part0035

I realize now how wrong I was about Miranda. My first and lasting impression of her was that she was a beautiful, educated, wealthy woman who thought she was better than everyone else. I had gotten so use to everyone looking down on me I classified her in the same category with my eyes closed.

She's sweet and caring...supportive. She's being a true friend sitting off to the side listening to me sob and cry about how Caleb deceived and hurt me.

"Sutton," Miranda lightly whips her head so her long brown tresses stop covering her face. She's seated next to me on the bed, her bed or at least former bed. The pink walls and stuffed animals at every corner leading me to this conclusion. "I know Caleb can be a dick, a huge asshole at times but he's also a good man with a huge heart, he just doesn't like being obvious about it. He doesn't like people knowing he can be weak and vulnerable just like everyone else. He wants the world to think he's unbreakable, always in control but he's not. Caleb needs someone in his life to keep him in line, put him in his place, while filling that empty void in his chest that needs to be filled. You do that for him, you fill that emptiness. I know he loves you and I know you love him. Please try to forgive him. Caleb needs you, he's needed you for a long time. You make him a better man, a man he use to be. A man who doesn't fight so hard to push everything and everyone away. The loss of Juliet changed him making him standoffish, cold but once you came into his life Caleb changed, he changed for the better. As angry as he has made me because of his poor decisions, I know he didn't mean to fuck up. He did what he thought was right. He loved Juliet with all his heart but I think he might even love you more. Please forgive him."

Miranda's head falters, her chin meeting her chest but not without keeping her eyes focused in on mine. I know what she says is true, that Caleb's needs me. Fuck, I need him yet the mistakes he's made are severe, possibly everlasting. The damage from his errors might be irreversible.

My mind begins to block out Miranda along with everything that has just aspired. Instead I recall the other day, the day Adam showed his true colors, the day he took me to Estabon, the day I thought my life was officially over.

Less then 24 hours ago

"You ignorant bitch. All these years I've loved you and wanted us to be happy, thought that you could forget about the past and see how much I love you. Instead I see you constantly choosing Caleb. No matter what that dickhead does it's him you want. That's why I've chosen to give you to Estabon. He gave me the option to keep you but once you rejected my kiss I knew I'd never have you......at least not willingly that is." Adam smiles, a diabolical, devious smirk covers his face. I can sense and see the evilness in his words, in his expression. He means everything he's just said leaving me in a state of fear I prayed I would never have to experience.

Pulling me to the booth that Estabon sits at I attempt to pull back. Unfortunately no one else is in the restaurant, It's abundantly clear to me from Estabon's well groomed appearance and attitude that he has the money and power to buy out the place for the day.

Once we get to the booth Adam shoves me down in the seat and pushes his way in.

"So you've decided it would be in your best interest to let me keep her I see." Estabon contently smirks. His black hair along with his black eyes showing me how hollow of a man he is.

"Before I let you have her, I have one request." Adam tells Estabon sharing the same devious grin.

"I'm listening," Estabon folds his hands on the table with the corner of his lips lowering into a stern perch. Adam now has his complete full attention as Estabon, along with myself, curiously await for Adam's response. I'm more frightful than curious though, positive whatever Adam has in mind will be twisted and cruel.

"I'd like to have a little alone time with Ms. Danvers before we finally part ways for good." Adam says laughing with an evil cackle that sends a cold chill down my spine.

"Go to hell you sick bastard!" I literally spit out onto Adams face.

Estabon's head flies back in laughter amused by my defiance. Adam on the other hand finding offense in my words and the fact that I just spat in his eyes raises his hand and aggressively smacks the side of my face with force.

My entire body is taken aback. All of me flinging out of my seated spot, my cheek burning, my eyes tearing, but I don't cry out loud. Instead I lift up my chin, look into Adam's devil eyes, and spit again when my body resituates.

"You little cunt," Adam wipes his face with the back of his arm and then raises it in the air readying himself to smack me once more.

With his fingers scorching into my flesh for the second time, Estabon speaks up. "You can have her but you do it right here. I want to watch. I find her resistance entertaining."

That's all Adam needs to hear. He yanks me out of the booth, throws me down on the table that sits in front of us so that my back is to him and I'm positioned on my stomach. My feet are firmly planted on the floor, my arms above my head. I scream out, "No!" Squirming in my spot attempting to get up and fight back but one of Estabon's men takes me by my wrists, assisting holding me down.

I can feel Adam come up from behind me. His fingers taking hold of the upper lining of my pants angrly tearing them down placing a firm grip around my waist when they hit my ankles. The abrupt attack having the air quickly wisp against my exposed lower half leaving me aware of how defenseless I truly am.

I continue to fight back. Twisting, turning, contorting any part of me I can in an attempt to break free. I know it's hopeless, my whimpering cries are no longer being suppressed. I'm about to be raped with an audience to witness me brutally be violated and stripped of my dignity.

I've never felt so sick to my stomach as I do now. I want them to kill me, I want to die. I'd rather have my existence wiped from this world then endure such torture that I know is just the start of a life of mental and physical abuse that's worse than death. I know I'm a strong woman but this will destroy me, it will take me to a place that I'll never be able to come back from. Please God, just take me now. I silently pray in my head.

"Get away from her!" A deep husky voice storms out.

"Carter...Carter Jackson?" I hear Estabon question as the room becomes silent, my attackers releasing their hold on me.

A sense of relief washes over me. I'm still frightful not knowing who has just disrupted the room but I'm sensing and hoping he's here to help me.

Lifelessly I remain on the table hunched over. My body too spent, too weak, to recollect myself after experiencing what I just have. I lie there crying, moist tears spilling down my cheeks onto the fine wooden surface. I can't think anymore, I can't fight anymore, I can only feel pain and fear.

"Yes..you're going to let this young lady go and you're to never bother her or my son, CALEB, again. Do.I.make.myself.clear?" Assertively the strange voice commands.

"Yes, yes. I'm so sorry Mr. Jackson. If I had known Caleb was your son I would have never affiliated with him." Estabon's voice is shakey. He fears this man, Caleb's father, a man who apparently is more powerful than anyone here.

"No! She doesn't get off so easily!" Adam screams out and then I hear a gunshot followed by a loud thump hitting the floor. I don't get up, I don't look behind me. I know it's Adam, I know he's dead.

.................................

After that everything in the restaurant becomes a blur. Awakening, I find myself redressed, spread out on leather seats covered with a blanket in a moving vehicle.

"You're going to fine now. No one is ever going to bother you again. I'm taking you to my home. Caleb's there waiting for you." Carter is up front driving, his eyes focused on the road, his tone softened from the one I first heard. It's soothing, calming....reassuring.