Deliverance for Amelia (15 page)

Chapter Thirty-Six: Amelia

I
STARE OUT THE WINDOW, and watch the rain as it continues to fall, the same as it’s been for days.

I hurt. Everything. It all hurts. My heart. My body, muscles and bones, the idea of being pregnant with Gabe’s child is nauseating. Maybe an end is necessary. Just…
end me
. That way I wouldn’t have to bring a child into this hell. That way I wouldn’t have to worry about my mother and grandmother any longer, because there would be nothing to tell. I would have killed myself. People would ask why I had so selfishly taken my own life. I’m willing to die that lie.

“Hey.” I hear from the doorway. I know it’s Able as he stands guard. He speaks without looking in so the camera will not carry any evidence. So I leave the door open so that I can hear him.

“Hi.” I respond flatly. I know that he was out there when it happened. I know that he heard Gabe raping me. Like everyone else, he’s under Gabe’s thumb. I curse my husband’s power. His ability to manipulate and control everything, like a puppet master. I hate him. I hate him so much. He’s alienated me. He has taken everything now. What else can he take? There’s nothing left.

“Can I do anything?” Able asks.

I allow a few seconds to pass. Contemplating whether or not I want to respond.
“Can I do anything?”
How do I respond without sounding cumbersome? I laugh quietly to myself.

“Unless you plan for everything and have a Plan B pill tucked into your pocket, I guess you really can’t do anything for me, Able.” I respond, my voice coated in dark humor.

He’s quiet as the minutes tick by.

“We could go for a walk. You should get some air.” He says.

I huff, “It’s raining.”

“We’ll use an umbrella.”

I think about it momentarily, “He said that I’m not to leave.”

“The property.”

I nod slowly. I would like that.

“Okay.”

The rain has slowed quite a bit. It’s the end of October, so it’s only a matter of time before the rain turns to snow. The air is brisk and smells of soil as we trek further down the path. Able is shoulder to shoulder with me, and I can smell his spicy scent mixed with that of a smoker, occasionally overpowering the scent that nature brought on from the rain.

“So, Able. Tell me a little bit about yourself.” I say.

He looks down at me with his cloudy, blue eyes and offers a smile before responding.

“Not much to tell.”

I laugh weakly, “A man of mystery?”

“You could say that.” He responds, “What about you? Woman of mystery?”

I shake my head slowly, “I’m afraid I’m not that exciting.”

“How about some tell for tell?” He says, a playful smile tugging at his lips. At this point we are walking along a beautiful stream that is too busy to stop and catch the drops of rain.

I smile and nod, “Okay.”

“So you were in college?” He asks.

“Yeah. I… dropped out, but I’m hoping to go back. I’m not sure if that’s possible, though.”

I pause and look up at him, “How about you? Did you go?”

He shakes his head, “No, I didn’t. I pretty much started doing this after I uh,” He clears his throat, “After I got out of the place that I was staying.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, “The place you were staying?”

He gives me a look and shakes his head sternly.

I press my lips together and fix my eyes onto the rocky trail. Listening to the sounds of our feet squishing with each step. The stream offers a calming sound as the flowing water splits around the rocks before meeting once more and going on its merry way.

“Do you always do things that make you unhappy?” He asks, his voice strained.

“What do you mean?” I whisper as I stop and look up into his eyes.

“This. You don’t want this. I can’t put my finger on it, but something doesn’t ring right.”

I smile, but it doesn’t meet my teary eyes, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I begin to continue walking the path, but Able gently grabs my arm and turns me to face him once more.

“Why are you with him?”

I shake my head hesitantly. I can’t utter a word, can I? This is the staff that he’s hired. It’s only a matter of time before they see the atrocities that Gabe is capable of.

“Hey,” Able says as reaches out and runs a finger over my bruised cheek, “You can tell me.”

I grab at my chest as a sob escapes me, “He’s a murderer, Able… He, he…” I pause as I try and collect myself the best that I can, “I’ve seen what he does to them. He uses horrible torture devices and he torments them. Sometimes for days… H-he gets paid to do it. To take out “problems”, as he calls them.” I wipe my tears with the back of my hand before looking into A              ble’s eyes. I was staring at his broad chest during my confession.

He frowns, “What does that have to do with you?”

I squeeze my eyes shut momentarily, “He took me, because my father owed him money. I was at a party, and he took me. I’ve been here ever since. He forced me to marry him in Cabo San Lucas, and I guess now he is forcing me to have his child.”

“Shit,” Able breathes out, “but… your father.”

I huff, “He’s just as bad as Gabe. He owed him money, and eventually he and Gabe struck a deal… now I’m Gabe’s.”

“Your own father?” Able asks incredulously.

I nod, “Don’t tell him that I told you, Able. He’ll kill my family if I ever tell or ever try and escape. That’s what I meant before. I can’t run. Not unless I want them to die.”

He nods slowly as he lets out a heavy sigh, “Amelia. I am so sorry that I didn’t intervene when he was... hurting you… this job… what I do, it’s hardened me. I should have done something. I won’t let him hurt you ever again.”

I shake my head, “You can’t become involved, Able. He’ll kill you. I just know not to deny him now.” I pause and smile weakly, “I don’t want you getting hurt. You just might be the only friend that I have left in this world.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Gabe

H
OUSTON, TX IS HOT AS BALLS.

I’m used to Massachusetts. It’s cold there. This place is the equivalent of Satan’s nut sack. In October, might I add.

Everything has gone smoothly thus far. I’ve got one of the main guys in the trunk of the rental car. My pilot is on standby with the jet, waiting for me. It’s dark out. I managed to snag this fucker right outside of a bar as he stood at the backdoor and smoked a cigarette. Slapped some chloroform over his mouth, and now he’s sleeping like a baby. He’s in a trunk inside of the trunk with oxygen strapped to his face so that he can breathe. I’ve got to make sure that I do that “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” shit that Eddie requested. In order to do that, I’ve got to get him home.

I wonder how Amelia is. Eddie was right. It was only a matter of time before my violent tendencies boiled over… before she got hurt. It’s unfortunate, but it itched the need inside of me temporarily before I got to my mark. Now, hopefully, she is with child. I need to test my theory. I need to see if I’m capable of love once my family comes full circle. I need a child to do that.

I’ve got to control myself if she is. I need to keep myself busy with my kills so that my rage is not directed towards her. I cannot harm my child.

Benedict rounds the curb and the house becomes visible. Theo and Able are waiting at the front door as instructed. They can carry this bastard for me. I’m a strong fucker, but it was a bitch lifting the trunk with the man inside on my own.

Benedict opens my door and I slide out before nodding to the trunk of the town car, “Boys, please take the trunk and put it in my office. I will take care of it from there. In the meantime, I’ll be seeing to my wife.”

They nod and do as ordered as I waltz into the foyer. Esmerelda is
mopping
the marble floor. That will not do.

I approach her with a disapproving look, “Esmerelda, there is a brush in the utility room. Please use that and bleach water from now on. I do not approve of
mops
, they are disgusting, and cleaning the floor with a disgusting object will not do.”

She stares at me with her mouth hung open. I become annoyed as I raise my hand and snap my fingers, “Chop, chop!” She nods haltingly and practically runs from the foyer. I smile and make my way up the stairs.

I see Amelia sitting by the window, looking out. She’s wearing a white, silk robe and her hair is damp from showering. 

“The trunk that they’re carrying,” She pauses and looks towards me, “Is that the man?”

Her voice is distant. Flat.

I slowly approach her, “It is.”

She flinches when I put my hand on her shoulder and I sigh, “Amelia, I’m sorry for what I did. I should have coaxed you.”
“Or perhaps you could have listened when I said no.” She responds dryly.

“I am your husband.”

She shakes her head as tears fill her eyes, “Gabe, why do you choose to torment me?”

“I want a son.” I say sternly.

She stands and looks up at me, “And I want a choice.”

I place a finger under her chin and tilt her head to the side as I examine her bruised cheek, “I did not intend to hurt you, but I also did not intend for you to deny me.” I pause as I pull at the rope of the robe, allowing it to fall open to display her beautiful naked form, “You are my wife. I want to make you feel good, baby. Let me. Let me make up for what I’ve done.”

Her breath hitches as I grasp the weight of her breast. I kiss her from her collarbone to her neck.

“Let me.” I breathe into her ear.