Furious by Susan A. Bliler Read Free Book Online Page B

questioned with much less concern in his voice than she’d hoped for. 
    “I don’t know.  I’m with Draken.  Draken Shatan.  I think I’m at his manor.  Can you come and get me?”  Lucia spoke rapidly. 
    Calmly Warren ordered, “Slow down, slow down.  What in the hell are you doing with him?  What have you told him?” 
    “What have I told him,” she practically shrieked, “I’m being held hostage, I haven’t told him anything.  What is it I shouldn’t be telling him?  Look, just come and get me.” 
    Warren sighed on the other end of the line, “Lucia, I don’t know where you are.  You don’t know where you are.  How am I supposed to come and get you?  Listen, this Draken is a dangerous man…he’s a killer.  Whatever you do, make him think that you and I are lovers.  I can’t explain it to you right now, but him believing that we are lovers will keep you safe, I promise.  He…” 
    Lucia cut in, “Oh my god Warren, who has he killed?”  Without waiting for an answer Lucia went on, “Please Warren, call the police.  I’m in a large manor with large stonewalls and several balconies on the third floor.  The butler’s name is Patrick and Draken’s brother is here, his name is Nikolai.  The estate is large; I can only see trees from the balcony, no landmarks.  Help me Warren please!” 
    “Okay, okay, okay.  I’m going to hang up now and call the police.  I’ll tell them all the information you’ve just given me, but remember your best chance at survival is to make him think that you and I are lovers.  Lucia you have to make him believe,” Warren pleaded. 
    As tears of relief rolled down Lucia’s cheeks she asked, “Why Warren?  Why will that help?” She felt guilty even asking.  She knew by now that Draken meant her no harm.
    “Just do it,” he barked impatiently, “I’m going to hang up now and call the police.  Remember what I said.  I’ll see you soon.” 
    Before Lucia could say anymore, Warren hung up.  Placing the phone back on the receiver, she leaned on the table and softly wept.  She was startled to feel a strong-arm snake around her waist while another hand grabbed her around the chin before moist lips were trailing wet kisses down her neck. 
    Desperately, she tried to free herself from the grasp, but Nikolai only pulled her closer and squeezed her tighter.  The smell of whiskey lingered on her skin where his mouth trailed down her neck.  Her self-consciousness about her scars transitioned into sheer mortification as Nikolai mumbled, “Soft.  So soft.” 
    “Stop,” she demanded, “Nikolai stop, get off me!” 
    Nikolai released his grip just long enough to spin her around to face him.  He immediately pulled her into his chest and began kissing her neck again. She slapped at him and pushed on his chest attempting to get away, but he easily lifted her off the ground and carried her to the couch.  Dropping her down, his weight crushed against her as he continued his assault. 
    Now kicking and fighting back as best she could, Lucia let out a scream when Nikolai dropped his hand down to the side slit in her dress and slowly smoothed his hand up her thigh.  In sheer panic, she jerked her knee up, hitting Nikolai in just the place she’d hoped. 
    As he rolled off her onto the floor, she too rolled off the couch to her knees.  As she pushed up to make a break for the door, Nikolai grabbed the right shoulder strap of her black gown.  Pulling away fiercely, the strap snapped and Lucia made a hobbling dash for the closed doors. 
    Nikolai struggled to rise from the floor even as Lucia threw the library’s doors open and raced for the stairs as best she could.  At the bottom of the stairs, she realized that if Nikolai regained his composure he’d easily catch her on the stairs.  She simply didn’t have the ability to ascend quickly enough.  Looking over her shoulder she saw Nikolai racing toward her. 
    Immediately she turned to