Текст книги "Both of Her"

Автор книги: Kathy Coopmans

Соавторы: Alisa Mullen
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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

SEVENTEEN

 

My sweet man is slumped over his computer with a tumbler of dark liquid in his hand. He makes no movement. Just his deep, brooding dark stare at his screen. Heath’s piercing eyes cryptically penetrating through the screen. The smile on his face is genuine, with his arm casually slung over Camden’s shoulder; the two of them standing in front of the building housing Heath’s restaurant.

Camden looks happy, proud even. Not today though. Today I can feel his pain radiating off of him, smacking me hard right in the face. This is all my fault for reasons I don’t quite understand.

I spent more time in the shower assessing this entire catastrophic turn of events after seeing the bracelet Heath gave me coated in blood, than I did trying to scrub the filth and disgust from my weekend with that deranged man off of my body. When Camden came to check on me, I could see in every characteristic of his handsome features that he now believes Heath is behind this. It broke my heart and shredded me to the point I wanted to chase all of these demons away, to tell him Heath would be caught. My ability to speak flew out the window when Camden apologized, blaming himself for Heath’s actions. The words were on the tip of my tongue, ready to tell him it’s not his fault, it’s mine. Instead, I stood there rendered speechless, like I’d been punched in my throat when the reality that we both blame ourselves for this, yet it’s neither of our faults.

“Hey.” I place my hand on his back. He turns and greets me with a diluted smile that kills me to see. Even still, he’s so outrageously handsome with his unruly hair and his face unshaven.

“Hey gorgeous.” He pulls me into him and kisses me. “Feeling better?”

“Somewhat.” Unstable on my own two feet, I sit myself in his lap. “You smell so good.” He runs his fingers through my semi-dry hair.

Thankfully to Lola went shopping for me while I was passed out buying all of my favorite things, including clothes and my favorite brown sugar body polish.

Treading lightly I say, “I take it there is no word on his whereabouts?” I lift my chin toward the computer, letting him know I am referring to Heath.

“None. I’ve called every contact I can think of. Every employee. No one has heard from him at all. This isn’t the Heath I know.” His gaze travels to the floor.

“Tell me about him? How did the two of you meet?” I hope that by asking, I can help him latch onto something good, to put a true smile on his face.

“That seems like a lifetime ago.” If the memories of the Heath he knows brings the happy man back to me, even for a little while, I will feel as though I’ve protected him in some small way. I know it makes no sense, because after her tells me, all of our problems will still linger. We will still have reality to face. I look at Camden, here with me. He’s chosen to be with me, in spite of the fact it really is my fault. None of this would be happening if I wouldn’t have spent that weekend with Heath, pretending to be another woman. Both of me I despise right now. Especially my true self.

“He and his mother moved in next door to us when I was fifteen. He was three at the time. An absolute little shit.” Camden chuckles. “He grew on me right away. When I turned sixteen, my parents bought me a car and Heath was this little terror who use to zoom around on his ninja bike, up and down the sidewalk, constantly smashing into the side of my car. I couldn’t wait to have that car. A dark blue Camaro decked out with badass speakers and a killer stereo. I thought for sure it was the coolest chick magnet car around.”

“And was it?” The thought of a young high school Camden driving a muscle car around was developing in my mind. I wished I had known him then.

“Oh it definitely was. Especially when I went to open the door for those chicks and had to explain every single time about the big dent in the side of the door.” He chuckles. “The same dent I didn’t have the heart to fix because my little buddy the terror put it there. He looked up to me, Luca. This little boy whose dad took off on his mother the moment he found out she was pregnant. We became close. Even when I left for college, I always found the time to let Heath know how much he meant to me. I would write him and even though he could barely read, I knew his mom, Maggie, would read it to him. The first thing I did, whenever I came home, was to go get him and see how much he had grown while I was gone. I adored that kid. We never steered away from the bond the two of us had. I even invested in his restaurant. I helped him make his dreams come true and when it took off like I knew it would, he paid me back every penny within two years. And now? Fuck.” He rakes his hands through his hair. He needs answers from Heath. Maybe more so than I do.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” My shaky hands curl around his neck.

“I’m sorry too, Luca. I really am. You’re the only thing that’s holding me together.”

“His mom?” Is all I say, hoping he picks up on what I’m trying to ask.

“She’s married and lives in California still and no, I haven’t called her. Heath’s not there. He may be behind all of this, but he loves her. There’s no way in hell would he drag her into it. I won’t worry her unless I absolutely have to.” I wonder what he means by that, but I don’t ask. I’m so tired. I just want to curl up in bed next to him and sleep this horrible day away to start fresh tomorrow. I still have to call my co-workers and explain the latest news to them. Hell, unless Mitch has talked to Leo and Annie, they still don’t know they cannot go to the office when they return home the day after tomorrow. The cops have my phone, so no one can reach me. Mitch knows where I am, even though Camden told me not to tell him, I did.

“Are you hungry? You haven’t ate a thing all day.”

I shake my head. Currently the thought of food was making me cringe. “Let’s go to bed. Lola’s already in one of the rooms down the hall.”

He gifts me with a true Camden smile in response. We stand together, heading toward the bedroom. “I’m going to shower and then I’ll join you,” he tells me as we retreat down the hall.

I slip out of my jeans and shirt, placing them on the chair where Camden left my clothes earlier. I tear off the tags of the silk camisole Lola bought me and climb into the king size bed. Rolling over onto my side of the bed, the darkness seeps in through the floor to ceiling windows. I try to stay awake so I can fall asleep in his arms, but my eyelids flutter. It’s no use. I’m out not even two minutes after my head lays on the pillow.

I’m freezing. It’s cold, dark, damp, and that smell is rancid. What is that pungent over-powering smell? I try screaming for help, but I can’t. Something is holding me back. My throat is dry.

“Help.” My voice is muffled. Oh god no. I’m gagged. Somehow, someone has taken me. I’ve been kidnapped. Camden? Where is he? What have they done with him? He was in the shower. And Lola, where is she? The vomit comes up, spewing out of the corners of my mouth. I’m going to drown in it, dying in this place.

I have to get out of here. I try to move my hands and legs, but they won’t budge. Tears fall freely from my eyes. I tug against the restraints that have my arms lifted above my head. The clinking of chains rattle. I will not give up. I won’t. I have to fight. It’s so dark. I’m unable to see a thing.

And oh god, my legs. I can barely feel them. The only thing I can sense is how I feel like I’m being split in two. Slowly being ripped in half starting from the pain radiating from my core.

My cries are muffled through the gag in my mouth. No one can hear me. I’m being strung up and torn apart. God, please help me. It’s so cold. My body is numb. Even though I cannot see my breath, I know the air expiring from my lungs trundles through the frosty air in small little puffs.

Will I perish to my death from these cold temps and not the other torture? The blasting of freezing cold air whispers across my bare flesh. I’m naked. I can tell as the air hits me. Every part of me is strung up tightly. Freezing right down to my bones, I’m scared. I don’t want to die. Not like this. I have to believe with everything in me; the love, the history that Heath and Camden share that my man is still alive, searching with everything he has to find me. I know Heath has me. I feel him near.

I hear the click of a lock being turned, followed by the creak of a door opening before a blinding light in my eyes stings and alerts me all at once. My head snaps to the sound of shoes tapping across the floor.

“You’re awake I see.” Heath appears before me, his eyes viciously iced over. My eyes bug out of my head, watching him stand there in front of me. I try to talk, my words incomprehensible. “What was that?” He pulls the gag out of my mouth, before placing his hand up against his ear. Vomit drips down my face. I’m dry heaving from the smell of my own puke combined with the intense smell of the room.

I don’t speak, instead I look around and scream when I notice I’m being held in a freezer. Dead chickens are everywhere, hanging from the ceiling. Their beady little eyes watching me. Their little necks broken, hanging on hooks. Hundreds of them staring, gaping in shocked horror.

“What?” He hold his hands out wide. “You loved my chicken the night I fucked you on my table. Or was that a lie? Like every other word that came out of that pretty mouth of yours?” He grips me by my chin, forcing me to look at him. “You answer me when I ask you a question. It’s the polite thing to do, Lucia.”

I shake my head and spit in his face. “My name is Luca, you bastard.”

That remark gets me a back hand across my face.

“No. You’re Lucia. Take a look at yourself. Isn’t this the kind of games you like to play?”

Again, I don’t speak. I look down to the pain ripping my body in half, blood dripping on the floor. I really am being spilt in half. My legs are spread wide in a sex swing. I’m strung out so tight it’s slashing me apart.

“That’s right,” he says maliciously. “Your slowly going to bleed to death right from the part of your body that has used so many men, taunting us all with how wet and tight your pussy is, before leaving us wanting and begging for more. You’re nothing but a selfish whore. You think by taking jewels and gowns that doesn’t make a whore? News flash, sweetheart, it makes you worse than a whore. It makes you a heartless cunt. A bitch so into herself. There’s one more thing you need to know before I leave you here to die.” He walks to the other side of the room. Slipping off his shoes, he unbuckles his belt, before the loud sound of his zipper coming down has me crying. Is he going to rape me? Oh god no.

Heath turns, holding his heavy cock in his hands. Stroking it rapidly. The sound of his hand slamming away as he sucks in a deep breath is the only thing I can hear. His devil like eyes bore holes into mine.

He lifts a hand and pushes a button on the wall. My body starts to descend inch by excruciating inch, my legs spreading wider. I scream from the pain, as bones snap from where my legs connect to my pelvis.

“What are you doing?” I yell out in agony. Tears are streaming down my face, but I refuse to take my eyes off of him, until he moves to stand behind me and I can no longer see him.

“I’m going to fuck you in your ass, Lucia. Raw and hard.” His fingers dig into my sides.

“You’ve become the queen of manipulation, deceit, and disgust. You’ve dug your claws into my best friend, my brother. And you will not take him away from me. He deserves better than you. He had it before. He had the sweet love of a beautiful woman until some drunk fucker took her away from him. And now he’s obsessed with a god damned whoring slut, who spreads her legs for gold and silver, making them want more, before disappearing back to her sweet little home in Chicago. Her life of a bitch in heels. Luca is the fake women, not Lucia. No, Lucia is very much real. She’s the woman you were meant to be. You’re filth. Tainted. And I’m the man who is going to drain every bit of that dirty, soiled filth out of you. I’ll watch you bleed to death, your heart slowly disintegrating, working hard to keep the blood in your body. You’re going to die today, Lucia.

“Why are you doing this, Heath? What have you done to Camden and Lola? Where are they?” I’m shaking in fear, anger, and from the cold. “Answer me, god damn it. Where are they?” I don’t give a shit what he does to me anymore. I am a whore. I’m everything he says I am, but one thing I’m not is heartless. I love people. I love Camden, Mitch, Leo, and Annie. I love my dear friend, Colin. My best friend, Lola. My parents. I love them all!

“Answer me. Are Camden and Lola alive?” I feel my body giving up, becoming weaker by the second. I feel every rip, every tear. My legs feel like they are being torn from my body.

“They’re fucking dead.” He brings one of the hooks used for hanging chickens around my neck, blood drips off the tip.

I scream just as I feel that dreaded hook scrape across the base of my throat.

“Jesus Christ, Luca wake up.”

I lash out, hitting something hard. Sweat drips down my face.

Camden looks down at me and sighs, his hands clasped together behind his neck. His face is etched with worry.

“Camden,” I whisper, sitting up in bed.

“God baby, you scared the fucking hell out of me when I heard you screaming. I walked out here and you were thrashing around in the bed. All you kept saying was my name.” The bed dips when he sits next to me, pulling me onto his lap, into his arms. His warm, still alive arms.

“It was horrible. The worst nightmare. I all felt so real.” Squeezing my eyes shut, I can’t seem to get the look of Heath’s tormented face out of my head. The sight of all those dead chickens. Sadistic and twisted.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asks, reassurance enunciating from his lips.

“No. God no. I just want you to make it go away. Make this all go away,” I cry out.

“I’m trying, sweetheart. God, I’m trying so fucking hard. I know you don’t want to talk about it, but you were dreaming about him, weren’t you?”

He caresses my back and massages my neck, and reins kisses all across the top of my head trying to calm me. I feel myself relaxing in the safety of his arms, but the memory is still there.

“He was hurting me,” is all I can manage to say. The thought of reliving my nightmare has me turning cold. He must feel me shiver, because the next thing I know, he has me wrapped up in the comforting warmth and the delicious smell that only he is capable of providing.

“You’re not alone in this, Luca. I’m here. I will always be here and when I tell you I’m not going anywhere, I mean it,” he says quietly.

“Do you think I’m a whore?” My eyes start to prickle with tears. My heart is so full of love for this man, yet so full of the pain I’m causing him, it’s nearly gutting me.

“No, I don’t. I’ve never thought, nor have I looked at you as anything other than the woman I love.” Love. He said he loves me. I lose my grasp on any ounce of strength I have left. I cry again. Only this time they are tears of happiness. I’ve never had a man tell me he loved me before. It’s more gratifying than any piece of jewelry or designer gown. It’s by far the best words I have ever heard in my entire life.

“Say it again?” I request through heaving breaths of crying mixed with delightful laughter.

“Say what?” I hear the amusement in his tone. “That I love you?” Taking me off of his lap, gracefully as if I weigh nothing, he lays me back down on the bed. His strong fingers run through my hair. His eyes soft.

“I do love you, Luca. I’ve loved you for so long.”

“I love you, too,” I whisper into the face of my protector.

“Don’t scare me like that ever again. Whatever that nightmare was about, know that I will fight until my last breath to protect you. And baby, I’ve just found you again, I plan on breathing for a very long time.”

“Hold me?” I ask.

“Always.”

EIGHTEEN

“Hey babe, you look like shit.” Lola comes strolling in the kitchen, her makeup perfect with her hair piled on top of her head. Fucking Bitch.

“I don’t care.” I shrug and blunder my way back to the coffee pot. You would think after being wrapped up in Camden’s arms all night I would’ve been able to sleep. The way he held me, and repeatedly told me how much he loves me should have made me feel content, safe. I don’t. I’ve never felt so threatened in my entire life. I’m a shell of myself, with no grip on reality. My sanity is completely gone.

“My god, Luca. I know that dream felt real, but honey, it was just a dream. A horrible one, but it wasn’t real, sweetie. Come on. Cheer up.” Slinging her arm around my shoulder, she slightly bumps me with her hip.

“I’m so scared, Lola. It’s as if I’m a marionette and someone else is pulling the strings, taking control of my life. I can’t focus on work. I can’t leave here for fear I’m going to be taken to that god damn freezer. It’s like the scariest part of a sick psychological movie keeps flashing in my mind every time I close my eyes. And Camden, he’s trying to be so strong, but this is wrenching him apart.” I pause, my shaky hands lifting the coffee cup to my lips for a sip. Even the taste of the caffeine is bitter on my tongue.

“Jesus, Luca. Like I told you this morning when you and Camden told me about this nightmare, you need to focus on something else.” Moving to stand in front of me, she places both of her hands on my shoulders. “Let’s get massages and try to relax. Staying in this suite comes with a free massage you know.”

Aw, Christ. I don’t want a massage. The last time I had one was the one Heath provided for me. The one where I gave myself to him and enjoyed it. The thought of having a massage ever again is enough to make me physically ill. You’re a whore. You’re a cunt!

“Shut up.” I drop the mug of coffee on the floor, the brown liquid splashing all over the tile. My hands move to my hair, gripping at my messy strands. Lola jumps out of the way, dodging the steaming liquid. It dawns on me I could have burned my friend, hurt her. As I look into her glassy eyes, I realize she’s still hurt, even though she dodged the coffee.

“Shit. I didn’t mean you need to shut up. I’m a fucking mess. His voice won’t leave my head. I’m a whore, Lola. He kept telling me that and I am. I’m no better than the one’s out there on the street who take crack, cocaine, or any drug they can get their hands on as payment for spreading their legs for someone.” My shoulders slump. She pulls me into her arms and I go willingly.

“You are not a whore,” she softly speaks.

“No, she’s not and if I ever hear her talk about herself like that again, I’ll break my promise and walk out the door.” I see the hurt on Camden’s face, the pain in his eyes, and the tremble of encouragement in his voice. It’s all there. The man looks just as tired as I feel.

“I’m sorry,” I say meekly.

“You have nothing to be sorry about, baby. Don’t ever be ashamed of anything you’ve done in your life. Ever. There isn’t a single person who cares about you who will judge you for a damn thing, so listen to me and quit judging yourself. And another thing, Lola is right. You need something to do. Take my phone, call Leo and Annie and tell them what’s going on, so they can get back here and help maintain Divider. Mitch can’t handle it all alone and you’re not in any state of mind to make rational decisions. Luca, I promised I wouldn’t let anything happen to you and I meant it. I firmly believe Heath will listen to me when he is found.” I stare into his big blue eyes. They shine back a life full of promises, the color so serene and vibrant.

“Damn, bitch. He’s bossy. I bet he bosses you around in the bedroom, too.” Laughter rings throughout the suite. Pure joyful laughter that I haven’t heard for days, comes out of both our mouths. Leave it to Lola and my bossy man to try and cheer me up. The only problem is my inner mayhem and fear that if Heath wants to hurt me then nobody will stop him. Not even Camden.

“Are you sure you don’t want a massage?” Lola steps into the kitchen fifteen minutes later with a white robe and pink fuzzy slippers on her feet.

“No thanks. I really do need to call Leo and Annie.” I try and stifle my laugh. The woman is freaking gorgeous. No one but her could rock a pair of fuzzy slippers and still look like a damn model. Bitch.

“Well he should be here any minute.” She cocks her cute little hip to the side.

“He?” I question.

“Of course he. I don’t want a woman rubbing up all on me. Not that she can’t do a good job, but this body right here, it requires the services of a man.” She takes her hand and waves it down her toned, skinny little frame. Again, Bitch.

“I’m going to laugh my ass off if he’s not into chicks.” Grabbing Camden’s phone, I start to make my way down the hall to the bedroom.

“Oh he will most certainly be into this chick. I hope his name is Pierre or Stefan.”

“Have fun,” I holler back. God, I love her. Even though I feel like I’m dangling on the verge of dying at any time, there’s nothing more satisfying than the support of your best friend.

Lounging on the bed, I punch in the security number Camden gave me and press the button for Leo’s number. I need to call him first. Annie and I have been on such a rocky edge lately I want to be able to actually talk with her; to tell her how sorry I am for taking my frustrations out on her. She needs to know how much she means to me and I don’t mean how valuable she is at work. I mean personally. I love her.

“Jesus mother fucking Christ. What?” Leo belts in my ear.

“Leo?” I draw my brows up. His greeting takes me back. Leo’s the most laid back person I know.

“Fuck, Luca. Where in the hell are you? I’ve been trying both you and Mitch for two damn days. No one’s answering the phones at the office. I’m in the airport in Miami. I’m coming home, without tying up this deal, because I’m worried out of my damn mind. Fuck!” I’m silent for a long time. The wheels spinning. Poor Leo freaking out over this so far from home.

“God, Leo. I’m so sorry. It’s been crazy around here. So much has happened and I should’ve called you.”

I dive right in and tell him everything. I tell him about the office. The bracelet. I leave nothing out, except the nightmare. I cannot relive that again. I even tell him I would bet money on the fact that Mitch has finally turned off his phone, so he can properly fuck his wife like he said he would. That comment earns me my Leo back with his small dick joke about Mitch.

“Well, fuck. I’m on my way. I’m here for you, Luca. You know that.”

“I know, and we will get through this. Just stay at home, everything else can wait.”

He snorts. “Fuck that shit. If Mitch can get some ass while were off, then so am I.”

I roll my eyes.

“Seriously, Luca, listen. I’m glad you have Camden and Lola there, but if I find out anything else has happened and you don’t call me right away, I’m going to personally kick your ass.”

I know he’s teasing, but I promise him none the less.

“Is Annie there with you? I really need to speak with her too, please.”

“Huh?” He pulls in a sharp breath which makes me pull in one as well.

“What is it? Did she stay and try to finish up with the contracts?” I’m hoping she did and he’s just being his asshole self. If she stepped in to help, that would be a huge weight off of all of our shoulders. Hell, that woman can give a speech just as good as the rest of us.

“Annie’s not here, Luca.” I jump off the bed, the adrenaline already running. “What do you mean she’s not with you? Like she’s not at the airport with you?” I can feel the heat creeping up my skin. Something is wrong. Very, very wrong. “Leo?”

“Annie didn’t fly down here with me, Luca.”

“Excuse me? She’s not there?” This entire situation whirls through my head. What if Heath kidnapped her? What if she’s hurt? Or worse, dead.

“Luca, her phone rang the minute we stepped into O’Hare. She told me it was you and that you’d changed your mind. What the hell is going on?”

I drop the phone. It crashes against the soft carpet. Leo is screaming my name. It can’t be. No, I don’t believe it. I never called Annie. This entire time I thought she was down south with Leo and she’s not. Does Heath have her? Did he force her to tell Leo I called? Is she not hurt and involved?

Annie, what have you done? I think, crumbing to the floor. My knees yield to the hopelessness, the heartbreak, and the fact that I’ve underestimated her. My friend. One of my most valued employees. She knows everything. How could this happen? And why? Why would someone I’ve treated and grown to love like a sister set out to destroy me? My eyes are painfully dry, stinging from holding back the tears I refuse to let loose. I’m so damned angry. The signs were all there. Her bitter words. The way she would look at me like she wanted to spit in my face, slap me, strangle me. It was all there and I was lost in my own little world, feeling like a bitch because I treated her poorly, when all this time she’s the one who had been plotting behind my back. Oh fuck no.

I pick up the phone and run down the hallway toward the den where Camden has been all day still searching for Heath. I holler into the phone to tell Leo to go to Mitch’s house the moment he lands and get to the hotel. Disconnecting before he says anything else, I gasp for air as I run right into Camden just as he is exiting the room.

“What the fuck, sweetheart? What happened?” He stills me by grabbing my arms. I’m shaking. Another piece of me is dying on the inside.

“It’s Annie,” I say painfully. “It’s not Heath. It’s Annie”

“Luca, calm down. What are you talking about?”

My head shakes, drooping between my shuddering shoulders. My ability to speak has left the building. My heart is bleeding, scabbed over and bruised so badly. I’m terrified if I spit out the words my confused heart, which is already so damaged, will bleed out. God, how could this be?

“Luca. God damn it. Talk to me.” I’m shaking again, only this time it’s Camden shaking me by my shoulders, snapping me out of this diluted trance.

“It’s Annie,” I say with bitterness, choking out her name. It leaves a foul taste in my mouth.

“I don’t understand?” Sorrow routes across his expression.

“Do you trust me?” My foolish mind travels to my mouth, expelling words I pray are true.

“Of course.”

I bury my face in his masculine chest. He grips my waist, sliding his comforting hands around to firmly embrace me. With my ability to speak subdued against his body, my heart tears right down the middle.

“Call the police, Camden. Annie never left Chicago. It’s her. Heath isn’t out to hurt us. She is.”