A New Beginning

Chapter 85: Their Worst Enemy

Chapter 85: Their Worst Enemy

"Make sure that it's tight Riptide," Cal says. "Trust me, he's a strong man."

The three men are now in the basement, next to the cellar which held Rose; one of the men who is unconscious and engaged to the woman on the other side. The other two are tying Jack's hands behind his back and his feet together.

"Yes sir," the manservant says with a heavy sigh. He then brings out a rag. "A gag too sir?"

"Not right now, let the two have a little reunion before we leave."

"Very well," Riptide nods.

Cal unlocks the cellar door and pulls the string to illuminate the tiny space. Rose is in the corner, curled up as best she can, trying to rest. She flinches slightly, knowing the sound of Cal's shoes against the concrete floor. She pretends to be asleep, hoping and praying that Cal would leave her and the baby alone for some much-needed rest.

Being under the tycoon's thumb has been nothing but hell. If she had indeed died by now, she thought hell was better than this place. The torture, the abuse, the torment of her and her unborn child was physically and psychologically damaging for her. She has tried to remain strong, take the pain that he inflicted on her... she knew she had to survive for her child and for Jack. She knew it would simply kill him if she died from this. While most of her strength had long since been drained from her body, the hope of the police, Jack, Emma, Peter, and everyone else she loved coming to her rescue kept her at least partially happy and sane... that and the movement of her baby. She knew that the boy or girl was feeling some form of their mother's pain, he or she kicked rapidly after it was over. It scared the mother-to-be, what if the baby was traumatized before it is even born. As unlikely as it seemed, could it have some abnormality or disability because of this? The thought horrified Rose and when she was left alone, she tried to stay calm and soothe the distressed fetus as best she could.

But with the light on, she knew what would happen next. She braces herself.

Instead, Cal lifts her chin roughly and forcefully removes the cloth gag from her mouth, nearly taking several teeth out with the force.

"You sick twisted son of a..." Rose begins unloading all the unpleasantries she can think of on this man. Sure, she had said similar things to Riptide, but there were a few saved especially for Cal. The words and obscenities came out of her mouth like she is spitting acid from her body. It feels liberating even joyful to tell her former fiancé exactly what she thought of him. She feels the greatest satisfaction of all time. She has waited so long for this moment.

For some strange reason, Cal takes the abuse and verbal garbage thrown at him by his captive, he does so without batting an eye. He is chuckling inside of himself as if Rose was giving him compliments that were stroking his ego instead of verbal threats and insults. He waits until Miss "Dawson" has worn herself out enough to stop and catch her breath. Once she's done, Cal kneels down and pulls her into a sitting position. With her hands and feet bound against the wall, this is harder than one might expect. Cal pinches Rose's cheeks between his fingers to the point that it hurts. Rose has no choice but to tear up in pain.

"Such ladies shouldn't say words like that," he taunts.

Rose tries to bite him, but Cal holds her face firmly in his grasp.

"Now, I'm sure the main reason I haven't broken you completely is that you have one thing... one stupid thing... hope. The hope that your precious Jack will come and rescue you, or the police or those bratty friends of yours. They will come and have me arrested and you'll live happily ever after with that bastard child in your womb. Well sweetpea, prepare to have your hopes dashed."

As if on cue, Riptide drags the unconscious and bound form of Jack into the cellar.

At first, Rose doesn't recognize him until she sees the blonde hair and she manages to gasp. Her eyes fill with tears as if instinctively.

"JACK!" she cries out in a muffled fashion. She twists her head, trying to fight Caledon's grasp. He finally releases her pretty little face, which would no doubt leave bruises on her cheeks afterwards.

Rose feels a surge of strength go through her as she fights against the ropes holding her to the cellar wall. She struggles in many directions in an attempt to free herself, to get to him, to wrap her arms around him, to kiss him... just to hold him again.

Cal enjoys watching Rose squirm and struggle, trying to get to the man who was just out of reach. Like holding a carrot out in front of a mule, knowing the stupid thing would never get it, but giving it that hope.

"What have you done to him?!" she demands, her wrists feeling like they are bleeding from thrashing so much to free herself.

"We merely protected ourselves. This feeble-minded fool broke into my house and threatened me with a fire poker. He was going on and on, demanding that I release you and of course I had no idea what he was talking about..."

"He's still alive, Ma'me," Riptide offers gently as if to give Rose some form of comfort.

"But only for now. You see, this fool thinks that he can just break into my home and play the hero. He's a wanted criminal, an escaped convict, and this will no doubt bring the pigs here."

"Good!" Rose says, suddenly feeling confident. She knew about Jack's arrest, but she couldn't believe that he would risk his actual freedom and reputation in order to find her. In her heart, she knew he truly loves her and she truly loves him. There was never a doubt in either of their minds. Of course, most people prefer to have this affirmation at the altar of a wedding, and not while being held captive by a menacing steel tycoon. "You'll finally get what you deserve."

"And so, will you. Don't you think I'm smarter than that Rose? Your happy reunion will be very short, so I suggest you enjoy it while you can."

Cal then goes over, grabs the extra rope, drags Jack's limp body over to the opposite side of the cellar and ties his enemy there. He feels so good about finally having Jack Dawson at his mercy. The man who had ruined his engagement and his personal life, forcing him to resort to drastic measures. The thought of him behind bars made him smile; ending Dawson himself made him so giddy that he had butterflies in his stomach. He had not only framed Jack for the crimes in the first place to prevent him from interfering with Rose's abduction, but it got Cal out of any legal charges as well. It is most delightful to separate the two of them, he knew how it was the worst form of torture of all. He imagined Jack rotting behind bars, unable to get to his precious Rose and the pathetic lawyer friends working tirelessly to free him. He thought the two younger fools with the bratty baby are like rats running in circles chasing their tails, unable to do anything to help. Going in an aimless direction, precious payback for them interfering in the first place. To see the couple as miserable as how the tycoon felt, it is an amazing feeling. To drain the hope from his former fiancee, make her suffer as he did, is just icing on top of the cake.

However, he had clearly underestimated how much Jack "truly" loves Rose that he really did break the law, escape from jail and travel all this way to try and rescue her. But, of course," Dawson is at that disadvantage again; Cal had connections, and while Lovejoy was deceased, he was likely approving of Caledon Hockley, his trusty charge's methods. Now that Jack is completely helpless, at this madman's mercy, the real fun can begin. Make the gutter rat feel the pain that should be felt by the people of his class. He had meddled in the Hockley's life long enough and the thorn had to be removed.

The two free people leave the cellar to prepare for their trip, leaving the two lovers at opposite ends of the cellar, held captive by their worst enemy.

A/N: Sorry if this chapter is shorter. Please follow and review.