Rotham clenched his fists as he tried to get a hold of himself. He had not expected to lose control like this, but Shyla, she in particular did something to him that no one else did. She made him lose all sense of himself. He expected rage should he lose control, but he hadn't planed on crying, on being so overwhelmed with joy. Yet he had never wanted anything or anyone more in all his life.
Their time apart had been unbearable! Seeing her again was like a breath of fresh air, like he'd been holding his breath this entire time and could now breath again.
It had been over a year since that night she'd escaped him in the mountains. He'd replayed it often in his head, late at night and when his mind idled throughout the day. How close she had been, her smell, touch, taste and most of all the look in her eyes. Those breathtakingly big beautiful eyes of hers. HE'D HAD HER! He'd had her in his arms and he'd just let her slip away into the night! He'd been such a fool, but at the time he thought she wouldn't be able to stray far, not this time. He knew her now. He knew Shyla Picket. His Starlight's true identity. He thought there wasn't anywhere she could go that he wouldn't find her.
He'd had a team of men going through every aspect of her life. His best man was ready to pounce as soon as she returned home. He thought he'd won, but he still hadn't gone back to bed. He'd stayed up and made calls, plans within plans. At first light he took a chopper out. He calculated when they should be home, but there was was no sign of them.
He began to worry after more then two hours had passed. At first he told himself his brother was an idiot, he'd probably gotten them stuck in the snow. Then he worried he'd crashed and killed them both. He had an emergency crew drive the stretch of road looking for them. Eventually he called Liam's number and he picked up. Liam said they were home, but Brittan hadn't seen them. Later, they realized she'd moved apartments at some point and the address had never been updated. What were the odds. WHAT WERE THE FUCKING ODDS!
He tried to get Liam to tell him where they were or to meet up for dinner. The first moment he could get Shyla away from his brother, they'd have a "proper talk" and make "arrangements." Of course, he wouldn't give her a deal. No the time for deals was long over. She'd betrayed him too many times and would have to pay the price. He'd force her to leave Liam, and then she would be under strict lock and key until she understood her place.
Yet the fucking bitch, whore, cunt, had run off again, and this time she'd taken his idiot of brother. When they finally found the right apartment, everything had been abandoned. He'd didn't sleep for days, tearing every nook and cranny apart, trying to find out where they'd run off to. When he found out they'd left the country, he'd fucking lost it. He wanted to burn the building to the ground and erase it from existence, but managed to come to his senses and got some sleep.
Brittan personally went after them and spent weeks tracking them down. At one point, he was only minutes behind them, but they caught a last minute train and he'd lost them. Brittan didn't often fail Rotham and was quite displeased. He'd been trying to make up for it ever since. Over the next few months, Rotham learned all that he could about her. He got her bank accounts, school records, job history and even every address she'd ever lived at, from the moment of her birth. He put a man outside her parent's graveyard and had a team watching anyone she might potentially contact. Yet time and time again she eluded him.
Then one day his mother called. He'd been in his office working hard. He wasn't too thrilled when his secretary informed him. He considered ignoring her, but knew if Claire wasn't put through she'd complain about it for weeks on end, and demand he fire another secretary. For nearly half an hour, she went on about what she'd been up to before she finally got to the point. She wanted him to guess who had called her the other day. He wouldn't play her game and she finally came out with it, telling him Liam had been in touch.
He dropped everything as she told him what she knew. Apparently, they'd been talking in secret for weeks, but she was only informing him now, because Liam was planning on proposing to Shyla. It was serious! Claire had opened Liam a new account and saw he'd bought a ring. She tried to reason with him, but he fully expected them to treat Shyla as family going forward.
Claire was quite displeased. In not so many words, she expected Rotham to "take care" of it and he would. All he needed was an address, but she had yet to get it from him, though she'd been asking. He told her exactly what to say and she called first thing this morning. He had her phone tapped just in case she didn't get it, but she did and he was on his private jet in less than twenty minutes.
Nothing was going to stop him! She was not getting away, not this time! She owed him more time than ever. Perhaps several lifetimes with as much resources as he put into finding her. He nearly broke the door down when he got here. Instead he settled for ringing the doorbell as his contact said they were both home. His brother eventually answered the door and he strode in, expecting to see her any second.
A thousand times over he had thought of this moment. The day when they would be in the same room and what he would do. He was caught off guard seeing the paining. His brother had always been lacking, and yet he'd captured her so well...too well. He had to have it! He would hang it over his desk, in his personal office so that only he could look at it.
They'd talked and he made up some bullshit excuse as to why he was here. His brother was just as stupid as ever and ate it up. Then a door opened and he turned and she was there and now he was a fucking mess, struggling to control himself. He clenched his fists, digging his manicured nails into his skin. He hated, HATED that she could affect him so! He wasn't used to not being in control. HE DID NOT LIKE IT! One person shouldn't be able to make him this fucking happy and oh so miserable. She had-
"Rotham are you listening or what?"
He blinked, realizing his brother was saying something to him...perhaps had been for some time. The fact that Liam was talking to him so casually told Rotham everything. She hadn't told him anything. He smiled knowing he still held all the power. This gave him considerably more options. He ran a hand over his mouth, then threw his hair before he adjusted his dark rimmed glasses and said, "Sorry, what were you saying?"
Liam sighed. "I said, I didn't think you'd miss me. You always made it clear how you felt about me."
"Yes, well people change Liam and absence does make the heart grow fonder. It made me realize I want to have a better relationship with you. I only have one brother" said Rotham. One too fucking many! He put on a fake smile and did his best to appear at ease. Yet a twinge of panic struck him that she might be slipping out the window, onto the fire escape as they spoke. He wouldn't put it past the bitch! He fought the urge to break down the door and check on her.
"Listen, if you want we can… talk I guess, later. Maybe make plans or something," said Liam scratching his head, "But tonight, is kind of a busy night. You know."
"Oh," said Rotham.
He moved to sit on the couch, but thought better of it, knowing it might be "infested." He realized he might have to get her dewormed. He dared to look at the door and wondered if she'd come out, or stay in there the whole time. No matter he could wait, he'd stay the night if need be, but he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
"Rotham?"
"Yes?" he said, looking back at his brother.
"Are you okay? It isn't like you to get so...distracted."
"Jet lag." he said,
"You should get a hotel room and rest. We can talk more tomorrow, but right now Shyla and I have plans. We've got a reservation."
"Really? Where at? I bet I can find you somewhere better, my treat. We can celebrate together."
"Eh," Liam looked hesitant. "That's a nice gesture, but I think for now we'd like it to just be the two of us. There are some things we need to discuss."
"You told mother you wanted us to treat her as family going forward. We should celebrate a new addition to our family together. It is what you wanted right, for us to fully accept her?"
"Yeah and I'm glad you're open to it," said Liam "But I sort of had a romantic evening planned."
"Come now," said Rotham opening his arms. "You have the rest of your lives, what is one night?"
***/
Shyla's heart raced as she paced in the bedroom and thought of Rotham. It was over! He'd finally found them and now everything was over! What was she going to do! How many countless nights had she laid awake asking herself, only to come up empty handed and now it was too late! She had always hoped she'd be stronger and smarter when next they met. Yet seeing him just now, standing there with Liam, she could have had a heat attack!
She was no better off than before, if not worse, because now she had so much more to lose. She had loved Liam back then and would have hated to lose him, but if she had to, she would have left him. Now she didn't know if she could. Being with him this last year he'd become her entire world and she knew she was his. They wanted to spent the rest of their lives together.
She looked down at the ring. Why now! Why tonight! Liam had been talking to his family for weeks! Perhaps- Perhaps Rotham had chosen tonight, because he knew Liam was proposing. That had to be it! The bastard wanted to wait until she was at her happiest before he tore her down. She knew now was not the time to get upset! She needed to be smart! She needed to act before he did. No! Rotham had already acted, by coming here. She needed to defend herself and Liam.
She needed to get rid of Rotham, once and for all! She considered the police again. They were in another country...so maybe he wouldn't have as much power, but what of her proof! She had no physical evidence, it had been over a year. It would be her word against his! It would always be her word against his and she had a feeling he could talk his way out of anything. After all, before she knew what a monster he was, he'd fooled her, if only for a weekend.
She let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand over her face. Okay, she didn't have a long term plan, but what about short term? What could she do in this moment? She nodded to herself, thinking she'd start simple and expand. First, she needed to get dressed! She went to her closet and looked for the black dress Liam had requested. She found it and broke down as she grasped hold of it. Who was she kidding, they weren't going out tonight! They weren't going anywhere ever again! She pulled the dress from the hanger and sunk down to her knees.
She wasn't getting out of this...not this time! She couldn't run away. She had to face it...face him. If she couldn't get him arrested then what...tell Liam everything? Fight? She sniffled and looked down at the floor, thinking it was hopel- Something caught her eye and she blinked. A small box in the bottom of the closet. She grabbed it and carefully opened it to see a high powered stun gun. They'd bought it for protection. It was suppose to be some illegal shit that wasn't even on the market. They hadn't needed to use it. He hands trembled as she picked it up and turned it on. She watched it violently spark to life and got an idea. Her eyes lit up and a plan was finally forming. If he wanted to fight. She'd give him a fight!
She got up from the floor and put the black dress on and some lace underwear. She made herself up like she was going out. She grabbed her purse and put on a light jacket. She might have lost her fucking mind, but this was worth a shot! At this point what did she have to lose. She knew Rotham wouldn't take no for an answer. She'd seen the madness in his eyes...the desperation. He was fixated on her.
She sparked the stun gun and had a feeling he'd listen to her this time. She'd make him regret not leaving her alone. One way or another this ended tonight! She smiled at herself in the mirror, then concealed the stun gun and moved to the door. She could hear them talking and took a deep breath as she opened the door.
She stepped out and acted like nothing was wrong. All those classes at the escort service were paying off in ways she couldn't have imagine. They'd shown her how to stay cool under pressure, especially when your date had turned into a total fucking psycho.
"Hey," she said, only looking at Liam. "How are we on time?"
Liam turned to her and she watched him light up, seeing her in the dress he'd requested. It took him a second to realize she'd asked him a question. "Time!" He looked for his watch. It was probably still in the bathroom. He looked to a wall clock then said, "Uh, we're still good, but I'm not sure we're going to make it."
He looked to Rotham, but she only kept her eyes on Liam as she assured, "We'll make it." She walked up to him and ran her fingers though his hair. Then she gave him a passionate kiss...just in case this was their last one. When she pulled back from the kiss, she brushed her hand over Liam's shirt, then pouted her lips before she asked, "Are you gonna wear this?"
"Uh, well yeah," said Liam, scratching his head.
"Aren't we going somewhere nice?"
"Yeah," said Liam
"Then wear that black shirt I like with your nice pants. Maybe some shoes instead of sandals. We have time for you to change."
"Okay," said Liam. "Uh Rotham, was just leaving."
"Actually," said Rotham, clearing his throat.
She saw him take a step towards her, through the corner of her eye. It took everything for her not to shrink away. She held her ground and refused to let him get a word in. "Okay, you go change and I'll be right back. I forgot something and have to pop out real quick."
"What," said Liam
"Don't worry. It wont take long. I'll be back before you're changed and then we'll go out. I'm sure we can be a few minutes late."
"If you wait a second, I could go with you," said Liam "Then we could go just go to the restaurant after."
"No, no," she said, "That will take longer. I'll be right back. I promise."
Liam made a little face, but nodded. She brushed her hand over his chest then turned her back to him. She kept her expression pleasant and by all means appeared composed, but inside she was bouncing off the walls. She could only hope that Rotham would take the bait and that this would all work out. She walked passed Rotham and opened the front door. She stepped out into the fresh air and saw it wasn't quite evening, but would be soon enough. She could see some lights turning on in the distance. Her stomach boiled as her heart pounded with adrenaline. A cool breeze washed over her as she took the front steps and made her way onto the sidewalk. Each step felt heavier then the last, but she pressed on refusing to give up!
***/
Rotham watched Shyla leave, then turned to his brother. It was clear she'd made this opening for him. She was up to something, but he didn't care! He was seconds from pressing his lips against hers. Fuck! He'd take her right then and there in the street, then whisk her away never to be seen again. He salivated at the thought and cleared his throat.
"You know, I am feeling more tired then I thought. I think I'll get a hotel room for the night and call Petra. I'll probably swing back around tomorrow morning or afternoon. How does that sound?"
"Good," said Liam. "Get some rest and uh better make it the afternoon. I have a feeling it's going to be a long night."
"Right, well congratulations!" said Rotham. He put on a big shit eating grin and Liam gave him a strange look. "What?"
"Nothing," said Liam, shaking his head, "I'm still just surprised."
"Maybe you need to get some sleep," said Rotham, "Anyway, I'd better get going. I don't want to keep you any longer."
"Right." said Liam. "I need to change."
Rotham didn't say another word. He was already out the door and heading down the steps. He didn't want to waste another second on that idiot. She could be halfway down the block by now!
***/
Shyla stood in the alleyway just outside her place, with her back against a brick wall. More then anything she wanted a cigarette, but had been trying to quit. She crossed her arms and closed her eyes focusing. She knew it wouldn't be long before that monster came after her and she was right. She could hear the screen door and hurried footsteps. From the shadows she watched Rotham rush out onto the sidewalk. He frantically looked around and she reached her hand into her purse. She ran her fingers over her stun gun, then pulled it out and put it behind her back.
She took a deep breath, then called out to him, "Rotham!"
At once he honed in on her. A smile spread across his lips before his expression turned serious. He walked over and she pulled deeper into the alleyway. He looked around cautiously, but followed, "I want to talk to you."
"I don't," said Shyla, flatly. "After what you did to me, I thought I made it clear I never wanted to see you again!"
"And just what did I do to you?" asked Rotham, he looked amused as he slowly walked up to her.
"You raped me." she said. Her own voice, almost surprised her as she said it with such conviction.
Rotham sighed. "You obviously haven't told Liam or the police. I'm sure they would disagree."
"They wouldn't, and I can take care of you myself." said Shyla.
"Really. And how are you going to take care of me?" asked Rotham.
Shyla smiled and could see she'd surprised him. He titled his head slightly and narrowed his gaze as she said "I want to make a deal with you."
"You want to make a deal? It's a little too late for that, don't you think?" said Rotham, with a little laugh.
"I don't think so," said Shyla. She took a step closer to him. He lifted his head and tilted it back slightly, suspiciously. It took everything for her not to let out an unbridled roar of furry, and charge him. She needed to be closer, she kept her face expressionless and took another calculating step. They were only a step or two apart now. She readied herself!
Rotham crossed his arms and decided to humor her, if only for a second. He'd love to have something to laugh at later, "And just what did you have in mind?"
"I want you gone! After today, I don't ever want to see your face or hear your voice again." Her words were cold, yet they were edged in fear. She trembled slightly uncertain.
He laughed at her, mocking her. "You're really not good at this business thing, are you? You see, in order to make a deal, both parties have to get at least some of what they want. And frankly, I have no plans of backing down. I told you I would collect. This little stunt has been agitating, but I always, ALWAYS collect on my debts."
"Really," said Shyla, stepping up on Rotham. "Then it's a good I don't owe you a damn thing!"
They were inches apart now. Rotham glared down at her as he ran his tongue across the top row of his teeth. He found her absolutely infuriating and enchanting as fuck, at the same time. The side of Rotham's mouth curled up and he was about to speak. When Shyla suddenly looked frightened.
She gasped, "Liam" as she looked over Rotham's shoulder.
Instinctively he turned around, fully expecting to see his idiot brother, yet the alley was empty! Shyla moved fast, her fear lent her strength and such speed. She had never moved so fast in all her life! She jammed the stun gun against his backside and unleashed. He let out a strange sound, a mixture of a whimper and groan as he collapsed hard to the ground. He looked absolutely shocked like he didn't know what hit him!
'GOOD!' Thought Shyla!
She dropped to the ground and stunned him again and again. She took pleasure in watching him violently squirm beneath her. She let him catch his breath and he managed to roll himself on his back. He looked up at her in utter disbelief. She sparked the stun gun in front of him, her eyes glossy with tears and mad with vengeance.
She hissed, "Not a damn thing!"
His eyes lit up with fury like 'how dare she.' Shyla's nostrils flared as she leaned in, looking at his crotch. He followed her gaze and soon realized as she came at him with her stun gun again. He tried to cover himself, but she would not be denied! She shocked his hands until they flung themselves away. Then she tasered him in the balls.
The sickly smell of cooking flesh made Shyla both sick and satisfied. She quickly saw his pants darken and realized Rotham was pissing himself. It puddled out around him on the cement. She had no mercy for him, not when he didn't have it for her. He looked afraid of her then; his eyes horrified. Good! It wasn't even a fraction of what he'd put her through.
She almost didn't want to stop. When she did, he tried to scoot back and reach for something in his pocket; a phone. She got up and stepped on his hand, crushing it and the phone. Then she sparked her stun gun again, looming over him. His mouth sputtered and twisted as he trembled. He looked up at her, furiously in tears and then scared as she drew the stun gun closer. She wanted to torment him as he had her. He pleaded with his eyes and she suddenly felt very powerful. In a million years, the sick bastard probably hadn't expected this! He'd underestimated her and she doubted he'd do it again.
She cleared her throat, suddenly realizing she was crying as well. She tried not to get emotional as she made herself clear. "Now you look at me, you sick bastard and you listen! I don't ever, EVER want to see or hear from you again! OR I WILL KILL YOU!"
She watched Rotham purse his lips.
"GOT IT!" She hissed.
Rotham winced in pain, clinging to himself. She could tell he was beyond mad, but also didn't want her to stun him again. He nodded. Shyla moved the stun gun closer to him…inches from his skin. "What did you say?"
"Alright, you don't owe me." rasped Rotham, through clenched teeth.
"Good boy!" said Shyla, repeating to him, what he had said to her nearly a year ago. "You might not be stupid after all. Now our "business is complete!"
Then, one last time, for good measure and pure satisfaction, she stunned him in the leg before kicking him hard in the chest. He cried out curling up tight. He rocked in pain as Shyla ran away, leaving him alone in the alleyway. She hoped it had hurt and that she'd scared him. She hoped that he could never get it up again!
She got around the corner and threw up, from the sheer adrenaline of it all. Then she cleaned herself up and rushed back to Liam. He was ready and waiting for her. They made their reservation, celebrated their engagement and for the first time in over a year, she wasn't afraid of what lie in the shadows or wait around every corner.
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