Page 8 of Taunting Tarran (Wild at Heart #1)

THE BUTCHERBIRD

It was a bump in the road that awoke my senses.

My nostrils twitch by the overpowering scent of cologne.

My hands are bound, but instead of the sharp zip ties, they feel like they are now tied by something soft and smooth.

My aching body lolls from side to side as I realise I am in a car, and not just in a car but in the boot.

Panic creeps up inside me as I frantically start to piece together what happened.

Memories flash before me like a disjointed movie reel, until one clear thought emerges – someone did this to me.

Am I safe?

The throbbing pain between my legs tells me otherwise. My breathing quickens in short, raspy gasps as I struggle to make sense of my surroundings.

Where am I?

Why are my eyes covered?

Who did this?

Then, a low, soothing voice breaks my thoughts.

‘Almost there,’ it whispers.

The car jolts and rocks as the tyres drive over gravel, the sound piercing through the floor of the boot. With a jolt of recognition, the familiar crunch sends a panic within me as I curse myself for revealing my address to someone.

A complete stranger.

What was I thinking?

I try to shift further into the recess of the boot as the car comes to a stop. The sound of the car door opening and footsteps crunching over gravel causes me to freeze. With a deep breath, I prepare myself for whatever is about to happen.

The car boot opens with a click and two hands grip underneath my body hauling me out into the crisp air. Air that is so cold it cuts deeper than a knife.

The lower half of my body is still naked, and I feel the sharp gravel dig into my flesh as I’m lowered onto the ground with a thud. Agony shoots through me as I try to push myself up onto my elbows.

‘Who are you?’ I manage to choke out.

‘Oh, good, you’re awake,’ he responds nonchalantly. ‘I’m going to untie you, but count to twenty before you remove your blindfold. Understood?’

I nod.

‘And one more thing, sweetheart…’

‘Don’t call me sweetheart. I’m not your sweetheart, I have a name.’

‘OK…’

‘And I’m only telling you because you…’

Rescued? No, that would be the wrong word.

‘Because you got me out of that situation. My name is Tarran.’

‘Well, Tarran, stay away from The Lickerish Lounge. If I see you there again, I’ll fuck you myself.’