CHAPTER 23

NOTES: TRIGGER: Mention of rape …

Regina left work Friday night with the intent of meeting Robin at Granny's for dinner but when she stepped outside someone else was waiting for her – Graham. She walked up to him but kept back an arm's length "Hello gorgeous. Are you going somewhere," he asked.

Alarm bells started going off in her head and she took a step back "I'm meeting Robin for dinner actually," she replied.

He shook his head and took a few steps toward her "You're having dinner with me," he said softly.

She laughed and tried to walk around him but he grabbed her arm and leaned in toward her ear "Regina, if you get in the car I won't hurt you. Please, do as I say."

"You can't be serious," she said.

"I am. Get in the car Regina. I won't ask you again," he said. She looked into his eyes and she realized he meant what he said. He opened the door for her and she got in. He walked around to the driver's side and then told her to buckle up. She buckled her seat belt and then he started driving out of town.

She cleared her throat "Graham, where are we going?"

"Far away from here and please don't ask me anymore questions."

"I just want to know why," she said softly.

He smiled and shook his head "I was hoping it wouldn't come to this but it's simple – I want you. I couldn't get rid of your boyfriend so you've forced me to resort to kidnapping," he said. "I'm not really happy about this but it's the only way."

"You set the fire didn't you and you bugged my house?"

"Of course I did." She was stunned. Regina was trying to think. She could cause him to crash the car and then run but he'd probably catch her. She still had her phone in her pocket but there was no way she was going to be able to make a call without him knowing. Graham took her hand and she pulled away from him "I can hear you thinking. If you try to get away I'll not only kill Robin but I'll go after his brat too. So, put your phone in the center console and sit back and relax. It will be a few hours before we get to the cabin," he said. Regina didn't have a choice. She took her phone out of her pocket and did what he asked. She placed her head against the window but it was dark and she couldn't see where they were going. The reality of the situation was that she was at Graham's mercy. Once they reached their destination she would come up with a plan but for now all she could do was pray.

Regina was never late and if she was she'd text or call. Robin was worried because it was so unlike her. He drove to the store and noticed her car was still there but the lights were off inside the building. He dialed David immediately and told him what was going on. He assured Robin that he and Emma were on their way and to stay put. Robin already called Regina several times but it kept going straight to voicemail. Something was terribly wrong. Ten minutes later Emma and David arrived. They were looking around and obviously there was nothing to be found. Not a trace of Regina or anyone else for that matter. David walked over to Robin "Graham isn't answering his cell."

"That bastard has her," Robin said.

"Now, we don't know that," David replied.

"It's so obvious. This is what I was worried about," Robin yelled.

Emma walked up to them "There's nothing here. We should put out an APB," she said seriously. "Robin, you should go home. I'll call Killian and he'll stay with you."

"No, I need to help."

"You need to let us take care of this. Trust me Regina is my best friend and I won't rest until we find her," Emma said.

"Emma, I can't lose her," Robin said softly; tears were welling in his eyes.

She hugged him "I promise we will do everything we can. I'll call Killian. Go home," she said. Robin got into his car and headed home. He couldn't believe what was happening.

He dialed Regina one more time when he pulled into the driveway and it went straight to voicemail "I love you. I need you. Please come home to me Regina. You are my world. You are my future." He placed his head on the steering wheel and tears fell. Where was she?

Regina didn't know how long she'd been asleep but when she opened her eyes they were still driving "Hello Sleeping Beauty," Graham said. "We're almost to the cabin and then you can change clothes and we can eat something."

"Cabin," she questioned.

"Yes it's been in my family for years. I think you'll get used to it." Regina's stomach growled she really was hungry. She'd also been thinking that if she could play this little game with Graham maybe eventually he'd become lenient and either leave her alone long enough so she could grab her phone or get away. For now she had to play nice. As much as she hated it – that was her only choice right now. She sat up and yawned and then ran her fingers through her hair. She could see out of the corner of her eye that he was watching her.

She turned around to face him "I am hungry," she admitted.

"That's good. There will be plenty to eat when we get there. I stocked the fridge a few days ago," he said. She nodded and then looked out the window. They were definitely in the woods and she was angry with herself for falling asleep. She should have been paying attention. She cursed herself and placed her head against the window "Hey are you cold? I can put the heat on. You're shaking," he said.

"No, I'm not cold, "she said softly.

"You're afraid. Regina you don't have to be afraid of me. I would never hurt you. I love you."

"This isn't love," she said as she turned and faced him again.

"You're wrong and you'll learn to love me," he said. She didn't respond. This was going to be harder than she thought. Ten minutes later; they pulled up to a small cabin. Graham parked right by the front door and they went inside immediately. He turned on all the lights; there was a fireplace, a small kitchen and what appeared to be a loft "There's only one bedroom but I can sleep in the loft or on the sofa," he said.

"I'll sleep with you," she said automatically.

"What?"

"I don't want to be alone," she admitted. "This is a strange place."

"It's only a queen sized bed."

"Are you going to rape me Graham?"

"No, I would never do that!"

"Then, I'll sleep with you. I don't want to be alone."

"Alright, but it's completely up to you. I'm giving you an option. I'll make eggs for supper since it's late. Would you like to go shower and change? There is a dresser in the bedroom with clothes for you. Why don't you go take a look?" She didn't say a word. She went to the bedroom and it was a decent size. He meant what he said – the dresser was full of clothes. She down and contemplated her situation. He was stronger than her – faster too. Even if she got away; it would make him angry and she didn't want to make this situation worse. The only reason she offered to let him sleep with her was because she was testing him and she needed him to trust her. She wiped the tears from her face and pictured Robin in her head. God, he must be so worried. She grabbed a pair of sweat pants, a tank top and socks out of the drawer and went to the bathroom. She looked around for anything that would be helpful in an escape but right now she was so tired she couldn't focus. There were even toiletries in the bathroom. She took a shower and came out into the living room. Graham was plating their food.

He motioned for her to sit down. He made scrambled eggs with cheese and toast. She was hungry. They ate in silence for a minute or two and then finally he said "Did you find everything you needed?"

"Yes," she said.

"I'm glad."

"The bedroom is nice," she said.

"Thank you. This was my great-grandfather's cabin. It's been in my family for generations." She wanted to ask him if his great-grandfather had ever kidnapped anyone and brought them here but she decided against it. Instead, she didn't respond. She just kept eating and then when she was finished he took her plate. She wanted her phone. She wanted to call Robin. She was on the verge of tears when he said "We should go to sleep."

"I'd like to brush my teeth first," she said. He nodded and went to the bedroom and she went back into the bathroom. She rummaged through the cabinets but she couldn't find anything. She brushed her teeth and went into the bedroom. Graham was sitting on the edge of the bed. She walked around to the other side and he lifted the blankets and got in.

He snuggled under the bedspread "I can sleep on the couch," he offered again. For a minute she considered it. Maybe, she could sneak out in the middle of the night. But the reality was – she had no idea where she was and they were in the woods. She didn't know where his keys were either. If she attempted to roam around in the dark he would catch her. She got into bed and lay next to him "I don't expect you to love me overnight but Regina you'll see we are good together."

She couldn't help it a tear rolled down her cheek and she said "I miss Robin. Can't I just call him and tell him I'm alright? He'll be so worried."

"Don't cry baby and no I'm sorry but I can't allow that. You should get some sleep. I can hold you if you want?"

"No," she said as she turned away from him.

"I understand. Maybe, tomorrow night," he said softly. Regina wiped her face and even though she didn't pray often she said a few "Our Father's" and hoped that someone would find her soon. For the first time in her life she was truly terrified.