“Stop, baby,” Stewart’s calm voice came through the headphones. “You know the rules. No talking.”

I’m not doing this! You’re dead! You can’t make me!

I screamed a muffled scream into the hand, as pain emanated from my hair and the blindfold and headphones were ripped from my head. The onslaught of light momentarily blinded me, making it difficult to focus on the man before me. He was right on top of me, his hand over my mouth and his rancid breath filling my senses.

Senator Robert Keene’s voice was low and menacing. “Do you want to fight? Good. I like that.” He grabbed a fistful of my hair and snapped my head back. “Keep it up. I always thought you were too compliant.”

I glared. Motherfucker, this isn’t happening.

“Stewart made promises. If you think I’ll continue to support his endeavors without this little incentive, you’re as stupid as you are hot.”

My heartbeat quickened as panic overtook me. No. I couldn’t do this. I wouldn’t. I’d never been this frightened before. Stewart couldn’t help me. My mind searched for possibilities.

Robert’s face came closer. With his hand still over my mouth he leaned in and licked my cheek. My stomach threatened revolt as his wet tongue lapped the other cheek and he spoke, “There we go. Will you be a good girl or do we need to punish you?” Gripping my hair tighter he bathed my face in his awful breath and asked, “What’s it going to be, are you going to be a good girl?”

Fucker! I nodded—as much as I could with his hand entwined in my hair. Yeah, I’ll fucking be a good girl.

He petted my head, loosened his grip, and slowly removed his hand from my mouth. As he started to move, I fought against the restraints and screamed with everything in me. It was my only hope, my only chance. “Travis! Travis! Help me!”

Hands came to my shoulders and I braced myself for Robert’s punishment.

“Vik, Vik. Wake up.”

“No way, motherfucker! Travis! Help me. Travis!” My voice was louder than it had been before. My skin dripped with perspiration as my trembling body fought the restraints. Instantly, my hands and feet flung free. The restraints were gone. I pushed past the hands, and rushed from the bed. As I did, the room came into focus. The warehouse was gone. I was in my suite and I wasn’t alone. Val was in the middle of my bed, the covers disheveled and her eyes as big as saucers. Her gray questioning gaze stared through me as if I were possessed.

My mind couldn’t register what had just happened. My shaking body was no longer naked; instead I was covered in a sweat-dampened nightgown. Robert Keene wasn’t with me. I was in my apartment, my suite. Val moved cautiously toward me, as if she were afraid of what I might do. All energy and strength left my limbs as I closed my eyes and fell to my knees.

I was fucking losing it.

Just as Val reached me, my suite door opened. I looked up to see Travis’ large frame fill the doorway. In the dim light, I felt his dark eyes assessing the scene.

Val turned toward him. “She’s all right. I’m sorry I bothered you. I think she was having a nightmare. The only name I recognized was yours. She was calling to you.”

I shook my head. “No, I wasn’t. I’m fine.”

“Vik, you’re not fine,” Val said. “You were in the middle of some nightmare or night terror. I couldn’t get you to wake up. You almost decked me. What the hell were you dreaming about?”

I stared toward Travis. He’d yet to speak. Trying for a small bit of decorum, I stood and reached for my robe. Securing it around me, I said, “Thank you for coming, Travis. I’m fine. I’d appreciate it if you’d leave my room.”

His back stiffened. Why was I concerned about him seeing me in my nightgown? He’d obviously seen me with a lot less. Instead of listening, he took a step closer. His customary dark slacks were replaced by gym shorts that exposed his thick, muscular legs, and his feet were bare. “Mrs. Harrington, if you figure out what your nightmare was about, or if I can be of any assistance, I don’t mind your call.” He turned toward Val. “Or yours, doctor. I’m here.”

I exhaled. “I don’t think that will be necessary. I probably shouldn’t have taken that medicine.” I feigned a smile toward my sister. “It was like some horror story, a monster or something.” My eyes went toward Travis. “I’m not sure. I couldn’t see much.”

His eyes closed knowingly. “Mrs. Harrington, are you sure you’re fine?”

I nodded, standing as tall as possible in my bare feet. “I am.”

“Just know, ma’am, I’m downstairs. No monsters will restrict your vision as long as I’m here.” With that he turned, and said, “Good night.”

Val and I watched as he walked out into the hallway and closed the door. Once he was gone, Val wrinkled her nose and said, “Well, that was kind of weird.” Turning toward me, she continued, “I’m sorry that I called him, Vik. I used your phone. You were screaming and you kept calling for him. I wasn’t sure what to do.”

“Kept?”

She reached for my hand and led me toward the bed. “Yeah, it went on for over ten minutes. Psychiatry isn’t my thing, but something is going on. Please let me get you connected to someone who can help you.”

Could anyone help me? I thought this would all be over when Stewart died. I looked at the clock. “Val, I’m sorry for waking you so early.” I eyed my bed. “Did you fall asleep in here? We do have other rooms.”