Evil Of Love (23 page)

Chapter Thirty

Eric

Waiting for my song to play, standing just out of sight, I’ve got the biggest smile on my face. It’s going to be hard to appear mad with my opponent when I have Stephanie up in the front row watching me. She melts my heart and makes me soft. Well, except for the part in my midsection, she makes that nice and hard. I laugh to myself at the thought.

             
“What’s so funny?” Marcus hollers over all the noise from the loud crowd in the auditorium.

             
“Nothing,” I yell back.

             
My song turn’s on, the beat vibrating the walls. “You’re up Travis! I’ll be out there with you the whole time!” Marcus wails into my ear over the music and I nod my head as I listen to the announcer call out my introduction over the microphone and step out into the walkway that leads up to the ring. The crowd roars, everyone standing up, but all I care about is her. I wave, bouncing up and down, keeping my body warm. My opponent is already in the ring. Before entering I remove my shirt handing it to Marcus, and then my nails and hair are checked and the rules are said to me by one of the refs. I still haven’t spotted her, but as soon as I enter the ring, I turn to face the crowd lifting my fist in the air to give them a show, and then I spot her. Long auburn hair, large brown eyes looking up at me with love and concern. I smile, blowing a kiss to her and she returns it.

             
I turn and look back at my opponent, Andres Parker, and smile. I’ve seen him fight, many times and I know this is going to be an easy fight, but I’m required to put on a good show for the crowd, which is part of why I love this job. As soon as that bell rings I step forward. I’ve never been one to step back. I work him, moving him around the ring, throwing a few swings and landing each one, but not putting full force into it. I let him hit me a few times too. I’m a scrapper so I enjoy taking it down to the ground, getting my opponent in the arm bar, but I keep it up for a little bit. Letting him think he might have a chance against me. From what I know he’s an expert in Jujitsu and he isn’t too bad either.

             
We move around the ring a few more times, me taking a few kicks at him, hurting his leg and then I see it. Like a slow motion movie playing before me. The noise of the crowd roaring in my ears, screaming and clapping and anger masks my face, my veins boiling as I watch the scene in front of me. She’s so close, but I can’t get to her. I take a step forward, completely disregarding my opponent now, needing to get to her. I see him, grabbing her arm, a crazed look burning in his eyes as he yanks her to her feet; no one else noticing over all the noise. Lucy standing to her side, screaming profanities and then I see her, tears pouring down her cheeks as she looks over her shoulder, straight at me, screaming at the top of her lungs, but I can’t hear her over the fucking noise. I’m pushing past Andres trying to get out of the ring, trying to get to her, but before my eyes, he brutally yanks her dragging her towards the exit. No one even notices. They’re too fucking wrapped up in the fight. It only takes a split moment as I watch him walk right past the security guard. She turns around one last time and as I make it past Andres, he whips me around landing a swing right to my jaw. That’s all I can remember before it all went black.

             
“Eric! Eric!” Marcus screams, leaning over me, tilting my head side to side.

             
“Get the fuck off me man!” I yell, scrambling to my feet, struggling to get to Stephanie.

             
“You were knocked out! What the fuck happened?” Marcus is still yelling over the crowd and the ref is trying to get me to my feet so they can announce Andres as the winner, but I don’t have time for this.

             
I push past the ref, past Marcus, running down the steps, shirtless, bare foot, fist still gloved and sprint straight for the exit. I don’t know where I’m going, but I will find her. All I hear as I’m exiting the building is Marcus hollering after me, but I continue, ignoring him. I make it to the locker room in record time, snatching my keys grabbing some shoes and take off out the side door.

I sprint for my car, pushing past everyone in my way until I make it to my truck in the parking area. Unlocking it I quickly jump in and start the engine, but before I can put the pickup in reverse Marcus slams his hand against my window. He jumps back as I open my door.

              “What?!” I holler.

             
“What the fuck are you doing, Eric! Where are you going?” Marcus yells back at me.

             
“It’s Stephanie,” I say between deep short breathes, “He took her.”

             
“What? Who took her?”

             
“I don’t have time for this. I’m going to find her, Marcus. He forced her out of there. He knows she’s seeing me! If you’re coming get in the truck otherwise get the fuck out of my way!” I place my truck in reverse and slam my door, Marcus runs to the passenger side climbing in.

             
“Okay. I’m coming with you,” he states and I put the truck in reverse and pull out. I don’t know where he took her, but I’m going to find her.

***

Travis

“Shut the fuck up!” I scream over her loud sobs, losing my train of thought. I fucking knew it! When I saw her being dropped off and his hands all over her, I lost it. It was all I needed to react. I couldn’t do it then of course. I had to wait, wait till I wouldn’t get seen. Pay off the guard at the door. I had to wait till everyone was occupied so I could move in. It was the perfect moment. The noise from the crowd overbearing her screams for help. The man in the ring consumed with
his fight. I took down the walkway, heading straight for her. I grabbed her up, whispering in her ear to keep quiet or I’d make it worse. She still fucking screamed though. Quickly I dragged her out of there, right past the guard I paid to stay quiet and straight out of the building to my car parked alongside the curb right in front. A man that obviously worked there hollering at me to move my vehicle, I dragged her to the driver side, threw her in pushing her to the passenger side before climbing in and pulling away. I smirk to myself at how easy it was to drag her out of there.

             
I stayed in my car last night, just waiting for her to make her move. When I saw Thomas leaving the house this afternoon I followed. I had to see it for myself. The pictures weren’t enough. I had to see the woman I’m married to, the real person that I’ve been sharing my life with. She’s nothing, but a fucking slut. Another whimper comes from the passenger seat and I take a swing at her, landing the back of my hand to her nose. Blood instantly dripping out, but I don’t give a fuck. She’s going to learn she can’t betray me. She belongs to me and that will never change.

             
“Please, Travis, I’m sorry,” she cries.

             
“Do you not know how to shut up bitch?! Don’t say another word!” 

             
I hit my fist against the steering wheel, I didn’t have any of this planned out. I don’t know where I’m going or where I’m taking her. She has me so fucking pissed right now I can’t think.

             
Finally I decide to head for the house. It’s a long drive, but it will give me time to decide what my next move will be. I turn up the hardcore heavy metal music to drown out her small whimpers. Whatever I decide to do I’ve got to make sure it’s going to stick with her forever. It’s got to scar her on the inside and out, so she won’t betray me again. I step on the pedal taking it up to eighty as I blast down the highway. I take a quick glance over at her, she’s faced toward the window, hand holding her nose, blood covering her clothes and not one piece of me feels sorry for her. All I can feel is pure disgust.

***

              I pull up to the house that I once saw as ours, as the home I bought for her. It’s nothing now. I want to burn the place. I know Thomas’ is in the guest house and with it being the distance that it is from the main house, he shouldn’t be able to hear us.

             
“I’m taking you inside. I need you to keep your mouth shut. Do you understand?” I look over at her with warning. She nods in response, the blood now dried on her hand and arm. “Don’t scream and don’t try to run. We’re going to fix this, okay?”

             
I get out of the car walking around to her side and helping her out, keeping a tight grip on her arm just in case. Her short dress riding up past her ass, I help her fix it by tugging it back down. “There, that’s better,” I whisper. I pull her up the front steps, unlocking the door and drag her inside. She pushes against me, whimpering a little, but overall I’m satisfied with the way she is obeying. She owes me that much.

             
I walk her to the living room, placing her on the couch. “Don’t move a fucking inch or I swear to God I will slit your throat, Stephanie,” I growl and she nods in response, tears brimming her eyes and all it does is disgust me. She acts like I’m the one that went and had an affair on her, like I’m the one that betrayed her. I leave her there, quickly running to the kitchen to grab whatever I can find to tie her up. Some wire under the sink looks like it will work just fine.

             
When I get back to the living room I find her still sitting where I left her. I grab her ankles, wrapping the wire around them tightly and twist it off. Then I move to her wrists tying them together behind her back. I step back admiring the view. She looks absolutely beautiful. The blood from her nose running down past her chin, blood stained dress that is so short if I get close enough I could probably smell her pussy. Arms and legs tied so tight I’m sure if she moves the wire will cut her delicate skin. She’s perfect like this. This is how she deserves to be; bound, damaged and utterly beautiful.

             
Her red lips swollen and plump from my hard hit. I bend down to my knees, sitting in front of her, placing a kiss on each of her thighs and then on her lips as a sob escapes her. “Shhh,” I whisper, “everything will be fine. You’ve been a really bad girl, Steph, and you need to make this up to me. First though, I need to know everything.”

             
“Travis,” she cries, “please, don’t do this. I love you. I’ll stay with you, I promise. Just don’t hurt me.”

             
“Not the answer I was looking for, Stephanie!”

             
I stand to my feet taking to the kitchen, grabbing one of our sharp knives out of the door. I keep it at my side as I return back to my kneeling position in front of her.

             
“Travis, please,” she pleads as she eyes the small sharp knife in my hand. I can’t help, but smirk. After everything she still doesn’t get it.

             
“I asked you a question, Stephanie, and you didn’t answer, therefore you will be punished,” I plainly state as I pull the knife up, dragging it along her thigh.

             
“Okay, Travis, I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you everything! Please!!” she cries out, begging me to stop, and all it does is fuel my anger. She has no idea what she’s in for tonight. With a quick slash I break the skin on her left thigh and watch as the blood pools up and drips down the inside of her leg. She instantly cries out in agony.

             
“Travis!!” she wails. “What do you want to know?!”

             
“Everything! Why don’t you start with who that mother fucker is?!”

             
“His name’s Eric. I know him from high school. He was my boyfriend for a couple years before I moved out of my parents’ house. I never saw him again after that, until…” she stutters between sobs.

             
“Until?” I question, rubbing the knife along her leg, admiring the slow dripping blood.

             
“Until, I ran into him this summer at the market. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this Travis! I swear. I didn’t plan any of this. It just happened.”

             
“What do you mean it just happened? He just happened to get his dick inside of you? Tell me Stephanie, how is that not something that you mean to do?” I yell feeling nauseous from the thought of her fucking him, of her naked straddled on top of him, ridding him. Before she can answer me the rage takes over, I grab her neck, squeezing and slash her other thigh. This time deeper and she cries out against my tight grip, struggling for a breath.

             
“You better toughen up, gorgeous. This is only the beginning,” I whisper through gritted teeth
.

Chapter Thirty One

Stephanie

My legs burning, my nose throbbing and the thought of what else is to come has my whole body shaking uncontrollably. The tears don’t stop streaming from my eyes. The room is spinning and I want so badly for all of this to be over. Every time I try to move my hands or feet the wire digs deeper and I can feel it cutting my skin.

              “What do you want from me?” I exhale feeling defeated.

             
“I want you to suffer,” he growls and the words vibrate through me like lightning striking. “I want you to realize you are mine and every decision you make has consequences,” he whispers in my ear and I can feel the knife rubbing against my arm. “When I’m done with you, you won’t even look at another man.”

             
I drop my head in defeat. I have to get through this. I have to get out of here, away from him. The sound of the front door swinging open has him jumping to his feet and running to the entrance. I look up towards the direction of the entryway with hope.

             
“Stephanie!” I hear Eric call out my name.

             
“Eric!” I yell back, but I can’t see either of them.

             
“This is my house! My wife, you mother fucker!” Travis hollers and then crashing comes from the hallway followed by grunting and I can hear them hitting against the walls.

             
Finally after what feels like forever, Eric comes running around the corner still dressed only in the shorts he was fighting in.

             
“Fuck, Steph, I’m so sorry. What the fuck did he do to you?”

             
“I’m okay, Eric,” I exclaim through cries. “Where’s Travis?” I ask fear returning and I look around as if he’s going to come charging.

             
“Marcus has ahold of him. He isn’t going anywhere. I called the police on my way here,” he says as he untwists the wire from my ankles and the relief is overwhelming as he removes it.

             
“How did you know he brought me here?”

             
“I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know anywhere else he would go so I came straight here.”

             
He helps me to my feet, untying the wire from my wrists and as soon as they are free I throw my arms around his neck and sob into his chest.

             
The sobs don’t stop even when I hear the police cars outside. Eventually I get myself under control, in complete shock of what I just experienced, what I was about to experience if Eric hadn’t shown up when he did.

             
The ambulance cleaned up the cuts on my legs and bandaged them. Thomas apologized I don’t know how many times for not hearing my screams and being there to help me. The paramedic told me I would need stiches on both the cuts. My nose wasn’t broken, just badly bruised. It’ll probably be sore for a while they explained. Eric didn’t leave my side the whole time and they handcuffed Travis and when they placed him in the back of the patrol car a piece of me felt guilty. I can’t help but feel sorry for him. He could have been a better man; with everything he’s built for himself; with everything I was willing to give to him he used all of it. He used me, manipulated me. I shake my head at the thought.

             
“Baby, it’s okay. He will never be able to hurt you again,” Eric leans in whispering in my ear.

             
“I love you,” I exclaim.

             
“I love you too, baby.”

             
We spend the next few hours at the hospital. Marcus already took a cab home to his wife after riding with Eric to the hospital. The nurses cleaning me up, the doctor examining my nose, stitching the two large gashes in my legs and once I’m ready to go I spend another hour speaking with the police. Even after Eric insists that they come out tomorrow and let me go home, they continue with their questioning.

             
“Are you willing to give these statements in the court of law?” One of the officers with the short black hair asks.

             
“Anything to be able to be free of him,” I state.

             
“If you have questions for us here is our card, otherwise we’ll be in touch,” he replies handing me his card and finally we’re free to leave. Thank God because the pain killers are really kicking my ass.

             
“You look exhausted,” Eric observes as we leave the hospital, me limping from my recent gashes, but Eric more than helps me out to his truck easily. “Let’s get a hotel for tonight. We’ll drive to our new place in the morning,” he concludes as we drive off down the highway.

             
“Eric?” I whisper trying to stay awake till we get to the hotel.

             
“Yeah, baby?”

             
“Did you win the fight?”

             
“Don’t worry about that, Steph. The fight doesn’t matter. What matters to me is you.”

             
“Just tell me, Eric. Did you win?”

             
“No. He knocked me out.”

             
I sigh, disappointed that Travis ruined that for him; angry that the issues I have in my life caused him to lose the fight. All because he was looking out for me. 

             
“I can challenge him again another time. Losing my first fight will bring a lot of publicity, especially if I challenge him again. Don’t worry about my fighting. It will all work out.”

             
He turns the truck pulling into a hotel and the bright light from the sign causes me to close my eyes. He parks the truck and comes around to my side.

             
“I can wait in here while you get the room,” I whisper, wanting to fall asleep in the truck.

             
“I’m never leaving you behind again, especially not like this.”

             
He lifts me out, placing my arm around his neck and carries me into the lobby of the hotel. Only placing me on my feet long enough to pay for a room and get the key then picks me right back up and carries me all the way to the room. Once I’m lying on the soft warm mattress with Eric’s arms wrapped around me I close my eyes and drift into a safe comforting sleep. One that I haven’t had in a long time.

***

I wake up in a panic, sweat covering my body and images of Travis’ expression as he took the knife and cut into my leg haunting me. The sounds of my cries ringing in my ears and the words that he said to me repeating in my mind. I look behind me and find Eric sleeping soundly and find comfort in his peaceful body. Carefully I turn to lie towards him, but the pain from the cuts shoot through my legs. The painkillers have worn off. I turn back reaching for his night stand where a glass halfway filled with water and my bottle of pills sit from last night. Gently, so not to wake Eric and not to strain my legs I reach for the bottle of painkillers. Twisting and popping the bottle open, I grab two.

             
“You okay?” Eric’s tired voice sounds behind me.

             
“I think the pills wore off so I’m taking a couple more to help me sleep.”

             
“Let me help you with that,” he insists, climbing out of bed and grabbing my glass of water. He hands it to me, helping me sit up.

             
“Was it the pain that woke you?” he asks.

             
“Just a bad dream. I’ll be fine.”

             
“Come here,” he instructs, lying behind me again and gently pulling me into him so that my back is to his chest and his arms are again holding me tightly. “I don’t ever want you to worry, Stephanie. Try to get some rest. We have a long drive ahead of us.”

             
I close my eyes, embracing the warmth that is radiating from his body and slowly drift back to sleep.