Gavin grunted as the kick landed hard against his stomach.  He went forward and took a few seconds to catch himself.  The woman turned and kneed him in the side of the head when he went forward.  She ran for it when he went to his knees.  Gavin coughed and breathed around the pain as he got to his feet.  The woman began to scream as she moved in a serpentine motion. 

“Fire!  Fire!”

Gavin groaned as he raced after her.  No one had been successful in escaping.  She would be his.  Gavin took the corner too fast and skidded into a wall.  He hesitated only a minute before he was in pursuit again.  He heard her footsteps in the distance.  Gavin took a short cut and waited as she barreled around the corner.  Gavin grabbed her arm and she pulled it up and out of his grasp quick.  She made a fist and brought her hand up and across hard.  Gavin laughed as he was able to miss the broken nose then he realized she hadn’t been aiming for his nose.  The blood trickled into his eyes.  She had used her rings to cut him across the forehead and give herself the advantage.  He grabbed her bicep before she was able to run.  Gavin flung her against a wall of the parking deck.  She caught herself and as he advanced on her she kicked out at him.  Gavin stepped back and wiped his forehead again.

“What do you want?” she asked as she caught her breath.

“You.  I have watched you Felicity and you are my perfect match.  Please stop fighting me.  It is inevitable that you will be mine.”

“I don’t think so. How the hell do you know my name?” Felicity asked in a rage filled tone.

Felicity stood and moved to run but Gavin was just as fast and blocked her way.  He grabbed her shoulders.  Felicity pulled down and slipped out of her jacket but held onto the sleeve ends.  She spun and twisted him into her jacket.  In just two moves Felicity had Gavin pinned.  She sighed as her arms began to shake.  Felicity glanced around the area.  There was no route that would give her safety. 

“You can try to calculate my speed.  You will never be fast enough.  Your muscles will grow weak and I will be free and you will not.  Just come calmly to the car.  You have given me more trouble than any of the others.  I admire your spirit.  It will be the challenge that I need,” Gavin stood still as she twisted the jacket tighter.

“You’re some serial rapist or something?  Others?  How many before me?” Felicity tugged him with her as she moved.

“No.  I am not a rapist.  All intercourse is consensual.  I am here to make you my wife.  I will provide for you and take care of all your needs.  I know what’s best for you. Hmm, you’re shaking.  I’ll be free in a moment,” Gavin moved with her to make it easier for her to walk.

“Shut up!” Felicity frantically looked around the empty garage.

“At least now I know what your Thursday and Tuesday nights are in that building downtown.”

“You’ve been spying on me?!”

“I watch all of my prospects.  Six months and your routine is the same.  I like that.  You keep a tight schedule.  The others were not as organized and methodic.”

“Jeez.  I’m going to die tonight aren’t I?” Felicity pondered out loud with defeat dripped into her tone.

“No.  I will take you to your new home.”

Felicity’s arms were tired and the sting was too much.  She dropped her jacket and ran.  Felicity had tangled him up enough to give her a few seconds to get ahead of him.  Gavin threw the jacket to the ground.  He sighed and giggled at the same time.  His eyes were bright as he jogged after Felicity.  He knew the layout of the abandoned parking deck better than Felicity so he knew that he had the upper hand. 

BAM! Gavin fell forward to the ground.  He didn’t scream out as he allowed the pain to wash over him.  He turned onto his back. Felicity stood over him with the hunk of concrete.  Gavin groaned as he swallowed back the bile that rose in his throat.  He closed his eyes and lay there.  He had studied Felicity.  Gavin waited.  Felicity shuffled closer.  Gavin stayed still.  He heard her move closer and sat the slab down.  Gavin opened his eyes and grinned up at her as he kicked his legs swiftly.  Felicity, caught off guard, fell to the ground as soon as he swept her legs from under her.  Gavin crawled over her and strategically pinned her down.

“You are a fighter.  I like that.  It is going to make our time together interesting.”

Gavin held both of her slim wrists in one hand and reached into his pocket.  Felicity watched his hand as she struggled.  She gave a yelp as she felt a pinch in her neck.  Gavin put the device back in his pocket.  Her head lulled to the side as she tried to force herself to move.  The grogginess was immediate.  Felicity felt herself being lifted.  She tried to protest but it was gurgles and gibberish. 

Gavin hoisted Felicity over his shoulder.  He retraced their movements and grabbed her jacket.  He used it to wipe the slab of concrete free of her finger prints.  Gavin walked back to the exit and the van.  His eyes scanned the area before he opened the back and placed Felicity inside.  He cuffed her to the bar he had installed.  Gavin tied her ankles and placed a gag in her mouth.  Gavin was confident that the sedative would hold but he never risked it. Once she was secured, he locked the back and he got in the driver’s seat.

Felicity whimpered as she rolled over. < Some hang over.  Where the hell did I go last night?> She wiped her eyes and opened them.  Felicity gasped as she sat up.  She ran to the bars and almost toppled over from the restraints.  She waddled to the bars and looked around.  A windowless room and she was in a cell.  It flooded back to her and she growled low.  Felicity grabbed the chains and began to bang them against the bars as she shouted.  She did so for several minutes and when no one showed she took in her surroundings again.  Felicity saw nothing of help.  The walls were bare.  There was a table and a chair outside the gate of the cell but too far to reach.  There was a washer and dryer in the far left corner and that was it.  She moved back to the cot.  The pillowcase was sewn to the pillow and the blankets were bolted to the bed.  There was a plastic bottle of water, an unwrapped granola bar and two pain tablets on the tray made to the cell wall.  She stood and retrieved them.  <No sense in suffering.> Felicity took the tablets and nibbled on the granola as she tried to make a plan.

Felicity woke with a start.  It hadn’t been a dream.  She had just drifted off because of the boredom.  She fell back onto the cot as her eyes met with a steely pair of hazel ones.  Felicity, now that she wasn’t running for her life, realized how attractive the man was.  He had a regal brow, defined jaw, full lips and the glasses made him distinguished.  His complexion was flawless and skin held a subtle glow.  He held himself like her self-defense instructor so she deduced his martial arts training and the reason she had been out maneuvered.

“Good afternoon Felicity.  Welcome to your new home.”

 

Gavin chuckled as he brushed the warm nutmeg colored hair of his latest conquest through the cage. The woman had long ago grown quiet. She smelled of flowers and soap. Just as he preferred. The week had been fitful and exhausting. Gavin had come out on top all the same. She had bent to his will as all the others had before. Gavin hummed as he braided her hair.

 

“There. You look amazing. Don’t you think?” Gavin held out a mirror for her to peer in.

 

“Y-y-yes.”

 

“Are you ready to behave? I would like to let you into the house.”

 

Her hunter green eyes shimmered with tears as she nodded. Gavin sat the mirror down. Gavin entered the cage. He turned her to face him. Her beauty caused a smile to spread and his head felt light. He nodded as he stood before her. Gavin pulled her to her feet. The shackles rattled as she moved. Gavin helped her step down from the cage. He kissed her fingers as he led her to the basement floor. He stopped her right outside the threshold. Gavin produced the keys from around his neck. Gavin unlocked the collar and removed it from her neck.

 

“I’m going to give you rules. If you do not obey you will be punished. Understood?” Gavin asked as he rubbed her shoulders.

 

“Understood,” she swallowed several times as she gained comfort in the new freedom.

 

Gavin left her side and retrieved an ointment to rub on her neck. He handed it her. She opened it slowly and applied a generous amount. Gavin grabbed a change of clothes and sat them on the table. He took the ointment from her and grabbed her hand. She flinched as his grip tightened. Gavin led her to the table.

 

“Some fresh clothes for you. Your new room will have better amenities. I keep all of my leading ladies comfortable. I hope that the colors are fitting your taste. I can always update them for you.”

 

She couldn’t help the smile that found its way to her lips. Gavin’s voice held so much hope and happiness it spread to her. She kept her head down but felt his gaze on her like always. Gavin motioned her to change. His eyes stayed steady. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and began to change.

 

“The rules are never to be broken. You will stay in your room at all times. Trying to escape will only gain you permanent dismissal. I have your best interests at heart. I know what you need. Please remember to eat all of your meals in their entirety. When I give you directions you follow them without question. You will maintain the daily exercise regimen we discussed. There will be proper equipment in your room. I will help you maintain your hair and manicure. There is several months’ worth of birth control so you don’t have to worry about your cycle. There’s an alarm clock that will sound so you do not forget to take it. Your sleep schedule will be the same. You will get your full night’s sleep or there will be punishment. The lights are on a timer and will automatically turn off and on. I will take care of your laundry weekly so that you don’t have to worry. I have also provided entertainment in your room,” Gavin never took his eyes from her as he laid out the guidelines.

 

“Yes sir,” she answered as she zipped the skirt.

 

“And what is your name?”

 

“Olivia Hamilton.”

 

“Good. I never want you to forget who you are. There won’t be too many visitors so you’ll need to be reminded of who you are. Olivia is such a beautiful name. Don’t worry your family is safe. They are aware you have gone on an extended holiday. Now, come. Your room waits.”

 

Gavin grabbed her firmly by the wrist and led her to a door she hadn’t noticed. He pulled the keys from around his neck again. Gavin flashed her that flawless smile as he unlocked the door.

 

Olivia glanced inside. There was another door three feet in from the first. Gavin unlocked the padlock first then the deadbolts. Olivia did not move until he grabbed her.

 

Gavin stepped back. Olivia looked around her new home. With everything he required she had expected a room packed tight. It was set up as more of a hotel suite. The main room was a sitting room with standard matching rental furniture. The elliptical was in a corner with a few free weights. To the left was a kitchenette. To the right were two more doorways minus the doors. Olivia assumed the bedroom and bathroom. Olivia was glad the bookcases were packed and the small desk in the back of the sitting room was supplied sufficiently. She noticed that it was windowless and there were no modern electronics. The television looked like the one her grandmother owned along with the VCR. Olivia swallowed hard and turned to face him. She stared at his chest with her arms limp by her side.

 

“Good news is I can take these chains now. You’re free to roam around your quarters. The refrigerator has plenty of fruits, vegetables, water and protein drinks. There are nuts and dried fruits in the cabinets. Remember to adhere to the portions. I also stocked plenty of organic popcorn and granola for special treats when you want something different. The cabinet under the sink in the bathroom is where you’ll find your soaps, shampoo, waxing kits and other necessities. If you need anything let me know. I’ll bring new movies when I get them. The television picks up local only. If you behave I’ll install the HD television and cable. I reward as much as I punish. I suggest you keep a diary or work on poetry. Sorry I can’t trust you with a computer. It’ll be old fashion pen and paper. There’s enough office supplies for months,” Gavin covered the final information as he unhooked her, “I look forward to our time together. The surveillance cameras are also 24/7 in here. I’ll keep you safe and sound. I promise you’ll come to love it here.”

 

Gavin stood, put the chains over his arm and kissed her cheek. He turned to the door. Olivia raised her eyes and took in his appearance from behind. His dark brown hair was in disarray, the frame of his glasses were almost invisible wireless frames, his clothes were tailored to his body, he barely made it through the door without ducking, she was sure he was athletic by the way he carried himself, and his shoes were worth a week’s pay. Olivia saw no ordinary psycho. She took a deep breath.

 

“Sir,” Olivia called in a mousey voice.

“Yes?” Gavin stopped but didn’t turn around.

“W-what happened t-to the others?”

Gavin turned to face her. Olivia looked away.

“Do not look away. Look me in the eye.”

“Yes sir,” Olivia looked into his heated hazel eyes.

 

“You have earned my name. You may call me Gavin. As for the others, they were permanently dismissed.”

 

Gavin narrowed his eyes slightly then turned. He pulled the door shut. Olivia listened as Gavin locked her in. She swallowed hard. Permanently dismissed.

 

Gavin hosed down the cage one last time. His gaze swept the basement as he turned off the water. Once it dried it would be immaculate. He was always thorough. Gavin returned the hose to its place then closed off the barrels where the water had gathered.

One by one Gavin took the barrels upstairs and to his truck. He glanced back as he reached for the light switch. Perfection until next time. 

Gavin backed the truck to the river. He emptied each barrel then secured them in the truck one last time. Gavin headed back to the city. He arrived outside the recycling center.

“Mr. Smith good to see ya. S’been awhile,” Joe greeted as he pulled the tailgate open. 

“Yeah, company is reusing before they recycle now. I only have a few this time.”

“Thanks to you we’ll meet quota fer da day,” Joe smiled as he unloaded the truck. 

“Glad I could help.”

Gavin tipped his hat as he took the money.  He left the recycling center and headed to the garage.  Gavin hummed as he locked up the truck and walked to the van. Gavin smiled as he unlocked the back. 

The woman was bound, blindfolded and gagged.  She whimpered but no longer struggled. Gavin patted her leg. 

“Don’t worry your new home is fresh and clean. We’ll have you out of these ropes in no time,” Gavin grinned even though she couldn’t see through the mask.

The woman whimpered louder.  Gavin blew a kiss to her before he locked the doors again. Gavin scanned the area as he opened the driver’s side door. Alone.  No surveillance. Safe.

Gavin sighed happily as he merged onto the highway.  His heart fluttered in his chest and his palms were sweaty. Gavin felt the love grow.  His confidence ran high with his new pick secured in the van.