Chapter Forty One
Carly
Gio was driving me crazy. I understood his concern, really I did, but he was being so overly protective that I could barely go to the bathroom without him at the door. I’d given him the card that had come with the flowers, after I tossed the roses in the trash, and tried t put it out of my mind. If I let it consume me I wouldn’t be able to do my job.
I made my way into the dressing room to find it in turmoil. “What’s going on in here?”
“Oh, thank god, Carly. My outfit for the next set has a tear in it. I was going to run out to my car to grab the extra one I keep in there, but I don’t have time.”
I gave Chablis a look. “Give me your keys. I'll go grab it for you. You owe me.”
“Yeah. Sure. Thanks.”
She handed her keys to me and rushed out to the front of the club. Something seemed a bit…off, but maybe I was just projecting. Shrugging it off, I headed for the employee entrance. I’d be right back, I saw no reason to get someone to escort me out to her car.
I was just closing the trunk when a shadow moved behind me. Arms wrapped around me and a rag was put over my mouth and nose. The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was the face of one of Chablis’ regular customers.
When my eyes opened, and I couldn't see, it took longer than it should have for me to realize I was blindfolded. I lifted my head and a wave of dizziness assaulted me even as my head began to pound. As my foggy mind began to clear, panic set in. Not only was I blindfolded, but my hands were bound.
That wasn't the most troubling part, though. No. The most troubling was the draft of air on skin that should have been covered.
"You're awake. Good."
A hand touched my face and I jerked my head, smacking it on the solid surface behind me. I could only assume it was a wall. The action intensified the headache and made my stomach roil with nausea. A groan escaped me and I panted in effort to keep from being sick.
"Tsk, tsk. You really shouldn't move so fast. Chloroform tends to leave a nasty headache behind."
"He's going to find us, you know. And when he does you'll regret it. He's seen all of the notes you've sent me, you sick bastard." The chuckle that escaped my kidnapper sent a chill down my spine. "What's so funny?"
"He'll be chasing the wrong trail. It was quite fortuitous, you having a stalker. It focused all of Marchetti's attention elsewhere and made this so much easier."
Fear threatened to overwhelm me but I couldn't let it. I needed answers. I needed to know who he was and what he wanted with me.
"I can't say I blame the poor fucker for stalking you. You are a beautiful woman. And that body? It's what a boy's wet dreams are made of. It's too bad I have to change that."
"What? What are you talking about? Why are you doing this?"
He was suddenly close enough I could feel his breath on my skin. I swallowed back my revulsion and refused to cower in front of him.
"You fucked with the wrong woman. You really should be more careful about the enemies you make."
Chablis. When I got out of here, I was going to make the bitch pay.
"Let's see how much he'll want you after I carve up that pretty face. But first."
Even knowing what was coming, I couldn't stop the sound that escaped me when the last remaining scraps of clothing, my bra and panties, were cut from my body.
Part of me hoped he would just rape me. How fucked up was that? The first slice of the blade across my skin made me whimper. The next made me scream.
