Fear - 42

"Stop fighting me, baby," Jared growled as he released his tight hold on Shawn and shoved him into the truck from the driver's side. "I might think you don't want to be with me anymore." He pushed Shawn across the seat and got in. Starting the truck, he drove out of the lot toward the highway.

"I don't want to be with you." Shawn fumbled with the door handle, planning on jumping out even though they were moving. "You almost killed me."

"Like hell I did! I just punished you for fucking around with some guy." Jared delivered a vicious backhand when he said that, which slammed Shawn's head against the side window. "You don't have a choice, baby. I love you and that makes you mine. You know that."

Shawn rubbed his face where the slap had landed, his eyes tearing up. Suddenly he felt all the old emotions welling up. The need to do what was ordered because he was afraid if he didn't, he'd lose Jared. The belief that he deserved whatever Jared did to him because Jared loved him and wanted him to be worthy of his love.

It's not true. One part of his mind told him. It's not love. It's…it's just his need to feel powerful and in control. That's what Gene said and he knows.

"Who was that man you were with at the Market?" Jared growled, pulling onto the highway, heading toward the city. "The same son-of-a-bitch from before or have you picked up with a new one?"

When Shawn didn't answer, Jared grabbed his wrist, twisting it hard.

Shawn gasped in pain. "He's just a friend, just a friend," he whimpered.

"They're all 'just friends', you little slut. Well, no more. When we get where we're going, I'm going to teach you who your only friend is and then I'm going to fuck you until you believe I'm the only man in your life. Ever. Got that?" Spittle flew from his lips as he spoke, some of it landing on Shawn as he cowered in the corner of the seat when Jared turned his enraged gaze on him.

"Jared, watch out!" Shawn shouted, panic overcoming his fear of Jared's anger.

While he'd been yelling at Shawn, Jared's concentration had left the road and the truck had begun drifting across the center line into the path of an oncoming car. Jared swore, twisting the steering wheel hard to the right. The truck's rear end swung to the left on worn tires. The car's driver swerved trying to avoid a collision. His right bumper tapped the truck's rear end just enough to send the truck careening into a spin and across the right-hand lane, narrowly missing another vehicle before hitting the rocky verge at the side of the highway.

"Now look what you made me do," Jared shouted, slamming on the brakes.