The CEO's Wife

Stephanie

I had been so happy to see Jake there in that room. I felt like I hadn’t breathed until I saw him—held him. He came for me. He really came!

He was my lifeline. I held onto him for as long as I could. I didn’t miss the exchange between him and Todd, the expression on his face as his jaw tensed when the guard came back in. I clutched onto his words like they were a living, breathing thing that would save me.

‘I’m not leaving without you.’

‘I will always find you.’

‘Just a few more hours.’

I replayed them over and over again in my mind. They brought me comfort—he was here. It was going to be okay.

Don’t get me wrong, I was still scared out of my mind having ended up in jail in the first place, but knowing he was just on the other side of the building helped. The guard pulled the door open, the heavy metal door clanging as it swung.

“I wouldn’t get too comfortable, doll,” he said as he ushered me in, closing then locking the door behind me. Was he being sarcastic? This concrete cell had a bucket and a hollowed-out metal frame for a bed. No wonder I had woken up on the floor. It was worse than any nightmare I could imagine.

Soft light emitted into the room. I could actually see a few details in the space. The 5-foot-by-5-foot cell would house me for the next few hours. I noticed a window on one of the walls, the moonlight glimmering through and casting a few shadows on the wall.

Huh—how had I not noticed that before?

Wait, had that window been there before? There were corners of the room that were pitch black. No, I would have remembered a window.

Was this a different cell?

Why would they put me somewhere else?

A shiver worked its way up my spine. I’m just being paranoid. This entire evening has been surreal. Except I couldn’t shake the feeling that squeezed around my neck.

It was even colder inside this cell—that was another difference I found in this new room. I felt slightly better knowing there was a window. The light would give me a gauge for how long I would be in here. I should try to sleep. It will help the time go quicker.

The sooner I sleep, the sooner I will wake up, and this nightmare will be over. I’ll be back home with Jake once more, and we can forget all about this ever happening.

Was it really only this morning we had traveled back from our honeymoon? I sat with my back against the ice-cold wall, bringing my legs up to my chest. The guard hadn’t cuffed my leg here, or had I imagined it? No… no, I was definitely cuffed to the floor.

Well, I wasn’t going to tell him he forgot. I preferred not having it on.

It was too cold to sleep. The concrete against my back was so cold it burned into me, biting the skin through the fabric of my dress. Was it odd that they hadn’t given me a jumpsuit? Maybe that was for inmates? I wasn’t sure. I never thought the details of being arrested was something I would need to know.

Closing my eyes, I pictured our tropical paradise once more. I needed an escape, something to focus on, hold on to until this was over.

As I closed my eyes, I began to hear the rustle of the wind blowing through the trees, the exotic birds singing as the waves crashed against the shore. The heat of the sun warmed my skin as I felt the grains of sand beneath my fingers.

“What are you thinking about, beautiful?” Jake’s husky voice called as I opened my eyes, seeing his carved, muscular, tanned body peering down at me. His pearly white smile and sparkling gray eyes made my heart flutter and pussy clench.

“You,” I added seductively as he came to lie on the sand next to me. He propped his head up on one elbow as his free hand skimmed over the skin of my stomach. His fingers traced small circles as I looked up at him, the sun blinding my eyes. I could make out his cocky smirk as his fingers ran between the valley of my breasts.

“Do you like that, love?” he teased as his hand trailed lower, stopping at the band of my bikini bottoms.

“Mmmmmm,” I hummed in response as he trailed them back up to my waist as he leaned down to kiss me.

I couldn’t take it anymore. My eyes fluttered open, and the gray cell I was in came into view, and everything came crashing back.

‘I’m arresting you for tampering with evidence, extortion, and bribing a judge.’ That’s what the police officer had told me.

I was only partly guilty of one of those things, but I was sure there would be more to come. Something didn’t sit right with me, and I didn’t like that.

Jake’s here.

I had to keep reminding myself of that. It was the only thing that kept me sane.

The longer I waited, fear began to creep back up, and doubt started to form.

What if Jake couldn’t get me out? How long was I then going to be here for? Would they keep me for two weeks in the run-up to my trial? What if I was here longer? What if Jake lost the trial? Would he be able to represent me if he’s my husband?

Panic started to take over, and I began to hyperventilate once again. The cold had bitten into me, making my ass completely numb and my back begin to ache. I tried to stand, needing to move around. I felt stiff and sore sitting in one position for however long.

Looking out the window, it was unclear how much time had passed. It was still so dark. It could have been hours or minutes since I returned from seeing Jake. I wish he was here with me. His presence was so comforting. Instead, I was left in the darkness—the cold, the metal room, the cuffs felt frozen, sending shivers down my spine.

Jake, don’t leave me.

I felt fresh tears run down my cheeks.

I heard the clanging of the door once more.

Oh my god! He did it! I’m getting out of here! Relief flooded me. I actually felt giddy as I heard the two sets of heavy shoes.

Did they allow Jake to come with them?

I didn’t care. I was getting out of here. I never wanted to end back here ever again. There was a creak of the door before more footsteps. My heart started to beat wildly in my chest.

Come on, come on, Jake, please. I need to get out of here. I just want to go home and forget this happened. I wanted to take a nice hot bath to warm myself up before sleeping this night off.

I heard the jangle of the keys as the next door clanged open, the footsteps following. I could hear muffled voices. None of them sounded like Jake. My heart sank. Perhaps it was another prisoner they were putting away. Or perhaps Jake wasn’t actually allowed back here. No, he’s a lawyer. I’m sure he has at times. Or perhaps it’s Todd. Yes, it’s probably Todd.

My heart skipped a beat. I was finally getting out. They had saved me!

The thin crack of light appeared around the edge of the door to my cell. I was actually getting out of here! I heard the keys jangle once more before they fitted in the lock.

Come on, hurry, hurry. I need to leave this place.

The door opened once more to a shadowy figure as the blinding light filled the room from the hallway. I saw another figure behind as it looked like they said something before one of them walked away, leaving me with the other. I couldn’t make out who it was. Todd?

No, he seemed too small.

I squinted my eyes, trying to focus on who it was.

There was something about him that was familiar, but the tingle in my spine didn’t let me believe that was a good thing.

I focused once more as he stepped into my cell. The door remained open behind him. With each step, more light came in, and I could start to make out his features.

No! No, no, no.

Anyone but him.

I stepped back, moving away from him, trying to put as much distance between the two of us as I could manage.

I heard his manic laugh as my back hit the wall. Fear filled me as dread consumed me. This can’t be happening. He strode over, coming so close to me as his hands went to my cuffs as he unlocked them. Why was he here?

“There, that’s better,” he said, his eyes alight as they looked me over, the cuffs dropping to the floor. I just looked at him, barely able to breathe, to think.

I looked towards the open door and then back at Carter. That manic look in his wild green eyes just terrified me. Could I outrun him and get away? I’m not sure. All I know is that this is not normal. He shouldn’t be in my cell. He shouldn’t be removing my cuffs. How is any of this legal?

JAKE!

I wanted to scream, but the words wouldn’t escape. Fear constricted my throat as I tried to process and think what to do.

JAKE!

I tried again, but still my mouth or body didn’t want to move. I felt my eyes begin to sting with tears. They already felt dry and itchy from all the crying earlier.

“Now, I wouldn’t even think about running if I were you,” he said as he gripped my chin painfully hard to turn me to look at him. He smiled when our eyes met. He looked deranged, crazy.

JAKE!

I still couldn’t vocalize it. My words were getting lost. I needed to say something, anything.

“Now, love, I’m going to get you out of here,” he whispered, leaning closer as one hand rested on my waist. I flinched, trying to pull out of his hold.

“Jake,” I managed, but it was only above a whisper. Carter began to laugh as his hand took hold of my wrist as he tried to tug me from the cell.

“Come with me,” he urged, but I turned into dead weight, refusing to let him drag me from here.

“I’m not going anywhere with you. JAKE!” I managed to say louder this time. He looked at me, annoyed, before he smirked evilly.

“He can’t save you now. You’re mine.”