Marissa was your average young woman. She was a graphics designer, married for two months to a wonderful man. Everything was going great for her, or so she thought. She had just finished working on a big project. Her boss told her to go home and get some rest before starting on the next project.

When she pulled up in front of her house, she saw two cars in the driveway. One was her husband's, the other she hadn't seen before. She didn't think much about it. Her husband, Jeff, was a CPA and worked out of his home office. On rare occasions, he would bring his clients home instead of meeting them.

She went into the house, and passed by his office, but it was empty. She went to her bedroom, to change out of her work clothes. When she looked into the room, she saw her husband, laying naked in bed with a man. The sight put her in shock. She walked down the stairs, and grabbed the .45 calibur pistol out of the hall closet. She went back up stairs, and shot her adulterous husband and his lover.

After the deed was done, she sat in the hallway, rocking back and forth until the police arrived. The officers asked her what had happened. All she could do was mumble incoharently. They handcuffed Marissa, and took her to the station.

Months later, she was thrown into a psychiatric care facility. At her trial, she had pleaded not guilty, by reason of insanity. She had to stay in the facility, until she was deemed clinically sane.

Now she sits in a room, wearing a uniform, watching tv with the other inmates. It's Friday, which means the new inmates/patients would be coming in. Just as she thought of it, they started filing into the room. One caught her eye. He stood well over 6 feet tall, and his face was covered by a black leather mask.

He walked over to the chess table, and sat down. He arranged the pieces in their proper order on the board. Once he was finished, he sat there looking out the window. Marissa was intrigued by him. He seemed like a normal man, except for the mask.

She went over to the table, and asked if he would like to play. He looked at her, then tilted his head. He nodded, and moved one of his pawns. She sat down, and moved a pawn.

"What's your name?" He just looked at her, and tilted his head again. "Can you talk?" He shook his head no. She decided not to ask him anymore questions, so as not to make him mad. They continued to play the game, until he put her in check-mate.

"You're a great player," Marissa told him. There was a twinkle in his pale blue eye. An orderly called out, "Kane." The man darted his head toward the orderly. "Let's get you in your room." Kane nodded and stood. "Kane, my name is Marissa. And, I'd like a rematch tomorrow." She smiled at him. He nodded, and followed the orderly out of the room.

Dr. Gabriel Veros came into the room, minutes later. "Marissa, it's time for your therapy."

"What kind of therapy," she asked with a shaky voice.

"The tub, Marissa."

"I thought I didn't have to go through it anymore." She pressed her back against the wall. When Dr. Veros came towards her, she jumped out of the chair, and ran from him. He called a couple orderlies over to get her. "Noooo," she screamed. She punched one of the orderlies. The other grabbed her from behind. They both took an arm, and dragged her out of the room. They took her down the hall, and into another room.

"Strip her down," the doctor ordered. They complied, and put her into the bath tub. The orderlies strapped her to the tub, so she couldn't escape.

Dr. Veros charged the machine for shock therapy. "You shouldn't put up a fight. Now, I'll have to increase the voltage."

He put on his gloves, picked up the electric box, and put it in the water. Marissa's body shook from the shock. He pulled the box back out. She laid back in the tub, hoping if she behaved, he wouldn't do it again. "That's better, my dear."

"I'll behave, but never call me your 'dear' again," she said with a voice full of venom. He put the box back in the water. "Watch how you speak to me, my dear." He pulled the box out again.

"Are you going to be a good girl?"

"Up your's, Veros!" He pushed her under the water, and held her there. "Now?" he asked, after letting her up.

"Go to hell!"

"Get her out," he told the orderlies. "Put her on the couch in my office."

They unstrapped her, and pulled her out of the tub. They tried to put the uniform back on her. "No," the doctor said. "Make her walk through the halls naked. Besides, it would be coming right back off." He gave her an evil grin as they drug her out.

While they were walking down the hall, the orderlies were attacked from the side. Kane picked Marissa up from the floor, and pulled her into his room.

He wrapped her in the blanket from his bed. "Thank you, Kane." He pulled a contraption out from under his pillow. He put it to his throat, and said, "you're welcome."

"So, you can talk." He nodded. "It hurts to, so I don't much."

"What the hell happened here," they heard Dr. Veros say.

Marissa crawled under the bed, trying to hide. Kane put his contraption in the waistband of his pants. The door opened, and Dr. Veros came in. He looked all over the room. When he found her, he pulled her out by her hair.

"Thought you could escape, eh?" He turned to the orderlies. "Take him to 'Iso'." 'Iso' was the isolation chambers. "I'll take care of Marissa."

He tossed her over his shoulder, and carried her to his office. He strapped her arms and feet to the arms of the couch, then raped her. Once he was finished, he redressed her, and took her to 'Iso', as well.

Marissa sat in the corner of her private cell, her arms wrapped around herself. Kane, on the other hand, tried the security of the lock on the door, and searched for loose bricks in the wall. When he didn't find any loose, he pounded on the door and walls.

"It's no use, Kane. I've been in all of these rooms. There's no way to escape."

"Are you alright? What happened?"

"He raped me, again. I suppose I'll be ok."

Kane leaned against the wall. 'What kind of hell has Father put me into this time,' he thought to himself.

After a week in "Iso" they were released back to their rooms. They both secretly plotted their escape. Marissa planned on sneaking out of the locked doors after someone had gone through them. Kane, on the other hand, thought of taking Dr. Veros hostage, and forcing his way out.

The next day, Kane found Marissa sitting at the chess table in the commons. Marissa instantly noticed something different about Kane. He was carrying a small chalkboard, and a piece of chalk.

Kane sat down at the table, and wrote out, "he got tired of thinking I wasn't listening." "You should have told him you weren't," she laughed.

He erased the chalkboard with his hand, then wrote, "he also said I have a communication problem. No shit, huh?"

She suppressed the uproar of laughter that threatened to escape. "This guy is a complete quack. I don't see how he got a license to practice."

Kane thought to himself, 'I wonder if Father checks the doctors out before he sends me to them."

"Are we going to play," Marissa asked, pointing at the board. Kane nodded, and moved a pawn.

On the other side of a one way pane of glass, Dr. Veros stood with two orderlies. "They're joining forces. Make sure you two keep an eye on them. I want to know exactly how close they get." "Yes, sir," they said in unison.

"My little Marissa had better not fall in love with him, or I'll kill him."

After Marissa had lost her third game, she asked Kane, "now that you've kicked my ass, do you wanna find something else to do?" Kane picked up his chalk board, and wrote, "sore loser?" "No, just tired of getting my ass handed to me." He erased the board, and wrote, "Ok. Tv?" "Ok."

They went over to the couch by the tv. Kane sat in the corner, and Marissa sat next to him. He laid his arm on the back of the couch behind her. She laid her head on his shoulder. He wanted to touch her, but didn't know where to, so that she wouldn't take offense. He settled on putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Dr. Veros isn't going to like this," one orderly said to the other.

Marissa and Kane spent as much time together as allowed. While they did, Dr. Veros had watched them. He smiled. "Now I know her weakness."

This day was no different. Kane and Marissa sat on the couch as they had before. This time, though, Kane was brave enough to touch her ribs, and moved his hand down to her hip. She had taught him where he could and couldn't touch. At that time, she had also asked if he was a virgin. Sadly, he nodded. She had whispered in his ear, "I want to be your first." When she looked into his eyes, they twinkled like a child's on Christmas morning.

Over the next few days, Kane thought more and more about being with Marissa.While they were sitting in the commons one day, Kane whispered in her ear, "if we're going to have sex, I think we need to get out of here." "How?" "Muscle our way out... Take a hostage... I don't care, but we don't need to be here anymore." "Amen to that."

"When's your next appointment with Veros?" "Tomorrow. Why?" "When he sends the goons to get you, I'll sick the 'lion' on them." "Chris?" "Yeah. He's just a little kitten if you know the right place to scratch." "That guy is really nuts." "Maybe, but he can be really helpful. Besides, he needs proper care, not this quack."

That night:

Four orderlies crept into Kane's room as he slept. Three of them held him, while the fourth poured eather onto a rag, and covered Kane's mouth and nose. Once he stopped thrashing, a fifth orderly came in with a gurney. They lifted Kane's limp form from the bed, and laid him on the gurney. Then, they wheeled him out of the room, and down the hall.

They wheeled him into Dr. Veros' therapy room. Dr. Veros laughed. "Thank you, men." He looked down at Kane. "Let's see how much Marissa loves you, when she sees you without the mask." Dr. Veros made sure he was securely tied to the gurney, before retiring to his room for the night.

Marissa went into the commons, hoping to see Kane. She sat at the chess table, and waited for hours. He never came in.

Dr. Veros' goons came into the room sometime later. "Come on, Marissa. The doc has something special lined up for today." "I'm not going anywhere, until you tell me where Kane is." "Oh, you'll find out soon enough."

They grabbed her elbows, and guided her to the door. Before walking through, she jerked free of their grasp. "I know where to go, and I don't need your help." The orderlies walked behind her all the way to the therapy room. One opened the door for her to go inside, then they stood on either side of the door.

When Marissa entered the room, she saw a gurney with a large body on it. Even though she couldn't see the head, she knew it was Kane. The rise and fall of his chest told her that he was alive. "Kane! Thank God, you're alright..." "Don't come near me. Don't look at me." "What's wrong?" "He took my mask." "So? We've known each other for a couple months, and I haven't seen it yet. I want to know what you look like." "No, you don't. I'm scarred, disfigured, ugly... I look like a freak!"

Marissa quietly tip-toed toward him, until she stood by his side. He turned away from her. "I'm falling in love with what is in here," she said as she tapped his chest. "And in here," she added, as she placed her hand on his head. "Do you promise not to scream?" "Yes." He faced her. She looked at him for a moment, before tracing the worst scar with her thumb. "You are handsome to me." He leaned his face into her hand. She slowly bent over him, and kissed his lips.

The door opening put an abrupt end to their kiss. "How sweet. And I thought I was your only man," Dr. Veros commented. "Go to hell, dick head!" "Such language is unbecoming of a woman." "Yeah, she should have said 'fuck you'."

Dr. Veros took a step toward Kane and Marissa. Marissa turned to fully face Veros. Kane looked down at his hands. He noticed Marissa was struggling to undo the strap that bound his arms, and his upper body, without being noticed.

"So, you can talk." "If I want to, yes. I saw no point in talking to you." "Why?" "You would come to the same conclusion the others did; I'm anti-social, manic depressive, and... Oh, yeah... Maniacal!"

Kane's arm shot out at Dr. Veros, and caught him by the throat. He sat up, and glared at Veros. "Now, we're going to have a little discussion on how you treat my woman."

"I think the doctor needs a little therapy of his own. What do you think, Marissa?" "I think we should cut his balls off with a dull pair of scissors." "You wouldn't do that," Veros croaked. "I killed my husband and his boyfriend. Why wouldn't I?" "Because you love me." "The hell I do!" Kane threw Veros onto the gurney, and strapped him in. "The only person who has shown me kindness, compassion, love, is Kane. And for that, I love him, and him alone."

Kane looked through the glass window on the medicine case. Seeing a bottle of rubbing alcohol, he balled up his fist, and thrust it through the glass. He pulled the bottle out, and opened it.

Marissa checked Veros' pockets. She found the master keys to the doors, a lighter, and a cigar. She put the cigar in her mouth, and lit it. Upon further probing, she found Kane's mask.

Kane poured the bottle of alcohol over Veros' body. He began to plead for his life. "No, please! I'm sorry I hurt you, Marissa, just please don't kill me!" "Mmmm... Sorry. Kane has a mind of his own. I don't tell him what to do." She then handed the lighter to Kane. "Maybe if you gave him a good reason not to light you, he may let you go."

"I have a family! I have a wife and three kids!" "I'll spare them the pain you have caused." "I can help you get out of here!" "How?" "Nobody questions me. If I wanted to take you outside, I can. If I wanted to pardon you, I can."

Kane and Marissa looked at each other. "What do you think, hun," she asked him. "I think I'll set him on fire if he doesn't take us outside the gates." She looked down at Veros. "You heard the man. Out of the gates, or burnt to a crisp." Kane cleared his throat. "Sorry, Kane," she said sheepishly.

"Ok, Ok. You win." "And, your complete resignation as a psychologist," Kane added. "What?" "Seems like the right thing for you to do," Marissa said. "After all, the way we've been treated, and the other patients, we could have your license revoked." Veros gritted his teeth before agreeing. "Ok, boys. Let's get out of here."

chapter 7

After letting Veros up from the gurney, he led them out of the building. They were stopped at the gate by the security gaurd. "Where are you taking the inmates?" "Full pardon. They are free to go." Without them seeing, he winked at the well armed gaurd. The gaurd smiled, and nodded. "Well, I hope I don't see you here again," he said. "I'm sure you won't," Marissa said.

Dr. Veros walked back to the building, as Kane and Marissa walked off down the road. Once Veros was inside, the gaurd opened fire on them. They ran for the woods, but didn't make it without injury. Once they were about 50 yards into the woods, Kane sat on a fallen tree.

"We're free, baby," Marissa said as she stepped between his knees. "I'm hit," Kane said, trying to keep the pain from his voice. "Where?" "My right thigh." He took off his shirt, and ripped it in half, then ripped a half in half. "Here... Let me do that." She took the strips from him, laid one over the wound, and tied it on with the other. "That should hold you, for now. We have to find a place to stay for the night."

"If we can get to a phone, I can call my father, or my brother." "You have a brother?" "Half-brother." "Do you have the same last name?" "Not anymore. Why?" "He would be harder to trace than your father. Besides, you said your father put you in the hospital. Your father could turn you back in." "We just have to hope my brother doesn't."

Marissa just stood there for a moment, taking in the fading sunlight and smell of the pine trees. "Do you hear that?" Kane tried to listen for anything. "I don't hear anything." "Exactly. We're alone for once." "Let's not celebrate yet. We need to keep moving, in case they are following us." "Right. This way," she said. How do you know?" "I have broke out before."

They kept moving through the trees, until they could see a store. "Stay here," Marissa said. "Give me his number, and I'll call." "Turn your shirt inside-out," Kane said. "Your numbers will give you away." "Shit! You're right." She took her shirt off. As she turned it inside-out, she caught Kane looking at her breasts. "You haven't seen a woman naked before, have you?" "No." She grabbed his mask, and pulled it up. Marissa gently kissed his lips. "You can see the rest, when we have a place to stay."

"There's just one thing you should know before you call." "What's that?" "Taker thinks I'm dead." "What?" "There was an accident when we were kids. We were playing with a jar of embalming fluid and matches. We burnt down our mother's and his father's house. They both died. My father pulled me out of the fire, but we never saw Taker again. A private investigator gave me this number before I was sent back in." "Shit." Marissa thought for a moment. "I need any information that would let him know I'm not lieing. Your brother's name, father's name, mother's name..." "Undertaker, Paul Bearer, Rebecca."

"Ok, I'm going to call him. Are you going to be ok here?" "I'll be fine, but you need to calm down before you go out there." She smoothed the hair from his face, and kissed him again. "Mmm... That's better than Prozac." He laughed, though the pain in his leg cut it short. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

chapter 8

Marissa thanked God that the gas station was almost empty. To her good fortune, she found a quarter in the coin return on the phone. She sucked in a breath, and dropped the quarter in the slot, then dialed the number. On the fourth ring an answering machine picked up the call. After the beep, she said, "Undertaker, my name is Marissa. I realize you don't know me, but I have found your brother, Kane, and..." "Hello!?" "Undertaker?" "Yes. You said you know where Kane is?" "Yes, I do." "My brother died when he was ten." "I assure you, he is very much alive, and bleeding like a stuck pig at the moment. He's been shot in the leg." "Shot in the leg?" "It's a long story. His father, Paul Bearer, had him in a mental institution. The doctor had a gaurd shoot at us."

"Why should I believe you? Where is he?" "He's hiding in the woods very close to where I am. He told me about the embalming fluid, matches, the fire, your parents... The whole thing. If you want to see him, I will tell you where we are." "Hold on." Undertaker got a pen and paper. She gave him the street name and block number from the street sign. "Park on the side near the woods, not the street. That way we know it's you. We'll be in the woods." "I'll be there as soon as possible. And, I'm not hard to miss. I'm almost seven feet tall, and covered in tattoos." "Ok, I'll keep an eye out for you."

As soon as she hung up the phone, she ran back to Kane. "He's on his way, baby." "Hell of a reason to be reunited." "As long as he can help you, I'll be grateful. Now, let me check your leg." She took the dressing off, and looked into the gaping hole. She could see the bullet, but she didn't dare touch it. She mentally made a list of what she would need to help Kane, and thanked her mom for putting her in Girl Scouts.

Thirty minutes later, a black extended cab Silverado pulled into the parking lot. A large man stepped out of the truck. He was wearinga blue jean shirt with the sleeves torn off; baring his big tattooed arms. "Kane? Marissa? Are you two in there?" "We're here," she called back. "I need some help with Kane." She helped him stand, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She wrapped an arm around his waist, and helped him walk toward Undertaker. Once he could see them, he rushed to his brother's side, and took the burden of his weight.

"Kane, is it really you?" "Yes, Taker. I think my father has been trying to keep us apart." "Please, guys... Can you play catch up later? I want to get out of here, in case Veros is after us. Undertaker, I hope you have one hell of a first aid kit. I'll work on Kane's leg." "First aid my ass. My house is like a pharmacy."

They got Kane settled in the back seat, then they climbed in the front. Undertaker drove as fast as he could. Marissa checked on Kane periodically as they went along. He had lost so much blood that she worried about him passing out. "Kane, hunny, no matter what, don't fall asleep." "I won't. I doubt the pain would let me."

Not long after, they pulled up to a large wrought iron gate. Undertaker pushed a button, and it slid open. Both Kane's and Marissa's jaws dropped when his house came into view. "You've done good for yourself, brother. What did you do? Take over your dad's business?" "No. I got into sports entertainment." "What?" "Wrestling, bro. Hasn't Bearer let you watch us?" "Us? You mean my dad's been working with you?" "Yep. For the past eight years. I wonder why he never told you? Hell, I wonder why he didn't tell me you were alive." "I don't know, but I could almost kill him, now." "Kane, don't get worked up. If your heart speeds up, you'll lose more blood," Marissa said. "Ok."

Undertaker stopped in front of the house, and helped Kane inside. He set Kane down in a chair at the kitchen table, and propped his leg up on another. Marissa rattled off a list of what she needed, and Undertaker retrieved the items. "Kane, we have to get you out of these pants, so I can do this." "Am I supposed to sit here in my underwear?" "You chose the worst time for modesty. I'll see if Undertaker has some boxers for you to wear."

As soon as she left the dining room, her head bounced off of Undertaker's chest. "Ow!" "You ok, girl?" "Yeah. Do you have some boxers Kane can wear?" "Way ahead of ya," he said as he had shown her a pair.

Once Kane was changed, and back in the chair, Undertaker gave him a wooden spoon to bite into. Marissa took a long pair of tweezers and styerilized them with alcohol. She slid the tweezers in the hole, and pulled out the blood covered bit of metal. She cleaned around the hole with alcohol, and Kane tensed when some went in. "Calm down, hunny. We haven't got to the worst part yet." He relaxed a little. When the first stitch went through his skin, he passed out. Undertaker started laughing. "After what he had to of gone through during the fire, I didn't think he would pass out." "It's better this way. He doesn't feel it, and his leg is relaxed enough for me to push the needle through." "That made lunch want to come up." "And you laughed at Kane..."

Marissa finished stitching up the hole, then she bandaged his thigh. "Do you have someplace where he can lay flat? He'll need to rest so he can recupe." "Yeah. I have a spare bedroom. Let's try to get him up first." She grabbed the smelling salt out of the first aid kit, and put it under his nose. Kane awoke with a start. "Hey. Welcome back to the awoken world." "Am I done?" "Yep. Now you need to get some rest."

Kane put his hand to her cheek. "Thank you." "Anytime, love." "Ok, you two... Break it up, or I'm gonna get the water hose," Undertaker said. "Marissa, help me get him upstairs."

Once Kane was in bed, Undertaker told them, "there's a robe in the bathroom, and plenty of towels if you two want a shower. Kane, I'll bring you some of my clothes. Marissa, I'll check upstairs. Maybe my ex left some clothes." "Thank you," they both said. "No problem." Undertaker shook his brother's hand. "It's good to see you again. We'll catch up in the morning." "Alright."

After Undertaker left the room, Marissa asked Kane if he wanted to take a shower. "No. I'm too tired." "Ok. You get some rest, and I'll take a shower. I'll join you when I'm done." "Marissa, I don't think we could do anything tonight..." "Shhh... When you're ready, we will get to that." His eyelids began to drift closed. "I love you, woman." "I love you, too, Kane." She kissed his forehead, before going into the bathroom.

She loved the hot water pouring over her body so much, she didn't want to get out. When she finally got out, she put on the robe, and brushed her hair, before returning to the bedroom. She noticed some clothes had been set in the chair by the door, and a set of crutches leaned against the chair. She removed the robe, and laid it over the arm of the chair. Then, she laid in bed, on Kane's left side.

She laid there for over an hour watching him sleep. She didn't want to disturb him, but she had to take his mask off, so he could sleep comfortably. As soon as she lifted it, his hand clamped around her wrist. "It's just me, Kane. You don't have to sleep with the mask on." "Ok." She took it off of him, and laid it on the nightstand. She laid her upper body over his, and rested her head on his chest.

"Marissa, about those spots I'm not supposed to touch... They're touching me." "They are breasts, and as long as I'm naked I want them touching you. In fact..." She grabbed his hand, and laid it on her breast. "You can touch any part of me, now." He gently squeezed her soft flesh. She closed her eyes, and he stopped. "Am I hurting you?" "No. It feels good." He continued, mesmerized by the feel of her, and her reaction to his touch. "Oh, Kane..." "Yes?" "Move your hand down." "Where?" She laid her hand on his, and slid them to her center. "What does this feel like," he asked her. She slid her hand in his boxers, and wrapped it around his length. "Probably like this feels to you."

He leaned his head back, and closed his eyes. "Does sex feel this good?" "I'll show you." She got to her knees, and crawled down his body, being careful not to touch his injured leg. She pulled the boxers down just enough to release his length. She slid her lips over the head. His breaths came in short, deep gasps. She swirled her tongue around the head before taking him in as far as she could. As her mouth slid back up his shaft, he released his breath in a moan. She continued until he came in her mouth.

While Kane caught his breath, Marissa went to the bathroom for a drink of water. When she returned to bed, Kane wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her to him. "I'm ready to try sex," he whispered. She smiled at him. "Let's wait until your leg has healed. I don't want to accidently hurt you." She kissed his chest. "Once you're healed, though, someone will have to pry us apart."

When Kane awoke the next morning, he was alone in bed. "Marissa?" He didn't receive an answer. He said her name a little louder, but still no answer. He sat up, and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He grabbed his mask, and put it on. Then, he put on the pants Undertaker lent him. He grabbed the crutches that had been set against the nightstand, and made his way out of the room.

In the hall, he met with Undertaker. "Have you seen Marissa," Kane asked. "No. I just got out of bed, myself. But something smells good." Undertaker helped Kane down the stairs. When they walked into the kitchen, they found Marissa standing over the stove. "Good morning, guys," she said. "Mornin'," Undertaker said. "I hope you don't mind me making breakfast. It's been so long since I could cook..." "I don't mind at all, as long as there's enough to go around." "There's plenty for everyone."

Kane stepped up to Marissa. "You scared me. I thought you left me." "Imagine that... A big man like you being scared," she laughed. "I won't leave you, Kane. I promise." She stood on her toes, and kissed him. "Now, get off of that leg. Go sit at the table." As Kane sat down, Taker leaned against the counter, his coffee cup in his hand. "Man, are you going to let her tell you what to do? You must be pussy-whipped." Kane looked at Taker confused. "What?" "He has to get pussy before he can be whipped. And, I'm trying to make sure his leg heals," Marissa said. She turned to Kane. "I'll explain the term to you later, hun." "Controlled by sex," Taker blurted out.

"What the hell did your dad do to you? Keep you locked in the basement?" "When I was at home, yes. I grew up in mental institutions." "Jesus... How could they keep you? You seem like a normal man." "Severe manic depression and criminal insanity." "Have you seen any of this in him, since you met him, Marissa?" "No, he's been an angel. I mean, he did seem a bit crazy with Veros. Hell, I did, too, but we were trying to protect ourselves, and each other."

Taker stroked his goatee, and looked down, thoughtfully. "So, as far as we're concerned, there's nothing wrong with you. Why wouldn't your dad want you to be a productive adult?" "What do you mean," Kane asked. "It sounds like your dad didn't want to take care of you. Why wouldn't he want you to get a job, get your own car, your own place? Or, if he saw you as a burden he'd never be rid of, why wouldn't he tell me you were alive, and let me take care of you?" "You must have a hectic schedule. I used to watch wrestling, and it seemed like you guys were always working. Maybe he thought Kane would be an interruption in both of your work schedules," Marissa said. "Maybe, but that's not much of a reason. Hell, with his size, and muscle mass, he could do the shows with us."

Kane's head snapped up to look at Taker. "You think so?" "Hell, bro, you're bigger than me. I know so." "Why don't we surprise dear old dad," Kane suggested. "What do you mean?" "Let's face it. We're not going to get anywhere unless we get some answers from him." "So, you want to go to the next show with me?" "Yeah. He owes both of us a lot of answers. If we both catch him, he'll have to talk to us." "You got it, bro."

A few days later, Undertaker was scheduled to do another show. Kane and Marissa packed a small bag with what they would need and left with Taker for the airport. As the plane was taking off, Kane tensed. When marissa noticed him, she grabbed his hand. "Kane? Kane, hunny, look at me." He slowly turned toward her. She smiled at him. "It's ok, baby." He sat back, and gently squeezed her fingers. "You ok back there, bro?" Taker asked from the seat in front of Kane. "I'll be alright."

Once they reached cruising altitude, Kane and Marissa traded seats, so he could look out the window. He finally calmed down as he looked down at the clouds. Then, he caught a glimpse of the ground below the clouds. He sat back in his seat rigidly, and closed the window shade. "What's wrong?" Marissa asked. "Clouds broke." "I suppose you're afraid of heights." "Can't always be a tough guy," he laughed nervously. "Everything will be fine, hun. There are more car wrecks than plane wrecks." "Neither thought is very pleasant at the moment."

Once the plane landed, and they left the airport, they went to the arena. "Now, you're dad isn't going to be here for awhile. I just want to get things smoothed over with the boss, then we can lay out a plan of attack," Undertaker said. "Alright. What do you want us to do?" Undertaker shrugged. "Meet the boss." He grabbed his gear bag out of the trunk, then lead them inside.

They stopped outside of a room with a big sign on the door. Undertaker knocked. "Hey, boss. I got somebody I want you to meet." "Come in, Taker." He stood just on the other side of the door. "Hey, man," he said as he stretched out his hand. "Vince, I want you to meet my little brother, Kane, and his girlfriend, Marissa." "Hello, Kane." "Hello, sir." Vince turned to Undertaker. "Are you sure this is your brother? He has manners." "Yeah, real funny. I have a question for you. If I train him, do you think you can come up with something for him?" Vince looked him over. "What's with the mask?" "Childhood accident," Kane answered. "What kind of accident?" "Do you remember when I told you that I lost my brother in a fire," Undertaker asked. "Yeah." "As it turns out, he didn't die. Someone's been keeping us apart." "Truth is stranger than fiction. Go ahead and train him, Taker. If he's good in the ring, I can come up with something." "Oh, by the way, if you see Bearer, don't let him know about Kane. We want to surprise him." "Not a problem."

They left Vince's office, and went to Undertaker's dressing room. "Well, that's step two for you to have a normal life." "Step two?" "Yeah. Step one was you escaping from the sanitarium." "We don't know if we're out of the woods yet. Veros could have sent some of his gaurds after us. He's played this game with me before when I tried to break out. He let me think I was free, until I was picked up, and taken back to that hell hole," Marissa said.

There was a knock on the door. "Who is it," Undertaker asked. "It's me, Paul." "Hide," he whispered to Kane and Marissa. They went into the showers, and hid in one of the stalls. "Come on in." "Hey, Taker. How long have you been here?" "Not long. You're early." "I thought I should be on time for once." Undertaker laughed. "Hey, I want you to meet one of the new guys. He's just getting out of the shower." Paul walked over to the door to the showers, and set his bag down. As he did, Undertaker walked over to the door, and locked it. "Hey, come on out." As Kane left the shower room, his hand wrapped around his father's throat. "Hello, Dad." "Oh, shit! Kane, what the hell are you doing out of the hospital?" "A little woman helped me realize that I'm sane. You're the one who's crazy." "But, son..." Paul backed into Undertaker. "Why don't you try explaining to me why you didn't let me know he's still alive." "Oh, hell..."

"Looks like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place," Marissa said. "Who are you?" "The little woman your son was talking about. There's not a damn thing wrong with him, and you know it." "Marissa." She looked up at Kane. "Please, let me and Taker handle this." "She's right, though, Paul. There's not a damn thing wrong with him. Why the hell have you been keeping him in insane assylums?" Kane let go of his throat. "Why the hell do you care? All you ever did when you were kids was tease him, and beat on him. He is my son, damn it! I'm trying to protect him." "He's my brother! We teased each other. We beat on each other. That's what brothers do."

Paul stepped back, and looked at the two of them standing next to each other. "I never thought this day would come." "It wouldn't have if it weren't for two things. The last time I came home, I hired a private investigator to prove to me that Taker was dead. He found Taker very much alive, and even gave me his phone number and address. And Marissa helped me break out of that hospital as you call it. Do you realize that doctor was giving shock treatments, and raping my woman, not to mention any others he may have? He drugged me, tied me to a gurney, took my mask, and left me like that all night. All of this because I was getting too close to Marissa." "If she saw you like that, she would have ran as fast as she could." "I've seen him without the mask. I saw him tied to the gurney. I'm the one that let him off of it." "The doctor took them out of the hospital, but had them shot at as they left. Have you ever looked into the sanitariums you took him to?" "I... I..."

Undertaker grabbed Paul by the throat. "You were supposed to be a friend of mine since I can remember, but you've let me believe that my brother has been dead for twenty four years. Right about now, I'd like to crush your throat with my bare hands." Undertaker let go of him. "But I won't. If anybody has the right or reason to kill you, it's Kane." Kane took a step towards his father, but Marissa grabbed his arm. "Kane, please don't. Killing your father will only make things worse for you." He sighed as he looked down at her. "I can't kill him. No matter what wrong he has done, he is still my father." He turned to look at Paul. "But, just because I won't kill you, it doesn't mean I won't beat the hell out of you."

"Son, listen to reason." Kane crossed his arms over his chest, and waited for Paul to continue. "At first, when I put you in the sanitariums, it was to help you get over the trauma of the fire. As I watched your brother grow, I wanted you to be more like him, but I didn't want you to pick up his bad habits. I kept you in the sanitariums so you would gain the attitude and intensity of Taker, so I could one day bring you into this business with us." "It'll happen soon enough, Paul. Vince gave me the go ahead to train him." "That's wonderful!" "You know, it's funny. At first you were saying you didn't want me to see him again, but now you're saying you were going to bring him into the game. So, which one is it, Paul?"

Paul looked from Taker to Kane, then down at his feet. "Do you have any idea the burden it is to raise a child on your own, and stay in this business?" "We want answers, not more questions," Taker said."Right now, we're not getting anything from you but lies." "The hospitals were supposed to be like a day care for him. How was I supposed to know all of this was happening?" Paul yelled with a burst of courage. "I'm thirty years old, Dad. I don't need a fucking day care." "I know that! You should be on the road with me and your brother. I didn't want the guys to tease you about your mask. I didn't want them to make fun of your scars."

"When was the last time you looked at him without the mask?" Marissa broke in. "Marissa, I said..." "No. Not on this subject," she interrupted, giving him a look that said not to stop her. "Of all of us in this room, I am the most qualified to judge a man's appearance." She looked at Paul again. "He may have a couple scars on his face, but your son is still a very handsome man. And, he has the body of a Greek god." "Would you want to wake up and look at him in the morning?" Paul asked, incredulously. "I have every morning since we broke out of the hospital, and, if he gave me the opportunity, I would every morning for the rest of our lives. Because of you, I don't think he even has a clue how desirable he is." He gave her a look of distaste. "You've had sex with my son, haven't you?" She slapped him. Taker and Kane laughed at the red hand print on his pale cheek. "That's none of your damn business."

Paul looked down at his feet. "You're all together now. One happy family. I can't give you a good explaination, so I'll just leave you alone, now." The brothers decided to let him leave. As soon as Paul was out the door, and down the hall, he pulled his cell phone out, and dialed in the number. "Hello." "I thought you said he'd never escape?" "We're just playing a little game of chase." "I know exactly where he is." "So do I. I have a few orderlies out in the parking lot waiting to take him and Marissa home." "Don't screw this up, Veros." "I assure you, Mr. Bearer, everything is under control."

The orderlies walked up to the man gaurding the rear entrance. "Hey, I'm hoping you can help me. I'm looking for a big guy, about seven feet tall, muscular, long brown hair. Have you seen anyone like that?" The gaurd laughed at him. "There's a wrestling show tonight, man. Most of the guys I've seen are like that." "Was one of them wearing a red mask, and with a woman?" "You narrowed it down to two. They call one of them Vader. The other is a guest of Undertaker's." One orderly looked at the other. "Undertaker is Kane's older brother." "Yeah, I heard Taker say that name. Kane was the guy's name." "We're with the Wharton County mental hospital. Could you show us where to find him?" "Right this way."

The gaurd lead them through the halls, until they reached Undertaker's dressing room. He knocked on the door. "Mr. Undertaker?" Taker had left the room for his match. Marissa answered the door. "Hello, ma'am. There's a couple gentlemen here to..." She looked up at them over his shoulder. "They're no gentlemen. And there's no way in hell I'm having anything to do with them."

As she tried to close the door, the orderlies pushed past the security gaurd. They narrowly kept the door from closing. She put all of her weight onto the door, trying to keep them out. "Kane! It's them! They came to take us back!" He ran over to the door, and helped her close the door, and lock it. She wrapped her arms around him. "What are we going to do?" "Find another way out." Kane went all the way through the shower room, but didn't find a way out. Marissa tried the door that connected that dressing room to the one next to it. When the knob turned, she yelled, "Kane, come on." Once the door was opened, she saw that it was the Divas' dressing room, and they were in the middle of changing. "Cover your eyes, or they will freak out," Marissa warned. He covered his eyes with his hand, and gave the other to Marissa to lead him out.

The women screamed as they walked through. Marissa grabbed one of them. "Is there another way out of here?" "There's only one door in here." "Could you get Undertaker? It's an emergency." "Uh..." She looked up at Kane. "Sure." "Thank you so much... What is your name?" "Luna." "Luna, I am Marissa, and this is Kane, Taker's brother." "Yeah, I see the resemblance." "Please hurry." "Ok." "Thank you."

Luna went out the door, and ran down the hall. She almost ran into Undertaker when she found him. "Taker, there's a big guy in the ladies' locker room that says he's your brother. The lady that's with him said it's an emergency that I bring you to them." "Thanks, Luna." Taker took long strides down the hall. When he saw the gaurd and the two orderlies outside his door, he cleared his throat. "Is there a problem here?" The orderlies looked him over. "I don't know which one is weirder; Kane, or his brother."

Taker grabbed him by the throat. "If you value your buddy's life, you had better talk fast." "We're with the Wharton County mental hospital. Your brother and Marissa broke out of the hospital. We have to take them back." "Dr. Veros released them." "No, sir. Dr. Veros sent us for them." He grabbed the other orderly by his throat. "Take a message back to Veros. Tell him that my brother is now in my care. His services are no longer required." "Marissa is serving a court ordered sentence," the orderly croaked. "She is the real fugitive. We can't go back wihtout her." Taker released the orderlies. "What was the charge?" "Double homicide. She killed her husband and his lover."

Taker looked down at his feet. "I'll let them know you're looking for them if I see them again." "What do you mean if you see them again? They're locked in that room." "No. I just distracted you long enough for them to sneak out that door down there, and down the hall. They're probably in the parking lot by now." The orderlies took off down the hall, followed by the security gaurd.

Taker went into his dressing room, and looked through the opened door to the ladies' locker room. "Excuse us, ladies." He looked Marissa dead in the eyes. "You two, in here, now!" Marissa lead Kane back into Taker's dressing room, and closed the door. "You can uncover them, Kane." Taker got in Marissa's face. "Double homicide?" "I was married to the asshole for two months, and I come home, and find him in bed with a man. I went crazy, ok?" "How long is your sentence?" "Until I can be deemed legally sane." Taker ran his hand over his face, and growled. "I'll give you the benefit of doubt. So far, you seem sane." "I am sane. Veros just keeps me around as his sex slave."

Taker sighed. "Look, I'll see what we can do about the situation when we get back to Houston. Right now, I'm going to change, and we're going to the hotel. I'll talk to Vince about getting some time off, so I can devote my full attention to getting you two in the clear."

chapter 14

When the three returned to Undertaker's house, he gave Kane a couple pain killers for his leg. "Why don't you two go get a little rest, let the jet lag wear off. I'm gonna see what I can get started on clearing you." "Thanks, Taker," Kane said as they headed for the stairs.

Undertaker got on the phone with his lawyer. "Hello." "Hey, Johnny, I have a serious problem for you." "Oh, hell... Don't tell me. You killed someone in the ring?" "No. My brother and his girlfriend broke out of a twisted mental hospital." "Shit! You're harboring fugitives?" "The doctor in charge was raping the girl, and he was mentally abusing my brother." "What's the doctor's name?" "Veros." "Really? Huh..." "Do you know him?" "Yeah. He's head of the Wharton County mental hospital. Has been for years. I've heard quite a few cooberating stories." "There are others?" "Several. Nobody wanted to listen to the patients." "These two are sane, though." "Why were they in the hospital, then?" "My brother was admitted because his father put him in. Marissa pleaded insanity on a double homicide." "Marissa Strayhorn?" "I don't know her last name." "She killed her husband and his queer lover." "That's her. Can you help us?" "I'll see what I can do. I need as much info as you have."

While Undertaker was on the phone, Marissa helped Kane get settled in bed. As she began to move away from the bed, Kane grabbed her hand. "Will you lay down with me, Marissa?" "If you want me to..." "I do." She stripped out of her clothes, and laid down next to him. She laid her head on his chest, and an arm over his stomach. His skin was so hot, it almost made her sweat. She reached up, and felt his forehead. "What are you doing?" "You're hot. I wanted to make sure you don't have a fever. You don't."

Kane sighed, as he reached for her hip. He stopped, and said, "Marissa, may I..." "Don't ask. Do what you want." "Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you." "I'll let you know if you do. I'm more worried about you hurting yourself." "I'll be ok." He slid his arm out from under her, and held himself up with his elbow. "Last night was too close. I don't want to go back. Not until we take care of that promise."

He laid his hand at the base of her neck, and slid it down through the valley of her breasts, over her soft stomach, and down to her curls. "I learned a few things watching tv at the hotel." He leaned over her, and gently suckled her breast. "I don't know what you were watching, but I'm glad you were." "So, I'm doing good?" "Very good."

He let his hand slide over her opening. As he did, his finger slipped between her folds. When he didn't receive any hesitation from her, he slid his finger inside her tunnel. She moaned as he used his finger to familiarize himself with how she felt inside. She reached down, and locked onto his long, hard male flesh. "Kane..." "Yes, Marissa?" "I want you so bad it hurts." "I'm right here." She leaned forward, and whispered in his ear, "I want you inside me." He gave her a confused look. She slowly stroked him. "Replace your finger with this."

She helped him into position between her legs. She grabbed his hip with one hand, and alligned him for entry with the other. She pulled his hips down, and he slowly slid inside. She closed her eyes, and willed her body to take in his magnificent size. Once he was fully sheathed, she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She opened her eyes to look at him, but he had his eyes closed. She laid her hand on his scarred cheek, and he opened his eyes to look at her.

"Kane, there's not much I can do from down here, so you are in control. All you have to do is pull your hips back, then push towards me again. This is a part of every animal's instinct; whether man or beast. Let it take over." He slowly tested her directions, and felt it becoming more enjoyable with each thrust. She raised her hips to meet him, and soon came upon the brink of her orgasm. Not wanting to cry out, and alert Undertaker, she leaned forward, and kissed Kane. As she moaned through the kiss, he stopped. She ended it quickly. "Don't stop. Faster." He obliged.

Marissa slid her hands down to his chest, before wrapping her arms around his ribs. She felt his groan work its way through his chest, and out. She leaned up, and kissed him, muting his moans of pleasure. When he stopped, he nearly collapsed on top of her. She looked at him, and noticed his sleepy grin. She lightly patted his back. "You need to get some rest, hun." "I will." He pulled out of her, and laid down next to her. She laid her head on his chest again, and made small circles on his stomach with her finger. "You still have a few things to learn, but you're already a great lover," she whispered. When she didn't get a reply, she looked up at him. He was already asleep.

After a couple of hours, Marissa went downstairs to see how things were with Undertaker. When she reached the bottom, he called to her. "Marissa, where is Kane?" "He's still asleep." "Would you go wake him, please?" "Sure. What's going on?" "We'll talk when he gets down here." "Ok." She went back upstairs, and shook him. "Kane, hunny, you need to get up." "What's wrong?" "Undertaker needs us downstairs."

As he sat up, Marissa stood to gather his clothes for him. "Did he say why?" he asked as he dressed. "No, but his tone has me worried." As she went for his mask, he grabbed her hand. He pulled her over to stand in front of him. "No matter what happens, I won't let them take you back." She laid her hand on his cheek, and smiled at him. "I love you, Kane." "I love you, too, Marissa." She kissed the middle of his chest, then said, "finish getting dressed."

As they walked down the stairs, he grabbed her hand. When she looked into his eyes, she could see the sparkle in his pale eye, like the first day they met. She smiled at him, and laced her fingers with his. "Hey, love-birds, we don't have all day." They both turned to look at Undertaker, and noticed the other man standing with him. "Who is he?" Kane asked. "This is my lawyer, Johnny Watson. He offered to come out, and meet you two."

They walked down the last few stairs, and stood before them. "Mr. Watson, I am Marissa, and he is Kane. We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us." "The pleasure is mine." He turned to Undertaker. "May we have a seat somewhere?" "Yes. Right this way." He lead them into the livingroom.

Once they were all seated, Johnny began. "Marissa, I'm familiar with your case. It's been a little over a year since you were sentenced to the hospital. What makes you think you are ready to get out?" "When you become a victim, it puts things in perspective." "About that, how many times have you been raped by Veros?" "So you believe me?" "Yes. You're not his only victim." "One to three times a week." Johnny looked from Marissa to Kane, and back. "I don't suppose getting any kind of sample would incriminate him at this time." She blushed, and looked over at Kane. "Not anymore."

He jotted down some notes, then turned back to her. "How many times did you escape?" "Once. Veros let us out this time." "He released you?" "Yes. He told us he would give us a full pardon, and even walk us out of the gate. He walked us out of the gate, then had his security shoot at us." "Were either of you hit?" "Kane was hit in the leg." "Is it still..." "No. I took it out, and sewed him up." "Did you save the bullet?" She looked at Taker. "I think it's still in the first aid box." "I'll need that."

Johnny flipped to the front page, and looked at some notes. "Kane, since you are over the age of eighteen, and you were voluntarily admitted, you are not a problem to keep out. Marissa, you will have to go back. You can not be released until they give you a full psychiatric evaluation, and turn it over to the judge." "She will NOT go back without me," Kane said. "We'll take her to a facility in town. She won't be anywhere near Veros, and she will be in a facility where you two can visit her." Kane stood. "SHE WILL NOT GO BACK WITHOUT ME!"

Marissa grabbed his hand. "Kane, calm down, hun. He's trying to help us." He looked down at her, and toyed with her fingers. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, again." Johnny looked on, questions whirling in his head. "Can anyone explain this side of Kane? One minute he's docile, but he turns into a monster when it comes to her." "We've been almost inseperable since he walked into the hospital commons," Marissa explained. "She is the first woman to show me love and compassion. I will do what it takes to keep her safe."

Johnny sighed. "I'll see what I can do. I'll see if the judge will allow her to do the evaluation without going back into the hospital." Johnny stood, then Undertaker and Marissa did. Kane continued to stare at the shorter man. "If I may ask, Kane, why do you wear the mask?" Kane was about to reach for Johnny's neck, when Marissa grabbed his arms, and wrapped them around her. "It's a touchy subject, Mr. Watson," she said. "I was only curious. Well, I will be in touch with you three soon." "Thank you, Mr. Watson," Marissa said. "Yeah, thanks, Johnny," Undertaker said. Kane just watched as he walked out the door.

Two days had passed by with no word from Johnny Watson. While they waited, Undertaker began training Kane. "What do you think he'll come up with?" Kane asked as they went over some moves. Undertaker stopped to look at him. He put his hands on his hips as he panted for air. "To be honest, I don't think it looks good for Marissa. Get off your leg for a few minutes." They sat on a couple benches in Taker's gym. "I can't lose her. I don't want Veros to even have a chance of getting to her. After what we did to him, he'd probably kill her." "Well, we just have to protect her as best we can." Taker laughed. "Shouldn't be too hard for us."

There was a knock on the gym door. "Come in," Taker yelled. The door opened, and Marissa stuck her head in. "Is it safe?" They smiled at her. "Yeah. Come on in." She walked in carrying two water bottles. "I haven't seen you two for a couple hours, so I thought you could use some water." "That's sweet of you," Taker said as he took the bottle from her. "Thanks, Marissa." "How's your leg doing, Kane?" "It's ok." "Don't over do it." She kissed his mask-covered forehead, then left the room.

"I tell you one thing, bro. You need someone like her around. She takes care of you, supports you... She loves you, man." Kane looked at his big brother. "I love her, too. That's why I'm so protective of her." He stood and paced. "If it wasn't for her I never would have seen that what my dad was doing with me is wrong. Or that the assylum wasn't right. I'd still be a thirty year old virgin." Taker laughed. "That's not something to be proud of." "I'm not proud of it. And this..." He took off his mask and threw it on the ground. "He's forced me to wear a mask since the fire. I can't even look in the mirror, because he said I'm ugly."

"Hey, man... Between Marissa and I, we'll get you back on track." Taker spent some time studying his brother's face. "And, Marissa was right. There's nothing wrong with the way you look, or act. Your dad was just feeding you a bunch of bullshit." "I know, but..." "But nothing. You're not with your dad anymore, you have a good woman, we're working on a job for you... Pretty soon, you'll be able to get your own place, live like a man should. Maybe even get married and have a few rugrats." Kane smiled as he thought of it. "I'd like that."

There was another knock on the door, before it opened, and Marissa stepped in. "Taker, Johnny's on the phone. He wants to talk to you." She looked up at Kane. "Hunny, is everything ok?" "Just fine." Taker left the room to answer the call. Marissa walked over to Kane and wrapped her arms around his waist. Tears slid from her eyes as she laid her head on his stomach. "I'm so scared. I know what he has to say isn't good." Kane wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "I'm not going to let them take you back. Not without one hell of a fight."

Taker picked up the phone in the den. "Hey, Johnny. What do you have for us?" "They won't go for her staying out, or the deal with putting her in a hospital in town. The judge wants her back in the Wharton County Mental Facility." "They want her to go back and be attacked by that quack again!?" "I'm sorry, Taker. There's nothing else I can do." Taker looked up at Kane and Marissa as they walked in. "Good luck trying to get her." "Taker, you know I must advise you to not help them anymore than you already have." Taker sighed. "Your advice is noted and rejected. They can stick my ass in there with her, if they want. I'm going to help my brother and his girlfriend no matter what." With that said, Taker hung up, and ran his hands over his head.

"What did he say?" Kane asked. "They want her back in Wharton with Veros." "Over my dead body." "Over mine, too, bro."

With no time to lose, they packed clothes, food and camping equipment, then headed out. "Where are we going?" Kane asked. "I have a cabin in the hill country. You two will hide out there until I get something worked out. I don't think Johnny would say that you were with me, but better to be safe than sorry."

Marissa sat in the backseat, fuming over the injustice of it all. "What kind of person would put me back with that fucking psycho!?" "Marissa, calm down," Kane whispered. "Taker and I are going to keep you far away from him." "I promise, if he gets anywhere near you, he'll die on the spot," Taker added.

Kane turned to look at her. He saw the anger, fear and frustration swirling in her tear-filled eyes. "Taker, pull over. Let me in the back with her." Taker slowed to a stop on the shoulder. "Kane, you don't have to..." she started. "Yeah, I do." He switched seats, then they carried on their way. He took Marissa into his arms, and kissed her forehead. "What kind of a man would I be if I couldn't see that my woman needs to be held?" he whispered. "An average man," she laughed through her tears.

After a few more miles, Marissa fell asleep with her head on his chest. Taker looked in the rearview mirror, and saw his brother looking over her lovingly as he softly stroked her hair. "In the short time you two have been with me, I have seen how she has changed you, my brother." Kane never lifted his eyes. "She has taught me so much. She has shown me friendship, then love, and taught me how to love her in return. She has tamed the animal- the monster I once was." Taker laughed. "She probably did that by just taking your virginity."

Kane smiled. "Maybe. But she has helped me gain my freedom. I will see her get her freedom back." "And then what?" Kane finally looked into the rearview mirror, to see his brother's eyes. "What do you mean?" "Do you plan to let her leave? Do you plan to marry her? Maybe start a family... What do you see in the future for you two?" "Marry her?" "Yeah. You know. Make her your wife." "I know what it means!"

Marissa shifted in his arms. Kane looked back down at her to be sure he hadn't woken her up. After a moment, he softly continued. "I know what it means, Taker. For a man that's been divorced more than once, you sure are pushing it on me." "Well, you're not me, and Marissa isn't either of my ex-wives. Every marriage is different." Kane petted her hair again. "I'd like to, but she would have to agree..." "That's how it usually goes, lil' bro," Taker laughed. "Think about it, though. With the way her last marriage was going and how it ended... She would have to want to try again."

Taker nodded. "Just remember, you're not her ex, either. She's risked a lot to stay with you, and to keep you safe. Not only that, she had no clue what she was getting into when she called me. Neither did you, but... You get what I'm saying?" Taker watched Kane's brows draw together in the rearview mirror. "No." "The way she has been dicked around by guys, she didn't know what I would do to her. Or what you would, for that matter. She has a lot of trust and faith in you. Don't let it go, and don't screw it up." "I won't."