The gentle sway of the luxury cruise ship was supposed to feel romantic, but a cold shiver ran down my spine the moment the cabin door clicked shut behind us. Rose petals were scattered across the massive king bed, and the ocean breeze drifted in through the open balcony doors. I turned around, smoothing down the crisp lace of my white wedding dress, expecting to see my new husband smiling at me with love.
Daniel: Now we're finally alone, Sarah.
His voice didn't sound like the sweet, gentle man I had dated for two years. It was low, raspy, and carried a dangerous edge that made my heart hammer against my ribs. Daniel walked toward the bed, pulling a heavy, vintage brown leather suitcase out from the closet and setting it down with a dark thud.
Sarah: Daniel? What are you doing with that old suitcase? We haven't even unpacked our clothes yet.
Daniel: I brought something special for our honeymoon. Something to make sure our marriage starts off on the right foot.
He unlatched the rusty brass locks with two sharp clicks. I stepped back toward the balcony, watching as his hand reached into the dark lining of the case. When his fingers wrapped around the smooth grip of a solid wooden baseball bat, my breath caught in my throat.
Sarah: What is that? Why do you have a bat in our cabin?
Daniel: This belonged to my father, Sarah. Do you know what he used it for?
Sarah: Daniel, stop it. You're scaring me. Put that away right now!
Daniel: He used it to teach my mother respect. He used it to keep her in line whenever she forgot her place. And now that you're my wife, you're going to learn the exact same rules.
He raised the heavy block of wood, stepping toward me with a twisted smirk on his face. He thought I was just a defenseless bride in a white lace dress, completely trapped in the middle of the ocean. He had no idea who I really was, or what I was capable of doing when threatened.