Circumstances Unraveled Read online

  Circumstances Unraveled

  © 2017 Jean Kelso

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written consent from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review.

  Trademarked names appear throughout this book. Rather than trademarked name, names are used in an editorial fashion, with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark.

  The information in this book is distributed on an “as is” basis, without warranty. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this work, neither the author nor the publisher shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book.

  The characters, locations, and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity or resemblance to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Editing, Interior Design, & Formatting by:

  Fancy Pants Book Formatting

  Cover by Just Write Creations

  For Shannon,

  Thank you for always pushing me, supporting me and having faith in me. I love you, chick.

  This book contains situations not appropriate for minors. This book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

  Where to start…

  I want to thank everyone who wanted more from these characters. I pray I did them justice for you. I love this story, and I hope you do too.

  Thank you to my beta group, Shannon, Amy, Dawn, Brandy, and Angi. A special thank you to Julie Solorio for beta reading when the story was finished.

  Thank you to my readers for taking the time out of your day to read this book. Without you, there would be no one out there to enjoy my story.

  Thank you to my family and friends for always being by my side. I love you.

  To Casey Harvell. You are da bomb girl. Editing and formatting. THANK YOU! Your business Fancy Pants Formatting is amazing! She helps me with so much, love you, girl!

  To JM Walker at Just Write Creations. You created an amazing cover. Thank you so much.

  To any and all blogs who help spread word of my stories, I thank you. You all work so hard and I appreciate you.

  Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone and anyone out there who supports my writing and stories. Your love and support means so much to me!

  Title

  Dedication

  Disclaimer

  Acknowledgements

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  The judge looks like he’s already made his decision. His eyes are glazed-over and he stares at nothing in particular. I’m the only witness they have to take the stand. Beads of sweat glisten on my forehead. I can feel eyes glaring at me as the tiny hairs on the back of neck stand on end, causing a chill to run down my spine.

  My name (Mel Snow) is called, so I slowly get up out of my seat behind the counsel and follow the bailiff to take the stand. Before I sit, I’m sworn in. “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you god?” The bailiff asks as he holds the bible between us.

  I place my right hand on top of the book and my body trembles. Looking around the court room, my breathing begins to slow until my eyes land on theirs. Riley Daniels and Matt Booker. The two men I’m testifying against on Belle’s behalf. Another chill runs down my spine. The chill I had moments ago was nothing compared to the one that runs through my entire body now.

  I didn’t want Belle having to go through any more stress of lawyers and courtrooms than she already had with her case against Mike—her main rapist—so when the prosecutor asked if I’d stand up as the sole witness against Mike’s accomplices, I couldn’t say no.

  Turning my eyes back to the bailiff I swallow deeply. “I do.” I say as clearly as I can.

  The bailiff looks to the judge and back to me. He nods as he speaks. “You may have a seat.”

  I sit in the witness chair and anxiously await questioning to begin.

  Being the only witness for the case, I hope I’m enough help for the prosecution. I only saw the two men come from the room where I found Belle partially naked, abused with bruises forming and in distress. But then again, I suppose any little bit of information, helps.

  Questions are being yelled and argued by the prosecutor and defense. Some are basic, but some are pretty intense. The lawyers even argue among themselves. I’m not sure if they want me to answer those ones or not. But when it’s time, I take hold of all the courage I can manage and answer to the best of my knowledge. After my testimony, it doesn’t take long for the proceedings to finish up and a guilty verdict is handed to both men.

  A weight feels as though it has been lifted off my shoulders when the judge reveals the verdict. Now all three men will be behind bars for the rape of my friend. I take a deep breath and look back at Riley and Matt one last time. The looks that flash back manage to thrust further weight on my shoulders. Something doesn’t seem right. Riley is smirking as Matt points to me shaking his head. His finger curls in with the rest to make a fist. A small punching motion is made to his other hand, then he smirks.

  Did he or the pair of them just threaten me?

  I quickly look around the court room, but nobody seems to have noticed their threatening gestures.

  Pulling my purse strap over my shoulder, I try to push the incident aside. I stand and proceed to leave the court room. It’s time to move on from all this. I need to get back to Belle since she doesn’t know I’m here today. No more stress for my girl.

  Time to take control.

  Eight Years Later

  I can’t believe I’ve kept this secret for so long. Belle deserves to know that I stood up in court on her behalf. She also deserves to know about my past, but with everything that just happened I don’t want to stress her out anymore. I suppose it can be a secret for a little while longer. I just hope she doesn’t ask questions about that text.

  It’s been two weeks since she got the text message, The boys are back in town, the one that was intended for me. Mike must have been in contact with his friends, Riley and Matt all along. Things didn’t work out in Mike’s favor and he’s (of course) back behind bars. But would Riley and Matt be stupid enough to try something again?

  I sit in the café drinking my morning caffeine fix pondering these thoughts when out of the corner of my
eye I see Jack walk in. I don’t think he sees me which is okay, I still get a little shy when he’s around. He’s too good looking and intimidating for his own good. I felt a strange, comfortable connection when he was near before, but he didn’t seem to show an interest when I last saw him. The case ended with Belle and Gabe. Jack seems to have disappeared into the wind. I’m so easily forgotten, Belle thinks I’m this super-hot chick that can get whoever I want, but she’s wrong. I’m good at hiding things from her—good at playing it up to make things look better than they do—because I want Belle to be happy. I put on a good front, but when I’m alone, I truly am alone.

  If she only knew.

  Staring into my cappuccino, dazed in my own world, I don’t hear him approach.

  “Mel, is that you?” A husky voice asks.

  I’ll never forget that voice. I close my eyes tight as I faze back into reality. Turning my head to look to him I smile. “Jack.” The sexy man of my dreams, wet and dry. Jack.

  “I thought that was you.” He looks around the café and back to me. “You’re all alone. Where’s Belle today? I thought you two were a pair?” He chuckles.

  I laugh lightly and smile. “She’s home with Gabe today. I’m heading into work to catch up on some paperwork this morning.” I pick up my mug and sip my drink quietly. I sort of want to ask him to sit with me, but the shy part of me screams no. It’s so hard to put myself out there, to be forward with a stranger who’s out of my league. Now a co-worker, someone I’ve known a while…that’s different. They’re on the same level as me. Jack. He’s on a whole other plane. I’d never meet his standards.

  Jack put his hand in the pocket of his blue jeans and shifts his boot covered feet. “Well, I was just grabbing a coffee to go. Just wanted to say hello. I’m staying in the city longer, planting some roots. Maybe we’ll bump into each other again.” He smiles and nods.

  “Sounds good to me. Take care, Jack.”

  He walks away.

  Finishing my drink, I pick up my purse from the table and head toward the door. I told my supervisor I’d be in by eight to finish up the reports from the evening before and I don’t want to be late.

  The hospital is just down the street from the café. The early morning is busy as usual with traffic in grid lock from corner to corner and people rushing along the sidewalk. I bustle my way toward the corner when the hair on the back of my neck stands up. Stopping in my tracks I look around, someone bumps into me and I apologize for my immediate stop. The person just keeps walking. The eerie feeling doesn’t subside, even though nothing out of the ordinary appears. I look around again to see what could be causing the odd reaction…but still nothing, so I keep moving.

  The light at the street corner is red, so I stop with the group of people there. Many of them on cell phones chattering away. Me? My thoughts are focused on the paper work I need to get done.

  Suddenly a hand is on my hip and then my other. I tense. A hard body of sorts leans into me. “Act normal and follow my lead if you want to live.” The deep harsh voice blowing hot on my neck tells me. The voice is oddly familiar. I believe I’ve heard it before, but I’m not sure from where. My instincts tell me to run—but I also want to live, so I think I’ll do as the voice tells me. Instinctively, I want to reach into my purse for my phone, but I don’t want to risk the man catching me doing it. Why are people so easily preoccupied, never paying attention to their surroundings? Doesn’t anyone notice what’s going on? Fuck my life.

  I nod my head, my dark locks shifting as I do. “Okay.” I whisper softly, praying he heard.

  I’m pushed forward when the light turns green and directed across the street but not in the direction of the hospital. A shiver runs up my spine. My mind swims with nervous thoughts. We move toward a dark SUV where a dark figure sits in the driver’s seat already. The passenger door opens. “Get in, buckle up and don’t say a word.” The deep voice tells me. It’s then I feel a hard object push into my spine urging me into the vehicle.

  My hearts races at what I assume is a gun presses at my back. It’s hard to breathe as my chest constricts my rapid heart. I’m not going to refuse him anything at this point. My hands tremble along with my legs and I rush to get into the parked vehicle. I quickly glance at the driver, but I’m not sure if I recognize him or not with the hat and sun glasses he has on. The door beside me shuts and I jump in my seat. The person whose voice I’d been subjected to following commands from gets in the seat behind me and the door shuts.

  Fear begins to kick in, my body begins to shake and I try to speak. Just as I open my mouth, something covers it—a hand with a cloth of sorts. I begin to struggle, I can’t breathe. Everything begins to fade.

  I woke in a small dark, dirty room a few days ago… at least by my count it’s been a few days. It could be longer, but I’m not sure. The smell in the air is putrid and makes me feel nauseous. Very little breeze comes in the tiny window that sits far up in the east corner. It’s so small, I doubt a child could fit through it. The thought of escaping through it is impossible. The steel bars that cover the puny window don’t help, either. With the room being so dark and dank, my mind is fuzzy and seems to play tricks on me. Often I see this as a dream, but when someone enters the small space I realize that it’s my reality. So far I’ve counted three different men, among them my captors Riley Daniels and Matt Booker. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen them, but they haven’t changed much. They’re older and a bit rougher around the edges, but still the same douchebags I last saw in the courtroom.

  The same men who threatened my life.

  They’ve all had a turn at tossing me around from one man to another, pulling my long hair, ripping my now tattered clothes, and laughing cruelly while I try not to cry from pain and embarrassment. Hitting, kicking, yelling at me, shaming me, and warning me for all the disgusting things to come.

  The unknown man has an accent. It may be a Spanish variation, but I’m not sure. I’ve slowly learned some of the words he says, simple words, like girls and numbers. I overheard Matt calling him Mick, and have learned that they plan to sell us. But who the “us” is, I don’t know. So far, I haven’t seen anyone but the three men.

  I’m in shock at being here, but also shocked to see that Matt and Riley went in this direction, in the twisted life of crime. I mean yeah, they fucked up in college—but they could’ve turned their lives around. I suppose not everyone takes that opportunity and just keeps digging that hole deeper.

  It’s sad really. Matt and Riley are both good looking men. But then again, looks aren’t everything. Looks can be deceiving. Very deceiving. Matt, Riley, and Mike are three men who are proof.

  I’ve lost track of time between being treated like an animal and sleep deprivation. The lack of food and water hasn’t helped me, either. My body aches from the many bruises I’ve received by the hands of Matt and Riley—and a few from Mick. It’s like they’re trying to train me like a dog…but no matter what they do to me I won’t listen, so they hit me, punch me, and even kick me once I’m down. Riley came in once on his own attempting to “train” me. He used more than his hands with his training. He turned me into a rape victim. Even with that, I’m not ready to give up. Jack needs time to find me. Jack…why didn’t I just jump him when I had the chance? My mind’s busy while the men work me over. I have to keep a focus on something worth living for. Jack is my reason. Belle is my reason.

  They must think I’m sleeping. I overhear Matt discussing another woman. I know it’s him by his deep voice. He’s the one who nabbed me on the street. Plus, he tends to slur dirty names at me while he beats me. He says something about possibly being followed when they took her, so the warehouse could be under suspicion and that they’d have to move base soon. That must mean that we won’t be here much longer. That they’re moving me to a new place. That means I don’t have long to try and figure out how to get away. I’m not a very strong woman, physically. But I will be as strong as I need to be. I will fight for my life and there is
no way I’m being sold for sex or anything else. I haven’t lived to the age of thirty without fighting my demons and praying for angels daily just to give it all up now.

  I take a deep breath thinking of any possible scenario where I can get out of this alive. Not many are jumping to me at this point, but like I said I’m not giving up yet. I just told you I had reasons to live, right? I just wish Jack was here. It’d make things so much easier.

  If you think about it, if Belle notices I’m missing she’ll be on Gabe to find me. I’m her sister. Well, not technically, but close enough…and if Gabe is searching he’ll damn well get Jack involved. Jack has connections with the FBI and CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service.) Once he gets working on a case, he doesn’t stop until the case is done.

  Jack will find me.

  I know he will.

  I listen to all that I can, tucking all the info I gather into my memory bank. Every little bit of information will help in the long run. I lie quiet and still until someone approaches. I’m not sure who it is, but by the smell they need a shower. The odor is rancid, worse than the smell of this room and vomit is on the rise. I take shallow breaths to prevent the bile from coming up. As I release another breath, I can feel the burn of it my throat.

  There’s no privacy whatsoever in this God forsaken room. I can smell (and almost taste) anything that comes close. Right about now, I can feel the closeness of a body standing beside the bed I lay on. Heavy breathing blows over me. I clench my eyes tight and pray that whoever is there doesn’t try getting frisky with me. I know I can fight back, but with the smell, I’m not sure if I can hold back the vomit for too much longer.

  “Such a pretty little thing you are.” Mick whispers with his thick accent. It’s because of it that I can tell who speaks to me.

  A hand grazes my forehead and pulls my hair out of my face. It takes everything in me to stay relaxed and not react. I want to hold my breath, but I know it will only make my nausea worse, so I take slow steady breaths.