A Brand New Twist - Chapter 8 (Evian, TC)
by Luvin_Evian
 
 

“What the hell is going on?!” TC shouted, struggling to free his limbs that were hog-tied to a straight back chair. Try as he might, he couldn’t move a muscle. Everything happened so fast. The masked man and his partner grabbed him from the airport, blindfolded him, and drove him to this place. It seemed to be some kind of warehouse.

His six weeks in Milwaukee at the anger management facility worked wonders for him. He could have been a lot angrier than he was right now, but fear was the emotion he felt strongest. There was so much he had to make up for. He had to make Eve know how sorry he was. That he loved her and he would never hurt her, but seeing her with Julian just…. He shook away the thought. Making things right with Eve couldn’t happen if he wasn’t around to do it. He continued the struggle to free himself.

“You’re going to tire yourself out,” the man remarked. “If I were you, I’d save my strength. You’re going to need it.”

The bigger of the two gentlemen, obviously the one in charge, emerged from the adjoining room with his mask still in tact.

“Well, Clyde?” the lackey asked.

Clyde tossed the cell phone to the table across the way. “We have our orders, Charlie,” he said, his expression pained. “Nothing’s changed.”

Charlie groaned. “I’ve heard of grabbing someone by the balls, but this is a bit extreme.”

TC’s heart raced. What in the world were they talking about? Dread pricked his flesh as Clyde approached.

Clyde shook his head, his eyes drifted to TC’s crotch. “I don’t know what you did, but you shoulda never done it. Charlie, is that camera ready?” he said over his shoulder.

The man held up a mini video camera. “Yep.”

“When I say this is gonna hurt me more than it does you, it’s not much of a stretch.”

TC’s eyes widened when Clyde produced an ice pick. “God, what, are you--” he stammered. His struggle to free himself intensified. The chair shifted from side to side, but the more he tried, the tighter the ropes became. He met the reluctant eyes of his captor. “Please, don’t do this! Please!”

“I wish I didn’t have to, but I’ve got a job to do.” Clyde donned some latex gloves. “Roll the camera, Charlie.”

Realization hit TC hard. Julian was behind this. It had to be Julian. His heart pounded faster and faster as he continued his futile struggle for freedom. Clyde’s shadow darkened over him. No!” he screamed. “God, no!”
 

~*~
Eve stared at Julian. The malice in his voice when he spoke on the phone frightened her. “Answer me, Julian. What are you doing?”

He sat on the edge of the bed and shrugged. “I’m not doing anything, my love, but taking care of you.”

“Damn it, Julian, don’t patronize me!”

“I wouldn’t do that,” he answered. “I am taking care of you. Doing all I can to help you. That’s all.”

“I heard your side of that conversation. How is hurting TC, possibly killing him, going to help me? Hmm? How?!”

Julian took her hand. “Eve, calm down.”

Her face burned with anger. She reclaimed her hand, not allowing his touch to cloud her judgment. “I will not calm down! Julian, you can’t do this.”

“Why the hell not?” he asked, his voice cracking. “TC hurt you. He hurt you terribly, and it’s time he felt some hurt in return. I need to do this for you.”

“No, no, you are not doing this for me. You are doing this for you.”

Tears fell from his eyes. “Eve.”

She brushed the rolling drops from his cheeks. “Listen to me. I know you’re hurting and you’re upset, but this won’t help. It might satisfy your thirst for revenge, but in the end it won’t help either of us. Yes, TC hurt me profoundly, but my pain won’t end because he’s gone.” Her hands squeezed around his. “Julian, I need you. You help me. You give me strength, and I need that from you. I need you to help me get through this.”

“You have me. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You won’t if you leave TC alone. Please, Julian, I’m begging you. Leave him alone. Call whoever that was and end this. End it now before it’s too late.”

Julian pulled out his phone and punched in the numbers. “I’m only doing this for you.” He placed the cell to his ear. “It’s me. Have you--? You haven’t.” Eve sighed in relief. “Let him go,” he murmured. “Yes, I know what I said before! Just let the man go.” He ended the call and placed the phone on the nightstand. “There, it’s done.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you. This is the right thing.”

Julian returned her embrace. “I have my doubts, but I’d do anything for you, Eve.” His arms tightened around her. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

After a while Julian ended the hug and took her hands in his. “My darling, this might not be the ideal time, but there’s something we need to discuss.”

“Julian, I --”

A wave of nausea attacked Eve like a thief in the night. Her salivary glands went into overload. She covered her mouth. “I’m going to be sick.”

She raced to the bathroom as Julian followed close behind calling her name.
 
 
 

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