Page 81 of One Night Years Ago

He waxes his body. That’s why we never found any DNA.

He left his white briefs on for now, and Natalie was grateful not to have to look at the erection tenting between his legs.

“Now it’s your turn,” Ford said and picked up his knife. “Don’t move, or I might end up cutting you too soon.”

Natalie shivered as the knife ran slowly down her body, separating her T-shirt into two perfectly symmetrical sides. Ford moved her to get rid of the ruined fabric then proceeded to snap the bra, baring her breasts.

“God, I’ve dreamed of your breasts for years. I wanted so badly to see the reminder of our time together. I kept waiting to see if you’d get plastic surgery to repair this, but I then I realized you wanted this reminder of our time together.” Ford rubbed his crotch with one hand, pinching her ruined nipple with the other until she hissed in pain. At her reaction, his erection grew larger.

“Now let’s see the rest of you,” he said, pulling off her jeans and underwear. He ran his hand along her stomach, her buttocks, like she was livestock.

“You’ve gone to fat a little here,” he said, pinching her stomach. “Your stomach used to be almost concave. It’s not bad, for your age, don’t get me wrong, though I do prefer younger flesh.”

“Asshole,” she spat out.

Hunter came to, moaning.

“Ah, perfect, I thought we were going to have to start without Sleeping Beauty here.”

“Natalie? What—” Hunter’s eyes shone with fury as he became aware of the scene in front of him. His entire upper chest strained against the bonds, the veins in his arms bulging with the effort. But the bonds held tight.

“Ford! Let her go!”

“You know,” Ford smirked, “I think I’m going to enjoy this.”

“We can talk about this, Stephen. You don’t want to hurt me. You let me go the first time.”

Ford’s cackle was loud. “A beginner’s mistake. That idiot brother of his showed up, and I couldn’t finish what I started. I won’t be making the same mistake this time.” He licked his lips. “But, angel, if you can show me a good time, I promise I’ll make it quick. For both of you. How’s that for a deal?”

It took her a moment to build up enough spit. It landed on Ford’s bare knee. His response was immediate, a backhanded slap that turned her face around in its violence and unexpectedness. Next, he grabbed her hair and lifted her head. She screamed at the sudden pain. With his other hand, he took her nipple and twisted violently.

“Be thankful I’m not using my knife. Now, you’ll learn to please me or I’ll start taking bits off of both of you.” His hand went down between her legs. “Ah, you’re dry, sweetie. Just the way I like it.”

Natalie clenched her teeth together so as not to cry out. She looked sideways towards Hunter. His face was ashen. He continued straining against the bonds holding him down, but his defeated expression told her they were holding strong.

Ford’s mouth was close enough to her that she could smell his meaty breath. It triggered another dreadful flashback to that night so many years ago. Just as she was going to disappear into the darkness, something called her back. She wasn’t a young girl anymore. She was the sheriff of Sharp’s Cove, and she needed to start behaving as such. She found herself analyzing the situation dispassionately.

That’s why the thought of going to the hospital always made me feel ill. It wasn’t the hospital. It was him.

The realization was significant, even if it probably came too late. She’d always considered it a weakness, but in reality her body and her mind had been trying to warn her of something she’d been too stupid to see.

Ford pinched her scarred nipple again. Natalie screamed.

“None of that, angel, you can’t leave me! I don’t enjoy it when they leave me. I need you here with me the whole time. So eyes on me, or I’ll take one of his eyes out. Would you like that?”

Natalie tried to shake her head but found it wouldn’t move. She mouthed the word no. Her eyes filled with tears.

A sudden movement from Hunter’s corner of the room took Natalie’s attention. She saw Hunter tip his chair backwards, once, twice, until the chair fell over onto the floor. His entire body weight fell on his arms as he hit the floor. Hunter roared.

Ford moved away from her to check on Hunter. His toned body made the light beer belly stand out even more. “You are a loser and an idiot, Fowler. You really thought you could get away?” he sneered.

Ford leaned over to check on the bindings, and Hunter whipped his head forward, headbutting the doctor in the forehead. Ford roared and almost tripped as he hopped back, holding on to his face.

“I. Am. Going. To. Rupture. Your. Spleen,” Ford said, punctuating each word with a sharp kick to Hunter’s midsection. The violence in his attack was astonishing.

For a moment, Natalie couldn’t understand what Hunter was trying to do. He was still tied to the chair and wasn’t any closer to getting free.

Ford moved on to strike at Hunter’s unprotected face.