Witness Protection (The Witness Series) Read online

  “Get away from me!”

  “I told you what I was doing in there.” Ryder growls.

  “I…I…you tied her up, she was helpless.”

  “She has a safe word.”

  I grip my head and rock slightly, Nate clicks and sits beside me.

  “Oh, Ari, sorry.”

  “Sorry for what?” Ryder snarls.

  “Think about it bud, she saw that girl tied up and helpless.”

  “STOP!” I cry.

  Ryder sighs and walks in further. “Those girls can stop at any time, they only need to say one word and I will stop.”

  “Nate, are you into this…Dom stuff too?” I whisper.

  Nate meets Ryder’s gaze and then turns back to me. “I don’t fuck women.”

  “You want me to believe you are a virgin? I don’t think so Nate, I saw how well you bonded with those girls.”

  “Those girls…were here for Ryder only.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I am gay Ari.” Nate says and I gape.

  “Bullshit, you scream sex.”

  “Nope I’m gay, gay as they come.”

  “No, what? So, you don’t do women?” I ask Nate.

  “Nah.”

  “And Ryder likes to be a cruel bully?”

  Ryder growls again. “It’s called BDSM and it is a sexual taste!”

  “The women love it, they submit to him and he takes control,” Nate says. “You don’t need to keep worrying about it Ari, they want it.”

  “Well no wonder you’re single. Jesus. Did your mother drop you on your head or something?”

  Ryder stands and snarls a curse at me. “Back off.”

  “Well excuse me, but you are meant to be a cop and here you are tying women and beating them with sticks.”

  “It was a crop and she fucking wanted it.”

  “Oh really? She likes being hurt?”

  “Go ahead and ask her, better yet stick your fingers in her pussy and see how wet she is. She wants me to fuck her, she wants her friend to watch.”

  I gape. “You pig!”

  “You are a naive little shit, don’t get on your high horse with me and start judging.”

  “Enough you two!” Nate yells.

  “I don’t need this, I want a transfer.” I demand.

  Ryder laughs. “You can’t do shit. A sexual enjoyment has nothing to do with us protecting you.”

  “Alright, just take a step back. Ari, those women do in fact like what Ryder is doing to them. He doesn’t force them or hurt them in anyway, what he is doing, they want. I wouldn’t let it go on if he hurt them.”

  “Whatever.” I snap.

  “Listen, we will tone it down while you are here but it is his room and his business, and this is his house.”

  “Fine, ok, fine.” I snap, throwing my hands up.

  “He doesn’t often have two women…”

  “It’s wrong.”

  “It’s not fucking wrong, how is it wrong?” Ryder growls.

  “Excuse me GI Joe but I just walked in on you spanking Barbie, while she was tied to your bed. How is that not wrong?”

  Nate snorts a laugh and Ryder glares furiously at me.

  “Just because you have no sex life, doesn’t mean you can pick and prod at others.”

  I gape. “That’s unfair, you know nothing about me.”

  “And you know nothing about me!” He snarls and walks out.

  Nate sighs and rubs his head.

  “Nate, I didn’t mean to walk in…”

  “Look you are staying here and it’s not a bad idea for you to know what we like. Ryder is complicated and very sexual, it is just something you have to learn to deal with.” He says, staring at his legs. Oh my, he cares for Ryder. How did I not see this?

  “You care for Ryder, don’t you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Have you been in love with a woman?”

  “I have cared for women but no, I haven’t really been with or loved women.”

  “I understand. I don’t think it’s bad that you prefer men, everyone is different. I am sad that someone so gorgeous has to be gay.”

  He smiles and nudges me with his shoulder. “If I was straight, I would totally go for you.”

  “Now you are just being nice.”

  “Always.”

  “I don’t really agree with what Ryder is doing, but I won’t bother him about it. It is his life, you are right about that.”

  “Well it is out there now.”

  “Sorry to ruin your night.”

  “I am kind of glad, I hope he hits that girl real hard with that crop.” He grins, with a wicked twinkle in his eye.

  I giggle. “Ditto.”

  Nate hugs me and then stands to leave.

  “Goodnight Nate.” I whisper as he turns to walk out.

  “Night Ari.”

  CHAPTER 2

  Stupid stupid girl, she should have stayed in her car. Now, she has to die. Pity really, it will take me right off my course. Stuffed it all up she did. She should have kept her mouth shut, should have just left and been quiet, then she might have lived. No, she goes and rats it out to the cops. Now everyone is scared, no one will let their teens out. She is making my job very, very hard.

  She will get what’s coming though, I will make a nice little effort for her. Might even drag it out a bit longer, let her really feel the effects of it. Listening to her scream will be a pleasure, oh yes, a pleasure. She will beg for release, I might even let her believe she has it, then, I will slice her throat inch by inch. I will fuck her fist though, starve her, beat her then I will kill her. Silly little Maya, she should have kept her mouth shut.

  “Mother, I want to go out.”

  I swing my eyes towards my next victim, little Vicky Elanor. Bad little girl she is, yelling at her mother all the time. They don’t even notice me, sitting in the booth beside them sipping my coffee. No one notices me, and that is just how I like it. Standing out is a bad thing, looking like everyone else is a good thing. I am down with all the rage in Manhattan right now. Jeans, shirts, girls sunnies. Why do men wear girls sunnies? These were made for women, big and bug eyed but no men had to take over and become far too feminine. All the same though, it keeps the suspicion away.

  “I said no,” Vicky’s mother snaps. “Not while there is a killer on the loose.”

  “Mother, it is just to Jennifer’s house.”

  “No is no, end of story.”

  “I hate you!”

  I watch pretty Vicky stand and storm out, her mother rushes quickly behind her. Run mommy, get your baby and hide her away but it won’t work. No, it won’t work. Your little Vicky is going to sneak out, and it will be the last bad thing she ever does.

  * * * * * *

  “What, are you serious?” My little sister Sandy cries down the earpiece. It is the first time I have spoken to her since I came here, I finally got a phone I am allowed to use.

  “Yes, I caught him.” I whisper.

  “So one is gay and the other straight?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Wow.”

  “I know.”

  “So the straight one likes to whip and tie up women?”

  “Apparently.”

  “Weird!”

  “Ryder being all dominant is just weird.” I mutter.

  “Well I hope he ties you up.”

  “Stop it!” I laugh.

  “It is kind of sexy, right?”

  “Kind of, you know me though, I am not weak.”

  “I don’t think you have to be weak, it’s just a taste.”

  “Sandy, stop educating your sister on sex!” I laugh.

  She giggles. “I can’t help it, I read books.”

  “I bet, look I have to go, I love you sis.”

  “Love you, BEHAVE!”

  I peer out the bedroom door, it is quiet and early thank God. I walk out and into the kitchen. Pasta and pizza boxes lay everywhere and empty beer bottles are strewn about. Men.
I sigh and begin cleaning up, figuring I had better pull my weight. I hear Ryder’s room come to life again, when a woman moans deeply and he groans along with her. That’s just sick. I pull out my iPod and shove in my head phones to drown out the noise.

  I am in the middle of cleaning, singing and wiggling my bottom around in some serious sexy back style when I turn and face two men, and two women, all staring at me with amused expressions. Well hell. The women are dressed in next to nothing, looking all tall and glorious. I suddenly feel like a hobbit. I pull out my earphones and stare at the gaping faces.

  “What?”

  “You look hot dancing around like that.” Nate grins, walking over and tucking his arm around my shoulder.

  “I was cleaning.”

  “Might be useful after all.” Ryder says, wrapping an arm around blonde number three hundred and fifty two. There is another blonde beside him, who knows what number she is.

  He looks glorious, standing half naked. He has a pair of boxers on that are slung low on his hips, showing off a very beautiful V. His abs are tight and firm, moving as he breathes and his chest is golden, hairless and hard. I turn my eyes away, forcing myself to look away. I go back to my cleaning and listen as Ryder kisses his little sandwiches goodbye.

  “Goodbye master, when will we see you again?”

  “I’ll call.”

  “Bye Nate.” They both say.

  “Later.”

  “Bye Ariana.”

  “Later sandwiches.”

  Nate snorts his cereal and roars with laughter, the girls stare stupidly at me.

  “Good God, I haven’t laughed so much for years. You are a good thing miss Ari.” Nate pants through laughter.

  I grin and walk over, picking up my own bowl of cereal. “Maybe I am.”

  “You are going to give my boy here a mental breakdown.”

  Ryder walks in and mixes some sort of smoothie with berries, powder and eggs. Grosse. He is completely ignoring Nate and I, temperamental man he is.

  “Mr. Dominant need his nutrients back?” I say in a cooing voice.

  He turns and stares at me, then walks forward until my back is pressed against the bench. I can feel his hard erection pressing into my stomach. Oh, my. My eyes widen and the sheer size and length of it. He grins and presses me back harder.

  “Watch your mouth, my offer still stands and I am happy to close it for you.”

  “I…” Oh well great, I am speechless.

  “You want to know how many times I can fuck in one night? Why I need that smoothie?”

  “Not really.” I say, putting my hands on his chest and shoving him back.

  “Five, give or take.”

  “Well good for you, do you want a gold star?”

  Nate laughs again and I hear it follow me as I walk outside with my cereal. I sit on the front chair and stare out at the pool in front of the apartment. It looks refreshing, and boy would I like a swim in it. Nate comes out and sits beside me, munching on his crunchy nut.

  “Nate, crunchy nut? Really?”

  “It’s good.”

  “It is kind of good.”

  “Checking out the pool sweetheart?”

  I sigh. “It looks kind of good.”

  “Go have a swim.”

  “Won’t it be unsafe?”

  “Look, a serial killer might be after you but they don’t take cheap shots. He would have a plan, a goal, he won’t just take you out.”

  “In that case!”

  I stand and pull off my shirt, stripping down to my black bra and panties. Nate whistles and I give him a grin over my shoulder.

  “Hot bod girl!”

  I see Ryder walk out and gape, just as I dive into the water. Oh, yes, the cool bliss. I let it soothe my restless body and I moan in satisfaction. After ten minutes or so, I climb out and walk towards the two men sitting and chatting on the porch. Ryder’s gaze very slowly travels up and down my body. Noticing the tattoo on my thigh, he grips my leg and turns me.

  “Nice tatt, even better body.”

  I meet his gaze. “Thanks.”

  “You would have to be the tiniest woman I ever met.”

  “I don’t have all that junk in my trunk like your Barbie’s, so sue me!”

  “I never said it was a bad thing. Heck, you would make one hell of a sub. I could wrap myself around your body and be completely in control.”

  “I might be small GI Joe but I’m not easy and there will be no wrapping of this sub.”

  He grins, and it is a beautiful sight. He has perfectly straight teeth, a perfectly straight nose and the dark hint of stubble on his chin.

  “How tall are you, little sandwich?”

  I can’t help but grin at that comment.

  “Five two, so what.”

  “Oh, baby, you just made me hard.”

  “Ryder!” Nate snaps, “Leave the poor girl alone.”

  “Size?”

  “Excuse me?” I gape.

  “What size are you?”

  “None of your business.”

  “I am guessing a four, six maybe?”

  Damn the man was spot on.

  “All that shows is you have had way to many pairs of panties in your hands.”

  He laughs and leans back. “So I have.”

  “If you are finished assessing me, can I go and put some clothes on?”

  “Innocent, aren’t you?”

  I give him a glare. “What?”

  “You are an innocent.”

  “If you are referring to my virginity, no, I am not.”

  “Ah, so she has been fucked. How many times?”

  “What?”

  “RYDER!” Nate snaps, shoving his buddy.

  “Once if you must know, not that it is any of your damned business but it was a bad experience and it won’t be happening again. Your little fantasies of subs and doms and whatever else you think you want form me, you can shove right where the sun don’t shine. I will never let a man talk me into pulling down my boundaries again!” I yell, storming inside.

  This is going to be a long, long few weeks, months or however long it takes to catch that freak and I don’t know how I am going to deal with it, when GI Joe is in my face twenty four seven. Lord give me strength.

  CHAPTER 3

  Two weeks pass and it has been event free. I have grown close to Nate, and Ryder spends most of his time out, choosing to fuck his little subs at their homes instead of his own. How caring. Nate comes into my room one morning as I am twirling my hair around my hands and tying it up in a loose bun. I smile at him.

  “Hey Nate.”

  Hi face tells me right away something is wrong.

  “What is it?”

  “They found another one.”

  I pale. “When…”

  “This morning, early. Strung up on a tree in central park.”

  “That close?” I stammer.

  “Yeah, that close. Vicky Eleanor, eighteen ,blonde, snuck out and he got her.”

  “How long did he have her?”

  “Two days.”

  “He is close Nate, too close.”

  He sits beside me and takes my hand. “Hey, if he knew you were here he would have pounced. He is close but I don’t think he has located you.”

  The front door bell rings and we both stand and rush out. Ryder is at the door already, dressed in his uniform. His eyes meet mine for a moment before he opens the door. It is James Clancy.

  “Can I come in?”

  “Yeah.”

  Ryder shoves the door open and James Clancy steps in.

  “Ari, Nate, sorry to call in.”

  “What is it?”

  “The body was found this morning as you know, there was something else.”

  “Something else?” I stammer.

  He hands Ryder a note, I can see it has blood on it and my stomach turns. Ryder grips it harshly and curses. Nate snatches the note from his hand and scans in.

  “Well fuck.”

  “W-w-what do
es it say?” I ask.

  He hands me the note and I read over the few lines.

  Your turn is coming, my brown haired beauty.

  I turn and run to the room, making it just in time. The contents of my stomach come roaring up and into the toilet. Tears stream down my face. He has found me, he knows where I am. Fear grips my heart, causing my body to seize and stiffen.

  “Hey.”

  Ryder drops down beside me, he and I always seem tense, so it surprises me he came in.

  “He found me. He found me.”

  “He is trying to scare you.”

  “He knows my hair is dark!”

  “And he obviously doesn’t know where you are because he would have had that note delivered. It is possible he thought your hair was dark. It was a very light brown and in the dark, that could have been seen wrong.”

  “Y-y-you think?”

  “Yeah, I think. Come on.”

  He helps me to my feet and I flush the toilet. When I have brushed my teeth, twice, we walk back out.

  “You ok?” Nate asks.

  “She is fine. Tell us what you know James.”

  “I was just telling Nate, I think it is a trick to scare her out. It could be possible he thought she had dark hair because it was dark.”

  “I just told her that.” Ryder informs him.

  “I think he is playing, if he knew she was here he would have done something to the house, or left something.”

  “So, if by chance he has seen her on the street, how do we avoid it again?”

  “Keep her away from overcrowded areas.”

  “What?” I cry. “I have no life as it is.”

  “If he saw you, he could see you again and follow you. It is your life on the line.” James Clancy snaps.

  I grip my head, it hurts. “I want to go for a walk.”

  “No.” Nate says.

  “Look, I will take her. I will make sure there is no one around, quiet place. Let her get out.” Ryder says.

  “Your choice Ryder.” James Clancy mutters clearly not happy with the offer.

  “Come on, put this on.”

  He hands me a bike helmet, it has a closed in face.

  “You are taking me on the bike?”

  “It’s safest, your face is entirely covered before we even get out. Chances are no one will spot you.”

  “Ok.”

  I pull the helmet on, Ryder grips his bike key and turns to Nate.