CHAPTER ONE
Damien Jeffrey Donaldson the Marquess of Doncaster,
stood in the cold morgue. The basement of a tiny hospital on
the out skirts of Edgecombe in Maine, also known as Davis
Island, was depressing enough without his added heartache.
He felt as cold and empty as the lifeless sheet covered body
he couldn't’t take his eyes from. She had been born here, her
family was here and so this is where he returned her to. With
dull eyes and clinched fists he willed himself to feel
something, to remember what she had been like, but all he saw
was the lifeless body of his wife. Married six years, two of
which had been wonderful, but the last four had been a
torturous hell for him and apparently for her also.
He wanted to ignore the soft sniffles coming from his younger
sister Teresa, who stood next to him. Her arms wrapped
around his waist as she tried to comfort him. It was the same
through out their lives, she comforted and he retreated. He
didn't’t want to be comforted, what was the point?
“It’s okay darling,” she said to him. And he clenched his
teeth, he was two years older than she, and yet she treated
him like he was one of her children. “She loved you Damien, I
know she did.”
“I like the way she showed it.” He murmured to gut sick
to say more.
“But she did show it, she showed it by wanting so bad to
give you children. The death of this last one was just too
much.”
“Theresa,” he whispered, “I need to be alone.” She
nodded, and pulled his head down to her, and kissed his cold,
stiff cheek. He looked into her shimmering green eyes and
almost gave in to the pain in his heart.
“I love you darling,” she whispered, and then she released
him and left the room.
Damien turned, and his eyes rested on the woman he had
sworn to love until death do they part.
Damien Jeffrey Donaldson the Marquess of Doncaster,
stood in the cold morgue. The basement of a tiny hospital on
the out skirts of Edgecombe in Maine, also known as Davis
Island, was depressing enough without his added heartache.
He felt as cold and empty as the lifeless sheet covered body
he couldn't’t take his eyes from. She had been born here, her
family was here and so this is where he returned her to. With
dull eyes and clinched fists he willed himself to feel
something, to remember what she had been like, but all he saw
was the lifeless body of his wife. Married six years, two of
which had been wonderful, but the last four had been a
torturous hell for him and apparently for her also.
He wanted to ignore the soft sniffles coming from his younger
sister Teresa, who stood next to him. Her arms wrapped
around his waist as she tried to comfort him. It was the same
through out their lives, she comforted and he retreated. He
didn't’t want to be comforted, what was the point?
“It’s okay darling,” she said to him. And he clenched his
teeth, he was two years older than she, and yet she treated
him like he was one of her children. “She loved you Damien, I
know she did.”
“I like the way she showed it.” He murmured to gut sick
to say more.
“But she did show it, she showed it by wanting so bad to
give you children. The death of this last one was just too
much.”
“Theresa,” he whispered, “I need to be alone.” She
nodded, and pulled his head down to her, and kissed his cold,
stiff cheek. He looked into her shimmering green eyes and
almost gave in to the pain in his heart.
“I love you darling,” she whispered, and then she released
him and left the room.
Damien turned, and his eyes rested on the woman he had
sworn to love until death do they part.
It was over. She had slit her wrists, and before anyone could
find her, she had bled to death. That was only four days after
the death of their third child. How she had wanted children.
But after six years of heartache, she had given up, not just on
having healthy kids, but on him, and on life. The pain he felt
right now was so intense he couldn't’t cry. Tears were too
meager a show for the emotions running through him right
now. If tears could touch what he was feeling he would’ve
gladly given into it. But this went beyond pain, agony,
torture; this was black, soul deep suffering. And he would
share it with no one. He lifted the white sheet and stared at
her lovely blue tinged face. He could still see the smile on her
lips on their wedding day. For him she had been enough, but
for her, he had not been. She needed more, and he had been
unable to give it to her. He lifted her hand one last time and
pulled the wedding ring from her stiff finger. Then he dropped
the hand, turned and left the room. room.
*****
In the late hours of the night, in her home town nestled in the
New York City, twenty two year old Kayla Anderson hurried
down the long icy walkway in front of her home. She hung her
head, giving into despair for a brief moment. She was bone
tired. And she shivered as the burst of icy wind penetrated
the thin jacket she wore. It was the only thing she had, and it
was no match for the cold New England winter. Right now it
was all she could do to keep food on the table, buying a coat
was out of the question.
She lifted her head and stared at her bleak little home.
When she was young her mother read her bedtime stories and
at the end she always said. ‘Good night Princess Kayla.’ And
Kayla would fall asleep with a smile. She didn’t feel much like
a princess now, and there was no reason to smile, there hasn’t
been for a long time. At the door, she focused tired aching
eyes on the lock, and then fitted the chilly key in her hand to
the lock in the door of the small house she shared with her
father, Thomas.
find her, she had bled to death. That was only four days after
the death of their third child. How she had wanted children.
But after six years of heartache, she had given up, not just on
having healthy kids, but on him, and on life. The pain he felt
right now was so intense he couldn't’t cry. Tears were too
meager a show for the emotions running through him right
now. If tears could touch what he was feeling he would’ve
gladly given into it. But this went beyond pain, agony,
torture; this was black, soul deep suffering. And he would
share it with no one. He lifted the white sheet and stared at
her lovely blue tinged face. He could still see the smile on her
lips on their wedding day. For him she had been enough, but
for her, he had not been. She needed more, and he had been
unable to give it to her. He lifted her hand one last time and
pulled the wedding ring from her stiff finger. Then he dropped
the hand, turned and left the room. room.
*****
In the late hours of the night, in her home town nestled in the
New York City, twenty two year old Kayla Anderson hurried
down the long icy walkway in front of her home. She hung her
head, giving into despair for a brief moment. She was bone
tired. And she shivered as the burst of icy wind penetrated
the thin jacket she wore. It was the only thing she had, and it
was no match for the cold New England winter. Right now it
was all she could do to keep food on the table, buying a coat
was out of the question.
She lifted her head and stared at her bleak little home.
When she was young her mother read her bedtime stories and
at the end she always said. ‘Good night Princess Kayla.’ And
Kayla would fall asleep with a smile. She didn’t feel much like
a princess now, and there was no reason to smile, there hasn’t
been for a long time. At the door, she focused tired aching
eyes on the lock, and then fitted the chilly key in her hand to
the lock in the door of the small house she shared with her
father, Thomas.
She sighed in weary acceptance of her plight in life. Then she
noticed through the windows that the lights were not on. She
clenched her teeth in impotent anger as she remembered they
had been shut off three days ago, because her father hadn’t paid
the bill. She had put the money in his hands and directed him
towards the door, telling him not to come home until the bills
were paid. Now she could kick herself for trusting him. But she’
d been so tried that day, more tired than usual. Working, around
the clock for meager wages was hard, but that week she’d
pulled three double shifts, trying to get over the financial hump
and maybe save some money. Now, they would have to wait
until she was paid from one of the two jobs before she could
get the electricity turned back on. She wanted to scream at the
unfairness of it all. She had had plans, big plans. At graduation,
she had been valor Victorian of her high school. She had been
listed as most likely to succeed in the year book. Her life’s
ambition was to be a heart surgeon, she had wanted, and still
wanted to go into medicine. She wanted to be able to put
people back together, to give them hope where there had been
none.
Then her mother had died of congenital heart failure at the
age of thirty four, and all Kayla’s hopes and dreams fell into
that bottle of liquor Thomas sucked on every day. Now, she
was a bank teller during the day and a waitress at night, all just
to keep the bills paid and food in their bellies. Some days she
hated her life, and today had been one of those days, pure hell.
Her old high school rival had come into the restaurant while
Kayla was cleaning tables between taking orders. Rebecca
flashed not only a four carat engagement ring but a bachelor’s
degree in engineering. Then she nonchalantly asked Kayla what
had she been doing since high school, and it was all Kayla could
do not to lie. She’d simply said, ‘Oh I’ve been taking care of
my father.’ Then Kayla smiled politely and said. ‘Is there
anything I can get you ladies?’ She took their orders with a
smile on her face and anger in her heart. What hurt the most had
been the snickers, or maybe it was the self satisfied grin on
Becky’s face, she didn’t know which. Their words cut her like
nothing else could. As she’d moved away she heard Becky say.
noticed through the windows that the lights were not on. She
clenched her teeth in impotent anger as she remembered they
had been shut off three days ago, because her father hadn’t paid
the bill. She had put the money in his hands and directed him
towards the door, telling him not to come home until the bills
were paid. Now she could kick herself for trusting him. But she’
d been so tried that day, more tired than usual. Working, around
the clock for meager wages was hard, but that week she’d
pulled three double shifts, trying to get over the financial hump
and maybe save some money. Now, they would have to wait
until she was paid from one of the two jobs before she could
get the electricity turned back on. She wanted to scream at the
unfairness of it all. She had had plans, big plans. At graduation,
she had been valor Victorian of her high school. She had been
listed as most likely to succeed in the year book. Her life’s
ambition was to be a heart surgeon, she had wanted, and still
wanted to go into medicine. She wanted to be able to put
people back together, to give them hope where there had been
none.
Then her mother had died of congenital heart failure at the
age of thirty four, and all Kayla’s hopes and dreams fell into
that bottle of liquor Thomas sucked on every day. Now, she
was a bank teller during the day and a waitress at night, all just
to keep the bills paid and food in their bellies. Some days she
hated her life, and today had been one of those days, pure hell.
Her old high school rival had come into the restaurant while
Kayla was cleaning tables between taking orders. Rebecca
flashed not only a four carat engagement ring but a bachelor’s
degree in engineering. Then she nonchalantly asked Kayla what
had she been doing since high school, and it was all Kayla could
do not to lie. She’d simply said, ‘Oh I’ve been taking care of
my father.’ Then Kayla smiled politely and said. ‘Is there
anything I can get you ladies?’ She took their orders with a
smile on her face and anger in her heart. What hurt the most had
been the snickers, or maybe it was the self satisfied grin on
Becky’s face, she didn’t know which. Their words cut her like
nothing else could. As she’d moved away she heard Becky say.
“What a waste. Slaving over that alcoholic dad of hers, her
mother probably killed herself just to get away. That man is
pathetic and Kayla’s going to end up just like him.” Then they
laughed. Kayla stiffened her shoulders, and walked away. What
else could she do? They were probably right. And now this!
Kayla turned the handle, and pushed the door open. It was
just as cold inside as it was outside. Shivering, her hand
automatically reached for the light switch. Click. She clenched
her teeth against the anger surging through her. “Daddy!” She
yelled, and then slammed the door. She knew where to find him,
passed out on his bed if he’d made it that far. She just hoped she
wouldn’t have to clean up any vomit today, she wasn’t in the
mood. “Daddy, I’m home.” She went to an end table she knew
stood beside the battered sofa, and kicked off her tennis shoes.
“Did you eat? I brought some beef and eggs from the restaurant.”
No answer, not like she expected one. Kayla moved towards
the kitchen and briskly rubbed her hands together, then folded
them over her chest and tucked them under her armpits for
warmth. Suddenly a match flared, and she froze staring at a man
she did not know. Instantly she opened her mouth, but it was
immediately covered and her hands were caught by hard rough
hands and held tight behind her back. She struggled, screaming
behind the hand that held her mouth and trying desperately to
claw at the hand that held hers. Even her feet were useless, her
socks did no damage at all. Then a sinister voice rang out, chilling
her blood.
“Your father is going to be dead if you don’t hold still.”
That froze her every movement, the man in front of her looked
like he meant every word he said. She shook her head, and
dislodged the foul tasting hand. “Where is he, where’s my
father?”
“He’s right here,” a third man said, and he walked closer to
her. She looked around him, but didn’t see Thomas. What she
could see of this new male made her shiver with fright. A
jaggedscar ran the length of his milky pale face, and his eyes
glittered like a snake about to strike. He nodded to the man
holding her. “Let’s get them in the car.”
mother probably killed herself just to get away. That man is
pathetic and Kayla’s going to end up just like him.” Then they
laughed. Kayla stiffened her shoulders, and walked away. What
else could she do? They were probably right. And now this!
Kayla turned the handle, and pushed the door open. It was
just as cold inside as it was outside. Shivering, her hand
automatically reached for the light switch. Click. She clenched
her teeth against the anger surging through her. “Daddy!” She
yelled, and then slammed the door. She knew where to find him,
passed out on his bed if he’d made it that far. She just hoped she
wouldn’t have to clean up any vomit today, she wasn’t in the
mood. “Daddy, I’m home.” She went to an end table she knew
stood beside the battered sofa, and kicked off her tennis shoes.
“Did you eat? I brought some beef and eggs from the restaurant.”
No answer, not like she expected one. Kayla moved towards
the kitchen and briskly rubbed her hands together, then folded
them over her chest and tucked them under her armpits for
warmth. Suddenly a match flared, and she froze staring at a man
she did not know. Instantly she opened her mouth, but it was
immediately covered and her hands were caught by hard rough
hands and held tight behind her back. She struggled, screaming
behind the hand that held her mouth and trying desperately to
claw at the hand that held hers. Even her feet were useless, her
socks did no damage at all. Then a sinister voice rang out, chilling
her blood.
“Your father is going to be dead if you don’t hold still.”
That froze her every movement, the man in front of her looked
like he meant every word he said. She shook her head, and
dislodged the foul tasting hand. “Where is he, where’s my
father?”
“He’s right here,” a third man said, and he walked closer to
her. She looked around him, but didn’t see Thomas. What she
could see of this new male made her shiver with fright. A
jaggedscar ran the length of his milky pale face, and his eyes
glittered like a snake about to strike. He nodded to the man
holding her. “Let’s get them in the car.”
“No,” Kayla struggled, fear coiled inside her. “No, I won’t
go. Let me go, where’s my father?”
“ Oh,” the man hissed. “You’ll go alright, and you’ll do
everything I say, or dear old pops will be as dead as your
sweet mama.”
She fell silent, but her mind raced with the possibilities.
Why? Did these men know her mother? If so, how? In her
hearts of heart she knew it could be only one thing. Thomas
had made a bet he couldn’t cover. It wasn’t if they would die,
for Kayla it was how. With any luck these men were here to
beat them as a warning, but still give them more time to pay
the debt. Worse case, it was too late, they would rape her,
and kill them both. She knew the type, she had seen it on TV.
If she were to die, she hoped they did it fast. She didn’t think
she could deal with torture. She wanted to die with some
dignity. She cringed when a cold burst of air hit her in the face
as she was pulled from the house and into the night. Her
socks were instantly soggy in the dirty wet snow. She was
pushed into a big car and her father was shoved in behind her.
“Forgive me angel,” Thomas said, in a slobbering voice
that told her he was still drunk. “I didn’t mean to do it. Please
angel, don’t be mad.”
She turned her face away from the stench of liquor on his
breath. As relieved as she was to see him she couldn’t stop
the bitterness in her voice. “You never do Dad.”
“Shut up old man.” Thomas was pushed back hard
against the seat.
"Don’t you touch him!” She yelled and received a well
place backhand to the face. Kayla caught her cheek and glared
at the evil looking man, and then her eyes cut to the other two
men. They didn’t look much better. “What do you want?
Why are we here?”
One of the men laughed. “Just like a woman, always
trying to take over.”
“Yeah, I got something she can take over.” The other said
with a nasty leer.
The first man laughed. “I know just how to plug that hold.”
go. Let me go, where’s my father?”
“ Oh,” the man hissed. “You’ll go alright, and you’ll do
everything I say, or dear old pops will be as dead as your
sweet mama.”
She fell silent, but her mind raced with the possibilities.
Why? Did these men know her mother? If so, how? In her
hearts of heart she knew it could be only one thing. Thomas
had made a bet he couldn’t cover. It wasn’t if they would die,
for Kayla it was how. With any luck these men were here to
beat them as a warning, but still give them more time to pay
the debt. Worse case, it was too late, they would rape her,
and kill them both. She knew the type, she had seen it on TV.
If she were to die, she hoped they did it fast. She didn’t think
she could deal with torture. She wanted to die with some
dignity. She cringed when a cold burst of air hit her in the face
as she was pulled from the house and into the night. Her
socks were instantly soggy in the dirty wet snow. She was
pushed into a big car and her father was shoved in behind her.
“Forgive me angel,” Thomas said, in a slobbering voice
that told her he was still drunk. “I didn’t mean to do it. Please
angel, don’t be mad.”
She turned her face away from the stench of liquor on his
breath. As relieved as she was to see him she couldn’t stop
the bitterness in her voice. “You never do Dad.”
“Shut up old man.” Thomas was pushed back hard
against the seat.
"Don’t you touch him!” She yelled and received a well
place backhand to the face. Kayla caught her cheek and glared
at the evil looking man, and then her eyes cut to the other two
men. They didn’t look much better. “What do you want?
Why are we here?”
One of the men laughed. “Just like a woman, always
trying to take over.”
“Yeah, I got something she can take over.” The other said
with a nasty leer.
The first man laughed. “I know just how to plug that hold.”
“We are here for one reason, you two better remember
that,” Snake eyes as she dubbed him snapped, his glittering
eyes on Thomas. Then his eyes fell to Kayla and she tried not
to cringe. “Your father owes us money.”
“What’s new about that?” She spat with false bravo, trying
to show them she wasn’t scared, but she was really shaking in
her wet soaks.
“You are going to pay us back.” Snake eyes continued.
She eyed him as if he had lost his mind. “I don’t have any
gambling bets.” She huffed, and crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m not paying back anything.”
“You will if you want Thomas to see another day.”
“You can’t be serious,” she said, trying to still the flutter
of panic in her voice. “I don’t have any money, if I did do you
think we’d be living with no electricity?”
“I am very serious. I don’t have time to convince you that
I’m not playing games.” He turned to the man closes him.“Give
me the knife.”
Kayla felt panic rising high in her throat. “What are you
doing?”
“I’m proving to you how serious I am.” He caught one of
Thomas’s hands in his and promptly cut off his index finger.
Screams of pain and fury echoed in the small space, and Kayla
reached for her father. But she was pushed back into her seat.
“You bastard!” She screamed. “You dirty rotten bastard.”
“You told Thomas about a man who went to the bank
yesterday. Thomas said the man was rich, and he had just
liquidated his dead wife’s assets. You told faithful old Thomas,
and he told us. I did my research, and found out it’s true. It’s
that tycoon Donaldson, from one of the riches families on this
Island. I need that money. You are going to set him up for us so
we can steal it.”
“I will not!” Kayla screamed. “You can go ahead and kill
me because I’m doing no such thing! If they are as rich as you
say they are they would hunt me down and kill me! I’d just as
soon get it over with now.”
that,” Snake eyes as she dubbed him snapped, his glittering
eyes on Thomas. Then his eyes fell to Kayla and she tried not
to cringe. “Your father owes us money.”
“What’s new about that?” She spat with false bravo, trying
to show them she wasn’t scared, but she was really shaking in
her wet soaks.
“You are going to pay us back.” Snake eyes continued.
She eyed him as if he had lost his mind. “I don’t have any
gambling bets.” She huffed, and crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m not paying back anything.”
“You will if you want Thomas to see another day.”
“You can’t be serious,” she said, trying to still the flutter
of panic in her voice. “I don’t have any money, if I did do you
think we’d be living with no electricity?”
“I am very serious. I don’t have time to convince you that
I’m not playing games.” He turned to the man closes him.“Give
me the knife.”
Kayla felt panic rising high in her throat. “What are you
doing?”
“I’m proving to you how serious I am.” He caught one of
Thomas’s hands in his and promptly cut off his index finger.
Screams of pain and fury echoed in the small space, and Kayla
reached for her father. But she was pushed back into her seat.
“You bastard!” She screamed. “You dirty rotten bastard.”
“You told Thomas about a man who went to the bank
yesterday. Thomas said the man was rich, and he had just
liquidated his dead wife’s assets. You told faithful old Thomas,
and he told us. I did my research, and found out it’s true. It’s
that tycoon Donaldson, from one of the riches families on this
Island. I need that money. You are going to set him up for us so
we can steal it.”
“I will not!” Kayla screamed. “You can go ahead and kill
me because I’m doing no such thing! If they are as rich as you
say they are they would hunt me down and kill me! I’d just as
soon get it over with now.”
“You don’t, and Thomas dies a nice slow death, it’s up to
you how long your father lives. I can make it slow and very
painful while you watch, tied to a chair in front of him.”
Her mouth fell open, and her eyes started to water. She
stared in disbelief, as reality started to sink in. Her breath came
in shallow pants as she realized her life was over. One way or
another, this night would change their lives forever. If they
lived through it.
“Close your mouth, and get out.” The car door was
opened and they all spilled out. One man grabbed Kayla’s arm
when she refused to get out and dragged her from the car. He
tossed her to the nasty wet ground in what looked like a back
alley and she glared up at him. “Bastard!” she yelled. He lifted
his foot but snake eyes hurried them and pushed the man away.
“Get your ass up!” He snarled and she stayed where she
was. He reached down and grabbed a handful of her hair and
pulled her screaming to her feet.
“Help!” Kayla yelled at the top of her lungs. “Help me!
Help I’m being robbed!”
The hand in her hair tightened and the hot rank breath on
her cheek silenced her. “You shut that mouth of yours. Or I’ll
shut it for you.”
“You won’t,” she sneered. “You need me, I don’t know
why but you need me for something. You won’t hurt me.
Aaaarrrgh,” she screamed when his hand snaked around her
neck and started to squeeze.
“I said shut it!”
She nodded as blackness gathered in front of her eyes, and
she franticly clutched at his arm to stay on her feet.
“Boys,” snake eyes addressed the men. “Adam, give me
the bag.” The one who’d been about to kick her ran to a stack
of what looked like trash bags and pulled out a black bag.
Kayla looked at Thomas and she was torn between rage and
contempt. He sat with his head down, holding his injured hand
and sobbing.
you how long your father lives. I can make it slow and very
painful while you watch, tied to a chair in front of him.”
Her mouth fell open, and her eyes started to water. She
stared in disbelief, as reality started to sink in. Her breath came
in shallow pants as she realized her life was over. One way or
another, this night would change their lives forever. If they
lived through it.
“Close your mouth, and get out.” The car door was
opened and they all spilled out. One man grabbed Kayla’s arm
when she refused to get out and dragged her from the car. He
tossed her to the nasty wet ground in what looked like a back
alley and she glared up at him. “Bastard!” she yelled. He lifted
his foot but snake eyes hurried them and pushed the man away.
“Get your ass up!” He snarled and she stayed where she
was. He reached down and grabbed a handful of her hair and
pulled her screaming to her feet.
“Help!” Kayla yelled at the top of her lungs. “Help me!
Help I’m being robbed!”
The hand in her hair tightened and the hot rank breath on
her cheek silenced her. “You shut that mouth of yours. Or I’ll
shut it for you.”
“You won’t,” she sneered. “You need me, I don’t know
why but you need me for something. You won’t hurt me.
Aaaarrrgh,” she screamed when his hand snaked around her
neck and started to squeeze.
“I said shut it!”
She nodded as blackness gathered in front of her eyes, and
she franticly clutched at his arm to stay on her feet.
“Boys,” snake eyes addressed the men. “Adam, give me
the bag.” The one who’d been about to kick her ran to a stack
of what looked like trash bags and pulled out a black bag.
Kayla looked at Thomas and she was torn between rage and
contempt. He sat with his head down, holding his injured hand
and sobbing.
“Put this on.” Snake tossed a piece of black material at
her, she caught it through sheer reflex. “Then I want you to go
up the elevator to the sixth floor. The room number is six
hundred two. Pretend you are the whore he ordered. Act tipsy
or something, then start taking your close off, and then slip this
into his drink.” He handed her a slim black glass vial. “When he’
s out, we’ll come in and relieve him of our money.”
“Wait a minute,” she said, not even looking at the outfit in
her hands. She wasn’t about to put it on, she need to stall for
time, there had to be a way out of this. “It’s his money.”
“It’ll be our money, because we’re making it ours.” He
took a menacing step towards her. “Start getting dressed, we
don’t have a lot of time.”
“I will not!” Kayla tried once again to defy what was
happening.
Snake eyes looked at Thomas. “Come here Thomas?” And
like a good little drunk, Thomas went to the man, Kayla wanted
to choke him. “Which part does your dear sweet daughter want
me to cut off next?” He grabbed a hold of Thomas’s ear, and
Thomas screamed in terror.
Kayla held up her hand, “Alright stop, stop it you’re
hurting him.”
“Good girl.” Snake eyes pushed Thomas away and he fell
to the ground, his already alcohol weak legs unable to hold him.
She glared at them all as they leered while she struggled
into the skintight black dress, the bodice was so low she could
see her navel. It sparkled even in this low light. He handed her a
black pair of spiked heels. Kayla was mortified, the hem of the
dress barely reached the tops of her thighs no matter how hard
she tugged.
“You are pretty enough to pull this off.” Snake eyes said.
“You better not fuck this up.” He reached out and ripped the
ponytail holder from her hair, and she cried out in pain.“Shake
that shit out and fluff it up, you have lip stick don’t you.”
When she shook her head no, he lifted his hand in a threatening
manner and she nodded then quickly produced the lipstick, and
applied it rapidly.
her, she caught it through sheer reflex. “Then I want you to go
up the elevator to the sixth floor. The room number is six
hundred two. Pretend you are the whore he ordered. Act tipsy
or something, then start taking your close off, and then slip this
into his drink.” He handed her a slim black glass vial. “When he’
s out, we’ll come in and relieve him of our money.”
“Wait a minute,” she said, not even looking at the outfit in
her hands. She wasn’t about to put it on, she need to stall for
time, there had to be a way out of this. “It’s his money.”
“It’ll be our money, because we’re making it ours.” He
took a menacing step towards her. “Start getting dressed, we
don’t have a lot of time.”
“I will not!” Kayla tried once again to defy what was
happening.
Snake eyes looked at Thomas. “Come here Thomas?” And
like a good little drunk, Thomas went to the man, Kayla wanted
to choke him. “Which part does your dear sweet daughter want
me to cut off next?” He grabbed a hold of Thomas’s ear, and
Thomas screamed in terror.
Kayla held up her hand, “Alright stop, stop it you’re
hurting him.”
“Good girl.” Snake eyes pushed Thomas away and he fell
to the ground, his already alcohol weak legs unable to hold him.
She glared at them all as they leered while she struggled
into the skintight black dress, the bodice was so low she could
see her navel. It sparkled even in this low light. He handed her a
black pair of spiked heels. Kayla was mortified, the hem of the
dress barely reached the tops of her thighs no matter how hard
she tugged.
“You are pretty enough to pull this off.” Snake eyes said.
“You better not fuck this up.” He reached out and ripped the
ponytail holder from her hair, and she cried out in pain.“Shake
that shit out and fluff it up, you have lip stick don’t you.”
When she shook her head no, he lifted his hand in a threatening
manner and she nodded then quickly produced the lipstick, and
applied it rapidly.
“You won’t get away with this.” She murmured, fear
pushing the words from her.
“Oh, yes we will, the only two witnesses will be with
us.”
“Or dead,” Adam snickered, and her heart jumped,
knowing they might be killed was one thing, but hearing it was
quite another. She looked at Thomas, he now stood next to
one of the other men as if defeated, clutching his still bleeding
hand. She would never look to him for help, she was always
the one to do the helping. She had always told him his
gambling would be the death of them. She was okay with
dying, ever since her mother had past, she had been prepared.
Death could sneak up on a person, or it could linger and the
pain could make you angry and bitter. If she were going to die
at lease she would do it with her father at her side. But there
was a part of her that was hopeful. There may be a way out
of this, and while she was not afraid to die, she didn’t want to
go right now. She was too young, she wanted to see the
world, she still carried the idea that maybe one day she could
become that surgeon, she wanted to have kids, and maybe
even see her grand kids.
“Let me talk to Thomas.” She demanded.
“Don’t you mean Daddy?” Snake sneered, his grip on her
arm hurtful.
She jerked free of the hand that held her, and went to her
father. She pulled Thomas away from the crowd. “You have
two minutes.” Snake yelled.
“Fine,” she snapped. She turned to Thomas. “What is
this about? Why do I have to do this?”
“I dun lost forty-thousand dollars bebe, I been tryin’ ta
pay it back, but I cain’t.”
“Dad,” she sighed, in frustration. “Stop it with the Cajun
accent. Just tell me why I have to do this. Where did you get
forty-thousand dollars?”
“I borrowed it from them.” He straightened up
immediately. “I have a friend who works here.”
“Yeah I know, Thelma right?”
pushing the words from her.
“Oh, yes we will, the only two witnesses will be with
us.”
“Or dead,” Adam snickered, and her heart jumped,
knowing they might be killed was one thing, but hearing it was
quite another. She looked at Thomas, he now stood next to
one of the other men as if defeated, clutching his still bleeding
hand. She would never look to him for help, she was always
the one to do the helping. She had always told him his
gambling would be the death of them. She was okay with
dying, ever since her mother had past, she had been prepared.
Death could sneak up on a person, or it could linger and the
pain could make you angry and bitter. If she were going to die
at lease she would do it with her father at her side. But there
was a part of her that was hopeful. There may be a way out
of this, and while she was not afraid to die, she didn’t want to
go right now. She was too young, she wanted to see the
world, she still carried the idea that maybe one day she could
become that surgeon, she wanted to have kids, and maybe
even see her grand kids.
“Let me talk to Thomas.” She demanded.
“Don’t you mean Daddy?” Snake sneered, his grip on her
arm hurtful.
She jerked free of the hand that held her, and went to her
father. She pulled Thomas away from the crowd. “You have
two minutes.” Snake yelled.
“Fine,” she snapped. She turned to Thomas. “What is
this about? Why do I have to do this?”
“I dun lost forty-thousand dollars bebe, I been tryin’ ta
pay it back, but I cain’t.”
“Dad,” she sighed, in frustration. “Stop it with the Cajun
accent. Just tell me why I have to do this. Where did you get
forty-thousand dollars?”
“I borrowed it from them.” He straightened up
immediately. “I have a friend who works here.”
“Yeah I know, Thelma right?”
“Right, well she might be able to help you. I’m sorry I
betrayed you bebe, I thought if I told Allen about that money,
he would let me go and we’d be even, but I was wrong.”
“Who’s Allen?”
Thomas pointed a shaky finger to Snake eyes.
“What exactly did you tell that bastard?”
“Watch yo langage youn layde,” he scolded her, “his name
be Allen Peachtry. He be the man who been givin’ me all dat
money ta play on.”
“I don’t care what his name is!” She snapped. “Tell me
what this has to do with me.”
“Evrthang yo done told me, bot that Donaldson man that
gone inta that bank, and closed all his accounts, I told them that
he left that old bank with two great big bags of nothing but
money.”
Kayla stared at Thomas with disbelieving eyes. His
betrayal felt as if she’d never known him. Her own father had
turned into a stranger.“So, it’s not enough to get your daughter
involved, you have to play with the life of a total stranger. You
do know we are all dead, even this rich guy.” She held up the
vial. “This maybe poison for all I know. They may want me to
kill this man. Then they’ll kill us.”
“Calm down bebe. I’ll git us outta this.”
“I love you Daddy, but you can’t help us now.” She
kissed his cold cheek, and a tear slipped from one of her eyes.
There was no way out of this, she knew it. But Thomas was
too drunk to understand that. “Stay alive until I can come back
to you. Stay put, I’ll try to get us out of this.”
“I’ll try too,” Thomas assured her, “but bebe, don’t waste
your time on me. I’m a loss cause. Save yourself, if you see a
chance to get away you do it.”
“I’m not leaving without you.” She growled low under her
breath. “Listen to me, if you see away out you take it, don’t
wait for me. If I find away out I’ll come back to help you if
you haven’t gotten away from them. If you find away meet me
upstairs, the room number is six hundred two.”
“I will, I love you bebe.”
betrayed you bebe, I thought if I told Allen about that money,
he would let me go and we’d be even, but I was wrong.”
“Who’s Allen?”
Thomas pointed a shaky finger to Snake eyes.
“What exactly did you tell that bastard?”
“Watch yo langage youn layde,” he scolded her, “his name
be Allen Peachtry. He be the man who been givin’ me all dat
money ta play on.”
“I don’t care what his name is!” She snapped. “Tell me
what this has to do with me.”
“Evrthang yo done told me, bot that Donaldson man that
gone inta that bank, and closed all his accounts, I told them that
he left that old bank with two great big bags of nothing but
money.”
Kayla stared at Thomas with disbelieving eyes. His
betrayal felt as if she’d never known him. Her own father had
turned into a stranger.“So, it’s not enough to get your daughter
involved, you have to play with the life of a total stranger. You
do know we are all dead, even this rich guy.” She held up the
vial. “This maybe poison for all I know. They may want me to
kill this man. Then they’ll kill us.”
“Calm down bebe. I’ll git us outta this.”
“I love you Daddy, but you can’t help us now.” She
kissed his cold cheek, and a tear slipped from one of her eyes.
There was no way out of this, she knew it. But Thomas was
too drunk to understand that. “Stay alive until I can come back
to you. Stay put, I’ll try to get us out of this.”
“I’ll try too,” Thomas assured her, “but bebe, don’t waste
your time on me. I’m a loss cause. Save yourself, if you see a
chance to get away you do it.”
“I’m not leaving without you.” She growled low under her
breath. “Listen to me, if you see away out you take it, don’t
wait for me. If I find away out I’ll come back to help you if
you haven’t gotten away from them. If you find away meet me
upstairs, the room number is six hundred two.”
“I will, I love you bebe.”
“Get going girl!” Allen yelled. Kayla stared at the big
black gun he now held pressed against her left side, and her
insides shook. “You got twenty minutes, put that stuff in his
drink, when he’s out you step into the hallway, we’ll be
waiting.”
Kayla swallowed hard and nodded. She headed towards the
end of the alley, then after one last look into the darkness
surrounding her father she hurried into the hotel entrance way.
Once inside she paused to catch her breath. She stood with a
piece of paper in her shaking hands. Written in bad handwriting
was the name of man she was about to kill, and his room
number. She looked up and let the paper dangle from her
fingertips. She hurried towards the elevators and took a brief
moment to warm herself before stepping inside. She couldn’t
think, she wouldn’t think, this was the only way.She pushed
the button to go to the 6th floor, and then eased back to lean
against the glass that covered the walls. Her mind raced over
possible ways to escape. She vaguely noticed, the way the rose
colored lights caressed her tawny brown skin. Her look took her
breath away. She looked like a whore. The skimpy dress
shimmered with every movement, baring a good amount of skin.
She lifted her arm and smelled her skin. She gave a humorless
laugh, she still smelled of grease and pie from the diner.
She had showered when she got off work at the bank, but
there had been no chance before this nightmare started. She
shrugged; it was not as if she wanted this guy’s attention any
way. If he were so repulsed that he sent her away, then it
wouldn’t be her fault. Just as the thought hit, she remembered
Allen said they would be watching and when she stepped out
of the room that would be there signal. That wouldn’t work.
She had only twenty minutes, she had to think of a way to stall
for time, sleeping with a stranger was not on her list of things to
do. She needed to get him talking, maybe she could get him
thinking of something else, while she figured out how to get out
of this mess. Maybe she could convince the man to let her take
a shower, and then she would have more time to figure out a
way to get out of this. But then there would be no time left, no
a shower would take to long.
black gun he now held pressed against her left side, and her
insides shook. “You got twenty minutes, put that stuff in his
drink, when he’s out you step into the hallway, we’ll be
waiting.”
Kayla swallowed hard and nodded. She headed towards the
end of the alley, then after one last look into the darkness
surrounding her father she hurried into the hotel entrance way.
Once inside she paused to catch her breath. She stood with a
piece of paper in her shaking hands. Written in bad handwriting
was the name of man she was about to kill, and his room
number. She looked up and let the paper dangle from her
fingertips. She hurried towards the elevators and took a brief
moment to warm herself before stepping inside. She couldn’t
think, she wouldn’t think, this was the only way.She pushed
the button to go to the 6th floor, and then eased back to lean
against the glass that covered the walls. Her mind raced over
possible ways to escape. She vaguely noticed, the way the rose
colored lights caressed her tawny brown skin. Her look took her
breath away. She looked like a whore. The skimpy dress
shimmered with every movement, baring a good amount of skin.
She lifted her arm and smelled her skin. She gave a humorless
laugh, she still smelled of grease and pie from the diner.
She had showered when she got off work at the bank, but
there had been no chance before this nightmare started. She
shrugged; it was not as if she wanted this guy’s attention any
way. If he were so repulsed that he sent her away, then it
wouldn’t be her fault. Just as the thought hit, she remembered
Allen said they would be watching and when she stepped out
of the room that would be there signal. That wouldn’t work.
She had only twenty minutes, she had to think of a way to stall
for time, sleeping with a stranger was not on her list of things to
do. She needed to get him talking, maybe she could get him
thinking of something else, while she figured out how to get out
of this mess. Maybe she could convince the man to let her take
a shower, and then she would have more time to figure out a
way to get out of this. But then there would be no time left, no
a shower would take to long.
One thing was for sure, before she would do anything
she would set this guy straight. She was no seductress. She
didn’t know the first thing about it. Nevertheless, there was
no question of how far she was willing to go to save her
father’s life. She had given up her entire future to nurse him
back to health after her mother had died. She put her future on
hold to stay with him and help him through the rough spots.
No, there was no question. Besides, she wasn’t a beautiful
girl, just slightly pretty, how was she going to entice him.
What to do?
She bit her lower lip as the elevator door opened, and a
long hallway loomed in front of her. She took a step out and
her heels sank into the lush carpet. She walked down the hall
looking for the room that would decide her fate. She stopped
in front of the door and took a deep breath. She ran her
sweaty palms over her dress which did not help. She steadied
herself then prepared to do the unthinkable.
She lifted her hand and knocked once. The door was
yanked open. The light behind him was enough to make her
catch her breath. He was tall, slim and incredibly handsome.
Thick black curls brushed his collar, and his skin was a soft
bronze. His shirt hung free of his pants revealing a chest
rippling with muscle. Unexpected desire ambushed her. Her
breath caught and she held it in, this was not what she
expected. She thought he would be some old man with
wrinkle skin and gray hair. As handsome as he was, he looked
like he’d just lost his best friend. Not that it mattered, either
way she was doomed. Disgust warred with fear and she
stepped over the threshold. She made her mind go blank, then
placed her hands on his trim waist and slid them around to his
back and up.
To her surprise he pulled away and grabbed her hands, he
pulled her into the room and slammed the door. “Don’t
speak,” his voice was gruff as if it pained him to speak, “all I
need is one thing from you. Hike up the dress, and spread
yourself on the bed.”
She blanched. “What?”
she would set this guy straight. She was no seductress. She
didn’t know the first thing about it. Nevertheless, there was
no question of how far she was willing to go to save her
father’s life. She had given up her entire future to nurse him
back to health after her mother had died. She put her future on
hold to stay with him and help him through the rough spots.
No, there was no question. Besides, she wasn’t a beautiful
girl, just slightly pretty, how was she going to entice him.
What to do?
She bit her lower lip as the elevator door opened, and a
long hallway loomed in front of her. She took a step out and
her heels sank into the lush carpet. She walked down the hall
looking for the room that would decide her fate. She stopped
in front of the door and took a deep breath. She ran her
sweaty palms over her dress which did not help. She steadied
herself then prepared to do the unthinkable.
She lifted her hand and knocked once. The door was
yanked open. The light behind him was enough to make her
catch her breath. He was tall, slim and incredibly handsome.
Thick black curls brushed his collar, and his skin was a soft
bronze. His shirt hung free of his pants revealing a chest
rippling with muscle. Unexpected desire ambushed her. Her
breath caught and she held it in, this was not what she
expected. She thought he would be some old man with
wrinkle skin and gray hair. As handsome as he was, he looked
like he’d just lost his best friend. Not that it mattered, either
way she was doomed. Disgust warred with fear and she
stepped over the threshold. She made her mind go blank, then
placed her hands on his trim waist and slid them around to his
back and up.
To her surprise he pulled away and grabbed her hands, he
pulled her into the room and slammed the door. “Don’t
speak,” his voice was gruff as if it pained him to speak, “all I
need is one thing from you. Hike up the dress, and spread
yourself on the bed.”
She blanched. “What?”