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  “There’s a Lenscrafters a couple of miles from here.” She brought out a map from under the counter. “We’re here.” She put a cross on the map with a red marker pen and then drew a circle over a shopping plaza to the far left. “And it’s there.”

  Jack parked in front of the room, then removed the blanket and released Kate.

  Making sure she could see the knife in his hand, he took hold of her elbow, propelled her to unit fifteen and closed the door behind them. Jack laughed when he saw the décor. A four-poster bed and walls adorned with pictures of horses and dogs. Someone’s idea of an English country cottage. He pulled Kate to the bathroom and didn’t stop her when she peeled the tape from her mouth.

  The English theme hadn’t spread beyond the walls and bed, the rest was the usual motel fare. A large, white corner tub and twin sinks set inside a marble-topped unit. Inset toilet. No fucking pipes. Jack sighed and clicked one of the metal bracelets of the handcuffs around her wrist and pulled up her arms, looping the chain over the shower rail. Then he attached her other wrist, so she had to stand with her arms in the air.

  Jack lifted her glasses from her face and ran his finger down her forehead over her nose, lingering on her lips before moving to her chin and then to the hollow at the base of her throat.

  “I’m going to get you some new glasses. Be good, darlin’.” He fastened a nylon tie around her ankles and pulled it tight, tore off another strip of tape and pressed it firmly over her mouth.

  “Look at you all trussed up, hanging like a side of meat.” He put his hands on her waist and kissed her neck. As he moved his hands down her hips, Kate closed her eyes. He bit her neck and sucked until he’d raised a hickey. Jack grinned and left, slipping the ‘do not disturb’ sign over the handle as he went out.

  Once she heard the door close, Kate opened her eyes. If he’d gone to get glasses, she had at least an hour. She’d watched in bewildered fascination as desert scrub gave way to a fairytale city of castles, fountains, pyramids and volcanoes. Las Vegas was big enough to find somewhere to hide. She just needed to escape. She’d been good all day—not argued, kept quiet and he’d not made her take another pill. Kate felt more alert than she’d been for a while.

  She twisted and pulled at the cuffs. One seemed looser than the other. Kate tried to bring her thumb into her palm, dragging at her hand, struggling so hard she found it difficult to breathe. When she couldn’t fill her lungs with air, she stopped moving, concentrated on breathing. Calm down. Stop wasting time.

  Kate swung on the shower rail, lifted her feet from the floor and felt the metal give but there was no chance she’d break it. She needed the tape off her mouth to scream for help. Kate looked at the edge of the tub. If she could get her feet up, her mouth would be within reach of her hands. She tried, but with her ankles clamped together it was harder than she’d thought and the first couple of attempts resulted in banged shins and more ragged breathing.

  After Kate had calmed, she tried again and this time planted her feet where she wanted them. In her desperation to rip away the tape, she lost her balance. She threw all her weight on the rail and a tile broke free sending Kate lurching forward. Her head hit the wall and everything went black.

  When Kate opened her eyes, she lay slumped in the tub with the rail draped across her body, but the tape was off her mouth. She waited to see what hurt.

  Nothing broken but her head and injured wrist ached. Kate pulled the handcuffs over the end of the rail. The tub was smeared with blood and when she touched her head, her fingers came away red and sticky. Oh shit, how long have I been out? Jack could be back any second.

  She swung herself head first out of the tub, staggered when she got up and left a bloody handprint on the wall. One jump with feet tied and Kate knew it wouldn’t work. Dropping back to the floor, she rolled to her knees and elbows and moved like an inchworm out of the bathroom and across the bedroom. Her head pounded as her brain fired out instructions. Keep moving! Get out! Kate pulled open the door as the Suburban drew into the parking space in front of her.

  Shit. She threw herself down.

  Jack reached her at the same time as an elderly couple.

  The woman bent over. “Your head’s bleeding.”

  “Police,” Kate whispered.

  Jack scooped her up. “What have you done, angel?”

  “She must have fallen,” the woman said.

  Jack stared straight into Kate’s eyes and her courage slipped away.

  “Why’s she tied up?” the man asked.

  “My fiancée’s epileptic.”

  “Oh, the poor dear,” said the old woman.

  “I left her to buy new glasses. She broke hers during her last seizure.”

  “But the handcuffs?” the woman asked.

  “She was afraid she’d have another while I was gone. All these flashing lights are triggering them. She asked me to fasten her up so she wouldn’t hurt herself.

  Doesn’t seem to have worked does it, darlin’?” His fingers dug into her.

  “Shall I call a doctor?” asked the woman

  “No, she’ll be fine. I’m all she needs. Any problem I’ll take her to the emergency room. Silly girl. You should have stayed where you were.” Before the couple could raise any objection, he carried Kate into the room and kicked the door closed. Leaning against it, Jack listened. The look in his eyes told Kate to do nothing.

  “Did she say something about the police?” the woman asked.

  Kate flinched.

  “I didn’t hear that. She probably said please. Anyway she’s okay now.”

  “What about the handcuffs?”

  “Don’t go there,” the man said laughing. “We’re a bit old for that.”

  “Speak for yourself.”

  Then Jack laughed, too. He carried Kate into the bathroom and put her on the floor. Kate closed her eyes. So close. The foot launched into her side caught her by surprise. Kate cried out and curled up.

  “Are you fucking stupid? What the fuck did you think you were doing?” Another kick on the thigh brought tears to her eyes.

  “Haven’t you fucking learned anything? Do you want to come next door with me and visit our neighbors?”

  “Please, no.”

  He knelt on the floor and cut the ties from her ankles, then removed the handcuffs. Both her wrists were bleeding. Jack put the knife under her chin and turned her head to face him. “It’s our wedding night. You’re not trying to make me happy.”

  The look in his eyes scared her more than the knife. “I’m sorry. Don’t hurt them.”

  “Clean up this mess.”

  Kate wedged the tile back in place on the wall, then wet a small hand towel and began to wipe up the blood.

  While she was busy, Jack grabbed plastic glasses from the top of the fridge. He took two white dime-sized pills from a plastic bag and dropped them into one of the glasses. A bottle of cheap champagne, part of the wedding package, sat in the fridge. He opened it with a gentle pop, poured more into one glass than the other and grinned.

  Kate was cleaning the tub when he entered. He offered the glass with the larger amount and she ignored him.

  “Take it, Kate.”

  “What have you put in it?”

  “Nothing. I won’t make you do anything tonight. I promise.” He knew she didn’t believe him, but it was the truth. Jack held up the glass with the least amount and tapped it against hers. “To us.”

  “Let me have yours.”

  “Okay.” He kept his face straight as they swapped glasses. “Ever had champagne before?”

  “I’m not old enough to drink.”

  Jack burst out laughing. “Yeah, I forgot. I’d get jail for giving you alcohol but not for fucking you.” He lay on the bed watching her clean the room. “Tell me how sorry you are for the mess you made.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Look at my face when you’re talking to me,” Jack snapped.

  Kate lifted her head. “Sorry for the mess I made.”<
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  “Go and wash the blood out of your hair.”

  Jack smiled as she walked away. Every task he got her to complete put her more under his control. Physically, Kate was no match but she wasn’t stupid. He couldn’t have her thinking her way out. His goal was complete ownership so he needed emotional control as well.

  When Jack heard water running, he went to stand at the bathroom door. Kate knelt by the tub clutching the shower attachment. For a while the water dripping from her hair was tinged with red then ran clear.

  “Fill the tub, darlin’.”

  She turned both faucets on full, then slumped down. Jack pushed another glass of champagne into her hand. She’d eaten nothing substantial and the alcohol had suppressed her nervous system, allowing the drug to take effect even more rapidly. Kate would do exactly as he wanted for several hours. Shame she wouldn’t remember much about it. He’d bought three of the white pills at a nightclub, tested one on a busty cocktail waitress and saved the others for Kate.

  She’d do what he wanted tonight, sleep most of tomorrow and remember virtually nothing. The perfect date rape drug.

  He turned off the water and removed his clothes. Kate made no objection when he removed hers. It was as though a switch had clicked off in her head. She smiled and Jack caught his breath. A smile for him, even if she didn’t know what she was doing. He kissed her. For the first time, she didn’t squirm away. Her mouth opened and he licked her lips, biting them gently before sliding his tongue over hers. Without the drug, she’d never have allowed this. He went hard in an instant.

  Jack pulled her so she lay on top of him on the floor. He guided her down onto him, his hands lifting her hips up and down. Kate, who wasn’t Kate, felt good. He wanted her to do this on her own but when he let go of her waist and cupped her breasts, she didn’t move. Jack rolled her onto her back and slammed into her as the tension coiled inside him. Just as he came, he saw her looking at him, nothing in her eyes.

  ***

  Jack excused Kate’s slow response at the Clark County Marriage Bureau with a tale of excess alcohol and a fall in the tub. “We’re not having the ceremony until tomorrow.” Jack smoothly mixed truth and lies. He handed over the documents, signed his name and put the pen in Kate’s fingers. When it was clear she couldn’t sign anything, he knocked the paper to the floor, pulled her down and signed it himself. He’d forged her signature on her resignation letter. He was as good at writing her name as she was.

  He drove straight back to their motel and took Kate to the wedding office. They were greeted by a fat woman in a lime green suit.

  “I’m Fiona. You must be Jack and Kate. Welcome!” She had a plastic smile on her face, a mouthful of brilliant white teeth.

  “Kate’s not feeling well. She had a little too much to drink and banged her head.” Jack tried not to look as though he was the only reason Kate remained upright.

  “Oh my goodness. Would you like to postpone? I’m sure we could find you another slot with Reverend Atkins.”

  “No, no, this is what we want. Isn’t it, princess?” He didn’t expect an answer.

  “Okay, well, I need you to fill out these forms. Have you brought your license?

  Great. Now you went for the silver package—champagne, perhaps you should have waited on that?” She laughed. “Wedding outfits, flowers and photos right?

  You’ve brought your own rings?”

  “Yes.”

  The woman frowned as Kate’s head lolled against Jack’s shoulder. He pulled her upright, and Kate put her arms around him. He was so shocked he almost dropped her.

  “I’ll call for Pierre and Sandra to help with your clothes.” She pressed a buzzer and a young woman and older man came in.

  “She’s a size 6. Shoe size 8,” Jack said to Sandra. “Pick out a couple of plain, long sleeved styles in white and when Pierre has fitted me out, Kate can try them.”

  Jack guided Kate into the men’s dressing room and sat her in an armchair.

  “Are you feeling all right?” Pierre asked.

  “She’s a little under the weather, aren’t you, darlin’?”

  “42 long? Size 12 shoes?” Pierre asked.

  “Near enough. That one will be fine.”

  A line of outfits hung along the wall. Jack pointed out a plain gray suit with a white shirt and blue and silver string tie. He wanted the photo to be as tasteful as possible, which wouldn’t be easy with his bride-to-be losing it every minute that passed. He changed quickly and turned to Kate.

  “How do I look?” he asked.

  No answer.

  Jack laughed. “Okay, time to get you ready.” He led her into the women’s changing room where Sandra waited.

  “Take a hike,” Jack said. “We don’t need help.” Jack didn’t want her to see how out of it Kate was, nor her bruises, bites and scratches, nor that she wore no underwear. He chose the plainest dress and had to put her on the floor to get her into it. Kate started to giggle and Jack laughed, too. He kneeled astride her to fasten the awkward satin buttons. After struggling and failing to get the shoes on her feet, he tossed them aside and left her barefoot.

  Once she was upright, Jack straightened her dress, hair and new glasses before they stepped through into the next room.

  He was relieved to get her upright in front of the minister. Sandra, playing the role of witness, reached for the flowers, only Kate wouldn’t release them. There was a brief struggle and Jack snickered.

  “Good evening,” the Reverend Atkins said. Her smile faltered when she saw Kate. “Would you like to sit down for a moment?”

  “She’s fine,” Jack snapped, then dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

  “We had champagne and Kate’s not used to alcohol. She fell and banged her head.” He gave rueful smile, and maintained his vise-like grip on Kate’s arm.

  “You could rebook.” Reverend Atkins’ gaze lingered on Kate’s pale face.

  “No need,” Jack said.

  “But—”

  “We need to do this quickly.” Jack felt his anger rising and fought to stay calm.

  “We’ve left our son with friends. We can’t reschedule. No time.” All went well until Kate needed to speak.

  “You have to answer,” the minister said.

  Jack put his mouth next to Kate’s ear.

  “Want to go to bed?” he whispered.

  “Yes,” she said faintly and Jack grinned.

  “By the power vested in me by Almighty God and the state of Nevada, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” It was all over. Rings on fingers, photographs, a kiss, more photographs and another kiss. Back in the changing room, Jack undressed and redressed her on the carpeted floor, changed into his own clothes and then picked up his unconscious bride and carried her back to the room, smiling at people they passed, telling Kate she was his beautiful princess. He triumphantly kicked the door of their room closed behind him and dumped her on the bed.

  He’d done it. Although he hadn’t doubted he could, Jack was still amazed he’d gotten away with it. Fucking married. It would be weird calling Kate his wife, though not as weird as she’d find it, since her memories of this night would be distinctly indistinct. Jack grinned. The ring on her finger would be a shock. He guessed she wouldn’t believe him, but she wouldn’t be able to deny the photos and marriage certificate. He called the front desk and asked for a late checkout, promising an exit by 1:30. He’d leave Kate in the room while he picked up her wedding present.

  Jack lay next to her on the bed and slid his hand up her dress onto her stomach. Kate moaned, but didn’t move away. He lifted her dress and kissed between her legs. Her stomach dipped in, her hipbones stuck out. She was hungry and he was starving.

  Chapter Ten

  Jack left the do not disturb sign on the door and went to settle the bill in cash.

  When he returned to the room he wanted to collect Kate and leave immediately.

  He reconfirmed the late checkout and stressed his wif
e shouldn’t be disturbed.

  The woman handed over the photographs and marriage certificate. Jack glanced through the album on the way to the car. Kate looked like a wide-eyed doe in the arms of a smiling hunter. Jack chuckled and stowed the album and the certificate along with their bags.

  His final action was to remove the Suburban’s license plate. As he lifted it free, the elderly couple who’d seen them the day before came out to their car.

  “Good morning. How’s your fiancée?” the woman asked.

  “Wife now. Much better, thanks. Bought her a personalized plate as a wedding present.”

  “What a great idea. Honey, why didn’t you think of that?”

  “I thought the ring was enough.”

  “That’s just the beginning,” she said.

  The man rolled his eyes at Jack.

  ***

  Jack went shopping. He replenished the bottled water supply, bought a few perishable items and a small bag of ice to keep them chilled inside the cooler. He stocked up on soda, candy, cookies and fruit, picked out a couple of toy cars, a small T-shirt with a dinosaur on the front, and a large, ugly soft toy. According to the label it was the lovable monster everyone wants as part of their family. Back at the Suburban, he lifted a San Antonio thrift store child seat from underneath one of the boxes, and secured it in place.

  Before he set off for Sunshine Plaza, Jack removed his light green shirt to reveal a yellow V-necked T with Florida printed across it in big green letters. He put on a pair of wire-rimmed sunglasses and a blue baseball cap, glanced in the rear view mirror, and smiled.

  The shopping plaza was busy. Jack drove around looking for a good place to leave the car. Not too far from the restaurant, nor too close. He settled on a spot near another dark Suburban.

  There was no reason for anyone to take a particular interest in a man in a baseball cap and sunglasses who walked into McDonald’s. Lines snaked back all along the counter, kids with balloons running everywhere, lots of shouting, lots of noise. Jack joined the longest line at the far end so he could watch everyone and everything. He ordered a Big Mac, fries, coffee and a chicken nugget Happy Meal with a toy, and then made for a table near the door. He put the Happy Meal box in front of the seat next to him. He’d declined the tray. No way was he leaving prints.