‘My lady Jacqueline welcome to my humble abode.’ He spoke sardonically as he placed a tray of food on the table and took a package from under his arm and placed that on the chair.
‘I’m afraid you have the advantage of me there, you for one know who I am.’ I said sarcastically from my position on the bed. I made no effort to move. I just watched him warily. Not as tall a Kevin but with a more powerful build. He had a face that would have been an actor’s dream, nondescript, neither handsome or ugly, but a face that could pass through a crowd and no one would ever have been able to describe him. It looked the sort of face that could be anyone or everyone. His light brown hair was cropped short close to his head. His eyes were of the palest blue and they watched me intently. I stared back look for look, trying not to let him intimidate me. But his face did seem vaguely familiar and I racked my brains trying to think of where I had seen him before.
‘I have some things for you, clothes. I want you to change into them.’ He said pointing at the package he had brought with him.
‘And if I don’t want to?’ I asked testing how far I could push him.
‘Don’t force me to make you M’Lady, besides you’re not dressed for a sea voyage.’ My mind reeled as I tried to process this information, a sea voyage. Where on earth was he taking me? He walked over to the bed and I forced myself to hold my ground. He grabbed my chin and forced me to look him in the eyes.
‘I like a woman with spirit.’ He said menacingly as he yanked my chin higher. ‘And you’ve plenty of that’ He lowered his lips to mine taking me by surprise. Roughly without any gentleness his lips moved over mine. Coming my senses after the initial shock I pushed against his chest succeeding in shoving him away. Gasping for breath I reached up to slap his face catching him unawares.
‘How dare you?’ I hissed my chest heaving, partly in indignation and partly in fright.
But he just touched his cheek where the red mark from my brand stood out against his pale skin and laughed. It was a menacing sound and it frightened me.
‘That’s not very nice Jacqueline.’ He reached down and grabbed my arm yanking me roughly but with ease off the bed till I stood toe to toe with him, the length of my body pressed against his. I let out a yelp of pain as he twisted my arm. But he just grinned and pulled me closer still. I could see he revelled in the power struggle as I pitted my will against his. I could feel his hard muscled body and my greatest fear as I was pressed up against him. I looked away from him in disgust but he twisted my face around so I had to look up into his. ‘Now now sweetheart lets see if we can behave ok?’ He kissed me roughly again then released me. I staggered back and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. It didn’t go unnoticed by him but he just laughed and sneered. ‘Soon you’ll be begging me to kiss you and more. Now get changed or do you want me to dress you myself, I’m quite capable you know?’
‘I’ll change when you leave the room and not before.’ I told him suppressing the quiver in my voice. And after his kisses my heart was racing in fear but I fought desperately not to show it to him. He stared at me then made up his mind. ‘Fine I don’t have the time for seduction now, but like I said soon you’ll be begging for me my love. Now I’ve got to leave you alone for a bit, I’ve things to plan. Don’t go anywhere will you Jacqueline?’ he said with a laugh as he left the room.
‘ You bastard.’ I said as I heard the door lock again. I sighed and sat down on the bed chewing my lip. His constant harping on the fact that I would want him and be begging for him unsettled me. I heard a door bang somewhere in the house. I got up and looked out of the small window and watched his retreating back as he strolled along. Then I remembered the phone. Would he have a scanner set up to detect it? Well on that I have to gamble. I dug the phone out of its hiding place and dialled our number. It was engaged. I swore and cursed and redialled as I fought back the tears.
***************************
The phone rang and Kerry picked it up and the voice she heard on the end of the line caused her to yell at everyone to be quiet.
‘Kevin, Steve over here right now.’ She snapped. ‘Jac I’m putting you on to Steve.’ Steve grabbed the phone.
‘Good girl where are you?’ He asked trying to stay calm.
‘I don’t know, all I can tell you is I’m near the ocean. I can see it from the window here. I can’t even give you an idea how far away I am, because he drugged me on the way here. He’s not here at the moment, he’s gone out. He said he needed to make plans finalise details. Steve he told me we’re taking a sea voyage.’ I added in a panicked undertone..
‘Shit, ok stay calm. Has he harmed you in any way?’ He sensed her hesitate and he knew she was holding something back.
‘Umm no, not yet, well that’s to say…that’s one aspect of all this I’m concerned about.’ He heard her say softly and he knew she was trying to be brave. Steve threw a sideways glance at Kevin who was fidgeting about beside him desperate to grab hold of the phone and speak to his wife. He’d not like this one bit.
‘Shit, look Jac can you hide the phone somewhere?’
‘I think so, yeah I guess I can.’
‘Look leave it connected, leave the line open, but hide it ok? We’ll try and put a trace on it, but how’s the battery levels?’
‘It’s fully charged. Steve will the trace take long?’ he heard her voice quiver and he suspected she wasn’t far from tears. He didn’t want to make any promises.
‘We’ll do it as quick as we can Jac.’
‘Steve is Kevin there? Can I talk to him please?’
‘He’s here and almost ripping my arm off to get to the phone….Jac be careful, here’s Kevin.’ Kevin all but snatched the phone from his hand but when he had it in his grasp he didn’t know what to say, his throat went dry. ‘Jax…baby.’ His voice cracked.
‘Kevie. Oh god Kev I’m so frightened..’ He heard the undertones of panic in her voice and he felt his stomach clench in knots.
‘Babe has…has he..has he hurt you?’ he stammered out wanting but not wanting to know because he knew frustratingly he could do nothing about it. His hands were tied. He too sensed her hesitation. Christ if this guy harmed her he didn’t knew what he’d do. ‘Jax baby…’
‘No I’m ok he’s not done anything to me yet?’ her words were a knife to his heart as the yet hung meaningful in the air between them. He heard her choke back a sob. ‘Kevin..if I ..if I don’t see you again I want you to know that I love you.’
‘Jax, god don’t even talk..think like that please..’ he could feel his eyes start to swim and he dashed the wetness away.
‘Kevin..baby I have to, I have to say what’s in my heart, I want you to know you’re the best thing that ever happened to me…I might not get the chance to tell you again.’ He heard her voice crack, he knew she was in tears.
‘Jesus babe..just hold on, we’ll find you. I promise you….’ He was desperate to reassure her now.
‘But Kev…oh love, I have to go. I think I see him coming. I’ve got to hide the phone. I love you….’
‘Jax.. Jax..’.. baby..’ he shouted into the receiver he wanted to hang on to what might be their last ever contact forever.
‘Kevin?’
He heard her crying and his heart broke and he said softly ‘Baby I love you.. and you’re the best thing to ever happen to me as well… it’s not over baby..not by a long shot. Your mine forever..do you hear me..i love you. I love you..’
‘I hear you…Kev..i’ve got to go…I love you…’ he heard her move about and then there was nothing. Silence. And Kevin slammed his fist into the wall and slid down against it holding his head in his hands in his despair and wept.
********************
Sobbing I looked about for a hiding place. Stop it Jac I told myself, fear is his weapon, show no fear. If he senses you’re afraid he’ll think he has control of you. I sniffed and wiped away my tears. I took deep gulping breaths. Ok think… think for god’s sake. The chest of drawers, I had no reason to use them, so I yanked out a drawer and placed the phone on the runner at the back that guided the draws movement. Thank god the phone was the tiniest thing. The draw just closed and I prayed he wouldn’t find the need to open that particular one. I chose the drawer closest to the floor if the phone fell from it’s hiding place it didn’t have far to fall. I realised I was still in my gown.
‘Shit Jac get dressed.’ I grabbed the package and tore into it, not caring how I opened it. I found a pair of camouflage pants and a tee shirt, ex army by the look of them and a jacket again in khaki, and a cap, that was way too big.
‘Great now I’m playing GI Jane’ I said aloud as I pulled them on. They were a bit large but much more practical than my ball gown. I bundled up my dress and put it on the chair. I heard the front door bang, and I could discern movement down below. I listened at the door for footsteps but heard none so I turned my attention to the food. As well as showing no fear I needed to keep my strength up and to do this I had to eat. A plate of sandwiches, some fruit and a bottle’s of water, Coke and juice accompanied my feast. I hadn’t eaten in what seemed like forever and I felt my stomach grumble with hunger.
I tucked into the sandwiches ravenously, and felt my spirits lift just a touch. That was to be short lived feeling as my prison was not left undisturbed for much longer.
***************************
‘Oh god Kevin.’ Sue said distraught at her friend’s pain as she sat down beside him and pulled him into her arms. ‘We’ll find her, we’ll bring her home safe.’ She murmured soothing words like she would to a child.
‘I dunno if Jax was thinking like that.’ Kevin whispered brokenly. ‘It sounded awfully like a goodbye, god tell me she wasn’t saying goodbye.’
Sue’s eyes flew to Brian’s, then to Kerry’s and Aj’s begging for reassurance. Miles stood there watching silently, his face pinched and white with shock. They all stood immobile uncertain at what to do, hesitant and unsure of finding the right words of comfort. Brian by right of family moved and sat down beside Kevin. He picked up his cousin’s hand.
‘Kevin, it’s not for me to say how to feel, I can’t possibly know what you or Miles are going through. But don’t give up, not yet. There’s still hope. I guess Jac was doing what she needed to do Kev, it was a just in case, but that doesn’t mean it ends there with that goodbye. That was a just in case..and she needed to do that.. for her sake. Now you need to have some hope, don’t give in just yet, that’s what you can do for her be her rock, you’ve been her rock throughout all this. She’s told me so, now be her beacon, be her guiding light home. She needs you to be strong in spirit for her, and you can Kevin. You’re strong, your strength will get her though.’
‘Yes Kev man, you have to believe. If this guy was gonna win, he’d have snatched her at the Halloween party, he didn’t.’ AJ added. ‘He didn’t succeed then and he won’t now.’
Kevin looked up. ‘If he harms one hair on her head, I’ll personally take him apart piece by piece.’
‘Get in line Kevin, if he does anything. I’m claiming that honour first.’ Carlos spoke making them all jump. ‘That’s for Jac, for Gideon and for James and that poor kid Eric and you lad will have to wait your turn.’
‘That’s what justice and the law is for Carlos.’ Said Steve overhearing. ‘But if this bastard shows any resistance, he’ll not know what hits him. And that’s my promise.’
******************************
I looked up from my position on the bed as he entered the room. He leaned casually against the door and regarded me sardonically. ‘Well I must say khaki suits you.’ He moved forward looming large over me, his hand snaked out and caressed my face. I flinched and pulled away but my eyes never wavered from his.’ So touchy, do you flinch when he touches you?’
‘No because I love Kevin.’ I said simply and honestly.
‘Wrong answer.’ He said a flash of anger blazing out of his eyes.
‘Well it’s the only answer you’re going to get.’ I told him obstinately.
He reached down and yanked me up to my feet and I felt his body close against mine. I fought down my revulsion and concentrated thinking about Kevin and his love. I can survive this, I can survive this, this is just my body, he can’t claim my heart, he can’t claim my mind. I will survive this. I took a step backwards and he reached out and grabbed the slender silver chain I wore around my neck, a chain Kevin had given me as a make up gift after one of our quarrels. He entwined it, twisting the chain about his fingers, drew it in so taut I had to take a step towards him or he would have choked me, even still I felt it bite into my flesh. I had to tilt my head upwards to relieve the strain and the pain.
‘See I’ve always loved you.’ He whispered against my hair as his hands roomed across my body. I held myself totally still, tense. ‘From the very first moment I laid eyes on you, is that so hard to understand?’
‘No, no it’s not.’ I spoke barely audible as I remembered the first time I laid eyes on Kevin, he stole my heart from that very first moment. I closed my eyes and willed my body not to feel anything. Separate your mind I begged my body. Don’t think Jac, don’t feel I thought, if you don’t think you won’t feel, there will be no pain. His fingers trailed across my breasts exploring their fullness, then his hands clasped my face and his lips ravaged mine. I stood still unresponsive, my mind whirling in turmoil. Do I fight him off, and anger him, or do I let him continue while showing no emotion? His kisses were hot, demanding, his body pressed hard against mine was totally alien and unfamiliar. ‘Oh Kevin ‘ I thought. ‘I love you.’ I tried to think of him of his love. ‘Give me the strength to cope to get through this. Kevin I love you.’ I thought. His breathing had quickened considerably, and mine was swift and shallow with fear. His mouth deepened his unwelcome kisses and I felt trapped by this smothering sensation as he pulled me even closer. I brought my hands up against his chest trying to push him away. Feebly I knew I was no match for his strength, his arms were like bands of iron as they held me trapped against him. His kisses began to get deeper, wetter and his hands impatiently began to pull and tug at my trousers, he fumbled with the zipper while tumbling me back on to the bed. I whimpered in frustration as I pummelled my fists against his chest, but to no avail, he was intent in having his way, of taking his own pleasure. His mouth never left mine, as he rained onslaught upon onslaught of kisses upon me. My hands failing about came across the tray with the empty plate on it. I grabbed it with my hand and smashed it about his head. I felt blood from the damage I inflicted upon him splatter over my face. His ardour cooled as he raised himself off me pining my arm down as his free hand touched his bleeding cut. ‘You bitch.’ He whispered infuriated as he pulled his fingers away from the wound so he could take in the damage. He was bleeding copiously.
My chest heaving I spat at him. ‘What did you expect? Acquiescence? That I’d let you rape me without putting up a fight?’ His hand reached out and he slapped me repeatedly across the face, splitting my lip open. I tasted the metallic taste of blood in my mouth as I swallowed. I wiped my hand across my mouth and stared at him. ‘Such gentlemanly conduct, I’m sure you’re so proud of yourself?’ I taunted him drawing on all hundreds of years of aristocratic blood I played the lady of the manor to the hilt, I thought maybe he’ll respond to it.
He looked at me with loathing in his eyes as he climbed off me. This attack seemed to be successfully repulsed for the time being. ‘You will beg me to love you before I’ve finished with you.’
‘I seriously doubt that.’ I said as haughtily as I could. My pale green eyes stared icily at him. ‘Nothing would induce me to even consider begging for you.’
‘You will.’
‘I’d sooner die first.’ I spat at him.
‘That can be arranged.’ He snapped back. He reached down and grabbed hold of my arm. ‘We’re leaving right now. No sense in wasting time.’ He dragged me through the open door, down the stairs to the front door. Still holding me tight he picked up a duffle bag, and took a hat off the hall stand. He placed that on my head and opened the front door. ‘We’re going on a little sea voyage. I hope you’re a good sailor?’ he said. ‘Now be a good girl, or I’ll be forced to throw you overboard.’
He set a good walking pace, luckily I was fit so I managed to keep up, but my mind was working frantically. ‘How would they find me now, if we got out to sea, there was a whole ocean for him to lose us in.’