“If Dallas is alive, you will do this for me. You will take her place and bring her back to her family. I deserve happiness, Logan deserves happiness, and so does Dallas. That doesn’t exist in this world as long as you are in it.” Maddie’s words were cold, but I could tell a little piece of her died as she walked up the stairs and out of the sights of a man she would never see again.
Chapter 15
DALLAS
“You are going to love your new home, Dallas,” Charlie said, his deep silky voice was so smooth that I almost believed him. I looked at him, sitting next to me, smiling like he had just won the lottery. I would not give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry, although I was dying on the inside. I was tired, sore and my bladder felt like it would bust any minute. If I told him I had to pee, then I would have to talk to him. Talking to him was something I didn’t want to do. I leaned forward in my seat, sticking my head toward the front of the car to speak to the man driving us.
“I need to use the bathroom, please,” I informed him nicely. Being a bitch would get me nowhere. Even though I wanted to claw their eyes out, I knew the safest route for me was to be kind and polite.
“You could have told me, Dallas. You know, eventually you are going to have to talk to me,” Charlie said, his voice so demanding that I turned to look at him.
“I need to use the bathroom,” I said with as much malice in my voice as possible.
“Please?”
I turned and looked out the window. I would rather eat glass than say please to the man next to me, but at this point I didn’t have a choice. It was either say please, or piss my pants.
“Please?” I asked, making eye contact with him once again. I would not let this man intimidate me.
“Jasper, please find us a nice hotel room for the night. Miss Knox has had a long day and I’m sure she would prefer a shower and a nice meal,” he said, slightly impressed by my obedience.
“Yes, sir. We will be there in fifteen minutes.”
We passed a sign that read “Gonzales ten miles” and for the first time since I had left Luke’s, I knew where I was. Gonzales, Texas was near San Antonio, which was about six hundred miles from home. Maybe I could earn Charlie’s trust, and then plan my escape. I couldn’t go back to Luke, or to my home, but at least I would be out from under him. It felt good to have a plan, even though I had no idea how I would execute it; at least it was a start.
We pulled into Belle Oaks Inn, a bed and breakfast located in the historic part of downtown Gonzales. Jasper went inside while Charlie and I stayed in the car. I tried to ignore Charlie as I looked out the window, admiring the old mansion, but every time he spoke, I felt compelled to turn and look at him.
“You are a smart girl, Dallas. Please don’t try anything stupid. I would hate to have to hurt you, or worse, hurt someone you love.” That was all he had to say. I knew he meant it. He would definitely hurt Luke or Maddie if I made any attempt to escape or cry out for help. This man was on a power trip and I wanted him to know that he had complete control over me. I could do this. I had to.
“I won’t. I promise,” I said honestly. Luke always knew when I was lying. He could read me like a book. This man had those same skills. He knew what I said was the truth, and it pleased him.
“Jasper will have some new clothes, freshly laundered for you in the morning. Tonight, you will have to make do with what you have. We will be staying in the Carriage House which is a private, three bedroom suite. I will send for dinner and we will dine together, then you can retire to your own room. I will make sure that you have everything you need.” Charlie’s eyes were almost kind as he spoke to me. I felt guilty for accepting his kindness so easily. It was almost like I had the same effect on him.
“Thank you,” I said, thinking if I acknowledged his kindness that it would somehow benefit me. Men like Charlie thought that if they did anything for someone, no matter what it was, that they should appreciate it. It didn’t matter that he had taken me against my will, or beaten my boyfriend to a bloody pulp and made him choose to give me up; by just letting me breathe, he felt like I was indebted to him.
Jasper returned and pulled the sleek SUV around to the back of the hotel. Out in the gardens sat a small white house that was surrounded by shrubs. I waited for Jasper to open the door, then slowly climbed out, standing a moment on my achy legs before taking an unassisted step towards the house. Charlie placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me down the sidewalk. He was unhurried and seemed concerned about the way I limped.
“You shouldn’t have been tied up for so long. That was my mistake. It won’t happen again, and I apologize.” I stopped at his words. Mr. I’ll-beat-her-within-an-inch-of-her-life was apologizing? That didn’t make very much sense.