Torn Between Times (Three Seconds, #4), page 4
I grabbed my helmet bolting towards the door. Hope ignited in me as my fingers grasped the handle. I was going to make it out of here before Az could catch me.
The second I twisted the door handle he slammed into me. I was pressed up against the door trying not to panic any more than I already was as I felt any hope slip away.
“You hesitated a little too long,” Az laughed in my ear. “What are you going to do now that Warrick isn’t here to stop me?”
“What do you want with me?”
To my surprise, he got off me. Much to my dismay, on the other hand, Az still had a tight grip on my wrists pulling me away from the door. He pushed me onto the couch in the living room grabbing the bottle of wine as he joined me. Az worked the cork out then took a swig. When he offered me the bottle, he said, “Now, that’s a loaded question. We really need to work on getting more specific in your asks. Drink.”
I shook my head no and he grabbed the back of my head yanking my hair back. My mouth opened to protest only to be filled with the bottle. Wine rushed down my throat, the sweet drink turning sour on my tongue. “That wasn’t a question,” he snarled.
By the time he let me go, I was coughing, struggling to catch my breath. Az took another swig then set the bottle on the table. He leaned back sighing and throwing his arms along the back of the couch, “That’s more like it. Don’t let me drink alone tonight, Val.”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked with a raspy voice, my hand rubbing my throat. There was still wine stuck back there threatening to send me into another coughing fit.
“A lot of things. Where do you want to start?” Az cocked an eyebrow at me.
“What did you do to Warrick?”
He stroked his facial hair bringing his gaze to meet mine, “I don’t remember you asking this many questions. Relax, take a load off.”
I rolled my eyes at him and looked out the window, “You better not have hurt him.”
“What are you going to do if I did?” Az shot back, poison lacing every word. “Besides, he wasn’t even here when I arrived, and before you make assumptions, this was how I found his place.”
“You’ve given me no reason to believe you,” I said looking back at him.
“I see you still ride,” Az jerked his head towards my helmet on the floor. He pointed to the bottle, “Remember, don’t let me drink alone tonight.”
“I don’t want any more and of course I still ride,” I said scooting away from him. If I moved slowly enough without revealing my intentions, I might be able to make it out of here.
“I told you to drink, Val. I know you can,” Az thrust the bottle into my hand while closing the distance I just created. Damn it. It was too much to hope for him not to catch on to what I’m doing.
I glared at him while taking a long drink from the bottle. I slammed it back down on the table, “Happy?”
“Very.”
“You still never answered my question,” I pointed out.
He rested his head on the couch closing his eyes, “Which one?”
“Any of them, but the first one is the one I need to know the answer to.”
Az grinned and chuckled, “There’s a lot of things I want to do with you. Things that would make most blush, but I also want information out of you. Don’t bother asking anymore questions tonight. I’m done with that game.”
Warrick was right about one thing. Someone encouraged Az to go down the path that led to me. Why? I had no idea. He hadn’t moved for a little while, so I pulled out my phone to send texts to Jennie, Warrick, and Lou. They needed to know what was happening in case Az makes me disappear tonight.
“You text anyone and I will make your worst fears come true,” he threatened. Az sat back up, polished off the wine and headed into the kitchen to try to find another bottle. When he called me out, I pretended to put my phone away, but his back was turned to me. This was my chance. Az pinned me down to the couch as soon as my fingers started typing out a message to Lou, catching me off-guard with how fast and quietly he came back over to me. He ripped my phone out of my hand and threw it against the island, my smashed phone adding to the debris already littering the floor.
A growl ripped from his throat, “You really don’t know how to listen, do you?”
He forced me to drink more wine, not getting off me. Az took another sip then started unzipping my jacket, “We’ll be here for a while, might as well get comfortable.”
I grabbed his hand stopping him. There was no way I was going to let him take off any of my clothes tonight, “I’d like to leave this on.”
“I’m sure you would, but you don’t have a lot of say in that, do you?”
Panic gripped my throat making it hard to speak. Forcing the words out, I said, “Just tell me what you’re going to do, Az. I can at least mentally prepare for this shit show.”
“I’m hurt, Val,” Az said in a mocking tone. “First, you don’t remember me. Now, you won’t even enjoy some time with me.”
I squirmed underneath the weight of him, “You’re starting to hurt me.”
“Good,” he sneered, his face within inches of mine. “You hurt me, Val. This is only fair.”
“Hold on,” I countered, anger starting to overtake the panic. “You were the one who left me without anything. You were just gone. Disappeared. Don’t start this fucking pity party with me especially when you show back up in my life like this.”
A popping noise rang out through the apartment. I was now staring at the bottle on the table, my cheek burning. I didn’t even see his hand move before it connected with my face. “I’m getting tired of this bullshit. Let’s liven things up, shall we?” Az mumbled.
Still in shock, I didn’t realize he was back to unzipping my jacket. This time, he wasn’t as gentle. He pulled me by my shirt, “This is my game now. Do as I say and it shouldn’t be too bad.”
“Can I at least have more wine?” I forced out.
“Here,” he shoved the bottle back in my mouth. At least this time I was a little more prepared. I swallowed about half of the almost full bottle by the time he yanked it away and finished it.
He pushed me back onto the couch as his lips crashed into mine. I closed my eyes wishing for the wine to hit me. Wishing for someone to knock on the door when the only person who knows how to get here is the one who disappeared. Wishing for this to already be over.
Az pulled back, “You know what would be even better? If I fucked you on my brother’s bed. He’ll be stuck smelling our scents entangled in one another.”
“No, you’re not fucking me tonight,” I said. I knew he wasn’t going to listen to my protests, but I had to try.
“Nice try,” he laughed, a wicked sound that made me want to be sick.
Az got off me and I started to scramble away from him. I was almost off the couch when he grabbed my ankles. He dragged me over to the kitchen pausing to grab yet another bottle of wine. I took advantage of him being distracted trying to crawl away again. I heard him chuckle before he yanked me back to him, “This is going to be fun.”
On our way to Warrick’s room, Az didn’t take any care to keep me from going over the glass on the floor adding to the cuts already on my body. I started to scream for help the closer we got to Az’s desired destination. I thought I had a chance, but now that my only escape was out of my line of sight, I had to find another way out of here. I had to try to get some of the other residents’ attention.
“With the money Warrick pays for this apartment, no one’s going to hear you. This place is soundproof,” Az said as he tossed me on the bed.
I kicked a leg out hitting him between his legs. He grunted in pain and doubled over. I scrambled off the bed and tried running for the door, but the wine made my legs feel like noodles. There was no way they could support my weight with how fast I wanted to move.
“I could work with this. Come back here,” Az grasped my hair to pull me on the bed. I let out another scream, this time from pain rather than trying to get someone’s attention.
Az was back on top of me, lips finding their way back to mine. Not kissing him back earned me another slap, “You’re only going to make this harder on yourself if you don’t play along.”
“I can give you information,” I blurted. “I’ll tell you whatever you want to know if you just stop.”
“We’re way past that, but that was a nice attempt,” he smirked. “I changed my mind about what I want from you tonight, and most importantly, I changed what tactic I wanted to use to get under Warrick’s skin. I want him on my team more than whatever information it is you think you have.”
Az studied me for a moment, “Now, where were we?”
His hands rubbed up and down my sides then over my chest until his fingers gripped my collar. He yanked and the sound of my shirt ripping filled the room. I watched his pupils dilate at the sight of my nearly naked torso beneath him. Az skimmed my bra making my nipples harden to a point. With a husky voice, he said, “Look, you even dressed for the occasion. Will I find the matching thong?”
I tried to shove at his chest, but despite my best efforts, he didn’t budge. I tried again, “Get off of me, Az.”
He shook his head, “No can do. If you just relaxed, you know I could make this feel good.”
“I don’t want to feel this. I want you off me.”
“Fine,” Az said as he slowly backed off the bed. His fingers hooked into the waistband of my pants trying to yank them off. They didn’t budge earning a frustrated growl, “I can appreciate these pants looking like they were made for you, but they have to go.”
Az managed to unbutton my pants, my legs exposed in an instant and a happy look back on Az’s face, “I should’ve known what the answer was to my question.”
“Please stop,” I forced out. I couldn’t breathe any more.
He stood up and I felt my panicked heart rate slow for a little bit. I tried to flip over to make another escape attempt, but he grabbed one of my arms out from under me. I fell on my face and was flipped over, pinned on my back. He wagged his finger scolding me for once again trying to run. Az leaned over me placing his forearm across my throat. I picked up on the silent warning: try to run and he crushes my throat, stay and all I will feel is a slight pressure against my windpipe.
He pulled his shirt over his head with one arm, replacing the arm holding me down with the other one so as to not chance me running away. All his tattoos were on full display now along with his muscles. Az looked stronger than the last time I had seen him, the hard lines showcasing that strength. Another somber reminder I stood no chance at getting out of here on my terms.
Az watched me with anticipation as he undid his belt and unbuttoned his pants, arm still holding its position on my throat. Tears came spilling out as I continued to plead with him. Every time I opened my mouth, I was met with cruel laughter. The Az I knew was completely gone at this point.
He reluctantly lifted his arm away from my neck so he could completely undress. Even though I knew I wasn’t going to be making it far, I tried to crawl away again. This time I got to the other side of the bed almost to the edge.
“You’re the perfect piece of prey,” his words washed over me, coating me in slime. “Every time you run, you just make me want you more.”
Then he was grabbing my waist from behind. Az jerked my arms behind me, my shoulders screaming in pain at the sudden movement. He pressed a knee into my back burying my face into the comforter and filling my nose with Warrick’s scent while he secured my wrists with some piece of fabric, making me cry harder. Satisfied with the security of the restraint, Az lifted off and moved so he was directly behind me.
I flipped my head to look out the window. The sun was just starting to rise, filling the sky with purples, oranges, and pinks. I told myself to focus on this and Az’s torture would soon be over. He slid my thong down exposing me to the cool air. Az moaned while he slid his fingers in between my legs.
Sobbing at this point, I begged him to stop. He pushed my head down into the bed. “Shut the fuck up or I’ll make it hurt,” Az hissed into my ear.
I whimpered in response. His cock teased my entrance, but he stopped when I was expecting him to thrust in. Az was still pressing my head down when I heard a click.
“I will kill you, Azrael. I will fucking kill you right fucking now if you don’t get off her,” Warrick calmly said.
That only earned a laugh from Az, “You think you’re going to kill me with that? What? It has a few silver bullets? Try me.”
Az moved so he was closer to me. The hand holding my head down moved to my neck and yanked me up. I felt as his lips curled into a smile, “I dare you to try me.”
Warrick looked insane. His hair was everywhere, those blue eyes wild. Yet, he held the gun steadily, aimed at Az and me. I watched as his hand squeezed the trigger. The bang made my ears ring. I let out a scream and felt blood splatter on to me. Shaking, I looked down as far as Az’s hand would let me. The blood wasn’t coming from me, thankfully. It was coming a large hole in Az’s arm.
“That stung,” he hissed in my ear. “Too bad it won’t last for long.”
I couldn’t believe my eyes as the bullet slid out of the wound and his skin closed. Warrick had started to drop the gun confident he had made a point, but when he watched the same thing I did, his eyes widened and he quickly took aim again. Several more shots rang out only to end up with the same results. Az instantly healed like nothing had happened.
“Thanks to Holly and some other friends, I now have an advantage against those special bullets you made,” Az said with a cocky air to his voice.
Warrick shot at Az until the gun ran out and all we heard were clicks. Knowing the coast was clear, Az came out from hiding. Still holding me by the neck, he sneered at his brother, “Well, this has certainly been a fun experiment. Since you can’t beat me right now, why don’t you join in on the fun?”
More tears ran down my cheeks, “Please stop, Az. I’m begging you.”
“I like when you beg,” Az responded in a husky voice as he traced my jawline.
“Get the fuck out of my house!” Warrick screamed. He bounded over to the bed in a blink of an eye grabbing Az by his hair and bashing the gun into his head. Blood trickled on to my shoulder from where Warrick hit Az.
“Alright,” Az mumbled massaging the already healed spot. “Don’t have to be so aggressive.”
Warrick and I were stunned as Az let me go, slowly exiting the apartment. He was so close to getting something he wanted, but Az just walked away. No questions asked. No protesting. He just left.
“Warrick? Talk to me,” a voice said from the phone.
“Is that Lou?” I croaked.
Warrick locked eyes with me as he lifted the phone closer to his mouth, “Yeah, Lou. I’m here. I got in at the right time.”
“Do you have eyes on Val? Is she okay?” Lou asked.
Warrick moved closer to me, “I’m looking right at her. She’ll be fine. Just shaken up more than anything.”
There was a sigh on the other side of the line, “I can’t tell you how relieved I am she’s still there. I’m assuming Az walked out unscathed?”
“Unfortunately. Look, I’ll tell you more in our meeting later after I’ve gathered my thoughts and taken care of a few more things. The important thing is that I handled the situation. By the way, put distance between yourself and Holly. My hunch was right. Pass that message along.”
He didn’t give Lou the chance to say anything else. The phone clicked ending the call. Warrick tossed the gun aside, cradling my face and ignoring my flinch at his touch, “What are you doing over here, love? What happened?”
I smelt the alcohol on his breath, but he wasn’t nearly as drunk as what he had been back on Sarind’s island. There was no sign of the asshole I had seen before. Nothing to add to the panic already running through me. My voice wobbled as I asked, “Where were you?”
He wiped away the new tears and sat next to me, “Clearly I had an outburst, but then I decided I needed to run some errands.”
“In the middle of the night?” I asked trying to cover myself with shaky arms.
Warrick saw what I was trying to do and went over to his closet. When he came back to where I was sitting, he handed me one of his hoodies keeping his eyes on the ground. I tossed it on instantly grateful for the warmth and comfort it provided. He sat back down and looked out the windows, “Not the typical errands. I’ll explain more about that later, but what were you doing here? Why did you come to my place? And what happened?”
I drew in a shaky breath twisting the sleeves around in circles trying to calm my nerves. I followed Warrick’s gaze out the windows, “I was worried about you. I wanted to make sure you were okay and I wanted to talk through what had happened at Lou’s with, with Az. How was it even possible for him to get in here?”
“He’s upped his game. By a lot,” Warrick sighed. “It shouldn’t be a surprise that he’s good with tech, too. Az bypassed all my security systems before I had a chance to make any upgrades.”
Warrick started to reach for me, but stopped when I flinched again. I stood up, his hoodie doing more than enough to cover me, “I think I’m going to try to sleep. I’m sorry, Warrick, I just can’t talk about this right now. I’m sorry for adding one more thing to your plate to worry about. I’ll head out of here when I wake up. I just can’t drive right now.”
“Val, stop,” Warrick stood up. “There’s nothing for you to be sorry for. Take as much time as you need. You don’t need to run off, love.”
I nodded. The tears wouldn’t stop now, so I turned and made my way to his guest room. He was slowly trailing after me, but when I closed the door and locked it, he left me alone. I curled up on the bed staring out these windows not letting myself think. I eventually fell asleep, but my dreams were filled with Az’s sneering face and the feel of his rough hands on me.
I jolted up in the bed when I heard yelling coming from Warrick’s home office. He sounded pissed, and as much as I wanted to stay in the safety of this locked room, curiosity got the better of me. I wandered down the hall still only wearing his hoodie and paused when I was outside of his office. I had no idea how long I had been out for, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes as I leaned against the wall.
