The Monster's Obsession

CHAPTER NINE

Hunter POV

We get to Sandy’s and as usual the line is around the corner. I took Adrienne’s hand and guided her through the employee entrance until we found empty stools at the bar. 

“Want a drink before you go on?” I asked her.

“Yeah sure, that’ll be perfect actually.”

“Whiskey?”

“You’re a fast learner Mr. Morgan.” She smiled at me as she gave me a round of applause. She always knew how to make me laugh. Not many people besides Alex were able to do that often. That asshole Josh who was eyeing Adrienne the other night was the closest server to us so I called him over to order our drinks. I’m sure he’s not going to try anything stupid again but just looking at his face now pisses me off.

“Josh let me get two shots of whiskey.” He gave me a head nod and got to work. Sandy found us shortly after and went straight for Adrienne and pulled her into a hug. What the hell? Sandy always says hi to me first. Now she just walks past me? I’m a little hurt but their relationship brought a smile to my face.

“Oh my Adrienne. You’re so gussied up people might think I’m running a beauty contest. You look beautiful darling.” Sandy said as she held Adrienne at arms length, looking at her outfit.

“Thanks Sandy. I figured getting a little dolled up would give me a little extra boost to that five thousand dollars.”

“Well I’ll tell you what, Hunter better keep a tight leash on you tonight. Guys out there can’t wait to get to that honeypot.” 

“The only person getting to that honeypot is me.” I instinctively put my arm around Adrienne’s waist and pulled her into my lap.

“Hunter where the hell did you come from?” Sandy looked around the bar as if she were looking for a secret passage I might have snuck out of.

“Are you shitting me Sandy? You walked right past me! I know Adrienne is beautiful but I’m your ruffnut, you can’t just start forgetting about me now .” She smiled at me and grabbed my face to give me a kiss on the cheek.

“If you start getting soft on me I might have to give you a new nickname.” The hand that she had resting on my face quickly turned into a small slap to my right cheek.

“Ruffnut?” Adrienne asked, clearly intrigued.

“You see that boxing ring in the basement? I should have put a tent right next to it just for Hunter with as many fights he's gotten into. He’s actually the reason I put the damn thing up.” We all laughed. Shortly after, Josh came back with the shots for Adrienne and I and an extra one for Sandy. Adrienne was the first to pick up her shot glass.

“A toast to five thousand dollars!” She raised her glass as Sandy and I followed suit. I don’t know what it was about whiskey but I could drink this s**t all day. It's definitely a plus that it's Adrienne's drink of choice too. 

“You ready darling?” Sandy asked looking at Adrienne. Adrienne hopped off my lap and did the most adorable little shimmy while she adjusted her skirt.

“Let’s do this.” She picked up her guitar and smiled at me while giving me a quick kiss.

“I’ll see you soon handsome.” 

I stood there in shock as she made her way to the stage. That was the first time she’s made the first move. Well, the first time she made the first move sober. I think I might be growing on Ms. Adrienne Santana. s**t, I hope I am because she’s damn sure growing on me.

She took the stage and started to play the melodic intro to her song as she looked out towards the crowd. Everything about her was breathtaking. She looked so natural up there -- like if this was something she was born to do. Her mouth opened as she was about to sing but there was just silence. She was just standing there, her feet frozen to the floor. What’s going on with her?

I didn’t realize that I was already standing up making my way towards the stage. Her knees started to buckle and I ran to her, catching her head before she could hit the floor. Everyone started to crowd around us trying to see what was going on. Sandy and two security guards ran over to settle the crowd and get everyone back in their seats. I took the opportunity and scooped Adrienne into my arms and carried her into the dressing room.

There was a black leather couch pushed against the wall. I laid her down and ran to the sink to wet a towel. This was the first time I’ve been scared like this. My hands were shaking as I patted the towel on her forehead, then her cheeks and neck. Why isn’t she waking up? What’s wrong with her? I caressed her face and kissed her forehead hoping that she would wake up but nothing happened. 

‘f**k this.’ I scooped her up again ready to run to my truck but she finally moved, stopping me in my tracks. 

‘Thank God.' I put her back on the couch and analyzed her body making sure she wasn’t hurt anywhere.

“What happened to you gorgeous? You scared the hell out of me.” She blinked a few times looking around trying to process where she was. It’s as if something in her clicked because her breathing got heavy and her honey eyes turned five shades darker. Her body started to shake as she nibbled on the nail of her thumb. She was scared of something, but what?

“Adrienne what’s wrong?” I didn’t know what to do so I just tried to hold her to help her calm down. She pushed me away and shot up from the couch.

“I-I need to get out of here. We need to go now!” Her body was shaking out of control now and she was pacing back and forth.

“Adrienne what the hell is going on?”

“I’ll tell you everything Hunter but please just get me the f**k out of here first.” Tears started to well up in her eyes and stream down her face. My heart yanked me towards her and I pulled her into my chest. I never wanted to see her like this again.

“Come on. Let’s go.”

****

I’ve been driving around for twenty minutes and she hasn’t said a word. I wanted to give her some time and the space she needed to calm down but she’s barely even blinked. I’ve never felt so helpless in my life and I didn’t like this feeling. I remembered a spot not too far from here that I usually go to clear my head -- I’ll stop there.

As we got closer I could see the reflection of the moon glistening on the lake and there was a small wind that slightly stirred the grass. If not for the circumstances, this would have been a perfect night. I pulled over, got out of the car and made my way towards the passenger side. When I opened the door I was hoping that Adrienne would at least look at me but she didn’t budge. I grabbed her thighs turning her towards me.

“Come on gorgeous. Talk to me please.” I cupped her face in my hands and just looked into her eyes for what felt like an eternity. I needed her to come back to me.

“Taylor.” Her eyes fluttered a few times and she started to fumble around the truck looking for her cellphone.

“Come on Taylor pick up the phone.” She started nibbling on the nail of her thumb again. I figured out a while ago that was one of her nervous ticks.

“Dri I’m sorry okay. I shouldn’t have-.”

“Taylor shut up, listen to me. Don’t go home tonight. He’s here. He found me.” Her hand started to tremble and her tears were like waterfalls crashing down on my hands that were still clutching onto her thighs. Who is he? I can’t take this anymore. I took the phone from Adrienne whose words were being muffled out by her sobs.

“Taylor, it's Hunter. What the hell is going on? Who the f**k is this guy?”

“s**t Hunter, it’s really bad. Whatever you do, don’t bring her back to the apartment.”

“Why what’s going on?”

“Her ex Cole. He found her.” 

She didn’t need to tell me anything else, everything clicked instantly. He hurt her. I didn't know how and I really didn't care. I just knew he did. I looked at Adrienne who was trying to pull herself together. She was still trying to be strong even with all of this going on. The blood coursing through my veins felt like lava. I don’t know who the f**k this Cole guy is but I wanted to end him.

“What’s his last name?”

“S-Sullivan I think.”

“Taylor don’t worry about Adrienne, I’ll take care of her. Do you have somewhere you can go for a couple of days?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine, don't worry about me. Just watch out for her Hunter please. Cole is f*****g dangerous.”

“I got it. Stay safe Taylor.” Once I hung up the phone, I ran my fingers through Adrienne’s hair trying to show her some form of comfort.

“It’ll be okay gorgeous. I’m gonna get you out of here. No one is going to hurt you.” 

She took a deep breath and I felt her body finally relax just a little. I gave her another forehead kiss before hopping in the driver’s seat and taking off. Getting a hotel away from here is probably the safest bet. I would take her to my house but Taylor said this guy was dangerous so I didn’t want to take any chances of him following us. 

Adrienne was exhausted and passed out on the ride. I made a quick call to Alex to find out everything I could about this fucker Cole Sullivan. Alex had a few connections in the police department . If he didn’t get that DUI a few years back he would have been a cop himself so I knew he would be able to get me some answers. I also had him book us a room at the Hilton a few towns away. She’ll be safe there for a couple of days.

Adrienne POV

“My little butterfly, you’ve been very naughty. Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you? How much money you’ve cost me? You know I will always find you. You can never run from me.” The cold steel from his favorite blade grazed my inner thighs and made its way up and around my bare breast. I pulled on the chains that were locked around my wrist and ankles to restrain me. The icy cement pierced through my body that was spread across his favorite concrete table.

“You don’t own me Cole, you never will. I’m not the naïve little girl anymore. I’ll never be that girl again. So whatever you’re going to do just get it over with.”

“Oh you have me all wrong butterfly. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m going to hurt everyone around you. Taylor, your mom and dad. I’m especially going to enjoy hurting your new lover boy.”

“f**k YOU! YOU PIECE OF s**t!” I didn’t want to hear anything else he had to say. I was done with him. I gathered up all the saliva I could and spit in his face, right between his eyes. The drool slid down to the tip of his nose. He took his sleeve and wiped it off before it could travel any further.  I was waiting for the backhand but instead he just smiled and laughed.

“Bring him out!” A few seconds later this tall, muscular man in a black suit came out from a side door. He was dragging Hunter by his arms that were zip tied together. 

Tears instantly flooded my eyes when the man in the black suit threw him into the light. Hunter’s piercing blue eyes were swollen shut. Blood dripped from his nose into his mouth and beard. My perfect, flawless man was laying on the cold ground and I could barely recognize him. The chains pinched into my skin as I tried my hardest to break free. My murderous screams echoed off the walls. 

“Mmmm I missed that voice of yours butterfly. Scream louder for me!" Cole yelled out.

 "Did you honestly think that I would just let him go? He’s been all over you baby and he’s going to have to pay for that.” The man in the black suit passed Cole a sledgehammer.

“So where should I start? His face is already pretty banged up. Tell you what. I’ll start from the ankles and work my way up. How does that sound Adrienne?”

“Adrienne.”

“Adrienne!” 

Strong hands were shaking my shoulders. My body shot up and my vision tried to keep up as my eyes adjusted to the room. Hunter was in front of me, worry written all over his face. My eyes searched his face and finally landed on his sunken blue ones. It was just a dream. Thank God. Every emotion hit me at once and I jumped on top of him, plunging my lips into his. I needed every one of my senses to know he was okay.

“Bad dream?” He asked after we finally broke our kiss.

“You have no idea.”

“I think we need to talk gorgeous.”

“Yeah we do.” 

I straightened myself up and took a deep breath. If that dream showed me anything, it was how capable Cole truly is. Hunter had a right to know everything because whatever happens after this will make or break us.