The Dark Prince (The Dark Prince Trilogy #1)

by Autumn Winchester

  Chase pulled into the garage after the door lifted up, and pulled to a stop next to a silver Porsche. Before opening his own door, he turned to view both girls. Clare was in awe, looking at the other cars inside, but held her tongue about how much money he must have.

  “If you run, there is nothing for miles. No one comes out here very often, and I won’t be chasing you down. So you better stay on the property. I won’t hesitate to shoot you if need be, or I’d let you die of thirst,” he said in warning. He wouldn’t actually shoot either one, but he wanted to make them understand that they didn’t mean much to him. He was positive that they both knew better than to try to test him.

  "Yes sir,” Clare mumbled, understanding his threat loud and clear. Her heart was in her throat as it pounded with each beat.

  Summer, on the other hand, wasn’t convinced. She had wanted to die so many times, that the threat was nothing new. He also didn’t seem the type to really hurt either of them. If they ran, he’d let them go and she’d be sure to die of thirst like he said. But he wouldn’t shoot them.

  Chase got out, and then helped the girls out by opening their door. He held out his hand, and Clare accepted his help, but Summer only wrapped her arms around herself tightly, glaring at his hand as she pushed her way from the car. There was no way she’d willingly touch that man, even if her life depended on it.

  He could see that there was still fight left in her, and hoped to help make her stronger mentally for the lifestyle that she had stepped into without her knowledge.

  At least she was warmer. The car had been warm, a huge contrast to the coldness of the compound she was held in. It had been too long of a time since she felt real warmth.

  The girls’ bare feet padded along the clean cement floor and into the mud room after Chase opened the small door where the alarm panel was set. He quickly unarmed the house, holding the door for the two girls. The stone tile was cool as the furnace was set low. It was mid-October and there was a chill to the air. They followed the man as they both took in everything around them. From the light brown painted walls, the washer, dryer, and even a seat to sit on to put shoes on. The cabinets were dark, and like something out of a dream.

  Chase led them through the wonderful enormous kitchen with stainless steel appliances, light brown countertops and matching cupboards. The floor was light tile, flowing nicely from the mud room. The kitchen sink sat right underneath a window, letting in natural light.

  The room alone was big enough to fit the one room in the compound that Summer and many other girls had been kept in.

  “Living room is on the other side of the stairs, along with my office,” he said, pointing the way before leading the two up the wide brown carpeted staircase. The walls were of the same color as the rest that they had seen so far.

  He didn’t say much, letting Clare and Summer take in his home. They would have time to learn its layout quickly enough, he thought as he led them up the stairs

  “My room is there,” he said, pointing to the room closest to the stairs, the door shut completely. “Your room for the time being is at the end of the hall. The bathroom is across from it. The other three rooms are just spares, and don’t have any furniture in them right now other than storage crap.”

  He opened the last room, letting the girls in and letting them see what it was like. A queen sized bed sat in the middle of the room against the wall with the large floor to ceiling window on the far wall. A small dark oak dresser sat on the opposite wall, holding a flat screen TV. It was so much more than they have ever had before.

  “Closet is through that door,” he said, pointing to it. “I’ll get you some extra clothes of mine to change into after you both clean up.” He then turned and went to his room. He knew Valerie would be a while still, so he wanted to get them feeling fresher as much as he could.

  He sat some clothes that would be much too big for either of them on the counter next to the sink, taking note that it was still perfectly clean. The floor matched what was downstairs, and the paint was a tad darker with a matching countertop, and the cupboards a lighter color. It looked similar to his own walk in bathroom, just smaller.

  “I’ll have food ready for you both once you are cleaned up,” Chase said to them as they stood in the hallway, waiting for instructions. “Then I have a doctor that will be coming to check you both over. I want to make sure you are in perfect health.”

  Clare took charge, letting the older girl take a shower first while she sat on the toilet seat and waited. She didn't dare sit on the nice clean bed with dark bedding. She was filthy from head to toe.

  Summer took a fast shower, not sure if there was a time limit. The other houses she had been in always limited shower time and only with lukewarm, or cold water only. She didn’t want to risk it, even as she used nice warm water and washed her hair twice with a musky scented shampoo that the man had sat on the counter for them to use.

  The water ran almost black as she washed the first time, making her shiver in disgust. No wonder the man wanted them to be cleaned. She had been living like a dog. Actually, a dog was probably allowed to live better than she had so far.

  She felt a lot better. It had been way too long since she was last clean. She also didn’t mind sharing the bed with Clare. It was better than sharing a bed with the strange man, or sleeping on the cold hard floor or worn out cot.

  She was confused on why the man wanted not only her but Clare, too. The house was perfect, not a speck of dust. It was obvious that he had someone come in and clean for him already. So what did he need the two for?

  All she could do was wait and find out.

  Chapter 3

  It had taken Chase longer than he had liked to get back home. The drive was longer on the way back too, as he didn't want to speed. It wouldn't have boded well if he was caught speeding, and having two girls who were filthy from head toe in the back seat. Money could only pay cops off a certain amount of times. Plus, his mother took her time examining both girls, not wanting to miss a thing if either one had any sort of health problem.

  Shortly after a healthy meal of seasoned chicken and veggies, true to the man's word, a doctor showed up. She greeted Chase while the two girls sat at the table as instructed. Summer had her head down, brown hair creating a curtain, looking at the clean tabletop. She wasn't sure why they needed to be checked over again since it was just a few days ago that they had been checked by a handsy man that claimed to be a doctor. That man had been no doctor, that was for sure.

  Chase led in a woman with light amber-colored hair that was pulled back into a messy bun. Her roundish-square face was opened, green eyes filled with aged secrets only she would ever know. She wore black yoga pants and a designer long shirt. Her round face was kind as she took in the two girls.

  "Hello, girls," she greeted softly, setting her bag down on the table gently. "My name is Kayla, and I am Chase’s mother, and also a doctor. I just want to make sure you have no STD's and check to make sure you are healthy overall." She explained to the two girls, being careful to not make any sudden movements. She had checked over many girls through the years, so coming to do another house call was nothing new.

  She explained how she was going to check their blood pressure and listen to their lungs, then she'd take a blood sample to make sure that everything was clean. She, of course, stated that she didn't see anything sexual going to happen in this house. She made it a point in saying as much.

  She led the girls upstairs separately so she could examine them. After she finished she came back down and told Chase after checking them both over as thoroughly as she could, that from what she can tell just from the exam alone, everything looked fine.

  "I'll send these tests to the lab and have results within an hour, Chase," Kayla said, laying a motherly hand on his arm.

  It would have been easier to do a few more tests if they'd come into her office, but she knew that was not an option. Kayla didn't even hint at it. "Have them take this pill, since they both have be
en active in the last twenty-four hours, but only after the results come in. It's the morning after pill." She handed Chase two separate pills that were in little clear cups with a lid. She was prepared for just about anything.

  "Okay. Thank you, mom," Chase said as the girls made a hasty retreat to their room, knowing they were not needed by the man. He felt bad about their lack of options, but they would be stronger soon. He couldn't risk a pregnancy. Even with the girls frightened of their own shadows, he'd do whatever it took right now to make sure nothing unexpected came up.

  After Kayla left, he settled behind his desk, transferring documents by email to his lawyer to get things rolling. It wasn't an hour later when Kayla called, saying that the tests came back fine, surprisingly. No pregnancy, no STDs. They had both had low iron, but it would rise in time with a regular healthy diet. Neither of the girls would be pregnant unless they were sexually active after they took the morning after pill. Chase took the two pills along with two bottles of water to the girls before they went to sleep.

  He had heard them moving around and Clare chatting about every little thing, so he knew they weren't asleep yet.

  He briefly told them what it was for, and they did not put up a fight before crawling into bed in their borrowed clothes. They, of course were grateful for a toothbrush that Kayla had been kind enough to bring them on her visit. It had been so long since either of them had been clean from head to toe.

  After the girls went to bed that night, using a burner phone that he would destroy once he was finished, Chase made a call into the FBI. He gave little detail, only an address, name, and a brief summary of what was going on inside the building where he had picked the girls up from. He left out his name, wanting to not be held accountable for more questioning later on.

  He had called in a number of tips leading to mafia families, his own included. He wanted to be done with the lifestyle, but didn't have many options. He was born into this life, and nothing but death would release him. So he was doing everything he possibly could to make it better for the less fortunate. That included the two girls he took.

  He didn't want to say he took them by force, as if they simply asked to leave, he would gladly turn them over to the FBI himself. Even if it meant that he would be taken into custody. But he knew a few guys personally who were working for the FBI, and they would be helping Chase to bring down the families on his hit list. His very long hit list.

  Chase knew, without a doubt, that the other girls in that warehouse would be protected, and he wouldn't have to personally see to them being placed in safe, warm homes across the country. He had things set in motion that if they had no family, they would have a safe place to go and have everything they needed until they were on their feet. No matter how long that would take.

  Chase was surprised about the behavior of the girls. With the ones before, they tended to either talk a lot or push his buttons to know what they could and couldn't do within minutes. These two girls were quiet and kept to themselves. Clare would ask an occasional question but otherwise didn't say anything while he was in the same room, or near them in any way.

  The others slowly took to what he offered, accepting more liberal freedoms and gaining what they could to better their lives. He eventually made the others impossible to locate by the family. All but one, of course. She was still well within reach, but safe.

  She'd always be safe.

  He wasn't sure what to say to either of them. He knew that they wouldn't be happy come tomorrow afternoon, but it was best if they didn't know yet. He hoped that in time, both would be willing to give a few options a try.

  Summer jumped at every noise, staying rigid. Chase wondered why, but had a good idea. He could see the handprints around her neck like a shining beacon. He couldn't understand why Nick would do such a thing. She was a fairly good looking girl, and tomorrow she would be eighteen. It could easily be her worst day or her best.

  Chase planned to make it one worth living, even though he would be forcing her to do something she most likely wouldn't want. Ever. But in the end she would be better off.

  Of course, he'd never force any type of relationship with the girl, no matter the cost. He wasn’t a monster. Actually, he was the complete opposite with what he was planning.

  Clare wasn't as jumpy as Summer, and seemed like she would be okay with the tasks that Chase would line out for her. He'd have her start off easy, and his house didn't take much work anyway. He hoped that she'd like what he had planned, making her life better. The cut on her arm wasn't as bad as he feared, so that was no longer a concern.

  The bedroom was much more than either of the girls would ever dream of. A huge queen sized bed with a white comforter, matching pillows with a few gray ones thrown in. The headboard was a tad lighter gray, with a matching glass bedside table that had a lamp on each side of the bed.

  Two white chairs sat at the foot of the bed on top of a gray and white rug, which matched the curtains over the tall windows.

  Beautiful, but not used. Summer was sure this was the first time this room had been used.

  Summer laid on her side, facing the huge window that night in a tight ball. She hardly slept once again. Although the bed was much better than the floor, or anywhere else she had ever slept in, her mind wouldn't stop thinking. What did this man want with her? What were the chances of her being able to escape if she did try? What could possibly be worse than another house, another jail?

  She couldn't help but cry silently, letting her warm tears soak the pillow under her head. She was warm, full and clean. There wasn't much else to ask for. But she didn't trust this Mr. Marcel. He was up to something; she just didn't know what.

  Clare’s sleep was fitful. She tossed and turned, often hearing her bed mate crying. She wanted to comfort her but didn't know how. Or even if the older girl would let her do so. Clare understood loneliness all too well. It sucked. She wasn't wanted by her parents and bounced between foster homes before she didn't want to deal with it anymore.

  Now, she didn't know how to act, but would do what was asked of her just so she could have some sort of life, however long it was.

  The sun rose early, and Summer had only gotten a few hours of sleep. Dreams plagued her with what little sleep she was able to get. She woke up crying, feeling hands on her body. She could still see Nick’s body fall, lifeless, to the ground.

  It had been the first time she saw someone die in front of her, surprisingly. Summer had seen many things in her eighteen years of life, but never witnessed someone die before her eyes, let alone shot. She was sure she should feel something, anything, other than fear for her life. But really, she merely felt disconnected from life.

  Her throat was sore. She wasn't sure if it was from the choke hold she was in the day before, or if she was coming down with something. She hoped she wasn't getting sick. Kayla had mentioned that it may be swollen and take up to a few weeks to completely heal, but saw no lasting effects.

  "Come on, let's get up and make Mr. Marcel his breakfast," Clare said, sitting up with a sigh. She looked at the girl who stared blankly out the window. The sunrise was beautiful as it lit the room up. The sky was painted in purple and pink hues. It had been too long since either of them had really been able to be outside, but maybe here it would be different.

  Together, they both remade the bed, making it look like it hadn't been slept in the night before. They worked quietly together with perfect rhythm, each in their own little world.

  After they both brushed their hair out and went to the bathroom, both used to not having much privacy, they headed down to the kitchen. Summer was slower than the younger girl going down the steps. She was known as a klutz and didn't want to fall down. She could feel her bruises pulse with her heartbeat, too.

  In the kitchen, both girls began to get breakfast ready. It was what they were used to, and since Mr. Marcel didn't tell them what to do, nor did he tell them not to, they began what they knew as a daily chore.

  It took them a few
tries to find what pans they needed to make the scrambled eggs in, and the toaster for toast. A simple, easy breakfast. Truthfully, neither girl minded too much about cooking. It was better than other chores that had been required of them years before.

  While Summer began the coffee, Mr. Marcel came down the stairs, still half asleep. He had stayed up late, once again, getting things done that had to be ready for today. There wasn’t all that much that needed done, but enough that took time he didn’t want to give up towards his plan.

  He had looked over the folders filled with information. There wasn't much to them. A list of households that they had each been in, medical history, and what their talents were. There was also names of who their parents were, and a brief explanation on why they ended up where they did. He was surprised on where they both came from.

  They lived in the same city for years, and were always closer than Chase had ever realized. He now wished he had searched harder, but never thought it could be so simple. He could have spared Summer years of pain and lost hope.