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Chapter 10

 

Kelli

 

Struggling in my bindings, I shift uncomfortably in the seat. There’s no way I can get out of these ropes, or even get to my knife.
Thankfully, Cam’s roaming hands didn’t properly search me and I at least still have the knife. Cameron and Paul take turns watching me like hawks. The flight doesn’t last long, so I know we didn’t go too far away. I just wish I had some way to let Mitch know where I was, how to find me. This isn’t looking too good for Smith & Smith right now. We lost our skip. He’s dead, and we aren’t going to be able to return him to the courts. No body, means the jumper got away, even if he is dead. Dad’s been shot, and I have no way of knowing if he’s alive or not, and then there’s me. Tied up, sitting in a helicopter going who knows where, and facing the demon from my past. The one who started this whole mess of a life. If he had just left me alone, I would have sat in the woods all night waiting for Mitch and never have known about Penny. If I were a weaker person, I’d be balling my eyes out right now. Thankfully I’ve spent many years building up my walls to protect myself. Nothing much gets in or out. I’ve learned to detach myself from my feelings. Staring out the tiny window, I watch the landscape beneath us, trying to get an idea of where we’re going. As Cameron lowers the helicopter, preparing to land, I see a large plush green lawn with just enough space to land this bird. A small cabin sits in the middle of the property. Great, more seclusion and woods. Only this time, I have no map or help if I can get free and run. But I can tell North, South, East and West, so it’s a start.

 

Shutting down the bird, Cameron rushes out, trying to get to me first. Wrapping his fingers around my neck, he yanks me from my seat. Falling to my knees, I struggle to stand. You wouldn’t believe how difficult that is with your arms strapped to your sides.
“Take it easy with the young lady, Cam.” The calm voice seems to come out of nowhere. As Cameron finally gets me to my feet, I look up to the cabin to see a distinguished looking man walk towards us. If I didn’t already know he was a criminal, I don’t think I ever would have known. The man has salt and pepper hair, neatly trimmed instead of greasy like Ricky and Paul. His suit looked expensive and classy. Dark blue, almost black, with a lavender button down underneath. It was like he just stepped off Wall Street, not out of a hunting lodge. He walks towards me with an air of arrogance. I shudder, thinking of what evil things will happen to me at this man’s hands. He obviously is in charge here. My best guess, this is Daddy Gessatti. Cameron tries to wrap him hand around my arm again but I pull away.
“Leave her be Cameron. Paul, get over here and get these ropes of this young lady. Her poor fingers are turning blue. You couldn’t just tie her wrists? You have to hog tie her too? Boy, we may live in Texas now, but we aren’t rough neck hicks. You afraid of this little woman?” the man asks, looking purposefully at Cameron as he says it. I can feel Cam’s body tense up and it gives me a small amount of pleasure to know his discomfort. Paul pulls at the ropes, freeing my arms from the side of my body and unbinding my wrists. Instinctively I rub at the raw reddened skin. The rope burns broke open the skin and I’m bleeding slightly.
“Now sweetie, we need to have a conversation. It’s very important you tell me the truth,” he wraps a hand around the back of my neck, squeezing just enough to let me know if I don’t cooperate, that very bad things will happen. “The more honest you are with me, the better this will be for you, Okay? Come on inside with me, and we’ll have some tea.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder, leading me towards the cabin. The man just gave me a veiled threat then offers me tea. If he’s not a psychopath, I don’t know who is. Noticing Cameron doesn’t follow us, I feel a little relief, though fear is still coursing through my body. At this point, I can’t tell which of these men is the safer bet. They are all dangerous in their own ways. No matter what happens, I’m not making it out of here alive. No matter what lies this man tells me. I’m going to die here, and my only regret, is not telling Mitch back in that cave I still loved him. I always have, and always will. The crushing realization that those feelings still dwell inside of me is scary. Almost as scary as this situation. Maybe they aren’t real. Maybe I only think that because I’m about to die, alone. Time to plan, plot and escape. Seeing Mitch is going to be the only way to find out if my feelings are real or not. Since he doesn’t know where I am, and I have no way of knowing if he’s alive, I have to take it upon myself to be rescued.

 

Being free of the rope, if I have time, I’ll be able to reach my knife. Following the man, he leads me inside where the rooms are all connected. I can see a kitchen to the left, living room to the right and dining table directly in front of me. There are stairs leading to a second floor, but no sound comes from there. If this were under normal circumstances, I’d be impressed by the beautiful little cabin. Instead, I’m worried. Images of Mitch flutter through my head. Thoughts of his touch, his kiss, how he made me feel when we made love. It’s surprising to realize that it was only a few short hours ago that we made love, it feels like a lifetime. Motioning for me to sit on the couch next to him, the man reaches for a tea pot on the table.
“Now young lady, I’m Don Gessatti. You’ve met my boys, correct?” I nod my head yes. The way he’s speaking, you would think I were a new neighbor, not a hostage. The calmness in his voice scares me more than this whole situation. I’d rather be caged up with Cameron right now than in front of this man. He’s dangerous. Very dangerous. He pours two cups of tea, extending one to me. Gripping it between my hands, they shake and the liquid sloshes a little. Slowly taking a sip of the warm liquid, it helps calm my nerves a bit, but not enough. I’m still trembling and the amber liquid spills over the sides of the cup, landing on the pristine cream colored couch. Don takes the cup from me, putting it on the table, sighing.
“I see you, looking around, assessing and planning. You’re not going to be able to escape. We all have guns, what’s a little girl like you going to do to us? You may as well just cooperate. We need to discuss Billy Joe. He had something of mine, something that doesn’t seem to have been at his camp. What I need to know is where it’s hidden? What did he do with my money?” He stares at me, expecting an answer. Really?

 

“Sir, I have no clue what you’re talking about. I’ve been chasing him to return him to the courts. Why would he tell me where the money is? I didn’t see it at the campsite either. Though, I wasn’t looking for it. All I cared about was getting my skip and getting out of those damn woods. We spent a week searching for him. I just wanted to go home. Now he’s dead and y’all took his body, so I’m out my fee. Trust me, I didn’t find any money.”
“Well, something can be arranged. How much was your fee? I just want my money, and you’ll still be compensated, its win win situation.” He smiles at me and heart beats faster. The man’s smile could turn fire into ice. Shaking my head, I try to speak.
“No, thank you but no. I don’t know where your money is. I haven’t seen it and I don’t want your money. I prefer to make my money legally.” He nods his head, setting his tea cup next to mine, he turns so that he’s an inch from my face. Without warning, his hand flies across my face, knocking me backwards into the couch. Were it not for the soft cushion, I would have crashed to the floor from the force of his violence. My cheek throbbing, I lift a hand to my face, staring at him with a renewed fear. The pain flares across my face.
“Don’t lie to me girl. You were there with him long enough to tie him up, have a conversation with him. He didn’t tell you anything? Didn’t bribe you with the money to let him go?” Looking away from Don, I stare out the large picture window on the other side of the room. You have to appreciate scenery like this. The view is of the forest that surrounds us, close to the cabin, so if I can get out of here, I’m good. I have my knife. Now I just have to figure out how to get out of this cabin. Don clears his throat and pulls me back from my thoughts.
“Even if he had, I would have returned it to the courts. Our bonds service is more important to me than some stolen money. I’m not like you criminals. I have morals.” The second those words leave my mouth, I regret them. The anger that flashes in the once placid brown eyes before me, makes me tremble. Before I can defend myself, he grabs me by my neck, pulling my face flush with his. I can smell the horrid tea on his breath.

 

“No more games girl. You’re going to tell me where my money is,” he screams, spit landing on my face. I can’t speak or move. I don’t know how to make him understand I don’t have it or know where it is. He motions with his hands and Cameron takes a step towards me. Shaking my head no, I look at Don. The fear must be visible in my eyes, because Don smiles.
“Paul, get over here and show Ms. Smith to her room.” Harshly, Paul rips me from the couch to my feet.
“Please, Mr. Gessatti, you have to believe me,” I beg, “I don’t know anything about your money, I just want to go check on my father. Billy Joe shot him. Please, just let me go. No one has to know I was here. I don’t have your money.” Ignoring me, he turns back to his tea as Paul drags me through a door on the side of the room. He pauses outside the door, retying my wrists in front of me. Leaning into my ear, he whispers.

“Don’t worry honey, I’m sure Cam and I will take turns keeping you company tonight.”
Slamming the door open, he pushes me inside. Falling to my knees, pain throbs through my whole body. Following me in, he kneels behind me. Reaching around, he holds me tight against him.
“What is it with you assholes? Are you all rapists?”
“I’m just comforting you, sweetie. That’s all. You look scared. I have standards you know, and smart mouth bitches don’t rank high enough to ride the Paulie Train.” Sounding disgusted, he let’s go of me, exiting in a huff. The door shuts, leaving me to the nearly empty room. Seriously, there’s just a toilet and a mattress. Well, at least they aren’t complete animals. I have a real toilet and not a pot or anything.

 

Checking over my shoulder, I make sure the door is shut and no one is standing inside the room with me. There’s a small window that no human could possibly fit through and only a dim light bulb hanging over my head. This is going to be tricky. I walk to the window, peering through. I can see the trees about a hundred yards from me. I’d be lucky if a cat could get through this window. My skin is already raw and broken from these ropes. Settling myself down on the floor, I slide the knife from my leg holster. After a few fumbled attempts, I finally get it situated between my legs and can run the rope over it. It feels like forever, but finally the ropes fall from my wrists. Blood runs down my arms from cutting myself. The menial act of cutting up the rope gave me time to formulate a plan. Other than Paul, Cameron and Don, I’m not sure how many other people are here. I didn’t see anyone else. But with these thugs, it’s like they come out of the woodwork when something happens. So there’s no way of telling how many of them are around. Every now and then I can hear footsteps moving around, pacing past the door. I stay in the dark corner, waiting for the cabin to go silent. What must be hours later, I haven’t heard any noise or footsteps in a while. Slowly I stand, stepping towards the door. Taking my knife in hand, I pound on the door with my empty fist. Leaning back against the wall, when they open the door I’ll be behind it. A few minutes later, nothing. No noise, footsteps, shouts, nothing. Pounding again, I begin screaming at the top of my lungs.
“Help me, please, somebody. They kidnapped me. Help.” I continue pounding my fists on the door. Finally heavy footsteps sound outside the door. I stop my pounding but keep screaming, resuming my position. Hearing the key turn in the lock, I slowly release my breath. Calming myself, I watch the door swing open.

“Shut up i-“
Using its momentum, I kick my leg up, sending the door slamming right into whoever opened it, cutting off their words. Hearing them grunt as the door bounces off of them, I rush around in front of them. Great. It’s Paul and I’m going to love beating his ass. Kicking my leg with all the strength I can muster, I plant my foot right in my chest. He flies back, and the crack I heard means he has at least a broken rib if not two. As soon as my feet land on the ground, I waste no time jumping over him and rushing towards the door.

 

Cameron comes out of the kitchen, flying towards me trying to get his gun up to aim at me. I pause long enough to swing my arm up, slicing his face with my knife as my arm arches. Holding his cheek, he turns away, protecting himself from anymore slashes. A gunshot rings out, wood splinters by my feet, but feeling no pain, I ignore the shouting from Cameron and Don and rip the front door open. Leaping off the porch without touching the steps, I land awkwardly on the ground. A searing ache moves up my leg but I don’t stop. Pushing to my feet, I run as fast as my body will let me, half limping. I hear an engine coming up behind me, and it sounds like a truck, so I turn away from the driveway and head towards the woods. That truck is most likely their backup and I’ll die before I go back there. From behind me I hear Cameron shouting.

“I’ll find you Kel. I’m sure you’ll want to see Mitch when he gets here.” His maniacal laugh fills the air as I drive deeper into the tree line, not even stopping to think about Mitch being there. He’s a big boy. He can handle himself. If not, well, hopefully I can find help soon.

 

 

Chapter 11

 

Mitch

 

When I come to, I’m lying on a wooden floor. At first, I think I’m still at the Ranger station. Maybe I lost too much blood or I was exhausted and passed out. But as I try to move and find that my hands are tied behind my back, realization dawns on me. The idiot park Ranger is working with the Gessatti’s. That’s how they knew who was in the forest and we didn’t, and where we were going to pick them up. These guys seem to have their hands in everything around here. Trying to sit up, I roll around, finally getting myself upright. My head spins and aches. Waiting for the room to settle, I mentally berate myself. Damn, I can’t believe I let that little loser get the jump on me. Scanning the room, I assess the situation. There’s a tiny window, but hell, who’d ever fit through that thing. These guys must have thought about that when they installed it. A mattress and toilet are the only other things in here. The room smells like Kelli and it stirs my fears and concerns for her. I’m not worried about myself. If I die, I die. But she needs to live. I have to save her. I can die peacefully knowing she’s alive. Pacing the room, I search for any signs that she’s still living. Being passed out when we got here puts me at a disadvantage. Scanning the floor first, I see scuff marks in the dust, a cleaner area that looks as if someone stood there. Fresh blood drops and a bloody rope adorn the floor. That could be a good thing, but it could also be bad. Either she escaped or they killed her.

 

The dread in my stomach thickens and I find it hard to breathe. Panting, I move towards the window. Looking out into the sunshine I can see a tree line no more than a hundred yards outside the window. Too bad I can’t fit. That would have been too easy. The door opens behind me, but I choose to ignore it. You learn a lot about captive situations and interrogations while in advanced training for the Marines. This I can handle. First step was always stay calm. Which is easy. These guys are a joke compared to some of the Taliban forces we saw overseas. They are nothing. Footsteps make their way up behind me and a large hand lands on my shoulder, spinning me around. I almost can’t believe my eyes. My own brother. Cameron. How could he do this to me? To our family.

“How long you been a criminal Cam?” I ask him, keeping my voice placid.
“Aw, little brother, the golden child, wants to know why I chose to side with the Gessatti’s. Because brother, in this war, only one side can win. This time, I want to be on the winning side. You won’t be able to take down this family, and that’s what it is. A family. More so than you. You, mom, dad, never treated me like I mattered. I was always just the screw up you had to deal with. Well, not anymore. Now, I get the girl, the good job, the appreciation I deserve.” There’s a deep cut on his face, it looks recent. That gives me a little enjoyment, knowing someone hurt him. I remember the knife Kelli carried with her. Smiling, I stare my brother down.

“Kelli give you that?”
“Shut up. It doesn’t matter. You’ll never see her again anyways. She’s mine now.” My heart skips a beat.
“Where’s Kelli? Where is she? I know you tried to rape her, that’s why she ran all those years ago. You couldn’t get a woman on your own? You had to try to force someone?” His grin fades and his eyes turn icy.
“Kel. Yea, she got hot huh? Sure better than that scrawny girl she used to be. At least this time she has more tits to grab. Man, you try those? They’re soft. I can’t wait to taste her.” His grin returns, and I feel disgusted to call this man brother. The urge to wipe that grin off his face was too much. Slamming my head forward, I smash his nose with it. Pain radiates through my head as blood gushes down his face. Stepping back, holding his face, the blood seeps through his fingers.

 

An older man slowly moves through the door into the room at the sound of Cameron’s howls. He steps up next to him, his beady eyes assessing the situation.
“Cameron, why don’t you go clean that up. I think this job is a little too personal for you. You have something to do, right?” Moving his hand away from his nose, Cameron smiles, and his mouth red from the blood.
“That’s right. I get to go spend time with Kel. I’ll let you know how she tastes before I kill you Mitch. Oh, and I’ll tell mom and dad you died a hero. They can mourn the loss of their perfect son and I can torture them with the fact that their screw-up son is still here! I can’t wait to see that pain on their faces. Maybe they will feel a little of what I’ve been through.” His words sound distorted from the broken nose, but each word makes its mark. Piercing pain in my heart, like little stabs, from each remark.
“What happened that made you so bitter Cam? I’m your brother. I’ve always loved you and looked out for you.”

“Really Mitch?” He steps towards me, but the man holds him back with a hand on his arm. Cameron looks down at it, instantly calming. “Mitchell, the perfect kid, perfect in every way.
Everything you did was right, every girl wanted you, you got. Penny was gorgeous and you knew I was in love with her. You had Kelli, that scrawny bitch. But you had to have Penny too and it didn’t help that she wanted you. Mom and dad offered her up to you on a platter. Why? Did you have to take everything from me?”

 

Hesitating, I’m not sure how to answer. No matter what I say to him, he’s going to react poorly. This whole situation is volatile.

“I didn’t take anything from you,” I tell him. “I never wanted Penny
. I’ve only ever wanted Kelli. Anything between mom and dad and Penny was all their doing, not mine. I love Kelli, please, just let me know she’s okay.” Cameron stares at me, blood still falling from his face.
“I want you to hurt like I did. You thought Kelli left you for good. But she wrote you for a year. Did you know that? No, of course you wouldn’t. I stole your letters to her out of the mail, and stole hers when they came. I enjoyed seeing the pain on your face every day when you went to get the mail and there was nothing from her. That last night she was there, was supposed to be the best night of my life. I wanted to have a taste of what you had. You were holed up with Penny and I thought maybe, just maybe when Kelli is hurt by the fact you two were together, that she would turn to me. Except just like you, that bitch thought she was better than me. Well now, I’m showing you both, that I’m the better one.” He turns and stalks from the room. The older man watching him go.

 

“Mr. Calhoun, I’m Don Gessatti,” he finally speaks, his voice sounding cultured and business like. He certainly doesn’t sound or dress like the criminal he is. Remaining quiet, I stare at the floor.
“Mitchell, your brother is important to our organization, but he has a temper. You’re going to cooperate with me or I’m going to let him do what he’s itching to do to Kelli while you watch.” His words hit me one by one like waves. Slowly raising my head to meet his eyes, I feel the fury rising inside of me. Forcing myself to calm down, I match his stare.
“Where’s my money Mr. Calhoun?” His voice remains steady, as if we were just discussing the weather. Staring at him, I refuse to answer.
“Have it your way then. Ricky,” he calls out. Groaning, I look towards the door and watch as the man I had hog tied earlier is now free, and carrying a baseball bat. The smile on his face says it all. This is going to hurt. Steeling myself, readying for the hit, I try to show that it doesn’t bother me. When the bat connects with my leg, I close my eyes, suppressing the scream that wants to tear out of my chest. As I start to fall to the ground, Ricky grabs me, leaning me back against the wall. I’ve learned to endure a lot of pain in the military. Even been shot a few times. Bruises, broken bones, I can handle that. Kelli being hurt? I can’t. My leg shaking and throbbing, but not broken. I raise my body back up straight and rigid. Using his fist this time, Ricky slams the meaty hand into my nose, breaking it almost as bad as Cameron’s. Spitting out the blood as it flows into my mouth, I can’t do anything to stop it. With my hands tied behind me, I can’t do much of anything at all. The next hit with the bat finds my kidney and I fall to my knees. This time he lets me. Hanging my head, I watch the blood pool on the floor beneath me.
 

“Where’s my money Mr. Calhoun? Make this easy on yourself and I’ll let the girl go. I’ll keep your brother away from her.” Lies, it is all lies. He’s going to kill us both, maybe even her father.
“Where is she?” I ask, blood flying with each word. Tilting my head to look up at him, I smile. “Where’s Kelli? Show her to me, then you and I can discuss this, I’ll tell you where it is.” Surprise flashes in his eyes, then anger. Smiling at him, he ignores me, Don turns and just waves his hand. Ricky tosses the bat to the ground then drags me to my feet.
“Mr. Calhoun, did you know
Strappado
 is a form of torture that began with the Medieval Inquisition? Let’s see how long you last. You could just end this now, and tell me where my money is.”
Pushing me towards the wall at the back of the room, I notice something I hadn’t before. Sticking out from the wood is a small black hook. It’s almost to the ceiling. Ricky pulls out a knife. That evil grin returns and he opens the small Swiss Army. His eyes never leaving mine, he plunges the knife into my leg. Growling, I close my eyes again, trying to push the pain out of me. He removes the blade from my leg, spinning me around so my back is to him. The pain in that movement was intense, but I grit my teeth and hold out, trying to stay standing. Cutting the ropes, Ricky pulls a set of handcuffs out of his pocket. Ripping my hands out of his grip, I raise them, dropping my heavy wrists onto his head. Though he howls in pain, he doesn’t go down or back up.
“I wouldn’t try that again if I were you,” Paul says from behind his brother. Taking a glance at him shows that he has a gun aimed at us. He’s slouched and holding his left side with his other hand. If Ricky moves, I’m a clear shot for him. Being dead won’t help get Kelli out of here, so I have to play nice enough to stay alive. Ricky lets go of his head, yanking my arms upwards. Latching the cuffs into what looks like a rock climbing cam, I’m stretched so far that my arms are taking the brunt of my weight. Standing on my tip toes, I’ve been here before. I know I have about an hour in this position before my hands start to go numb, about another forty five minutes after that until they begin to swell. Before leaving, Ricky takes a cheap shot, punching me in both kidneys. The throbbing intense pain flares from my sides and up my back. Refusing to back down from Ricky, I stare at him, smiling.
“Have a good night Ranger Calhoun. We’ll be seeing you in the morning. Get some sleep, you’ll need it.”

 

With that, they are both gone. Kelli must have escaped. Otherwise, the moment I told Don Gessatti I’d tell him where the money is, he would have had her brought in here, if for no other reason than to gloat that they have her. I really hope that the cut on Cam and injury to Paul’s side he was holding is her handiwork. I feel pride thinking it’s her that did that. Unless she’s tied up somewhere too, the chance of her getting away make things a little easier for me. Maybe he’s just playing games. I strain, trying to listen to the sounds around me, I can’t hear anything. Unless someone walks near the door, it’s silent. There’s no way of me knowing if she’s still here or not. He’s not a stupid man, but Don is known for playing games. You can’t get to the top of running a large criminal organization like this without some intelligence and malicious actions. So now he’s going to have to get her back here so I can see her or run the risk of killing me during torture. I won’t give up any information unless I know for sure she’s safe. Seeing as how his sons don’t seem to be able to keep their tempers, I’d most likely be killed before I told them what they want to know. My office has greatly underestimated these men. We thought they were two bit thugs, but they are more devious than we thought. We’ve had a lot of suspicions about them, but we haven’t been able to pin a murder on them, yet. I hope Dodge can find us. He’s my last hope. Closing my eyes, I try to rest. I’ll need all the strength I can get for when they come back. That’s one of the most important things in this situation. Focusing on something that won’t sap your strength, like anger does. As time wears on, I can figure out about how long I’ve been alone by the pain I feel. When my fingers begin to tingle, I know I’ve been here about an hour. Drifting off to sleep, the door flings open, waking me, and standing there is my brother. So much for rest. The anger and rage fills my body at the sight of him and I begin to shake, forgetting the pain my entire body feels. I can’t help but antagonize him.
“I’m going to kill you,” I say to him calmly. His laughter as he exits the room echoes in my thoughts as I black out.
 

BOOK: Bare Back
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