Page 30 of Enraptured

“SHORTEN YOUR REINS. You’ve got this Jessie. Now ask her to trot.” A laugh almost escapes me as my hair blows back. Riding Simone almost makes me feel as free as I did when I’m out on the ocean. It only lasts moments before my frozen heart remembers I’m a dead woman walking.

Christos took everything from me…even the premise of life. I’m a breathing corpse. Knowing he probably hurt Yaya, Andre, and broke my parents’ heart after he destroyed me…no. No—there’s no way I could ever let him put his hands on me. But I also know there’s no stopping it.

It’s inevitable.El Diabloalways gets what he wants and what he wants seems to be me. But he’s been gone weeks. I tried to escape. Late one night. I was a fool for thinking the lack of locks and people meant he didn’t have security. I didn’t make it twenty feet before the armed guard came out of the shadows to block my path.

“You can’t stop me without using that gun at your hip.” I had taunted. “And he can’t have me if I’m dead.”

“I don’t need a gun to stop you. I’ll just use this. But I warn you—it’ll hurt.”

The guard I saw weeks ago, held up a taser. I shivered and started walking backwards. He chuckled, blending back in with the night.

I’ve been hurt enough already. Besides, I was scared. I didn’t know the man or what he was capable of. I haven’t seen him since that night and I choose to stay near the barn, being close to the animals helps me.

With Christos gone and Mrs. Fitz keeping to herself or Facetiming her son…I’ve been able to pretend I’m on a sort of vacation instead of living out a life sentence. I train in the home gym, swim laps in the indoor heated pool, stretch my body as much as I can. Mrs. Fitz thinks I’m vain, but I’m not exercising for that. Keeping my body busy, keeps my mind busy and off thoughts of everything I’ve lost. At night, I take the astronomy book outside and sit with my back against an old oak tree teaching Ollie and the ponies about the stars.

Will, the barn manager, doesn’t talk much. But when he saw me sitting by Simone’s stall day after day…he slowly warmed up to me. After he sees after the horses, he’s been teaching me to ride. I’m naturally athletic and picked it up quick. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that I trust Simone. The huge horse is the only thing I can trust.

“That’s all for today.”

“But I just got on.”

“I just got a text. He’s on his way back…. almost here. It’s best he doesn’t see you on a horse, eh?”

My throat thickens, even the smallest pleasure I’ve been able to find for myself—he somehow manages to take away. Panic fills me. I have no doubt he’ll want me tonight. He put too much effort into capturing me I know it’s time for the devil to collect his due.

“Help me. Please Will.”

But he ignores my pleas as he leads Simone back into the stables. My eyes search every direction, frantically. I’m physically strong again. I could run. Sneaking a glance towards the barn doors and one at the house, I walk slowly towards the garage. The kitchen is on the other side of the house. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. Christos surely must have a fleet of cars and if I’m lucky keys or fob keys might be laying around.

The huge bay is open. I walk past a few fancy cars trying to find the plainest one. Something that would blend in. An old Mercedes might work. I press my face to the glass, peering in. “Ah, I knew you missed me, eh? Did you see me drive in and decide to run to meet your master?” His hot breath lands on my neck. He boldly presses me forward. I’m trapped between the cold metal car and his hot steel rod as it pokes against my bottom.

But my body doesn’t melt in his embrace. I’m almost as shocked as him. His arms wrap around me, thumbs lazily drawing circles on my tummy. I hold still not fighting, not caring. I’m a doll. Not real, made of plastic, unable to give him the reaction he wants.

His hands drop. He walks away, snaps his fingers expecting me to follow. “Come. I’m hungry.”

The old me would make some quick remark, refuse him, hell throw a wrench at his head. But he’s managed to even put out that fire.

“What? Cat got your tongue, my love?”

I shrug, “I’m just as empty as you now. Congratulations.”

He frowns, hands fisted in his slacks as he stares at me. “Come.” This time he takes out a hand and offers it to me. I don’t take it but hang my head and walk forward.

He waits for me to pass him then puts a hand at the small of my back as we walk back to the main house. “What have you been doing while I’ve been away?”

I don’t answer.

I hear his slow hiss at my insolence. But I can’t even care to be afraid. “What game is this, eh, little one?” He jerks me against the wall, caging me in, using his hand to force my chin up.

“Only you play games. What did you expect? I have nothing left to live for. You’ve taken everything from me.”

“Is that what you think? I’ve only shown you an inch of what I’m capable of. But if you don’t believe it…maybe it’s time to show you just how dark I can be.” He grips my chin as his punishing lips descend on mine. He expects his kiss to be the gasoline that starts our fire. But it’s not. Not this time. I’ve slipped from him while held tightly in his grasp. My mind has my body completely on lock down; immune to his touch.

“Dimitri called here when you were gone. Mrs. Fitz was upstairs. I know the lines can’t go out but can take incoming calls. He told me everything. He tried to save me from you…”

“Did he? Did he tell you everything? Don’t fool yourself. Dimitri is no saint. He’d take what he wants from you, twist you into something else then dump you for your replacement while his seed still leaks from your legs.”

“How is that worse than you? You did that too, remember?”

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