The Iron Tiara

Still staring into the mirror, she took in her mousy appearance. Her brown eyes were way too big for her face and her thick glasses only magnified them. She thought of those alien pictures she'd seen and couldn't help but compare herself to them. She had a wide forehead, limp brown hair that hung to her shoulders and huge glasses that always slipped down to the end of her nose. She was tall, lanky, underweight and so pale, she could easily be cast as an extra in a vampire movie. She picked up her purse and left the restroom. She collided in the hallway with a busboy and the impact sent her sprawling. Her purse flew open and most of its contents were scattered across the floor.

She started to apologize while simultaneously trying to gather her belongings when she heard a voice say with a snicker, "Well, well, well. If it isn't the uglier half of the Renquest incest twins. If your homely self hasn't found anybody to relieve you of your virginity by now, I'd be glad to do it. Unless, of course, your brother already took care of that for you."

She'd recognize that voice anywhere. Artie Kane was one of the worst bullies she and Lenny had faced back in high school. Why? Why did he have to be here and ruin the high she was still feeling from talking to Christy Chapman? She started to stand and reluctantly met his eyes. He stood there smugly holding the empty tub he'd been carrying to bus tables.

He slowly perused her from head to toe and sneered, "You know what, on second thought, I wouldn't want to infect my di—"

Artie’s eyes widened as his words stopped abruptly. He was staring over Lucy's shoulder and started to stammer.

"I think you owe Miss Lucy an apology," came a deep voice from behind her.

She twirled around and gasped when she saw the man that must've come out of the restroom and walked up behind her during her altercation with Artie. He was one of the men that had been sitting at Christy's table. How did he know her name? Christy must've mentioned it. He gently pushed Lucy to the side and roughly grabbed Artie by his right arm. Without looking at her, the huge biker said, "Stand guard outside the men's room. If anybody tries to use it, make up an excuse as to why they can't come inside."

Lucy was at a loss for words. All she could manage was a nod. It seemed like time was grinding to a halt as she watched Artie drop his empty dish tub on the floor as he was roughly dragged by the big man into the men's room. She stood in front of the door and prayed she wouldn't have to lie to anybody that needed to go in. She started to tremble when she heard Artie's muffled cries. Not much time had passed when the door opened, and she quickly turned around to see the big man exiting the restroom, adjusting his zipper. Before the door closed behind him, she thought she saw Artie on the floor, lying in the fetal position with his pants around his ankles.

"I'm Jonas Brooks and I know you're a friend of Christy's. If anybody ever tries to bother you again, you come find me." Unless I find you first, Lucy Renquest, he thought. He could tell by her expression that she didn't remember him. And why would she? It'd been years and he'd never shared his name before, plus he’d gained at least fifty pounds, given up shaving his head and acquired facial tattoos.

She stared up at him, her eyes wider than saucers, her glasses magnifying them. She was surprised, but didn't flinch when he softly caressed her cheek with the back of his calloused hand. "You remind me of someone I used to know," he said before adding where she could find him, "Brooks’ Bait & Tackle on the southeast corner of Thomasson Drive and Kelly Road."

"Th-th-thank you," she barely whispered. "For helping me."

He gave her a look that sent fear coursing through her veins. But not the kind of fear that frightened her. This fear was new and stimulating. Like she’d stuck her finger in a light socket and instead of fearing for her life, she felt more alive than ever before. His smoldering eyes and the fact that she liked the way he was looking at her caused her to shiver. He had an animal lust that pierced her conscience. She'd never felt anything like it. Her knees suddenly felt weak.

Brooks saw his reflection in her glasses. It was all he could do not to drag her outside to his motorcycle and take her with him.

"Wh-what did you do to him?" she asked. Her voice came out hoarse.

"I relieved him of his virginity," he answered evenly.



Anthony and Christy arrived home, and after showering together they settled on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn.

"Did you think that Brooks was staring at Lucy a lot?" she asked as she changed the channel to the local news station. They'd finished watching a movie and their bowl was empty.

"No," Anthony replied.

"Do you think it was weird that he went to the bathroom after I saw her walk that way?"

"No," Anthony once again replied. "But I did notice that he drank five huge glasses of water during dinner. Brooks is like a camel. I would’ve been surprised if he didn't have to take a leak."

Suddenly, Christy shot straight up and pointed at the television. She had a hard time finding the words.

"It's...it's..." she stammered.

They were watching a news clip with Dr. Veronique Dubois’s picture. Smiling, Anthony grabbed the remote and turned it up. The newscaster was saying that the beautiful surgeon was accused of embezzling hospital funds. They'd traced a substantial amount of money to a bank account in Bermuda.

Christy looked over at Anthony and saw him smiling. "Did you do this?" she asked.

"No," he answered matter-of-factly. "But I know the right people who did it for me. It's part one of my retaliation for what she did to you."

"Anthony, what if she tells them about you? What if she tells them that she wronged you and that you're setting her up?" Christy’s voice was worried.

"It'll never happen. Veronique is a narcissist. She would never elude to a connection with a criminal. Her reputation is everything to her. I've never met a more self-serving person in my life," he said, his eyes fixed on the television. He glanced over at her then. "Other than your stepfather. They both should spend the rest of their lives in the same prison cell. But even that is too good for what I have planned for them. Starting with Veronique."

Six Days Later



"I hate you! I hate you, Anthony Bear!"

"Not as much as you'll hate me five minutes from now."

"You are so going to pay for this," Veronique sneered.

Anthony had been crouched down beside her. He stood and looked at X who'd been standing off to the side, his arms crossed over his chest.

"You hear that, X? Dr. V thinks she's actually going to still be alive when I'm finished with her."

Alexander gave a long slow smile and looked down at the woman whose hands and feet were tied to posts. She was stretched as far as her body would allow without pulling her limbs from their sockets. The sun beat down on the threesome. The South Florida Everglades heat was as harsh and unrelenting as her circumstances, yet her eyes showed no fear. Only defiance. She still thinks there's a way out, Alexander thought.

"Go ahead. What are you waiting for?" she spat. "Rape me! Do it!"

Anthony threw his head back and laughed. "Rape you? I can barely stand to look at you. Why do you think you're still wearing your bra and panties? The thought of your naked body disgusts me, Veronique."

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