The Knapthorne Conspiracy by Malcolm Ballard (best english novels for beginners txt) 📕

like son. The words echoed in her head as Kyle raised a hand and she flinched, blinking rapidly, thinking he was going to hit her.

“My, we are the nervous one, aren’t we?” He took hold of the end of the towel wrapped around her head and loosened it. “I only wanted to see your beautiful hair, Bella.” As he pulled it away it fell around her shoulders, still damp, and she resisted the urge to flick her head and shake it off.

“I want to see all of you, Bella.” There was something eerily menacing about his voice, almost as though it were someone else speaking. With one swift movement he cut through the belt of the robe. Automatically, Bella moved one hand down, the other across, in an attempt to cover herself as it fell open.

“Naughty, naughty!” The chastisement appeared to amuse him. “Kyle makes the rules this time.” As he spoke, he forced her arms to her sides, then raised the knife to her face. “And don’t you forget it!”  He stepped back a pace so that he could get a better look at her and Bella made to cover herself again.

“Uh, uh!” Kyle said, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I just want to look at the goods first.” She almost collapsed then. From the moment she’d heard his voice she knew her fate was sealed. He had to come to rape her.

“Come on then,” he requested, holding out a hand. “We’re going to take a little walk.” Falteringly, she took a step away from the wardrobe and took his hand, unbearably conscious of her nakedness. An awful thought crossed her mind, filling her with renewed dread.

“Where are we going?” Bella thought she sounded like a child being taken on a mystery trip but, for a second, no more, relief flooded through her as they turned in the opposite direction from the small bedroom, Kyle leading her towards the stairs.

“All in good time, you’ll find out. Just keep moving and no more questions.” When he took her over to the lobby and unlocked the door, Bella couldn’t understand what was going on. For some unknown reason she felt less terrified by the prospect of being outside but realised that was ridiculous. It was her and him and he was the one with the knife. Rape was rape whether it was indoors or out. Now that she was in no doubt as to what was going to happen, a cold acceptance of the situation seemed to buoy her up. The irony struck her that only two weeks ago this was the man she had invited for the weekend of her own free will. As she stepped outside, into the lightly falling rain and saw the van his intentions became plainly obvious and all her fears came rushing back, rooting her to the spot. If he was going to kill her afterwards all he had to do was drive off and dump her body where he chose.

“Ingenious, don’t you think? Now you can look forward to the time of your life!” Kyle gave her a gentle prod in the back to get her moving, his eyes glued to her flowing tresses, rounded buttocks and smooth, shapely legs. Hardly able to contain himself it was all the evidence he needed that there was going to be no question of a problem and he gave her a not-so-gentle shove this time, eager to get on with it.

When she saw inside the van, Bella went weak at the knees but Kyle grabbed an arm, to support her. The entire floor was covered with plastic sheeting which could be easily disposed of.

“Can’t have you fainting, now, can we?” he said with mock concern. All hope had suddenly left her. Now she knew there was to be no escape her fear had surprisingly subsided too. At random times in the past, Bella had sometimes wondered how her life would end. It was usually a fleeting thought, probably after having seen, or read, news of a tragedy, dismissed as soon as it had entered her head. How could she have known it would come to this?

“In you go!” he commanded her roughly, indicating the small step and she climbed in awkwardly, trying to preserve the last shreds of her modesty as Kyle watched. Only when she was inside did she see the two loops of rope fastened to the bottom batten which ran along the left-hand side of the van. Kyle hopped up, still holding the knife in a threatening manner and turned her so that her back was facing the loops then forced her to the floor. In no time her wrists were securely fastened and he squatted down next to her, putting the knife on the floor.

“I should gag you but I don’t want to be disappointed.” His lips were right next to her ear. “I want to hear Bella Foxton enjoying herself so don’t be afraid to let yourself go!” He was so close, flecks of spittle landed on her cheek and she fought the urge to try and wipe them off. Kyle got up, closed the doors and turned the handle, shutting them firmly, but decided against locking them. What was the point? He stood over Bella for a moment, transfixed by her beautiful body, his eyes taking in every detail of her but lust got the better of him and he hurriedly stripped off his jacket, discarding it on the floor. She had adopted a cold fatalism towards her situation and it was as though the life had already ebbed out of her. Whatever he might do she would not respond. It would be like making love to a sandbag. If he was going to kill her anyway, what did it matter? It would be her silent protest. Bella closed her eyes and Maria’s face appeared causing her to smile, pleased that they had seen each other so recently. Kyle saw it and smiled,