His Property

by Allison West

  James and Aria headed closer, keeping a safe distance, hidden around the corner. The cover of darkness helped their position. James blew out the candle. Aria couldn't see the men or tell which group was sent to help them. Were there others in the facility, or had Victor actually come, as Hailey had said, to repay them for the photographs he'd taken? Either way, she was grateful for the help.

  There was a wall of glass across the hall. They must have been at the edge of the building.

  "I think I see a door," James whispered against her ear.

  Across the hall, through the middle of gunfire, rested a single glass door. How were they supposed to get there alive?

  "Any chance there's another exit?"

  Aria hadn't seen one, and she knew James hadn't either, or he'd have suggested it sooner. A steady stream of shots fired as boots pounded the floor coming right at them. James pulled Aria back against the wall. She hoped they hadn't been spotted.

  "Aria?" Victor's voice soft and low, but thick, as he said her name.

  She breathed a sigh of relief. He must have been pinned down and under fire. It was why he hadn't made it to the meet up point. "We need to get out of here," Aria said. "Can you help us escape?"

  Victor groaned, "I'm trying. I can't get you out that door, but I will make you an exit."

  She didn't know what he meant. There was a door behind them, and Victor opened it, gesturing them inside. It was long and spacious. The room extended to the back of the building. Glass windows as tall as the ceiling offered a night view of Grace, with darkness blanketing the city. In the distance, a haze of light from the quarantine facility could be seen.

  "We won't have much time," Victor said, warning Aria that trouble would follow. "Can you both run?"

  "Yes," James and Aria both said in unison.

  "Good." Victor lifted his gun and fired four rounds into the window. He then reached for a chair. Gripping it and spinning the seat around, he threw the chair through the fragile window. The glass shattered. "Run!"

  The moment they stepped through the panel and crunched over glass, the door to the room opened, and shots were fired at them. This time, they were real bullets, not stun guns, to stop them.

  James kept her hand in his as they followed Victor down the street and away from the facility. Two blocks over and three blocks down, Hailey waited outside the car.

  "Where the hell have you guys been?"

  "Had a small hiccup," Victor said, unlocking the car. James and Aria climbed into the backseat while Victor and Hailey sat up front. Aria's bag sat on the floor. Victor must have brought it for her. She cherished the fact that she had another set of clothes.

  "What happens now?" Aria asked.

  Victor stared the engine of the car. It rumbled to life.

  Her heart wouldn't stop pounding erratically in her chest. At any moment, she waited for it to leap out and kill her.

  The vehicle was old, and it wasn't equipped with any self-driving technology. Would it even make it out of the city?

  "I got your cure if you need it," Hailey said, turning and handing Aria the syringe and vial. It was in a small black pouch. "If your fever doesn't break after three days, or you get worse, inject that into your arm."

  "Thanks," Aria said, appreciative of her help. "Master and the guards are going to be looking for us."

  "Yes," Victor said, giving a long glance at Hailey. "Masters aren't pleased when their slaves disobey them or escape. The good news is I can get you out of the country."

  "You can?" James asked, leaning forward, sitting up more as he listened with interest.

  "There's a ship waiting to take you far from Grace," Victor said. "I suggest you board her and get far from here as quickly as possible. I've provided her fuel. I believe we're even."

  Aria's eyes locked onto James'. Where would they go?

  "Thank you so much," Aria said, meaning every word.

  "I suggest you travel far south, into the southern hemisphere, to Stralia. I've traded with men down under, and I assure you that you won't find a better home for yourself."

  Hailey laughed softly under her breath. "Sure, as long as you can survive the deadliest creatures the world has to offer."

  Could they be worse than mankind? Aria doubted it.

  Chapter 8

  At last! Aria gripped James' hand as she stood on the deck of the ship, watching as they departed, and the shore grew distant at a slow, steady pace.

  "I can't believe Victor helped us," Aria said, turning around her back to the distant city as she leaned on the railing.

  James grinned, relief obvious as he relaxed, and the tension dissipated, the farther they got from the mainland. "He definitely had a crush on you, Aria. If it wasn't for Hailey, I bet he'd have paid for the cure if you were infected."

  "No way. He had his slave. I may have been a muse or a work of art to him. Nothing more." She'd seen the way Victor had laid eyes on her. He'd been intrigued but not aroused. There was a difference. Besides, she hadn't been infected. The fever had run its course, and though she'd felt odd while sick, it probably had more to do with her own fears of the virus than anything else. Or if she had contracted the virus, her body had fought it off. Either way, it didn't matter. She was healthy. The syringe was packed away in their cabin, in the event they needed it. The strange blue coating on her irises vanished with the fever. She was once again an emerald, for better or worse.

  James stepped closer, and his hands grasped the wooden railing, trapping her against him.

  She took a deep breath, smelling the salty sea and feeling the warm sun against her cheeks.

  His gaze never wavered. "Why didn't you tell me about that sex toy?" His voice was quiet and mixed in with the wind. Half of the crew accompanied them on the trip from Grace. The other half, Aria didn't know what happened to them. They were all sapphires, which meant they were at risk for contracting the virus. She guessed they'd been hunted down by claimers. It was in everyone's best interests to get them off the mainland as quickly as possible.

  The corners of her lips quipped upward into a smile. "Why?" She wanted to hear him say it.

  "Were you planning on using it without me?"

  The grin disappeared from her lips. Where did that come from? "No." That hadn't been the idea at all when she'd bought it. What would make him think she'd choose that piece of plastic over him? "We saw it at the market. Don't you remember?" Her hands snaked around his waist, her fingers interlocked together as she held him against her. "I thought it would be a fun surprise, a reminder of our time together early on." Though it hadn't been perfect, there were some pleasant moments looking back.

  "I see." His brow furrowed and she leaned in, standing on her tiptoes to try to kiss the lines away. "You worry too much." She let her lips linger against his skin, trailing a path of soft kisses across his temple and down his jaw. "We could do something else for fun on the deck. Just you and me, naked." She dragged her fingers down his back, gripping his ass and pulling him tighter against her.

  "It's been days since we've done that." His voice caught in his throat.

  Thrilled with the effect she had on him, she captured his earlobe between her teeth.

  James moaned, his hands planted on her hips as he rocked his groin into hers.

  She popped open her mouth, letting go, and heard his whimper of protest, "Soon, but not out here."

  "Why not?" He wasn't usually one to whine, but he sounded needy, more so than she was used to. Was it because it had been two days since they'd had sex? Two days of hiding out on the boat from Master. When claimers arrived by ship with guns and forced themselves onboard to search the vessel, they were forced to hide in silence.

  * * *

  "We can't stay in here; they'll search our room. They'll probably search all of them!"

  Master had the claimers in his back pocket. Having wealth and influence in Grace, was all one needed to survive.

  James and Aria had neither.

  Forced out of their room
in the middle of the night, the raid was silent but alarming, with the fire alarm flashing a bright white blinding light at them.

  Who had warned them? Had everyone been warned, or had it just been tied to their room? Sawyer had promised them protection, and he had returned to the vessel, wishing to desperately flee the country. She didn't blame him. They all wanted to leave, but the captain insisted they wait until the designated time. They weren't intentionally leaving anyone behind.

  "Come with me," James said. He was careful as he opened the door to listen first for boots. When there was only silence, he opened the door farther and popped his head out. Their corridor was empty, for now.

  He darted across the hall, and she quietly shut the door to their room behind them. If she let it slam, she would alert the claimers that they were there.

  She slipped into the cleaning closet with James. Although the space was confined, there was another door on the opposite wall. Did it lead back into the hall across the corridor or somewhere else? She didn't dare ask James what to do. She shoved her ear against the door and shut her eyes. All she heard was her heart pounding frantically in her chest.

  James gripped her arm and gently pulled her back. He rested his hand on the doorknob, slowly easing the handle as quietly as possible before pulling it slightly ajar. Footsteps tore through the hall, and she held her breath, praying they didn't get caught. He was careful to close the door, keeping them secure until the immediate threat passed. Would the men search every room or just the ones they believed to be occupied?

  The hall didn't empty. Two guards were stationed on the floor, guarding the corridor and the stairs. They had to slip past them, keep out of sight and stay hidden.

  With caution, he opened the door, waiting until the moment was right. The guards had their backs to them, talking to one another. This was their chance!

  James slipped out of the room, and Aria was careful to not make a sound as she followed behind him, quick and light on her toes. She knew there was another staircase at the opposite end of the corridor. Would that one be protected by two guards as well?

  She heard boots and voices but couldn't tell if they were guards or passengers. James opened the nearest door, and they flung themselves into the room, shutting the door behind them. This room offered a balcony. Were they really going to hide outside, thereby risking being locked out? He drew the curtains closed, and she opened the door, standing outside. The wind was calm compared to when they were out at sea. James gestured for Aria not to say a word. She could handle that. How long would the men search for them before giving up? Had anyone told them they were onboard, or were they taking a gamble, assuming this was where they'd end up going, to get away?

  * * *

  "It could have been worse," James said. "Two days staring out at the ocean, it was beautiful."

  "And terrifying." Knowing Master had been on the other side of the balcony, hearing his voice cursing that he couldn't find them, she stopped breathing for a moment.

  "The worst is over. They're in Grace; we're at sea. You know we're safe now, Aria."

  Aria nodded, the fear dissipating when the engine purred to life and they coasted farther from land.

  James took her hand, leading her away from the deck and down the stairwell, past their floor.

  "Where are we going?" she asked, curious about his motivations. James was always showing her a new side of himself.

  "There's a club that I thought might be fun. We could dance, make-out, maybe even have sex on the dance floor. Give everyone a show."

  Victor had been generous with fuel, which had also powered electricity to multiple parts of the ship, not just the engine room. Their cruise to Stralia would be enjoyable. Victor had made sure of it. He'd even gone so far as to sell tickets to people in hiding who wanted to flee Grace.

  "You never cease to amaze me." They walked onto the fifth floor and into the club James had been talking about. How had he known it would be so alive inside? There were more passengers aboard the vessel than when they'd left Brayleigh, even without all of the original travelers.

  James grabbed her hand, pulling her against him to dance.

  She swayed to the music, her heart light and feet following his lead. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, drawn to him. Leaning on her tiptoes, she grazed his lips, kissing him, as her hands moved up to the nape of his neck.

  She never wanted to let go of him or this very moment, when everything was beyond perfect and calm.

  "We're both safe and healthy; what more could we ask for?" James asked, kissing her cheek and resting his hand on her lower back, pressing himself into her.

  She could feel his desire through his pants. Her eyes glanced down at him with a wicked grin. Would anyone notice or care?

  "Aria!"

  Her eyes widened, and she let go of James, spinning around to see Hailey behind her. What the hell was she doing there? So much for a romantic night of dancing! Aria tried to hide her disappointment.

  "Hailey?" Aria shifted uncomfortably on her feet, and she knew James was probably trying to hide his erection that was poking through his pants. "Does Victor know you're here?" It wasn't that Aria felt unhappy to see her, she just worried what trouble might follow them. Victor had helped them escape Master and the guards. If he thought they were involved in bringing Hailey with them, who knew what he might do to retaliate?

  She batted her long lashes, and a smile grew across her face. "Of course not. I slipped on last minute, after the guards left. I love Victor, but I can't—"

  There were patrons everywhere, dancing, but she saw a glint of metal and caught a glimpse of Master. What was he doing here? Before Aria could react, a gunshot blasted across the room, hitting Hailey.

  The chatter and laughter, the chorus of voices and happiness, disappeared with the sound of the gunshot echoing the confined space. Someone turned off the music, and the room grew eerily silent.

  Aria bent down, cradling Hailey in her arms. Her chest oozed with blood, her skin ghastly and glistening with sweat. She didn't look good. Aria put pressure to her wound, trying to stop the blood, but it spilled out.

  Above her, four large men grabbed Master, restraining him while one handed Aria the gun, placing it by Hailey's body. Were they giving her permission to kill Master for what he'd done? They held him in place, his arms bound behind his back, struggling to get away. The men didn't let him budge an inch.

  Aria couldn't do it. She wasn't a murderer. Her eyes blinked away the tears as she stared down at the young woman who had saved her from a life with Master. He'd killed her for helping them.

  "I'm sorry," Aria whispered, tears dripping down against her chest. She wanted to save Hailey, but she couldn't. She deserved a second chance at life, as they all did.

  "It's okay." Her words came out in gasps as she struggled to breathe. The life slowly faded from her body.

  James crouched beside them. His eyes moved from the gun back to Hailey. He must have felt the same torn emotions that Aria had.

  Hailey's eyes shut, and her breathing slowed to a stop.

  "We can't kill him." Even if they wanted to, it wasn't right. There had to be a way to ensure their safety and that Master didn't harm anyone else, ever again.

  "I agree," James said. "How about we talk to the captain, find out if he can make a quick stop as we pass Amity Island?"

  "Talk to me about what?" the captain said, stepping into the room. A girl stood beside him. She must have sent for him after the shooting.

  "We think the man who murdered Hailey should be sent to Amity Island." Aria agreed with James. It was the best course of action. Though, Master might like it a little too much, Sienna would have her way with him. He would no longer be the Master, and he'd be part of her entertainment.

  The captain cleared his throat. "I'm not steering the ship close enough for another pirate attack. We'll give the prisoner a life raft, and he can find his way to the island on his own."

  James stood and
offered his help.

  The captain took a step closer to Master. "What's your name?"

  His eyes were cold, his expression hard. He didn't give it. "I'll go willingly if those two accompany me." He stared at James and Aria.

  "No way." James and Aria had done nothing wrong. They hadn't killed Hailey or sneaked aboard the vessel.

  "You don't get a say," the captain said to Master. "Take him down to the brig. I'll set course for Amity Island. We'll drop off the prisoner and then get back on course for Stralia."

  It didn't take them long to watch as Master begged for release and apologized for killing Hailey. Of course, his apology was marred with blaming Aria and James for escaping his clutches.

  Aria was glad to be done with him. She and James watched from the deck as he was lowered onto his life raft. There was no motor. He'd have to float to shore, which was fine with her. She suspected the pirates who worked with the Knight Clan would find Master soon enough.

  He never gave his name, not to the captain and not to them.

  His face filled with scorn and arrogance as he was lowered down to the waves of ocean. "You'll all pay for this!" he screamed up at the ship.

  James took her hand and led her far from Master, as the captain revved the engine and they took off once again for Stralia.

  "Come with me," he said, escorting her down the stairs and to the first floor. There was a door they stepped through and then a hidden set of stairs.

  "Are we supposed to be in here?" Aria asked. She already knew the answer, but she waited for James to tell her it was okay, that he had gotten special permission.

  "No," he said, giving her a cocky smile as he whisked her down the stairs and to the brig.

  It was a small cell, not meant to hold more than a few criminals. Master had been in one, locked away, until they'd reached Amity Island.

  "Why are you showing me this?" Aria asked curiously, her fingers moving over the metal bars, and he tugged her hand to keep following him.