Taken by the Enemy

by Jennifer Bene

  Emmie forced herself not to laugh as she shook her head. “I’m not kneeling for you.”

  Bastien grinned slowly. “You’ll do a lot more than kneel for me. Now, you can either come over here now and do it, or I’ll chain you to that wall over there and whip you bloody, and then have you kneel anyway.” He shrugged. “Either would be a lovely end to my day, but I’m guessing with the marks already across your backside you’ll choose well.”

  She looked to where he had pointed and he was clearly not making empty threats. A set of chains dropped from the ceiling between two of the bookshelves, ending in heavy manacles. A second set lay on the floor just underneath and she could suddenly, vividly, picture herself there. With a deep breath, she walked over and moved to her knees in front of him.

  “Good choice. Now, on all fours. I want to put my feet up.”

  “What?” Emmie glared up at him, but he just sighed as his baby blue eyes found her gaze.

  “I am not going to continue to point out what happens when you don’t obey me. The next time you argue, I’m just going to do whatever I think of in the moment.” He snapped his fingers. “On all fours.”

  As her cheeks turned red, she shifted to be on all fours, and then Bastien dropped his legs over her back, much harder than necessary. The edges of his shoes dug into her skin, and she hated herself for submitting. Once she was in position, he ignored her, and that made it worse. She wasn’t sure how long they were there as Bastien read and the older woman brought him coffee, and then wine. All Emmie knew was that the light from his windows faded from bright white, to sunset, and then darkness was falling. Her knees were killing her, and she had to shift her weight from wrist to wrist to ease the strain. At one point, he brought his heel down on her back, telling her to keep still.

  Eventually, he sat up and shoved her to her side with his shoe, her arms were so tired she barely caught herself. “You’re irritating me with all of your twitching. Go back to your room. Hang the dress back up.” He flipped a page in his book and gave a wave of his hand. “Now, Emeline.”

  She grumbled and pushed herself up to leave the room, grateful to be away from him.

  “One more thing. I’ll have Marina bring up food for you in a bit, but you are not allowed to leave your room unless I come to get you.”

  “Fine.”

  “Try saying… thank you.” His voice held a vague threat and she took a steadying breath.

  “Thank you.” As soon as she forced the words out, he smiled and returned to his book, and she took that as permission to leave.

  Once she was back in her room, she tore the dress off and left it on the floor, wandering over to the window. It was a sharp, two story drop onto a tiled patio. No way could she make that jump. Instead, she let her eyes scan the horizon as the stars began to peek out.

  She missed Lucian. She missed the village, and all of the people in it. She missed their warm camaraderie, their willingness to do things for each other. It had all seemed natural when she had lived in the city for people to never do anything without expecting something in return. Never willing to share a piece of information without there being a trade.

  Surrounded by the finest bedding, a beautiful room, bountiful food, electricity, and running water – all she wanted was to be sitting in the dirt around a fire, hearing another story from one of the women, or a hunting tale from one of the men that were usually so exaggerated that everyone ended up laughing. Even Emmie.

  She wanted to hear an update on how Lucie was doing, and she wanted to see Evan’s face glow with pride as his wife described their growing child’s antics. She wanted to know how Alice and Quentin were doing, starting their life together.

  Most of all, she wanted Lucian. She just wanted him. To feel his arms around her, to hear that delicious little growl in his voice when he said something particularly devious against her ear. She wanted to watch him lead his people, kindly and proudly. Stern sometimes, and playful at others.

  In the city she just seemed to be surrounded by monsters. There was no give and take of hero or villain inside Bastien Foss, or her father. They were corrupt to the core.

  When Marina arrived later with the food, she set it on the small table in the room and hung up the blue dress without so much as a word. Emmie thought about speaking to the woman, but there was no guarantee that anything she said wouldn’t be reported immediately back to Bastien.

  Emmie looked at the food, but none of it interested her except for the bread. It was perfect. Light and fluffy, and she snagged it and climbed back into the huge bed to snack on it.

  It was still early, but her body was tired, and so as she curled up around a pillow, comfortable and warm, she told herself one of Ben’s stories. She tried to remember his voice, capture it, and every time she remembered him breaking into laughter and interrupting himself, she couldn’t help but smile as well.

  She just hoped they had found her message, and that they were safe – even if she wasn’t.

  Chapter Eighteen

  There was a moment, a glorious brief moment, where she could almost smell Lucian’s bed. Warm, masculine skin and the earthy grounding scent of the animal skins that made his bed so comfortable. Just before consciousness took over, she was sure she could reach back and feel his firm chest, and then all she’d have to do is roll towards him and lay her head on his shoulder – and he would kiss her, and everything would be fine.

  Then the moment was gone.

  Evaporated in the morning light that flooded through her window in Bastien’s house. She had never closed the curtains the night before, too desperate to see the sky so she felt less trapped, but there was nothing that would make this room any less of a prison. Not the bright sunlight, not the breakfast tray on the table.

  Wait – breakfast tray?

  Emmie sat up completely and was surprised, and a little disturbed, to see that there was fresh orange juice and a plate of fruit, toast, and eggs. She threw back the covers and rushed over, taking a bite as she moaned at how delicious it was. While it was weird that Marina had snuck in to provide her a platter, she was still grateful.

  Except, Marina hadn’t decided to make this for her. Bastien had provided it for her. She doubted any member of his household would so much as approach her door without his permission, and that realization made the food turn to ash in her mouth.

  She put the toast back on the plate and left the last of the food untouched. A shiver ran through her, because her situation had fully settled over her again. Bastien would return today, she was sure, and he would hurt her again. He would do something and she couldn’t even think straight as a thousand thoughts raced through her head.

  Would today be the day he brought over those men?

  Emmie screamed and kicked the table and the orange juice toppled. The liquid spread out over the wood and for a second she contemplated leaving it – but that would just make Marina clean it up. With a groan, she stomped into the bathroom and tore a towel from a hook. Kneeling on the carpet, she righted the glass and proceeded to try and soak up the juice from the carpet and wipe it all from the table.

  Throwing a temper tantrum?

  This time it was Lucian’s voice in her head, and that almost broke her. The guards, her father, Bastien – all of them were horrible, but what she wanted more than anything was to scream to Lucian. To tell him all of it, every gory detail, and have him tell her she was safe. Have him tell her no one would ever touch her again, but that seemed impossible.

  He was outside the walls, and she was deep inside the city, locked in a manor house that was behind its own fence.

  “Miss Daniau?” A quiet voice surprised her and she turned to see Marina in the doorway.

  “Good morning, Marina.” Emmie sighed and shook her head.

  “What are you doing on the floor?”

  Emmie laughed a little. “I knocked over the orange juice, I was trying to clean it up —”

  “Oh, no, you shouldn’t do that. You should have called for me
.” The woman looked panicked as she rushed over to her.

  “I promise, it’s okay. I can clean up after myself.” Emmie laid her hand on the woman’s and she flinched. “Marina, it’s okay.”

  Marina lifted her eyes and it was clear she was confused by Emmie’s actions. Then again, three weeks ago Emmie probably wouldn’t have even tried to clean up the orange juice herself. She would have called for help, just like Marina said.

  “Thank you for bringing me breakfast, I’m sorry I made a mess.”

  “Of course, I’ll take the towel and the platter away.” Marina was speaking softly, averting her eyes, and that was when Emmie remembered she was naked. Completely naked.

  “Um, I’ll grab a blanket to cover up with, I don’t have any —”

  “No!” Marina snapped and almost dropped the plate she had just picked up. “Please, don’t make Master Foss angry. He will tell you if he wants you to wear clothes.”

  “So, I’m supposed to just walk around the house naked? In front of all of you?” Emmie’s blush was darkening, even though the woman had already seen her.

  “If that’s what he wishes, yes.” Marina bit her lip, and then she whispered. “Miss, he really will hurt you. Badly. I have been here for many years and – he will hurt you.”

  Emmie nodded. “I know.”

  “How are you so calm? Aren’t you afraid?”

  She laughed. “Very. I’m terrified actually, but my mom used to tell my sister and me something I’ve never been able to forget. Apologies get you nowhere, action takes you everywhere. Fear drags you down, but bravery will launch you forward.”

  “I am glad it helps you, I just don’t really understand.”

  Emmie thought for a moment. “I guess I always took it to mean that you can let the world hold you back, or you can fight for what you want. And if you stumble, if you make a mistake, words mean a lot less than actions.”

  Marina nodded and laid her hand over Emmie’s. “I like that, but please… do your best not to anger Master Foss. Bravery is not good in this house.”

  “Angering people like Master Foss is sort of my talent.” Emmie smiled bitterly and shrugged. “But I’ll do my best, Marina, thank you for your concern.”

  Marina nodded at her and gathered up the food and the towel and left the room in silence, leaving Emmie on the floor alone to think about what Bastien had planned.

  Later that morning, he stormed into her room and threw open the wardrobe. He flicked through the hangers without so much as a glance in her direction, and then he threw a bright yellow dress at her. It had more coverage than the dark blue one, but not by much. Then he had told her to be downstairs in fifteen minutes.

  The apparent emergency had been to have her kneeling beside his desk as he conducted a series of business meetings. The lascivious looks of the men that took the chairs opposite him made Emmie’s stomach turn, and with each and every meeting he would casually bring her up. Sometimes he even ordered her to stand and turn around before kneeling again. Kneeling in the dress made it more than obscene enough. If she relaxed her thighs at all, there was no chance they could miss the clear view up the dress.

  And Bastien knew it too.

  She knelt for hours until her thighs started to tremble, and she knew that more than once the men got a nice look between legs.

  Finally, he took a break for lunch, but he ordered her to stay on her knees and as he ate his meal, he would offer her bites from his fingers – like a dog.

  Sit. Stay. Stand. Twirl. Eat.

  Emmie wanted to hurt him. She wished she were strong enough to overpower him. She wished she had anywhere to run, but there was no escaping.

  “I heard from a friend of mine in the guard that they’ve sent out a good number of men to hunt down your little raider friends. I’ve always said that any enemy of the city should just be killed on sight.” Bastien took a bite of chicken and sighed. “All of this opportunity at life shit is weakness.”

  She clenched her teeth to bite back her response, but he looked down at her and cupped her chin.

  “What do you want to say, Emeline?”

  “Nothing.”

  His grip tightened painfully on her chin. “I want to hear your thoughts. I won’t hurt you, whatever they are. You spent time with them, I’m curious as to your view.”

  She turned her face out of his hand and wiped her chin on her arm. “I think that if anyone is an enemy to this city, it’s people like you and my father. The ones who prey on the weak, and kick them out rather than help solve the problems that led to them breaking a law.”

  Bastien laughed, and took a drink of the alcohol on his desk. “Oh, aren’t you lucky that I promised not to hit you, because that bullshit earned it.”

  Emmie swallowed, and she didn’t miss that for the rest of his meal he didn’t feed her a single bite. Her stomach growled pointlessly, and she silently urged it to shut up.

  After lunch, there were two more meetings, but she was so tired by then of holding the same position that she didn’t care if they could see up her dress. It was easier to sit with her knees spread a little apart, and as long as she kept her eyes down, she didn’t have to watch them ogle her.

  Just as the last group of men left, there was a sharp tap at the door and the tall skinny man stepped in. “Excuse me, Master Foss? There’s a woman here to see you.”

  Bastien lifted his eyes from his desk. “Who is it?”

  “She says her name is Gabrielle Daniau.” The man swallowed, and Bastien laughed as Emmie’s pulse skyrocketed.

  Gabrielle?

  “Oh, lovely. Bring her in, but wait a few minutes.” He waved his hand and then turned to look at Emmie with a dark grin. “Take the dress off.”

  “What?” She gasped, but his hand snapped forward and he yanked her off the floor to shove her over his desk. Emmie struggled, whining as his hand landed on her exposed ass in rapid succession. Setting it alight with a stinging fire.

  Then he leaned over her and spoke softly. “Unless you want your dear sister to come in here with my cock buried in your ass, you’ll take this dress off and behave like the good little whore you are.”

  “Okay!” she shouted and he released her. Emmie was trembling when she pulled the dress over her head, and he pointed back at her original spot on the floor. It hadn’t been long when another knock came at the door and Emmie could feel the blush from her chest to her cheeks.

  “Miss Gabrielle Daniau, sir.”

  “Ah! Miss Daniau, I’m so glad to —”

  “Shut it, Bastien. I’m here for my – Emmie!” Gabrielle cried out and as much as Emmie wanted to rush to her, Bastien was behind her in an instant. His hand twisted into her hair and Gabrielle froze part of the way to her.

  “Your Emmie?” He laughed low. “I don’t think so, Gabrielle. Do you mind if I call you Gabrielle? I mean, I guess we are technically family now, and you seemed so comfortable with the use of my name.”

  “Emmie, what is he doing with you? Where have you been? I’ve been sick with worry.” Gabrielle’s voice was raw, but just as Emmie opened her mouth to answer Bastien tugged her hair.

  “Gabrielle. I’ll answer any questions you have about Emeline’s well-being. I assure you, I’m taking very good care of her.” His fist tightened painfully in her hair. “Tell her, Emeline.”

  “He’s taking good care of me, Gabrielle.” Even Emmie could hear the dead tone of her voice, and her sister knew her far too well to fall for it.

  “I want you to release my sister, Bastien.” Gabrielle’s quiet strength made Emmie smile. People tended to underestimate her because she was so beautiful, shining dark hair and their mother’s blue eyes, but both of them were stronger than anyone could guess.

  “No. I will not be doing that. She’s my wife!” Bastien laughed. “What a silly request.”

  As Emmie stared, she could see the dark circles under her sister’s eyes, and she knew those were her fault. She wondered if Gabrielle had even checked on Sarah yet, or i
f she had chosen to brave Bastien Foss before seeing to her girlfriend. She couldn’t let her sister fall into Bastien’s net. “Gabrielle, I promise, I’m fine. I believe Sarah wanted to see you though, isn’t that right?”

  Her sister’s lip trembled, the strong exterior cracking. “Emmie, I can’t leave you here.”

  “I’m fine.” She nodded and Bastien finally released his hold on her hair. “Go to Sarah, please, for me.”

  There was a muffled sob and her sister wiped her cheeks, and then she turned to Bastien. “Can I at least hug her?”

  “Oh, absolutely. I’d love to see that.” Bastien grinned as he settled back in his chair, but then the two of them rushed each other and she felt safer than she had in days as they held each other tight. “That is quite a sight. If you’d like to undress Gabrielle, don’t let me stop you.”

  She jerked back from Emmie, a tone of disgust in her voice as she glared at him. “You’re despicable.”

  He shrugged. “You are entitled to your opinion, Gabrielle. Just not in my house. Leave.”

  Emmie forced a smile and Gabrielle hugged her again, but Bastien growled behind them.

  “Emeline, back to your place. Now.” He snapped his fingers, and then raised his voice again. “Nestor! You can escort Gabrielle outside.”

  The tall, thin man appeared near the door and Gabrielle pulled back so that Emmie could step backwards towards his desk. “I’m coming back, Emmie. I swear.”

  “Not today. Leave.” Bastien’s voice boomed in the office and her sister finally turned and left. Emmie had to compose herself as she lowered herself to her knees, but he didn’t give her even a moment. “Look how kind I am, letting you see your sister.”

  “I didn’t need to be naked.”

  “No, you didn’t. It just made it so much nicer when you hugged her.” He turned his chair to face her and spread his legs. “I have one more meeting and they should arrive any moment. Let’s see if you can finish me off before I invite them in.” Bastien took a deep drink from his glass as he gestured to the hard press of his cock inside his pants.