In To Blue: Book One Of The Blue Series (11 page)

I sit down on the cot and take my phone out of my pocket and call Julie.  “Oh Avery, are you ok?”  “Yes.  I’m much better.  Doc said Blue is going to be fine.”  “Avery, I am so happy! Chance and I have been so worried. 

How are things with the hottie that whisked you away to New York?”  “Not so good.  We aren’t together anymore.  It just wasn’t working out.”  “Oh shit Avery! I am sorry.  Geez!  All this shit with Coy, you’re having issues with your man and now Blue.  Avery are you sure you are ok?”  I lie.  “I’m fine.”  “Avery, I need to get ready for work.  Chance and I will stop by tonight ok?”  “See you then Julie.”

As soon as I end the call my phone rings.  I quickly answer it.  “Julie, I told you I’m fine.”  “Avery?”
 
Shit
!
  It’s Grant.  “Avery are you there?”  “I’m here Grant.”  He pauses.  “How are you?”  “I’m fine.”  I lie.  I want to just break down and tell him what is going on.  I want him to tell me everything is going to be ok but I can’t forgive him after what he did. 

“Avery we need to talk.  I know you are angry and you have every right to be.  Please don’t run from me.  I want to work this out.”  He pauses as I’m trying to find the right words to say to him.  “Avery, I love you.  I have been in love with you since the first time I saw you at the Polo match.”  My heart sinks and tears begin to slide down my cheek.  He can’t mean that.  He hardly knows me.  He is just desperate because I left.  I can’t do this.  I can’t deal with everything that has happened right now.  I wish I could wipe away all of these emotions just like I do my tears but I can’t. 

“Grant I’m sorry.  I can’t do this.  I think it is best for both of us if we let go now.”  “Avery I can’t let you go.  I won’t.”  I can’t hold back much longer. I’m afraid I’m going to cave in but I can’t forgive him.  “Grant, I’m really sorry but this is for the best.”  I hang up I sit down on the cot and let the tears flow.  My heart is completely broken.  I wish I had never agreed to go in his playroom.  If I hadn’t, Grant would be here with me, wrapping his arms around me, and comforting me. 

I spend the entire day with Blue. I even take him out for a quick walk around the stables. “You better hurry up and get well.  We need to go for a ride.”  I know it sounds awkward talking to Blue like an adult.  I have such a closeness to Blue.  As weird as it sounds I get the sense that Blue understands my words to him.  Just talking to Blue like an adult gives me comfort. 

“Julie and Chance come over for dinner.  I hesitantly leave Blue and join them for dinner.  Julie wants me to tell her all about New York.  I vaguely tell her a few things.  After dinner we walk out to see Blue.  “He looks good Avery.”  “He sure does Chance.” 

“Are you going to tell me what happened in New York?”  Julie smirks.  “No.  There is not much to say.  We just live in two different worlds.”  “Avery, let’s have lunch tomorrow and girl talk.  I want the dirt.”  I laugh.  “Chance and I need to get home.  He has an early day tomorrow.  I’ll call you tomorrow morning about lunch.”  “Ok.”  I hug the both of them and they head toward the house. 

Even though I didn’t do much with Blue today, I’m exhausted.   I decide I want to sleep in the stables for one more night.  Buddy and Uncle Rex argue with me but they lose that battle.  “I promise, I will sleep in my own bed tomorrow night.”  “One more night darlin.  That’s it.”  Uncle Rex smirks.  “I’ll see you bright and early Avery.”  Buddy yells as he and Uncle Rex walk toward the house. 

I can’t sleep.  I’m restless.  I can’t stop thinking about Grant.  I decide to take a short walk.  As I walk outside I am startled by the guard who is posted right outside the door.  “I’m sorry ma’am.  I didn’t mean to scare you.”  The guard says cautiously.  “It’s ok. I didn’t know you were out here.”  He smiles.  “I’m just going to take a little walk.”  “Don’t go too far ma’am.”  “I won’t.” 

I wandered off father than I realized.  This whole thing with Grant has me stirred.  I’m finding it harder to go each day without him.  I’m regretting my decision but I’m also fighting against the fact that I can’t let go of what happened. 

All of the sudden I hear someone behind me.  Before I can turn he is on me with a rag over my mouth.  I try and fight back but he is too strong.  I’m unable to scream.  I gasp for air.  With each gasp, I become more dizzy and confused.  My arms and legs feel as if heavy weights have been attached to them.   I’m so weak.  I can barely move.  I continue to try and fight but it is no use. My breathing slows and my vision fades until darkness fills me eyes.

I awake to the soft light of a lantern hanging on a wooden wall.  Next to the lantern is a small window.  It is dark outside.  I slowly look around letting my eyes adjust.  I’m in an old barn.  It looks as if I’m in the storage room of the barn.  I try to get up but can’t.  My arms are tied above my head.  I’m lying on a small metal framed bed.  My mind is so fuzzy.  I can’t focus.  I’m terrified. I don’t know what to do or how to get out of this. 

“I told you this wasn’t over. You’re very easy to figure out.  I knew all I had to do was to hurt that horse of yours and you would come running.”
 
This isn’t happening!
 
“I’m somewhat disappointed Avery.  I thought you were smarter than that.”  I knew it was Coy before he even spoke. 

He slowly walks over to the bed like an animal, stalking his prey.  I find courage from within.  I need to be brave.  “Fuck you Coy!  When I get through with you, death will be the only thing that will bring you comfort.”  “Now baby, no need to make idle threats when I have the reigns.”  “What do you want from me Coy?”  “You.  Avery it’s always been you.”  “That will never happen asshole!”

Anger fills the void that was on his face.  “Yes it will Avery.  I’m going to fucking break you and force you into submission!”  I’m beyond scared.  His words slice through me as the fear consumes me.  Panic sets in and tears begin to fill my eyes.  He leans over and grabs my face forcing his lips onto mine.  “When I get through with you, you will begging me to fuck you.”  “No! I will never be with you!”  “You will baby.  You will ask me to take you.” 

Coy unties my wrists from the bed frame being careful to make sure my wrists still stay bound together.  I attempt to push myself away from him as he pulls me up off the bed.  I try to fight him but I’m too weak and disoriented.  He quickly puts his hand around my throat.  “Don’t you fucking fight me or I’ll kill you!  Do you understand?”  I nod. 

He walks me over to the corner of the room.  He lifts my arms above my head and pushes my face into the wall.  He ties my wrist to the hook that is above my head.  “Please no!  Please Coy!  Don’t do this!  Don’t make me do this!  I’ll do anything.  Please let me go!” 

“Relax Avery. I’ve already told you I’m not going to fuck you until you ask me to.  I want you to give yourself fully to me on your own.  I’m just going to help you get there.”  He grabs the back my shirt and pulls it over my shoulders. 

“What the fuck is this?”  Coy pulls on the waist of my jeans and runs his fingers over my lower back.  “So your billionaire boyfriend likes the rough stuff too?   How dare you let another man mark you!  I’m the only one that will inflict punishment on you.  Do you understand?”  I nod. 

I realize in that moment Coy is a dominant just like Grant.  I feel awful.   “You will pay for that Avery.  Breaking you in may be harder than I thought.  I start screaming “No! Coy! Don’t do this please!”  I’m in hysterics.  He grabs my hair.  “Shut up slut! You’re mine now.” 

He takes a bandana and wraps it around my mouth gagging me.  He steps away but quickly returns.  I’m falling apart.  I’m so dizzy.  The shear panic is crippling my body.  I hear a loud crack of a whip and pain tears into my back.  I let out a scream but it’s muffled by the bandana.  I hear another loud crack followed by excruciating pain.  The dizziness in my head worsens. I feel as if I’m going to be sick.  Darkness fills my eyes again and I eventually pass out. 

I’m in and out of consciousness. I have lost time and I have no idea how long I have been here.   Fear, pain, and weakness envelop me.  I feel as if I’m constantly drunk. I know Coy is drugging me but I don’t know how.  I’m destroyed.  My life is over.  I’m in hell with Coy.  I try to think but everything is a blur.  

Coy continues my punishment, promising me it won’t stop until I submit to him.  I don’t know how much longer I can hold on.  I worry about my family.  I know they have to be looking for me.  My mind wanders.  I think of Grant but I stop.  I can’t go there.  I’m overcome with hatred and more tears begin falling from my face.  I know I’m close to caving to Coy’s demands.  I can’t take much more.
 
Please let someone find me
.
  Darkness creeps over me again.  

I awake.  It is dark outside.  I have lost time again.  I’m cold wearing only a t-shirt.  Pain radiates from all over my body.  I’m face down on the bed.  I can’t bear to lay on my back.  The pain is excruciating.  Although the pain is immense, for the first time I have some clarity.  I don’t feel drunk.  I know I need to think fast. 

I scoot up to my knees facing the edge of the bed where my wrists are bound.  I pull on my restraints.  I have to get out of here and this may be my only chance.  I pull on the ropes as they dig into my wrist.  I keep pulling. I know if I don’t try now I may never get away.  Besides if I’m here much longer I know I will submit to Coy.  I continue pulling as the ropes bite into my skin.  My wrist start to bleed. The pain is awful but it’s a far cry from the pain of Coy’s punishment. 

Finally my right wrist slides out of the ropes.  I quickly untie my left wrist.  I carefully walk to the front door of the barn and peek outside.  I think it is early morning but I can’t be sure.  I look and see a small house a couple of hundred yards from the barn. There is no light coming from the house.  If Coy is there hopefully he is asleep. 

The house looks familiar.  I try to recall where I have seen it.
 
“Shit!
”
  It’s the Miller’s house!
 
We are at the ranch!  No wonder no one has found me
.
  No one would think Coy would bring me here.  We haven’t made any decisions on this piece of property.  No one has been out on it.  I quietly close the door and I sneak out the back of the barn.  I make a run for the tree line.  The tree line runs all along the property and ends about a hundred feet behind my stables. 

If Coy realizes I’m gone, it will be harder for him to find me in the woods.  I make it to the tree line and take off as fast as I can.  I am running on pure adrenaline.  I know if I can just make it through the tree line, I’ll be safe.  Pain fills my body.  The rocks and broken limbs I have to step on barefoot cut into my skin.  Every move I make inflicts more pain on my broken body.  It takes forever for me to get across the ranch.  Daylight is starting to break which makes it easier to see but I’m worn out.  I can barely move. 

I finally make it to the edge of the tree line and I head for my stables.  Exhaustion is taking its toll.  I have to keep going.  Coy could be behind me knowing I would head for my house.  I make it to my stables and I hear male voices. Shear panic and paranoia sets in and I sneak into my stables.  I hear Blue stirring he knows I’m here.  I quietly walk up to him.  “Shh boy!  It’s ok.  I’m here.”  Blue quiets down and I try to listen to the voices.  It’s Buddy, Uncle Rex, and another man whom I can barely hear.  They are talking to the ranch hands.  I hear what sounds like horses being loaded into trailers.  I strain to hear the conversation.  They are organizing search parties.  They have been looking for me.

I muster up the strength to walk out of the stables and make my way toward the house. I’m ashamed, bruised, and beaten.  I keep my t-shirt pulled down below my hips trying to cover as much of my skin as possible.   I see them and tears fill my eyes.   Buddy and Uncle Rex are shouting orders and conversing with another man that is standing on the other side of Uncle Rex.  I can’t see his face.  I wish I could see him.  I assume it’s the man I heard them talking to. 

They all turn toward me.  I can finally see the other man.  It is Grant.
What is he doing here
?
  Anger invades my mind.  “Avery!”  They all yell in unison.  My body caves to the stress of my ordeal and I feel my legs fall beneath me.  As I look up Buddy grabs me.  He says something to me but I can’t make it out.  Weakness fills my body.  I need to tell them where I have been.  I don’t want Coy to get away.  “He is at the Millers place.  He had me there all along.”  Darkness cast its spell upon me again.  

I awake in a room full of white.  The sun is rising as it peeks through the window.  I realize I’m in the hospital.  I’m positioned on my side.  I try to roll over but the pain is immense and fills my body.  It hurts so bad I can barely move.  I lift my head and look toward the end of my bed.  I see Buddy and Uncle Rex sitting on a couch sleeping.  I shift to my left and Grant is sitting next to them in a chair asleep. 

My anger returns.
 
He has no reason to be here!  I don’t want him here
!
  His presence brings back memories of what he did to me.  He and Coy are the same.  They both hurt me and I hate them for it.  I recall Coy inflicted more pain on me solely on the fact that I had allowed Grant to do that to me. 

I try to move again.  “Oh it hurts.” I didn’t realize I said that out loud.  “Avery! You’re awake.” Buddy gasp.  “Buddy how long have I been out?”  Almost two days.  He walks over to me and grabs my hand.  I feel uncle Rex and Grant hover behind him.  “Darlin, how are you feeling?” “It hurts.  Everything hurts.”  Grant immediately walks out of the room. 

“How is Blue?”  “Avery he’s fine.  Don’t worry.  Doc is taking good care of him.” Buddy smiles.  A cell phone rings.  “It’s me. I need to take this.” Uncle Rex smiles as he leaves the room.   

“Buddy what is Grant he doing here?”  “He was here Avery.  He came straight from the airport to see you the night you disappeared.  That’s how we knew you were missing.  I took him out to see you at your stables and you were gone.  The security guard said you went for a walk but he thought you came through the back entrance.  Grant helped coordinate search parties and paid people to go out and look for you.  Avery he has been miserable.  I don’t think he has slept much since he got here. 

My thoughts wander to Coy. “Where is Coy?”  “Avery don’t worry.  He is locked up.”  “You found him?”  “Yes I was going to kill him but before I could get my hands on him Grant attacked him.  Your boyfriend is lucky he isn’t in jail.  Coy had to spend the night in the hospital.”  

Grant beat up Coy
!
  I’m actually glad Coy got his ass whooped even if it was at the hands of Grant.  “He’s not my boyfriend.  I broke up with him.”  “Did you tell him that?   He sure doesn’t act like the two of you broke up?”  “He needs to go back to New York Buddy!” 

“Avery, you know I feel no one will ever be good enough for you but he would move worlds to be with you.”  “Buddy you don’t know everything.” 

Just then a lady walks in wearing a white coat. Grant walks in behind her.  “Ms. Foster, I’m Dr. Moore.  I understand you are in quite a bit of pain.  “Yes.”  “I can take care of that.  I need to examine you.  Gentlemen I think Ms. Foster would like some privacy.” Grant and Buddy leave the room. 

After my examination the doctor pulls a chair up to my bed. “You look familiar Dr. Moore.  Do I know you from somewhere?”  She looks surprised by my question.  “No.  I don’t think we have met before Ms. Foster.”  She pauses.  I am trying to figure out where I have seen her before.  “You have several lacerations and multiple bruises on your back.  You also have several bruises and minor injuries over legs and the torso of your body.  I am treating you with antibiotics to prevent the lacerations from becoming infected. 

“When you were admitted your blood work revealed high levels of Ketamine.”  “Wait a second!  Are you talking about the horse tranquilizer?”  “I’m afraid so Ms. Foster.”  I knew Coy was drugging me. 
That son of a bitch!
  “It may take a few days to get over the effects of the drug.  You will need to rest. 

I need to ask you a question that may be hard to answer.”  “What is it Dr. Moore?”  “I did a rape kit and it came back negative.”  However, with the injuries you sustained and the nature of the attack, it could lead one to believe you were raped.  Did Coy Walker rape you?”   She asked. 

Tears pool in my eyes.  I think back to what I can remember about being held captive by Coy.  I remember him telling me he wouldn’t fuck me without my consent.  He wanted me to beg for it.  “The events are still blurry to me but I don’t think he raped me.”  “I don’t think so either Ms. Foster but you understand I still had to ask.” 

“Dr. Moore.” “Yes Ms. Foster”  “Do you know how long exactly I was with… um how long I was missing.”  “Yes.  Your cousin said two days.”  Tears begin to fall down my cheeks. 

“Ms. Foster I’m going to release you.  I know you would be more comfortable in your own bed.  I am writing you a prescription for oral and topical antibiotics for the lacerations as well as pain medicine.  I am going to give you some pain medication before you leave. I want to make sure there are no adverse effects from the tranquilizers.  I will have a nurse bring you your pain meds.” 

As the doctor walks out Sherriff Pullman walks in.  “I’m sorry to bother you Avery.  I know you have been through hell.  I need to just ask you a few questions.”  I start to shake as anxiety overwhelms me.  I’m not quite ready to relive the forty-eight hours of hell I spent with Coy.  I know I have to do this.  “I guess. I don’t have very clear memories of what happened.” 

“I know Avery.  The doctor told me about the Ketamine.   Avery, I need to ask you a very personal question.”  Before I let him finish I say, “No. I don’t think he raped me.”  “Good. Did Coy give you any indication why he was doing this to you?”  “To punish me.  He is obsessed with me.  Coy said I belonged to him.”  “I see.  I think that is enough questions for now.” 

“Wait. That’s it?”  “Yes. I just needed to confirm Coy’s statement.”  “His statement!  What are you talking about?”  “He confessed to the whole thing Avery.  He didn’t have much choice.  We found traces of your blood on the bed that was in the barn.  “We found his finger prints all over the barn.”  I’m relieved.  I won’t have to relive this nightmare in a court of law. 

“What is going to happen to him Sherriff?”  He pauses.  “It is already taken care of Avery.  Since he confessed.  The D.A offered him a plea deal.”  What kind of deal?  The Sherriff pauses looking up to the ceiling and then directly at me.  “Due to his confession the D.A. dropped the kidnapping charge and the other charges associated with the night of the fire.  He got eighteen months for second degree assault with the possibility of early release.” 

Anger burns through my body.  “How early?” “He could be released in a year for good behavior.”  I quickly raise up in the bed.  I flinch from the pain of my aching body.  “Are you fucking kidding me?”  “Avery calm down.  You need to relax.” 

“Relax!  Tell me something Sherriff.  How much did Reese Walker pay for Coy’s easy sentence?”  “Avery, I don’t know what you are talking about.”  “Bullshit!  Reese Walker bought his son an early get out of jail free card.  A year from now I will be right back where I started with that sick fuck stalking me. 

Get out of my room now!”  Buddy, Uncle Rex and Grant come flying in my room.  “Avery, I didn’t mean to upset you.”  “I said get the fuck out of here.”  “Sherriff, I think you need to leave.”  Buddy says abruptly.  The Sheriff walks to the door.  As he walks out he turns and says “Avery, I’m so sorry.” 

Grant walks over to the bed.  “Avery calm down.  Everything is going to be fine.”  Anger sears my veins.  I can’t stand to look at Grant.”  He reaches for my hand and I quickly jerk it back.  Confusion sets across his face.  “Don’t you dare touch me!  Pack your bags Grant.  Go back to New York.”  His jaw drops open.  Buddy and Uncle Rex look stunned.  “Baby, please calm down. I know you have been through a terrible ordeal.  I want to help you get through this.” 

I think back to the punishment Coy inflicted on me.  I endured more tortured from Coy because I let Grant whip me.  I despise Grant for what he did as well as his lifestyle.  I see him as being no different than Coy.  “I endured more pain because of you.”  He face pales.  “Avery I don’t understand.”  He reaches for my hand again and I quickly jerk it away.  Grant turns to Buddy and Uncle Rex.  “Could I have a few minutes with Avery?  We need to talk.”  “No!  They aren’t leaving.  You are!  I never want to see you again!” 

Tears fall from my eyes.   “Avery please calm down don’t do this.  Please don’t make me leave.”  “Get out of here!  I mean it Grant. I never want to see you again!”  Grant looks as if someone has stabbed him.  His eyes begin to water.  “Avery, I’m begging you don’t make me leave.  I love you!  I love you so much!”  “Get out Grant!” “Avery, don’t do this!”  “Grant I think maybe you should leave.  This is doing no one any good right now.”  Buddy whispers. 

Grant slowly rises from the bed and Buddy walks him to the door.  He turns and looks at me. “I love you Avery.” He leaves.  Buddy turns to say something to me.  “She has been through enough Buddy.  Leave her be.” Uncle Rex whispers.  I lie back onto my side.  A nurse enters and gives me some pain meds.  I quickly drift to sleep. 

I wake a few hours later Buddy is standing over me.  “How are you feeling?”  “Ok.  I guess.  Where is Uncle Rex?”  “I sent him home.  I’m going to go get the doctor.  She told me to find her when you woke.  I think she is going to release you.”  “Good.” 

Buddy returns with Dr. Moore.  She does a quick examination and clears me to be released. I swear I have met her before I can’t remember where.  She gives Buddy my prescriptions and walks out.  “I brought you some clothes.  I’ll step out while you change.”  It takes forever to get dress.  Every move I make causes more pain.  Just wearing jeans and a t-shirt is uncomfortable. 

I am unable to get my socks or boots on it hurts to bad too bend over.  Buddy walks in and sees me struggling.  “Avery, let me help you.”  As he puts my boots on memories of what has happened to me fill my mind and I break down.  “Avery, it is ok.  You’re safe.  He can’t hurt you.”  “He already did Buddy.”  Buddy gasp.  Unable to speak to the validity of what I just said.  “Coy won.”  “Avery Leigh Foster, no he didn’t.  You are stronger than him, than this, don’t give up.”  I nod even though I know he is wrong.  Buddy helps me off the bed.  “Now let’s get you home.” 

I wait at the entrance as Buddy pulls his truck around.  I start to climb in “Avery
”
Damn it
!
  It’s Grant.  “Avery please talk to me.” “Stay away from me Grant. I mean it.”  Grant walks toward me and Buddy stops him.  He whispers something to him and Grant backs off. “I’m not giving up on you or us Avery!  I mean it!”  I don’t acknowledge his comment and I slowly climb into the truck.

By the time we make it back to the ranch.  I’m exhausted.  Buddy helps me out of the truck and walks me into the house.  “I want to see Blue.”  “Avery you should rest.”  I glare at him.  “Ok!  I’ll take you out there. 

Blue looks great.  He is excited to see me.  “Doc says he is doing great.”  “You need to be in bed.”  “I’m working on it.” 

Buddy helps me upstairs to my room and I lie down on my side.  Buddy takes off my boots and sits beside me.  “You ok?”  “As ok as I can be, considering.”  He gives me a sad looking grin.  I reflect back on the conversation I had with Buddy in the stables about the Walker’s.  “I meant what I said about going after the Walkers now more than ever.”  “Avery, I know you are beyond hurt and angry.  Going after them isn’t going to change what has happened.”