Chapter 2

Cindy was shocked when when she woke next to Jimmy in a big soft bed. At first she thought she was dreaming. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep in her bed in the trailer. Yet here she was laying in a great big bed next to the only man that had never abused her. She didn't dare move. She was afraid to wake him and end this peace she felt wash over her. Memories of their time together with Patricia came flooding back. The happy times and the sad. She remembered how Jimmy would hold her when she'd run to their bedroom after having a nightmare, letting her cry it out until she would fall asleep in his big strong arms. She thought about his laugh and smiles when they played video games or board games or just lazed around in the pool.

Those were the happiest days of her life. The whole time she lived with them, she was never hungry, she had nice new clothes and shoes. The house was huge and there was a big pool in the backyard, a pool table and a ping-pong table in the basement right next to the "movie theater" where she got to watch all the old Disney movies with Jimmy. She especially liked the weekends up at the cabin. It was so peaceful and surrounded by woods. Miss Pat used to take her hiking on the trails in the woods and teach Cindy about the plants, trees, birds and stuff. Cindy even spotted a big ol' black bear one time. So when she was told her mother was out of jail and coming to get her, she cried and begged Jimmy not to make her go. She did love her mother and wanted to see her, but she didn't want to leave Jimmy and Miss Pat.

Then she remembered that he was not always happy and pleasant to be around, especially when she would tell Patricia about the mean men. Jimmy would seem to swell up in his big shoulders, his teeth would grind and she swore she heard him growl deep in his chest. That Jimmy scared her, but that Jimmy never touched her. That Jimmy would storm out of the house and be gone for hours sometimes. But when he returned it was always with hugs and sweet whispers and usually some chocolate or her favorite, peanut butter cups.

His eyes opened and a great big smile lit up his face, "God morning Cindy-Lou," was all he said. Cindy didn't know what came over her, she flung herself into his protective embrace and started balling like a baby. All of the hurt she experienced since she was last in his arms came out. All the nights she'd cry herself to sleep after seeing her mother beaten. The nights she would go to bed hungry or worse. The torment from the kids at school that sensed weakness and pain, like a shark to blood. All of that pain came pouring out of her. He held her tight while he kept repeating, "Its ok baby girl, your safe now. No-one will ever hurt you again. I've got you."

Jimmy held her for the better part of an hour as she cried it all out and she finally fell back asleep in utter exhaustion. He extricated himself from her arms and quietly made his way to the bathroom where he relieved himself and got dressed. The next few days were critical, if his plan was to unfold properly. When she woke he told her that her mother had taken quite a beating and was convalescing upstairs. He explained that keeping her asleep was helping her body heal, like when doctors put patients into comas, like she had seen on TV. He allowed her to go with him to check on her and even enlisted her help to clean her after she had soaked the bedding again. Though he excused her from assisting when she had soiled herself.

After just two days, keeping Samantha asleep was proving to be quite the chore. Trying to keep her hydrated and clean was really not fun. During the day James took Cindy downstairs to the entertainment room, with the pool table, darts, and gaming systems attached to a huge TV hung on the wall. They would play games and eat snacks until one or the other tired, they even took a naps together. He would cook and she would help him with the dishes. All in all, it was like a dream come true for James. But his real dreams continued and the perverse nature continued to grow. On the third day Cindy was getting quite afraid for her mother, concerned she was still sleeping. Asking James to call a doctor. James agreed that if she wasn't awake by time dinner was ready he would call someone. Samantha didn't get her tranquilizers that day. Instead she was put in restraints.

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Samantha awoke in a brightly lit room, three of the walls were stark white the forth appeared to be wooden, no it was logs. Like in those nice log cabin pictures she had seen up in the Georgia mountains. She quickly realized that she couldn't move her arms or legs and felt the restraints at her wrists and ankles. The sheet covering her naked body was white and of better fabric than she had ever felt against her soft flesh. The years of beatings she had received taught her well not to scream out. She dared to call with a voice just above speaking level, "Hello?" And again, "Hello?"

She closed her eyes and tried to focus on her hearing. After a few minutes she could swear she smelled garlic cooking, and heard a faint sound of pans clanging. Finally a sound pierced her ears and her heart, Cindy! Samantha started to panic, but then realized that it was laughter she heard. Cindy was laughing. Tears rolled poured from Samantha's eyes. She had not heard that sound in so long it broke her heart. She longed to hold her baby. She cried out in a volume she knew would get her beaten, but she didn't care she needed to see Cindy, to know she was ok.

The laughter stopped. Silence and garlic were the only things coming from the other side of the door. She pulled against the restraints to no avail. She was held fast to this bed and the incredibly soft sheets. 'Damn, why would I care about the damn sheets? They probably cost more than my entire wardrobe, that's why! Stupid cow! What the fuck was going on? This has to be a nightmare', she tried to convince herself, but the sun coming through the windows filtered by huge pine trees outside told her that this was indeed reality. No dream was this detailed.

Footsteps climbing stairs, heavy footsteps, not a child's. Slowly the door opened, He stood like a statue carved from marble, 6'4" of raw, commanding presence. His short brown hair was tousled just enough to look effortlessly styled, the kind of messy perfection that invited fingers to run through it. Steel-blue eyes--cool, piercing, and impossibly intense--seemed to stare straight through her daring her to look away.

His skin-tight white t-shirt clung to every inch of his chiseled torso, the fabric stretched over broad shoulders and a defined chest like it was made for his body alone. Each movement caused the muscles in his arms and back to flex subtly beneath the cloth, a quiet promise of power and precision. The white contrasted perfectly against the sun-kissed tone of his skin, highlighting the sharp cut of his jaw and the curve of his neck.

Low on his hips, his khaki cargo pants rode just right--military-style, rugged yet fitted--emphasizing his narrow waist and the powerful build of his thighs. The pockets hugged his frame, functional yet undeniably flattering, giving him a no-nonsense, take-charge energy. He moved with a quiet confidence, the kind that didn't need to shout to be noticed--every step deliberate. His physique and demeanor promised absolute ecstasy or a unavoidable death.

She felt herself getting wet before he was two steps into the room, her nipples hard as diamonds, heart raced and she could barely catch her breath. When their eyes met fear grew deep in her tightening chest. His predatory gaze chilled her to her spine, yet somewhere in the back of her foggy brain she recognized him. She had seen him before, but his eyes were caring then, sad, and fighting back tears.

He quietly shut the door behind him and advanced on her helpless body. His eyes never leaving hers. She tried to back away, but the restraints allowed her virtually no movement. He stepped to the side of the bed and stared down at her with cold confidence and contempt. His voice cut through the fog in her mind, "Cindy is fine, she is safe. Your life however hangs on a precipice. Carefully choose your words and fully contemplate your answers before giving them as I will hold you to your word. Do you understand?"

She nodded her head in agreement, but he barked at her, "Answer me with your words bitch!"

Her voice sounded as meek as a kitten, "Yes"

His eyebrow raised, his eyes seemed to darken, and through clenched teeth he growled, "Yes, what?"

"Yes, sir." She was barely able to get out, her voice hinting at a thick Tennessee mountain accent.

In that instant she remembered him. Jimmy something. He was Cindy's foster father while she was locked up. When Samantha had gone to retrieve Cindy he was there. He was holding Cindy protectively, and reluctantly gave her up when Janice the social worker directed him to.

He saw the recognition play cross her eyes, and immediately shifted tactics. "I'm gonna bring Cindy up here, and you are going to be happy and thankful to me for saving you from that asshat that was beating you and..." He trailed off as a murderous look flashed in his eyes, driving a spike of fear into her heart like she had never felt. "You will allay any concerns she has for your current situation. Am I understood?!" It was more of a statement than a question.

Even though she didn't really know what some of the words he was saying meant, like 'precipice' and 'allay', after all she effectively had maybe a 6th grade backwoods education, but she understood him plain enough. "Yes sir, I understand."

He unhooked the restraints, tucking them under the mattress, returned to the side of the bed straightened to his full height, chest muscles rippling under his t-shirt. Allowing her time to sit up in the bed and tucking the sheet into her armpits to keep her breasts covered. He gave her a quick glance as he did an abrupt about face, stepped to the door and called out, "Cindy-Lu, come on up baby girl." Sam was dumbfounded at the change in his tone and demeanor, especially his smile as Cindy bounded up the stairs and jump on the bed hugging her mother.

He sat in the chair in the corner as the Cindy excitedly described her and Jimmy's exploits of the past few days, and questions about how she was feeling. True to her word Samantha smiled a genuine smile at her daughter, and showed happy interest in her stories, even though her mind never left the man in the corner as he watched her with keen interest. After a few minutes, James called a halt to the reunion, "All right kiddo, let's let your mother get cleaned up and join us for dinner. Why don't you run downstairs and make sure nothin' is burning and get the table set while I help her into the shower, ok?"

Samantha was about to protest, but quickly thought better of contradicting him in front of Cindy. If life had taught her anything, she knew you don't poke a bear. Cindy extricated herself from her mothers arms and happily ran down the stairs to do his bidding, calling out with an easy familiarity, "Yes sir!"

Jimmy stood and closed the door behind Cindy, turned to Samantha and ordered her up. She tried to pull the sheet with her when he barked out, "Leave it! Nothing i haven't seen before. Who do you think cleaned you up the past couple days."

Samantha stopped in her tracks, as she blurted out, "Couple days? What? How?" Without expression he replied, "Tranquilizers..... Three days." She turned to him with accusations in her eyes, "Did you? Me?... Cindy?" At that moment she knew she fucked up, at the mention of Cindy's name he flew across the room, his hand at her throat lifting her onto her tip toes. Through clenched teeth and with pure hatred in his eyes he growled into her face, "Don't you ever fucking accuse me of hurting that little girl. I will rip your fucking throat out and feed you to the pigs up the next holler. You understand me cunt? Don't think for one second that you and I are even remotely alike. You allowed her to be abused...... I killed the mother fucker and fed him piece by piece to the pigs!" He released her shoving her toward the shower. "Now get your nasty ass cleaned up while I get you something to wear to dinner."

After her shower, she brushed out her hair and notice some cosmetics in the vanity drawer, she turned questioningly to him, and he nodded his ascent. She tried to conceal the black eye as much as possible and addressed the red mark around her neck. On the vanity top he had placed a white laced bra and matching panties, they fit her well enough. On the bed lay a pale yellow, lightweight summer style dress, the kind with a low neckline and a tie in the midriff that would accentuate her curves.

"Dinners ready." She heard Cindy call from downstairs. He cleared his throat and turned toward the door obviously ordering her to move her ass. She reached for his arm as they made their way to the bedroom door and called to him, "Jimmy.." he cut her off with a cold stare. "It's James, Jimmy is dead. Cindy remembers him, so I let that be for now. But to you, I am James or Sir. Understood?" With her head bowed, she answered, "Yes sir."

Dinner went by with excited chatter from Cindy about the game room, and the hiking trails on the mountain she remembered from her last visit here. she talked about all the cute outfits Jimmy had bought for her and commented on how beautiful her dress was. James had to agree, he did good with that one, it really highlighted her figure especially her voluptuous breasts and cleavage. After dinner Samantha and Cindy cleared the table and washed the dishes while James sat in his recliner pondering how to proceed. He couldn't help but stare at her ass and waist. He loved that curve women had from their waist to their hips. There was just something so sensual in them, and lord knows when hitting them from behind it provided great handles. Damn, he thought, where did that come from?

He sent Cindy downstairs so he and Samantha could talk. He poured himself a double of Single Malt and went out on the deck overlooking the valley below. She followed him with a glass of sweet tea. Understanding her station she asked if she could take a seat, and which would he prefer her to use. He chose the end of the deck with two chairs separated by a small table. He pulled out a pack of Reds and lit one up. He thought to offer her one, but couldn't stand the sight of a woman smoking. It seemed, well, unfeminine.

Samantha only smoked when she drank, but damn she really wanted one right now to calm her nerves, when he didn't offer, she knew not to ask. After a few minutes of very uncomfortable silence, she took a sip of tea to wet her tongue before speaking.

"Can I ask you a question?" She dared, and when he didn't reply she took it as affirmative. "You make that bastard suffer?"

"No, he wasn't worth my time." Taking a deep drag off the cigarette.

"Why us? Why me n Cindy?" The despair apparent in her tone.

"Cindy, because I love that little girl. You, because she needs her momma. For now." His voice cold but honest.

"So what you want from us?"

"I've done some seriously evil shit since my wife was killed. And well, I hope to even the scales a bit by saving that little girl from the evil you let happen to her." He looked at her to see the effects of his words and continued, "I intend to keep Cindy as my daughter. You on the other hand, have two options. Serve me and my daughter, or die. I will not make you suffer if you decide to die, but rest assured you will, if you choose to serve me. I will not beat you like that piece of shit, but you will endure my darkest fantasies and fulfill my every whim, all while making sure my daughter is loved and cared for."

Samantha was stunned into silence. She was obviously no stranger to being on the receiving end of a man's rage, she'd never done the kinky shit like she'd seen in 50 Shades. If that stuff was even real. She watched him mindlessly put out the cigarette in the ashtray. Before she dared speak again.

"Umm, what about school for Cindy?"

"We will homeschool her." He said.

"Homeschool? I never gradgiated, I dropped out after I got pregnant with Cindy and all." She admitted.

"How old were you?" He asked. He had to admit she looked a little young to have a twelve year old daughter.

"I was fourteen." She said with some pride. When he didn't react, she went on, "it was my paw."

James took a drink of his whiskey to hide his reaction. Damn what kind of fucked up backwoods shit had this bitch been up to? He thought, "Where's your paw now?" He asked.

"Dead. Got beat to death in prison almost 10 years ago." She stated matter of factly and offered no more details. She wasn't prepared to bring up all the old hurt.

He finished his drink and turned to look her dead in the eye. "You have until Cindy's bedtime to decide. Until then you can go to your room, or the game room with Cindy. Any attempt to leave will, .... well.... I'm sure I don't need to say." Samantha opened her mouth, but he cut her off. "Think hard before you answer, we are talking about your life here."

Samantha spent the rest of the evening playing games with Cindy. Her mind was made up before he stood up and ordered her inside. At nine o'clock sharp he called her upstairs. When she approached him he had a cup of hot tea in his hand. "I need your answer Samantha, so here is how we are gonna play this." He handed her the tea, and in her other hand he put two capsules.

"This is what I used to keep you both asleep. One capsule for Cindy, or two for you. If you choose to sleep, Cindy will believe that you ran back to Chase, and you will never wake up. If Cindy goes to sleep, you will be born again, so to speak. Your new life of servitude will begin."

Samantha walked to the table placing the cup of tea down, took one of the capsules and emptied its contents into the tea and while stirring it with her finger, called out, "Cindy, git up here, its time for bed."