by Lynn Landes
"Only that there may be a second copy of the ledger, with all the information you need to catch this thorn. Release me, and I will take you to it!" Eve snaps.
Jonas laughs at her. “I don’t think so, it will not be that hard to figure it out.”
“True but imagine what will happen if she gets to the next one before you do. There are hundreds of trains running daily, how will you narrow it down?”
A knock on the door has Eve panicking. “Jonas, together we can stop them and then we will take out Mr. Chen.”
“It’s too late for that Eve,” he hisses leaning over her. “Tell me where it is!”
“Kill me, then. I have nothing left to lose, but you are a fool. I thought you wanted to rule this New World, not be his puppet!”
Jonas jumps with frustration when the knock sounds again. Eve is stunned when the first of the four straps are released. “Get up, quickly. Go along with this, or I will kill you slowly.”
She swings her legs over the side of the table and reaches for the needle.
“Don’t even think about it.”
Eve jumps and goes to sit on the couch. Jonas opens the door and welcomes the four investors. “Gentlemen, come in.” He grabs Natalia’s hand and draws her inside with them. Eve moves to the door to lock it and turns to watch.
"This new drug is proving to be extremely addictive. Today we will begin experimenting with a new way to introduce it to the system. Instead of orally, which has proved to be less addictive, we're going to inject it. As a special treat, I have a subject that is perfectly clean. I want you to see what it does to a virgin system."
"Please sit down," Jonas gestures and tugs Natalia to a chair beside the men. Jonas moves to his black bag and grabs the needle, hiding it behind his back he strokes Natalia's neck. The men stare at her in fascination. Her breasts are pushed high, enticing them, Jonas is no fool.
The needle is in her vein before she can react, her eyes fly open wide and Eve moves forward to watch. Her mouth fills with saliva, she’s desperate for a bit of the liquid nectar. Natalia squeals as the liquid burns in her neck and tries to jump to her feet.
“What have you done to me?” she cries out.
"I promise, Natalia, you'll enjoy it," Eve whispers and grabs her by her shoulders. "You're going to need to sit down." Natalia starts to sweat.
“It’s so hot in here!” The room is quite chilly for September. The men watch and smile as she begins to relax. “Oh, my…” Looking up at Jonas she smiles as he strokes his hands over her breasts.
She hums in pleasure. “That feels nice…” her head begins to nod.
“Natalia, how do you feel?” One young man asked her as he takes her limp hand.
Chocolate eyes smile at him, and she kisses his hand. He strokes her bottom lip grinning when she sucks on it. “I feel… free. Dance with me?” she pleads and tugs him to his feet. He laughs and sways with her.
“That was fast,” another man said.
"Exactly! I tried it orally, it was not as long-lasting. This will last three to six hours, the last two hours they are more lethargic, but remain lucid. Aware, but no inhibitions, only the high."
"Tell us more," an older man switches places with the man dancing, and Natalia doesn't seem to care. This man is freer with his affection. He strokes a finger down her corset and teases her nipple.
"It seems to only take one dose, and they are begging for me. Watch." Jonas turns to Eve and lifts a second needle, filling it with the fluid. Her eyes stalk his every movement.
"Evie, are you ready for yours?" She licks her lips and moves quickly to his side.
“Just one more, please!” Eve reaches for it, but he slaps her hand away with a laugh. “Later, pet.”
The men laugh and turn to watch as Natalia begins to unsnap her corset. Two of the men clap, and she revels in the attention, spinning and tossing her top.
“Talk to me, Gentlemen. I need investors,” Jonas orders.
“You have my vote.”
“We will meet in the morning over coffee and discuss the details. I’ll leave you with Natalia and four copies of the contract to read over. Enjoy.”
“Eve?” She watches as they guide Natalia to the table she was strapped to earlier. “Make sure you write down the exact dosages,” Jonas snaps to Eve. “I want to get it into production as soon as possible.”
"Yes, Jonas." He guides her from the room and out of the laundress to the carriage waiting in the alley. Once they are seated, he turns to her in anger.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Eve hisses at him, "You were too quick to drug me, Jonas. I tried. Take me back to my suite, and I will recover the copy for you."
"I searched your suite, I found nothing." Jonas sighs as he sits back.
“That’s because you didn’t know where to look,” Eve snaps.
“Prove it. I hope for your sake that you’re right. I do love you, Evie.”
“Then show me. Together, Jonas, we will be unstoppable!”
Chapter 27
"I don't understand how he found us so quickly, Chase," Bronnah says as they ride away from the lighthouse early the next morning. He found Leo's horse tied up in the thick woods surrounding the house.
“Leo intercepted your message to the U.S. Marshall’s office a week ago.” Chase glanced at her when she falls silent. “Bronnah, you did the right thing sending the message. We will simply adjust the plan, that’s all. Do you trust me?”
Her eyes snap to his, and she nods. "Yes, Chase. I trust you with my life." He rides close to her horse and pulls her over for a kiss.
“Of course, you do. Now let’s go.” Bronnah laughs as he releases her and grins with satisfaction.
Two days later, Bronnah stumbles along after him through a train depot in Ohio. She knows another train is coming in today and it’s the largest shipment of girls yet. “What’s the plan, Chase? How are we helping the girls?” She hisses as he keeps walking, holding tightly to her hand.
“Stay close,” he ignores her and walks to the ticket counter.
“As if I have a choice,” she replied as he steps up to the counter. Bronnah falls quiet and glances around the train depot.
"Two tickets for Indiana." He slides his badge out, and his voice fades away as she thinks about the past two days. They've changed trains three times in two days. This depot is the largest they have traveled in yet.
So many nationalities mill about, and Bronnah is struck by the absurdity of this situation. Somewhere inside of this train station, ten girls are trapped in a nightmare of someone else's making and yet, life continues. Part of her is tempted to scream at the top of her lungs and demand they help.
Stepping towards the crowd, she jumps when Chase grasps her upper arm. "Don't even think about it." She glares at him and pats her mousy brown wig. It's itching her, and she pushes at the spectacles he insisted she wear and sniffs her tiny nose.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Chase snorts and guides her quickly towards the train. “Our train is down on track five.”
“Chase? What about the girls?” Once more he ignores her, and she’s tempted to jerk away.
“Not now, Bronnah. We’re almost there.” He gives the porter his tickets as he greets them.
“Welcome aboard the Erie Railroad, Mr. and Mrs. Rivers, let me show you to your sleeper car.” Bronnah jerks in surprise but follows quietly. Mrs. Rivers? When did he say that and why didn’t she notice? The past two days they’ve traveled economy with large groups of people. Chase must be exhausted, he hardly slept at all, afraid to close his eyes for fear of being jumped.
The porter stops and opens the door to the car. He slides open the door, and Bronnah stares in amazement. "This is your drawing room. I hope you will be comfortable. I will be your porter if you need anything do not hesitate to pull the cord." Chase guides her inside a spacious living room with a wide sofa, two moveable chairs, and a wardrobe for hanging their clothes in.
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"Inside the wardrobe, you will find your bags. You have a private toilet to your right, and this car accommodates one full-length bed, including an upper berth that will drop down from the ceiling, should you need it." Bronnah notices the two large windows framed in black walnut woodwork and French upholstery, polished brass fixtures. Glancing down at the dark green, thick pile carpeting on the floor she finds that she is speechless.
“Thank you,” she murmurs and steps towards the sofa seats in front of the windows. Bronnah spins as the door is closed and locked behind them. “Chase, this is amazing,” she draws her glasses off and stares at him.
"I'm glad you think so. I'm exhausted, and I'm sure you are too. This will give us the much-needed sleep we need." He steps towards her and cups her face in his hand. "Thank you for being so patient, Bronnah." Softly he kisses her and smiles, "Now come sit down, you won't want to miss this."
He draws her to the sofa seat and points out the window. Bronnah is confused but does as he suggests. Sitting down, she looks out the window just in time to see all hell break loose in the depot. A bell begins ringing and people part to allow the men to pass through. A group of about fifteen police, led by two U.S. Marshals run toward a train. Bronnah gasps and cranes her neck to watch as they surround a car that is waiting to be loaded. The lock is shot off, and when the door slides open, no one can believe their eyes. The young women cringe, cowering against each other and hiding their faces from the blinding brightness of the sun. They are chained like animals, in various states of dress. Some are beaten and bloody, while others seem too confused to realize what is happening. Tears stream down Bronnah's face as she watches the men unlock the girls wrapping them in blankets and helping them from the train. One, by, one, they are led to freedom. In the faces of the young women, she sees a vision of what her own future could have been.
Bronnah turns to look at him, and her heart falls as freely as her tears. She leaps across the space into his arms. “Thank you!” she sobs burying her face in his neck. “Chase, I couldn’t sleep for worry.”
Chase holds her and sighs with contentment. “How did you do this?” She asked when she can calm down.
“I’ll tell you everything.”
Bronnah nods, turning to watch as they load the last of the girls into the waiting carriages. A knock on the door has Chase drawing his pistol and walking to the door. “Who is it?”
“Mr. Carine, your porter.” Chase opens the door but keeps his pistol out in case he needs it. He hides it behind his back. “Mr. Rivers, our train’s departure will be delayed for a while, would you like to order some lunch while you wait?”
“Yes,” Chase orders lunch and tea while Bronnah turns away to continue watching the excitement out of the window. She glows with joy as the last of the carriages pull away. Exhausted he sits back with a sigh as she releases the curtains to give them privacy and sits on the couch across from her.
“Our train will be delayed. I’m sure you’ll want to get cleaned up before lunch.” Bronnah grins and pulls her wig off, releasing her hair with a sigh of ecstasy. She runs her fingers through it and stands up in front of him.
"Yes, I'm sure I look a sight. You spoil me," she begins removing her clothing a piece at a time. Chase watches, and his mouth goes dry. First her waistcoat. With each button, she pops, his body twitches until at last, it parts, revealing a red gusseted corset trimmed in black lace. Bronnah turns away and drops her skirt exposing her backside, garter, and stockings. Chase growls and reaches for her just as the knock comes at the door.
She laughs and grabs her clothing and dashes into the toilet to clean up. “Tease,” he snaps as he steps to the door and jerks it open. Lunch is delivered and set up, “How much longer till we depart?” Chase asked the porter.
"Ten minutes," he backs away and closes the door behind him. "All clear, Bronnah. Lunch is here." Bronnah steps out still wearing her corset, garters, and stocking and Chase grins in appreciation.
“I’m not hungry for food, Chase.” Walking towards him she runs a hand up his chest as he stares at her.
“Thank God,” he exclaims, jerking her towards his chest. “You make it impossible for me to think of anything else, Bronnah except the way you look, taste…” his mouth touches her softly. “You taste like heaven…” his mouth trails over hers, along her jaw and to her neck. “And feel…” he slowly begins unlacing her corset, trailing his mouth along the bare skin as it is revealed.
Bronnah groans expecting passion and heat, not this gentle, tender, exquisite torture. He sweeps her up into his arms and kisses her senseless as he carries her to the bed.
"How quiet can you be Bronnah mine?" Tears well in her eyes at his endearment. He leans back to strip his clothing, and she gasps when his hands tease and taunt her pushing her thighs apart.
“Chase, you can’t…” his silver eyes flash as he kicks off his jeans and climbs up her body. He claims her with every part of his body wanting her to remember him and never forget what it’s like to be loved by him. Bronnah bites his shoulder to quiet her screams as he drives her over the edge and when the train finally begins to move, they utilize the cover the noise provides.
Chapter 28
Chaos erupts in the train depot as girl after girl is rescued from a locked train. Large black carriages pull off with Mr. Chen's profit, and Jonas can see his business ties burning before his eyes. Fuming, he stomps to the ticket counter.
“Could you direct me to the next westbound train to, Indiana?”
The clerk looked at him and points to a train pulling out of the depot, picking up steam it disappears. “There she goes now.”
“I see.” Jonas sizes up the clerk and decides to take a chance. He’s young with a black handlebar mustache and vest. His eye is constantly roaming, and he smiles at one or two of the young ladies. Jonas draws out a roll of cash and flips it open. Instantly, the clerk’s eyes snap to his. “I need some information.”
“You’ve come to the right counter, sir. What can I do for you?” He grins.
“I need to know which train a certain passenger is on. It would be bound for Indiana, carrying a U. S. Marshall, Mr. Chase Rivers.” He watches as the clerk, traces a finger down a ledger and flips through the pages.
“Yes, sir. Right here,” he pauses and waits for Jonas to pass the cash through the window.
“Destination?” Jonas snaps.
“Indiana, on the Erie Railroad, sir. It was the final train for the day on that line.”
“Of course,” he sighs. “When is it due to arrive?”
“That would be tomorrow at noon.”
“Excellent. You’ve been most helpful.” He slides more cash through and walks away to the shadows behind the depot. Eve is waiting with eight of the Chen. Jonas lights a cigarette and stares at them.
“Change of plans. We need to find a train, follow me,” he orders, walking away from the crowds. Eve doesn’t question him. She knows what this means. Mr. Chen will want retribution.
"Eve, send five of the Chen and recover as many of the girls as they can. Follow the carriages, it shouldn't be too hard for them. Make sure as many of them make it to their original destination as possible."
“Yes, Jonas,” she turns and speaks to them in Chinese. They quickly split up and disappear leaving them with only three. “Did you get the tickets for Indiana?”
“No, we are going after that train. It will never make it to Indiana.” Eve doesn’t show her surprise. Nothing he does surprises her anymore. Over the past few days, they were able to figure out where the Marshall was headed. Of course, he is still set on taking his witness to the U.S. Marshall’s office.
“How are we going to do that?” she asks quietly.
“Easy, you’re going to distract the conductor with your feminine attributes, leave the rest up to me.” Eve is disgusted, he uses her body as his play toy until it serves him to let someone else use it. She hides her feelings, knowing if she lets it show, he will punish her and hold her tonic
back. Without her dosages of this new drug, the shakes start and the nightmares. Once he kept them from her for two days, and she nearly went insane.
Eve is ashamed to admit that she has become addicted to his "Tonic," at least that what she has started calling it. If she does as he commands, he gives it to her if not, she is punished. The cawing, craving, desperate desire for more is ever present in her mind and body. Withdrawal symptoms are intense and hideous with shaking, raging, sweating and begging. For the moment, she does as he orders and studies his process.
“Fine. But I want my tonic, first,” she demands. Jonas grins and offers her the drops. Eve sighs as it burns its way down her throat and into her empty stomach. It strikes fast, and she sighs when the desperate desire for more floats away. Smiling, she straightens her dress and snaps, “On with it then.”
Jonas leads the way to the train he has been eyeing, gently pushing her towards it. Eve straightens her back and walks, glancing at the three men who are standing next to it.
To say that she stands out would be an understatement. Her green silk off the shoulder gown highlights the porcelain color of her skin. Her long black hair is twisted up and secured with a beautiful golden fan. Jonas watches as she approaches the men and speaks for a moment. They smile and tease each other, two of the men wander off to continue working, while Eve smiles and steps closer to his body.
"Now!" Jonas whispers, and when she moves in touching the conductor's arm, his smile fades, and desire lights. Interested now, he grabs her hand and pulls her up inside the engine.
"You like big machines? Come on girly, I got just what you need." Jonas listens and finds he's as disgusted as Eve is by the man's manners. He will deal with him, as soon as he gets what he needs. Right now, he needs an engineer. The man is pawing her and tugging at her dress roughly. Leering at Eve he grabs the sleeves of her dress and jerks it down baring her white breasts to his hot mouth. Pushing her back against metal control panel, he bites at one of her nipples while pinching the other hard.
