John immediately picked up the phone. “I know Daimler’s out on bail, where did he go?”
“Daimler had to stay in town, and there are only a few hotels.” Bo offered.
Shaun’s phone rang. “Hello? Starr, why are you calling? WHAT? What do you mean she’s not there? OK, thanks.” Shaun looked at the others. “Vivian’s missing, too.”
John’s desk phone rang a second time. “What have you got? Really? Figures.” The phone returned to the receiver, “The bastard’s got a suite at the Palace Hotel!”
“I’ll call Renee.” Bo headed to another phone. “John, get some backup. We’ve gotta do this right.” Bo looked around the room, then, “Anyone seen Todd?”
“C.J.is missing, too.” Shaun noticed. “John, if Vivian is there, I want to go, too.”
“With C.J. and Todd on the loose, we’ll need anyone we can get. Someone’s going to have to keep them out of it. Let’s hope we’re in time.”
***
Daimler admired the suite. Uchin had done well; The Palace was actually quite acceptable. Now, he merely had to wait. Room service had just delivered his cognac. Gregor had procured a laptop. According to his friend, Hesser, there was a feed into Dragonheart, and he was going to use it for all it was worth. Switching on the laptop, the picture of the foyer popped up. The party was in full swing. “My dear Mr. Manning. There you are, with your beautiful wife. My lovely, if not slutty, beautiful first daughter. You have no idea what you are in for tonight.” He watched as they danced, knowing it would not be long.
“Yes, as soon as they are separated, get them. Get them both. Call me when you have them.” Hanging up, he poured a cognac. He had such plans for them tonight. Uchin had been wanting his time with Kym for quite a while. And Blair - Blair was going to be introduced to her father the correct way.
He had been watching the evening unfold on his laptop and Room Service had just delivered his meal when he noted the unusual activity in the foyer. He couldn't help smiling as he watched Todd and the men gather. "Did you lose something, Mr. Manning?" As he finished his steak, the call came through. “Excellent. Bring them up.”
A few minutes later, Uchin and his men escorted the women in. “Kym, my dear, it’s been so long.” He walked to his daughter and caressed her cheek, smiling as she cringed at his touch.
“Such a bad girl. And bad girls need to be punished. Do you agree?”
Unable to stop herself, Kym replied, “Yes, Daddy.”
“Excellent.”
Blair blurted out, “Kym, don’t, don’t forget C.J.”
Kym shook herself, realizing she had fallen under her father’s spell once again. She started struggling in Uchin’s arms.
At Blair’s outburst, Gregor turned and slapped her. “Shut your mouth, slut.” Daimler looked at the third woman being held. “What’s this? Looks like we got a present. And who are you, my caramel-colored beauty?”
Vivian shuddered.
Blair’s lip was bleeding and she was unable to believe what had just happened. “You bastard. Todd will kill you for this.”
“My dear, why do you think you are here? I’m expecting him. I want him to see you when I am done with you.”
“She’s all yours, Uchin.” They watched as he took Kym out of the room. Daimler turned to Uchin’s men holding Vivian. “You two take her to Suite 1114. Do not touch her. She’ll be perfect for one of my more exclusive clients.” Vivian looked at Blair and started to cry as they took her from the room.
Blair was praying in her heart that Todd would find them all before it was too late
***
Todd rushed up to the counter at The Palace. “Renee, what room does Daimler have?”
“Todd, you know I can’t give out that information. Why? I thought you had a party. What are you doing here?” “I need to know where this man has a room. I believe he has Blair.”
Just then the phone rang. “Why, yes, Bo, he’s here. I don’t think he’s going to wait. I’ll try.”
“Todd, Bo says you should wait for the guys to get here? What is he talking about? C.J, what are you doing here?”
“The same thing Todd is. Grandma, we need your help. This Daimler guy has my wife. Please, what room does he have?”
Renee looked worried. “C.J., who did you say the name was?”
“The guy’s name is Daimler, Grandma.”
“Like Blair’s last name?”
“The same.”
“Let me look.”
Todd paced wildly in front of the counter, “Come on Renee, hurry up.”
Renee answered, “There are 4 suites registered to Daimler. Is that going to help you? They are on two different floors.”
" What are the numbers, Renee?” Todd bellowed.
“Suites 1114 and 1115 and 1209 and 1210. But Bo said to wait . . .”
“Gotcha.” And they raced to the elevators. “Send them up! They might be needed.”
***
Blair found herself alone with her father. She wondered if she could take him. He didn’t look like much. She was younger, she made a dash for the door, only to find his hand in her hair, pulling her back. Her jeweled comb went flying. She struggled in his arms. “My dear Blair, don’t fight your father. It’s time we got to know each other. After all, I knew your mother and your sister. You shouldn’t be left out.”
Blair struggled all the harder. “Let me go.”
The strap on her dress broke, and he turned her toward him roughly. “You will stop this minute. I am your father.”
“You’re just the bastard who took my mother against her will. And then you hightailed it out of there when you found out she was pregnant. I owe you nothing.”
“Maybe not. Still doesn’t change the fact it’s time for a little schooling, Daimler style. You’re a little older than I like, but you’ve got the looks. I’ll just close my eyes and think of you as younger.” He hauled her toward the bed, she pulled free and rushed to the door. He caught her. “That’s enough.” Slamming his fist into her jaw, he knocked her out. Carrying her to the bed, he laid her in place, quickly tying her hands to the headboard. “Now, let’s see. You like your men rough, otherwise, why would you have picked that prison scum, Todd Manning?”
***
Bo and John along with Shaun and a few other men moved into the palace. Bo moved to the counter. “Where are they, Renee?”
“Is it true someone has C.J.’s new wife and Blair? I never saw Blair come in with anybody.”
“You wouldn’t have, it happened not too long ago I sure if Blair and the others are here, they’re upstairs by another means than your main elevators but Renee, tell us, where did Manning and C.J. go?”
“Bo, oh my god! They went up to floors eleven and twelve.””
She watched as they moved away. Suddenly John stopped and turned. “Which rooms Renee,”
“Eleven 14 and 15 and Twelve 9 and 10” she replied quickly.
***
The elevator ride was interminable. They had been stopped several times by people getting off and C.J. realized Todd was about ready to lose it as the elevator neared the eleventh floor.
“God, this thing is slower than molasses,” Todd said as soon as they were alone in the elevator.
“Have you got a plan, Uncle Todd. Do you really think the girls are here?”
“I’m certain. This is just like something Daimler would do, he knows I’m coming for him. Besides, why would he have need of four suites?”
“You’re probably right but how will we know the right one?”
“We’ll have to search them all?” Todd got quiet and CJ looked over at him. He was watching the display as it came to rest on the 11 and the hotel doors opened. Todd stepped from the elevator and began to move quickly down the corridor to the two Suites on that floor.
Together they burst into suite 1114 and were met by two men obviously in Daimler’s employ and they appeared to be guarding a door to the bedroom. All hell broke loose and the four of them were soon swinging at each other. After a couple of blocked blows to his body, Todd managed to sneak in a wicked right cross to the jaw and watched as his opponent tumbled back, stunned. Knowing better than to give the guy a chance to get back at him. Todd grabbed the nearest lamp and smashed it down on the man’s head, letting the lamp fall to the floor with the man. He turned as C.J. was struggling with another guy, but then he watched his nephew duck a punch and turn and give a roundhouse kick to the man’s face, even from across the room he heard the jaw break and watched teeth fly. The man was down. They were headed for the interior door when John and Bo entered.
“Are there any more?” Bo inquired, his gun pulled
.
“I don’t think so,” Todd went to open the door, but John pushed him aside.
C.J. moved to contain his uncle, knowing just how volatile he was at the moment.
“Let them do their job, Todd. We don’t know if there are any more men but if there are we don’t want to get the girls killed.”
As they waited to find out who was behind the door, Todd began moving back toward the hall.
CJ noticed the movement and was puzzled, “What?”
“I don’t think Blair or Kym are in there. Something in my gut tells me it’s someone else. Daimler isn’t here and I’m sure Blair is with him, I just feel like neither are on this floor.” Todd looked at C.J.and knew C.J. could feel what he was feeling. They left the room and heard Bo say, “My God. Vivian.” There was a quick look at each other and then they headed out, calling the elevator.
“Shouldn’t we check the other suite just to make sure?” asked C.J., following his uncle, who took off down the corridor to the stairs entrance, no longer able to wait for the elevator.
“Daimler would want the top floor,” he said as he sprinted up them two at a time. Reaching the top, he came out into the corridor. “I should have come here first.” They neared suite 1209 and together kicked in the door, watching as Uchin came out of the room partially undressed. C.J. heard Kym yell. He bowled over Uchin and they began wrestling on the floor. Kym came to the doorway saw her husband fighting and looked at Todd. “She’s next door. Please, go save her.”
Todd spun and left C.J. to fight his fight. Daimler belonged to him. He crashed through the door yelling “Blair!” and pushed into the bedroom coming up short at the sight before him.
His brain took in the picture but it didn’t register. Another time and another place filled his head with images. He was filled with rage at the girl lying beneath him and nothing would satisfy that rage but getting his pleasure from her. He took her savagely and then sat back and laughed as his pals Zach and Powell had their turns. She had ceased fighting and her eyes stared off into space blank and full of tears. His rage had been satisfied and he left her laughing. The images faded and then the scene in front of him came back into focus. Todd sucked in his breath as he felt like he had been kicked in the gut, everything, the torn dress the bed sheets in disarray, her face, “Oh God, her face!” Things were spinning, “No.. not my Blair.” He wanted to throw up. It couldn’t be true...” NOOOO...” He stumbled to the bed, and suddenly, Samuel took charge. Todd was in no shape: he had retreated, unable to cope with his thoughts “My God, Blair.” Samuel knew what Todd was thinking; they all were. He had to make certain first that she was all right. Samuel touched her face to get a better look at it and began untying her. “Blair, sweetheart it’s me, Samuel, you’re safe.” He had just gotten her untied when the laughter started. Samuel’s hand stilled. The laughter was so cruel and only one other man had had a laugh like that. He turned to see where it was coming from.
Daimler moved into the room laughing and clapping his hands. “Well, well, I never expected to meet you. But I must admit you’re an improvement over that barbarian. You control your anger well, Mr. Toddman. Such a pity. I was aspiring to see him groveling on the floor after he saw what I did to her. But you, I can see you would appreciate the care I took to present my picture. Beautiful Blair, so feisty, my, I’m amazed how she likes it so rough. And, as you can see it did turn a little rough.”
Daimler’s glee and hints were too much. Samuel envisioned Daimler’s pudgy hand on Blair and he felt the bile in his mouth, as Pete begged to be released, and then it happened. The coldness swept through him, Samuel jerked and found himself looking back out Todd’s eyes, he looked around and realized Pete was still with him and Pete said quietly “Shit.” Todd, in all his fury, had taken over. Samuel had been clenching the towel he had just removed from Blair’s hands and now Todd was wringing it, thinking of all the ways he could use it to silence Daimler once and for all.
Gregor noticed Samuel’s movement and it fascinated him that Toddman was holding it together so well, but he was beginning to see a crack in his facade. He had noticed a shimmer of sweat on Samuel’s brow and he watched as Samuel began clutching the towel he held. “Ah, Mr. Toddman, so you’re not so immune?” Gregor started laughing again.
Blair was trying desperately to wake up, her head pounding. She could hear Daimler taunting Samuel, and from his words, she knew something was wrong. She had to wake up; Todd needed her. If Samuel was out, something bad had occurred. She took a moment to feel around her and realized her dress was in disarray and her panties had been removed. What if Todd had found her like that? She envisioned a picture of what he must have seen. That must be why Samuel was out. Todd must believe Daimler had raped her but she knew he hadn’t, she could tell, she remembered her father saying she wasn’t his type. “Come on Blair, Todd’s not going to be able to hold in his anger much longer.” She moved her head and couldn’t suppress the moan that escaped. Before she could force her eyes open, she felt Todd leave the bed.
With a cry of rage, Todd sprang for Daimler, his laughter acting like a catalyst, releasing the rage that had been contained for so many years. All it had taken was Blair’s moan to pull the trigger. He struggled to wrap the towel around Daimler’s neck, but Gregor’s arms had gotten in the way and now Daimler was like a bear wrestling with him. They crashed into the table and chair but neither lost their hold. They continued to move around the room, each struggling to find an opening or advantage.
“You Monster, you dared to lay hands on my wife and act like it’s nothing. You’re the lowest scum on the earth who feeds on broken children and revels in their distress. I wish I had never discovered you and your connection to Blair.” Todd went limp and it pulled Gregor off balance and his grip was broken. Todd quickly whipped behind Daimler’s back, bringing the towel up under his chin and began to push his knee into Gregor’s spine cutting off his air with the towel.
“You fool, women are nothing, they were put here for our pleasure.” Gregor was beginning to have trouble breathing and stumbled to his knees, putting Todd off balance. With the kick of his leg, he knocked Todd backward and the towel went flying. Gregor moved away, putting some space for the moment between him and Todd. He looked as Todd struggled up. “Your father Peter knew that. We used to have long chats about you. When you raped that party girl, I thought you might have promise. But then you turned weak. You met that girl, some religious nut, and decided to try and play by the rules. You were useless to me then. The next thing I knew you’re taking up with my slut of a daughter. Man, you’re pitiful, she walked all over you and stomped on you and here you are defending her honor. Wake up man, she’s not worth...”
Todd roared and plowed into Gregor, his hands closing around Gregor’s neck as Gregor’s arms began closing tightly around his body. “You bastard,” Todd yelled, as images of a man slightly younger than Peter got all of his father’s attention. You should try to be more like Gregor, Todd, yes, I know he’s a grown man and you’re just a boy, but that young man is going places. Todd could remember hating the smug look the man got on his face when Peter would congratulate him on a particular business feat. All those feeling of jealousy he had felt toward that man came back in that instant, he hadn’t recognized Gregor and had only associated him with Blair and Addie. To realize now he had his hands around the neck of the jerk Peter Manning had liked, was karma. He squeezed harder. He had hated the man then but now after what he had just done to Blair, he was going to rip his head off.
Blair had been listening to everything and had slowly begun opening her eyes, the pain had receded to a mere throb and she forced herself to sit up and began to pull herself together. “Todd, you have to stop. I’m all right, he didn’t hurt me.” She stood up but had to grip the headboard as the room swam before her eyes. As the room righted, she again tried to get his attention. “Listen, Todd, he’s lying to you! He’s saying things to hurt you, you have to stop!”
Gregor whispered, “Yes Todd, listen to her. You’re killing me here. I’m her father. Is that what you want to go down?”
“You’re not her father, you never were. You’re just a sperm donor.”
Gregor continued to squeeze. He sensed, he had only one hope to get rid of Manning. He turned struggling to breathe and kept his pressure on Todd hoping to make him pass out before he himself was killed. Their bizarre dance was headed for the balcony.
At this, Blair became panicked. “Todd! God damn it! Listen!”
Blair’s cry got through. The cold anger seemed to seep away, as her words penetrated. What was she saying. Gregor didn’t hurt her. Could it be true? Back to his senses, Todd slammed his arms down through Gregor’s, breaking his hold and pushing free. The momentum pushed Gregor over the edge. Blair screamed as Todd rushed to look down.
He found Gregor hanging just below, holding on by his fingertips. Gregor looked up. “Help me. Come on, hero. You can’t let me die.”
“Why not? You would have let me.”
Blair was beside herself, frantically trying to get his attention. “Todd, do something!“
Todd looked at his wife. “But he hurt you. You want me to save him?”
“I want to save you, Todd.”
Todd reached over to try and grab Gregor’s suit sleeve. “I can’t reach him, Blair. He’s too far down.”
“I’m losing my grip, you have to help” Gregor looked down and back up at Todd.
Todd scowled, there was no time to get more help so he turned to Blair. “ Blair, give me the towel!”
With Todd’s anger once again under control, Pete screamed in frustration. ”God Damn it, Todd, let him die!” He ignored Pete’s cry and prepared to help Gregor.
Pete looked at Samuel “How can he save the guy? Two minutes ago we all wanted him dead. Especially Todd.”
“You’re right we did, but it’s not our choice, it’s Todd’s. Can’t you feel the difference? Even you Pete. Did you ever ask yourself why you want the guy dead?”
“The mother-fucker hurt Blair.”
“Yes he did, but you’ve done that and more, long ago. What’s changed now?”
Pete looked at Samuel ,”I don’t know, spit it out.”
“It’s obvious Pete, you love her, too.”
Pete glared at Samuel “You’re full of it,” and walked off, kicking a chair as he went.
“Gregor, can you grab this?” Lowering the towel, he tried to get a foothold on the edge of the balcony, bending as far as he could without getting off balanced himself.
Gregor grabbed the towel but he had only one thought in his head. He pulled, attempting to bring Todd down. Blair screamed as Todd started to fall, she grabbed hold and pulled him back with all of her strength. Feeling himself go off balance, Todd instinctively let go of the towel and attempted to stop his fall, his arms flailing until he felt Blair’s hand grasp his and pull. He fell on top of her as she stumbled to the floor. He looked into her beautiful eyes full of fear and then relief as she realized she had saved him. Gregor’s scream ripped the moment apart as Gregor fell to his death unable to hold on with only one hand after Todd had released the towel.
He lay on top of her and for just one moment all he wanted to do was take her right then and there. He pushed that thought away and concentrated on the present. They were both breathing hard from the exertion of everything that had just happened and his ribs felt cracked in several places from Gregor’s bear hug. Blair’s face was a reminder of the picture he had seen when he had entered the room. “Are you all right?”
“Eh, I’m a little bit beat up, but otherwise, I’m fine Todd. He didn’t do it, you know. He just wanted you to think so.”
Todd looked at her bruised face. “He really did a number on you.”
“You can kiss it and make it feel better, but I want to go home.”
As they left the room, they walked into John. “He’s not there, you’ll find him at the bottom somewhere, among the ants.”
“And before you get all Robocop on him, it wasn’t murder.” Blair chimed in.
“Oh?”
“No.”
John took one look at her face and nodded. “I’m glad he got there in time, Blair. You all right?”
Protectively, Todd put his arm around her. “She’s just fine.”
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
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