Monster

Summer

The giant walks me through the streets of Manhattan like I'm a miss behaving toddler. His grip on my arm doesn't loosen one bit. If it did, I would definitely run.

We don't talk as we head to Grand Central station. He doesn't even let my arm go as he pays the toll. We board the train heading back toward lower Manhattan and take a seat near the back. He places the black duffle bag down at his feet.

A man across from us watches me warily, I try with all my might to ask for help with my eyes.

"Don't," his gruff voice comes from beside me.

I turn to see him staring at me. How is it possible someone so beautiful could be so deranged?

"You will only get him killed."

I wholeheartedly believe this monster will kill this man if he tries to help me. I mean it isn't hard to believe, he peeled poor Greg like an orange.

"Do you enjoy taking people's lives? Do you get some sick satisfaction from murder?" I ask curtly.

No, I'm not quiet with my question either. I want people to hear. Although, I know it won't help. I'm on a New York subway, people are trained to ignore their surroundings.

"Yes," he replies easily as if I asked him if he's enjoying the weather.

That was not what I was expecting him to say. Although, when I think about it, I don't know why I thought he would respond any other way. You can't do what he did if you don't enjoy it.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I say. "Look, you can let me go. I won't tell anyone what I saw. I promise." Yes, I've resorted to pleading. I'll try anything to get me out of this situation.

"You would. Eventually, you would tell."

He leans forward in his seat placing his elbows on his knees. His eyes seem to watch every person on the train. They bounce from one face to another. Short pieces of his hair have fallen from the high bun and down into his face covering the old scar in his hairline. It bothers me that I notice it.

Taking a deep breath, I lift my shoulders and drop them on my exhale. I need to think and do it quickly. This isn't the first high risk situation I've been in. I escaped from Nic that night, and he had a gun to my head. I just need to be smart.

What do I know about this guy so far? Well, there is the obvious, he's a killer. He seems to also be battling some type of mental issue. The way he started talking to himself at Greg's house proves that all the screws aren't tightened in his head. I need to be patient with him.

At some point he's going to let his guard down and I'll be able to get away. I need to make him think I'm going to cooperate with him. Something made him not kill me when he had the chance. It leads me to believe this killer has a conscious. I need to make myself seem as human as possible to him. People don't kill things they connect with.

With my new plan in place, I lean back against the glass seeming to relax.

"You know, today has been a really shitty day for me." I laugh to lighten the mood a little. "First, my sister kicked me out of the house for trying to sleep with her man and then I took a prostitution job for my best friend. Only to end up here."

"You seem to make a lot of bad choices," he says in that emotionless deep voice of his.

I turn to look at him. He looks to be still hyper focused on his surroundings, yet I can tell he's listening to me.

"Wow, never thought I'd be judged by a serial killer."

Those light green eyes cut to me momentarily. "Assassin," he corrects.

As if there is a difference.

"Just so you know, I didn't try to sleep with my sister's boyfriend." I don't know why I felt the need to clear that up instead of the prostitution thing. Probably because I was guilty of attempted prostitution.

He again looks to me, his gaze running up and down my body before turning back to everyone else.

"I don't believe you."

Wow, this motherfucker's got a lot of nerve. "You know what, fuck you," I say sitting up straight. "You don't even know me—"

"I know you showed up at an apartment to have sex with a man that has made billions of dollars by poisoning children in third world countries just so he can get his skin care medications approved."

My draw drops and hangs there for a moment. "I didn't…… know that about him."

His gaze narrows on me. "Even if you did, would it have made a difference?"

I open my mouth to tell him yes. To explain to him that I would never lay down with a man that could hurt others, especially children. However, no words come out.

Because the truth is, I needed the money to get out of town. Although what Greg was doing was horrible, I couldn't see the children he was hurting. I didn't know them. I probably would have pushed their plight out of my mind to save myself. It's shitty to admit, but I'm honest enough to tell the truth. Does that make me a bad person?

Sitting back once again, my shoulders slump. "No. It probably wouldn't have made a difference."

"As I thought," he says, his gaze going back to scanning the crowd.

I could go off on him, remind him that he has a lot of judgement for someone that gets paid to kill people. However, that wouldn't be smart. If I want to survive the night with this killer, I have to stay calm. Same way I did the night with Nic.

Suddenly a muscle cramp hits my stomach and has me clutching my side. I take slow breaths in. Fuck! Trying to stay clear headed and survive while going through withdrawals will not be easy.

Once the cramp subsides, I relax and lean back in my seat. I ignore the heated gaze on my face. I know he's watching but I won't acknowledge him.

The computerized female voice on the subway tells us our next stop.

"Let's go," the giant says, standing and grabbing his bag. Before I can climb to my feet by myself, he wraps his large hand around my bicep and yanks me out of my seat.

"You don't have to handle me like this," I argue.

His green eyes cut to me and without a word, his grip loosens only a little. Don't get me wrong, it still feels like a python is wrapped around my upper arm, but at least the python is no longer trying to kill me.

The train car pulls to a stop, and we are off as soon as the doors open. We trot up the steps and out onto the streets. He's walking at a fast pace and my legs are moving twice as fast as his, trying to keep up.

I do notice that he doesn't slow down or move for anyone. Everyone in his path just glides out of the way for him. It's like they can feel the danger rolling off him.

We walk about a block and a half before my body and the damages I've done to it over the years start to catch up with me.

"Stop, please. I have to stop."

I pull up short and he swings around to glare at me. His eyes narrow as he watches me fight to get air into my lungs.

"You're out of shape," he states the obvious.

I roll my eyes but ignore his dig. "Where are you taking me?"

"Menu," he simply replies.

"I'm sure that's some kind of serial killer lingo, but can you dumb it down for us regular people."

Those beautiful eyes tighten at the corners. "How about I use the language of your people. I have another John."

My mouth falls open. I should be offended. He's basically calling me a whore. Not to mention he has kidnapped me and threatened to kill me. However, he is speaking my language which is Ill-timed humor and dark jokes.

I fight the laugh that wants to come out and stand up straight. "Look, if you think I'm going to help you go around this city killing people then you're crazier than I thought."

If it's at all possible, it feels as if he somehow gets bigger. His nostrils flare, his chest expands and the vein in his neck throbs. The eyes that are so striking turn even colder. He takes a step closer to me, blocking out the glow from the streetlight behind him.

"Do. Not. Call me crazy."

Okay, duly noted. I nod, taking a step back from him. He turns and yanks my arm, dragging me with him.

I don't say another word to him as we speed-walk another three blocks. By the time we stop again, I'm sweating profusely.

We stand on the sidewalk near a bunch of old abandoned textile mills. Across the street is a brick building that is meant to blend in with its surroundings but stands out like a sore thumb. It has dark gray brick siding, and black reflective glass mirrors that allow you to see out but never in. Low light wall lanterns line the front of the building like an old English manor, and then there is the unmistakable black door.

"Aces?" I say, recognizing the symbol on the black door. "What business do you have in a sex club?"

He turns to me, more of his short hairs have fallen from his man bun and are now framing his forehead and cutting through his eyesight. Even with his obscured vision I don't miss the way his gaze roams up and down my body.

He doesn't have to say a word, I can read what he's thinking a mile away.

"First of all," I say with my free hand on my hip. "Take that look off your face. My best friend has a membership here. That's the only reason I know this place." That's a lie, but he doesn't have to know that.

He smirks before turning around as if he doesn't believe me. Smug bastard. He pulls me off the curb and heads for the front door of the building.

"Wait," I call out, attempting to stop him.

I step in front of him, risking nearly getting trampled. Placing my hand to his chest, he looks down at it as if it's something I picked up off the ground. I quickly remove my hand and place it at my side feeling a bit disheartened. I push forward with the reason I stopped him.

"They're not going to let you just roll up in there. This place is entrance by membership only. And the waiting process for that membership takes months while they vet you."

I remember the process very well while Trina was waiting for her card to come in the mail.

"I'm good," he simply says and starts walking.

I obediently follow behind him, not like I have a choice. The death grip he has on my arm hasn't loosened.

After getting to the door, the giant rings the doorbell on the wall. It's at this weird moment that I realize, I don't know his name. I've been calling him giant all night. As I said, my goal is to survive the night. In order to do that, I have to connect with him.

"My name is Summer by the way."

Silence fills the space. I wait for him to acknowledge me or say something. Yet he doesn't.

"I'm not a huge fan of the name. I never felt like a Summer. I don't even like Summer. It's too damn hot. I prefer fall. The weather is much better and the colors the leaves turn are absolutely gorgeous. Although, I guess Fall as a name doesn't really sound good. Although Autumn would have been cute—"

"Gabriel," his deep voice cuts me off.

"What was that?" I heard him just fine, but I wanted him to say it again.

"My name is Gabriel," he says, glancing over his shoulder at me.

"Gabriel," I repeat it.

He doesn't look like a Gabriel. He strikes me as a Thor, or Axel. Something tough and strong.

"I like it," I admit.

He doesn't respond. The door to the club opens and a familiar large man steps out. He has an earpiece in his ear and a tablet in his hand. Well, this won't end well.

I take a step closer to Gabriel, hiding behind his wide back. Of all the bouncers at Ace's it had to be Curtis at the door.

"Name?" Curtis asks in a gruff voice. He hasn't noticed me yet.

"Aleksander Sidov."

Curtis scans his tablet before looking up at Gabriel. "Alright, I see you. And I see you have a guest." He peeks around Gabriel. I hold my breath hoping he won't recognize me.

"Wait, is that Summer?"

Look, I've already hit rock bottom tonight, at least that's what I thought. How the hell could I get lower.

I step from around Gabriel, no need to hide now.

"Hey Curtis," I wave awkwardly. "It's been a while."

He scowls at me, shaking his head. "You know I'm not letting your ass in here. Not after last time. Get the fuck away from this door."

Gladly. I turn to leave, but the grip on my arm tightens.

"She's with me," Gabriel says in a way that brokers no argument.

Curtis narrows his gaze at Gabriel. As long as Gabriel's name is on that list, he can bring whoever he wants into the club. Despite Curtis's trepidation—and don't get me wrong he has a right to not want me inside—he has to let me in.

"Alright man," Curtis says stepping back and opening the door. "But if she starts her shit, it's you that will be held responsible."

Gabriel tugs me behind him as he walks into the club. The temperature is cooler inside and the smell of leather and cleaner assails my senses. The bass to the music vibrates my chest as I follow Gabriel down a long narrow hallway toward the main room.

We walk into the first floor of Ace's, also known as the main area. If you were to stumble into this part of the club by accident, you would think you were at any other upscale bar in Manhattan.

Dark leather couches sit across from each other allowing for great conversation. Dark wood panels and black paint coat the walls. In the center of the room is a large rectangular bar that is stocked with only the most expensive and top shelf liquor.

I had hoped that whatever business Gabriel had at Aces would be in this room, but those hopes are dashed when he bypasses the bar and heads for the elevator to the lower level.

We climb into the elevator. He hits the button for the fifth floor, the lowest level. My heart sinks to my feet. He remains quiet on our slow decent down.

"I've only been here one time," I try explaining my run in with Curtis. "Admittedly, I wasn't in my right mind."

I was higher than the Empire State Building. It was the first and only time Trina was able to get me to go to a place like this. The night ended with me being tossed out by Curtis after nearly stabbing a man in the throat for grabbing my ass.

"I'm not a bad person." Despite all the evidence that's been presented against me.

Usually, I don't give a shit what others think about me, but for some reason I don't want this killer thinking I'm a bad person. I like to think it is because I need him to see me as someone that deserves to live. However, I'm not a hundred percent sure that is the reason. Which proves, I'm more fucked up in the head than I thought I was.

I wait for him to say something, but he remains silent, not even acknowledging my conversation.

Scoffing, I shake my head. "Whatever, believe what you want."

I catch the smile that lifts his lips in the reflection against the elevator doors. He's getting a kick out of toying with me and I'm falling right into his trap.

The elevator dings and the doors slide open. The smell of sweat and pussy overpowers my senses. The bass from the music pounds my chest. I know what I will face when I walk out these open doors. There is a reason Trina wouldn't bring me back to Aces. My vice runs rampantly in this place. My mouth waters and my muscles clench at the thought of what's nearly available to me.

Gabriel hauls me out of the elevator into the main area. Unlike the upscale elegant vibe on the first floor, the theme on this floor is pure sin. All the lights are red, giving the room a sexual vibe. Drapes hang from the ceiling sectioning off the areas. Chaise lounges surround tables no one would dare eat off. Well, I guess it depends on what you're eating.

Even though the music is loud, nothing will drown out the sound of pleasured moans. Naked waitresses walk around with trays filled with Lube, condoms, and toys.

We pass a section where one woman is being serviced by three men. My eyes connect with the female, and she smiles blissfully at me.

In the next section, a man is receiving a blowjob from a female and a very enthusiastic man. On the table in front of him are a few lines of coke. My feet stop moving on their own accord. That burning itch hits the back of my throat. The sight of the white powdery substance has taken over my thoughts so much, that I forget where I am and who I'm with.

"Feeling left out?"

I jump at the sound of his deep voice close to my ear. Glancing over my shoulder, I shoot him a narrow-eyed look. He thinks I'm staring at the threesome; he has no idea what I'm really craving.

"I was just looking," I say, glancing back at the group.

"Yeah right. Come on." He tugs my arm, and we continue to speed walk through the many sections.

We leave the common area and head to the back where the private rooms are. We come to a red door and stop. While he fumbles with the lock, I glance around. No one is really paying attention to us.

We kind of blend in. I mean, it's hard to fade into the background when you're as huge as Gabriel. However, this place sees celebrities, so a giant Viking and a skinny chick dressed like a cheap whore aren't very memorable. However, the camera over my head will definitely be able to recognize us.

Gabriel gets the door open and shoves me inside. The silence in the room is a welcome relief. I turn to see him placing his black duffel down on a table.

Glancing around the room, I notice that there isn't much in here. A massage table is in the middle of the floor. Beside it is a tray of oils along with a variety of dildos including one so big there is no way humanly possible it could fit in anyone's body. Laid out on another tray is a collection of colorful mesh material. Soft music plays in the background.

On one side of the room is a narrow door and another door is at the back of the room. This is my first time seeing the rooms. When I came that one night with Trina, we stayed out in the common area.

"Put this on," Gabriel says.

I turn to him and get smacked in the face with something soft. Pulling the material away from my face I hold it up to get a better look at it. It's one of the outfits on the tray.

"I'm not putting this shit on." I toss the completely see-through neon green dress to the floor.

Not only do I not have the body to pull this off, but I'm also not walking around naked in front of this man.

"You have a client coming in. Get dressed," he demands, walking past me as if this topic is finished.

Fed up with his attitude and this entire night, I pick up the fabric at my feet, ball it up and throw it at him. It hits him in the back and falls to the floor.

"Fuck you," I shout.

He spins around on his feet and glares at me.

"If you're going to kill me, then you might as well get it over with because I'm not helping you commit murder."

I'm praying this outburst goes one of two ways. Number one, hopefully I call his bluff and he in fact doesn't have plans to butcher me the way he did Gregory. Number two, and this may be a little far-fetched, he realizes I won't be useful and lets me go.

Gabriel shuts his eyes, and his breathing becomes labored. That feeling comes over me again, the one that screams you're now trapped in a room with a wild animal. I turn and take off for the door. I hit the wood surface with a thud and immediately flipped around so that my back is against the barrier. A very irate Gabriel is staring down at me, his nostrils flaring as those intense eyes focus in on me.

He crowds my space, placing his large body up against mine. He wraps his hand around my throat, but he doesn't squeeze. I swallow, and I imagine he can feel the movement underneath his palm.

"Don't hurt me," I plead.

Yes, I know this is a big jump from my last statement. But hell, have you ever stared up at the devil before.

"Never try that again."

"Okay," I answer quickly.

I have no idea if he's warning me against throwing something at him or running, but in this moment, I will agree to anything.

He doesn't let me go immediately. Instead, he continues to watch me, his attention solely on my face as if he's found something interesting about it. He stares so long I start to feel uncomfortable. It isn't until someone squeals right outside the door that he releases me.

Gabriel steps back, shaking his head as if he's dislodging thoughts.

"You don't have time to change. Wait here." He turns away from me and heads to the narrow door on the other side of the room.

"What am I waiting on?" I call out to his back.

He stops at the door without turning to look at me. "His regular masseuse won't be able to make it tonight. But he doesn't know that." he turns to glare over his shoulder at me. "So, make him comfortable."

With those words, he disappears behind the door and I contemplate running again. That thought only lingers for a few seconds before the door to the private room opens. In steps a tall well-dressed man in a suit. His dark brown hair is gelled back off his head. He has yet to notice me.

"I told you I don't give a shit what the voters think. I've already been elected. My morals lie with the highest bidder and right now, his money is winning. Besides, what the hell are they going to do with more school funding?" He pulls up short when he spots me. His blue eyes raking up and down my body.

"Jim, I have to go. Set up the meeting for tomorrow." He hangs up the phone placing it in his pocket. "Where's Kim?"

I don't know who the hell Kim is. But thankfully I'm quick on my feet and have years of lying under my belt.

"She called in sick today, and they asked me to take her spot."

Could I have told him about Gabriel and maybe have him get me out of here? Sure. However, being in Gabriel's presence for an hour has shown me that he's fast on his feet, good at what he does, and probably doesn't take kindly to being betrayed. And just two seconds of meeting this guy showed me that he's a sleezy politician, and most likely wouldn't help me. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't, right?

He scoffs. "They replaced my Kim for some junky black girl with a bad weave."

Rude. I look down my body at myself as if I don't agree with his assessment of me.

Cocking my hip, I ask with a neck roll, "Do you want the massage or not?"

One of the things I've learned from my best friend over the years is that confidence can get you a long way in this world. The other thing she taught me is pussy is pussy. A man can talk about preference all day, but when it comes to getting his dick wet, he will stick it in anything warm and available.

Mr. Politician squints while wrinkling his nose in disgust. "You better not fuck this up." He says undoing his tie and walking past me to the massage table.

Immediately relief hits me. I have no idea why I was fighting to pull this off. I'm officially aiding a serial killer. There is clearly a life sentence in my future.

Glancing over to the door, I once again contemplate leaving. Surely Gabriel wouldn't risk exposing himself to the politician. With my mind made up, I head in the direction of my freedom.

"Where're you going?" Mr. Politician asks.

I spin around on my heels only to come face to face with a naked man. When did he take off his clothes? I take a step back.

"Get your ass back over here and start with my usual."

"Your usual?"

"Smallest to largest," he says pointing at the variety of dildos on the tray. "And I like a lot of lube."

My stomach heaves, and this time it has nothing to do with withdrawals. This was my cue to get the hell out of there.

"Sure, just let me go grab something." I turn to leave, but gasp when he grips my arm and hauls me up against his chest.

I freeze in fear. Look, I talk a big game and I'm good at compartmentalizing. I've been living on the streets long enough to know that you have to adapt fast and put your emotions to the side. However, this is the second man tonight to grab me like this. A girl deserves a mental breakdown.

"Where do you think you're going?" Mr. Politician sneers down at me. "I wasn't feeling the whole druggy look, but now I kind of like it."

Told you, all they need is a wet hole.

"Let me go," I say between clenched teeth, pulling against his grip.

He yanks me back. "Stop fighting."

Using the heel of my borrowed shoes, I stomp them on his bare feet. He yells before releasing me. However, my victory is short lived because he backhands me so hard, I crumble to the floor from the blow. My jaw is on fire and I'm sure I'll have an ugly bruise tomorrow.

I look up just in time to see an Axe cut through Mr. Politician's head. The crack sounds like an egg hitting the pavement. Blood sprays out in an arc, splattering across my face. Mr. Politician slumps forward but doesn't fall to the ground. Gabriel is behind him holding him up with one hand. His eyes stare down at me, while his shoulders rise and fall rapidly.

Standing before me is not a man. When I walked in on him with Gregory, I didn't pay attention to him, but now I can see it. He looks possessed. His eyes, that are truly stunning, look vacant. I've never been more afraid in my life.

Gabriel removes the axe from the politician's head and then repeatedly beats him with it. Blood and chunks of brain matter fly everywhere.

My body is stuck. My brain can't send the message to my limbs to move. As terrifying as this moment is, it's also beautiful. I think that signifies I'm fucked up in the head, but he looks like an avenging angel in the way he kills.

Summer, get your ass up and get the hell out of here.The small, sane, sober voice in my head yells. I haven't heard from her in a long time.

Without second guessing my conscious, I clamber to my feet, kick off my heels, and take off toward the door. Not stopping to check if he's behind me, I sprint out the room. I don't give a shit who sees me leaving that crime scene. Bypassing the elevator, I head for the stairs. I run as fast as my legs will take me. Once I get to the top level, I burst into the main floor nearly knocking over a waitress in my haste.

"Watch it, bitch," she shouts.

Ignoring her, I race for the side exit. Freedom wraps me in its embrace when I open the door and step out into the alley. I pull in a lungful of fresh air. Spotting a homeless man rummaging through the trashcan, I start toward him.

"Help," I plead. "Help me." Rushing toward him, I grab his arms. I try to push him out the alley. We need to get as far away from this place as we can.

The elderly man looks over my body, his gaze landing back at my face. I imagine he's noticed the blood. When his attention goes behind me and his eyes widen, my heart drops.

The old man is snatched away from me and tossed to the opposite wall. I turn just in time to see Gabriel standing behind me. He grabs me by the neck and shoves me against the brick wall. I hit it so hard the breath leaves my lungs. I feel like half of my night has been spent shoved up against a wall.

He crowds my space, slamming his fists against the wall on both sides of my head. I scream, before trapping the sound behind my hands.

"Don't. Ever. Run. From. Me." He punctuates the sentence with another fist to the wall.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," I beg for his forgiveness.

He doesn't respond, instead he leans his forehead against mine and takes deep breaths.

I have no idea what the hell to do. My heart is knocking against my chest like one of those old cartoon characters.

"I know you're mad," I start.

"Don't. Speak."

I immediately stop talking, hoping and praying this won't be my last few minutes alive on this earth. Silence surrounds us as he continues to catch his breath.

When I was in school, every report card stated that I talked too much. None of that has changed. I'm even worse in stressful situations. "Are you going to kill me—"

My words are cut off when his fist slams against the brick wall again. He takes a step back, allowing me some space. I don't dare make any sudden moves. He lifts his hand and I flinch before he cups my cheek. He then uses his thumb to wipe something away, most likely blood.

"You need to shower. Come," he demands, grabbing my arm in a strong hold again.

As we make our way back into Ace's, something becomes painfully clear. I will not get away from Gabriel by running. He's just too fast and too clever for that. I will have to rely on my first plan of making him see me as human and maybe start to like me. However, I'm not really known for my charming personality. So, I don't see this working out well.