Chapter 7

Melanie sighed as she stepped into the shower, the hot water helping to soothe away all of her aches and pains. Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes, letting the water splash across her face before it ran down behind her to thoroughly soak her hair.

Picking up the bottle of shampoo, she worked it into a rich lather before running her hands through her hair, taking her time as she ran her fingers over her scalp. Then rinsing the soap from her head, she moved on to the rest of her body, washing herself carefully as she tired to avoid the many colorful bruises that were gradually starting to fade away.

Pausing for a moment, she examine the scars on her wrists, which had been badly cut and bruised by the sharp metal edge of the handcuffs that Kane had used to keep her restrained for those first few days.

Those first few days.

Melanie cringed when she remembered all of the pain and suffering she had been forced to endure during that time. At least things were better now….

Yes. She was still here.

One day had turned into two, two into three, three into four. Somewhere along the way, the days had turned into weeks, and still, there had been no sign of Shane.

Melanie sighed again as his name crossed her mind. It seemed like it had been so long since she had last thought about him. After weeks of wondering where he was, why he hadn't come for her, she'd finally stopped thinking about him altogether. She'd forced herself to forget about him as easily as he'd apparently forgotten about her.

Melanie shook her head as she rinsed the soap from her body. She wouldn't let herself dwell on it anymore. The damage was done. It was all in the past. And there wasn't a thing she could do to change it.

Turning off the water, she stepped out of the tub and dried herself off, wrapping the thick towel around her as she headed back into the darkened bedroom. Bending over the small pile of clothes in the corner, Melanie rummaged through them as she tried to find something to wear.

Although it wasn't much, Kane had finally given her some old t-shirts and sweat pants to help protect her from the constant chill of the room. Of course, that had been after he had threatened her with fire again, reminding her of how easily the candles had seemed to warm her. Thankfully, he hadn't pursued that line of action, sparing her body from more of the excruciating pain. But she could tell by the gleam in his eye that it had disappointed him sorely to do so.

Picking out one of the shirts from the pile, Melanie stood to put it on, jumping when she heard a deep voice break the silence.

"Melanie…."

Startled for a moment, Melanie turned and glanced in the direction of the sound, noticing that Kane was stretched out on the bed, naked, stroking himself into erectness as he watched her.

Dropping the shirt back onto the floor, Melanie approached the bed, coming to rest beside of him.

Kane's eyes devoured her body as he watched her drop the towel and climb onto the bed, settling herself between his parted legs. Without a word, she bent and took him in her mouth, using her tongue, along with a light sucking motion, to please him just the way he liked it.

Kane smirked as he watched her pleasure him, admiring his handiwork. After those first few days, she had been very easy to break. His threats had served their purpose, helping to convince her to go along with whatever he might happen to suggest. As the weeks passed, the threats had gradually gotten to be less and less, eventually disappearing altogether. He simply didn't need to use them anymore. She'd learned her lesson, And she'd learned it very, very well.

Kane titled his head back and groaned, tangling his fingers through her hair as Melanie began to suck him harder, her tongue caressing the underside of his sensitive shaft, as she moved to cup his balls in her hand, stroking them gently as they grew tighter.

Moaning again, Kane tugged on her hair, pulling her away from him.

"I want you to ride me." he growled softly, his hips jerking impatiently as her hand brushed against him.

Nodding her head, Melanie straddled his waist, easing herself down onto his massive erection.

Kane groaned in approval when he felt her already wet for him. That was one part of her lesson that she had learned very quickly. He wanted her to always be slick and ready for him, willing to please him at a moments notice. To not meet his demands meant for some very…painful….interaction. But fortunately, Melanie had decided that she was more fond of the pleasurable side of things and she had since learned how to make things good for the both of them.

Bracing her hands on his chest, Melanie began to move faster on him, grinding her hips down into his as she sought out her own release. Kane moved to cup her breasts, brushing his thumbs across her hardened nipples as she rode him hard.

Feeling her body begin to tighten around him, Kane slid his hands down to her hips, holding her still as he began to thrust upward into her. Keeping his eyes on her face, he watched as she threw her head back, crying out in pleasure as he finally pushed her over the edge. Then feeling his own orgasm start, he thrust hard into her one last time, holding her hips tightly against his body as he emptied himself inside of her.

As the last of the waves began to fade, Kane collapsed back onto the bed, releasing his hold on her hips. Falling forward, Melanie braced herself against his chest again, as she tried to regain the feeling in her tired limbs. She jumped when she felt Kane grip her upper arms, pulling her down to lay on top of him.

Smoothing the hair back from her face, Kane tilted her chin so that she was looking up at him.

"Very nice, Mel. I'm impressed. I think you're finally ready..."

Melanie cast Kane a confused look, but offered no response.

"Yes…it's time." Kane repeated, his eyes taking on a distant look as he gazed up at the ceiling.

"Tomorrow night….the fun will begin…."

XXXXXXX

Shane sat dejectedly in the corner of the locker room, his head buried in his hands, his stomach aching with worry. His wife, his sweet, beautiful, loving wife was missing. Had been missing for weeks. He had no idea where she was. If she was okay. Even if she was still alive. There had not been a sign of her anywhere since the night she had disappeared.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to block out the guilt that was eating him up inside. His wife was gone and it was all his fault. He'd failed in his duties to protect her. He'd let down his guard one time too many and she was the one who had paid the price.

"I let her down." he murmured quietly, berating himself for ever letting her out of his sight. If only he'd let her stay with him. If only he'd been more careful...

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Shane looked up at his uninvited guest, watching as the other man settled onto the bench beside of him.

"Dude, you look awful."

"Thanks Rob." Shane replied sarcastically, trying to muster up enough energy to produce a fake smile but failing miserably. It was Rob Van Dam, Kane's former tag team partner and one of the people he'd been closest to before he'd been forced to unmask.

"How long has it been since you've actually gotten a good night's sleep?" Rob asked, taking note of the dark circles under Shane's eyes.

"I haven't." Shane answered, rubbing his face. "I've barely slept a wink since this whole thing started."

"Still no sign of her?" Rob inquired, although he already knew the answer.

Shane shook his head.

"No. And I've looked everywhere. I've had police detectives out in full force. I've had security on alert at all of the arenas. I've hired the best private investigators that money can buy. All without any success. I don't know what else to do. It's like she just vanished off the face of the earth."

Rob nodded his head sympathetically. Looking toward Shane once more, his heart went out to him. He could only imagine the pain that he suffered over these past few weeks. To have your wife just disappear without a trace, without knowing where she was or what had happened to her. Rob didn't know how Shane had managed to cope with it all.

He knew if it had been his wife, he would have lost it a long time ago.

"I guess there's been no sign of Kane either, huh?" Rob asked, when he spoke up again, watching as Shane clenched his fists at the sound of the man's name.

"No. But I swear when I do find him, I'm going to kill that worthless son of a bitch if it's the last thing I do!" he replied, letting all of his pent up frustration rise to the surface.

There was no doubt in his mind that Kane was the one responsible for Melanie's disappearance. It made him sick to no end to think of his poor, helpless wife being held captive by such a cold-hearted monster. He could only imagine the fear and the torment that he'd probably put her through. But he swore, with every breath left in his body, that before this whole thing was over with, he would make Kane pay for everything that she had been forced to endure.

Hearing the anger in his voice, Rob couldn't help but echo Shane's sentiments. It had taken him a long time to come to terms with the fact that his former tag team partner had turned into such a cruel and horrible person. He'd stood up for Kane for so long, taking up for him against all those who had doubted him. But in the end, his undying support had nearly cost him his life. The night that Kane had threatened to set him on fire, Rob had seen firsthand the anger and hatred in his eyes. For the first time, he had seen Kane as he really was, a sick and demented human being who thrived on causing others so much pain. And that vision alone had terrified him. Knowing what Kane was capable of doing, Rob prayed that Melanie would be alright.

"I don't know what to say man." he finally replied, looking over at Shane once more. "I just hope you find Melanie soon. I hope you bring her home safe and sound."

"Don't worry Rob. I will." Shane replied, nodding his head. "I have to."

He couldn't let things turn out any other way.

XXXXXXX

Stepping through the unguarded back entrance of the arena, Kane glanced around to make sure that he was alone before pulling Melanie inside behind him. It was still early in the afternoon and the backstage area was virtually empty, giving them the perfect opportunity to sneak inside without being seen.

Keeping a tight grip on her arm, Kane led her through the maze of corridors, searching until he found an empty room hidden in one of the less crowded parts of the building. Ushering her into the room ahead of him, he closed and locked the door, before brushing back the hood of the large sweatshirt he was wearing. Sitting his bag on the floor, he turned in Melanie's direction, watching her as she took in her surroundings. Stalking towards her, he removed the hood of her jacket, admiring the way her long hair spilled down onto her shoulders. Cupping her face in his hands, he forced her to look him in the eye.

"You know what's expected of you tonight, don't you Mel?" he asked, watching as she silently nodded her head.

"You know what you're supposed to do?" he repeated, wanting to make sure that she understood exactly what was at stake.

"Yes." she replied softly. "I understand."

"Good." Kane replied, studying her reaction for a moment, before his brows drew together in a frown. Tightening his grip on her chin, he watched as her eyes widened in pain.

"You just make sure you do exactly as I say." he stated coldly, before releasing his hold on her.

Raising his hand, he brushed a few loose strands of hair from her face, before trailing his fingers down her cheek.

"Don't disappoint me Melanie." he warned as he looked her in the eye again. "I promise you won't like the consequences if you do."