Page 35 of Trapped

“Fuck you!”I hollered through the hood, simultaneously hoping the fucker would hear it yet concerned what would happen when he did.

Patting my rump as though I was a prize mare, his knowing laughter only heightened the fear in my solar plexus.“Yeah, yeah, sweetheart.Maybe later, eh?”

I slumped over him, defeated.Wherever he was taking me, the journey seemed to be going on for an eternity, although time had become an entirely futile notion since they’d deprived me of my sight.I had no desire to allow any of them to do anything to me, but I had to face facts.I was the one cuffed and hooded.There was nothing I could do in the short term, and thrashing about and making the idiot’s trek even harder would likely only earn me a walloping.

Eli had only just introduced me to the concept of an erotic spanking—an idea it had taken me time and considerable angst to come around to—yet the brutes taking me from his custody seemed to think it was acceptable to takewhateverthey wanted.I’d warmed to Eli, getting to know the softer side of the man lurking beneath the tough mask he’d worn, but nothing about the latest situation was good for me.I wished whoever they were had just left us the hell alone.

Things had been improving before they’d crashed in to destroy what we’d created.We seemed to have reached an equilibrium where we could explore the visceral attraction we felt and still agree upon a plan.

“Eli.”

Murmuring his name, I laced my cold fingers together and tried to remember how his face looked.I’d stared at his foreboding expression so many times, yet hanging over the loser hauling me, it was worryingly difficult to remember the silver-gray quality of his eyes and precisely how long his dark hair had been.He’d been a swine at times, and he’d definitely kept me trapped in that cabin longer than I would have liked, but Ihadenjoyed the things I’d learned about him, I’d relished the incredible sex, and I was curious to know more.

“I hope you’re okay.”

I sent out the quiet plea, hoping the oaf carrying me wouldn’t hear.I hadn’t believed in God properly for a long time, but if there was a monolithic entity out there with celestial responsibility, then I prayed that whoever they were, they’d step forward to help us.

“There!”The beast’s arm tightened around me, and I noticed how his pace sped up as he continued.“I see it!”

Gripping the back of his clothing, I realized he was running, the melodic thud of one boot landing after the next accelerating while his excited cry permeated.

“The chopper’s up ahead!”

Chapter Fourteen

Cattle Class

Eli

“Get in there!”

One of Hawkins’ minions snarled while shoving me inside the helicopter’s small cabin.I landed awkwardly on my left arm, wincing as I forced myself upright against what I assumed was the pilot’s seat to my side.They’d forced a hood on me after I’d seen them do the same to Erin, but not before they’d ordered me to put on my boots.Then, hooded, with my hands cuffed behind me, I was forced to walk in front of them, but I didn’t need to see where we were to know what would happen next.

I knew those kinds of assholes of old and I understood how their tiny minds worked.From the moment he’d gatecrashed our party, Hawkins’ intent had been obvious.I was only surprised he’d actually taken the time to come and taunt me himself.Usually, knobs like him didn’t like to get their hands dirty.

He must really like me.

The wry thought danced through my cloudy head as I focused on what their plan would be.They’d have brought a chopper with them to gain speedy and easy access to the wilderness, utilizing the only nearby landscape suitable for such a landing.In my mind’s eye, I could see the exact spot on the map.It was a few miles’ hike from the cabin and explained the arduous trek I’d endured to get to that point.

The open meadowed area was where we were as I heard the grunted orders being shouted from beyond the chopper’s hull, about to fly out to play guests to Hawkins and whatever bastard was currently paying his wages.

Fucker.

Jaw clenched, I ignored the dull ache that had developed since a variety of fists and boots had pounded me, and the way the hood had started to stick to my blood-stained face, trying to keep my focus on why I was there.I hadn’t seen Hawkins for years, and while I’d suspected he was the weak link in an otherwise infallible chain of great people I’d met and worked with, I’d had no idea he was still so interested in me.

I might have laughed beneath the hood had the task not seemed so excruciating.The pain in my chest suggested I was left with at least severe bruising around my ribs, and I just had to hope there was no more serious internal damage from the pummeling my torso had taken.

Hawkins hadn’t just popped in to say hello.He clearly wanted to send a message and have me back for some no doubt insidious reason.My missive to Baron had inadvertently created the perfect opportunity for both.That wouldn’t have been so bad if I’d been the only casualty of the attention, but knowing Erin had been caught in the crossfire hurt almost as much as my physical injuries.The hapless goons on Hawkins’ payroll wouldn’t have known anything about my little girl until they’d arrived, but I’d seen the devilish look in their gazes when they’d first laid eyes on her.Just being entwined with me had left Erin vulnerable, and I hadn’t been able to do anything to protect her.That idea plagued me,worming its way into my psyche.I wouldn’t ever forgive myself if anything awful happened to her because of me.

“The chopper can only take five passengers in the back, sir.”The droning tone of one of Hawkins’ goons floated through the fibers of the hood.“We’ll have to do a return trip for the rest.”

“Put her on the floor with him.”It was Hawkins’ dulcet tone that replied.“Then three of you get in the back.I’m taking the front seat.”

Her?

My heart sped up at the pronoun.Ithadto be Erin he was talking about.I’d not seen any other women amongst the mix of senseless infantry.

Thank God she’s here.

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