy tapestry hanging along one wall of the spacious room and heavy curtains over what I assumed were windows. The ornate wooden door was closed, and the muffled voice grew louder. Not enough I could tell what was being said, but the tone let me know they were angry.
Sitting up carefully, I grabbed my head as the dizziness overtook me and I moved slowly until my feet were resting on the cool floor. Laying my head on the elevated bed, I fought the nausea pressing up my throat and focused all my efforts on breathing through my nose. After a few moments, I lifted my head delicately and steadied myself until I could stand up straight.
There was a bottle of water on the end table. I open it and drank small sips until my stomach could take more. I wasn’t sure why I was so out of it, but I needed to clear my head so I could remember what happened. Setting the bottle down, I walked to the window and carefully moved the curtains. The bright sun was blinding, and I shadowed my eyes so I could figure out where I was.
I recognized the circular driveway and atrocious fountain in the center as the house Victor always brought me to. Not his home, but the place he brought his whores to. Seeing Greg’s car parked outside had the accident rushing through my head. The bile pushed up and I raced to the trashcan in the corner, vomiting the water I had just drunk. I fought the tremble in my hands, and the fear that threatened to overtake me. I promised James I would never step foot anywhere near Victor again and here I was, trapped in a bedroom at his house. James. I hope he figures out where I am before...
No! I couldn’t let the darkness overtake me. I had to fight.
Quietly, I walked to the door and tested the handle, only to find it locked. Cursing under my breath, I kept my footsteps light as I pulled the drawer on the nightstand open, looking for anything to defend myself. Natalia used to joke that everything was a weapon if you needed it to be. I joked that a sock wasn’t a weapon and she said it was if you shoved it down someone’s throat.
I found condoms, lube, dildos, and restraints in the top drawer. Moving as fast as my drugged brain would let me, I opened the second drawer. There were various smaller devices used for BDSM, but it was the stun gun shoved to the back that made me gasp softly. I remember this particularly evil piece of equipment.
Victor used to taunt me that he could break me, and twice he used the stun gun to facilitate my tears. Having twenty thousand volts jump through your body, making every muscle seize up in pain, fighting to not piss yourself while a sadist stood over you and laughed, made quite a memory. Pressing the button, with my eyes locked on the door, it didn’t fire. Finding fresh batteries in the dildo drawer, I replaced them and looked down at the same device, praying it would be enough to save me from whatever Victor and his sick friends had planned.
I slid the small stun gun in between my breasts, using the sports bra to conceal it. The voices outside the door grew clearer and the sound of the lock disengaging sounded into the room. I stood near the bed and waited for my capturers to reveal themselves, fighting the nausea and dizziness that was still present. I was terrified, but I let the darkness push to the surface and strengthen my spine. I would do whatever it took to survive.
The door opened and there stood Victor, his blond hair and blue eyes twinkling as he took in my filthy appearance. My jeans were torn, and my shirt was covered in blood compared to his custom-tailored suit and highly polished shoes. He always looked the part of a respectable person, when in fact he was a dirty degenerate who crawled out of hell.
He smirked and took a step toward me. I retreated and cursed myself for showing weakness. Licking his lips, he rubbed his crotch and ran his eyes up and down my body. I shivered and felt his lust from across the room. He always had the ability to make me weak, but I needed to use the strength James had given me to survive.
