Here's the conclusion everyone
. Again, don't blame me...it's all Tess!
Part 56
Max could feel lips pressed gently against his lips then his chin, down to his neck and chest. The feeling was a little strange but it had to be Liz, right? As the lips traveled around his upper body something alerted him that it wasn’t Liz. Her touch and smell was all wrong.
“Liz?” Max mumbled trying to open his eyes that felt heavy. He heard his voice thick and his mouth felt dry.
He felt something slap his face and it stung. That sensation forced him to open his eyes. His sight was blurry but he could make out someone sitting on top of him.
“Don’t ever say that name again!” The person who sat upon him said harshly.
Max forced his eyes to focus and was met with a set of icy blue eyes. Max sobered immediately.
“What the hell?” He said as he tried to sit up and knock the revolting woman off of him. Tess just laughed at his efforts. Max looked to his arms and found them shackled to some metal poles that were at each corner of the bed he lay upon. He looked down and found that he wore nothing but his boxers and Tess sat, wearing some sort of short, reveling nightgown, straddling his waist. He took a deep breath trying to keep his stomach from empting its contents as the feel of her on his skin sickened him. His skin crawled at her touch and all he wanted was to get away from her.
“Tess, let me go.” He said quiet and calm hoping to reason with her. It was all coming back to him. He remembered how she’d made him get into her car and that they drove a ways before she made him get out. He walked into what sounded like a warehouse then sat on what felt like a bed. The next thing he knew, he felt a pinch in his neck and then waking up. He looked up and found that there were mirror above them and he could see that the band with the explosives was gone but what else had she rigged to him that he couldn’t see.
“I don’t think so. You are now mine. I’m never letting you go.” Tess let her hands roam on his chest. Max ached to push her away but he was trapped where he lay, wrists and ankles tied in place. Again, his stomach threatened to unload its heavy remains but he swallowed hard, keeping it down, along with the fear that flooded his body.
“What are you doing Tess?” His voice sounded calm even if his insides were tumbling toward panic. He could see the glint in her eyes telling him that she was serious and the last thing he wanted to do was get her mad. “You can’t keep me here. I have family and friends that will be looking for me. People will notice that I’m missing.”
“They will forget you in time Max.” Tess smiled. “This is your new home, here with me.” She indicated around her.
For the first time, Max took notice of his surroundings. They were in a small warehouse and she had it set up much like a studio apartment. His blood ran cold when he saw the metal cage that was near the bed and then a box nearby. He could only imagine the things that she had in there just waiting to be used on him. His mind screamed for him to lose control and yell at her, demanding for her to let him go but he knew better. That would get him nowhere he knew. If she got mad enough, he could see that she would easily kill him. His heart pounded in his chest in rhythm with his head as the drugs she gave him began to clear.
“Tess, if you let me go now, I will forget all about this. I won’t call the cops and you can just disappear, start a new life.”
Tess was beginning to get annoyed with Max. He was hers and she would not let him go. Never.
“Shut up Max. I don’t want to hear you anymore.” Her head began to pound and she closed her eyes squinting trying to block out the voice that wanted to intrude into her thoughts. She shook her head, clearing it out. It was telling her things. Things that she didn’t want to do.
“Tess. Listen to me.”
Tess opened her eyes and Max knew that he’d pushed too much. She reached over and grabbed what he saw was a gag.
“I told you to shut up. I have to teach you to respect me and listen when I tell you something. Now open up.”
“Tess, please.” Max shook his head. “I’ll be quiet, just don’t do this.”
Tess reached behind her and grabbed Max’s balls and squeezed them hard. “Open up.”
Pain shot through Max’s body and his eyes watered. His breath stopped for several seconds but still a gruntle noise rose from his throat. He wanted to curl up into a ball, trying to sooth the hurt but his bonds prevented movement. He felt her hand move and begin to squeeze again. Reluctantly he opened his mouth letting her place the gag in his mouth.
Tess sat back and looked at Max, a smile once more on her face. Max knew he was in serious trouble because she was definitely insane.
“You’ll learn to love me Max. Once I show you how I much pleasure I could bring you, you’ll be begging for me and you’ll remember no one but me. We can live a happy life here. You will never have to work again. I will provide all that you need.” Tess smiled as her eyes got a far off look, into her fantasy world. “It will be perfect.” Her voice was soft and sweet.
Max shook his head trying to tell her no. Her hands roamed his body and she bent and bit one of his nipples bringing forth a whimper from him. This apparently pleased Tess for she did the same to the other. Her teeth began nipping at various places on his chest, each bite getting harder, leaving marks, her breathing becoming more ragged with every sound that Max made. She sucked on his neck like a vampire and he knew that there would be marks there as well. Her hips gyrated upon him and he felt his body shiver from the chills that ran through him.
He closed his eyes and silently called out to Liz, picturing her in his mind. She would be so upset right now. They were supposed to have gone out on their date. To have some alone time. He could picture her with tears in her eyes as she paced the floor of their room. Maria and the other girls would be with her, comforting her, assuring her that Zan would find him. He could practically see her stop and take in a deep breath, composing herself and not letting the others see too much of her fear and grief. Even is these images were sad and broke his heart, they kept him from thinking of the pain and situation that he was in. Tess’s words brought him out of his reverie.
“I could bring you so much pleasure if you didn’t fight me Max. Just relax and let me have you, lead you to your heart’s desire.” Tess said softly, almost sweet as her lips trailed down his bruised and marked chest and her body moving between his legs.
Seeing where she was headed, Max began pulling on his chains and yelling from behind his gag, protesting what she was about to do. He watched helpless as her fingers hooked the waistband of his boxers about to pull them down. His blood suddenly ran cold, sending shivers through his body at the thought of what was about to happen. He squeezed his eyes closed, shutting his tears in. He would not let her see him lose it. He would be strong. That was the only way he could survive this.
“Tess!” A voice yelled out.
Tess turned quickly and found Michael and Zan standing just inside of the door of the warehouse. Max opened his eyes, recognizing the voice. He sighed and laid his head back feeling a little bit better now that they were here.
Tess held up a device when Michael and Zan started walking toward her. “Stop right there. Don’t come any closer unless you want to cause Max a great amount of pain.” Tess stood from the bed and walked a little closer to them. “Michael, it’s not a pleasure to see you. You were interrupting a very romantic moment between Max and I.”
Michael looked over Tess shoulder and saw how she had Max tied and shuddered at the thought of what this woman had already done to his lover. “Tess, let Max go. We don’t want any trouble.” Michael said trying hard to hold back the urge to tackle her and give her neck a good strangle. He took another step forward.
“Men just don’t listen.” Tess said as she pushed a button on the device. Michael froze and they watched in horror as the poles that Max was chained to began to pull away from the bed, stretching Max’s limbs, threatening to pull him apart.
“Stop!” Zan stepped up to Michael. He could hear Max whimpering and it killed him inside as he felt his brother’s pain. Tess pressed another button and the machine stopped its movements. “You don’t want to hurt him.” He said calmly, looking at Tess. “He’s no use to you then.”
Tess looked at Zan. “You’re Zan, Max’s twin. The two of you look so much alike but I think Max is the better looking one. You’re too rough looking.”
“Let Max down and we’ll talk.” He ignored her comment. “We won’t come any closer.” Zan said calmly though he was being torn apart at Max’s pain.
He was inwardly sighing in relief that they had been able to get there as soon as they had. Yes, Tess left the vehicle and phone behind, but what she didn’t know, was that Zan was experimenting with a new GPS unit that could be put in shoes or watches for his clients. Max didn’t know it, but Zan had placed one in his watch. And Zan was very glad that he chose his brother for the experiment.
“You can’t have him. He’s mine. That Bitch doesn’t deserve him. She can’t love him like I can. She already took one of my boyfriends, she can’t have this one. Because of her…Alex….”She sobbed. “He died because of her. She took him from me.” Tess’s head had began to pound again. Her breathing was rapid as she fought off the voice, his voice. “No…you can’t make me let him go.” She said to no one, her eyes closed tight, shaking her head. “He’s mine, you hear me, mine. She took you, so I get him. Fair trade.”
Suddenly Tess was knocked to the ground and the device fell from her hands but not before she pushed the button that activated the poles again.
Zan and Michael quickly reacted rushing at Tess. Michael helped Kyle hold her down as she screamed and fought with a strength they’d never seen in a woman, but then they’d never wrestled with a crazy one before. Zan ran for the device as he heard Max cry out in pain, his arms and legs being stretched to their limits. He found the button and pressed it, stopping the motion. Then carefully he pressed a red button and watched as the poles moved back in place, lowering Max down to the bed. Zan rushed to him and quickly removed his gag.
“God, Max…are you alright? I’m so sorry bro.” Zan said as tears ran from his eyes. His body was shaking as the fear he felt come crashing on him. He reached for the shackles but found that each had a small padlock keeping them locked. It was breaking his heart watching Max try to hold back but saw that pain flooded his eyes and the tears that ran down his cheek. Anger surged through Zan’s body. He wanted so badly to hurt Tess for putting Max through all of this. How could a human be so cruel and demented.
“Get me out of this thing.” Max said, his voice barely above a whisper, wracked with pain and fear.
“Keys!” he yelled to Kyle and Michael. “Where are the damn keys?”
“Fuck you!” Tess yelled back then screamed as Kyle bent her arms further up on her back.
He and Michael had managed to get her on her stomach, Kyle’s knee pressed hard on the middle of her back with both arms pulled up. Michael was holding down her legs but he’d had enough out of her. He moved toward her head, yanking it up hard by her hair.
“I’ve never hit a woman in my life but I will make the exception with you Tess. Now, where are the fucking keys?” Michael demanded.
Tess looked up at his eyes and saw nothing but rage and fury directed completely at her.
‘I told you that you’d fuck things up. I told you not to do this but you did it anyway. Now you have to pay the price. The price you should have paid when you killed me.’ The voice inside her head, mocking her. Suddenly Tess realized all that she’d done
“Oh god!” she began to sob. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I never meant…”
“The fucking keys!” Michael grounded out getting ready to do what he said.
“In the cabinet over the sink.” She said crying. Michael released her head not caring that it smacked down on the hard floor. He turned to Zan and saw him already retrieving them.
Zan quickly unlocked the cuffs and helped Max sit up. His blood boiled as he had unlocked Max’s wrists and saw the marks that the steel cuffs had left as he had struggled with them then when they’d pulled on them. They were red and had a couple of small cuts where the metal had dug into his skin. There would be bruises in place by the next day. When he released his ankles, Zan was tempted to kill Tess at what he saw. He realized that when the poles had began to move, Max grabbed hold of the chains with his hands enabling him to keep some of the pressure from his wrists. He was not so lucky with his ankles. They were bleeding profusely and already showing signs of bruising.
Michael moved to Kyle and looked down at Tess. She’d quit resisting and was now just lying there sobbing. He saw that Kyle kept looking back at Max just as he was but the look in Kyle’s eyes said it all. Behind the blind fury, he wanted desperately to go to Max.
“Here, let me take over. She’s calmed down. Go to him, he needs you.” Michael said softly.
Kyle turned to him and let the tears in his eyes finally go for just one moment. “Thanks.” He was up as soon as Michael had a hold on Tess and quickly grabbed a blanket off the bed and went to where Zan had set him on the couch. He gently wrapped the blanket around Max’s shoulders then sat next to him wrapping his arms around Max.
Zan watched as Kyle now took over the care of Max. He looked around for something to tie up Tess. That was not a problem, he found some rope near the bed and took it over to Michael. Together they secured her but Michael did not release his knee from her back.
Zan stood and pulled out his cell phone. He first called Detective Litz and told him their location then he called the girls to assure them that they found Max and that they would be home as soon as they could. The girls had demanded that he tell them where they were so that they could come and get Max but seeing Max as he was right now and then running into Tess, he knew that they would be like a pack of hungry wolves on her. If they felt anything like he did, Tess would not survive the seven of them. He refused. They were not happy but he promised that as soon as he could, he’d bring Max home and then they could take care of him.
Zan went back to Michael and knelt beside him. “My turn. Go.” Zan had watched Michael while he was on the phone and saw him looking over to the couch. He’d made sure Max was all right already; Kyle was comforting him, now Michael wanted his turn. Though Michael was not normally a patient man, when it came to his lovers, he was filled with unusual patience as he often waited his turn.
Michael did not have to be told a second time. He went and sat on the other side of Max and touched him gently on the leg. Max turned to him and tried to smile.
“I’m ok. Really, thanks to you guys. She didn’t get a chance to do anything.”
“She did enough. We should have been here sooner. Shit, this should not have happened at all. We should have taken care of her a long time ago.” Michael berated himself.
Max reached out and took his hand. “Michael, stop it. I’m fine. Let’s not play the ‘should have’ game. We can’t change the past. None of us could have seen that she’d try something as sick as this.” He leaned over and gave Michael a quick kiss on the lips.
Michael looked at Max and took his free hand and ran it through his hair. Max closed his eyes at the familiar gesture from Michael. He felt himself beginning to relax, the shaking of his body was beginning to slow as the pain eased into numbness but he still felt cold inside. He had to wonder if he’d ever feel warm again.
The door banged open and Michael let go of Max’s hand, jumping off the couch. Kyle also released Max and moved just an inch away but kept his hand on his back to lend him comfort and support. Max had yet to talk to Kyle but he knew that once they were alone, Max would open up to him and he was determined to be there for his lover.
Detective Litz walked in with several uniformed officers. They went to where Zan still kneeled on a quiet Tess. He looked down at Tess then at Zan who just shrugged his shoulders. Det. Litz had worked with Zan Evans several times in the past concerning problems that his clients were having, so when he’d called about his brother missing, he knew that Zan had more resources than the department and let him do his rogue tracking.
Zan moved off Tess and let the officers pick her up.
“You have the right to remain silent.” Det. Litz began. “Whatever you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you by the state. Do you understand your rights?”
Tess looked at the Detective with reddened, defeated, dazed eyes. She nodded. “Yes.” She said in a whisper. Detective Litz nodded to the officers and they led her out.
“I’m sorry Zan.” He said as he looked across the room to Max. He’d seen pictures of Max and knew that they were twins but now seeing them together, he was amazed at how alike they looked. He could also see the same pain in their eyes as he walked up to Max. He looked around the room and noticed the paraphernalia that Tess had obtained. The chains, cage, and toys that laid around. “It looks like she was going to keep him for the long haul.”
Zan nodded, chills ran through his body at the thought of Max in Tess’s hands for any length of time. He knew that what she’d done to Max before they arrived would be trauma enough on him. He would need plenty of time to mentally recover from this ordeal. Zan was confident that Max had plenty of people who loved him there for him.
Litz kneeled before Max and noticed how two other men were in close proximity to him as if protective Mother Hens. Both men eyed him wearily and looked ready to jump to Max’s defense if he did something wrong to their friend.
“Max, I’m Detective Litz. Do you feel up to telling me what happened?”
Max nodded and spent the next thirty minutes telling the detective what he could remember and answering the Detective’s questions the best he could. Det. Litz nodded his head when he was finished.
“Thank you Max. You really should go the hospital and get checked out. Did you want me to call an ambulance?”
“We’ll take him.” Zan said.
Max looked up at his brother. “Zan, no hospitals. Please? I just need Liz. And to go home.” Max’s voice was weak, reminding him of a little boy. Zan had not heard him like that since they were kids and he would get hurt. Max looked to Michael and Kyle for support, wanting to go home.
Det. Litz looked to Zan. “That’s his fiancé.” Zan informed the man then turned back to his brother who was pleading with his eyes. “But Max, you need those checked out.” He indicated to his wrists that Max quickly tucked back in to the blanket. He’d shown them to Litz and let the CSO take pictures of his injuries.
“I’ll make a call and have Dr. White come out to the house.” Kyle said not wanting Max to go through anything more. He knew that he just wanted Liz and the rest of his family.
Det. Litz nodded. He knew who Mr. Guerin and Mr. Valenti were. How could you live in this city and not know of them. He’d seen the tabloids and what they said about the eight that lived in the Valenti mansion. But he knew Zan was a good person and if he was involved with these people, then they had to be good too.
Kyle and Michael helped Max out to the car. They left Max’s clothing knowing that it would be used in evidence. Kyle sat in the back of the car with Max who laid his head in Kyle’s lap. Michael sat in the front seat while Zan drove. The forty minute drive back to Kyle’s was filled with a strained silence, all wanting to say something to Max to comfort him but not wanting to bring up the experience that he’d just been through.
Kyle slowly ran his hand through Max’s hair during the ride, feeling his lover’s body relax as they rode closer to home. When he looked down at Max, he saw a stream of tears that flowed from his eyes but he did not make a sound. Michael had turned in his seat and reached and took Max’s hand, clasping it tightly in his, assuring himself that Max was there with them along with letting Max know that they were here for him. Zan had moved his rearview mirror so that he could look back at his brother and was relieved when he saw that Max relaxed enough to finally close his eyes.
As soon as the car reached the front of the house, the door flew open and four women along with Scott and Raul came running out. Max was helped out of the car and the first person he sought was instantly in his arms. Liz was hugging him tightly and sobbing in his chest.
“Oh, Max. I was so scared. Did that Bitch hurt you? I can’t believe..”
“Shhhh.” Max comforted her, running his hand through her hair letting his own tears flow again. He was around family now; he could let it all go.
Suddenly Max felt surrounded by arms as Isabel, Maria and Serina embraced him, all crying. It was Michael that interrupted their hug fest.
“Let’s take this inside. The doctor will be here soon.”
The girls let go reluctantly. Isabel went to Kyle glad that he was all right, Serina to Zan, and Maria to Michael. Liz stayed glued to Max’s body. Raul and Scott helped Max into the house and up to his room. They both told him how glad they were that he was all right and said to just call if he needed anything. They were part of the family but they dismissed themselves knowing that the others would take good care of Max.
“I need a shower.” Max said. “I need to wash her…” he stopped and looked at Liz’s horrified face. Zan had not told her what exactly had happened.
“Max?” Liz gulped. How had Tess abused him in the short time she’d had him? She did not know the details. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know. She gasped as Max finally dropped the blanket to the floor. Dried blood was caked to his ankles and wrists. She saw bruises forming under the blood and also on his chest where it was apparent she’d bitten him. There were also large hickeys on his neck. “Max.” she choked out only imagining what Tess had done to him.
“I’m alright Liz. Help me shower before the doctor comes.”
Liz nodded and went with him to the bathroom. The others stayed in Max’s room while Zan told them what had happened.
Max leaned against the sink while Liz got the shower started. He pulled down his boxers when she began to undress. He was certain that he would burn them and the blanket and definitely his clothing if he got them back. Liz took his hand and led him into the shower. He sighed as the hot water ran down his body, holding back the wince as it beat on his fresh wounds. They were beginning to ach now, the numbness wearing off.
“Tell me what happened Max.” She said looking up at him.
Liz took the soap and quickly lathered his body while he spoke, taking great care as she washed his wrists and ankles. She tenderly washed his head where a bump had formed. Tears ran down her cheeks as he told her everything that Tess had done and said. Her heart ached for Max, for what he had to go through because of her. Liz reached down to soap up his groin and Max gasped in pain when she’d taken his balls in her hand.
“What did I do? Did I hurt you?” Liz asked. She’d washed him thousands of times and he’d never reacted this way.
“She…well I wouldn’t do what she wanted so she took them and squeezed them terribly hard.” Max blushed a little as he told her what Tess had done.
“Oh, Max. I’m so sorry. If it weren’t for me, you’d never have had to go through any of this. It’s all my fault.”
Max took her chin in his hand and lifted it up to look at him. “No Liz. You are my everything. You are the sunshine that fills my days. Thoughts of you kept me from going crazy as she did those things to me. Without you, I’m nothing. No more blaming. Tess blamed you for Alex’s death. You and Maria blame Tess, now you blame yourself for what she did to me. No more. What has happened has happened. There is no going back and changing it. Only going forward and not letting the past rule your life.”
“I love you Max.” Liz said as emotion filled her voice.
“I love you too.” He said bending down and capturing her lips. Their kiss was tender and filled with love as they both fell into each other. Max broke away breathless. “I want nothing more to make love to you Liz but I think I’m about to fall on my ass if I don’t sit down soon. Plus the doctor should be here by now.”
Liz nodded and told Max to wait a minute to get him some help. She came back with Kyle who said that the doctor had just called and that he was ten minutes away. With Liz’s help, Kyle was able to dry Max off and put a clean pair of boxers on him before helping him to the bed. Once Max was settled, with Liz snug by his side, clothing back on of course, Kyle went down to wait for the doctor. The others crowded around the bed trying to lend comfort to their lover.
Dr. White came and bandaged Max’s wrists and ankles saying that there should be no permanent damage and that they would heal fairly quickly. He gave Max a full examination and looked closely at the bump on his head. He advised Max to take several days off to recuperate and if he was feeling sick to his stomach or dizzy the next day, to call him. The eight gave their thanks as Kyle showed him out.
When Kyle returned to Max’s room he found that Liz and the others had stripped their clothing and all crawled into bed with Max. There was no way they were going to leave him alone even though they knew Liz would be there with him. It was a reality that they could have lost him tonight and it hit them all hard. They were a close nit group so when one was effected, they all were.
“I saved a spot just for you.” Isabel said to her husband as she patted the space next to Max. Kyle smiled and quickly shed his clothing almost jumping into the bed.
It was a sight to behold. Max laid in the middle of the bed with Liz on his right. Snuggled up to her was Maria with Michael right behind her. On Max’s left was Kyle who Isabel was snuggled up against. Serina draped her arm across Isabel while Zan held her tight in his arms.
Kyle reached down and began pulling off Max’s boxers. “Uh, Kyle didn’t the doctor say I should have lots of rest?” Max asked, brow raised.
“Yes he did and I’m sure you will get lots of it but if we are all naked then so must you. I thought I made those rules clear to you a long time ago.” Kyle laughed and kissed Max’s lips. “Don’t worry, we won’t attack you until morning when you’ve had some sleep.”
Max smiled and snuggled deeper into his covers and lovers thinking how lucky he was to have so many people love and care for him. How satisfying his life was and how he’d never dreamt it would be so.
THE END