PROLOGUE

          Her head was throbbing so badly she almost felt the need to throw up. Fighting against the awful pain that was crippling every inch of her body, Nicola opened her eyes very slowly, squinting, trying to get images into focus, trying to understand what was going on, where she was…

          She found herself in a dimly lit room. There were no windows and the only furniture in the small space was the filthy bed she was lying on. The smell was awful... like she was in the middle of a dump field.

“What is this place…?” Nicola whispered, trying to stay as calm as possible.

          Nicola attempted to sit up and realized she was tied to that bed. One end of the rope encircled her wrists, while the other end was tied to the headboard. Images of what happened came upon her like a landslide. At that point, fear raced through her and Nicola struggled to break free.

“Oh, come on…” she said slowly, trying not to let her kidnapper know she was awake. “Come on… Please…”

          But the damn rope was like a boa constrictor, way too tied around her wrists.

“It won’t work, Nicola…” a male voice said.

          She felt pure ice going up and down her spine.

“I’ve made sure you can’t escape.”

          How come she was held prisoner?

          Who was he?

          Nicola glanced up at the man. He looked like a demon from hell, all dressed up in black from the ski mask he had on his head to the clothes he wore.

“How… how do you know my name?”

          The man sighed.

“I can’t answer that.”

“Why am I here? Why are you holding me prisoner in this filthy place?” she asked.

          Her tone was an unhealthy mix of frustration, fear, and rage.  

“So many questions… Again, I can’t answer any of that,” he said, moving closer.

“Who the hell are you?”

“I’m sorry, but you can’t know my name.”

          She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Ben shot you… Why aren’t you hurt?”

          He grinned.

“Because I’m a smart guy and I like to think of everything and come prepared. Unlike that aggressive little bastard, I wore a bulletproof vest, Nicola.”

“Who’s your boss? Who paid you to kidnap me?” she asked.

“I can’t…”

“Yeah, yeah… You can’t answer anything.”

          Nicola felt a moment of sheer anger.

“Why don’t you take that mask off and face me like a man, you, fucking coward!”

          A flash of irritation appeared in his eyes and he struck Nicola on the cheek.

“You’re going to pay for that.”

          Tears sprang to Nicola’s eyes.

“You won’t get away with this, I promise you,” she said coldly.

          The figure cocked his head to one side.

“Oh, sweetheart… I will get away with it.”

“Why are you doing this?” Nicola demanded again. “I don’t know you and I’m sure I haven’t done anything to deserve this.”

          He leaned down and caressed Nicola’s face with the back of his hand and struck her again.

“You are a little whore… And he has to pay for what he has done.”

“Who are you…?”

“No more questions. I’ve put it off long enough.”

          His hands went to Nicola’s blouse. He grabbed handfuls of the material and ripped it open. The buttons went flying around the room. Fear such as Nicola had never known before came over her.

“N-no, p-please don’t.”

          She tried moving away from him and found she could not. The rope restricted her movement.

“Oh, sweetheart, calm down… I’m not going to rape you.”

          Her kidnapper started laughing cruelly.

“I’m going to play with your body. Yes… I’m going to burn your skin and carve your flesh. So, don’t bother fighting. It won’t do you any good. Now, I’m going to go out into the hallway and get the things I need. Wait until you see what I have in store for our wonderful time together! You’re going to go crazy. Maybe you could even enjoy what I’m about to do to you.”

          Nicola pulled at the rope, the rough cord digging into her wrists. Sweat coated her skin and her heart pounded in her ears. She thought of all the people she loved and knew she would never see them again… 

          Never tell them how much she loved them.

          Tears filled her eyes and spilled over. She closed them and prayed that her death would be quick.

“Open your eyes, Nik. I want you to see what I’m going to do to you.”

“Don’t call me ‘Nik’, you, sick fuck!”

“Well, open your eyes NOW… fat bitch!”

“Fuck you!” Nicola snarled, refusing to obey his command.

          He chuckled softly.

“You’re full of fire and spirit. I wonder how long it will take me to break you. Tell me, Nik, have you ever heard of a branding iron? They’re generally used to brand big cows like you…”

          Nicola’s breath caught in her throat. She opened her eyes to find him standing over her. In his hands was an iron rod with the letter ‘W’ on the tip. The letter was glowing bright red.

“Now… where shall I mark this stupid cow?” he asked laughing like a madman.