As I went to get up, his foot came out and kicked me in the gut. I collapsed onto the floor, the air ripped out of me as I struggled for a breath.
“Worthless, cunt.” He stepped over me, and relief spilled into me as he finally left me alone.
Picking myself up, I faltered, gripping onto the edge of the counter in order to lift myself up. I went to the sink and turned on the warm water. Gently I washed out the shards of food and glass that were in my mouth. Tears were spilling from my eyes as blood continued to twist with the swirling water. My hands shook as I stared down at them. My right hand was red and would probably swell from being pushed up against the hot stove. Drops of blood dripped from the gash in mouth into my palms.
I stared at the crimson drops for a long time, knowing this was it. This was my moment to leave. I had to leave before he killed me. I turned, my back pressed against the sink, and took a long look around the kitchen. Shards of glass everywhere, spurts of blood coated the white tile, chairs toppled, the pots lay in disarray. I was lucky this time. Last time he’d taken a hot pan and slammed it against my head. I’d been in the hospital for a week for that one, the scar still outlined my temple.
My eyes fell on my reflection in the glass cabinet and I gasped. I reached up to my bruised face, my eye was swollen shut, my lip still bled, my white blouse completely soaked in blood, my hair matted and covered in food. I looked like I might collapse at any second. Closing my eyes, I tried to take deep calming breaths. This had to be the last time. I wouldn’t be able to take another beating.
I waited for a long time… until I knew he was dead asleep. He’d drunk himself into a stupor and lay snoring in his favorite shitty recliner. I gathered the few items I had and then remembered the stash of money he kept hidden in the floorboards. He didn’t think I knew about it, but I’d seen him once or twice thinking he was sneaking things past me, he wasn’t. I was smarter than he gave me credit for.
I gently knelt down by his side of the bed, and slowly lifted the loose floorboards… careful not to make any noise. Reaching in, I felt around with my fingertips, there were two large manila envelopes. I dragged them out slowly and quickly checked. Bundled inside were several wads of cash. He liked getting paid in cash when he did odd jobs here and there. I never asked about his jobs, if I did I’d likely get another beating, so I kept my mouth shut but I wasn’t stupid. I knew they were illegal. I shoved the envelopes into my small bag and placed the board back in its place.
I crept down the stairs late that night. It was well past midnight and he was still lying in the chair, his mouth propped open as he snored. I was grateful for the grating sounds, they were loud enough to cover the sound of my movements. I took a few items from the kitchen, some water and a few snacks I had hid in the cupboards. I made my way through the kitchen and out the back door, and I started running. It was only a few blocks to the nearest bus stop and I prayed I’d make it out before he came for me.
I took the city bus to the train station and quickly bought the next ticket out of town. I figured if I travelled upstate, maybe I could find a small, quiet town where I could get lost. Where no one would find me. Taking a seat in the back of the train cart I propped my bag onto my knees and slid down in the chair. I winced as I slid the large black sunglasses off my face, it was probably a horrid sight.
I wasn’t sure what was going to happen to me, but all I knew was that I had enough. I was tired, and at twenty-one I had nothing. Not one person in my life to help me. He’d made sure of that. I had never been allowed out, except when I was with him, and he didn’t have any friends. I wasn’t allowed to question him, the first time I did he’d broken my wrist, all because I asked him why he’d come home so late.
I rummaged through the bag and reached for one of the envelopes. Searching the cart, I made sure no one was close enough to see what I was doing. I took out the money that was inside and counted it. One wad had five thousand dollars and I had four of them. Two in each envelope which equated to twenty thousand dollars.
I shoved the envelopes further back into my bag and bit my lip. My hands started to shake because I knew the consequences that came with stealing from Shane Wyatt. I had to find a place to hide and quick. He’d come after me as soon as he found out and I’d be the first person he’d search for.
But I needed to get away. It was my only way out. He may have destroyed my body, but my soul was mine to save.
Chapter One
Eric
I stared at the picture of the young girl. She was absolutely stunning, and too young for the likes of the man sitting behind me. Maybe twenty years too young. Disgusting. Her pretty eyes stared back at me and they shone with sorrow, it was as if they begged me for help. It was an odd feeling. When Red had told me, he had a job for me, I didn’t expect it to be one of his friends. As soon as I walked into this shithole I didn’t even think this guy had the means to pay me. But he’d forked out the down payment within seconds.
I took odd jobs from Red once in a while because they were usually pretty easy. Guys wanting they’re money back or having to find someone who was supposedly lost. But this case had been different from the beginning. I wasn’t used to being conned, and I was definitely being duped by this pair of assholes.
“How old did you say she was?”
“Twenty-one.”
Taking out the picture from the frame I lifted it up for him. “Do you think I could have this?”
He eyed me warily. “What for?”
“So that I can put a face to who I’m looking for.”
He nodded. “Yeah, take whatever you want.”
I stared past him down the hallway and into the kitchen. There was food thrown everywhere, chairs toppled, signs of a struggle. A clear sign that I was walking into a case of domestic violence and there was no missing woman.
“Are you sure she didn’t just runaway?”
The man stood up, he was big, six-foot four, burly and built like a lumberjack. But I held my own at six two, and I had a lot more fighting experience than this barely sober loser.
“I called you in here because Red told me I could trust you, and that you were good at finding people. I’m paying you good money for you to find my woman, not for an interrogation.”
I held up my hands and smirked. “I just need some info, what she likes, who she knows, where do you think she’d go? I need something to go on here, man.”
“She knows no one. I made sure of that,” he muttered under his breath as he sat back down.
I narrowed my eyes on him and instantly knew Shane Wyatt was bad news. This girl, as young as she was, had probably been manipulated and abused. If I did find her, there was no way in hell I was giving her back. Not to this fucking monster.
I’ve seen enough shit in my life to know this guy was a piece of shit. I may be paid to find her, doesn’t mean I’m paid to give her back.
In my line of work, ethics were sometimes required. Being a bounty hunter had it’s good and bad sides. The best part about it was that it was exclusively my decision to take a job or not, and it was in my discretion to go through with it.
In this case, something told me I needed to take this job. It was either that or let this maniac find her and hurt her some more. From her picture she’d looked so innocent, happy even. But I had the feeling that wasn’t the case anymore. I couldn’t get her face out of my mind. Those heart shaped lips, long golden hair, and the prettiest green eyes. I wondered what she looked like now that she was hiding. Did she cut off that pretty hair, dye it?
“She owes me twenty-thousand dollars. I don’t care if you bring her back dead or alive, I want her back with my money.”
I turned my head, so he wouldn’t catch the death glare that had surged through me. “I can’t guarantee you’ll get your money back. Fuck, I don’t guarantee anything.”
“They said you were the best!”
“Yeah,” I turned to him, meeting his glare. “I am. Doesn’t mean I guarantee shit. Down payment is th
ree grand. I get the other three grand when I find her.”
“And bring her to me.”
I smirked. “Yeah, I don’t do that. I’ll tell you where she is, but I don’t do the dirty work man.”
I was lying to him. The dirty work was my life. I captured shit guys, bigger than him, for a living. I didn’t know why I was doing this, maybe to make up for all the sins I’d committed, or maybe I wanted her for myself. Either way, there was no way I was going to let him lay one finger on her again.
“I’ll get in touch with you as soon as I find something.”
“I need your number!” He stood in my way as I went to get out.
I smirked. “That’s not how this works, Billy, Jeb, whatever the fuck your name is.”
I waved my hand and pushed past him. “I contact you.”
Stepping out the raggedy house, I made my way down the stairs and paused. I went up and down the stairs again and realized they creaked, loudly. I took a moment to assess the surroundings and as I rounded the structure I noticed concrete steps on the side of the house that led to the kitchen entry. I tried the door and sure enough it was open. Making my way down the stairs and to my car I tried to follow her path.
What would she have done? Where could she have gone?
Chapter Two
Aracely
Staring out the window of the diner in the small town, I deliberated what I was going to do. I could move on or I could stay here. I had enough money to help me pay for maybe a first month’s rent somewhere, but I was afraid I was too close. Afraid he would find me so easily. The consequences of taking his money and running away were present in my decisions. Every step was dangerous, every move was fatal.
I stared at the coffee mug in front of me. I was on cup number three, alone, and with nowhere to go. The chimes on the door rang as a group walked in. The first was a man, tall, good looking. He wore a black suit, his blonde hair slicked back, and he walked in with a confident stride. As if he knew that the whole world was looking at him. He winked at me as he slid into the booth in front of me and propped an arm along the back of the seat. Another man slid in across from him, just as gorgeous. He’d taken his jacket off and the white crisp shirt he wore beneath it outlined his muscles. His sleeves rolled up exposing his strong forearms and he still wore his waistcoat, fitted around his well-built torso. The next man looked dark and domineering as he slid in barely noticing me, his back to me. His dark locks swept across his brow, and from the side his jawline looked edged to perfection. Soft full lips that smirked as he stared at the man across from him.
But it wasn’t the men that captured my attention, although they were handsome enough to be a distraction. It was the woman who came in with them that had my complete attention. She wore black slacks, a white silk shirt, and a bright red overcoat. Soft blue-black waves flowed down below her waistline and as she slid into the booth, her eyes met mine. A penetrating emerald glance that made me look away. She was stunningly beautiful, I might even say, statuesque. She wore bright red lipstick and had a sharp domineering tone, that was also oddly soothing, as she spoke to the men.
I lowered my head, taking a sip of my hot coffee while I focused trying to figure out what to do. The woman laughed and then her words caught my attention once again. Overhearing their conversation, my ears perked up.
“We need to find another bartender and quickly. I can’t have Trey by himself anymore. My poor pet is going to tire himself out.”
The man beside her nodded as he took a sip of his coffee mug. “I’ve been looking, but you know how this town is. I have to be careful who I talk to.”
“Then we need to find someone from outside. Someone willing to come out and work for us.”
The words slipped from my lips before I could stop myself. And as I said them, all eyes turned on me. “I’m willing to work.”
The woman looked over at me, a glint in her eyes. The man beside her smirked. “Sorry baby girl, you look like you have never even seen the inside of a bar.”
“I haven’t.” They all looked at me then, but the woman just continued to stare at me as I spoke. “I’ve never even worked a day in my life. But if you teach me I’m willing to try. I’m sure I can learn.”
“We need someone who is already seasoned…” The woman placed a hand on his arm and finally addressed me.
“Why are you here?”
“I…” My words escaped me as tears threatened to fall. I was glad for the dark sunglasses that hid the bruises on my face. Hid the fear I had inside. “I’m willing to work hard. You don’t even have to pay me as long as I can get room and board somewhere.”
The man beside her stared back at me in wonder. “What’s your name, baby girl?”
“Aracely,” I whispered.
“You haven’t answered my Mistress’ question.”
I stared from him to her and she suddenly slid out of the booth. “Out,” she stated, and all the men stared back at her. She waved her hand, shooing them and they all obeyed, reluctantly, but they slid out.
The man who had spoken to me leaned in and whispered something in her ear. She smiled up at him and stroked his cheek. “Trust me. Leave us a moment.”
Without another word they all wandered off, the man who was with her looked back at me, curiosity in his eyes. She slid into the seat across from me and smiled.
“Who are you running away from, Aracely?”
I looked down at my hands and then focused on the trucks that seemed to filter into the gas station across the way. She placed a hand over my own and sighed.
“Are you in danger?”
A nod was all I could manage, and she leaned back in her chair. “Husband? Boyfriend? Father?”
I knew that what she seeked for was my trust, which was hard for me to give to anyone. But I needed help desperately, and she was the only kind soul I’d met in years, who had taken the time to sit down and talk with me. Removing my sunglasses, I looked up at her, my eyes trying to read her, but she remained calm, unjudging.
“Husband,” I whispered.
She didn’t speak a word about my bruises, she simply nodded. “Okay then. You start tomorrow night. Micah!”
The handsome man who had whispered to her sauntered over, sliding beside me. His thigh touched mine and I squeezed myself over by the window. I didn’t want anyone touching me.
“She needs a place to stay. I need you to get the spare room ready and give the keys to the apartment.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea Mistress.”
“Just do as I tell you. She needs our help and who am I to deny it.” Her eyes met mine in a warm glance. She reached over, taking my hand. “Where you are about to go is not for the faint of heart, sweet girl. Are you sure you are willing to do this?”
I quickly nodded back, eager for a place to stay, hoping for a place to belong. “I’m willing.”
She nodded and called out for the other two men. They all gathered around me, talking animatedly. I simply listened and got to know them. The one beside me, his name was Micah, he ran the floor to their place, a club called Edge. Apparently, the club needed to remain hidden. We were in the middle of a Christian town and if word got out of the club, they’d be shut down immediately. So far, everyone who entered was there by invitation only. It was a safe haven for those who indulged in pleasures of the flesh. Micah was very explicit as to what was done there, he didn’t hide what they did, and I hung on every word as the descriptive images flooded through my head.
Edge was a BDSM club, where pets, Masters, Doms, slaves, subs, and Mistress’, went to play. Alondrea was the Head Mistress, she owned the club. Micah was her Manager and then there was Liam and Daniel, the club’s floor masters. They were the ones who made sure rules were being followed and safety measures were upheld.
There were rules into entering Edge, memberships ran up to tens of thousands of dollars. You were to respect the scene, never to interrupt it, and nudity was permitted. Unlike other clubs, sex was acceptable a
s long as the partner was willing. Each woman had a code word, and so did each man. If that code word was uttered among the members, everyone who heard it would know someone was in danger.
Hearing what went on in Edge was one thing, but I didn’t believe it all until I actually got to witness it. The club was not easily found, so a week later, when Alondrea and Micah pulled up to the empty building, I thought we were in the wrong place. We walked towards the back of the brick structure and along the side, the word EDGE was embedded into the brick in large metal letters. Surprisingly, it was discrete enough that you’d miss it if you weren’t looking for it.
At the window Micah gave our names and the doors to a basement opened. Making our way down to the floor below, I was stopped at yet another window. Micah pulled me forward so that I could get my hand stamped and was given a badge. Micah then opened another door and ushered me through. I stepped out onto a grated stairway and froze.
The sight before me was unlike anything my sheltered eyes had ever seen. He grabbed my hand and pulled me down the stairs, Alondrea stopping behind me to greet some people. I was taking in the perverse scenes on stage, the moaning that echoed around me was erotic and tempting. We made our way towards the back and he explained that there were also ten private rooms in the back for those who wanted complete privacy or anonymity. He walked me through the rooms as if this was an everyday ordeal.
The shower room was first, encompassed by white tile and showerheads. There was a medical examiner’s room, a classroom complete with paddle and a teacher’s desk, as well as a student’s desk and blackboard. And then of course there were the BDSM rooms where he described to me in detail what is done on each piece of furniture. In a way, I think he enjoyed telling me and watching me squirm. He was a Dom after all, and he liked to see how far he could go with me.
“I could teach you if you’re interested.”
No Limits Page 13
