Shattered Trust, Stolen Hearts
by Martine
Chapter 21
"Good trip?" I shudder when I hear the voice on the other end of the telephone. It sounds so familiar and yet so strange. "I hated to cut it short, but I was losing weight in jail, and I missed my kids...."
"Derek, how dare you ring here after all you put Ben through?" I am so mad at him. The man has got so much nerve!
"Oh, I dare, Meggie darling." I can hear Derek breathing down the phone. "I dare, because my children need a new mother, and I need a new wife."
"It will be a cold day in hell before I agree to marry you, Derek." I say, scarcely believing that these words are coming out of my mouth. "Which is, coincidentally, where you belong...."
"Meg, who’s on the phone?" Ben emerges from the kitchen, carrying a bottle of champagne.
"You tell him, Meg, and you’re both end up on slabs in the mortuary." Derek hisses. "Just agree to meet me under the pier in twenty minutes."
"Fine." I hang up, and turn to Ben. "That was Mark. I’ve left some things at Surf Central, and he wants me to go over there."
"Can’t it wait until later?" He starts nibbling my neck. It feels so good. Tears prick my eyes.
"I’m sorry, Ben. Believe me, you don’t know just how sorry, but I have to go." I turn away from him. I hate leaving him, but there is no choice. Damn Derek, he just won’t give up, but I have to stand my ground otherwise I’ll lose myself in the process. I feel a lump in my throat. I am going to cry.
"Something has happened, Meg. I can hear it in your voice." Ben spins me around, and the look of love in his eyes shatters my strength into a thousand pieces. "I haven’t seen that much fear in your eyes since that night at the farm. That wasn’t Mark, was it? It was Derek."
"No, no, Ben, I’m okay, really I am." I swallow the lump in my throat and smile at him. "Just trust me. That’s all I’m asking."
"I do trust you." He says, as he pulls me to him and kisses me. "Hurry back, because I have big plans for tonight."
"I can’t wait, Ben." I grab my bag. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Meg." He says. "You take care of yourself."
I can’t believe I almost blew it, I think, as I rush out of his house. What did we promise each other? No more secrets. I hate keeping this from Ben, but his life is in danger if I tell him. I feel a shiver running down my spine as I wait for Derek.
"Meg?" He calls my name softly. "You came."
"You knew I would, Derek. What do you want?" I can’t bear to look at him.
"Do you really have to ask? I want you." Terror runs through my body, as he comes closer to me. "You’re a very special woman, Meg. My brother has excellent taste in lovers. You’re even better than Maria."
"I hate to disappoint you, Derek, but if you were the last man on the earth, I wouldn’t sleep with you." I feel my strength returning to me.
"Your wit really turns me on."
"You must be really stupid if you confuse wit with sarcasm." I turn to face him, my eyes meeting his.
He touches me, gently at first, but then he pulls me towards him. I struggle, but he is strong, much stronger than I am.
"Get your dirty hands off her!" Ben shouts as he comes running up to us. "I mean it, Derek. Let her go. Or I will kill you."
"More threats, Brother Ben." Derek’s hands are all over me, and the stench that is coming from his body is overwhelming.
"You know, Derek, where Meg’s life is concerned, I only make promises." Ben comes closer to us. I am so scared, but I trust Ben. I can’t speak as Derek has his hand over my mouth. "And I promise you that if you hurt her, you will die."
"I’m really scared." He mocks Ben. "I bet you’d really like to do this right now." He turns me around and kisses me roughly. I feel sick.
"Get your hands off her." Ben’s anger gets the better of him, and he lunges at Derek, pushing him into the sand. Derek fights back, but Ben’s anger has given him super-human strength. I land in the sand and watch. "You should have listened to me, you little runt. No-one hurts my Meg and gets away with it."
"Who are you calling a little runt, Ben?" Derek struggles with his brother and scrambles to his feet. "You are the runt. I am better than you in every way."
"You think so?" Ben pushes him over. "I’ve been working out."
Derek coughs. "Yeah, making love once really gives you muscles. Ask Maria. Oh I forgot. Maria is dead. I killed her." He laughs.
"And that’s for killing Maria." Ben punches Derek.
He splits Derek’s lip. "You must be getting tired, Ben." I am amazed that Derek still has the energy to trade insults.
"Tired of you, Derek, yes. Tired of knocking you out. Never. It was my favourite sport when we were children, and I’m making up for lost time!"
"When did you acquire a sense of humour?" He punches Ben. My poor Ben.
"Since I looked at your face." I start to run away to get Ricardo, but Derek grabs me.
"Not so fast, little girl." He says. "I know where you are going." He pushes me back down.
"You’ve gone too far, Derek." Ben punches Derek as hard as he can, but still he crawls to his feet.
"This is getting boring, but I will be back." He runs away. Ben walks over to me and embraces me.
"He’s gone, Meg." I look up at him, my head throbbing. "My God, you’re bleeding..."
"I’m fine, Ben."
"You’re not fine, Meg." He picks me up in his arms. I can’t stop crying. "I’ll take you home. Ssh, don’t cry."
"I can’t help it." I look up, my eyes stinging. "Why can’t we be happy for more than five minutes?"
We get to the house, and Ben carries me up the stairs. He lovingly puts me in bed, and then turns to go. "Please don’t go, Ben. Just hold me."
He holds me in his arms. "I’m so sorry, Meg, for involving you in my crazy life."
"Don’t tell me you’re sorry we’re together?"
"Never, but I don’t want you to get hurt." He says.
"It would hurt more if we were apart." I reassure him. "I’m sorry I got upset. I’m okay now."
At least I will be when Derek is gone, out of our lives for good.
Chapter 22
I can hear Ben breathing. He’s finally asleep. We talked for so long last night, we just ended up going in circles. Now he’s sleeping and I’m too scared to close my eyes in case Derek comes back. I kiss Ben on the forehead and get out of bed. It is a warm night, so I go to the balcony. I close my eyes, and think about how far I’ve come with Ben. I love him so much, and that is enough. People say I’m crazy for sticking by him, but it is worth it.
"Can’t you sleep?" I feel Ben’s cool hands on my shoulders.
"No, it’s too hot." I feel terrible lying to him, but I don’t want to worry him.
"That’s not it, Meg." He turns me around. "You’re thinking about Derek. In fact, I bet you’ve been thinking about him all night."
"How can he treat you like that, Ben? You’re his twin brother, you’re good and kind." Tears flow freely down my cheeks. "I wish I understood."
"Hey, Meg, I wish I understood." He leans over and kisses my tears away. Oh God, he smells so good!
"Make love to me, Ben, make all the hurt go away." I hear myself saying. I never thought it would be that way, to need sex, but I need him to carry me to bed and for us to melt into each other, to become one and to become stronger to fight the evil which faces us.
He picks me up and carries me to our bed. Ben is mine, our mouths meet and kiss passionately, our tongues finally becoming one. No words are necessary, as all of our emotions come out in our love-making.
He rolls on top of me, and very gently, showers whisper kisses on me. Their tenderness show me all I need to know about him, that he cares about me and not for the pleasure my aching body can provide.
"Thankyou, Ben." I say, looking him in the eyes. I see tears glistening in his eyes.
"For what?" He asks, laughing through his tears.
"You know exactly what to do to turn me on, and where to touch. Just looking at you sends bolts of electricity down my spine. If you only understood the power you have over me..."
"I feel exactly the same, Meg. You have changed me so much. I used to doubt, now I hope. Some even called me a wimp. I suppose I was. I need you to ignite my passion for life, for love. I was scared."
"You don’t have to be scared, Ben. I’m here." I kiss him passionately. "Make love to me now. It’s been too long."
"Are you sure?" He asks, with the innocence of a child. Well, I am about to corrupt him!
"Never surer." I laugh. He kisses me back, there is a hint of expectation in his touch.
"The things you do to me, Meg!" He exclaims.
"Blame me, why don’t you?" I look over to him, and his face is pure pleasure. I snuggle up close to him, taking in the scent of his body.
"Who else can I blame?" He laughs. "I think I’d die without you, Meg..."
Suddenly the doorbell rings. I look over to the clock. It is only five in the morning. And then I know. It’s Derek. "Don’t answer it, Ben." I plead with him. It rings again.
"I’ll ring the police." Ben picks up the ‘phone. "Damn it! It’s not working. He’s cut the cable." He swings his legs over the side of the bed and pulls his robe on. "Stay here, Meg."
"Where are you going?"
"I have to deal with him. He’s my responsibility."
"He’s not, Ben. He’s an adult. And the fact that he’s cut the cord of the phone, means he means business. He’ll kill you..."
"My cell phone is downstairs. I’ll ring Ricardo from there." He tries to reassure me. I put my robe on. "Hang on, you’re not coming."
"That’s where you’re wrong. I love you, and I’m coming with you whether you like it or not." The doorbell rings again.
He sighs. "Come on then, but stay behind me." I follow him downstairs. He gets his cell phone and rings Ricardo. "He’s on his way with backup." He opens the door.
"Why, isn’t this cosy? Sorry if I’ve spoilt your night, or maybe I’ve saved you from Ben, Meg?" He grins, but not for long. I’ll wipe that self-satisfied grin off his smug face.
"Does it take you long thinking up this garbage, Derek? Or does it come naturally?" I walk towards him, and poke him in the stomach.
"Oh, I like this one, Brother Ben. She’s got spirit. She really turns me on. I’m surprised she’s with you though." He pulls out a gun and grabs me. "Not for long though. She’s with me now."
"Derek, you bastard, let her go!" Derek drags me out of the house and pulls me to his car. Ben is following. "If you move one inch, I’ll blow her brains out and then finish you off!" Derek opens the boot of his car and lifts me into it. My head bumps onto the side of the car and I drift into unconsciousness. The last sound I hear is Ben sobbing......
Chapter 23
I open my eyes to find myself in pitch darkness. I reach out for Ben, thinking that he’s beside me, but he’s not. And then I remember. I am in the boot of Derek’s speeding car. I was foolish to have approached him like that. How many times did Ben tell me he was dangerous? Why didn’t I listen? I can hardly breathe in here. The car comes to a grinding halt. I hear him walking towards the boot. He is banging on the side of the car, laughing crazily. Suddenly he lifts the boot open, the warm sunlight blinds me. I cover my eyes.
"Had a good trip, Meg darling?"
I don’t answer. He bends over to lift me out. "Don’t you touch me!" I scream.
"Scream, Meg. No one can here you here. It’s just you and me now." He says, sounding very calm and rational. "Aren’t you the lucky one?" I try to move my legs. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. I gave you an injection to leave you helpless. Don’t worry, it’ll wear off in a few hours, so unless you want to stay there, you’ll have to let me help you. But I won’t do anything that Brother Ben hasn’t already done before."
"Like you would even know how." I may have lost the feeling in my legs, but my mouth works quite well.
"Don’t test me, darling." He sneers. He bends over and picks me up. I’m still in my robe, naked, exposed underneath. "It’s a good thing you tied that robe so tight otherwise I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you." I can’t believe what I see. We are at Ben’s cottage in the desert. "I know what you’re thinking. Why would I bring you somewhere Ben is bound to find us?" He carries me inside and puts me on the four poster bed. "Maybe I want him to find me."
"Like he found you with Maria?" I know what he is trying to achieve now. "No way, not a chance in hell, Derek. Not even if you paid me. Understand?"
"What’s the problem?" He looks in the mirror, preening himself. "I’m just as handsome as him. All you’d have to do is close your eyes and pretend I was Ben."
"You’re a poor imitation of the real thing, and you know it. If you were even half the man your brother is, you’d be living in the present, not your hellish childhood..." Then he hits me. My face is stinging.
"You bitch!" He shouts maniacally. Tears fall down my cheeks. "Poor little Meg, did I hurt you? I’m sorry, but you deserved it. Those words were cruel. How dare you? What do you know about my childhood? What do you know about me?"
"I know that Ben had exactly the same childhood as you, and he’s okay." I recover from his slap, and realise that I have to keep talking.
"Shut your mouth, Meg!" He’s pacing frantically up and down the floor. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a gun on the dresser top. He’s been living here. I have to keep my cool if I want to stay alive.
"Okay, Derek, whatever you say." I keep my gaze on his face. "Sorry you had a tough childhood."
He comes over to the bed and sits beside me. He puts his hand on my shoulder, rubbing it gently. "I’m glad you decided to play nice with me." He curls up beside me, for a moment he looks like a child, helpless and alone, but his touch makes me feel sick. I heave. "Do I make you feel sick? Or maybe it’s a spot of morning sickness from that phantom pregnancy you have?" He starts to rub my shoulder again.
"How did you know?" I ask, suddenly feeling scared.
"I know everything about you and Ben. I make it my business to know. Meg, you disappoint me. I thought you have brains, but then I find out you’re a liar..."
"It takes one to know one." I spit out at him. The feeling is beginning to return to my legs, but I can’t let him know just yet. I send out a silent prayer, hoping that Ben is on his way.
"Such spirit in one so young. You really turn me on, Meg." He looks deep in my eyes. I shiver at what I see. There is nothing there. No warmth, no love.
"Are you deaf, Derek?" I yell at him, in the hope that he’ll back off. "Or maybe you’re plain stupid? Tough choice, isn’t it?"
"Those are just words. I know what you really want. You crave excitement, passion...."
"I have all those things, Derek. With Ben." I tell him, softly. God, I miss Ben so much. "Ben makes me feel things I’ve only dreamed about. So, he’s not a psychopathic murderer. A girl can’t have everything...."
He reaches for the gun and goes to shoot me. His aim is steady, he’s not scared, he’s devoid of emotions. I think he’s going to shoot when something happens........
Chapter 24
"Put the gun down, Evans." Ricardo’s voice comes through the loudspeaker. "We can see you through the window, and if you even aim at Meg, I won’t hesitate to shoot you!"
Derek lowers his gun, and places it on the floor. It is not often that I’m grateful for Ricardo Torres, but today I am. But as soon as the gun is on the floor, Derek bends over to pick it up. "What does the jerk think I am, Meg? Stupid?"
"No, you’re definitely not stupid, Derek." I keep my voice as steady as possible.
"Ha, you thought I was stupid, Meg, didn’t you? With that baby trick." He moves behind the wardrobe, out of Ricardo’s sight.
"That was the act of a desperate woman. I was scared for myself and Ben..."
"Perfect Ben gets everything he wants. Well, let me tell you that my brother isn’t so perfect. He has flaws." He speaks quickly, as if he’s cracking up. I can see the sweat pouring from his face and his shirt is wet.
"I know he has flaws, Derek, but I love him. I promise you, you’ll find your soulmate, and when you do, she’ll love you as much as I love Ben." I try to help him. He needs my help badly, and maybe I’m the only one who can reach him. Inside my head, I can hear Ben telling me that after all he’s done I should hate him, but it’s not in my nature. "Tell me what’s in your heart?"
He laughs at me. "Is that how you snared Ben, Meg? Well, he might be won by those cheap lines, but baby, I’m not."
"Meg, are you okay?" Ben’s voice comes through the loudspeaker. He sounds so worried. I can’t wait to be in his arms again, and from the look of Derek, it won’t be long.
"You’ll never see your beloved Ben again, because I will kill you before I let you be in his arms again." Derek sounds so heartless.
"If you’re going to kill me, do it now." I fight my tears back, holding onto the last shred of courage that I possess. "Because believe me, I’d rather die than spend my last minutes with you." I can’t believe I thought I could redeem him. That is impossible. He points the gun at me.
"You asked for it, Meg. Prepare to die." He points the gun at me. I close my eyes. But nothing happens. "Open your eyes. Look at me. You knew I couldn’t shoot you, I love you."
"You don’t know me, Derek. Oh, you think you do, but you’re treating me just like you treated Maria. And she’s dead!" I now know that he won’t shoot me. "You killed her after you used her to produce your off-spring. I never thought I’d say this, but I feel sorry for her."
"Maria did as she was told. Just like you should have done, Meg." He comes over and starts to play with my hair. I shake him off. I can feel my legs now, but they are still too weak to move, and I need to run fast. "Such pretty hair, Meg, I bet Ben loves your hair, doesn’t he?" I don’t answer. "I asked you a question, ANSWER ME!"
"What if you don’t like the answer, Derek?" I taunt him by answering with another question.
"You’re so clever, Meg. You’re got your own mind, I like that." He comes closer. Fortunately the strength is beginning to return to my arms. I try to push him off. "So the injection is wearing off, is it?" He goes to the dresser drawers and takes out a pair of handcuffs. "I didn’t want to use these, but you left me no choice." He handcuffs me, but I lean over and bite him. "You’re such a bitch, Meg Cummings." He shouts.
"What’s going on in there, Derek?" Ricardo again. I wish he’d hurry up. Derek goes to the window and when he turns back, tears are streaming down his face. What is happening out there?
"Oh my God, Meg, it’s the twins. That damn cop has brought them here. They’ll be scarred forever." To think it was the sight of children that finally brought Derek down to earth again!
"What are their names?" I ask him.
"Clive and Susan." He smiles. He opens his wallet and shows me a picture of them. They are beautiful children. "They’ve been living in a foster home since I went on the run. I haven’t seen them for at least a year..."
"I bet they miss you."
"I miss them too, Meg. Just wait until you have children. They literally melt your heart." Derek’s face continues to soften as he talks about his children.
"Daddy?" A girl’s voice comes through the loudspeaker. "I love you. Please come out." I sigh. How can Ricardo put a three year old through that?
He puts down his gun on the floor. "I’m sorry, Meg." He turns and walks out the door with his hands in the air. He almost seems human now, thanks to his children.
I barely have the chance to catch my breath when Ben runs in. He grabs the key and unlocks the cuffs. "I’m so sorry, Meg."
"Ben, you have nothing to apologise for." He kisses me all over. He smells so sweet. "Just take me home. I’d stand up, but Derek gave me an injection to paralyse my legs..."
"That man, he’s pure evil." Ben lifts me and carries me to the car. Ricardo is putting Derek in the car with little Susan clinging to him.
"Maybe not....." I whisper. What am I saying? I can’t help feeling sorry for the man. His children seem to love him, maybe he’s not so bad after all....
Chapter 25
“I can’t see Ricardo just yet, please understand, Ben.” I am sitting on the
couch, feeling like my world has been blown apart. I’ve read reports from
people who have been through a abduction and they always say they feel a
strange attachment to their abductor. Now I know exactly how they feel.“Okay.” He hands me a glass of water. “But do something for me, Meg. Don’t
keep your pain inside. It will destroy us if you do.” He bends over and kisses
my lips. I tense up. He pulls away. “What did I do wrong? Can you at least
tell me that?”I bite back the tears. “It’s not you. It’s Derek. He....” I can’t continue. The
tears won’t stop flowing. Ben sits beside me and takes my hand. “It doesn’t
matter.”“Of course it matters. What did he do?” His voice is soft, but firm. I can
imagine what he’s thinking, and for this reason, I don’t want to tell him. I’m
not up to a confrontation yet. “No more secrets, remember?”“He just touched me, Ben. I can still feel it. It makes my skin crawl thinking
about it.” It’s best that Ben knows the truth, all of it, even if it hurts. “And
there’s something else...”“I’ll kill him, Meg. I swear I will.” He gets up and starts pacing the floor.“Maybe I shouldn’t have told you.” I sigh. This is not going as well as I’d
hoped it would.“I’m sorry. He makes me angry.” He calms down and sits beside me again.
“Go on.”“I pity him and his children. I was angry with Ricardo for bringing little Susan
to the cottage.” I try to explain, but I can’t. “Ben, it sounds dreadful, but I
didn’t hate him that much. In fact, I saw him through new eyes.” He just sits
there. I look in his eyes to guage a reaction, but I see nothing there.“That would sound weird, but for one thing.” He touches my face. For once I
don’t flinch. “I know you, Meg. You redeemed me when you came to Sunset
Beach, and it’s in your nature to do the same with everyone you meet.”“I thought you would hate me.” I allow the tears to flow freely, and fall into
his arms. All the guilt and the shame has gone.“I could never hate you, Meg.” He runs his fingers through my hair. “To know
you is to love you. Truly, madly, deeply.”“I am so blessed.” I look up to kiss him, and with one touch, my feelings for
Derek just melt away.“Oh, I think we’re equally blessed.” He gives me a knowing smile. “Now, what
about Ricardo? Do you feel up to giving that statement?”“As long as you’re with me.”“Oh, I promise you that as long as there’s breath in my body, I’ll never leave
you again.” He looks serious.“Do you think we’ll be together that long?” I already know his answer, but
need to hear it, just to be sure.“Meg, I think I knew that before we met. I just needed help to admit it. As
Annie so tactfully put it, I was living like a monk. You brought me back to life.
Now let me bring you back to life.”“You have. It’ll take a while, that’s all.” I nod my head. “I think Derek
brainwashed me.” I see Ben frown and his eyes cloud over when I mention his
name. “But I’m here with you.”“Come on. Let’s go see Ricardo.” He helps me to my feet and leads me to the
door.“Will Derek be there?” I hold back.“He’ll be in the cells, where he belongs, Meg.” He reassures me. “He can’t
hurt you anymore.”I fall silent, as I follow Ben to the car. Inside I am so confused. I see those
children in my mind and it’s killing me to know that they’ll be going to a foster
family, and never see their father again. Even if that father is a mad man,
they deserve to see him. It was clear that they love him. Ben doesn’t want
anything to do with Derek’s children, that I can understand. He turns to me
and smiles.“Everything will be fine, I promise.” He says. “I wish I could make your eyes
smile again. I miss my optimistic Meg.” I smile at him, wishing that we didn’t
have to go anywhere, and we could lie in each others’ arms.“I’m still here, Ben. I still believe in fairy tales and romance. That hasn’t
changed.” I sigh. “It’s just been damaged a little.” I see Ben’s face as he
drives, and I can tell he is not happy. It is like we’re the same person, if one
person feels pain, the other experiences it as well. “As long as you still love
me, I know that things will work out.”“I’ll always love you. That’s a given.” He pulls into the police station and I see
Ricardo. “Here’s trouble.”“I thought the two of you were getting along better.”“We have our moments.” He jumps out of the car and comes round my side to
help me out.“Hi Meg.” Ricardo watches as Ben helps me to get my balance. “I can’t
believe Derek gave you a paralysing injection, the nerve of that man...”“I’m much better now, thanks. Look, I can walk by myself.” I take a few
steps, to prove I’m not completely helpless. “I’m ready to talk to you.”“Are you sure? Derek’s not going anywhere.” He cracks a joke. “Okay then.
Come this way.”“Ricardo, Derek is in his cell, isn’t he?” Ben asks.“Evans, do I look completely stupid? Of course he’s in a cell. I’ve even put
Eddie on guard in there.”“I had to ask.”“Of course you did.” He says. I hate to see them fighting. We enter the
police station.“Ricardo, where are Derek’s children?” I have to know. “They are safe, aren’t
they?”“Meg, you never cease to amaze me. You’re just so caring, in spite of what
you’ve been through. Clive and Susan Evans are being looked after by Bette
for a while before Social Services get here.” Ricardo pauses while Officer
Ruiz whispers something to him. “Derek’s been screaming blue murder all day.
He wants to see Meg.”“I bet he does, but that isn’t going to happen. If he thinks it is, he’s crazy....”“I can speak for myself. I’d like to see him so I can put it all behind me, Ben.”
I turn to face him. “I want to be able to love you properly, and I can’t unless
I move on....”“I understand, Meg.” He hugs me. “Come back soon.”“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I kiss him passionately, and with one
longing look, I follow Ricardo into the cell area. I don’t know how I’ll feel
when I see him, but it’s the only way to face things properly........*********************************************************************