Deliverance for Amelia (16 page)

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Able

T
HERE’S A LOUD CRASH as we drop the trunk onto Gabe’s wooden, office floor. I swear I hear a grunt inside of the trunk. Theo hears it also and raises an eyebrow, “What the fuck is this guy about?”

I shake my head, “No clue. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Obviously, I can’t tell him. That would risk Gabe uncovering mine and Amelia’s friendship.
Friendship
. If you could call it that, I suppose that’s what it would be. I don’t have any friends. Neither does she. Our conversations seem to flow as freely as the stream that we’ve been walking next to each day.

She’s a lot more open about her past. I’d like to forget about mine, though it’s sobering and difficult to do so when my own mother remains where she is. The same place that I’d been before I started picking up these odd jobs. Before I started working out and building my strength. I needed to ensure that I was never weak again; as weak as the child that suffered irreparable damage and eventually snapped.

Theo and I stare down at the trunk momentarily before turning and getting back to work. I stalk up the stairs and stop at the top step when I hear them inside of the room.

Gabe was clear when he said that my post was here, by the master bedroom door unless I’m told otherwise. I continue up the last step and fold my hands in front of me. I hear her mumbling on incoherently in between moans along with his satisfied grunts. I guess she figures that it’s better giving in than denying him. I can’t say that I blame her, but I can’t help the stab of jealousy that I feel.

Amelia’s beautiful. She should be treated with respect. She should be free. Not caged by a monster, who does as he pleases with her.

I imagine it being me in there loving her. Pleasing her. Being inside of her and claiming her as my own.

I would never hurt her. I could never hurt her.

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Gabe

T
HE LOCK OF MY OFFICE DOOR CLICKS before I turn and face the trunk that Mr. Roman Cruz is currently occupying. I retrieve the key from my pocket and insert it into the padlock. He’s beginning to wiggle around a bit. I turn and enter the code to the secret door.

I grab him from underneath the arms and drag him to The Chair of Torture, one of my newest arrivals. I’d like to use this for a bit before I move on to The Rack to complete the task.

He winces as I lower him down onto the spike studded, iron chair and begin strapping him down. I place one strap across the chest, and the others around his wrists and ankles.

These particular chairs have gone by many names and variations. Generally, they’d be used to strap the victim down and roast them alive. Unfortunately for Mr. Cruz… I have more individualized plans.

I walk to the door of my secret room and it clicks shut as Mr. Cruz begins squirming about.

I turn to face him and watch with amusement as his eyes grow wider and wider.

His lip begins trembling as his eyes travel around my room.

“Who-Who are you?” He asks with a trembling voice.

“Ah – who am I? Nobody that you want to know.” I respond as I walk over to my table of toys.

A sob erupts from him as he watches me scan them.

“Please! I’ve got a family! A daughter, and-and a son!”

I smirk as I turn to face him with the tongue shredder in one hand and a mouth opener in the other, “Is that right? I’m hoping to have a family soon. In fact, I’m pretty certain that my wife is pregnant now.”

He looks at me incredulously as I saunter over to him, “What the fuck is that, man? What the fuck!”

“Oh this?” I say nonchalantly as I hold the tongue shredder in front of his frightened gaze, “Or this?” I hold both items in front of him.

I squeeze down on the grip of the tongue shedder, causing the two inward spikes to pinch together, “This is a tongue shredder. First, I am going to put the mouth opener into your mouth to keep it open, and then I’m going to clamp the tongue shredder down on your tongue. I bet you can guess what happens after that.”

He begins writhing about in the chair and I smile as he screams out in pain when the spikes from the chair pierce his skin.

I snicker as I pinch both sides of his cheeks and force his mouth open. I pry open his jaws with the mouth opener.

“Now,” I say as I grab a stool and sit in front of him, “I figured I’d go ahead and tell you why you’re here, Roman. You know that little sex ring you’re involved in? Yeah, well, unfortunately you messed with the wrong man’s family. Now you’re facing me.” I smile, “That’s not a good thing, Roman. I’m not the last person that you want to see. First, you’ll beg to live, and then, you’ll beg to die.”

I stand and lean over him as he frantically shakes his head, trying to form coherent sentences, however the mouth opener keeps him from forming anything other than low groans.

I place my palm on his forehead and push his skull down onto the spikes. His body is shaking uncontrollably as the tears fall. His nostrils are flaring as I place the tongue shredder over the pure muscle and clamp down.

My lips curl up as I begin pulling away, slowly at first as the sobs flow from his exposed throat.

I yank with all my might. Pleased to see that the tongue came out clean before saying, “Speak no evil.”

His chest is heaving as he makes guttural sounds accompanied by the gurgling of blood in his throat. Saliva and blood mix together and stream from his gaping mouth.

I remove the mouth opener and release his head. His chin touches his chest as he slumps further into the chair, and then jumps when the spikes bite into him again.

“I… don’t… want… to… die… please, please…” He says. It’s difficult to make out what he’s saying due to the loss of his tongue.

“Well,” I say as I turn back to the table and retrieve the drill, “You may as well get rid of the idea of life. Death is your only option, and I am the Grim Reaper.”

I press down on the trigger and the drill comes to life, the grinding sound reverberating throughout the room as Mr. Cruz narrows his eyes at me. I stalk over to him and smile, “Let’s take care of that “hear no evil” bit, shall we?”

He begins shaking his head, “NO! PLEASE NO!”

I nod, “Yes, Roman.”

I insert the drill into his ear as his screams ring in my own.

Chapter Forty: Amelia

M
Y HAND SHAKES as I look down at the positive pregnancy test. There are four others lined up next to the sink. All of them show the same. I knew. I knew when Gabe raped me, and I knew when I was late for my period. I knew when my breasts became tender. I knew, but I didn’t want to accept it.

The tears stream from my eyes as I grip the test in my hand. I scream in frustration as I throw it across the bathroom. It bounces against the wall and then lands face up at my feet, as though it’s mocking me. I bury my face in my hands, shaking my head. Trying to figure out how to fix this. But how? I’m a fucking prisoner. I can’t do anything. I have no choice over anything, including my body.

I had always planned on having children one day. I had always planned on being in a loving marriage and living in my dream home.

Not like this.

When Gabe came home after his first trip, he loved every inch of my body. He made mind-blowing love to me, and I gave into his touch. I enjoyed his lips and his tongue and his cock as he claimed me. He loved me tenderly. He kissed my stomach and whispered sweet nothings against my skin. He’d said that I was as close to love as he was capable. He’d said that we would love and cherish our child.

How can I? Is it possible to love a child when you had no choice in the matter of creating it? Is it possible to be happy when you’re hiding behind a mask? When you’re forced into marriage. When you could never love the man whose touch leaves a path of want, but your subconscious screams in defiance each and every time he’s inside of you?

Dammit. I’m so many things, sad and frustrated, hateful, full of remorse. My heart is the heaviest it’s ever been. I feel like it is expanding as it turns to stone, to the point where it will burst through my chest.

I sit up and rest a hand on my womb as I wipe away the tears.

“I’ll try for you, only for you. You’re one thing that he won’t take away. I’d thought that I had nothing left. Now I have you, and I will try with everything in me to love you and cherish you, to protect you. I swear on my life.”

Gabe is downstairs. In his study, doing God knows what. I sigh as I get up and make my way out of the bathroom. I smile weakly when I see Able’s eyes lock onto me as I walk past him. He looks worried, he must have heard me holler in the bathroom. I nod stiffly and I can see his eyebrows pinch together and sadness sweeps over his gaze.

I pad my way down the stairs, and stop when I reach his study. I reach up and hesitate before I knock quietly.

“Come in.” I hear from inside. I take a deep breath as I turn the knob and peek in.

He stands and quickly approaches me. He looks excited, he was the one to get me the tests after all.

“Well?” He asks impatiently. I bite my lip as I look into his green eyes and nod slowly.

He drops to his knees and grabs my hips. He rests his forehead against my womb.

“My baby. Oh my God, my baby.” He whispers before trailing kisses along my stomach. Tears fill my eyes and I squeeze them shut.

Yes, husband. You’ve won. Again.

Chapter Forty-One: Able

“
S
O, HOW ARE YOU FEELING?” I ask as I walk alongside Amelia. It’s cold out. The snow is now coating the ground surrounding our trail, yet the stream still flows.

She smiles up at me before running a hand over the tiny bump, “I’m doing well. The baby is moving around a little. It’s so subtle, it reminds me of butterfly wings.”

Gabe is on his third trip, it’s January, a new year, yet not much has changed. Other than Amelia’s growing womb.

“Well, as I understand, that’s normal.” I respond, “You look beautiful, Amelia. The most beautiful pregnant woman that I’ve ever seen in my life.”

She sighs, a troubled look overcoming her beautiful features.

I stop and gently turn her to face me, “What’s wrong.”

She shakes her head, “It’s nothing.”

“Amelia, tell me.”

She lets out a sharp exhale before her sad eyes lock onto mine, “I just wish that I could have known you, before this. Maybe…” She shakes her head, “Nothing. Forget it.”

I rest my hands on her cheeks. “Tell me.”

She bites her lip as tears cloud her gaze, “Maybe we could have been something.”

I frown as I look into her eyes. I’ve thought that so, so many times. Over the time that I’ve been here, my heart always beat erratically each and every time that I saw her approaching. She’s stunning.

Before I can stop myself and comprehend what I’m about to do, my lips crash into hers. My tongue finds its way past her teeth and into her mouth. Our tongues tangle as we let want possess us momentarily. As fast as it began, it ends. Amelia pulls away, leaving me breathless.

“I-I can’t. Able, he’ll kill you.” She stammers, her eyes wide with fear.

“I don’t care. Amelia, I lo-”

Her hand flies out and covers my mouth, “Please. Please don’t Able. You can’t. He-he kills everything that I care for. Please, we can’t. This is not how my fate is supposed to play out. I’m his.”

I grip her wrist and pull her hand from my lips, “No you’re not, Amelia. You’re nobodies.”

A tear escapes her eye, travelling over her milky cheek and burrowing itself into the corner of her mouth, “Maybe… maybe in a perfect world, you and I could be together. But the world isn’t perfect, Able. It’s mean and ugly and cruel. Choice isn’t an option for me, it’s never been.”

She begins to back away, but I pull her close, “Then let’s run away. I’ll save you. I’ll keep him away, keep you safe.”

She places her small hand on my cheek, a sad smile creeping across her face, “You know that can’t happen. I won’t let it. You know why. My mother… my grandmother… No, you just stay. Stay here with me. Please, you’re the only person that I have, the only one that knows the truth. Stay.”

I squeeze my eyes shut momentarily to control my emotions, “Okay. I’ll stay.”

A real smile tugs at her lips, “Okay. Okay. That’s good.” She leans forward and kisses my cheek.

The rage pumps through my veins. I will destroy that son of a bitch. I cannot stand by and watch him hurt her anymore, emotionally or physically.

I have my demons, shit I can nearly hear the skeletons rattling in my closet. But, I know that I’m capable of love. Love is ultimately what destroyed me.

I know that I would reach into my chest and give her my heart, even if it meant that I would be destroyed again.

Chapter Forty-Two: Gabe

“
W
ELL, LOOKS LIKE IT IS A HEALTHY, BABY BOY.” Dr. Kerr says as she examines the screen of the ultra-sound machine. Her blonde hair is pulled into a tight bun, and her grey eyes look over her thin, rimmed glasses.

I look down at Amelia, a huge smile tugging at my lips. “A son.” I say. She nods as her lips curl up slightly.

I feel a warmth throughout me. What is it? I’m not sure. I’ve never felt it before. This woman, she holds my son in her magnificent body. She is going to give me what I’ve always longed for. Normalcy. Her eyes are unreadable as Dr. Kerr stands and begins packing her equipment.

“Amelia, you’ve been taking your pre-natal vitamins?” She asks and Amelia nods.

The Doctor reaches out to shake my hand, “Until next time, Mr. Thibault. You take good care of her.” She turns and looks towards Amelia, “You keep up the great work. Remember, no stress. Enjoy this. Pregnancy can be a very enjoyable experience, so long as you take care of yourself.”

I walk Dr. Kerr to the door and escort her out. I’ve known that woman for a while, even did a job for her because of some malpractice claim. We’re planning on having Amelia deliver here, in the same bed where our son was made.

I put my hands in my pockets and return to Amelia who is still lying on the couch. I kneel down beside her and splay my hand over her stomach.

“You’re beautiful.” I whisper as I lean down and kiss her forehead.

Her eyes lock onto the ceiling and she tries to blinks away the tears that are collecting in them.

“What’s wrong, baby?” I whisper.

She shakes her head slowly, “How can you not know the answer to that?”

Her eyes shift to mine, “I will love our son, but I’m so young. I just turned 19, Gabe. How am I supposed to be a good mother?”

I sigh. This is supposed to be a happy moment, and there she goes. Ruining it.

I remove my hand from her stomach and stand.

“You’ll be a fine mother.” I say through clenched teeth.

“How do you know that?” She stands and looks up at me, “Gabe, I’m still practically a child myself.”

I feel the darkness creep over me as the air begins to feel restricted. I’m about to rage. I can’t.

I can’t.

I turn from her and stalk to the bedroom where my suitcase is waiting. I’ve got to leave. I cannot let myself lose control. Not with my baby inside of her. I’ve got a job to do anyway. It won’t hurt leaving a couple hours early.

I descend the stairs and see Amelia waiting by the front door in the foyer. That bastard Able is next to her, looking down at her sympathetically. He better watch out. I will not think twice before I rip his throat out. I clear my throat as I saunter towards them, “Please make sure that my
wife
stays well rested.”

I lean forward as he narrows his eyes at me, “You may want to limit your little walks.” I growl into his ear.

We stare at each other for a moment. I’m suddenly questioning my staff – well this one anyway. His eyes are filled with the same defiance that my wife’s sometimes have. I’ll need to keep an eye on him. I break our stare and look into Amelia’s brown eyes, “I’ll be back soon baby.” I lean down and kiss her cheek, “I love you.” I whisper against her soft skin.

Her breath hitches. When I back away, her eyes are full of tears and her mouth has formed into an ‘O’. I smile at her response and nod to Benedict who holds one of the double doors ajar.

Love
. Do I? Could I? I’ve never said those three words in my life.