Anatomy of a Nightmare - M J Marlow (i read a book .txt) 📗

/> “Please forgive my cousin, Miss Randall,” Gregory said quickly. “It is just that you bear an amazing resemblance to my brother’s fiancé.”
“Is that why you offered me this job, Mr. Talbot?” Lily was feeling uneasy again. “I am not going to be involved in anything illegal, am I?” He handed her his credentials and she handed them to her brother. “The FBI? Why would the FBI be looking to offer me a job?”
“As I said you bear an amazing resemblance to my brother’s wife,” Gregory told her as he met her eyes. She was not looking at all well, he thought as he noted her pale face. “I need someone who can accompany me to her wedding so I can go after a spy who is making a hand-off there.”
“Her parents are into something illegal?” Edward asked as he handed Gregory back his ID. “Lily,” she said as he guided his sister to the couch, “sit down before you pass out.” He went to get her tea and put it in her hands. “Drink that.” He put the afghan lying over the other arm over her shoulders and stroked her cheek. He turned to Gregory and Esme. “Please sit down.” They did so and he took over. “Now tell us why you think taking a civilian into a potentially risky situation is a good idea.”
“You’re rather blunt, Officer Randall,” Gregory smiled at the younger man. “Is that a family trait?”
“You could say that,” Edward nodded. “We come from a long line of no-nonsense Maine fishermen who don’t appreciate having their time wasted.”
“Edward!”
“We have to get you to the doctor, Lily,” he said as he turned to her. “So put it out there, Agent Talbot. What exactly do you want my sister to do?”
“She wouldn’t really have to do anything,” Gregory assured him. “Evelyn needs a new bridesmaid, her first choice got pregnant and will be unable to travel; so Lily would stand-in. Evelyn is marrying my twin brother, so I am the best man. The wedding ceremony is taking place at her parents’ home. During that time her father is expected to make a drop to a foreign party that must be intercepted. I would be handling that with part of my team. The other half of the team will be keeping an eye on your sister and making certain she is safe.”
“We must warn you, Lily,” Esme said to her, “that Evelyn’s parents are not exactly thrilled about the wedding. They consider Geoffrey and the entire Talbot family to be beneath them so there may be some unpleasantness.”
“It won’t be directed at me, surely?” Lily asked them.
“They will enlist anyone they can to help them.” He looked at his watch. “If you are going to help us, Miss Randall,” he said, “we need to know now so I can let Evie and Geoff know.”
“You aren’t giving her a lot of time to think it over, Agent,” Edward frowned as Lily finished her tea. He looked at his sister. “You can say no, Lily.”
“I’m sorry,” she told Gregory. “I can’t. I need something now that is going to be for more than one day.” She looked at the clock. It was only two thirty but she had things she needed to do. “I have to go now.” She looked at Edward. “I’m a big girl. I can get myself to the doctor’s office.”
She nodded to them and went upstairs. She had hoped he was offering her something long-term. Gordon would never accept a one day favor as replacement. She was going to have to marry Gordon Ambrose. She got out the green silk dress and fancy lingerie and high heels and stockings. She put them in her backpack and left the house. She went to the doctor’s office and he gave her a vitamin shot and told her to keep using the cold medicine. Then she went to talk to Gordon.
“You never struck me as a stupid girl, Lily,” Gordon said as he took her into his office. He closed the door and slapped her across the face. “Are you looking to get your brother sent to prison? Neil Ambrose is a powerful man in this town. If he pushes, he will have Edward in prison for striking him.”
“I know,” Lily said to him. “That’s why I’m going to do as you ask.” She saw him smile and relax. “Can I take a nap here before I get ready to go with him? I don’t want Edward to see him coming to the house.”
“You are a smart child,” Gordon smiled and nodded to her. “You know where the key to the apartment is, honey.” Lily nodded and went out to get it. She heard him on the phone. “You can pick her up here at the office. She’s thought over your offer and she is willing, Ambrose.” He laughed. “I’m certain you can convince the child what a great life you are offering her, but you and I both know what a bastard you are. I only ask that you remember that once she is yours the rest of her family is out of your nets.”
Lily choked then. She hadn’t realized Ambrose was holding things over Gordon’s head. As much as she despised the man, he was still her family. She would listen to Ambrose tonight and then try to figure some way to bring him down and free her family from his manipulation. She got to the apartment and let herself inside. She took a dose of the cold medicine and fell asleep. When she woke up, she smelled food. She got up and walked out into the living room.
“You’re too much like Dad, Lily,” Edward said softly as he set the pizza box down on the table. “It’s going to get you seriously hurt one day.”
“He said he would send you to prison, Edward,” Lily sobbed. “I don’t want you to get punished for protecting me.”
“That’s what big brothers are supposed to do for their little sisters, sprout,” Edward said as he squeezed her hand. “I promised Dad I would always keep you safe. Eat your pizza and then we’ll go home.”
How could his sister have thought he would prefer her married to a sadistic brute like Ambrose to being sent to jail? She was such a fiercely loyal creature, he thought as he bent over and kissed her on the forehead on his way to tossing the pizza box in the trash; but sometimes she went a bit too far. He turned from the dumpster as he heard someone coming up behind him, but he was a bit too slow. He crumpled to the ground and felt someone binding his wrists behind his back and his ankles. He was gagged and dragged further into the alley. He heard a van door sliding open as he passed out.
“Hold him somewhere until late Friday,” Ambrose told the driver. “I don’t want him to get to his sister until she is well and truly my wife.”
He closed the door and watched the van take off. He had no qualms whatever about abducting Lily’s brother. He would have preferred to kill the stubborn man, but he did not want to distress his future wife so early in their marriage. The next time Edward got in his face, he promised himself; he would not hold back.
“Edward?” Lily called as the door opened ten minutes after her brother had left. She came out of the bedroom and froze as she saw Ambrose standing in the center of the room holding a bouquet of roses in his hand.
“I brought your bridal bouquet, Lily,” he said as he watched her move. “I sent your brother home. We don’t want him at the ceremony feeling as he does.”
“I am not marrying you,” Lily said as she set her backpack down and sat down on the chair nearby. “I have another job, so we don’t need your money!” Ambrose came over and pulled her to the couch. He held her hands in his and ran his thumbs along her palms. She shuddered as he smiled at her. “I’m not feeling well. Please let me go home.”
“You’re marrying me, darling,” Ambrose nodded. “You already gave your word to your guardian, remember?” He saw her balk. “You do this or I’ll have your sickeningly noble brother arrested,” he said as he ran his hand down her arm. “He’d lose his freedom and his chance at a law career. You don’t want that now, do you?” Lily shook her head. “You’re a good sister; your brother should appreciate that.”
Ambrose kissed her cheek and pulled her to her feet. She got her backpack and got in his car. He drove them to the church and led her up the aisle on his arm. The entire town was present except for her brother and the policemen who were on duty. She could not refuse Ambrose now. The rest of the town partied as he took her to his home on the bluffs overlooking the bay and pulled her inside. He was smiling as he sat her down on the couch and pulled a package out of the closet and set it in her lap. She opened it and saw the midnight blue negligee and robe inside of it.
“Put it on, Lily,” he said to her. She got up to head for the bathroom and he pulled her back. “Here in front of me, honey,” he ordered as he went to turn on the radio. “There is no reason for you to be shy now. You’re my wife.”
Lily was shaking as she removed her clothing. How could she let this bastard treat her like she was his property? How could she not? Her brother would go to prison if she didn’t do what this man wanted her to do. She knew him well enough to know he would make good on his threats. But she couldn’t do it. She ran for the door and Ambrose yanked her back and slapped her across the face as she screamed and fought him back. He pushed her down and clamped his foul lips on hers as he ripped the clothing off of her body. She was sobbing as he assaulted her.
“You just don’t know when you have it well off, you stupid little bitch,” Ambrose snarled as he clamped his hands around her throat. She clawed at his hands and he slapped her again. She could not scream as he cut off her air but she was not going down without a fight. “I’m going to have you, Lily! Count on it!”
His hand went under her panties and she fought him and demanded he let her go. She was not going to let him do this to her. But Ambrose was past listening to her protests. He went right ahead with the assault, relishing the sound of her screams and her pleas. She could feel herself losing consciousness as his fingers found their way inside of her. She was starting to pass out when he finally drove inside of her. She screamed as the pain exploded inside of her. When he was through, he carried her to the bedroom and tied her to the bedposts so she could not move.
“You’re going to learn to obey me,” he said as he stroked her struggling body. He cupped her chin in his hand. “You are mine now, honey. As long as you do as I ask, your brother is safe. Is that clear?” Lily nodded and he stroked her cheek. “My good girl,” he crooned as he caressed her. “My pretty angel.”
When she finally lost consciousness, he went to his office and pulled out the tape of his assaults. He poured himself a drink and put the tape in