MiaI had no idea how long it had been since Herbert had left me tied to the bed in this dark, dingy room, dehydrated, hungry, and tired. As I stayed there in that uncomfortable position, my mind drifted here and there, thinking about anything and everything, but most especially about James. When I got too tired, I’d accidentally fall asleep, only to snap myself awake again a few moments later. To be sure, I didn’t want to be in such a vulnerable position when Herbert returned.The light from outside scattering in through the thin curtain was getting lighter now, which told me dawn was approaching. That meant I had been held captive for one full night already, and it sickened me to think I would be in such a dire situation. Even more so that Uncle Herbert was the culprit behind this farce and not James’ enemies, like the Mexican mafia.I licked my dry lips and then gave a quick glance at the door, my chest tight with dread as I considered Herbert’s return.As if on cue, I heard heavy

Matt & AndyMatt was busy with work, as usual, that night when he received a red alert from Scott on his cell phone. They were gathering the team for an investigation, and for Matt, one of the head honchos, to get the message must mean it was very important and they wanted his involvement. Instantly, he knew it had something to do with either one of the Maxwell brothers, their family, or their very close friends.He scanned through the message and then swore loudly in disbelief. “Shit!” He raked his hand through his hair. “What the fuck? You have got to be kidding me. Mia? Kidnapped? Fuck!”He quickly logged out of his laptop and rushed out of the office. With his steps quick and his mind racing, he got into the elevator and headed straight up to the top floor of the hotel.“Andy?” he called out loudly as he went in through the door of the penthouse. “Andy?”He rushed along the hallway and then straight toward the bedroom they shared. “Andy?”As Matt opened the door and switched on th

MiaI had no idea how it came to this. One moment he was telling me stories of his past, of his love and obsession with my dead mother Rose, and the next… The next? I… I was taken by surprise.As well prepared and cautious as I had been—since I knew this sort of shit was going to happen to me, was going to be done to me eventually if James couldn’t get to me in time—Herbert had still managed to take me by surprise. I let out a frightened gasp before he pounced on me and silenced me with his disgusting kiss.Oh, he hadn’t taken me yet. He just—as always, as he had done countless times before—teased me in his sick, twisted way. He pinned me against the bed, his heavy weight on me, suffocating me, and then he stripped me until I was bare, until I had nothing on me, until I felt weak, exposed, vulnerable, and completely at his mercy.He was greedily stroking my skin, his beady eyes leering at my naked body, feasting on my breasts and private parts. Oh, how I wanted to die. How I wanted th

MiaI lay there naked and with my eyes closed, as the dull pain in my body continued to ache like hot coals burning my skin. I tried not to let it get to me as I mustered some sort of ability to get up and out of bed. But it was hard since I had been severely beaten.I had no idea how bad I looked. Sophie had said I was ugly, especially with all the bruises about my body. Then I wondered how James would react if he were to see me now. Would he, like Sophie said, be repulsed at the sight of me? God, I didn’t know, and honestly, I didn’t have time to think about that right now.Now I needed to take control of my weak, throbbing, inflamed body and tell it to get a move on if I wanted to get out of here before night came, if I didn’t want Herbert to take me out of town as Sophie had implied.Miraculously, in agony, I somehow managed to pull myself up. Then I raised my gaze to the window where the curtains were still drawn shut. What little light managed to sneak in through the dark room t

JamesHerbert managed to clear his head of the surprise attack and raised his head. When he saw Andy, his eyes widened, though no one was sure what his expression meant. Shocked surprise?“Andy? Fuck!” he muttered. “You’re really Andy? Fuck! Look at you!” He came charging forward, which took Andy by surprise. “I’ve been searching all over for you.” He laughed out insanely. “Come back to me, Andy. I want you. Fuck, I want you both back. Uncle will take care of you both.”Andy was sickened at Herbert’s words. What the hell is this man going on about? He was mental; that was for sure.The way Herbert seemed rather pleased to see Andy and wanted to embrace the boy in his sick, twisted way paralyzed Andy in his spot. He felt he was that young boy again, trapped in fear and anxiety of the tyrant uncle who had bullied, molested, and raped him.Before Herbert got ahold of Andy, Matt smoothly stepped in front of the boy. Herbert came to a complete stop as Matt’s fist flew into the man’s face.