A Captive Heart

Chapter 1

Nicole Hewett unlocked the back door of her home and stepped into fear. Masculine arms pinned her in a crushing grip. Shock tore through her system. She gasped as a large hand clamped over her mouth making it impossible to scream. Gut-twisting panic welled up in her throat.

The drawings her kindergarten students colored for her on the last day of school fell from her fingers and fluttered to the floor. She bit the inside of her cheek trying again to scream. The taste of blood made her stomach lurch. She pried at her assailant’s hands and lost her footing as she slid on the mangled papers beneath her sandals. Now frantic, she fought hard to break  from his grasp.  

He jerked her up against him hard. Nicole’s muffled sounds were useless with his fierce hold. There was no way she could even bite him.

 Please. Dear God, no.

Her heart vibrated in her ears, as she thrashed at the solid mass wedged between her and the door. Her foot slammed alongside his shin, but his vise grip didn’t loosen. He was too strong. Tears of desperation stung her eyes.

Nicole wrenched her head to the side and tried to scream again. Nothing worked. The arm around her neck tightened, choking her.

“Stop fighting me,” he rasped in her ear.

The voice wasn’t familiar.

What does he want?

 If she could trick him into thinking she would cooperate, it might be possible to catch him off guard. She closed her eyes and willed her body to relax. It took all of her concentration to regulate her breathing. Dropping her hands to her sides, she fought against her instincts and tried to nod against his chest.

The assailant’s hold slackened as he shifted his weight.

She made her move. Nicole rammed her elbow into his gut with all the force she could put behind it.

He doubled slightly, letting out a grunt. When she turned and tried to push him back, a sharp pinprick shot into her right arm and her eyes widened in horror.

Dear God.

With his hold firm, he kept his hand pressed over her mouth. “Just give in, sweetheart. Let go. That’s it.”

She shook her head.

“Just relax. Don’t fight it, Brandy. Come on.”

 Brandy? No. No. Please. What’s happening?

Heat trailed up her arm like a fire spiraling out of control. Nicole struggled furiously, giving her last bit of strength. He was like a fortress. She managed to claw one of his arms but he held her firmly against the length of him.

Tears spilled from her eyes.

Against her will, her fingers lost their grip.

No...no. She fought to stay conscious. Thoughts of her parents finding out what happened pained her.

She strained to keep her eyes open. Focus. Her head drooped slightly. She tried to lift her chin but her body was so heavy. She stared down at the images her students had drawn for her. They lay crumpled at her feet. Their colors blurred and her eyes fluttered in their heaviness. No… I have to…

Warmth from the light faded as shadows claimed her.

Ian Mulherin tipped the wooden chair back and stretched his long legs out on the porch railing of his log cabin. He scanned the row of fragrant pine trees lining the woods in front of him. His ears strained to detect anything out of the norm. Carefree robins trilled their songs of summer, unconcerned. He rolled his neck in hopes of releasing the mounting tension.