Locked Down with Mr. Right

As soon as I woke up from the dream, the panic struck sharp. Throwing on some clothes, still not comfortable naked, outside the room, even in the house, I went to look for him. I heard the typing through the door. The soft, machine-gun like rattle of Tobias executing some important duty. I went down to get something to eat. Sleep always made me hungry.

“Morning, creampuff.”

The bowl hit the floor with explosive results. To be fair, it was something of a shock to see Dave sitting there at the table. There was an envelope in front of him.

“I-”

“Sit down,” he ordered.

He looked bad. Several days growth of beard and stress lines marked his once handsome face. He was only 35 but looked older than me. I obeyed his order, like I had so many times before. I could understand the kinky stuff. I wasn’t particularly into it but could understand it for people who were. It was just another preference when it came right down to it. Dave was not a Dom. He was a pathetic man baby who like to hurt women as a way to make up for his own short comings. He had been weighed. He had been measured and he had been found wanting in every possible way.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Custody papers,” he said. He slid them towards me, the air hockey champion coming out.

“Why?”

“I’m at my wits end, Addie. I’ve tried talking to you. I’ve tried threatening you. It is clear to me now there is nothing I can do. You are just too much of a stubborn bitch to see reason. So, we are going to court. I don’t particularly want to, but if it is the only way to get through that thick head of yours, so be it. Our son is better off with me.”

“Duncan.”

“What?”

“Duncan. His name is Duncan. Or do you even know that? It wouldn’t surprise me. This is the first time you’ve even seen him. Now that the hard work is done, your back and you want him. You can’t have him. I love him. Where is he anyway, if you’re here and such a better parent?”

“He’s fine. I know you love him, which is why I am willing to make a deal.”

“Will I have to sign in blood?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“Yes, very droll. I am the Devil, at least in your crazy little mind. But let me tell you, when I’m pissed off, when I’m really motivated, the Devil is afraid of me. Don’t make the mistake of making me angry. Don’t you know that I was only doing all of this because I still care for you? Because I want you with me, and Duncan, where you belong? Leave the rich buffoon and this circus of a show and come live with me and Duncan. I think enough water has run under the bridge for us to give it another go.”

“Go fuck yourself with an anchor,” I said.

“I thought you might say that,” Dave said smugly.

“Really? I kind of surprised myself with that one.”

“Nevertheless, these papers are being filed and I will have quite a tale to tell. I will have full custody of our dear boy before Christmas.”

“What tale?”

“Glad you asked. I suspected there might have been something going on with you and old dude. So, I broke in here and planted cameras. Quite a show you put on. In the kitchen, on the table, in the shower. I have to say daring, I never knew you could be so limber.”

“You’re lying. There’s no way you could have gotten past security.”

“There is a gap in the back hedge. There are so many windows back there. Who would notice if one of them was broken? Especially if I left it open. I bet Mr. Moneybags has rooms he has never been in.”

“I’ll scream. He’ll come down here and kick your ass.”

“I don’t think so.”

It hurt more than anything he had ever done before. The jolt from the taser knocked me to the floor where I continued to twitch, but he had only hit my arm. Picking up the envelope, he came around the table and crouched down next to me. I prepared for the worst. His tone was calm, which scared me even more.

“I’ve emailed you a link to the footage, so you know I am telling the truth. It is stored on the cloud, so don’t even think that you can get rid of it. It would take a top-flight Dutch hacker to guess my codes. I am going to ruin you. See you in court, bitch.”

I don’t know how long I stayed there. Time kind of lost meaning. The cold floor growing warm under me. I wondered if the jolt affected my brain. I ran through the alphabet. And all my favorite books. Everything seemed to be in working order.