balance.
“Move.” He poked me in the back hard enough I was sure there’d be a bruise later...if I survived that long.
I shuffled along the overgrown path, stumbling over roots and loose branches until we made our way back to the river. The small fishing boat was right where he’d left it tied to a tree.
“Get in,” he ordered.
I eyed the boat, not sure how to accomplish boarding with my feet bound. When we’d arrived at the small island, he’d carried me to the shack while I’d kicked and screamed the entire way. “I don’t think I can without falling. Can you at least undo my feet?”
“No.” He glanced around at the calm water, cocking his head as if listening to something in the distance. Then he moved to the hull, untied the rope keeping it in place, and held the boat as he waved for me to follow him. “It’s time. Our ride will be waiting for us by the time we get there. Get in or I’ll throw you in.”
Movement from behind him in the water caught my attention, and I swallowed the startled cry threatening to escape my lips. Holy shit. This was bad news. Adrenaline-fueled fear raced through my veins as the fight instinct reappeared. This was my one chance. Now or never.
“Fine, throw me in,” I said, bracing myself for the worst.
His nostrils flared as he glared at me in disgust. And when he reached for me, I spun, swinging my bound arms around, aiming for his head.
He ducked, barely missing my blow, causing my momentum to take me down. I landed on my side, right at the edge of the water, just in time to see the giant alligator’s head disappear under the surface.
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
My heart raced and sweat slicked my face. The gator could be anywhere; could reemerge at any moment. I lay completely still, recalling the fact that alligators had bad eyesight and reacted to movement. If I played dead, he might leave me alone.
Except that wasn’t an option. The jackhole was already reaching for me, apparently unconcerned that a five hundred pound monster was only a few feet away.
He grabbed me by my hair, yanking my head up, and put his face only inches from mine. “You’re going to pay for that, bitch.”
There was no doubt about that. I already was.
He released me, and I crashed back to the earth, hitting my head on what must’ve been a root. Spots swirled in my vision as pain shot down my neck and along my spine. I groaned and brought my bound hands up to hold my head.
“Sit up,” Jackhole ordered.
I blinked, clearing my vision, and when I finally focused on him, he was standing over me, his belt undone, as he lowered his zipper.
“You’re going to get a taste of me right here, right now.”
Oh, hell no. This piece of shit had managed to abduct me and abuse me, but he was not going to sexually assault me. Never.
I held myself perfectly still, ignoring his order.
“I said sit up, bitch.” He yanked his small dick out and stroked it as if that would make it bigger.
I shook my head, defiant.
“Do it.” He reached for me, but when he bent down. I brought both knees up to my chest and kicked out with my feet, catching him right in the groin.
His mouth fell open and his eyes bulged as he tried and failed to gasp in air. As if in slow motion, he fell to one side, nearly crushing me as he went down. But I rolled and scrambled to my knees as he writhed on the ground, now holding his nuts.
Breathing heavily, I managed to get to my feet.
He stared up at me, tears streaming from his hateful eyes.
“Don’t fuck with me again,” I said, and kicked him as hard as the shackles would allow, this time connecting with his thigh.
He grunted and rolled the other way.
I debated checking his pockets for the key to the shackles, but it was too dangerous. He was only temporarily incapacitated. As soon as the initial shock wore off, he’d be after me. It was time to go. I hurried as fast as I could to the boat.
I stood at the edge of the shore for a moment,
Paige Shelton
Sandra Jones
Christine Murray
Jen Meyers
Enid Blyton
Neil Bartlett
Lynn Hubbard
Jaz Johnson
Kent Conwell
M. C. Beaton