She shivered as Cole ran his rough hands down her back. The realisation that Ian may not prove so gallant dawned on her. But he would at least have called the police. She blinked rapidly when she felt Cole’s hand worm its way between her thighs, rubbing against her through the flimsy material of her thong.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him remove his jeans and underwear. Next thing, he was on top of her. He pressed down and rubbed against her. Then he stopped and took off his top. Now he was naked, and he lay on her again. He thrust his pelvis up and down.
And Alice couldn't take it anymore. This time, she’d take death over giving some bastard the satisfaction of conquest. She brought her hand up and ripped off the gag. Before Cole did anything, she let out the loudest blood-curdling scream she could muster.
Alice bucked, kicked and swung her arms with all the energy she could muster. Then she pushed up in a sudden movement. Cole rolled off her. He fell to the floor with a thump.
“You bastard,” she shouted. She jumped on top of him and pummelled him in the face with her fists. Adrenalin fuelled insults screamed from deep inside her. “Ugly loser.” Each came with a blow to Cole’s face. “Fucking creep.”
But the blows appeared ineffective. Cole’s hands grappled with her wrists. She dodged him at first. Then he grabbed a hold of her right arm. His grip dug in and hurt her. He swung a fist back and slammed it into her midriff. “I am not ugly,” Cole said.
Shock and pain rocked her, and she doubled over. She gasped for breath and Cole pushed her to the floor. “Girls love me.” Cole got to his feet and made a move for his bag.
Alice tried to sit up, but she struggled for breath. She saw Cole reach to his bag and pick up the knife. Then he waved the mace at her. “Remember this, bitch? You know what? It’s payback time.”
While he fiddled with the spray, a roar came from the landing and the bedroom door burst open. Ian charged into the room. With his face contorted with rage, he brandished a hammer in the air. He ran straight at Cole. Cole dropped the mace, and it rolled under the bed.
Ian swung at Cole but missed. Cole dodged back towards the window. Alice watched Ian’s eyes look to the long serrated knife in Cole’s hand. She saw the fear in Ian’s face. But Ian didn't run. Ian swung again.
Cole stepped sideways and laughed. He danced like a boxer and his deflating penis swung from side to side. Cole pointed the knife at Ian. “This is for you, mate. And this…” He grabbed his genitals with the other hand, “This is for Alice. And you know what, mate? She’s gonna love it. All girls love it. Isn't that right, Alice?”
“I hate it,” Alice said.
“See, mate,” Cole said to Ian. “That’s your problem right there. You don't give her enough. Once she gets a taste for mine, she’ll take it every opportunity she can. I’ll sort her out for you. Be doing you a favour and all.”
Ian roared again. “Leave her alone, you… you horrible...”
“Come on then,” Cole said. “Let’s have you.”
Alice tried to grab the can of mace, but it was out of reach. She scrambled to her feet. Her mouth dropped as she watched Ian lunge at Cole. The hammer hit Cole on the shoulder, but he ignored the blow. It was like he was immune to pain.
As Ian raised the hammer again, Cole shoved the knife into Ian’s stomach. When he withdrew it, blood dripped from the jagged edges. Ian dropped the hammer and made a strange moaning noise. He staggered backwards. “Ian, Ian,” whispered Alice. Her mouth opened wide. Time slowed. Every nerve in her body tingled. A loud buzzing noise reverberated inside her head. Raw, unadulterated shock and horror threatened to immobilise her. But she refused to yield. Alice rubbed the scars on her wrist and took a deep breath. With a determined nod, she searched deep within herself for the fervency she’d lost years ago. She looked at Cole and realised she had minutes to find it.
124
Cole stared at the bloody knife. Drops of blood fell to the carpet. He ran his tongue along the side of the knife. It tasted odd but beautiful. The wannabe hero boyfriend lay on the floor clutching his midriff. Trying to stop the flow of blood. Going by the growing pool soaking into the carpet, he wasn't having much success.
He turned to Alice. “Now look what you made me do. This is all your fault. This whole damn mess. Right from the beginning. You could have been nice to Daz and me. Instead, you got your Jihadi mate in the van to do Daz. You told him that, didn’t you? Speaking in fucking foreign so we wouldn’t understand. You wanted to kill me and all. You may have conned the police, but you don't con me. What comes around, eh?”
“I did nothing wrong.” Her voice was low and trembling. “I don’t know you or this Daz person…”
“He was my twin fucking brother, and it's your fault he’s dead.”
“No, it’s not. I hate those terrorists too.” Her voice sounded stronger, and she stood a little straighter. “But you… You’re just like them. The same.”
Cole paused. “What? How can you say that? I’m not like them. I’m a hero. They said that on TV.” He pointed the bloody knife at her. “You. You’re one of the bad ones.”
Alice made a scoffing noise. “You can't handle women. You’re afraid of us. Without violence, you are nothing.” She spat at him and
