"She was just leaving her parents' house," the voice said as soon as Adam answered the call. Whether it was a man or woman Adam couldn't tell. Hell they probably used voice changing software precisely for that reason. But again, he didn't care. They were reporting on his cunt that was all that mattered. "She was holding a man's hand."

Adam felt fury rise up in him. If he wasn't her brother, had the bitch dared to find a new boyfriend? Well he'd soon put a stop to that. Who the fuck was it? He wouldn't make the man suffer, but by God Charlotte would. By the time he was finished with her, she'd be so badly scarred the man wouldn't even want to look at her again. "When?"

"About 2 minutes ago. They got into a black Ford. Another man drove them."

That must've been Colin, his bitch's brother. Adam couldn't stand him and the other way round. "I'm following them now," the disembodied voice said. "I have to be careful though, there are a lot of cops out here tonight."

"Just keep me updated," Adam said before hanging up. So Charlotte had a boyfriend. Not for long she wouldn't. Who the fuck was it? Maybe her fucking boss who'd dared to call her babe? She was his cunt, no one else's, same as Danielle. What the hell was her boss' name? He racked his brain. Charlotte had told him once, but again he'd only been thinking about her pussy so hadn't really listened. Tom? Terry? He knew it began with a T. It could be Toast, as far as Adam knew. Because that would be his new name and status if Adam ever got hold of him. His phone rang again, private number.

"They went through a security gate," the voice said. "I couldn't follow. You have to put in a code and the gate closes too fast."

"Where?" Adam snapped.

"Darwin Road," the voice said, and hung up.

Adam racked his brains, then left his house and got into his car. It was pouring with black thunder clouds overhead. The weather matched Adam's mood completely. His shoulder was a lot better today than it had been the last 2 days, good enough for him to drive anyway. He recalled fucking that whore the night he'd been released. It took a mixture of strong painkillers and Viagra, but he was able to do it, but it'd hurt like hell afterwards. At Least one woman had known who was boss after he had finished with her.

He knew where Darwin Road was, he'd go and take a look. A security gate huh? Adam didn't have to guess who she was hiding from. He laughed out loud. Him. Well he'd catch her; she couldn't hide forever. But he had to be careful. He'd talk to no one, not look conspicuous and simply check out what the hired man had told him. Tonight, at least.

As Adam drove, he found his thoughts going to his father. He'd also had the same views about women and had treated his mother the same way. He'd only married her to make her feel like she was secure, then bam! Adam thought his old man had been spot on. Women were good for sex and doing what men told them to do. There was no other use for them. They made no decisions, did nothing without their man's permission and never, ever strayed from the rules. All of which Danielle and Charlotte had done. No, they had to be punished.

Adam sighed. His old man was in prison for Domestic Violence. Jesus Christ! He was showing women who was boss. What was so bad about that? They deserved to be beaten if they didn't obey after all. His mother had fled the country, but Adam had no doubt his father would go to any lengths to find her, get her back, show her who was boss once he was released. Just as he was doing with his cunts. His father often had slept with other women, of course men were allowed to do that, but a woman never was. Men were in charge, so it was only right they had privileges that women did not. I'm with you on this dad, he thought as he finally reached Darwin Road and slowed his car down, slowly driving up it.

There! Adam slammed on the brakes as he finally saw the gate. The man had been right. It was a gated area and had to have a code to open the gate. Adam gritted his teeth. The sign simply said Private, Authorised access only, but gave no explanation as to the gate's use or what was behind it. Hmm, Adam thought. I'm going to have to find out what this place is. Pulling out his phone, he Googled the property on Darwin Road, Haddonfield, but found out nothing. What was so secret about this damn place that not even Google knew? But his bitch had gone in there according to reliable information, so he was damn well going to find out.

That was when it happened. The gate opened and a car drove out. Adam glanced up, hiding his face behind a cap and sunglasses. Yes. There was Colin Avery and the guy in the front was… Charlotte's boss! Adam was furious. He'd been right! He'd met him once at one of Charlotte's work parties, back when he was pretending to be Mr. Nice Guy. That fucker dared to call his property, babe. He'd made her text him and tell him to stop, but now they were together? Adam had to exercise every ounce of self-control not to get out of his car and beat both the fuckers within an inch of their lives. But even in his anger he knew 2 to 1 was not a smart idea. He had the information he needed; plus he'd also been served the restraining order papers just that afternoon. No contact directly or indirectly including through a third party with Danielle Hayward, Charlotte Avery or their families. It was unlimited. Adam was sure the Sheriff serving the order was trying not to smile. Bastard. He'd signed it, anger surging up in him. If he got his chance, those bitches were both dead.

He now knew who his cunt's boyfriend was. That was all he needed to know right now. He'd also seen her brother.

Whether he wanted to admit it or not, Colin Avery wasn't someone to mess with alone. He was strong and didn't take any bullshit. So Adam would need help. He drove home deep in thought about the next stages of his plan. First things first, he had a phone call to make.

…

Danielle was woken by a soft buzzing noise beside her left ear. It took her a second to realise what it was. Her phone. Who the hell was calling her at this time of night? Again, Michael wasn't beside her. She groggily reached for her phone, checking the time. 03:00. Who the fuck would be so damn inconsiderate? She couldn't help them in an emergency anyway. Charlotte would call on her phone and Danielle had her number saved so it couldn't be her. She didn't recognise the number. Trying to wake up, she answered, which was when her world seemed to stop on its axis.

"Hello Danielle, remember me?" It was Adam. "Told you I'd call," his voice was casual, almost lazy. "You're mine, don't forget that. I own you, Danielle Hayward. You're only in the nuthouse because you're an insane suicidal bitch. You're mine and when you get out, I'm going to fuck you over and over again."

Danielle forced herself to keep calm, even though she felt like she was going to throw up. Even here, right now in Smith's Grove and safe, she didn't dare hang up. Adam had instilled that lesson in her... If she hung up, she often ended up with bruises or worse. She leaned back on bed and almost hammered the call button.

"Miss me, do you Danielle?" Adam continued. "Like it in the nuthouse? Hiding behind safety screens huh? Fucking coward. This isn't over, Danielle. Oh no. You'll never be free; I'm never going to let you go. If I can't have you, then no one can. You'll be dead before that ever happens."

The doors to the block crashed open and Danielle heard rushing footsteps just as Michael silently appeared beside her. Her face was white as a sheet. The cell door opened and Ryan was there within seconds, laying a hand on Danielle's arm. Myers did the same.

"It's him," Danielle just managed to mouth at them. She knew one hand was Michael's, but wasn't sure who the guard was. "I don't dare hang up even now. If I did…" She shivered.

"Just remember Danielle, I'm watching you. You're mine."

Ryan grabbed the phone from Danielle, disconnected the call and turned off the phone. "Well done!" He said softly and Danielle recognised his voice immediately. "I bet that was the first time you've ever dared stand up to him? That was amazing."

"Bullshit," Danielle scoffed. "If that was the case why did I press the call button?"

"Um hello?" Ryan said. "Because you were scared, of course you were. But in the end you still said your piece. I admire your courage, Danielle."

"Deluded," Danielle muttered.

"No Danielle." Now Ryan's voice was stern. "I would be scared too if I were in your situation. But you found the guts. Give me a minute." He left, returning a short while later with hot drinks for both of them.

When he was gone, Michael rubbed her back, and held her close. As he did so Danielle felt her heartbeat slow down soothed by his embrace. After a while, Danielle remembered she'd made a promise to herself that she had to keep. Taking a deep breath, pushing down her anger towards Adam, she thought about how best to word it. But Michael did it for her. He started stroking her short hair, which she kept spikey, the way she loved it, almost short enough to be shaved. He'd never done this before. Danielle sighed in contentment. She loved having her hair stroked. "Hmm," she murmured. "Love that." Myers continued doing so. His hand softly touched her left ear then and Danielle felt herself smile a little, unable to help it. Michael touched her ear again, still holding her tightly with his free arm.

"It's just…" She felt embarrassed now. But she had promised she'd tell him. Now was the time it seemed. "I… Um, used to get teased at school because my ears stick out. I used to get really paranoid about people touching them. Also I… Well I have a thing about ears myself. I love them and love touching them. Other people's that is. It… Well, turns me on if a man's got nice ears." Heat rushed up her face, but Michael simply resumed stroking her hair, of course giving no answer just lowered his head, deliberately moving so she was touching his ears. Jesus, Danielle thought. They're gorgeous!

"Damn," she breathed. "Stop it!" She felt a slight tinge of arousal unable to hold it back. But perhaps this was a good thing. Following Adam's call, it showed perhaps she could move on after all and he couldn't hold her prisoner mentally forever. Michael moved his head slightly so Danielle felt his ears move in her hands. It made her arousal even worse and she was certain Michael knew it. "Stop it," she said again but it lacked conviction. Had he just softly chuckled? Michael pulled her back close to his strong chest, again leaning down so she could reach his ears.

"I'm never going to hear the end of that now am I?" She blushed. Michael lowered his head to hers then so her lips were against his left ear. She gently rubbed her lips against it. Had he just chuckled again? "I don't think I'll sleep tonight Michael," She whispered into his ear. She felt Michael pull her tighter to him. "I told you he was determined. He won't stop until…"

Danielle could've sworn she then heard Myers speak for the very first time, as her head rested on his strong shoulder. "Hush."

…

"Why, Dr Stark?" Danielle asked bluntly the next morning. "Why are you so reluctant to let me move wards? Given my circumstances?"

Just as she had feared, Danielle had hardly slept the rest of the previous night. Adam's call freaked her out, as much as she wanted to pretend it hadn't. Would that man ever leave her alone? She knew she was taking her anger out on the wrong person, but she couldn't help it. There was so much more going on here than she could tell her doctor. Her growing feelings for Michael, for one. Was she falling in love with him? If she was, the notion partly thrilled, and partly scared her. What should she do about it? Everything, or nothing. She knew Dr Stark only wanted to help, but how could she explain part of the reason she wanted to move wards was because she was scared of her own heart. Or because she didn't want to rely on Michael.

Even to her own ears it sounded like an excuse. No. It was because she was falling in love with him and was terrified. He could do a lot worse to her than anything Adam had. But surely he wouldn't, would he? She'd let herself get close to him after all. She'd asked to stay with him. So how could she possibly say, oh by the way Dr Stark, the real reason I want to move and am coming across as angry is because I'm falling in love with a killer and it scares me? Simple answer was, she couldn't.

Dr Stark sighed. "Danielle, the lower wards are for patients who are more…"

"Sighted?" Danielle snapped, unable to help herself. Sane? Need less care than me? Going to be released a lot damn sooner than I am?"

"No Danielle," Dr Stark said, unruffled by Danielle's words. "You are in the care of the best people to help you overcome the trauma Adam caused. The other wards are filled with men, none of whom have been through what you have. Also yes, you being blind does play a part, we have the most well trained guards here to protect you if needed."

"Which is why you put me next door to a masked serial killer and a sexual predator?" Danielle knew her words were unfair, but she was angry, bitter. It was Adam's call, the hung jury resulting in a mistrial. Ellen Duckworth. Just her name made Danielle hot with fury. The fucking bitch. Then there was Michael…

"Danielle," Dr Stark's voice remained gentle, which infuriated Danielle even more. "Need I remind you that you care for said serial killer? We didn't plan or engineer that. Is this anger all because of what happened with Adam last night? Or is it the hung jury? What's wrong, Danielle? This isn't like you. Believe it or not, we're trying to help you. Moving you just because you don't want to come across as dependent on Michael isn't the answer. Believe me, you won't get anywhere near the same level of care down there."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better aren't you?" Danielle looked away.

"Actually no," Dr Stark said evenly. "I'm saying it because it's the truth. If you absolutely insist, we can do it but I promise you within 24 hours you'll realise it was a mistake."

"Yeah, because you know best," Danielle said bitterly. "I'm the patient, you're the doctor."

"No, because it's the truth," Dr Stark said. "Listen if you really want us to consider it we will. You're not a prisoner Danielle."

"Could've fucking fooled me! What the fuck would you call it then? You lock me in that fucking cell every single night, it's not like I can get out is it? I don't know where the fuck I am, or know my way around anywhere. Are you having a fucking laugh?"

"You can always call a guard if you need air, Danielle. We'll take you out at any time you need."

"Would've been nice if you'd told me that way back then," Danielle snarled. She'd just about had enough.

"At first we couldn't," Dr Stark said. "At first you were, for want of a better word, a prisoner. We had to watch you, make sure you weren't a danger to yourself. But you've proved we can trust you, you're not here because you're insane. I'll say that as many times as I need to. I was actually going to tell you today about these new changes."

"You're lying aren't you? You're just trying to make me feel better."

"I can't make you believe me, but no I'm not. Dr Loomis agrees with me. Listen to me Danielle. You're scared and angry. If I believed for a second you were dangerous and didn't trust you, this window would already have been closed. Doesn't that tell you something? Do you want to lose Joanne? She can't follow you to a different ward. I don't think you'd like that. You like and trust each other; you are friends now it seems, as much as guard and patient can be. Joanne would be upset to lose you Danielle. Please let me ask you again. What is it? If Michael came in here right now and held you close, would it lessen your anger? Bitterness?"

Danielle firmly shook her head. "Michael has nothing to do with it," she muttered. She knew she wasn't a good liar.

"Please tell me Danielle," Dr Stark softly touched her arm. "I genuinely want to help you. Please tell me what's wrong and if there's anything I can do. I care about you, Danielle. I'm not out to trick, trap or mislead you. I'm just here to help you. Please tell me why you're so angry. Please just be honest with me. We've worked together for so long now. You know you can trust me. Tell you what? Give me 2 minutes, I'll go get you a cup of tea. Think about what I've asked you, ok? I'm on your side Danielle, not against you. Put your guard down or I can't help you. Give me just a minute."

She left. Danielle took a deep breath, tears pricking her eyes. She reached for the box of tissues which was always on the patient's side of the window. Wiping her eyes, she tried to consider the doctor's words. She'd been angry since she'd got here. First it was because she'd been rescued, when all she'd wanted was to die. Now? Most of her anger was at Ellen Duckworth. Because of her stupid personal circumstances, there could be a retrial and Danielle wasn't sure she could face that. Not again. Adam. She sighed as more tears fell. That fucker had hurt her so badly, given her both physical and mental scars. Even if she found Mr. Right, she still wasn't sure they'd ever completely disappear.

You already have, said a voice in her mind. You just won't admit it and you're disguising it with anger…