CHAPTER 10

Steve felt a sinking feeling in his gut as he stepped out of his apartment building the next day, on his way to his father’s auto repair shop.

Alisa stood beneath the pale glow of a street lamp, her arms crossed, her eyes fixed on him.

She was dressed in white trainers, jeans and a dark green jacket.

A blue wool hat covered her head, her blond hair falling down to her shoulders.

He paused for a moment, his legs immobile.

Fear sliced through him, and the certainty that she was carrying a gun and was going to kill him settled in his mind.

Alisa raised her hands, though. “Relax, Steve, I’ve only come to talk. And to apologize.”

Relief shot through him, and he expelled a silent sigh.

However, when she advanced a few steps in his direction, a subtle unease still lingered within him.

His hands were sweating, and he stuck them into the pockets of his gray jacket.

And in that moment, Alisa looked so beautiful, so lovely, that an overwhelming desire to be with her took hold of him, and he was tempted to give her a second chance.

Then, however, he remembered what she’d done to that poor dog, what she’d made him do to it, and that sensation vanished, and what replaced it was an urgent need for her to go away.

Alisa, sensing his wariness, said, “You really don’t need to worry. I promise. I just wanted to say my behavior was completely unacceptable. And that I’m sorry. I don’t expect you to forgive me, or to give me a second chance. I just needed to say this.”

Steve was stunned. He wasn’t expecting anything like this. This radical shift in her personality was too awkward. The previous day she’d looked angry enough to want to kill him. And now this?

Despite his apprehension, he managed to summon a small smile. “That’s okay. Apology accepted.”

Steve realized just how silent the street was. Not even the birds, usually so punctual in their morning singing, had made an appearance, as the sun peeped out, its weak light landing on his eyes.

Her eyes shifted to his right, just as a sting jabbed him in the neck. Startled, he made to turn his head, but dizziness struck him mercilessly, just as a voice sneaked into his ear: “Oh, that’s so noble of you, to accept my daughter’s apologies.”

Steve’s mind was going around in circles. His legs threatened to give way beneath him.

“Thing is,” Jeff Dowling said, his voice reaching Steve from miles away, “she doesn’t apologize to you. You apologize to her.” He glanced at his daughter as he held Steve. “Honey, mind giving me a hand here?”

Alisa strode to them, an evil smile etched on her face. As she held Steve from his left armpit, she snickered at him, “Not that I’m going to accept your apologies, of course.”

Jeff gripped his other armpit. “No, you better not, honey. This piece of shit doesn’t deserve forgiveness.”

Steve tried to speak, but his voice wasn’t working as they dragged him across the sidewalk to Jeff’s big Porsche.

His eyes raced across the street, Steve’s breath catching in his throat as he realized there was still no one around who could come to his aid.

His eyelids descended just as they were approaching his car.

Steve’s consciousness then surrendered to a deep, dense sleep.

◆◆◆

The first sensation he was aware of was a sharp jab of pain hitting him in the head. A burning sensation scraped his throat. He opened his eyelids and was greeted by harsh fluorescent light that sliced through his eyes.

At first, he was so confused that fear didn’t register, but that changed the moment he laid eyes on the three people standing there.

“What…” His voice was no more than a harsh groan.

Steve made to rub his eyes, but his arm wouldn’t budge, as if stuck in place.

He looked down at his body, resting horizontally, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw that his wrists and ankles were cuffed and chained to a padded table, leaving his body in an X position, and that his clothes were off, except for his underwear.

His eyes settled on the three people in front of him: Alisa and her parents. They were looking at him with sick grins on their faces, clearly enjoying his fear and anxiety. Jeff was clad in a gray sweater and black pants, and Diana wore a purple satin blouse and high waist slacks.

“Hi, Steve,” Alisa said.

“What’s going on?” Steve said, his voice an unsteady sound.

“You hurt our daughter, you disgusting piece of shit,” Diana snapped at him. “That’s what’s going on.”

Steve gaped at her, then at Alisa. “What are you talking about?”

Alisa crossed her arms, her grin swept away as a scowl covered her face. “Did you really think I was going to let you break up with me and get away with it? Are you really that dumb?”

“Alisa, please, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Well, you did, you selfish bastard.”

Before Steve had a chance to reply, Alisa curled her fist and punched him hard in his genitals. Steve unleashed a fierce scream, and Diana and Jeff laughed, amused.

“You messed with the wrong one, pal,” Jeff told him.

“Please, I beg you, don’t hurt me anymore.” Steve was ashamed as tears started soaking his eyelids. “What do you want? Do you want money?”

That made Jeff laugh out loud. “Money? You are asking me if I want money? Son, that’s probably the dumbest question I’ve ever heard.

Do you know who I am? CEO of a prestigious automotive company?

Does that ring any bells? I’ve had plenty of money all my life.

” He chuckled. “And even if I did want money, I doubt a low-class wretch like you would have enough money to pay me.”

Steve’s body shook. “Please don’t hurt me,” he said again.

“Oh, we’re going to hurt you plenty,” Diana sniggered, her eyes blazing with sadism. “Well, my daughter is, anyway. And it’s what you deserve for hurting her feelings.”

“But I never–”

“Quiet,” Jeff interrupted. “Enough talking.” He rested his hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “We’ll leave you to it.”

“Okay, Dad.”

Diana pointed her hand at the table with the tools. “You’ve got all you need here. Let us know if you need help with anything, okay?”

“Okay.” Alisa looked at her parents, excitement enveloping her soul. “Thanks so much. This means so much to me.”

Jeff gave her an endearing smile and rubbed her shoulder. “Oh, it’s the least we could do for you. We trust this will help you feel better. Have fun.”

They left the bunker, leaving Steve at the mercy of their sadistic daughter.