Theirs To Claim (Predatory Desires Book 1) (37 page)

“Now, you listen to me,” he began again. “You are mine, Emily Matherson, and I won’t accept anything less. You will be in my bed every night hence forth. Soon, you will be my wife and take my name. And someday, you’ll bear my children. You will be loved, adored, and well looked after. But you
will be mine
.” Eric slowly enunciated his last three words with enough force to make her take notice.

“I can’t sleep with you,” she whispered, though she shouted inside at herself to stop talking.

“You can, sweetheart, because that’s all we’re going to do tonight.” Eric nuzzled the side of her face with his nose and lips, and she flinched again regardless of the anger it might cause him. “But soon, Emily, I want you to trust me enough to let me inside you,” he plowed on, ignoring her body language that screamed for him to back off.

“I’ll give you time, yes, but I also expect you to make an effort to meet me halfway. Stop saying ‘no’ and ‘I can’t’. Instead, start to envision yourself with me – with the man who wants you desperately. I know you’re a virgin, and I’m willing to give you a few days to prepare yourself for us. I’ll make it so good for you, you’ll see.”

Days
? He was willing to give her a few days to capitulate and let his sick fantasy of them play out? She wanted to weep and scream at the same time. What kind of abyss had she landed in?

Eric kissed the side of her neck and then the shell of her ear, before his lips moved over to her damp cheeks, moist from Emily’s newest tears.

“Come with me now,” he murmured. “It’s time for bed.”

He turned her away from the glass door before she could blink. Emily watched in what felt like slow motion, as he swept her off of her feet and into his arms. Eric headed for the bedroom she had awoken in and it was then that Emily realized it was the only room down the small hallway that seemed ready for someone to sleep in it. And that could only mean one thing. That Eric intended for them to rest next to one another that very night.

Oh hell no
, Emily fumed and tried to launch herself from his arms. But he sensed her decision to flee just before she attempted to leap, and Eric held on to her body with all his strength. He turned the corner into the room and fell onto the mattress, pinning her beneath him. He weighed too much for her to push him off, but Emily gave it her all as she attempted to break free.

“I don’t want to sedate you, but I will, Emily, if you keep this up. Be still now, or it’s the stick of another needle for you. Your choice,” he said directly into her ear.

Her chest heaved from the fight she’d put forth, but she remained silent.

“Words, Emily!” Eric demanded. “Give them to me. Will you cooperate and sleep where I put you, or do I have to resort to other measures to make sure you rest as you should?”

“I don’t want to be drugged again,” she answered truthfully.

“And that means… what?” he pushed for more.

“That I will sleep here…” Emily paused and closed her eyes against the comforter as she forced her next two words out. “Beside you.”

“Yes, you will.” Eric sighed, and she felt his chest press against her back as he blew out a heavy breath. “Can I trust you to dress for bed if I step outside the door, or will you do something foolish again?”

“I want to wear this to bed,” she mumbled.

“No. Absolutely not.” He refuted her desire without so much as a blink of his eye. “Part of taking care of you, is making sure you’re comfortable at all times. So, you will sleep in more relaxed attire or nothing at all.”

She ground her forehead into the bed and cursed herself again and again for going into Noah and Gabriel’s garage without one of them by her side. This was all her fault and now she was in a house with an unhinged psychopath who could easily do her bodily harm. Emily came back to her thoughts before dinner, that her only real chance was to play along as much as she was able to. Now that her efforts to resist him had proven unsuccessful, she saw that she had to rethink her game plan. Play smarter, not stronger.

“Okay,” Emily sighed in what she hoped sounded like defeat. “What do you want me to wear?”

“Let me show you,” he murmured. Eric pressed a kiss to her cheek before he planted his palms on the mattress on either side of Emily’s head and pushed his weight off of her.

She immediately moved off of her stomach and sat up, determined not to feel so vulnerable. Emily perched on the edge of the bed and watched as Eric opened a small closet and withdrew a sheer, pink nightgown he’d obviously hung inside. She scooted further away from him and bit her lip again.

“I’ll step outside and let you change, but I’ll be back in just a few minutes. Don’t tarry, Emily,” he warned. Eric draped the gown across the end of the bed and then walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

She stood quickly and raked her hands through her hair, trying to figure a way out of this mess. There was a small window on either side of the bed, but they had wires attached to them as well. She walked around the room and found no other door or means of escape. The only way in or out was through the door, which he had just closed.

Emily began to inspect the bedroom a little more closely, looking for objects she could use to her advantage, since there didn’t seem to be another way out. There was one bedside table and on it was a free standing lamp with a heavy, leaded glass base. That could do damage to a person’s head, she thought. If she could somehow sleep on that side of the bed, she might be able to roll over in the night and snag it.

A second perusal of the space yielded no other promising options, so she latched on to the small plan she’d hatched. It was something, and anything at this point was bound to give her hope.

Steeling herself for the worst, Emily turned her back to the door and stripped out of her jeans and shirt. She kept her panties, bra, and socks on, hoping that if the bottom layer was still there, she would be more prepared to flee and also more protected from Eric’s observation. She gingerly folded her jeans, taking care to keep her engagement ring from falling out, and then placed them with her shirt on a chair near the door.

She slid under the covers, on the side closest to the table and lamp, and then folded her hands atop the blankets. She tried to affix the most serene expression on her face that she could muster, and it was just in time. Within a minute, Eric rapped on the door and then pushed it open.

Emily swallowed hard when he walked back inside in nothing more than pajama bottoms. Though she had seen him at the lake in a swimsuit before, this felt far more revealing and intimate. She watched Eric without blinking as he came to stand next to where she lay.

“Move over, sweetheart,” he quietly instructed her.

“Eric, please let me sleep on this side of the bed. It’s the side I always prefer and I’ll rest more comfortably here. Please?” she asked again.

He hesitated as he considered her request, but she extended a hand in his direction, waiting until he clasped it in his.

“Please?” Emily implored.

“All right. For you, Emily, I’ll take the other side.”

He kissed the back of her hand and then walked around the bed. Eric lifted the covers and slid in at her side. With a quick flick of his wrist he shocked her by pulling the sheets back. Silently, he gazed at her body, taking his time to watch the faint blush spreading over her pale skin. A slow smile spread across his face as he reached out to run the end of one finger over the top of her shoulder.

“Do you really need to wear that uncomfortable bra in bed with me?” he chuckled.

“For our first night in bed together, yes, I’d prefer to keep it on,” she answered truthfully.

Eric’s eyes dilated and he inhaled sharply at her choice of words.

“I like that, Emily. Our first night together. I couldn’t have said it better myself. And if wearing it makes you feel more comfortable, more at ease, then by all means keep it on. But I want it off tomorrow night. Agreed?”

“I agree,” she nodded. Because there won’t be a tomorrow night, buddy, she thought. Come hell or high water, she was leaving that place, that very night.

He nodded in return and then motioned to the lamp with his chin. “Turn it off and let’s get some rest.”

Emily rose up on one elbow and turned the lamp off. She settled on her back again and drew the covers up to her neck. She felt Eric’s arm move over her waist and suddenly she was pulled against the solid wall of his body with no warning or preamble. He draped one leg over her and then told her to go to sleep.

She dutifully closed her eyes and began to wait for him to finally drift off, so she could use the lamp to make her escape. Emily knew in her gut that she’d only get one good shot at it, and she wanted to make it count.

CHAPTER 37

Gabriel watched the cabin they had just inspected disappear in the woods as their SUV rolled down the gravel drive in the opposite direction. It was the third house on Eric’s list of six which they had inspected, and so far there had been no trace of him or of Emily. Not one shred of evidence that he had brought her to any of the small houses.

Braden had learned that all six properties were currently being rented, and though none of them were registered in Eric’s name, they had no other leads at present to investigate. So they were searching each and every one, praying for a miracle. Eric had used the last two months to plan well, and he wasn’t making any mistakes at present that would tip his hand. Even his prepaid cell was giving them nowhere to turn. Its last call was made from the sheriff’s office, and not one of the homes he might have taken Emily to.

It was as if they had disappeared into thin air.

On the way to the fourth house, they stopped at the airfield long enough to meet up with the reinforcements they’d called in from the Bureau’s closest offices. Agents from Chattanooga, Tennessee and Dalton, Georgia had come to join them. A third team was en route from Atlanta, but the others were closer and had just landed to lend a hand in the search.

Lawton had made sure the word had gone out within the Bureau that someone near and dear to their own team had been abducted, and their brothers and sisters in arms had heeded the call and come without hesitation.

Ross and Ethan had caught back up with them as well, finding nothing at Eric’s primary residence that would lead to his current whereabouts. Now they all huddled in an impromptu conference in the dead of night, trying to make the best use of their increased numbers and strength.

Noah called Gabriel’s attention back to the brief discussion Garrett was leading, as they poured over a map highlighting the last three houses they’d yet to search. Gabriel had been lost in thought, wondering where Emily was and if she was uninjured. Wondering also if she’d yet had a chance to escape Eric’s clutches as the night wore on. Emily was a fighter, despite the toll the last months had taken, and Gabriel had no doubt that given the slightest opening, she’d take it and run.

“Hold on,” Garrett paused in what he was saying and answered his phone. He looked at the map while he processed what he was hearing and he nodded, then muttered that he was placing his cell on speaker. “Braden’s on the line with new information,” he said and slid the phone atop the map that was stretched out on the hood of the SUV.

“Tell us, Braden,” Noah urged him. He stepped closer and settled his hands on his waist, ready for something. Anything.

“Got a lead that I think is promising. Listen and give me your opinion. I’ve had time while you guys were searching the first three properties to dig back further into Eric’s phone records, both from his two legit cells and the one prepaid he’s got. And I think I found an overlap – a place where he messed up,” Braden supplied, a smile clearly heard in his voice. He sounded as relieved as they all felt.

“Eric called from the location of the fifth house you’re moving in on, about four months ago. He used his own personal cell that day, and it was only once. He was actually talking to Becca, if you can believe it. Then, he used the prepaid to call from that same address just under two months ago. I know it doesn’t sound like a lot, but at this point, it’s the only address we can tie him to. And I hate to make such a decision, but my gut’s telling me you guys should skip the fourth and sixth addresses and all hit the fifth. Now,” Braden added determinedly.

“Oh, and Gabe…” he said, pausing and waiting for Gabriel to answer him.

“Yes?” Gabriel replied.

“I know you and Noah are ready to dole out this guy’s due, but let Garrett and Lawton take him down. Hell, place Ross in front of you if you have to.”

“Hey!” Ross protested.

“Just don’t lose your careers because of this sick fuck,” Braden continued, completely ignoring Ross. “Don’t.”

“We have no intention of doing anything other than getting Emily away from him,” Gabriel replied. “But thank you anyway, Braden. And thanks for getting us a lead. I know you’re working under extreme pressure.”

“It’s all the lead we’ve got. Now follow it,” Braden said decisively.

“We could split and each team take a house, or we could converge on the fifth residence,” said one from the Dalton team, named Mark. “It’s your call, because she’s yours. Tell us and we follow.”

“Gabe?” Garrett asked, turning to face him. “This is yours and Noah’s decision. It has to be.”

Gabriel stared fixedly at Noah and watched a veritable storm play out in his friend’s eyes. Noah was just as torn as he, but the longer they delayed, the longer Emily remained in Eric’s clutches. So, he took a deep breath and said, “I think we should go with Braden’s data. He’s never missed the mark, and I don’t think he has tonight either. Noah?”

“I agree. The fifth house it is. All of us,” Noah nodded. He reached out and clasped Gabriel’s forearm. He pressed his lips together in a firm, grim line, praying that he had not just sealed Emily’s fate and thereby theirs as well with the choice he’d made.

“All right,” Garrett sighed. “Let’s have the Atlanta team split and hit the fourth and sixth houses when they land. Kaden, patch them through to Braden while we’re en route to the fifth place, and have him give them directions. They’re coming with a larger number, so they can handle the divide. And then we’ll have coverage everywhere.”

“Will do,” Kaden agreed immediately.

“We’re rolling out!” Gabriel called to the assembled agents. “One house, one target. We need the Chattanooga team to take the home’s rear, the Dalton team to flank left and right, and our team will go straight in the front door. Keep your cells on, and Braden will send updated information as he gets it. Emily is our primary objective, but we need the perpetrator alive as well, if at all possible. Let’s go!” he urged again, ready to see this through and get Emily out of the hell she was most assuredly living through. And like Noah, Gabriel prayed in earnest that they’d made the right decision as they took seats in an SUV once again.

Emily shifted on the bed and tried to roll to her left side, out of Eric’s arms. He hadn’t budged an inch since she’d turned the light off hours ago, and she was still firmly anchored to his body, unable to put any distance between them. But as she moved, so too did he. He followed and spooned against her, making Emily grimace from the forced closeness.

When she attempted to move her elbow under her, so she could lever herself up, she felt Eric’s arm flex around her waist and he pulled her back against his muscular chest. She knew then that he was just as awake as she was. Had he slept at all?

“Emily,” he murmured right by her ear, “what are you doing?”

“I need to go to the bathroom,” she lied without hesitation.

His arm immediately relaxed and he lifted his hand to sweep it over her hair. “Why didn’t you wake me and let me know? I told you I’d see to your care.”

“I didn’t want to interrupt your sleep,” she answered.

“Telling me you have needs is not an interruption, sweetheart.” Eric nuzzled a little closer and ran his nose along her neck, inhaling her scent as he did so. “I like this. You in my arms.”

She remained silent, trying quickly to formulate a new plan.

“Do you, Emily? Like this, too?”

“It’s new to me. I’m not accustomed to a man in my bed.” It was all she could manage to say. Hell no, she didn’t like it! And she had minutes before her window of opportunity ran out. Emily felt it as surely as she did the air moving in and out of her lungs.

Erick laughed softly, his breath blowing across her exposed skin and making her shiver. But he took it as an indication of her attraction to his supposed ardor and pressed his lips to her neck.

And that was all she could take. All she would allow.

Emily lunged for the lamp and managed to wrap her hands around its base before Eric could stop her. She sent it crashing down over his head while her legs were already swinging out from under the covers. She didn’t spare him a backwards glance as she snagged her clothes from the chair and wrenched the door open wide.

She reached the living room as a crash sounded in the bedroom, and she could just envision Eric trying to stagger to his feet. Emily dropped her clothes at her feet and took a second lamp in hand, smashing the sliding glass door as she swung the light with all her strength. She could hear Eric thumping down the hall, and she had just enough time to grab her jeans and shirt and run through the impromptu doorway she’d created.

Jagged pieces of glass caught both of her upper arms and legs. She felt the immediate burn of the cuts inflicted there, but Emily didn’t let it slow her down. She ran as if the devil himself was behind her, because he was. She heard Eric yelling her name as he broke more pieces of glass away, so his much larger body would fit through the opening. But Emily just clutched her clothes to her chest and fled into the cold, dense forest.

She pushed herself as she never had before, knowing that she needed speed and distance in the initial stage of this run. Eric was in top shape himself, and she had no doubt that his long legs would help him eat up the terrain. But she’d also out distanced Noah and Gabriel almost every time she’d run with them for prolonged periods of time, and Emily knew if she could leave them behind, then she could damn well leave Eric in her wake.

The lack of shoes quickly proved a major impediment, for it seemed every stick, bramble, and briar wanted to catch her socks and trip her up. But Emily was determined not to be the cliché woman who always falls in movies or books when her pursuer was gaining. So, she just shook off the obstacles as they came along and pushed her body harder.

Soon, she heard only the sound of her own breathing as it evened out, and not Eric crashing through the underbrush behind her. She wanted to pause and swap her clothing, but Emily knew that not enough time had passed. By her estimate, she’d only been running for fifteen minutes, twenty tops, and that was simply not enough of a lead for her to feel secure.

With the limited moonlight illuminating the terrain, she almost missed the steep incline looming ahead. Emily had seconds to turn and skirt around it, feeling her balance falter as she teetered on the small ravine’s edge. Where in the hell was she, Emily wondered?

She could make out a ledge that would allow her entrance to the lower elevation, so she took it, still intent on working her way in a straight line away from the cabin and Eric. As her legs stretched out and she streaked down into the new landscape, Emily reached for the hem of the nightgown. She whipped it over her head as she continued to run. With great effort she managed to slip her t-shirt over her head, and then she had a decision to make. Stop and get her jeans on, or keep going?

Keep going, her mind and gut screamed. And so she did.

On and on Emily ran until she worked her way out of the small valley and peaked on the other side, seeing that she was now near the lake. This, she knew. She’d spent her entire life visiting this body of water, and she felt a surge of relief pass through her. Familiar landmarks were what she needed, and now she had one. A big one.

Emily took a risk and paused only long enough to slip into her jeans and then she was off again. She reached into her back pocket and took out the hair band she kept there. Emily placed her long hair into a tight ponytail while her feet ate up the distance, and then she slid her engagement ring back on her finger. She found her first genuine smile since this nightmare had bloomed in full and it gave her hope.

Hope that she could do this. No matter how long she had to run, she would get home.

She didn’t dare sprint along the shore, because if Eric was anywhere nearby, he’d surely see her in such an exposed, open space. Rather, Emily ran just in the edge of the woods, using the shoreline only as a source of direction, not a destination. A substantial branch caught her suddenly just above her left eye, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out at the instantaneous pain that splintered through her skull. Her vision blurred from the tears that came unbidden after the abrupt injury.

Shake it off and keep going, Emily told herself. This is
nothing
! Nothing! This was not the time nor place to stop and bemoan a bruise. She would have far worse done to her if Eric caught up, Emily told herself. And those images were enough to make her pace stay steady and unwavering.

After another twenty minutes, Emily heard vehicles nearby and knew then that she had to make another choice. Keep to the trees or take a chance and see if there was someone passing by whom she might trust enough to stop and take her home.

Emily was truthful enough to admit that she was in no shape to make such a decision. Not just physically, but mentally. She was not ready to trust another soul with her safety, even if she needed their help most desperately. But if she tried to run from the lake to Noah and Gabriel’s house, she’d be running for hours. They were almost twenty-five miles from where she was, and though Emily hated to admit it, there was an odd stitch in her side that she normally never experienced when she ran.

She slowed her gait enough to look down at her left side and she gasped to see her shirt soaked through with blood there. Emily looked herself over more thoroughly and realized both of her upper arms were in the same shape, blood covering the fabric in heavy, dark streaks. Even her jeans bore the stains of other injuries she’d sustained. The glass door, she thought back, realizing she had picked up more cuts from the jagged edges than she’d known.