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  Cobwebs hung in every corner, and under the sink along the rusted pipes. She neared the toilet and almost vomited. An inch or more of dirt covered the seat, and a stench of death rose from inside. Cassandra cried at the thought of sitting. Her bladder pained her, and she knew she either had to sit on the toilet or let the pee run down her pants.

  Cassandra removed her jeans and used them as a barrier between herself and the toilet. It felt good to relieve herself, but she realized there wasn't anything to wipe with. Tears fell down her cheeks as she tried to figure out what to do. Even if there were toilet paper, she told herself, it would have been worthless. She prayed she'd see a clean bathroom before she died.

  "You can't flush," Anthony yelled from the other side of the door. "The water is off."

  Just great, she snickered to herself. Thinking like a man, she wiggled on the seat and tried to get as much of the moisture off as she could. When she stood up to replace her jeans, she could feel the rest of the urine run down her thighs. She couldn't end like this, she thought.

  Cassandra looked up at the window. She knew her body wouldn't fit through it but hoped she could at least get someone's attention and call for help. Cassandra finished zipping her jeans and knew Anthony could hear her move around. She had to act fast. Cassandra stood up on an empty trash can, reached for the glass, and pushed. Her footing slipped from the can and she stumbled back to the floor and screamed.

  The door burst open and Anthony pulled her out by the arm. "What the fuck are you doing?"

  "I tried to wash my hands," Cassandra lied to protect herself. "But a spider came out of the faucet and scared me."

  "If there's no water for the toilet, how did you think you could wash your hands?" Anthony yanked her arm and forced her back into the room.

  She turned to face him once they were back inside. He re-locked the door and headed back to his chair. Cassandra eyed the locks and wondered if she could figure out which key he used on each of them.

  Anthony must have read her mind. Before he sat down, he placed the keys in his front pocket. "If you want them," he teased. "You're gonna have to get them."

  Cassandra's face flushed when she realized she looked at the bulge in his pants. Anthony smiled, and she knew she kept her eyes there much longer than she should have. She looked down and raced to the mattress. Cassandra crawled across it and faced the wall.

  She didn't want him to see her blush. Her breasts ached, and she knew it was because of him. The man kidnapped her, she reminded herself and wondered why her body heated when she thought of him. Now, more than ever, she needed her medication to keep her from growing insane.

  Chapter 4

  Anthony paced back and forth. The flip phone hasn't sounded, and he grew impatient. Cassandra watched his every move, but he ignored her pleading stares. He didn't like being locked inside the basement any more than she did. "This place is such a dump," he complained as he kicked the wall and watched the concrete crumble to the floor.

  "Then why are we here?" Cassandra asked. She brushed her fingers through her chestnut colored hair and waited for him to reply.

  Anthony plopped down on the chair. "It's only for a few days." He looked at her and noticed the way she studied everything he did and said. He realized boredom was getting the better of him and he didn't want to appear to weaken. "Why don't you roll over, go to sleep and shut up?"

  Her stomach growled, and Anthony's agreed. "I'm hungry," she told him.

  He reached under the table and pulled out a bag. There wasn't much, and he wasn't sure if it would last. Anthony pulled out a box of crackers and handed her a sleeve while he kept one for himself. He gave her a bottle of water but said, "Don't drink this too fast. We don't have much."

  "You didn't bring food and water?" Cassandra rolled her eyes and continued to open her crackers.

  "I couldn't exactly carry a ton of groceries and you," he replied. Cassandra dropped her food and bawled. Her tears softened him a little. "Look," he said to comfort her. "I'm not going to hurt you."

  She wiped her eyes and looked at him. "Then why are you holding me here?"

  Anthony swallowed the food in his mouth an answered. "Let's just say I'm making good on a promise I made a long time ago."

  Cassandra didn't know what to think of his comment and he didn't feel like elaborating. She finished the crackers he gave her and rolled over and faced the wall. There was nothing for either one of them to do. She napped on and off for the rest of the day while he continued pacing the floor waiting for the phone to ring.

  ~~~~

  Anthony's eyes grew heavy. The sun had gone down outside a few hours before. He hadn't had a good night's sleep in a couple of days and seeing Cassandra sleep on the mattress stirred a little jealousy within him. He watched her, her breathing slowed, and he knew she was out.

  He tippy-toed over to the mattress and looked down at her. Her eyes didn't open, and Anthony thought that was a good sign. He watched her sleep for a moment. Her soft brown hair enveloped her face. Anthony wanted to bend over and move it away from her eyes but resisted. Touching Cassandra would be a bad idea, he thought.

  Moving toward the bottom of the mattress, he slid across to the other side of Cassandra. A pillow would be nice, he thought, a hotel would have been nice too. The boss thought the basement was best until the coast cleared. "He's an idiot," Anthony mumbled to himself.

  Cassandra shivered and so did he. The temperature of the basement dropped again. Anthony moved closer to Cassandra and her scent alarmed him. His nose inched closer to her brown locks and took in the Japanese cherry blossom that still lingered. After two long days in a dingy basement, he thought she'd lose the scent.

  It wasn't just his nose that moved close to her. Anthony's entire body nestled against Cassandra's. "Shit. This isn't good," he complained again. He knew if she felt his erection press into her, she'd freak out.

  Anthony shut his eyes and tried not to think about her soft skin next to him. He promised the boss he wouldn't touch her. It was a job, nothing else, he reminded himself. Part of Anthony hoped she would turn to him and make a move on him, then when the boss found out, he would be innocent. Finally, sleep found him.

  In the morning, when the sun shone through the window, Anthony found his arm stretched over her midsection. He carefully moved it but woke Cassandra. She jumped the instant she realized he had been holding her. "Were you spooning me?"

  Anthony stood and put his serious face back on. "I was not spooning you. It was fucking cold in here and if you haven't noticed, there aren't any blankets. Haven't you ever heard of body heat to keep us warm?"

  Cassandra shook her head at him and he knew he sounded stupid. Anthony returned to the table. He opened the flip phone but there weren't any missed calls. He flopped in the chair and hoped the boss would call soon.

  Chapter 5

  Cassandra sat on the mattress and followed Anthony with her eyes. He seemed frustrated and she wondered why. She recalled him complaining about their location, heard him on the phone with someone else, and thought he wasn't the one in charge. "Are you doing this for someone else?" She couldn't believe how brave she acted but needed to know who was out to hurt her.

  "Shut up," he snapped again. Cassandra figured out those were his go-to words when he didn't have an answer for her.

  She slid closer to the edge of the bed but didn't get off in fear of making him angry. "If you let me go, I swear I won't say a thing." Anthony turned and faced her, and she thought she saw the wheels in his head spin. "Please Anthony," she continued to plead. "You know it's the right thing to do."

  Anthony rushed across the room and pushed her back onto the mattress. "I said, shut the fuck up."

  Cassandra crawled to the other side and covered her face. She didn't understand her raging emotions. He'd been mean to her, yet Cassandra longed to feel his hands on her again. She wondered what would have happened if she didn't freak out when she woke with him wrapped around her?

  She imagined h
im trailing his hand up her abdomen, making its way underneath her swollen breasts, and pinching her nipple between his fingers. Cassandra could feel her panties moisten at the thought. She rolled over and looked at him, slouched in his chair. An image of her straddling him and running her fingers through his hair burned in the back of her eyes. She couldn't help but grin.

  "What the hell are you smiling for?" His harsh words freed Cassandra of her thoughts.

  She realized it had been a couple of days without her medication and assumed it caused her hormones to act funny. "I will go crazy without my medication. Can I have it?"

  Anthony snickered but didn't answer. She fussed on the bed and stood to walk toward him. One way or the other, Cassandra wanted an answer. "You're better off without them," he finally replied.

  "No, I'm not," she choked on her words. She couldn't figure out why he'd keep her from something she needed. Cassandra sat back down and cried.

  "Go ahead," he instructed. "Cry it out, get it out of your system. Soon you'll realize I'm right about them."

  Cassandra didn't have time to argue with him. The flip phone vibrated, and he jumped to answer it. His thumbs maneuvered around the keypad and she knew he received a text. Saying nothing to her, he shoved the phone in his pocket and unlocked the door.

  By the time she realized he was leaving, it was too late. Cassandra jumped up and tried to get out the opened door, but Anthony slammed it shut and locked it from the other side. She heard his footsteps walking down the hall and she wondered how long he'd leave her there alone.

  Maybe that was his plan, she wondered; to leave her there to rot and die. Cassandra looked to the broken window and grabbed his chair. She placed the chair as close to the window as possible and then climbed on top. Someone had to be nearby who could hear her cries for help. Just as she was about to press on the glass, a leg on the chair snapped and Cassandra came crashing down on her ass. Her arm also felt the blunt of the fall and got scraped. It hurt when she tried to move it.

  She cried again in defeat. Cassandra knew she couldn't let a sore arm keep her from trying to get help. She attempted to stand again, but the sound of the door opening stopped her.

  "What the fuck?" Anthony screamed and raced to her. "I can't leave you for a freaking minute, can I?" He reached down and yanked her off the floor. His fingers wrapped around her sore arm and she winced in pain.

  "I'm sorry," she told him. Cassandra knew better than to make an excuse. It didn't matter anyway, she thought, because it had been obvious what she tried to do.

  Anthony ignored her, locked the door, and then punched the wall in anger. Cassandra froze where he left her, too scared to move. His face turned crimson, and she knew he was about to blow. Just then, Anthony's expression changed, and she could see his ear turning toward the ceiling.

  She heard it too, a footstep. Before she could mutter a sound, Anthony flew across the room and covered her mouth. Cassandra tried to squirm herself free. Her attempt to open the window failed, but perhaps her attempt to get help didn't. Someone was above them, and she had to let them know.

  Anthony held her tight and pulled her over to the mattress. He dove onto it with her in his arms. His grip on her mouth was so tight it caused his fingers to dig deep into her cheeks. She wanted more than ever to scream but couldn't.

  Cassandra wiggled beneath him. Anthony wrapped his leg over her body and when she still had room to move, he completely enveloped her and put all his body weight into her.

  Trapped beneath him, Cassandra felt her tears run down into her ears. Dust sprinkled down from the ceiling as footsteps shook the floor boards above them. Part of her was scared to death, the other part was relieved there was a search for her. She might not die after all, she told herself.

  Sweat from Anthony's brow dripped down on her face. At first, she became grossed out, but by the second drop her hormones changed again. He was hot, sweaty, and on top of her. Anthony was rough, she was gentle, but the two of them would have burning sex if the opportunity arose.

  A few minutes later, they heard the footsteps fade and a vehicle start outside the building. "Thought for sure I heard something," they heard a man's voice state. "Nothing inside though."

  Cassandra looked to Anthony and for the first time since the footsteps started, she didn't want to scream. He eased up on his grip but remained on top of her. She knew if she'd ever have the chance to make a move, it couldn't wait. She reached up and cupped the back of his head with her hand, then raised her head until her mouth reached his.

  Their lips touched, soft at first, but harder as the seconds ticked away. He pressed into her and bit her lip. She knew he'd been just as hungry for her as she'd been for him. Cassandra opened her mouth and Anthony slid his tongue inside. Lust filled her as he explored the depths of her mouth.

  As Cassandra slid her other hand up into his shirt and touched his bare skin, he jerked himself off her. "What are you doing?" he screamed. Anthony jumped off the mattress and left her lying there, rejected.

  She watched him tuck the gun into the back of his jeans and then unlocked the door one more time. Cassandra didn't move. All she could think about was the way he made her feel unwanted. This time she didn't cry, she felt too many emotions to know what to do; except stare at the ceiling and think about what she'd done wrong.

  Chapter 6

  The morning air hit Anthony in the face as he stepped outside to check the perimeter and make sure the coast was clear. He knew whoever searched the building looked for him. Cassandra wanted to scream for help, but he knew they weren't there looking for her. He was the one the state wanted.

  Sweeping the property for any signs of law enforcement was just an excuse for Anthony. He needed a moment away from her to think about what happened. As much as he wanted her to, Anthony never expected Cassandra to kiss him, not to mention a kiss that burned so much desire between them.

  He shook his head and told himself it didn't happen. The boss demanded Anthony to be polite to her, and to keep her safe. He would, but he couldn't let Cassandra know. She needed to believe everything that happened or else all hell would break loose.

  There was no sign of anyone on the property. Anthony slid along the building and kept silent. He almost let out a sigh of relief but heard someone around the corner. He slouched down behind the unkept bushes.

  "I could have sworn I heard something, a crash inside." Someone called out.

  Anthony detected at least two people remaining nearby. He held his breath and prayed they wouldn't re-enter the building. He couldn't get to Cassandra fast enough and she would scream if she thought there was hope.

  "We checked," someone with a voice of authority replied. "Probably just a field mouse or something that got inside. We're wasting time, let's go."

  Car doors slammed, and tires squealed, telling Anthony they left. He remained behind the bushes in case it was a trick. A few minutes went by before he crawled to the edge of the building and took a peak, and found the coast cleared.

  Cassandra laid on the bed when Anthony walked in. She almost hyperventilated from crying. It would have been easy for him to comfort her, but he kept his distance. Five minutes of pleasure wasn't worth all the hell he'd catch if he touched her. Anthony knew he wouldn't be able to just embrace her, not after knowing how she affected him. She needed to know who was in charge, him.

  "Here," he griped as he tossed a cold sandwich her way. "If you didn't act like a nutcase, you could have eaten this when it was hot."

  Cassandra caught the egg and sausage sandwich and unwrapped it. Her mouth was full when she said, "Where did you get this?"

  Anthony recalled the text he received stating someone would drop off the food and a few supplies. He wondered if the searchers saw the accomplice's car and followed it? He made a mental note to tell the boss his goons needed to be more careful. "The box," Anthony answered as he looked down. "Duh."

  Cassandra smirked. He knew what she meant, but he wouldn't tell her. The less she knew, the
better.

  "Thank you."

  Antony felt his cock harden when she spoke. He didn't want her being sweet to him. His life depended on the operation and didn't want his desires for her to interfere. He reached into the box and pulled out a lukewarm cup. As Antony handed it to her, she looked shocked. She took it and gulped it down in one sip. Anthony felt bad. There should have been more food and drinks with them. The boss wanted her taken care of, but did a lousy job supplying them with the things they needed.

  "This is perfect," she said. "Not hot, but I guess that's my fault too." Cassandra smiled and turned her head away. "How did you know what I drink?"

  "I didn't, he did. He knows everything about you."

  "He?" She sat up straight when he mentioned someone else.

  Anthony knew he shouldn't have, but something inside of him didn't want her to hate him. He fired his gun on the concrete ground to let her know he was through with the conversation. The bullet landed nowhere near her, but it scared the shit out of Cassandra. "Didn't I already tell you to stop asking questions?" She finished her breakfast with more tears racing down her cheeks.

  ~~~~

  Anthony was as bored as Cassandra. He didn't like being caged up and wouldn't have been there if he did. Like the days before, she slept on and off throughout the day. The thought of talking to her, for something to do, crossed his mind. The thought of getting to know her, scared him.

  A stack of boxes along the wall grabbed his attention. Anthony's curiosity got the better of him and he snooped. Old ledger papers, from when the shit hole building was an actual business, filled most of the boxes. He tossed them aside and continued to open boxes.

  Cassandra heard the noise and woke up. She watched him but said nothing. Anthony thought she finally learned to keep her mouth shut. The bottom of a box gave out and she giggled. It made her cute, but Anthony ignored her. His muscles bulged while moving the box, but Anthony set it on the table to get a better look inside. "Jackpot," he shouted.