Written in the Scars (The Estate Series Book 4) (24 page)

At the top, he stopped to kiss her stomach before moving down the other leg. Then he stood up and dried the top half of her body, taking longer than necessary over her breasts. The friction of the material against her skin made her gasp. He took her hand and led her to the bed.

She noticed a black gift bag placed on the covers.

‘For you.’ He smiled, handing it to her.

Donna opened it to reveal sexy black underwear. Blushing a little, she smiled. ‘Shall I put it on?’

‘Let me.’

Owen helped her to slip on the bra, closing the metal clasp at the front. The knickers had ties at either side but he placed them on the floor for her to step into.

‘Lie on your back,’ he told her afterwards.

Donna scrambled across the bed. ‘Like this?’ She laughed as she spread herself out like a starfish.

‘Exactly like that.’

‘But you’re fully dressed,’ she said.

‘I won’t be for long.’

Owen reached down to the side of the bed and pulled out two white nylon scarves. ‘Ta da!’

Donna laughed again. ‘You look like a magician.’

He took her left hand and lightly tied it to the corner post on the headrest. He straddled her body, taking her right hand and pushing it over her head. Then he tied that to the opposite corner of the headrest. This time, he pulled the scarf tight.

‘Ouch, that hurts,’ she said.

He moved back to the other side of the bed but he didn’t reply. Instead, he pulled two more scarves from the bag and tied her feet to either side of the base of the bed.

‘I’m going to blindfold you now,’ he smiled, ‘so that you lose all your senses.’

‘No, I don’t think I—’

‘And then, you can do the same to me. Deal?’

‘Okay, but if I—’

He placed the tip of a finger on her nose. ‘Close your eyes.’

She did as he said, wishing that she could just go with the flow and enjoy herself. She’d said she wanted a little excitement in her life but now she had the chance, she was scared again.

Get a grip, Donna
, she told herself.

When she felt something touch her lips, she opened her eyes again. Owen pushed the scarf into her mouth. Her cry was muffled as he lifted her head and tied it at the back, pulling tightly on it to see that it was secure.

‘I had thought of blindfolding you,’ he said, stepping off the bed, ‘but I didn’t want you to miss the fun.’ 

Owen removed his clothes, and she felt his weight as he straddled her again. His eyes were dark pools as he leaned forward, closer and closer to her face.

‘Donna, Donna, Donna, you stupid gullible bitch.’ He grabbed her chin and squeezed it. ‘Never trust anyone who asks if you trust them.’

Owen drew back his hand and slapped her hard across the face.

Chapter Thirty-Two

It was just before midnight and Keera was waiting outside The Candy Club. Derek didn’t work on Saturdays as a rule but he’d been asked to help out as one of the other drivers had phoned in sick. He’d offered to give her a lift home, which she was glad about.

She’d just about had enough of men for one evening. Firstly, she’d had to massage smelly Martin Smith, then a man who wouldn’t stop talking about his wife. She was sure he was going to burst into tears if he mentioned her name again. Thankfully, the last client had fallen asleep after a few minutes so she’d had a bit of peace and quiet before she finished her shift.

She looked down the road, feeling vulnerable after her recent run-ins with Steve, but there was no one near her. Steve hadn’t shown his face for a few days. She wondered if he’d had enough after being threatened by Trevor Prince.

Her thoughts turned to her mum. She’d been slightly envious, but excited for her too, as she’d told her she was going away for a night with the new fella. She’d asked to meet him but Mum had said all in good time.

Keera sighed loudly. Her mum seemed to be having more of a social life than her at the moment. She was happy for her and if she was honest, Keera wasn’t too bothered about going out. She’d had a couple of good nights at The Butcher’s Arms, yet on both occasions she’d felt lonely without Marley. However, Marley had sent her a message again earlier to ask if she could come and stay with her for a couple of nights, so Keera was looking forward to that. She couldn’t wait to see her friend, have a laugh like they used to.

A minute or so later, a car approached and stopped right in front of her. Keera stepped towards it and opened the passenger door.

‘Good evening, Derek.’ She slid into the passenger seat.

‘Good evening, Miss Keera,’ Derek replied playfully. ‘Did you have a good shift?’ he asked as he set off again.

‘It wasn’t too bad, thanks.’ She fastened the seatbelt and settled further into the seat with a sigh.

Relishing the fact that Derek would take her home safely, she marvelled at their relationship and how it had strengthened over the past few weeks. Since she’d been attacked, he’d been waiting for her at the bus stop to take her home most evenings and Keera had found herself looking forward to seeing him. It felt good to have someone looking out for her, and it was perfect being taken home in a taxi as no one would think anything of it. If anyone saw them, she didn’t need to explain their friendship. She could say that the nightclub had arranged it for her – or that she’d arranged it herself. But so far it had worked out well.

Even their working relationship had been fine. Keera had been worried since they had become so friendly that all other things would cease. As much as it was a job at The Candy Club, she did enjoy her time with Derek. For a while, it made the job less sleazy. She knew what he liked now and took pride in giving him pleasure, running her hands down his back and over tattoos on his shoulders.

Keera glanced at him as he drove, feeling a little guilty. She’d decided not to tell Derek about Steve coming in and having a go at them again last week. Although Steve had threatened what he’d do on his return, she didn’t believe him. His sort were usually all mouth. Estelle had said that if he came back, she would call management and they could deal with him. Keera had agreed that it was the best option but didn’t want to upset Ramona any more than was necessary.

‘How’s your friend doing?’ Derek smiled when he caught her eye. ‘Marley?’

‘She’s good, thanks. In fact she might be coming to stay with me soon for a couple of days. Would you like to meet her?’

‘What do you think?’

‘I think maybe I want to keep you all to myself.’ She giggled. ‘Marley’s going to study again – can you believe that? She’s gone from a beach bum to a study freak.’ Just as quickly, she stopped. ‘I think the attack changed her in more ways than one.’

‘Do you wish you’d studied more, Kee?’

The way he shortened her name made her smile. ‘Sometimes,’ she admitted. ‘But there’s nothing to do around here. That’s why I’m going to Manchester as soon as I can afford to.’

‘Shame. I’ll miss you, though.’

‘Ah, there will be other girls.’ She grinned, realising how ridiculous the conversation might sound to someone who didn’t know them. From the outside, they must seem an odd couple.

‘I won’t miss you just because of your massaging skills!’ he cried.

‘I don’t think I have a lot of anything else to offer.’

‘You do but you don’t realise it yet.’ Derek slowed down as the traffic lights turned to red. ‘You’re young and have your whole life ahead of you.’

‘Don’t go all philosophical on me, now, Mr P,’ she admonished.

‘It’s true. Whereas I will always have a massage parlour, I suppose.’

Keera pondered for a moment before blurting out what was on her mind. ‘Do you find it hard coming to The Candy Club? Because if you do, I could come to see you at home.’

They were on the estate now, heading up Davy Road. Derek indicated suddenly and pulled the car into the kerb.

Keera’s brow furrowed as he turned towards her. ‘Sorry, have I overstepped the mark?’

‘Of course not.’ It was his turn to pause. ‘You don’t think I’ve been giving you a lift home so that I could ask you that, do you?’

‘No! I just thought I’d offer. I know the stigma attached to one of those places.’

Derek shrugged. ‘I don’t have to go. It’s my choice. But I know this really good masseuse and …’

Keera playfully slapped the hand he had resting on the side of her seat.

‘Do you fancy a coffee at mine before you go home?’

‘At your house?’ Derek balked. ‘What about your mum? I don’t think she’d be too pleased.’

‘She’s away for the night. Some fancy fella she’s been seeing.’

Derek shook his head. ‘Better not. The neighbours might talk. I don’t want to get you into any bother.’

‘Well, what are your neighbours like?’

‘Sorry?’

‘We could have coffee at yours. Where do you live? I mean, I know you’re on the estate but I don’t know where.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, it’s just coffee. Not a secret code for I want to shag you. You’re my friend, Derek.’

He paused for a nanosecond before starting the engine again. ‘Okay, coffee and then I’ll take you home.’

Donna woke with a jolt. The room that she had been so in awe of when she’d first arrived at the hotel was in darkness except for the glow of a bedside light. The curtains had been drawn and despite the heat of the room, she felt a shiver caress her bare skin.

She tried to get up from the bed but she couldn’t move. How the hell she had managed to fall asleep was beyond her comprehension, but maybe it was her mind’s way of getting her through the trauma.

Looking to her right, she could see that her hands were still tied to the post of the headboard. Tears fell again and she struggled to cry against the scarf that was still in her mouth. She tried to control the panic for fear of suffocation. She had to stay calm or she would never get out of this room alive. Never see her family again.

Tentatively, she lifted her head from the pillow and looked around. Over on the wall in front of her, the television had been left on, the volume loud enough not to draw attention. Below the image on the screen, the familiar yellow ticker tape of
Sky News
alerted her to the latest breaking news. She didn’t want to know that three people had been killed in a crash on the motorway. She narrowed her eyes and concentrated on the small digits of the time: It was 12.30.

She’d been tied up for over six hours.

She turned her head to the left to see if the room was completely empty. The door to the bathroom was ajar, the light off.

She was alone.

But she was far from safe.

Tears trickled down her face and onto the pillow. This was all her fault. She’d often thought that women who went on one-night stands were carefree, did it for the danger element as well as the sex. But she’d been envious too. She’d wanted a bit of fun with a man she hardly knew and look what had happened.

She closed her eyes but images came rushing at her. After that first slap, there hadn’t been any more to the face. Owen didn’t want anyone to see the marks. So instead, he’d punched her in the ribs, scratched at her stomach until her skin was bleeding and bitten her shoulder until she had writhed enough to knock him off balance.

How could she have been so stupid - so trusting? She’d screamed when he’d attacked her – oh, how she’d screamed – but with no one to hear her muffled cries he’d been free to ram himself into her over and over.

When she thought he’d finished and he’d rested his weight on her, she’d laid quietly, fighting to hold back her tears, and hoping he would untie her so she could think of getting out of the room. But he’d waited for a while until he was able to do it again.

The final time he’d pushed himself into her, he’d punched her thighs open as she’d desperately tried to keep him out. Another punch to the side of her ribs and she’d given in.

She couldn’t believe how Owen had changed into a monster. Up until now, the way he’d treated her since they’d met had been beyond her wildest dreams. He’d been attentive to her needs, reeling her into his web of lies to gain her trust, make her feel safe; wanted even. He’d given no indication that he would attack her, and in such a brutal way. Donna had thought he was too good to be true. She cursed herself now – she wouldn’t be that lucky. She was never that lucky.

She was just fucking gullible.

In desperation, she began to scream again, kick out, pull at the scarves that bound her to the bed. Exhausted after a few seconds, she stopped. She knew it was pointless. No one would hear her. Instead she tried to concentrate on listening, dreading the moment that Owen would return. Every door that opened and closed, every shout. It was Saturday evening, and most people were enjoying themselves.

She wondered where he was. Had he left her here so that she would be found in the morning by the maid? At least then her ordeal would be over. But her bladder was full. She needed to pee, and pretty soon she wouldn’t be able to hold it in. She couldn’t go yet. She just couldn’t.