Dark Perception: The Corde Noire Series Read online

  Nathan dumped his clothes on the bed. “Like the things hanging on the wall in my apartment. Handcuffs, collars, whips … things like that. Julie loved playing all sorts of games with me.”

  Melinda eased her way toward the bedroom door, making sure to keep him in her sights. “What kind of games did you two play?”

  Nathan wrestled on his jeans. “Why? Are you interested?”

  Melinda coyly shrugged as she spotted the intercom. “Could be?”

  Picking up his shirt from the bed, he smiled at her. “I can show you some things we used to do later. If you like, I could even refurbish the playroom for you with all the toys Julie loved.”

  “Let’s just see what I think of your games first, shall we?” Melinda took another cautious step toward the door. “I might want to do something different from what you did with your old girlfriend.”

  “That almost makes you sound jealous, my dear.”

  She crept closer to the intercom. “Maybe I am. I don’t really like hearing about Julie. The way you talk about her …” She pouted her lips as she backed up to the intercom. “It’s like you still have feelings for her.”

  Nathan’s dark eyes came together. “Don’t you dare think that, Melinda. The only feelings I have are for you. I love you, remember?”

  “I love you, too.” She leaned back against the wall and pressed her shoulder into the row of buttons below the intercom speaker. “Maybe you just had to prove to me how much you loved me before I could really understand.”

  Buttoning up his shirt, he came toward her. “From the first day I saw you in Jackson Square, I sensed somehow you were going to be the perfect woman for me. You were beautiful, hungry, and willing to do whatever I wanted.”

  Melinda kept her shoulder pressed into the intercom as she grinned at Nathan. “And here I thought I was the psychic.”

  Pulling her away from the wall, he enfolded her in his arms. “You always were much more than a psychic to me, Melinda. I have to admit, I gave you the job because I wanted to get to know you and see if you would fit into my world.” He hugged her to him. “Now I know I made the right choice.”

  “So why do you have to lock me back in that storage room if I’m the woman for you?” she loudly complained, hoping to be heard over the intercom.

  “Because, my love,” he slapped her bottom, “you need to be taught how to be my submissive before you can be wedded to me.”

  She leaned back from him. “Yes, Sir.”

  “I’m your Dom, Melinda. You must learn to listen to me, do my bidding, and be what I tell you to be.”

  “So you’re going to keep me locked away in that storage room until we’re married, no matter what I do or say?”

  He let her go. “Until I can bind you to me in marriage, you will have to stay sequestered away. I can’t afford to have another woman run out on me. What would other men think of me?” He grasped her hand. “Walk me to the door.”

  “Can I get dressed first?”

  “No, Melinda. Do as I say.”

  As Melinda walked with him to the bedroom door, her eyes scanned the buttons along the bottom of the intercom. She then gave Nathan a happy smile.

  “Yes, Nathan. Whatever you want.”

  * * *

  In her nightshirt and thick robe, Melinda was pacing the white-tiled floor, hoping someone had heard her on the intercom. She wasn’t sure what buttons had been pressed, but no fire department or EMS crews had shown up at her apartment door, crushing her hopes that her plan had worked.

  Time alone in the white room had made her reconsider all of her dreams about fancy clothes, jewelry, and a life filled with elegant outings and scintillating social events. They had been nothing more than foolish fairy tales created by a lonely girl. It had taken Nathan’s depraved acts to make her realize all the things she had desired meant nothing when she was being held prisoner by a man who was a control freak.

  During her mental musings, it became readily apparent that Melinda had done nothing but move from one prison to the next. First, she had been trapped on the farm and had jumped at the opportunity to get away with Josh. After he left her, she had confined herself to her tiny French Quarter apartment. Nathan had rescued her, but was now holding her prisoner. Once again, she was hidden from the world.

  “Maybe it was meant to be,” she whispered into the white room.

  Meant to be. So many things in her life appeared meant to be. Certain people had come along, for better or for worse, and roused her sleepy soul into action. Maybe that was what the entire fiasco with Nathan was supposed to prove. If there was a better life out there for her, she needed to find it for herself and not hope someone else would give it to her.

  Melinda laughed at her stupidity until tears filled her eyes. How could she not have noticed such a glaring message?

  “Oh, Jack, you would have had so much fun teasing me about this.”

  Jack. His name sent a calming sense of reassurance through her soul. She recalled the music she had played for Nathan the night before when she had been thinking of Jack. The way her hands had glided effortlessly over the keys as she had pictured his handsome face and wonderful smile. How could she not have realized it before now? Jack had found his way into her heart. He was a part of her.

  She went to the keyboard Nathan had set up in the corner of the room and had a seat on the bench.

  “I have been such a fool.” She sighed as her eyes took in the white walls around her. “If I ever get out of here, I swear I will take every chance, grab every opportunity, and tell Jack Deron how I really feel.”

  But as the minutes ticked by, Melinda wondered if she would ever get that chance. If she didn’t get free of Nathan, her life would be absolutely miserable. One thing was certain, she had to find a way to escape; otherwise, she feared what he would eventually do to her.

  “Shit!” She ran her hands over her face. “How did I get into this mess?”

  The metal door flew open, startling Melinda. Nathan came bounding into the room. Dressed in a gray suit with a cream-colored tie, he had a pained expression on his face.

  “Get up,” he said breathlessly. “You’ve got to get dressed and come with me.”

  Quaking, Melinda slowly stood from her keyboard. “What is it?”

  “Someone is here to see you.”

  “Who?” she questioned, doubting his intentions.

  “Carl Bordonaro wants to talk to you.”

  She was stunned. “Carl Bordonaro? But why?”

  Nathan’s lips pressed into a menacing scowl. “It seems he heard you were a very good psychic.”

  Melinda took a step toward Nathan, contemplating her fate. Was this going to be her life from now on? Being locked away in a closet and taken out to do readings to entertain Nathan’s friends?

  “Did you tell him about me? Is that why he wants me to read for him?”

  “No. Jack bragged about you. Told him how good you were. Carl insisted on having a session with you today. He was waiting downstairs when I arrived from my meeting. I had no choice but to let you read for him.”

  “You have no choice?” Melinda replied, almost laughing. “I find that hard to believe.”

  “He’s Carl Bordonaro, Melinda. You don’t just tell the man no. Besides, I need him. He’s in tight with Denise, and I can’t help but wonder if she sent him over here to feel me out about the Market Street deal. So play along.” He came up to her and grabbed her forearm. “Don’t do anything stupid. I’ll be by your side the entire time.”

  Melinda could see the angry visions swarming in his mind. It was worse than she had originally imagined. He was prepared to kill her and anyone who stood in his way.

  Smiling complacently, she tried to reassure his fear. “I have no intention of doing anything to anger you.”

  Seemingly swayed by her declaration, Nathan’s charming smile returned. “If you behave with Carl, I’ll give you a reward. Give him a wonderful reading, and I promise not to lock you up in this room again.�
� He gazed about the room. “You’ll have earned some of my trust if you send him on his way a happy man.”

  “Deal.” She seductively nudged forward, rubbing against his crotch. “After Carl is gone, are you still going to take care of me, like you promised?”

  Nathan’s smile grew as he threw his arms around her. “You’re getting the hang of this. I like you this way.” He kissed her hard on the mouth.

  Melinda returned his kiss with all the passion she could muster.

  When he pulled away, he took her hand. “Let’s get you dressed and put on a show for Carl.”

  As she walked behind him, Melinda could not help but grin. Here was her chance to escape, and she was going to make damn sure she didn’t blow it.

  * * *

  Carl was staring up at Nathan’s collection of old chains, collars, and shackles when Melinda walked in through the penthouse double doors. She had hurriedly dressed in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved turtleneck Nathan had selected in order to hide her bruises. As Nathan led her into his penthouse, Carl noticed their intertwined hands.

  “That’s some sick shit, Nate.” Carl pointed to the rusted relics on the wall.

  Nathan let go of Melinda’s hand. “They were found when I was doing renovations to the building.”

  “Then why put them on your living room wall?”

  “To preserve them,” Nathan coolly replied.

  “Or perhaps you enjoy lookin’ at things like that. Might make some people suspect you’re into that shit.” Carl turned to Melinda. “Nate told me you were under the weather, Melinda, but I hope you’ll forgive my intrusion. I’ve heard so many good things about you from Jimmy that I wanted to test your gifts myself.” He took her hand.

  Melinda noticed how Carl’s eyes spotted the bruises on her wrist. She quickly pulled her hand away, acutely aware of Nathan’s hovering.

  “Jack exaggerates, Mr. Bordonaro. Surely you already know your godson has the gift as well. He would have been the better psychic to consult with. My abilities are rather limited.”

  Carl observed her through his black-rimmed glasses. “Yeah, Jimmy has had the dark perception since he was a kid. He got it from Denise.”

  Melinda’s jaw dropped slightly. “How did you know it was called—?”

  Carl waved to the sofa for Melinda to have a seat. “Denise was always tellin’ us the future when we were young.” Carl grinned as Melinda slowly sank into the white leather cushion. “She was pretty good at it, too, but not as good as Jimmy.” He took a seat next to her and then looked up at Nathan. “Nate, why don’t you get me and Melinda somethin’ to drink?”

  Nathan’s irate eyes shot to Melinda. “What would you like, darling?”

  “Coffee, please.” She smiled demurely. “I didn’t get my coffee this morning,” she added.

  “A mornin’ without coffee is like torture to me,” Carl chimed in. “Make that two coffees,” he said to Nathan. “I take mine with two sugars.”

  Nathan gave a perturbed smirk and strutted toward the kitchen.

  Melinda watched him walk away and felt the tension she had been carrying in her shoulders ease.

  “So,” Carl began. “I was wonderin’ if you could tell me about Nate’s Market Street deal. Do you think it’s a good investment?”

  Melinda pondered the man’s round face and pasty complexion, trying to detect what he was really up to. Then an image of Jack popped into her head. He was standing next to Carl, nodding reassuringly. Melinda’s eyes searched Carl’s and he gave her playful wink.

  “Ah, Market Street?” she said with a knowing grin. “Yes, it’s going to be a very lucrative investment for all involved. I think Mrs. Becnel would benefit greatly from signing on with Nathan.”

  Carl eased back on the sofa. “Did you hear that, Nate? Your girl thinks Market Place is goin’ to make us all rich.”

  Melinda noted how Nathan was keeping an eye on her from behind the breakfast bar. “I always knew it would,” he remarked.

  “That’s why you hired this lovely lady, isn’t it, my friend?” Carl went on. “You wanted to have a personal psychic.”

  Nathan began filling the coffeemaker with an aromatic blend of ground beans. “Can you blame me, Carl? You know I never like to leave anything to chance. Melinda has been my good luck charm with this deal.”

  “And your very special friend, too,” Carl proposed.

  Nathan peered up from the coffeemaker. “Can you blame me? She’s a beautiful woman. Any man would want to possess her.”

  Melinda cringed as he spoke the words.

  “Yes, you do tend to have a rather discernin’ eye when it comes to the ladies.” Carl heartily chuckled as he stood from the sofa. “I remember when you were with Julie. I thought she was the perfect match for you, and then I heard it was all over. I was real surprised by that.”

  Nathan’s face fell and he snatched up the coffeepot and went to the sink. “Julie turned out to be something of a disappointment to me.”

  Carl took a step toward the kitchen. “I can imagine. Findin’ out about her and your security guard must have been a real blow.”

  Nathan’s back arched as he switched off the water. “Did she tell you that?”

  “Yeah. Right before she disappeared, she came to me wantin’ protection from you.”

  Nathan set the coffeepot on the counter beside him and slowly faced Carl. “She never needed protection from me.”

  “That’s not what I heard, Nate.” Carl glanced back at the instruments of torture on Nathan’s wall. “She told me quite a bit about you … and all about your interests.”

  Goosebumps broke out on Melinda’s arms. “You said she was living with her mother in Philadelphia, Nathan.”

  Carl turned back to her, smirking. “‘Her mother in Philadelphia’? Julie was a runaway, Melinda. Sal Cuccia introduced Nate to her about two years ago. She was Sal’s girlfriend until your Nate stole her away.” He eyed Nathan. “She was very skilled at pleasin’ men, wasn’t she, Nate? Sal’s always wondered what you did to her.”

  Nathan rested his hip against the sink and folded his arms over his chest. “I didn’t do anything to Julie. She left me and I haven’t heard from her since.”

  “Left you?” Carl made a disquieting tsk-tsk sound. “Nobody just leaves you, Nate. I know all about you, my friend. I did a lot of diggin’ into your past when we first met. I know about the girls your stepfather had to pay off to keep your little hobby under wraps, and about the restraining orders your ex-wife has out on you. Why do you think I’ve done business with you all these years? I had enough shit on you to make sure you stayed honest with me.” Carl turned to Melinda. “When Jimmy called me yesterday and told me what you had been doin’ to this girl, I decided it was time to pay the two of you a visit.”

  “You’ve been misinformed, Carl,” Nathan stoically maintained. “I’ve done nothing to Melinda that she didn’t consent to. And you can tell Sal I never laid a finger on Julie.”

  “You know, I told Sal the same thing, but go figure … he didn’t believe me.” Carl tossed up his chubby hands. “He even went so far as to do a little snooping in that storage facility you have north of the lake.” A slow grin rose on Carl’s pasty face. “And do you know what he found?”

  Melinda’s eyes went back and forth between Carl and Nathan.

  “Nothing,” Nathan announced with a satisfied smile. “Sal found nothing there, Carl.”

  “He found a little more than that, Nate, and you know it.” Carl chuckled while lowering his gaze to the floor. “Now, I’d like to handle this real civil-like. Sal insists I find out where Julie is. I wouldn’t wanna have to force you to tell me what you know, but if you don’t cooperate, I won’t have much choice, will I?”

  Nathan’s face remained placid as his eyes glared at Carl. “You can’t touch me, Carl. You know who I am. I would be missed. Questions would come up and fingers would eventually point to you.”

  “Nate, don’t ever threaten me.” Carl’s voic
e sounded as deadly as a cobra’s bite. “You’re not protected just because you’re a congressman’s son. This is N’awlins, baby, and we’ve got our own way of doin’ things.”

  “What are you going to do to me, Carl? Beat me until I talk?” Nathan sneered as he strolled out from the kitchen. “If you know me, as you say, then you know that won’t work.”

  Carl waddled toward the front doors. “Perhaps not, but it might make Sal feel a whole lot better.” He reached the entrance and pulled open the double doors.

  Standing right outside with a Smith and Wesson .9mm pistol in his hand was Phil, the security guard.

  “Take him to the car,” Carl ordered.

  Melinda stared dumbfounded at the muscular security guard. “But he works for Nathan.”

  Carl turned to her, smiling. “Nah, he works for me. I wanted to get someone inside Nate’s operations after Julie disappeared. I put Phil at my fitness club and told him to get close to Nate. Turned out better than I expected.”

  Phil strode into the room. “When I heard you and Nathan on the intercom this morning, I called Mr. Bordonaro right away. I knew what was going on.”

  Carl went up to Melinda. “Did he hurt you?” He took her hands and inspected her wrists.

  Melinda fought to overcome her shaking. “No, I’m fine.”

  Carl patted her shoulder. “I called Jimmy when I got here. He’s comin’ to get you.”

  Tears began to cloud her vision. “Jack? He’s coming for me?”

  “Are you kiddin’? The kid’s nuts about ya.”

  “You’re mine, Melinda!” Nathan shouted, barreling toward her. “You’ll always be mine, no matter what.”

  Phil grabbed Nathan’s shoulder as he jammed the gun into his side. “We’re gonna do this nice and easy, Mr. Cole.”

  Melinda’s trembling got worse as Phil pushed Nathan out the penthouse doors. Once he was gone, she took in big gulps of air and then collapsed on the sofa.

  Carl took a seat next to her and patted her hand. “He won’t hurt you anymore, I promise.”

  Her quivering began to ease. “What are you going to do to him?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “It matters to me.”