by A. A. Dark
His hands eased my arms up until they were around him. What started off with a touch I wasn’t sure I could take, came the tears. They raced down, followed by a purge of emotion that flooded free so hard, I couldn’t stop the sobs that tore from my soul.
“Shhh. I know. God, I know your pain. I feel it. Share it. This isn’t the end, Layla. This won’t last. We’ll make it free one way or another. I gave you that promise, and I will keep it until the end of my days. I swear I will.”
Keys jingling echoed in the background. I looked up, wiping my tears as I met Master Draper’s inquisitive stare. He was with another man. A tall man with dark hair and blue eyes. They both watched Aamir and I, but it was the Dragon who held my attention.
“Where’s my Mistress? Is she still here? I want to see her.”
The men looked at each other, and the guard followed them as they approached. Both appeared messy in appearance, but the tall man was worse. Dark circles lined under his eyes, and he looked so very tired. Tired inside—like me.
“This is Master Whitlock. The place you’re going to is his.”
I took a step back, remembering the words of my Mistress. She was running from Whitlock. From this man? Yes. I could see it was possible. He was handsome. Probably the most handsome man I had ever seen. Did he love her? Did she love him?
“My Mistress?”
Aamir’s arm tightened around me, bringing me back.
“She’s gone.” Master Whitlock took a hard swallow, shoving his hands in the pockets of his slacks. The suit jacket he wore was open, and the pale blue shirt covering him was almost halfway unbuttoned. It would have looked somewhat natural had he not been wearing a tie that was loosened a great deal around his neck.
“Will she be back? My sister likes her. She wants to help take care of us in this place. This Whitlock.”
“She’ll be back, but I’m afraid she gave you comfort she is not entitled to. Mistress…” he trailed off, again forcing a swallow. “Everleigh is in very big trouble. She is a traitor to Whitlock and had no right obtaining slaves out from under me. We hold auctions. No one gets to be bought illegally, and that’s what she’s done.”
“But…?” My head went back and forth, and my panic became Aamir’s as he led us farther from the bars. “She won’t be our Mistress? You’ll sell us to someone else?”
Master Whitlock’s head shook. “Not you, slave. Just your brother and the brunette. It appears Master Draper has chosen you as payment for his tip on Everleigh. And he’s right about your injury. It would be hard to sell you. It’s better this way. As far as I’m concerned, twenty-seven-double-oh-nine, you’re no longer property of Whitlock. You’re sold.”
My eyes shot to the Dragon. “Wait. What? Wait...sold? To him? You deceived her,” I yelled. “You set her up! Now you’re going to take me away from my brother too?”
Silence reined as more guards came into the room. Keys once again jingled. When the door was unlocked and opened, I was crying again. Screaming, as I locked my arms and legs around Aamir. He was holding just as tight with one arm as he tried to fight the massive amount of men off.
“Layla! Layla!”
“Don’t take him! Let me go! I want to go to Whitlock too!”
Fingers dug into my waist, and someone else’s arm locked around my stomach. We were being physically forced apart and there was nothing me or Aamir could do about it. He was fighting with everything he had: swinging, kicking. Blood was flowing from a few of the men, but they had him. They were dragging us both to the door as we reached toward each other. We were feet apart, and soon, a world apart.
“Masters, please! Masters! I need him. I—Aamir!”
“Layla! I love you. I’ll be back! I promise. I’ll be back!”
The moment we exited the door, Master Whitlock nodded to my new owner. Where they went one way, Master Draper and our guards took us in the opposite direction. I was sobbing so hard, I could barely call out Aamir’s name. I hadn’t told him I loved him back. I hadn’t said goodbye. I’d barely hugged him when he was trying to comfort me.
Pale red stone walls blurred at my sides. Step by step, we grew higher. With each floor, I grew colder. The ice inside was making me numb again, like before Aamir had broken through and reminded me of our bond. This wasn’t happening. This wasn’t my life.
“How is she? Have the drugs worn off?”
My head turned, and the tears slowed as I took in Gavin. He was on the phone, as if what was happening meant nothing. Yelling was loud from the receiver, and he moved the cell back a good inch as we continued.
“Fuck you, Luke. I had no choice. You fool! Giving her my number? Letting her call me on an traceable phone? That line is not safe, or else you wouldn’t have ever found the number to begin with. Anyone could have been dropping in on those calls!” He paused, quiet for a few seconds as he listened. “Yeah, he took the boy. I saved the girl.” Gold eyes flickered back to me, and his mouth twisted. “She’s not any safer here with me, but your Mistress still has one slave for when she’s ready. Take your time.”
To be continued…
About the Author
Alaska Angelini is a Best Selling Author of dark, twisted happily-ever-afters. She currently resides in Wisconsin, but moves at the drop of a dime. Check back in a few months and she's guaranteed to live somewhere new.
Obsessive, stalking, mega-alpha hero's/anti-heros are her thing. Throw in some rope, cuffs, and a whip or two, and watch the magic begin.
If you're looking to connect with her to learn more, feel free to email her at [email protected], or find her on Facebook. You can also stop by her website http://www.alaskaangelini.com.
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Other titles from this Author:
A.A. Dark- 24690
A.A Dark- White Out (24690-Book 2)
A.A Dark- Mad Girl (The Chronicles of Anna Monroe)
A.A Dark-27001 (Welcome to Whitlock, book 1)
Unbearable
SLADE: Captive to the Dark
BLAKE: Captive to the Dark
GAIGE: Captive to the Dark
LILY: Captive to the Dark, Special Edition 1
CHASE: Dark and Dangerous CCTD Set 2
Watch Me: Stalked
Rush
Dom Up: Devlin Black 1
Dom Fever: Devlin Black 2
This Dom: Devlin Black 3
Dark Paranormal lover? Check out Alaska’s other reads …
Wolf (Wolf River 1) *Optioned for FILM!
Prey: Marko Delacroix 1
Blood Bound: Marko Delacroix 2
Lure: Marko Delacroix 3
Rule: Marko Delacroix 4
Reign: Marko Delacroix 5
Coming Soon!
