CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Karinna stared wide-eyed at Christian. “You sick animal,” she breathed. “Let this child go. Untie her now!”

Christian threw back his head and laughed. “Oh, okay Karinna…I’ll let her go immediately because you said so,” he drawled sarcastically. “You’re in no position to bargain about anything. Especially since I have that little brat in the next room. And I know you’d do just about anything to protect her wouldn’t you?”

“You’re damn right I will,” Karinna said flatly. “If you touch a hair on her head I’ll…”

“You’ll what?” He sneered. He walked over to her and grabbed her jaw. “What do you think you’ll do, huh? Stroll on out of here with the kid and ride off into the sunset?”

His harsh laughter cracked through the room like a whip. “If you believe that, then you’re living in a fuckin fantasy world. You’re not getting out of here alive.”

Karinna jerked her head away from his bruising grip. “We’ll see about that, Christian. When Todd comes he’ll make you wish you were never born.”

Christian walked over to the scared teenager and stretched out beside her. He idly traced his forefinger over the girls belly. “Who are you kiddin? You think Manning’s coming for you? Here’s a news flash for you, Karinna…he’s comin’ for his kid. All you are to him is an easy lay, baby. Trust me, you’re about the last fuckin priority on his mind.”

Karinna glared at him. “Shut up. You don’t know what you’re talking about. Todd loves me.”

Christian smirked nastily. “Yeah? Did he actually say the words, Karinna? He ever once tell you that he loved you? You’re nothing but a whore. You deserve no better.”

Karinna felt her stomach turn. Todd loved her, he did. Didn’t he? Doubt settled in her heart like a stone. He had never told her he loved her, not even last night when she felt closer to him than any other human being on earth.

Christian saw the uncertainty in her face and gloated in triumph. He bent down and kissed the girls neck. Kelly Monroe shuddered in revulsion and twisted her head away from him. She moaned frantically. He twined a fist full of her hair in his hand and brought his mouth down brutally on her.

Karinna felt a wave of black fury engulf her being. She was not going to stand by and watch him rape an innocent young woman.

Quick as lightening, she ran across the room and pulled Christian’s head back. She raked her nails across his cheek drawing blood.

He laughed and grabbed her by the throat. He flipped her over and pinned her to the bed. “You want it rough, huh? Well you got it, Karinna.” Kelly started screaming hysterically, thrashing her body in a vain attempt at escape.

Christian began ripping Karinna’s blouse open as she fought him with all her strength. “I’m not going to let you do this to me again, you bastard!” She yelled in rage.

“Guess what?” He snarled. “There’s not a damn thing you can do to stop me.” He slapped her roughly across her face, momentarily stunning her. He sat up on her stomach and began to unbuckle his belt with one hand. The explosion rocked the ground like an earthquake. “What the fuck…” Christian said in disbelief. He jumped off of Karinna and strode to the door. At the same time Gabriel yanked it open. “It’s that fuckin Manning,” he spat.

“Son of a bitch!” Christian bellowed. Three more explosions were set off outside. Gabriel and Gaines took off at a dead run. Christian was yelling rapidly to his men.

Karinna began to quickly untie the girl. “It’s okay, we’re gonna get out of here, but we have to hurry.” She was trembling from head to toe. She was frantic to get to Starr.

Kelly yanked off the gag and began untying her legs. “Thank you for everything you did,” she sobbed.

Karinna swiftly looked around the room and located the girls clothes.

“Here,” she said urgently. “Put your clothes on. I’ll be right back.”

“No!” Kelly shrieked. “Please don’t leave me…please.” She began to cry hysterically.

Karinna ran her fingers through her hair in a panic. “Hurry…please, hurry. I need to get someone else and she is just a baby.”

Karinna began to work the girls arms and legs through her clothes and quickly tied her shoes.

“Let’s get out of here.” Karinna grabbed the girls hand and tugged her down the hall. She could hear the shouting of men outside. She knew this was their only chance.

They made their way silently down the hallway to the room Starr was being kept in. Karinna’s hands were slick with sweat as she turned the knob to the bedroom.

It swung open and Karinna gasped in horror. One of Christians men had Starr. She was cowering on the bed as the man hulked over her with a knife. “GET AWAY FROM HER!” She screamed at the top of her lungs.

Out of nowhere a figure in Army fatigues came streaking into the room. Darcy barreled in large and in charge. Her eyes glowed eerily behind the cammo makeup. She kicked the knife out of the man’s hand. “Come on motherfucker,” she growled. “Let’s go.”

The man grunted and lunged at Darcy. She neatly side stepped him and grasped his neck. A quick and brutal twist was all it took. The man dropped to the floor like a stone.

Darcy registered no emotion whatsoever. She’d killed before. She cut her eyes to Karinna and her sister. “We have zero time here,” she said in a controlled voice. “Get Starr, Karinna. I might scare her.” She quickly hugged her sister. “Are you okay, Kelly?” She asked tightly. She blinked back tears.

Kelly shook her head. “I’m okay, Darce,” she whispered.

Karinna was stunned. Darcy had a sister? She scooped Starr up in her arms and whispered soothingly to her.

“We need to leave now,” Darcy said. She pulled out her .357 and grasped her sisters hand. “Follow me closely and don’t make a sound.”

“Where’s Todd?” Karinna asked anxiously.

“Todd is taking care of things on the outside,” Darcy replied.

***************************

Todd smiled nastily as he surveyed the damage he had done. Three of Christian’s vehicles were on fire. He and his men were scrambling around outside like chicken’s with their head’s cut off.

He lifted the crossbow and squinted over the sight. He squeezed the trigger and the steel arrow sliced through the air silently. The customized tip had a small piece of C4 inside of it. The arrow met it’s target. The black Suburban exploded into a huge fiery orange ball.

Todd slung the arrow behind his back and he, and the ever faithful Rocket, took off. He circled around behind the property and waited for Darcy. He saw a glimpse of Karinna’s red hair. She was holding Starr close to her chest. He squeezed his eyes shut. “Thank you God,” he breathed. He began moving towards the women. He smiled; Darcy didn’t let him down. She came through for him like she always did.

“Todd!” Karinna whispered. She tamped down the sobs that wanted to burst through. She walked straight into his embrace. He closed his arms around the two women he loved more than his own life.

“Baby,” he trembled into her hair. “Are you both okay?”

Karinna nodded and gripped him tightly. He felt so wonderful, she never wanted to let him go.

Todd stepped back a little and scanned his daughter’s body for any sign of injury. “Shorty? Honey, it’s Daddy. Please talk to me.”

Starr lifted her head and stared at Todd wide-eyed. “Daddy? Is that you?”

He smiled through his tears. “Yes, sweetheart…I know I look funny with all this stuff on my face but your old Dad’s here.”

“Daddy,” she sobbed, flinging herself into his arms. “I…I…w-was s-so scared, Daddy.”

Todd held onto his daughter for dear life. “I promise you Starr, no one will ever hurt you,” he said fiercely. “I won’t allow it.” Rocket snuffled at Star’s leg, licking her with his soft pink tongue.

Darcy looked around. “We need to move, Todd,” she said calmly.

Todd nodded. He was glad to have Darcy by his side. She looked remote and in control. Her icy blue eyes ticked over the property like a laser. “Let’s do it,” he said. “Starr, I am gonna let Karinna hold you okay, honey?” He gently handed her over to Karinna. “Guard, Rocket,” he commanded. Karinna took her and held her close. “Christian has about fifteen men with him, Todd.”

“Fourteen,” Darcy said grimly. “I took one out.”

“We need to get the kids out of this snow,” Todd said urgently. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around Starr. “Christian and his men will be coming.” They quickly began to make their way into the dense forest. They were hiking for about ten minutes when they heard shouting. “Fuck,” Todd growled. “Darcy, keep them out of sight,” he said in a tight voice. Darcy pulled them into the dense bramble and cocked the trigger of her Magnum. Rocket hunkered down and growled low at the back of his throat. It sounded eerie and unnatural.

Todd stepped behind a tree and waited. The voices were coming upon them quickly. Todd counted five different voices. The forest held it’s breath as the inevitable was about to happen. They were coming for them.

To be continued…

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The five men talked among themselves. They fanned out and looked for the small group of people stupid enough to cross Gaines. Todd stepped out from behind a tree as one of the men passed and put him in a chokehold. He did it silently and pulled him into the brush. He continued the crushing pressure until the man lost consciousness. Todd gagged him quickly and tied him to a tree.

He circled around until he saw two more of the men dangerously close to the women. He streaked towards them without making a sound. He hit one of them in the temple with a pair of brass knuckles and before the other one could even register surprise, Todd punched him hard in the face and then followed through with a vicious roundhouse kick. He dropped like a stone next to the other man.

He efficiently dragged them of the path and peered into the brush. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, we’re fine.” Darcy’s voice floated out like mist.

Todd nodded and went in search of the last two men. He saw them about two hundred yards to the right. They were clustered together looking jumpy and nervous.

As he edged nearer he heard them speaking in hushed whispers. “Well where the fuck are they then?”

“I told you I don’t know,” the other one hissed. “They were here a few minutes ago and now…. nothin’, I tell ya man, this shit’s freakin me out.” Todd silently crept up behind them and grabbed them by the hair. He roughly knocked their heads together. They make a sickening hollow sound as they connected brutally.

He stared down impassively at them. They were bleeding and unconscious. He disarmed them and quickly did the same to the other three. He made his way back to the women. “It’s okay,” he said calmly. “You can come out now.”

Darcy stepped out along with Karinna and the two girls. She slipped her .357 back into her side holster and breathed out. She grinned whitely at her friend. “You were truly a thing of beauty back there.”

Todd nodded grimly. “They’re lucky all I did was knock ‘em unconscious.” Karinna clasped Starr to her chest and uttered a heartfelt prayer that they were not found out.

A light snow began to fall. Todd looked up at the sky. “We need to keep moving. I don’t know how much longer Starr can be out here,’ he said worriedly.

“Where will we go, Todd?” Karinna asked.

“We can’t go back to the cabin, that’s for sure,” he said. A shaft of pain lanced his heart.

Rosa…

He couldn’t fathom that she was dead. He forced the horrible thought from his head and concentrated on the here and now.

“Come on…there’s a place where I know we’ll be safe for the night.”

**************************

The run down cabin was abandoned and in disrepair. Todd cautiously made his way to it with his P7 drawn. The women hung back and hid behind in the dense forest that surrounded the place.

They were in the deepest part of the woods. The cabin was barely visible through the towering redwoods. It was completely silent. The atmosphere was eerie and hushed.

Todd silently made his way up to the front door. He turned the knob and opened it slightly with the barrel of his gun. He peered in through the crack and let his senses guide him.

He ducked in quickly and got a feel of the place. It felt empty and desolate. He quickly made his way into each of the rooms. Satisfied he stepped out into the cold and signaled for Darcy.

Darcy, Kelly, and Karinna slowly advanced toward the cabin. Karinna had Starr clutched to her breast. She tried to cover as much of her with her body as she could.

Her heart was pounding in her throat. The cabin seemed a thousand feet away. She sighed in relief when she made it to the front door without incident.

It began snowing harder and a brisk wind picked up. They huddled inside the cabin, grateful to be out of the elements. Karinna gently set Starr on her feet and rubbed the small of her back.

Todd looked at her with concern. “Are you okay?” He asked softly. She smiled wanly. “Yes, I’m just worried about Starr. She was out in the cold a long time.” She rubbed her arms briskly. It was freezing in the cabin.

“I don’t want her to get sick, Todd.”

Todd nodded and walked over to the fireplace. There were a few half burned logs still in the grate and a couple more stacked on the hearth. They were dusty and had cobwebs on them. Didn’t matter…they would burn. Outside it began snowing harder. It was already getting dark outside and maybe it’d stop Gaines. Todd stacked another log in the grate and began to painstakingly nurse a fire to life.

It took about twenty minutes, but he was able to get a good blaze going. He picked up Starr and set her in front of the fireplace. “You sit here, Shortey. I don’t want you to move until you get warmed up, okay?” He turned to Darcy who was hugging her sister and whispering softly to her. “Hey,” he gently separated the two of them. “Kelly…? Are you all right? Did Christian harm you in any way?” His eyes probed the girls with concern.

“No Mr. Lord,” she said with a shaky smile. She knew what he was asking her. “He came close but, Karinna…she saved me f-from him.” Darcy walked over to Karinna and clasped her hands. “I will never forget what you did for my sister, Karinna…never. You have my undying gratitude.”

Karinna smiled through her tears. “There is no need for thanks, Darcy. I would never allow that animal to harm a hair on any child. I’m just glad that Christian never got the chance to abuse Kelly.”

The two women smiled at each other. Karinna felt ashamed that she was ever jealous of the other woman. Darcy was a true and loyal friend to Todd, and she would consider herself lucky to have her friendship as well. Todd watched the exchange. He was relieved that the both of them had come to some understanding. He loved them both.

He cleared his throat. “Uh…the girls need to eat and so do the both of you.” He unzipped his duffel and pulled out some beef jerky, trail mix, and water. He gave some to Starr who eagerly munched on the beef jerky and trail mix. He divided the rest between Karinna, Darcy and Kelly.

Karinna stared at him. “Todd, you have to eat! Here…” She gave him half of what she had. “Take it…please, baby.”

Todd cupped the side of her face. He was touched by her unflagging generosity. “No,” he said softly. “You need it more than I do. I’m depending on you to look out after Starr. Besides, I’m not all that hungry anyway.”

He searched the cabin and found a rusted out bucket. “I’m gonna fill this with snow so we can wash up. I’ll be right back.”

Karinna searched and found a couple of comforters and old throw rugs. She shook them out and made soft pallets for them to sleep on.

She kept her mind occupied. As long as she kept busy she didn’t have to think about Christian. She knew it was a matter of time before he showed up again. She hoped that this time Todd would kill him. She shut her eyes briefly and continued working.

*************************

The cabin was bathed in firelight. Darcy and Kelly were huddled together fast asleep. Darcy had her hand on her holster, even in sleep ready for anything.

Starr laid sprawled and slumbering in the way that only a child could. Deeply, peacefully, and with complete abandon.

Karinna lightly traced her cheek and pulled the quilt over her. She looked up and saw Todd staring silently at her. He was by the window peering out into the darkness.

He padded over to her and knelt by her side. “You protected my daughter,” he said quietly. “You kept her safe from that animal, and fought for her with everything you had. And you saved an innocent girl from being brutally raped.”

He held her face in his hands. “I love you, Karinna,” he breathed soulfully. It was a simple statement. The purest truth, the only truth he knew. “I’ve been hurt so many times by women claiming to love me. I was so hardened that I didn’t even know what love was anymore.”

He took a deep breath and tried to control the tears that were coming. He nervously twisted his hands together. He never showed this side of himself to anyone. He was too afraid to. He held his feelings to his chest like the most valuable of treasures.

Karinna sat silently. Her heart was soaring. Those three little words were the biggest miracle of her entire life. She waited for him to collect his thoughts. She knew how much this cost him emotionally.

He licked his lips and continued. “I want a future with you, Karinna. I want you and Starr and I to be a real family,” he whispered. “I can’t imagine my life without you, baby. I can’t imagine my life before you…I was sleepwalking through it. I never knew how empty it was for me personally. I know I have Starr and for that I get down on my knees and thank God. But, it’s been pretty lonely with no one to share my life with. Until now…” He leaned forward and kissed her lips softly. “Say you’ll be my wife, Karinna,” he breathed into her mouth.

Karinna wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately. “Yes,” she trembled. “I will, Todd.”

He laid her down on top of the soft pallet and rained kisses over her face, hair and neck. He was shaking and barely able to keep from moaning out loud, her body felt that good.

“What about the others?” Karinna whispered shakily. She was barely able to form the words, let alone stop him. He felt so good and she wanted him desperately.

Todd nipped at her earlobe. “Everyone’s exhausted. They won’t hear a thing.” He glanced over at Darcy and Kelly who were sleeping soundly. Starr was snoring slightly and curled into a little ball.

Starr.

Todd chewed his lip. He didn’t feel right about his child being in the same room with them.

He smiled like a devil and pulled Karinna to her feet. “Come on,” he whispered. He scooped up the comforter and took her by the hand. They walked into a small bedroom. It was like an icebox but Karinna didn’t notice or care. She was on fire.

Todd laid the comforter on the floor and faced her. The energy between the two of them was a living thing.

They came together and kissed almost roughly in their haste to reacquaint themselves with each other. “Oh Todd,” Karinna sighed. “I was so afraid that I lost you. That I’d never see you again.” She pulled his shirt up and over his head and kissed him all over his chest. She reached up and freed his hair from the confines of his ponytail. It flowed over his back and shoulders in a silky chestnut curtain.

She ran her hands through it and pulled him down towards her mouth. She kissed him deeply and unbuckled his belt. She tugged them down past his hips and knelt. She swiftly unlaced his boots and yanked them off, socks and all.

Todd stood transfixed. He was breathing harshly and completely aroused. To see her so aggressive was exciting as hell. She was his equal, this beautiful, and complicated woman. He loved every side of her. Karinna dragged her tongue all the way up his body pausing to fleetingly graze his sex with her teeth. She stepped back from him and fixed him with a look so scorching that it took his breath away.

Without taking her eyes of him she began to slowly and deliberately strip. She tipped her head to the side and undid each button of her blouse. She let it drop to the ground. She glided her hands down the front of her belly and unsnapped her jeans. Her jade eyes were half closed and glittering. Ever so slowly the metallic zipper inched its way down her flat stomach.

She pulled them off her hips and kicked them aside. She ran her tongue over his lips and arched her back. With movements as graceful as a dancer she unhooked her bra and let the delicate fabric fall to the ground.

Karinna hooked her thumbs under the wispy fabric of her panties and let them slid down her long, long legs.

Todd watched with envy as the silk took it’s sweet time falling down her thighs.

She stood before him naked. “I want to spend the entire night making love to you,” she said softly. Her voice was husky and liquid.

She walked up to him and pressed her body against his. She twined her fingers in his and gently pulled him to his knees. She stared down at him and smiled.

Todd buried his head against her stomach and kissed her navel and pelvic bones. He rubbed his chin back and forth over the soft hair and breathed in her smell.

Karinna placed her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. She tipped her head back and sighed.

Todd smiled against her. He separated her and kissed her erotically. He circled on her lightly at fist, then drank her in fully. He continued the passionate lovemaking until he felt her begin to tremble.

Karinna stepped back slightly. Her nostrils were flared and she was breathing rapidly. She knelt in front of him and with the palm of her hand gently pushed him down onto the comforter.

Todd went willingly. He stared up at her and waited. She kissed him on his mouth and feathered light kisses down the side of his neck. She licked around the shell of his ear and daintily probed the inside of it with her tongue.

Todd moaned and clenched his eyes shut. He arched his hips up slightly. Karinna laughed low at the back of her throat. Thrilled that she was having the same effect on him as he did her. She blazed a trail of moist kisses down his belly and licked his hairline.

Todd reflexively sucked in his stomach. “Oh God baby…” he rasped. He was so close to coming he wondered how he was going to be able to control himself.

Karinna let her warm breath feather over his sex. She licked him with the tip of her tongue and flicked it lightly over the head. She damply stroked it up then down the entire length of him. Finally she enfolded him in her mouth, keeping a tempo in time with her heartbeat.

“Jesus,” he whispered in awe. He sat up and pulled her up to him. He held her head steady as he slanted his open mouth over hers. She straddled him and slowly impaled herself on him until he filled her completely.

They both sighed in unison. Karinna began to move on him slowly. He held her hips and moved them to his liking. “I love you, Karinna,” he breathed against her mouth.

Karinna wrapped her arms tightly around him. “I love you, Todd. I love you…” she chanted.

They kissed deeply as they came together. Each one not quite believing how lucky they were to have found each other, the both of them looking ahead into the future and dreaming of a perfect life together.

Neither one of them thinking of the danger that was lurking outside the darkened cabin. Deadly, and evil in it’s purest form waiting to destroy and kill them all.

To be continued…