by Stone, Piper
“This will do for now,” the second man said under his breath as he dropped a black duffle onto the floor.
“You’re going to remain quiet as a mouse, Doctor,” the blond stated with absolute authority, his look stern. He scanned the room, his scowl increasing.
The moment he placed me on a cot, the springs digging into my legs, I jerked up, immediately lunging toward him. Fuck the assholes. I had no idea who they were, and I didn’t give a damn. I just wanted to get away, to live. I’d find a way back to the medical camp somehow.
“Rar!” I hissed as I clawed at him. His heated growl was a distinct reward. He wasn’t prepared to face my wrath.
The blond caught me around my waist, his dark chuckle pissing me off.
“You’re not going anywhere,” he stated in a husky whisper, as if he was the new controller in town. Easing me back, he shook his head, his eyes shimmering with amusement that I’d bothered to try to get away.
Rearing back, I managed to rake my nails down the side of his face, gasping for air as his gaze turned deadly.
“Fuck!” he exclaimed, slapping his hand against his cheek.
“I guess we’ll need to teach her a lesson,” the second abductor said, the tone of his voice irritating me even more.
They thought this was a game.
“Like hell you will!” I spouted just seconds before the blond wrapped his hand around my throat, pushing me back several inches. The expression on his face was nothing short of predatory, his eyes burning holes into mine.
The man was hungry, famished.
And I was his prey.
Something didn’t feel right, my stomach churning, the need to flee all I could think about.
I refused to buy the bullshit he’d said earlier. My father had no idea where I was. I’d purposely told him a lie in order to attempt to live my life my way.
“Get off or I will kill you,” I managed before he added pressure, his hold almost suffocating.
The blond took a deep breath, a sly smile crossing his face. “I’d like to see you try.”
“You need to deal with her, Rivers, or I will,” the Spanish man chortled.
Rivers.
I made mental note of his name, my eyes watering as terror swept through every inch of my body. Still, he was one gorgeous specimen, his eyes penetrating through me as if he knew everything about my entire life. Like he’d tasted me before. As if he’d hungered until his needs had become insatiable.
As if he would own me.
The blond snarled at his companion before turning his full attention to me, his nostrils flaring.
I was thrown by their appearances, the dim light of the lantern barely illuminating their rugged bodies, but there was no denying their authority. They weren’t anything like what I’d been warned about, vile men who captured anyone they believed would provide a decent day’s wages. Abductions were well known in the heart of Brazil, a nasty tale I’d heard the second I’d arrived in the country.
These men seemed far more powerful; their ability to get past the dozens of guards was impressive and spoke to intense training. Military? Maybe. Hired guns? Definitely. The weapons they carried were similar to the men who protected the Serpent.
Could I actually buy my father had spent his hard-earned money to track me down? And would he know I’d been kidnapped in the first place? The Serpent certainly didn’t need the ransom money, the man’s estate worth a fortune. Then who the hell were these guys?
They were both drop-dead gorgeous; broad shoulders and muscular arms, chiseled faces that were wistful dreams in the making. The blond had a square jaw, creating an air of defiance, his nose and cheekbones Romanesque. His eyes were the most engaging thing about him. Even in the dim lighting, I could tell they were the color of the Aegean Sea.
The dark-haired man held the look of a Spanish Conquistador, his luscious full lips framed in a solid two-day stubble adding to a dark and dangerous demeanor.
And I was freaking out of my mind for thinking of them as anything but horrible monsters, even though they’d saved me from continued anguish. My entire body ached, bruises covering my arms and legs. The Serpent had made certain I followed his rules, his methods of punishment harsh.
Swallowing hard, I told myself I would not be taken in by their gorgeous physique or the fact they’d acted as if they were rescuing me. I refused to be betrayed by my own body.
Even if my nipples ached, my pussy soaking the thin panties I’d been allowed to wear. The expensive silk nightgown, a ‘gift’ from the monstrous Brazilian beast barely covered my torso. I’d never felt so naked in my life.
While the blond was clearly American, the other could be nothing more than a hired gun for the jerk who’d insisted I call him sir, the soldier’s Spanish accent as dark and brooding as his burnished skin and black eyes.
The blond tilted his head as he crowded my space, his hot breath cascading across my quivering skin. I was shivering all over, every nerve crawling to the edge. I clawed his hand, trying desperately to free myself. As he lifted me onto my tiptoes, he moved dangerously close, his chest rising and falling from intense frustration.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” the man known as Rivers stated through clenched teeth. “We might be your only hope of survival, but you will be a good little girl while we’re in charge of you.”
The other man snickered as he lowered his weapon, still holding it in his hand as he swept the interior of the rustic cabin. “She’s going to be a handful.”
“Yeah? Well, she’ll learn to follow the rules or else. Now, I’m going to let you go and you’re going to promise to behave.” His angry words were followed by a harsh glare.
I nodded, my fingers still digging into his. He didn’t seem bothered in the least, impervious to whatever pain I’d inflicted. Releasing his hold, he kept his hand in place, likely figuring I wasn’t the obedient type.
“Who are you? What’s going on?” I managed, my voice husky from the lack of water as well as the extreme hold.
“We’re saving your ass,” the blond huffed. “As far as who we are, that doesn’t matter at this point in time. It would seem, given the amount of money paid in order to free you, that you’re very special. Keep in mind that you are to the Serpent as well. That places a target on your back and we’ll be collateral damage. So, stay quiet.”
“Why should I trust you? Besides, you don’t know anything about me,” I countered, quickly searching for a way out of here. As if there was anywhere to go. I knew enough about the location of where I’d been taken to realize I had no chance in hell of making it out of the jungle alive.
“We know enough, princess, to realize your life is in danger. Do you know what the Serpent does to pretty little things like you who manage to get away from him?” The blond darted a quick glance around the perimeter before taking long strides from one area to another. I could tell he was checking to make certain the location was secure.
I held my arms, taking quick breaths, trying to rationalize what had occurred. Everything remained a blur, my mind foggy. The asshole had called me princess. Who did he think he was?
“This will do for now, but I don’t like being this close to the slimy bastard,” the blond denoted before easing his weapon from his shoulder. “We need to check for supplies or the pinhead who planned this location will pay for his stupidity.”
“How long do we stay here?” the other man asked.
“We’ll leave in the morning as long as we don’t detect any soldiers in the area,” the blond answered, shooting me another hateful look. “That should be enough time to get her under control.”
“Just let me go,” I implored, my voice skipping. Control. What the hell did they think they were going to do to me? “Or at least talk to me. I deserve to know who you are since you went to a significant amount of trouble breaking into the Serpent’s compound. And yes, I pay attention to everything. I know how powerful he is, and how dangerous. But I could say the same thing about the t
wo of you.”
Both men stared at each other before the dark-haired man finally approached, taking a long hard look at me. I could read his depraved thoughts, could sense what he craved doing to me.
Tasting me.
Claiming me.
Ravaging me.
Over my dead body.
“She’s as formidable as she is intelligent,” the Spaniard stated, a hint of respect in his tone.
“You have no idea,” I shot off without thinking.
My heart was in my throat as the blond chuckled, his answer laced with acid. “We are your saviors and your worst nightmare. If you obey us, you’ll make it back to the United States safely. If not, I doubt you’ll have an opportunity to perform medicine ever again. I suggest you plant that pretty ass of yours onto the bed and stay there. You will be punished if you don’t follow directions just like we promised. We don’t have time for games and your insolence will not be tolerated. There are some dangerous assholes out there who will enjoy hunting you down, even going against whatever rules the Serpent laid in place.”
“If you’re trying to scare me, it’s not going to work.” I heard the tremor in my voice and hissed. “The Serpent tried and failed.”
“You need to listen to my friend, Doctor. We’re the only two people on this planet who can save you.” While the Spanish guy grinned, his eyes never leaving mine, I could swear he was ready to become very familiar with every inch of my body.
I wanted to scratch out his eyes.
The bastards did know who I was, or at least the reason I’d been stupid enough to come to Brazil without fully understanding the horrors that had awaited me. All I’d wanted to do was help people who had no means of doing so themselves, not become a prized possession for some kind of drug lord. Or whatever horrors he’d inflicted in order to amass his fortune. The Serpent was a pig.
“Do you like pretty things, Lindsey?” he’d asked while he moved in a circle around me, his eyes burning with intense desire, my stomach nauseous from the realization of what he wanted to do to me.
“I don’t want anything from you,” I responded, struggling with the rope securing my wrists and ankles.
He chuckled as he closed the distance, sliding the tip of his finger down my cheek and neck, finally rolling it around my nipple. “You and I are going to become very close, American princess. I suggest you accept that you now belong to me. Otherwise, you won’t like the treatment you receive.”
“I will never accept anything from you!”
The hard slap across my face was one I’d never forget, nor the way he’d allowed his goons to drag me into a cinderblock cell. I’d been shackled to the wall, my clothes stripped from me. Then I’d been left in the dark, the sounds of creatures scuttling across the surface of the prison the only thing to keep me company. Shuddering from the thought, I knew better than to trust anyone, including the two men who’d set me free.
Because there was obviously a price to that freedom.
“And I said that I demand to know who you are. If you are military, I want to know your ranks. If you are civilians, I deserve to know the organization you’re working for.” I stood to my full height, daring to take a step closer.
“Civilians,” the Spaniard repeated, laughing softly.
That told me they were military of some kind, or at least they had been.
The blond chuckled as he shook his head. “The less you know the better.”
“Not good enough!” I snapped. “You are going to tell me what the hell is going on and who you are or when I get out of here, I will have you arrested. If your story is true, then you are well aware that my father is an important man who will eat you alive if you so much as hurt a hair on my head.” The words wanted to stick in my throat, fear crawling along every inch of naked skin. While I wanted to believe them, I honestly had no idea whether or not my father was powerful enough to find a way to save me.
But I knew a family that could. A sickening feeling washed over me, the concept that my life was being manipulated by my ex a fate more horrible than what I’d faced with the Serpent.
The blond once again towered over me, his grip on my arm firm. “Fine. Have it your way. You were abducted by one of the sickest fucks in the entire world. While you’re still alive, I assure you that he would have grown weary of the flavor of you eventually. You see, he’s gone through several women, their bodies turning up in pieces. You have bruises on your body. I assume it’s a product of the asshole, but trust me, he was just getting started. Now, do you understand your predicament?” His tone was demanding, yet his eyes showed concern.
Was I supposed to buy that crap? I remained quiet, tilting my head in defiance. More than a trickle of fear slithered down my spine.
“The man is a bastard for hurting you and it seems as if you know much more about him than I do, partner,” the dark-haired man hissed. “I will be very happy to slam the blade of my knife into his brain.”
“Yeah, well, you’re going to have to take a number. I’ve run into men like the Serpent before.” The blond turned his attention back in my direction. “What the Serpent would do to you if you were caught makes the desires of a serial killer seem like Disneyland. If you attempted to escape and survived the snakes, alligators, and wild boar, could possibly avoid sinking into the quicksand or falling off a cliff, I assure you that his soldiers would find you. After that?” He laughed as his heated gaze fell to my bare feet. “Another thing that nightmares are made of. Now, if you want to live, and there are no guarantees, I suggest you shut your mouth and obey our rules.”
Myriad emotions swept through me from rage to hatred, the anxiety spreading like a flesh-eating disease. But there was also something else that pissed me off even more.
Electricity.
An explosive longing.
I was on fire from the scent of him, his dominating touch and the way he took charge. My God, what was wrong with me? My entire body had betrayed me, my nipples aching to the point of sheer anguish. And that sickened me to the core. Instead of cowering, which is exactly what he wanted, I reacted, giving him a hard slap across his face.
The force was enough his head snapped away, even as his grip continued to be firm. When he shifted his gaze back in my direction, the combination of rage and burning hunger wasn’t just disconcerting, it was maddening.
Then he smiled, inhaling in an exaggerated manner. I felt a swarm of butterflies filling my stomach even as I continued to shake.
I refused to stop struggling, finally breaking free. Then I bolted toward the door. I knew in my heart that I was going nowhere, but in my mind, something seemed to snap. I was shaken to the core by what had happened, the fight or flight bridging the surface.
The Spaniard grabbed me, almost snapping my wrist from the force he used as he pulled me toward him, making a tsking sound. “Not so fast, Doctor,” he said harshly. “One way or the other, you need to realize that fighting us isn’t in your best interest.”
I managed to pummel my fist against his chest, prepared to strike him when he grabbed my other hand. “I don’t know you and I certainly can’t trust you,” I hissed.
“You really don’t seem to understand your predicament. I’m already getting weary of your tantrums. I have no doubt my partner is as well.”
He seemed to let me go and I stumbled backward and directly into the blond’s arms.
“I told you that if you don’t obey that you would be punished. And princess, I always keep my promises.” The blond dragged me with him, thumping down onto the cot and immediately yanking me over his lap. The thin lace from the thong I’d been forced to wear wasn’t going to be any protection.
“What the hell are you doing?” I screeched, flailing hard.
“Teaching you a valuable lesson.” He tugged on the string positioned between my ass cheeks, toying with me for several seconds.
“No. No!”
“Hell, yes. This kind of thing can’t happen. The sooner you realize that, the better.”
He yanked the nightgown up to my waist, bringing his hand down in a swift, brutal manner.
I was shocked, the wind knocked out of me from the realization of what he was doing. The bastard was spanking me. For a few seconds, I was paralyzed, unable to do a damn thing. Even worse was the feel of his hard cock throbbing against my tummy. He was aroused by what he was doing. Bile rushed to my throat as I started to fight in earnest.
“Nope. We’re having none of that,” the blond hissed, grabbing and yanking my wrist to the small of my back before wrapping his massive leg over both of mine.
There was no way I was going anywhere.
“You will learn not to fight us or there will be consequences,” he continued.
I couldn’t believe he was spanking me like some child.
I sucked in my breath as he brought his palm down in even strikes, one coming after the other. The sensations shifted from sharp stings to mind-blowing pain driving down the backs of my legs. Small wails erupted from my lips, although I clamped my mouth shut. He didn’t deserve to know I was rattled as hell, incapable of rationalizing what on Earth was going on.
The sound of his palm snapping against my skin was almost as unnerving, the noise muffled yet still managing to echo in my ears.
When the pain became blinding, I could no longer keep a series of moans from bubbling up from my throat.
“Oh. Oh…”
“That’s what bad girls get for their first offense,” the blond whispered in a husky tone.
I realized my legs were parted and when he ran the tip of his finger down the crack of my ass, a whimper escaped my mouth.
“The second offense will be worse,” the Spaniard added, his tone gravelly as if dripping with desire.
“Fuck you!” I snapped, refusing to give in.
“She’s wet for us, but she has a nasty mouth and a bratty attitude.”
“I think we need to fix that,” the Spaniard retorted. “While we have work to do, I think she needs a hefty round of discipline.”
