As it was, the woman had continued to bring her food. A tray every few hours. Peanut butter on wheat bread, and a glass of lukewarm water. Although she wasn’t hungry, Cori had forced herself to eat it, to drink because she had to keep her strength up. No way could she fight him off if she was starved and dehydrated.
The sound of footsteps signaled someone was coming.
Cori hopped to her feet, held her breath, waited. There was nowhere for her to hide, no element of surprise to be had thanks to the bars that provided no cover.
She doubted they were coming to bring her food since it had only been an hour since they’d delivered the last sandwich. The footsteps were loud, meaning only one thing. This wasn’t the woman paying her a visit. It was him.
Oh, God.
A tremor of terror coiled in her stomach at the thought of what he might want. He hadn’t come to visit her since he’d forced her out of her apartment at gunpoint and tossed her into this room, and she’d been hoping he wouldn’t.
The clank of the lock disengaging sounded overly loud in the concrete room, but Cori remained where she was, held her breath.
“Don’t even think about it,” came the warning.
Next thing Cori knew, she was being manhandled backward, tossed in the direction of the cot. Her body missed, slamming hard into the metal side as she sprawled onto the floor. Pain ricocheted through her entire body, drawing a cry from her as she slumped to the floor. Despite her best efforts, tears sprang to her eyes.
“It’s time for your bath.”
Cori’s eyes widened in fear, her pain suddenly numbed by the threat she could see in his eyes. “No. I don’t want a bath. I want to go home. Just let me go and I swear I won’t tell anyone you took me.”
The smile that formed on his face was full of menace. “Too late for that, Corinne. This is your new home now.”
This man was deranged. Completely out of his mind. What had happened to him? She remembered him well and the principal she’d known had been friendly and quick to smile. This guy … he creeped her out.
“Why?” she blurted, dragging herself up by using the rails of the cot. “Why did you bring me here?”
“It’s the only place for you to go,” he said simply, as though that was a legitimate answer.
“Where am I?” she asked, although the location didn’t really matter, but it would help when she managed to escape. At least if she had her bearings, she would know which direction to head when she made it outside. Because she would make it outside, by God.
“Doesn’t matter. We’re miles from anyone who can help you.” He pointed toward the cot. “Lie down. I told you, it’s time for your bath.”
Cori shook her head vehemently. “No. Please.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t make me force you, because I will if I have to.”
Her gaze swung to the cot, then back to him. She couldn’t bring herself to move, even though she didn’t think he made idle threats. He certainly didn’t sound like he was joking.
“Last. Warning.”
Still, her feet wouldn’t move. A squeal escaped when his big hand curled around her bicep. He yanked her forward, tossing her like a rag doll. No sooner had she hit the mattress than he was on her, his entire weight holding her down as he straddled her middle. His hands were rough and angry as he gripped her wrist.
Cori fought because it was her only option. It did little to deter him as he restrained her wrists to the metal bars that were bolted to the wall. Her legs flailed when he got off her, but he easily subdued them, pinning them to the bed as he cuffed her ankles to the footboard.
“Please,” she begged. “Please don’t hurt me.”
“No one’s going to hurt you, Corinne. But you will have to learn some manners. Believe it or not, you’ll come to enjoy it here. After a while. A few years of training, and you’ll be a good little girl for me, Corinne.”
He sounded crazy. Like seriously insane.
“I should’ve thought about this sooner,” he continued. “Like sisters. The two of you can take care of each other while I’m away at work. And when I’m home, I’ll have two young wives to take care of me.” His eyes raked over her, brow furrowed. “Although you’re a little older than I’d like. It could work.”
Bile rose into her throat at what she thought he was saying, but she couldn’t speak.
“But don’t worry, Corinne. I won’t force you. Won’t have to. You’ll break. They always break.” His smile was feral. “Oh, yes. And that will be a lovely day indeed.”
Movement near the door had her eyes cutting over. A woman stood in the doorway, her face in shadow, her waist-length hair board straight, her dress… It looked handmade and something from another time period.
