“Did you know that, in Saja, kidnapping can be considered a capital crime? If royalty is involved, the death penalty is almost always added to the charge.” His pale eyes glittered, giving me a glimpse of what Nami faced every day. “Add rape onto that and I believe that an execution will not only be requested, but required.”
I fought to keep my voice calm. “Threatening an American with the death penalty, particularly for actions that you know to be false, sounds like a good way to start an international incident.”
Tanek shrugged. “The United States has executed plenty of people who are innocent.” His eyes narrowed. “And we both know I have evidence that can be used to prove your guilt.”
I slowly stood up, keeping my eyes locked on his face. I knew his type. He was the kind of man who took pleasure in bullying people, trying to prove that he was a man by pushing around whoever he could. I might be the one in jail, but I wasn't about to let him think he could bully me.
I kept my voice even, but didn't bother to try to hide my anger and disgust. “What we both know, Tanek Nekane, is that, of the two of us, only one is guilty of rape.”
His face twisted and he snapped something over his shoulder in Saja's native language. It didn't sound nearly as beautiful as when Nami spoke it. Then the door slid open and he was coming inside.
I knew what would happen and that I had only seconds to make a choice. I could fight back, probably get in a few good blows before someone came in. But even if he started it, I was the one who'd be charged with assault and, unlike the other two charges, I would be guilty of this one. I wasn't sure what the penalty would be for assaulting a prince, even one who married in, but I was sure it wouldn't be good for me.
That left me with the alternative. Take it.
He wouldn't kill me. At least, I didn't think he would. A trial and a death sentence would be bad enough. If he beat me to death while I was in police custody, even being the prince wouldn't protect him. A small part of me had the fleeting thought that if that happened, at least Halea and Nami would be safe.
And then he was there and I realized I'd already made my decision. I turned as he swung and his first hit caught me in the shoulder. I might not fight back, but that didn't mean I was going to stand there like an idiot. I kept my hands up, palms out. Tanek was angry, but he didn't fight stupid. Considering how well he'd been able to hide his actions, I had expected nothing less. I managed to block and dodge two more swings, but the third one caught me in the temple.
Stars burst in front of my eyes and I staggered back. Tanek hit me again, this time in the stomach and all the air rushed out of my lungs. A kick to my leg put a knot in my calf and I went down on my knees. I saw where the next kick was aimed and twisted so that it caught my hip. Pain flared through the muscle and I curled up, protecting my head and stomach as Tanek kicked and hit me. My ears were ringing, head swimming, and then I realized I wasn't being hit anymore. I risked a glance up and saw one of the cops pulling Tanek back out of the cell. I waited until the door closed before I uncurled, wincing at the pain. I'd barely healed from the last beating I'd gotten and Tanek had managed to catch a couple of the still tender spots.
The pair were speaking in their language, but based on the way the cop was glaring at me, I had a feeling that whatever Tanek was saying wasn't very complimentary. I tasted blood on my lip and could feel it swelling. Damn. Anger flared as I thought of him going after Nami like that and I stood, ignoring the pain.
“Tanek.” I spit some blood into the sink. “I gave you that. Next time, you'll find out what it means to pick on someone your own size.”
Tanek glared at me, but I didn't look away. After a moment, his face paled, then flushed again, an angry mottled color.
“I am going to make you an offer,” Tanek said. His voice was shaking now, but I was pretty sure it wasn't because he was scared. He might've been a coward, but at the moment, he was an angry coward.
“Why would you want to make a deal with me?” I asked even though I already knew the answer. Things were under his control right now, with just a few people knowing what had happened. He knew I had money, and probably suspected that I had connections. He didn't want to risk me using either of them to expose the truth.
“I am sure you do not want to put the princess through the humiliation of a trial.”
I scowled and tasted fresh blood.
“Here is my deal. If you confess everything, I will convince the police to drop the charges. You will be deported and never allowed in Saja again.”
“I think I'll take my chances in court,” I said dryly. There was no way the king and queen would force Nami to go through with testifying.
“Is that so?” Tanek scowled. “If that is your decision, I will make sure that Namisa must testify, confess every little detail of what you did to her.”
“You wouldn't.” I took a step forward.
“I would,” he said. “And I will ensure that the lawyer asks the most awful questions. How she felt with you inside her. If you made her climax while you raped her.”
I felt the blood draining from my face. He would do it. He would force Nami to lie under oath, and not just lie but be humiliated as she did it. Even though I knew she would be doing it to save Halea, I knew how she would hate herself for doing what she felt like would be a betrayal.
“And the best part,” he continued. “Is that, with such a small judicial system, and the king and queen having to oversee everything...”
Fuck. I hadn't realized that Nami's parents would have to be a part of it, much less in charge of it.
“It would be at least a year before you would have a court date.” Tanek's eyes gleamed. “And you would be here the whole time. Wondering what I am doing to the princess in your absence...”
Damn him! My hands curled into fists.
I hated the idea of confessing to something I didn't do, especially something as hideous as rape. I hated that anyone would think I could hurt Nami that way, and I had a bad feeling Tanek would use it as another bit of blackmail, but it was much better than the alternative.
If I confessed, I'd be sent to the airport and then home to the US. I'd hire the best attorney possible and come back to Saja to fight the charges and save Nami and her sister. While I didn't want to leave Nami with Tanek for another minute, it would still be less time than if I refused to confess and she was with Tanek until the trial. I shook my head. Even then, here'd be no guarantee I'd be free then either. In fact, if Nami lied – and with Halea at the mercy of Tanek, I had no doubt she would – I was almost certainly going to be found guilty. And most likely killed.
I just had to steel myself to do the lesser of two evils.
Chapter 10
Nami
I didn't want to take a shower and lose the lingering scent of Reed on my skin, but as soon as Claudel closed the door behind me, I headed straight for our bathroom. Tanek had said he would call a doctor to examine Halea and me. I didn't think he was lying about that. I wasn't sure how far he would go with these accusations against Reed, but I knew he'd want as much 'proof' as possible to hold over my head, and Reed's. The most obvious evidence would be Reed's DNA on and in me.
I scrubbed myself thoroughly, cleaning every inch until I was certain nothing of Reed lingered. As I stepped out of the shower, I wiped the fog off the mirror and forced myself to look. I needed to make sure there wasn't anything else on my body that could incriminate Reed. On the side of my neck was a small bruise, edged by what I knew were teeth marks. Heat flooded my body as I remembered the feel of him biting me. It wasn't too deep though and I doubted it would be enough for any sort of proof.
I touched it lightly and closed my eyes, letting myself remember Reed's touch, the feel of him on me, inside me. I knew Tanek would be back soon. Taunting Reed would keep him occupied for a bit, but I knew it was me he truly wanted to make pay. I had absolutely no delusions about what would happen when he got back.
The memory of Reed and what we'd shared last night would keep me strong, keep me sane. I opened my eyes. I just couldn't afford to spend too much time in my head. I needed to dress and then try to figure out what I would do next.
I couldn't just be passive about this anymore. I had to do something to save not only Halea, but myself. It wouldn't be tonight. I knew that. I'd resigned myself to what was going to happen to me, but I refused to think about it. Instead, I was going to start being proactive.
I dressed simply, knowing no matter what I wore, Tanek would be pissed. At least if he drew blood, it wouldn't ruin something good. I sat in a corner chair so I could see the door, not because I thought I'd be able to escape when it opened, but because I didn't want to be caught off guard. Now, it was time to plan.
By the time the door slammed open, a couple hours had passed and I wasn't any closer to figuring out what to do. I'd gone through all of the protocols I knew, all of the passages in and out of the house. Every person who might help me. Every time though, I couldn't figure out a way to make sure Halea was safe while I came up with the evidence to show my parents.
When I saw Tanek's face, however, an idea popped into my head. It was a bad one. Possibly the worst one I'd ever had. But it was all I had.
“Come here, you little bitch.” Tanek was already moving towards me even as he spoke. He didn't want to give me a chance to obey.
I climbed off of the bed and, as he reached for me, I saw his knuckles were already bloody and bruised. “What did you do?”
He grabbed my hair, yanking my neck back far enough to make it hurt. “I did to him what I am going to do to you.” He added, “Except fucking. I am not a pervert.”
I didn't even bother to argue with the hypocrisy of a sadistic rapist referring to homosexuality as perverted.
He let go of my hair and I could see on his face that he was daring me to run, to try to get away. He wanted an excuse to hurt me more. I refused to give it to him.
He grabbed the collar of my shirt and tore it straight down the center. I was definitely glad I hadn't put Reed's t-shirt back on. I'd hidden it so it would be safe from Tanek's rage.
“Not even wearing a bra.” Tanek grabbed my breasts, squeezing hard enough to make me gasp. “How long did it take before you spread your legs for him?”
One hand moved up to my throat, not squeezing tight enough to leave marks, but enough to keep me in place as he shoved his other hand down the front of my pants. His fingers were rough as they probed between my legs.
“Was he the one who took your virginity?” His fingers found my clit and pinched. “Was he?” he shouted.
I shook my head.
“Did you offer him your cunt in exchange for him taking you and your sister?”
I shook my head, tears coming to my eyes as he twisted the delicate bundle of nerves.
The hand in my pants came out and made a fist before I could think. He drove it into my stomach, but I couldn't bend over, held in place by the hand around my throat. His fingers tightened.
“Careful,” I gasped when I finally had some breath. “Don't want to leave marks where my parents can see them.”
He grinned at me. “That is the beauty of this punishment.” His hand tightened again and I began to choke. “I can and will mark you wherever I please. I do not need to be careful. The doctor coming tomorrow will want to see all of them. After all, we must have a clear record of the injuries you sustained when you were assaulted by that horrible American.”
He released my throat a moment before I passed out and I fell forward, gasping and coughing. I'd thought if I could get him to beat me, I could show my parents the marks as proof and have Tanek arrested before he could get to Halea. Now, I saw he'd already thwarted my plan, even without knowing it.
I barely realized Tanek was pulling off the rest of my clothes until he was pulling me up again and throwing me against the dresser. I collided with the side of it, the corner driving into my ribs. I felt blood running down my side, but didn't look down to confirm that the skin had broken.
“The police, the guards, Halea, they all know I was unmarked.” I knew it was a stupid thing to say, but I had to try. I wasn't trying to avoid the beating, but reminding him that people knew the truth. I couldn't tell the doctor Reed had hurt me if there were those who could dispute it.
Tanek undressed as he stared at me, dropping his clothes to the floor. His belt, however, he kept in his hand. “Police officers and security guards can have tricky memories if enough incentive is given.”
My insides were trembling at the sight of that belt, but I didn't let him see it.
“As for your sister.” He cracked the belt. “If she knows what is good for her, she will keep her mouth shut.”
My eyes narrowed.
“And you will tell her that tomorrow when you see the doctor. You will convince her that she is to confirm everything you say.”
I didn't say a word or make a sound as he brought the strap down on my side.
“You should also know that, should you ever attempt to run again, you should remember that I employ a great number of people who are my eyes and ears.”
I turned as he brought the belt down two more times in quick succession, pain bursting across my back and ass.