Little Puppet

by Erin Trejo

  He drags me down the hall and into the room I got drunk in.

  “You brought me to the liquor. Sweet but if you thought of getting me drunk to fuck me, we’re a little past that.” Jaxson quirks his eyebrow clearly amused.

  Too bad I’m not.

  Chapter 52

  I watch him pour two glasses of Bourbon before passing me one. I take the glass and look it before I say, “You’re going to need a little more than that.”

  I toss back the liquid savoring it as it slides smoothly down my throat.

  “This party Beverly was talking about, it’s more of a meet and greet.” I look over at him as he pours another glass.

  “Which means nothing to me.” I turn away from him when I hear him sigh.

  “Why are you being difficult?” Me being difficult? What the hell? I have done nothing but follow all his sick rules. Bend to all of his sick wills.

  “What am I doing? I don’t want to be flashed around at some party as the virgin you bought, Jax!” I can’t believe I just said that out loud. What the hell was I thinking?

  My heart slams in my chest but it’s the look in Jaxson’s eyes that scares the hell out of me.

  “Is that what you think I’d do? Flaunt you around?” His words sting.

  “Isn’t it?” I ask. I watch the way his jaw tics. He’s trying to reign in his anger.

  “No, it isn’t. I wasn’t even thinking about the auction when I decided to go to this party. I was thinking about you.” My eyes jerk to his. A solemn look crosses his face.

  “Why? What does this party have to do with me?”

  “A lot actually. There are people that you need to meet and I want to be there when you do.” My stomach clenches. Is he setting me up? Is he putting me in a position that I can’t get out of?

  “What now, Jade? For fucks sake! You look like you’re going to throw up!” He snaps.

  “Fine, Jaxson. If I need to go, I will. I wouldn’t want to disappoint the master.” I take a small bow to make my point. Jaxson shakes his head before he says, “Where is this new attitude coming from?” He steps closer to me and I can feel his heat. That overwhelming excruciatingly hot heat.

  “I told you that one day I might pull back. Consider this my warning.” I grit my teeth and start to walk away. A lot of good that does me. Jaxson pulls me back. Slamming roughly against his chest, he brushes my hair over my shoulder, exposing my neck.

  “Little puppet. Tsk tsk. You think you can play that game with me?” His lips hover over my skin, mere centimeters away. I try to harden my reserve and not give into the feelings he instills in me.

  “I can play.”

  “Can you? I bet if I kissed you here, you’d change your mind.” He presses his warm lips to my skin and the world around me vanishes. “Or here.” He moves to that sensitive spot behind my ear. “Maybe here would make you change your mind.” He whispers before biting into my shoulder.

  This goddamn body of mine needs to get with the program. I will never get away from Jaxson if I don’t learn how to control my need for him.

  “You lose.” I whisper, stepping out of his grasp.

  Chapter 53

  I stand under the water as it cascades around me. It’s warmth sealing me in.

  I don’t know what to do anymore. The end game was always the same. I had to break away from him at some point. Now I don’t know that I want to. Is it some kind of sick game that my mind has conjured up? Have I lost all grip on reality?

  This has to be my minds way of slapping me in the face for that wakeup call I need. I rub the body wash over my skin reveling in the scent of it. Jaxson always leaves me lavender in the shower. I wonder if he thinks it will make me calm down.

  I smile at the thought.

  Jaxson.

  Always him. Always consuming my thoughts. Even now, as I wash myself, I can feel his hands all over my body. The way he commands my body to do things.

  I close my eyes as I let my hand drift further south. Finding my clit, I lean against the cool tiles as I slowly circle it.

  His eyes, those golden flecks that dance with a life of their own. I can see them like they’re in front of me.

  My breathes become pants. I can feel myself ready to explode.

  “Did he touch you like that?” I jolt, slipping. I fall to the floor of the shower smacking my head on my way down.

  “Shit!” I reach up and grab back of my head only to pull it away and see blood.

  “What the hell are you doing in here?” I ask Bryce as he eyes my naked body.

  “Stopped by to see how things were going.” He crosses his arms over his chest.

  “Can you hand me a towel?” I ask as I pull myself up from the floor. I look at Bryce but he just stands there smugly staring at me.

  “I’d like to see you finish what you started.” I shake my head only to find myself dizzy.

  “Get the fuck out of here!” I scream a little louder this time. I know if Jaxson’s near he will hear me.

  “Don’t think he can save you in the end. You are nothing more than a fuck to him. You are something he wanted but knew he couldn’t have unless he paid for it.” His words slam into me like a fist to the stomach. The air is knocked from my lungs.

  “Did you think I didn’t know that?” Don’t let him see you break, Jade. You can’t.

  “You are the queen of a fucking empire. If he keeps you around, that’s the only reason. He’s selfish. You can find me if you need me.” Bryce turns and leaves the bathroom. I let a single tear roll down my cheek.

  “Jade! Where are you?” I hear I Jaxson yelling. I grab the towel as I step out of the shower. Wrapping it around my body, my head spins.

  “What the fuck?” He growls. “Did he hurt you?” Jaxson asks in a panic. It’s almost funny to see him like this.

  “He scared me is all. I fell. Can you look?” I ask pulling my hand free of my head. Jaxson see’s the blood and quickly grabs my hand.

  “Is that from your head? I’ll kill him.” Anger rises to the surface. He’s heated.

  “Jaxson, please. Can you just help me? I’m too dizzy to walk.”

  Chapter 54

  I’m lifted in his strong arms before he sets me on the bed.

  He grabs the phone and calls someone.

  “Get up here with a first aid kit.” I assume he’s talking to Beverly.

  “Turn around. Let me look.” I shift to let him get behind me. His hands work through my hair when I wince at the pain. “Fuck. Sorry.” All the air is sucked from my lungs. He said sorry. The one word I’ve never heard leave his mouth. Sorry.

  “I don’t think it needs stitches but I’ll clean it up.” His voice has softened. How is he like this? How is he a monster yet caring? Is that even possible? It’s a beautiful contradiction. He’s a beautiful contradiction.

  Beverly comes in, in a rush. “Is she ok? Are you ok?” She’s frantic and it’s sweet. I just smile and nod my head.

  “I fell in the shower.”

  “I’ll clean her up. Thanks Beverly.” He dismisses her quickly. He grabs things out of the first aid kit and starts setting them on the bed.

  “This might sting.” He says before I feel it. I wince a little before he laughs.

  “Don’t be such a baby, Jade. It isn’t that bad.” And there is the asshole I have grown to know.

  “He said something to me.” I say quietly not sure if I should repeat it or not. I may be making the biggest mistake of my life right now telling Jaxson.

  “What did he say?” He asks as he continues to wipe at the back of my head.

  “That I was the queen of an empire and the only thing you want from me is that. He said you were selfish.” Jax chuckles behind me.

  “He was right about that.” He says casually.

  “About what? All of it?” I pull away from him before turning to look at him. I need to know what he meant.

  Jax reaches up and brushes my hair behind my ear before he sighs.

  “The selfish pa
rt. I’m afraid that when this is over, I won’t let you go, Jade. That’s the selfish part of me. The part that wants to keep you. The part that wants to keep pulling your strings and making you dance.” His fingers slowly trail over my cheek.

  “What about the other part?” He knows what I’m asking. He has to.

  Jaxson sighs his fingers never stopping.

  “He wasn’t wrong but you are far from where you need to be before you know about that.”

  “What does that even mean, Jax?”

  “It means to trust me for once, Jade! Trust that I’m fucking doing what’s right for once in my life!” And with that, he’s gone.

  The Jaxson that was so sweet and caring quickly flipped back to the dark one that I can’t touch.

  My life is spinning out of control and there is no way that I can stop it.

  Chapter 55

  Today has been strangely silent. Jaxson has been nowhere in sight. Even Beverly has been scarce.

  I’m not complaining though. It’s been a nice reprieve from everything I’ve learned over the last few days.

  I’ve vegged out, laid in the bed. I’ve made myself comfortable in my hostage cell. I’ve let my mind wander to places it shouldn’t go. Nothing in this place makes sense anymore.

  I close my eyes and try to conjure up and visions of my parents that I can. I can see my mom, her long blonde hair much like mine. That’s all I can see of her.

  I let out a sigh before I shove out of the bed. I walk out of my room and across the hall to Jaxson’s. I reach for the knob and I’m surprised when it turns.

  I shove the door open and walk inside not sure what it is I’m looking for.

  The bed is made by Beverly I assume. It’s dark chocolate comforter is without wrinkles.

  I walk through the room inhaling the scent of Jaxson. The whole room smells like his cologne.

  I walk to his closet and pull the door open. Flipping the switch, I take it all in. All the suits. All the dress shirts. It’s almost laughable how much he has in here.

  I run my fingers over all of them as I walk to the back. His shoes are lined up in a perfect row. So, meticulous.

  I start to turn around and head out the room when a box catches my eye. I reach for it but I’m too short. I look around and find a small stool that I pull over and climb up on.

  Pulling the box free, I sit on the same stool and open the lid.

  Photographs of who I assume to be his parents. Two small boys. My god. I cover my mouth as I look into the eyes of a younger Jaxson and Bryce.

  I shift through the contents of the box and see two separate birth certificates.

  “They don’t have the same mother.” I say to myself.

  “So now you know the big secret.” I startle and drop the box to the floor. I shove off the stool and step back watching the fury in Jaxson’s eyes.

  “I just.” He raises his hand to stop me. I bend down and quickly collect the things I dropped and put them back into the box, recovering it with the lid.

  I climb the stool to set the box back onto the shelf when I lose my footing.

  I’m falling fast but Jaxson is faster. He scoops me up in his arms before I can even hit the floor.

  “You make me insane with rage, Jade! Yet I can’t fucking stop myself from being near you.”

  It’s an admission that I never thought I’d hear from him. He could have thrown me away. He could have tossed me aside the minute he was done with me but he hasn’t.

  And if I’m being honest, it scares me.

  Chapter 56

  Jaxson bought me yet another extravagant gown. This one is a pale pink. It’s long, all the way to my feet. He had to have it specially made. Nothing ever comes in the size for my height.

  The silver heels match the necklace that he slid around my neck before we ever left the house. I feel like a princess once again. Only this time, I know I won’t be sold.

  “There are a lot of people here tonight so stay close to me.” I start to open my mouth when Jaxson’s lips cover them. His kiss is slow and passionate. Not like a kiss we’ve shared before.

  When he pulls away his eyes are hard and unyielding.

  “For once, just for me. Can you do that tonight?” His voice is almost pleading. It’s a stark change from his normal attitude. He isn’t demanding either.

  “Ok. I will stay by your side.” His features soften. He visibly relaxes. With a quick nod, he takes my arm with his.

  We walk around and mingle with people. He introduces me to some but others he walks far away from. The air is thick in the room. I assume from all the testosterone that floats around in here.

  I pull Jaxson’s arm so that he leans down toward me and ask, “Are all these people as rich as you?”

  He chuckles softly before kissing my cheek. “Not all of them. Most of them have nowhere near the wealth I have.” He stands up straighter as a man approaches us. His about as tall as Jaxson, similar build. His short blonde hair is styled to perfection. He smiles, his perfectly white teeth shining like they could be on a billboard.

  “Jaxson Murphy. It’s a pleasure seeing you here tonight.” His eyes stay on me the whole time he talks.

  “Oh, I bet it is.” Jaxson says. A slight giggle escapes me. He almost made a joke!

  “And this would be?” I look him in the eyes, holding my head high. Jaxson groans his approval.

  “This is Miss Dell.” The man’s eyes widen before he extends his hand to me. Jaxson releases me long enough to shake it but quickly snatches it back.

  “Pleasure to meet you finally. I’m Richard Bishop.”

  “Pleasure to meet you as well.” I see the smirk on Jax’s face. He must be pleased with the way I’m handling myself.

  “It’s always good to know your enemies. See their faces.” I cock my head to the side to study him. Enemies? Why would we be enemies? I don’t even know him. Anger rises inside of me. But who is it directed at? Bishop or Jaxson for putting me in this position?

  “Well, likewise Mr. Bishop. I like knowing what I’m up against.” He wants to play Mr. big shot, so can I.

  Jaxson lets out a brief laugh that takes me by surprise.

  “If you’ll excuse us.” Jaxson smiles politely as he pulls me away from Bishop.

  He walks us quickly down a side hall before pushing me into a dark room. That’s when I let all the anger explode from within me.

  “You brought me here knowing what kind of people they were? You knew they hated me?” I roar as I ball up my fists. I slam them into his chest as he laughs.

  “I had to know that you could handle yourself.”

  Chapter 57

  Handle myself? What a fucking joke. I haven’t had any control of myself since he brought me into his world.

  “You are pushing me, Jaxson! Why?” I snap. I need to know more. I need to know why that man hates me.

  “Your family wasn’t well liked by the Bishops or Vernados. In fact, they despised them. Your father took a great deal from them. Off shore accounts mostly and from what I could tell of the paperwork, it was rightfully his to begin with. Clearly, the other families didn’t see it the same way.” So, they hated my parents. They have to know that they are dead and have been for a long time now.

  “Where do I fall into this?” I ask confused now more than ever.

  “You were a pawn of sorts when you were younger, Jade. They wanted you, people wanted you. They wanted control of the money that comes to you.” Shock shakes me to my core. What does that even mean? I have no money aside from what Harvey left me which is mere pennies compared to what these people have.

  “I don’t understand.” I whisper as I let it all simmer in my mind.

  Jaxson wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his chest.

  “I know you don’t. I don’t want you to either, not for a little longer. Can you give me that, Jade? Can you put some kind of trust in me for a little longer?” His words should make me angry but they don’t. They soothe me.

 
Because if I don’t somewhat trust Jaxson, what kind of person am I to let him have my body? He may have paid for me but he didn’t take from me. He let me offer myself up to him.

  “How long?” I ask unsure of how to handle this.

  “Until you turn twenty-one.” I swallow hard and let that sink in.

  “That’s six months away, Jax.” He clears his throat before pulling away from me slightly. He looks down into my eyes and I see him. I see Jaxson Murphy. The man that didn’t take a thing from me. The man that has done everything he said he would do for me.

  “I know it seems like forever. I know what I’m asking you to do doesn’t seem fair but I know I can protect you until things play out, little puppet. Just let me do that. After that, you can be gone from my life for good.” Why does that last statement hurt so much? Why does it rip my heart to shreds?

  Isn’t that what I’ve wanted? To be free? To be out of his shadow?

  “Six months.” I whisper.

  “Six months.” He responds.

  I nod slowly. Jaxson nods once before grabbing my hand in his.

  “Shall we go meet your other enemies?” He says with light humor in his voice. I smile up at him.

  “Of course.”

  Chapter 58

  We’ve met so many people I can barely keep them straight. A few have been friendlies as Jaxson liked to call them. One lady in particular was infatuated with me. Come to find out she knew my mother briefly.

  She was a sweet woman. She gave me her number and said I could contact her anytime. She seemed genuine and even Jaxson didn’t put up a fight.

  I sip my champagne when I see someone out of the corner of my eye. I turn my head to fully face them.

  “Don?” His name falls from my lips. His eyes meet mine, but he doesn’t make a move to come toward me. I want to know what the hell happened that night that they took me. I want to know what they threatened him with.

  I look over and see Jax in a conversation with another man. I quickly make my way toward Don.