Phantom Rider - The Aftermath | Book 1

Panic Room

Bill's POV

Bill groaned in agony as he gradually came back to his senses. He felt the cold and sterile air surrounding him - his attempt to open his eyes was interrupted by the bright, blinding lights. He felt like he was still in a hospital, but he couldn't clearly see.

He tried to shift position but discovered his hands were chained to the bed, so he pulled his arms harder. For what felt like an eternity, he struggled to break free, but his legs and arms were secured to the bed with handcuffs and chains. His mind raced with thoughts and ideas on how to escape, but they were all unsuccessful. His only hope was that Tom would find him before it was too late.

A woman's shadow appeared in the doorway at the far end of the room, illuminated by bright fluorescent lights. Bill instantly knew who she was.

"Good morning, sunshine," she purred with a sickly sweet tone.

Bill's heart raced in his chest. His mouth went dry, and a wave of fear hit him as he saw Alice's cruel smile.

"What are you doing?" he looked into her eyes.

"Nothing, just playing around," Alice replied, her eyes fixed on his. She casually tucked her long hair behind her shoulder as she walked closer.

Her outfit - a black, nearly see-through, tight dress that clung to her curves and shimmered under the harsh lights - was a far cry from hospital attire.

Bending over him, she softly brushed her fingers across his chest. Bill tried to avoid her touch, but there was nowhere to go. His skin crawled at the sensation, cold goosebumps rising where her fingers traced. "Alice, stop! This isn't funny."

"Funny? Does it look like I am laughing?" Her fingers moved lower, pulling up his shirt and tracing his abdomen. "Does this remind you of something?"

She leaned in closer. "What is so special about her that you seem to completely lose your mind over her?"

Mila. Bill got angry and tried to get his arms out of the restraints once again. "Where is she? What did you do to her?" He shouted in her face.

"I don't have her. She's not my business," Alice's words drove him insane with fear.

"At least tell me she is alive!" His voice cracked with desperation.

"I can't promise you that!" she smiled genuinely happy, sending Bill into complete agony.

Her hand slid down his torso, fingers grazing the belt of his pants. Every muscle in his body tensed in protest. His mind raced with terror, each touch sending shockwaves of panic through him. "Alice, don't!" he screamed at her.

"Why not?" she whispered in his ear. "Don't pretend you haven't thought of other women."

He struggled again to free himself, but it was useless. Alice had him exactly where she wanted him. Her hand slipped under his pants, he tried to twist himself away, but she grabbed him by his dick, making him gasp in shock.

"There, I wouldn't move if I were you!" she ordered, her tone cold and unsettling.

"You fucking pathetic bitch!" His blood ran cold, and his heart raced as if trying to escape his chest. He felt trapped and claustrophobic.

She eased her grip slightly, then began to move her hand more gently. Shame overwhelmed him as he realized he was becoming aroused against her palm.

"I see you still want me!" she smiled at him predatorily.

"You know I can't control that. I don't want you, never did, and never will," Bill spat, his voice shaking with humiliation. "Please, leave me alone!"

"Begging already? What a letdown." She pulled back her hand slightly, then kept stroking him until he was fully erect. He felt an intense panic, unable to stop the involuntary reaction. The realization of how unpleasant and degrading physical pleasure could be under these circumstances only added to his torment. Alice suddenly glanced at the corner of the room, fear flickered in her eyes, and she released her grip.

"Finally..." Bill huffed to himself, exhaling in relief.

Alice noticed his loud exhale and smiled wickedly. "I'm not done with you yet!" She inhaled deeply, matching his exhale. "I have to leave now. I'll be sure to say hi to Mila for you."

Her words struck him like a punch to the gut. He fought against the chains again, desperate to free himself.

"Hold your power, you will need it." Alice pressed a cold kiss to his naked stomach. But Bill didn't feel anything anymore, his mind was consumed with thoughts of Mila.

"Please, tell me, is she okay? Is she hurt? Where is she?" He screamed, his voice cracking with desperation for Mila's safety.

Alice laughed viciously. "You're in no position to demand answers."

"Alice, can you show a bit of humanity?" His voice was raw with anger.

"I am human. If you want, you can touch me to feel how human I am." She smiled wickedly at him.

"Soul, Alice! Do you have a soul? Mila is pregnant, for God's sake!" He kept shouting in her face. "Just tell me you didn't hurt her or the baby!"

"Bill..." she leaned into his ear. "There is no more baby... it's just her now."

"What?" He choked on his words, unable to comprehend.

"You heard me! And it's your fault - you killed your own unborn child." She breathed into his face, sending icy shivers down his spine.

"I did not..." He lost his voice as her words traveled through his head.

"You've caused Mila nothing but stress. You took her to a car race - seriously?" She looked at him, momentarily concerned, though her expression seemed more manipulative than genuine. "But how would you know how to protect your family if you have none?"

Alice knew how to hit him where it hurt. Guilt surged through him as he recognized the truth in her words.

"Now, daddy, how do you want to play tomorrow?" She lingered her hand against his crotch once more.

"Never fucking call me that!" His anger boiled over. Through the pain, he tried to wriggle himself off the bed and push his palms out of the handcuffs. If it meant breaking his fingers to escape, he was willing to try, but nothing worked.

She stood up, looking down on him. "I've had enough of you for today. Let's continue tomorrow, maybe you will change your mind after all." Alice smiled at his struggles, then turned around and left, closing the door behind her with a loud noise.

He'd never been scared of a woman in his entire life, but this time the fear he felt was real and raw. The way Alice enjoyed the power she had over him made him believe that she'd do anything. Nothing is more dangerous than a jealous, desperate woman who's given a chance to do what she wants.

But something had stopped Alice. Someone was watching her. She wasn't the mastermind - just a pawn. The true orchestrator must be Victor.

"There is no more baby..." He needed time to process. In his situation, he seemed to have all the time in the world. However, the seconds seemed to be frozen. He felt a crushing sense of guilt, realizing he had failed to protect Mila. His mind was consumed by thoughts of his own inadequacy. He felt utterly useless.

As his eyes adjusted to the harsh light, he noticed cameras mounted in every corner of the room. Medical equipment lined the walls - IV stands, trays with surgical instruments, and machines with wires and tubes he couldn't identify. A cold chill ran down his spine as he realized that this wasn't just a room- it was a torture chamber disguised as a hospital.

A dreamlike memory surfaced - he had seen this before. He recalled being in a white, sterile room with bright lights overhead, people in white coats and masks touching him, and the sharp sting of needles. He had always thought it was a nightmare or a fragment of his overactive imagination, but now the familiarity of this place made the memory seem all too real.

Bill's consciousness drifted, and the cold, sterile room dissolved into a distant memory...