Fragrance of Revenge (24 page)

Chapter 73

He wasn’t feeling any pain now, since he was on some heavy duty pain killers. His injuries could have been much more serious. He knows they were rescued relatively soon after their abduction, but he still wondered what Mercedes had suffered. If he asked she probably wouldn’t tell him. He still felt bad about not protecting her like he planned.

“Feeling some better now Ralph?” Mercedes asked as she came over to his side.

“Yeah, I could use a handful of whatever they gave me for some future time,” he replied.

“Ralph, I’m so sorry they beat you so badly.”

“It could have been much worse. I’ll be okay. I’m sure you did your part to limit my injuries.”

“Actually it was getting to that point.”

“Mercy, are you okay?”

“I’m okay. We were both lucky we were rescued when we were. We still do not have any idea who called the military and told them where we were. There’s an angel out there and I could give him a big hug.”

“Speaking of hugs…I’m sorry I didn’t protect you like I planned.”

“Ralph, you did as much as you could. You weren’t even armed. Fortunately, they didn’t kill you.”

“No they wanted me there so they could get you to give your body up. I need to ask you this.” He tried to think of the best way to ask it. “You seem to be in good spirits considering what we went through…did any of them take advantage of you?”

“If you mean did they rape me? No they didn’t. Captain Chavez was the only one who came near me, and fortunately I kept him talking long enough to avoid any real issues.”

“Then he did do something to you.”

“Ralph, all he did was put his hands on my body. I suffered worse than that when I was kidnapped the first time.”

“I’m very sorry.”

“Please don’t give it another thought. I’m okay and I learned some information that will help us find the people we were looking for. Other than Paula Scott, the people who went missing in Bermuda are all alive, but there are more than sixty other people, many from the US and the balance from Europe, who still have not been found.”

“Mercy, I know I apologized for what I did to your apartment. It was childish of me and you didn’t deserve that treatment. I hope I haven’t caused a problem with Scott.”

“Thanks for telling me you’re sorry. I know you like me and I think we can be friends. Scott at the moment is in some hot water of his own.”

“Why, what has he done?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve tried to reach him, but he isn’t at his apartment or mine. There’s a slight chance my earlier words might have sent him to someone else.”

“He would be a fool.”

“Thanks. He told me he had some bad news and some bad news. I asked him what the first bad news was and he said he went to see an exotic dancer do her stuff.”

“Well he told you.”

“Yes that is Scott. He doesn’t lie. However, he wouldn’t tell me what the other bad news was. I hung up on him and haven’t talked to him since.”

He saw her tears forming. He put his arms out and she bent over. He could smell a hint of Gardenia. It hurt to hug her but they both needed it. He realized how lucky they both were, but Scott was luckier than he was.

“Ralph, that was nice of you. I needed a hug. I’m going to share something with you and it has nothing to do with you.”

He saw her tears running down her cheeks and realized she wasn’t as tough as she seemed. He tried to wipe them, but the IV prevented him from reaching her cheek. “Once again I seem to be just a little too far away.”

She wiped the tears. “Ralph, when I get back to the states, I’m giving my notice. I’ve had two close calls and there are more important things to do with my life. I can’t take the chance the next time I won’t be this lucky.”

“I’m going to miss working with you partner. For all the dumb things I’ve done, I’m sorry.”

“You’re a good agent and will do even better without my distraction.”

“Yes, but you were such a nice distraction.”

She bent down and surprised the hell out of him kissing his lips briefly but with some obvious feeling. He could feel his own emotions and his eyes started to water.

“Hello you two,” Max said as he entered the treatment room. “Is everything okay here?” Max looked at Mercedes for an answer.

“Everything is just fine here and couldn’t be better,” Mercedes said as she kissed him again, but this time on the forehead. She left the room without saying anything else.

“Ralph, she looked like she was crying. Are you sure everything is okay?”

“We both patched some things up. I’ll be fine and she will be even better.”

“I’ve found out who we have to thank for both of your rescues. Richard Damelio’s brother Robert is here and is working with a former military person. Robert got a call from the states that alerted them that you and Mercedes were abducted. They got to the right people in the military to make a timely rescue.

“I guess we all have our angels when we need them most.”

“Should I be worried about you and Mercedes working together?”

“No, that won’t be a problem at all.”

“Good. I arranged for you to return to the states in two days. Do you think you are going to be ready to travel by then?”

“Thanks Max. Sounds good to me, and I’ll miss these pain killers, but I will be ready.”

Chapter 74

She left Ralph’s room and went to the ladies room. Several things surprised her. The first was that she told him she was giving her notice. She had only thought about that, but while she was with Ralph she solidified her decision.

Her two close calls were weighing heavily on her and she was very lucky she wasn’t more seriously damaged by either of those two abductions.

The other surprise was that she felt very close to Ralph. Not as a lover, but as a friend. She was glad he was alive, and she was glad he made her feel like she had value. He obviously has deep feelings for her, and she was sorry she couldn’t reciprocate his feelings. They would be friends for sure after she leaves the FBI.

She was surprised she was crying back there and now. She rarely does that, but for some reason all the emotions were too much to handle. They had both been rescued. He from being more seriously hurt, and her from being raped and having to live with those scars for the rest of her life. Her beauty was an asset in many ways, but she realized it was a definite liability when dealing with the scum of the earth.

She was also concerned about Scott and sorry they had words. She was wrong hanging up on him and should have been more tolerant. Not being able to reach him and talk to him, along with not knowing if he was okay, was also a major concern. If he had actually spent some time with Maggie, she was going to forgive him. He must have needed her. That was her fault, not his.

All her adult life she had worked to become an FBI profiler. She had managed to reach that, but it wasn’t what she really needed. She wanted Scott and she wanted a family. Having children would be risky if she were still with the force. It wouldn’t be fair to them if something were to happen to her. It obviously could have already happened. Her angel saved her and this was a wake up call.

She asked Scott not to do any more investigations, but realized she was asking him to give up something she should be giving up. They both need to do something less risky and more conducive for family life. They had skills and would be able to use them.

She looked at her image in the mirror and noticed how white her face looked. She looked sickly and suddenly felt her stomach turning and an awful taste in her mouth. She made it to the toilet just in time. Maybe she should have eaten something. She felt the same thing and leaned over the toilet once again.

She was trying to concentrate on getting her stomach to relax, but thought of Scott’s scar. He was so lucky to be alive. Her sister could have killed him twice. Then she thought of what she had forced him to do. He has never really told her what she made him do, but can imagine what her sister had made all the men do. Since she was keeping them for that purpose, why would she think that her sister wasn’t successful?

She then thought of Ralph being tortured and the pain Scott must have endured when Melanie cut the arrow into his abdomen. She felt her stomach turning again, but this time it was just bile coming up.

Once she had some composure back, her thoughts went to her dad. He was keeping something from her, she could tell, and she wondered if it was the affair he had had. Maybe he’s still having one. Her mom hasn’t been right for years since Melanie’s first rampage in Boston with those other women. Prior to that, her mom had shared that her relationship with her father was just for show and to keep the business on an even keel.

She missed the simple times before she attended Harvard. Sailing with her grandfather and her sister was a special time. Why is everything so complicated now?

Scott losing his wife Lisa in that car accident was a tough pill for him to swallow. However, it took her call to him two years later to get him off the dime and for him to realize he needed to get on with his life. From the time she first met him at Harvard and they did that exercise to identify the classmate’s description with the class member, she felt her body react to Scott. Then in the cabin, when she wanted him so badly, even with both of them naked, he was faithful to Lisa.

She knew now Scott couldn’t have spent any private time with Maggie. He had shown her many times how much he loves her, and although he saw Maggie dance, that doesn’t convict him of making love to her. There was something else Scott was hiding from her.

Her father was hiding something too. That’s got to be it…he’s doing an investigation, which is the ‘other bad news’ he wouldn’t tell me about. So, he must be doing an investigation for my father, which is the only person he would take that risk for. That explains why my dad was acting strangely about contacting Scott.

She thought she was done being sick, but it was just dry heaves this time. She stood and went to the sink to wash her mouth out. She did her best to make herself presentable and knew she needed to find Max to solidify her travel arrangements.

So where are you? What kind of investigation would you get involved in for my father?
She had a strange feeling that Scott was in trouble.
Unfortunately I can’t help you this time Scott…I’m hundreds of miles away. You need a guardian angel, and it isn’t me this time.

She knew Scott was going to ask her to marry him and she already had her answer prepared. She said a silent prayer and hoped it would be enough.

Chapter 75

Scott finally had his tongue out. “Progress at last. You can put your tongue back in your mouth. We only have a few minutes until Chris comes back. You know very well what I want to see.”

“Alexis don’t you feel bad about what you did to the doctor?”

She couldn’t hold the smile back. “Okay Scott, here’s the deal. The good doctor has been caring for me since I was a baby. I was sent to that facility by my uncaring father because I had hair on my face and elsewhere…basically I looked like a werewolf. He took advantage of me from the time I was twelve. He thought he hypnotized me and took pictures of me in various positions. That’s not the worst part.”

She saw him watching the razor as she waved it back and forth. “He made me do things to him while he thought I was under a trance. To be honest, once I failed to tell him he hadn’t hypnotized me, I had to play along with what he instructed me to do. He made me do some things to his body, which I learned to like. I think I was doing a good job of learning how to make him really happy.” Her free hand was trying to undo his belt.

“Once my body started to lose the hair covering it, he told me I got more beautiful. It took me years to finally understand that I had indeed developed into a butterfly instead of an ugly moth.” She needed to put the razor into her mouth while she used two hands on his belt.

“At the same time, he showed how excited he got when I was naked. He liked to play with my body and I tried not to show him how much I liked it too. However, I learned my dad was paying for my care at the facility and paying him separately to keep my presence a secret. He never once came to visit me. So for years, Doctor Adler took me to his home and, in effect, trained me how to make us happy.”

She undid his pants and slid his zipper down. “You thought I wouldn’t get to this point by having me talk. Right?” He didn’t answer and she made him regret it. “Right?”

“Okay, you’re right.”

She lifted his shirt and slid his briefs down slightly.

“Well look at what we have here. Looks like an arrow. How did this happen?”

“Your twin cut me when she had me prisoner.”

“Were you worried she was going to cut something else?”

“It had crossed my mind.”

“Okay enough banter. Let’s see what the arrow is pointing at.”

The interior lights came on when the driver’s door opened.

“I got us a room. What the hell are you doing?”

“Mind your own business.”

“Alexis, we have two queen beds. I suggest you wait until we get in the room and then do what you want?”

“Will you watch?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“See how well he has learned his lessons. You will have your opportunity too. Besides, the suspense of what you really look like down here will make me even more excited.” She tapped against him. “Save me the effort of getting you back together. When we go through the hotel, don’t do anything to call attention to us. I have nothing to lose in killing you. Besides, anyone there should be focused on my entry not yours.”

She closed the razor but kept it in her hand. They started towards the hotel.

She wondered if she should do a twin arrow on Scott. Wouldn’t that be a fitting memorial?

Chapter 76

There was only the desk clerk in the hotel lobby as we passed through. I tried my best to give the impression I wasn’t happy being with the two of them, but had no idea if he picked up on it. Two men with one woman should have given him something to think about.

If I made a break for it, I might make it, but they might kill the desk clerk, because he could have identified them. I was hoping I would have another opportunity later. Once inside the elevator, Alexis put her hand on my crotch and was licking my lips.

“Alexis, can’t you wait until we’re in the room. The elevator might have a camera.”

“Mind your own business Chris. I won’t forget you’re in the room with us. You might even like not being on the receiving end of my focus. Did you find a rope?”

“No. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even look. I came back to the car as fast as I could.”

“I thought you were back pretty quickly. Are you jealous?” She reached over with her other hand and grabbed his crotch. “Once again I find myself with two attractive men with more than a handful.”

“That hurts,” Chris yelled.

“Gee, Scott didn’t complain.”

“I thought we were going to be alone.”

“Then you are jealous. That gives me some ideas.” She let go of Chris’ pants but then started to reach down mine.

The bell sounded and the elevator doors opened and she stopped. “Scott you were saved by the bell. That will be the last time.”

Chris led the way and I noticed Alexis was focused on his rear end. “Wait Chris.” Alexis went over to a door that read ‘Maintenance’ which wasn’t shut completely. We were all standing in the doorway. The room was filled with furniture and some small appliances. “Chris, take this razor and cut the cords off these vertical lamps.”

“What?”

“Never mind. Watch Scott for a minute.” She went in the room and quickly cut the cords off all three of the lamps standing in the corner. “These will do very nicely.” She closed the door and we continued down to the end of the hall to room 369. We entered the room and Alexis whispered in my ear, “Interesting number.”

The room was a typical hotel room. Bathroom on the left as you enter, a closet next and then two queen sized beds with a common night stand. The television was sitting on top of the long dresser on the other wall. I watched Alexis go over to the windows and look through the white curtains. She pulled the heavy drapes closed. “That bed is yours Scott.” She pointed to the far bed. “Chris, go see if you can get us something out of the machines to eat and drink.”

“Will you be safe with him?”

“The key question is whether he will be safe with me.” She opened the straight razor and then pulled the gun out of the back of Chris’ pants. “Don’t forget to take the room key.”

I watched Chris processing things and he grumbled something but did as commanded. Once the door closed she pointed the razor at my nose, with the gun in her other hand. “Just you and I for a couple of minutes, now pull the bed covers down.”

I leaned over and pulled them down exposing the bottom sheet. I knew what was coming next.

“Okay Mr. Tucker, strip. I want to see what my sisters are so interested in.” I hesitated and she swung the gun but missed. “It would be a shame to waste you so soon, but I will…now, do it.”

I did my best to take my time, but when I was down just to my pants I hesitated again. She quickly put the back of the razor between my legs and I saw my chance. I lunged at her but she stepped to the side and brought the gun down across the side of my head. The lights went out in the room.

*.*.*

My head was hurting worse than before. It even hurt to open my eyes. When I did, I wished I hadn’t. I noticed Chris lifting the end of the bed to slip the electric cord under each corner of the footboard. The other ends were tied tightly around my ankles. Alexis was watching what he was doing. I felt the cool air on my chest and waist and realized I was naked. Alexis turned back to my face and saw my surprised look

“You are everything I expected and a little more. Isn’t he a cute one Chris?” There was no response. “I didn’t expect an answer. Chris I thought you were in good shape, but Scott looks like he works out. Do you?”

She had something in her hand, but I didn’t see what it was. It wasn’t the straight razor thankfully. I didn’t answer her. I pulled on my arms, but my wrists were tied the same way with another electrical cord.

Now that the cords had me secured, Chris was standing at the foot of the bed. Alexis turned to him. “Are you going to stand there and watch, or would you like to give us a few minutes alone?” He didn’t say anything and didn’t move. “Okay, why don’t you get on the other bed and I can conduct some research on both of you.” He shook his head and headed toward the bathroom. I heard the door close.

She smiled and looked at my eyes and then slowly down my body and then back up. “I like, but I didn’t like that I asked you a question and you didn’t answer me. If I ask you a question you need to give me a fast and honest answer.”

That brought back some ugly memories. I looked at her and she was focused on my groin. I should have remembered the other electrical cord, but realized she had the end of the cord showing two separate pigtails. She pulled the cord and separated the ends, smiled and touched it between my legs. I felt the electricity cycle several times through my body as I rose off the bed.

“Now that I have your attention, do you work out and did that hurt?”

My breath escaped. “Yes.”

“I haven’t tried this before, but I can see this might be very motivational.” She started towards me with the end of the cord and I moved away as best as I could. “Just remember what that pain was like and do as I tell you.” She started to undress.

I knew what Melanie’s body looked like and the memories were starting to reappear. I tried my best to think of other things, including worrying about what was happening to Mercedes, but Alexis’ naked body was identical to Melanie’s.

Alexis climbed onto my thighs and sat there. “You might not want to react to what you see, but your body does. You would think I had rank the way you’re starting to salute me. I have quite a bit of time, and I’m going to get what I want in the end. Room 369, what an interesting number.” She got up and turned around and sat on my chest. “Chris you can join us now.” She was holding the electrical cord up in the air with her left hand. I knew she wouldn’t be afraid to use it again, but I have to admit I was.