Survival

by J Marie

  “That’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart. You’re stating a fact, and just because you don’t want to believe the fact doesn’t make it any less true. The simple truth is I bought you, and anything that I purchase makes it my property. And that is what you are, little girl—my property to do with as I please. Property implies ownership, and that is what I have over you. I can’t make it any clearer than that unless you want to see the receipt.” He paused for a minute to study the pain in my eyes. I hated him so fucking much.

  “You will never leave me, Jaden. You need to accept that and move on. You are mine, and I will never let you go. Run and I will find you. Fight me and I will break you. Now, tell me what I want to hear or I will drag you back into the house and finish what I started in the playroom. And believe me, by the time I’m done with you, you won’t even dream of defying me ever again.”

  I looked up at him, hating him so much as a single tear slipped down my face. I didn’t think it was possible for me to have any tears left, but apparently, I was wrong. I should have opted for the waterproof mascara, but I didn’t think I would be this fucking weak.

  “Now,” he demanded, gently rubbing my tear away with his thumb as if it meant nothing. “I won’t ask again.”

  God, I hated this game; these mind games he played with me to get me to accept something I refused to believe. I knew he loved hearing me admit his dominion over me, and I could feel his hard cock rubbing against my stomach as I tried to deny him. I didn’t want to go through another one of those sessions because somehow, I believed he would make it so much worse than last time. Finally, I just gave in to his demands.

  “I …” I started to say, but then I paused, looking up at the sky and praying for some kind of miracle. Anything to get me out of this. Darren turned his head in warning, demanding I finish my sentence, but I didn’t know if I could. “I … I’m yours,” I whispered in defeat, looking away from him.

  I’m not yours! I shouted in my head.

  “Louder so I can hear you. Who do you belong to?”

  “I … belong to you,” I said slightly louder. I belong to no one!

  “That’s my girl,” he said against my forehead.

  “I hate you,” I whispered, closing my eyes to stop the tears from falling.

  “I know, baby,” he said, kissing my forehead, his warm hands holding my face. “But the sooner you accept your new life, the sooner you can enjoy it. Now,” he pulled back, gazing down at me, “don’t ever let me catch you mentioning another man like that again or I will track him down and quickly remind you of where your loyalty lies.”

  My eyes widened in terror at the thought of his threat. It wasn’t the first time he had threatened Jason, but that didn’t make it any less terrifying that one day he might just follow through on his word. Especially since he had declared he was so good at keeping it. I would fucking end him before I let him hurt anyone in my life, but God knew what kind of connections a man like him had. I would have to calculate my escape very carefully if I wanted my family to survive.

  “Is that clear?” he snapped.

  “Yes, sir,” I replied.

  “Good. Now, come on. We’re going to miss it if we don’t hurry up.”

  Miss what?

  Chapter Six

  Good Night Kiss

  Darren kept a solid grip on my left hand as he continued to tug me along the beach to the docks. The sun was very low in the sky, and it looked like it was getting ready to set. Walking across the beautiful soft white sand, we made our way to the long wooden dock that stood out about fifty feet from the shore into the clear blue water. Once we reached the end, he stopped and turned me toward the setting sun that had just touched the water.

  “This is one of my favorite spots,” he said genuinely.

  “I can see why,” I said, my eyes taking in the most magnificent sunset I had ever seen.

  The warm colors spread across the sky in pinks, oranges, and yellows, setting the scene ablaze. The wind caused the water to ripple as though it were on fire, matching those of embers in a bonfire while the warmth of the sun soothed my skin. I would probably return to the house with a hundred new freckles, but I didn’t care. If there were ever the slightest hint of comfort, I would claim all of it until there was none left. The only thing making this experience less than enjoyable was the fact that this man was the only reason I was seeing it.

  I let go of Darren’s hand and wrapped my arms around myself, keeping my eyes focused on the beautiful scene ahead of me, but it was a difficult task. Even though the sun was warm, the chilly evening breeze off the ocean was enough to make my body shiver. I hated it and could never explain it, but if it were eighty degrees outside, my body would find some way to block the heat from entering. I was usually always the cold one among my peers and friends. It was a weakness that, no matter what I did, could never improve.

  “Cold?” Darren asked me slyly.

  “Nope,” I replied, but the goosebumps on my arms were seriously contradicting me.

  “What did I tell you about lying to me?” he asked me, narrowing those deep blues at me.

  “I’m fine,” I retorted back. I didn’t need to give him an excuse to touch me, although we both knew he didn’t need one.

  “Your stubbornness is going to get you in serious trouble, Jaden.” He sighed, tugging me to his chest and wrapping his long arms around me. My hands remained crossed in front of my chest in an attempt to maintain some distance, but it was without success. Unfortunately, the warmth radiating from his body was enough to silence my pride and just soak it up.

  “Don’t worry,” I said against him. “I’m sure you’ll learn to like it.”

  The chuckle that rolled up his throat made me want to push away from him even more, but I knew that was pointless.

  I could feel him looking down at me, watching me instead of the sun, as he should have been. His large hands ran up and down my back until his strong fingers found their way to my shoulders, massaging away the tension in my muscles.

  “You’re so tense,” he said softly. “Just relax.”

  Having him tell me to relax did not help; it just made me angrier. But I knew I would cause myself more harm than good if I continued to keep my shoulders hunched and body rigid. I just didn’t want to accept comfort from him. I didn’t want him wiping away the tears he created.

  “Ya know,” he said, peering down at me, “the sunlight is turning your hair into the most beautiful shade of red I have ever seen. And I happen to have a thing for redheads.” I could almost hear him smiling.

  “Shocker,” I said not giving a shit about what he thought of my hair color. What guy didn’t have a thing for redheads?

  A light chuckle vibrated up his throat, causing his chest to stutter against my cheek.

  After a few short minutes, it suddenly dawned on me that this was the first time Darren had ever held me. It was a strange sensation as he was doing it just to keep me warm against my own stubborn wishes to freeze. He wasn’t squeezing too tight, but strong enough to hold me up. He was warm and solid as a rock, but comfortable enough to relax into, and soon, I actually found myself needing it.

  After all the violence and darkness I had been subjected to, when warmth and comfort were offered, my body apparently would never refuse it, even if it was offered by the devil himself.

  I could hear Darren’s heart beat in his chest and laughed in my head as I had wondered if he even had a heart to begin with. Maybe it was mechanical. But nonetheless, it beat with a fierce intensity, pounding away inside him. And then I wondered how it would feel to stand here and listen to it slow and beat for the final time. I might grow to tolerate his random tenderness, but I would never forget what it was that got me here in the first place. I would never forget my family and the mission that would drive me to eventually escape this man.

  It wasn’t much longer when the sun sank into the depths of the water, its glowing light swallowed up by the waves of the ocean until all that was left were
the golden colors painted in the sky. In the absence of the warm rays of the sun, I could feel the ocean breeze against my skin, yet I still was not cold. Darren’s body blocked the bulk of the wind and his warmth spread across my skin. He wasn’t kidding when he said he was a walking furnace.

  As the sky turned to night and the stars became visible, Darren released me from his embrace and tilted my head up to face him. His gaze was soft and tender as he looked down at me and smiled lightly.

  “Now, you can’t tell me that wasn’t the least bit enjoyable,” he said with a small smile.

  “No, I suppose I can’t,” I lied bitterly.

  Ha! Fuck him!

  “See what happens when you behave? I may be a monster to you now, Jaden, but eventually, you will come to see me as something more entirely. Something you can learn to love.”

  I kept my poker face in place as he spoke to me about love. Was he seriously expecting me to fall for him? Na-uh, bitch; it’s the other way around. Hell would freeze over first once I sent him there. And what the hell did he know of love? Just like he said, he was a monster, and monsters weren’t capable of love. But fine, let him think that. Let him think he would beat me at this game; it just made it easier for him to trust me, which would be his ultimate downfall.

  “Just remember,” he said, bending down to kiss my forehead. “I always reward good behavior.”

  The resolve of my poker face broke into a twisted scowl. And then I wondered if he considered personal space a reward.

  “Come on.” He smiled, taking my hand again and pulling me back toward the house. “We still have other things to discuss.”

  “Like what?” I asked.

  “Like the plans I have for you tomorrow.”

  “What plans?”

  “I have to return to work in the morning, but I will be back early.”

  “More slaves for you to sell?” I asked snidely.

  That was ballsy of me and my stomach did a small backflip for my lack of discretion. He stopped and turned to me, a fierce look in his eyes.

  “You would be mistaken if you think human trafficking is the only ring I run. I’m invested in far more dangerous trades than you will ever need to concern yourself with.”

  My stomach clenched tightly as he bore down on me, a warning clear as day across his face. He was serious now, and I found myself sinking away inside.

  “You have no idea who I am or what I’m capable of, Jaden, and you’d do well to remember that and watch your smart mouth from now on. I’ve been lenient with you today, but tomorrow, you will not be so lucky. I would focus on behaving if I were you.”

  I just stared at the healing black eye of his, remembering how good it felt when my fist made contact. I simmered my attitude and lowered my eyes in defeat just as I knew Darren wanted me to.

  As he continued his pace, he began stating his demands for tomorrow.

  “Breakfast is served every day at 9:00 a.m., lunch is at noon, and dinner is at 5:30 p.m. I would embed those times in your head if I were you. I’d hate for you to forget. I will not always be there to join you. I’m a very busy man and will not be around very often, but that doesn’t mean the rules don’t apply, so remember them. However, for the next week, I will try to be here as often as I can.”

  Don’t try too hard, I almost said.

  “I will be leaving at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow and will be back around 3:00 p.m. I have scheduled a manicure and pedicure for you, as well as a haircut at 1:00 p.m. Make sure you are ready for them. Do you have any questions?”

  A mani and pedi? Why? I wanted to ask but didn’t feel the need to invoke his anger again.

  “No.”

  “Good. When I get home, I will give you a full tour of the estate. You are to remain in your room until I return. Understand?”

  I would have to stay in my room for the entire time? Well, tomorrow was going to be a fun-filled day.

  “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  By this time, we had reached the patio, and he pulled the glass door aside so we could walk through. When we finally stopped in front of my bedroom door, he paused and placed his hands on my shoulders and a shiver crept down my spine, goosebumps forming down my bare arms. I stared into his dark blue eyes as they pierced through my resolve, and I could feel myself melting under his gaze.

  “Before we say good night,” he began, “I want something from you.”

  Oh, joy …

  “What?” I asked.

  “A good night kiss.” He smirked.

  Poker face out the door, my lips curled into a disgusted scowl, and his eyes immediately lit up with warning. I felt my guard come up as I instinctively put my left foot back and turned my right side to him, my defensive stance coming alive.

  He noticed and took an intimidating step toward me, but I didn’t budge. Darren towered over me, an intense look on his face as he challenged me to refuse him.

  “You have two choices,” he said low and menacing. “You give me what I asked for and you can go to sleep without issue. You deny me, and I’ll fuck you nice and hard right here on this floor until I’m good and satisfied. So what’s it going to be?”

  I released an irritated sigh. I always loved the options he gave me.

  “You have until the count of three to make a decision,” he warned. “Before I make it for you. One …”

  I felt my heart rate spike as a small twinge of fear shocked through my veins.

  His eyes narrowed. “Two …”

  I leaped toward him, cutting off the “three” that was about to leave his mouth. I reached on my tiptoes and quickly forced my lips to his. Luckily, he saw my lunge and met me halfway so I could complete his request.

  I kissed him hard, violently, and hatefully, as if I was trying to assault his mouth with my lips. He responded with the same amount of aggression, his hand coming up against the small of my back, forcing me against his hard body while his other hand gripped my ass.

  I wanted him to know I hated him and I never wanted him to second-guess that, ever. He already hadn’t cared when I said the words out loud, but I hoped my physical reactions could provide more clarification.

  Our lips moved together while I shot my tongue into his mouth, me being the one taking this time, but I didn’t get very far with that. Adrenaline spiked as both of his hands reached down, cupping my ass and lifting me to straddle his hips. He pressed me roughly against the wall, and I instinctively wrapped my arms and legs around him, holding on as we competed against each other for most aggressive kisser. Heat rose in my body as his thumbs traced along my rib cage and he released my mouth to further assault my neck and throat with his lips. I couldn’t help but tip my head back and give him the access he was looking for while his erection pressed into my pelvis.

  His five o’clock shadow scratched my skin as he nuzzled into me, sending little waves of pleasure through my body, and I shuddered under his touch. My hands traveled along his shoulders and back of their own accord, feeling the hard muscle that hid underneath his shirt and jacket. He was raw power all wrapped up in a gorgeous package. The thought that a man like this had this much of an interest in me was exhilarating, but he was still the enemy and I would never forget that.

  Darren finally released me, pulling me from his body and allowing me to slide down and stand on my own two feet. His palms rested against the wall on either side of my head while both of us tried to catch our breath. Our chests heaved up and down as we stared at each other, the electricity in the air palpable with lust. A feral hunger registered in his eyes as he stared down at me, and I felt myself shudder a little inside as terror began to fill me. Would he keep his word now that I had given him what he wanted?

  “Go,” he suddenly growled, his breath still erratic.

  “Huh?” I replied huskily.

  “Go … now, before I rip you apart.”

  I felt myself jump in surprise as I quickly ducked under his arm and slipped past him as fast as I could. I could feel his eyes on me as I
turned the knob to my bedroom and glanced at him one last time. His eyes were looming with a lustful hunger as he watched me, and I didn’t wait another second before practically sprinting into my room and shutting the door behind me.

  What the fuck just happened? My blood was pumping, my heart was racing, and I even felt a little light headed. And I was fucking wet.

  Fuck.

  I paced the room, running my hands through my hair as I tried to get a grip on myself, but as I did, images of the day flashed through my head. The auction, the drive here, Darren’s rules, my reflection, dinner, the docks, and now that kiss. My life as I knew it was over … and this was only day one.

  Panic rose in my stomach, my dinner churning inside me as I fought to keep it down, but my sudden anxiety was not helping. I couldn’t stop my thoughts from racing a mile a minute as I realized I nearly enjoyed that good night kiss. And it made me fucking sick.

  I jetted for the bathroom, feeling my dinner rising up, and I managed to make it to the toilet just in time. I hurled up everything I ate, completely emptying the contents of my stomach into the bowl. When it was over, my body shivered as I flushed away my dinner and took deep breaths in an attempt to relax myself. I honestly felt better now that my stomach had room for the knots again.

  When I was finally calm, I washed away the evidence of the arousal I didn’t want to admit was there between my legs. I then washed my face, brushed my teeth, and rummaged through the drawers for something to sleep in. I found some silky little nighties and slipped a bright purple one over my head; I wasn’t even surprised when it fit perfectly against my body.

  Plopping myself on top of the bed, I thought I had fallen on top of a cloud. It was soft and lush as my body melted into the embrace of the bed. A huge upgrade compared to the padding I had been sleeping on in my dog cage. Wrapping myself in the luxury of the comforter, I curled into a ball and relaxed against the fluffiest pillow I had ever laid my head on.

  I laid there for a while, just basking in the warmth and reflecting on my status in life. Even though I now had Darren, I was more alone than ever. No one was on my side now, no one was fighting for me but myself. And then I thought of Kayla. I wondered who had bought her and if she was all right. Her company had helped keep me sane during our days as slaves back at that warehouse, and now, I had no one but the monster who lurked within these walls.