Sexual Memory [Dark Colony 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Elle Saint James

  Angelica was puzzled. Engagement? “The Den?” she asked him trying to think through the possibilities. What the fuck is the Den? “Explain the Den to me.”

  Lord Harcourt’s smug satisfied smile came back. “In this world, there are two places where I make money off of those unfortunate souls I procure. The battle arena, where you’ve spent most of your time, or the Den of Iniquity.”

  She narrowed her focus. “Most of my time? I don’t understand.” She’d spent all of her time in the arena, hadn’t she? The meaning of den of iniquity started rolling around in her head uncomfortably. She got a bad feeling in her stomach as he continued.

  “In fact, technically you are a star in both of my most lucrative businesses.”

  This time her brows drew together. “What do you mean by that?”

  “There are many several very crude and yet very popular films of you with William. Both in the ring, and out of it.” He laughed and the immediate crowd laughed with him as if everyone in the arena was in on the joke.

  She glanced over at Jeremy. He didn’t look her in the eye. He cast his gaze at the dirt floor of the arena. Her belly roiled with a premonition of something dreadful.

  Angelica straightened her shoulders. “I don’t understand. Explain.”

  “There are numerous Digital Motion Recording videos of you with William slaying beast after beast in the ring. I’ve a lucrative business sharing the videos of your battles with those discriminating tastes all over the galaxy. However, there are an equal number of incredibly carnal DMR videos of you with William after the battles you’ve fought and won in the gladiator’s arena. These other videos are of the two of you, enjoying each other in the privacy of the quarters I provided.”

  The sex. Holy fuck. She glanced over at Jeremy. He was still studying the arena floor, and pointedly not looking at her. He’d seen them. Of course he had. It was likely how he found her.

  “Do you mean to say that you filmed us…after…when we…?” She stopped talking. When Jeremy wouldn’t look at her, she turned to William still unconscious on the ground.

  DMR video tapes were forever. Renegade copies regularly made it out of the Forbidden Zone to all parts of the universe. Yes. They were illegal. Yes. They had to be forfeited if discovered. Yes. People hid their porn stash more creatively than currency.

  Parisa would forever be the resident slave bitch and permanent whore to a popular gladiator in Lord Harcourt’s battle arena.

  How could she go back to her previous life as captain of a ship, and maintain any semblance of order, if her crew could go to their quarters and see her screwing William silly after their shift ended?

  Worse, how could she go back to her love, Jeremy, after all she’d done with William? Another man she also still loved.

  * * * *

  Jeremy hated that she was only discovering this information right now. He knew first hand that it was true. He’d seen every single DMR film with her and William, who was currently still unconscious at her feet. At the time, he’d tried not to be forlorn or jealous, discovering that at least she was alive, and assuming she only did what she had to do to survive here in this primitive district.

  It was obvious to him now that her memories had been stolen. Angelica would have fought to come back to him. But she hadn’t remembered their love for each other. He took comfort in the fact that she’d eventually remembered him today. And that the tattoo under his collar bone had been the key. That was where her gaze had zeroed in, and then she’d remembered.

  “Yes, I filmed you after every single battle you were in together. And let me tell you,” Lord Harcourt said, with a laugh, sneering at her obvious shock. “You never once disappointed your multitude of fans in either arena.”

  Angelica lowered her gaze to straight ahead. Jeremy wondered what she was thinking.

  Harcourt bragged, “In fact, you and William are a most popular couple in the Den of Iniquity circles where the DMR videos are sold. What was it that first night…?” He paused as if trying to remember. “Ah, yes. Three very enthusiastic rounds of vigorous fucking after that initial battle was won. I charged four times the going rate and everyone who bought it thought the material would be a bargain at twice the price.”

  Angelica looked down, then glanced in his direction without making eye contact. Jeremy didn’t speak, but certainly didn’t hold anything against her. She’d been sold into slavery and obviously drugged in some way to keep her memories locked up.

  He couldn’t very well claim jealousy when she hadn’t been of her right mind, and he wouldn’t have anyway. But he’d also purchased and watched every illegal film available of her on his way to this hostile, forbidding, renegade planet, vowing retribution to those responsible for her capture, her captivity, and any others who’d wronged her for any reason.

  He was definitely at a disadvantage, but now that he’d found Angelica, he didn’t care what happened next. Together, they were stronger. Together, they’d find a way to triumph. Jeremy was at first a bit surprised that she wanted to take William with them. But upon quick consideration, it was reasonable. This man had saved her repeatedly in the battle arena. He cared for her well-being. They’d spent months together. Alone. In that dungeon. On that crude bed.

  Jeremy shook himself away from any resentment. He hadn’t quite categorized William, but knew he wasn’t an enemy. And he wasn’t someone Jeremy chose to ever make an enemy. He didn’t care what Lord Harcourt wanted. He wouldn’t kill the other gladiator. Not ever.

  He did take the opportunity to make a special note of Lord Harcourt’s participation in Angelica’s captivity. His pompous ass lordship was perfect as first target for Jeremy’s future vengeance.

  Angelica turned her attention back to Harcourt. “If I choose Den of Iniquity, what will be required? What will your price be for the three of us to leave and never darken this district’s air space ever again? And further, if I do agree to whatever degrading show you demand, what will you do afterward to screw me over?”

  “You must let me film you with these two men. You must be with each of them while the other watches you, and finally they must fuck you together. There must be three rounds of fucking, as I know you are enthusiastically capable of performing, Angelica Brice, and then?” He looked skyward as if already counting the vast credits he’d earn on such a film display.

  “And then what?” she demanded.

  “Your debt to me will be paid. As far as screwing you over, I wouldn’t think of it. I’ll have someone escort you personally out the doors of this arena. And at long last you’ll be free of my hospitality.

  “But keep this close in your mind forevermore, my feisty slave. During the years to come when you think back on my generosity throughout your time here. I’ll still be making lots and lots of credits on all the films you’ve already provided.

  “Generations to come will pay rich sums to enjoy watching you with William. In the battle arena, wielding a sword, or in your quarters fucking him after all your exhausting fights with hybrid creatures. In fact, you’ll live on in this realm forever. As the final cherry on the top of my fortune, you wildly fucking the two men who both want you beyond all reason will bring me even more untold wealth. Everyone loves a romance in one form or another.

  “The man from your past who sought you out and may or may not still want you after all those erotic liaisons with William. And the man I provided for you to give you purpose while you were in my care. Once you leave here, you’ll be free to go and forever contemplate how I have impacted your life ceaselessly.”

  Angelica stood stock still for so long, Jeremy thought she might never speak. “I choose Den of Iniquity. I’ll also choose the program. First with Jeremy, then with William, and then together. Do you agree?”

  “Yes. That was going to be my suggestion, as well.” He clapped his hands gleefully. Jeremy did his best to keep his sword in hand and not fling it in the general direction of the man’s head.

  Angelica crossed her arms, and add
ed, “The quarters you so generously supplied us during our stay here are too cramped. The bed William and I shared will not hold three people. Do you have different accommodations for this final disgrace?”

  “Why, yes. I do. You’ll love it, as the space also has an arena-like setting. I know you’re already used to a ring of spectators while you battle. And of course, seated in the best place will be me. I’ll watch the three of you with anticipation along with those willing to pay handsomely for the privilege.”

  “Fine. Let’s go get this over with.”

  Harcourt gestured to William, still on the arena ground, bleeding slightly from the wounds Jeremy had inflicted. “Unfortunately, your gladiator lover isn’t quite himself yet. We’ll schedule this for later this evening. Perhaps the midnight hour would be appropriate, if William is awake to participate by then, of course.”

  “Fine.” Angelica moved toward William, falling on her knees next to his prone form. Jeremy’s only worry was, at the end of this ordeal, whether she’d choose to come back to him or remain with the man she obviously cared immensely for who’d also championed her with his life every single day they’d been here together.

  How could Jeremy compete with that?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Angelica bent to check William’s injuries. Given all the time they’d spent together, she knew he was currently faking his unconsciousness. As a good slave bitch, she’d play along until he was ready to wake up and explain why. She assumed he wanted to get back to their quarters for a more private conversation, although in light of the realization they’d been filmed since the first night, perhaps it wasn’t a good idea.

  And when he deemed it time to wake up, what would he say to her? A sarcastic thanks for choosing to put us in the despicable limelight of a threesome forever? Would he have chosen to fight in the arena again rather than have sex with her in front of her former lover and an arena of voyeurs? She hoped not. It wasn’t like he hadn’t known there was a man in her past from that first night they’d been together. Then again they hadn’t realized they’d had an audience all this time either.

  Although he hadn’t mentioned it for several weeks, at one time, William had also worried on more than one occasion about the wedding scene from his own faulty memory. And whether or not he also had a wife tucked away fretfully hoping he was still alive trying to make his way back to her.

  Further wishing this faceless wife wouldn’t be mortally devastated that he’d been frolicking with Angelica these last few months sans memories of their past. Now they knew videos had been created of them together and had been distributed. She wasn’t the only one who’d suffer consequences as a result.

  Jeremy approached, shading her with his body from the slant of the sun in the lavender blue sky. “I’ll carry him,” he said without any inflection in his tone.

  Was Jeremy angry at her choice, as well? Did he want to face a legion of slavering maniacal beasts rather than share her with William while they were filmed, the DMR video sold in perpetuity to those with prurient desires, bringing untold wealth to the man she’d been sold to and abused by these last few months?

  “Thank you,” she managed, her tone thick with remorse for the choices she’d been forced to make, because the thought of seeing either of them die in the arena was something she knew she couldn’t live with. Better to be filmed making love than die screaming in a blood bath brought on by the whims of maddened hybrid creatures, or worse, mechanized metal beasts, offering no chance whatsoever of defense or survival.

  Jeremy wrestled William onto his shoulder and stood. She glanced at him, seeing his determination to succeed. He didn’t seem angry with her. A sliver of hope filled her soul with the idea that maybe she had made the right decision. Maybe her life could get back to some semblance of the way it used to be. Staring at William’s unmoving body draped over Jeremy’s shoulder she thought, is that what I want?

  They were led once more to the cozy quarters she’d shared with William since waking up here. The loathsome chains were removed before the door was unlocked. Jeremy entered first, placing William carefully on the slab bed on his back. Angelica got a rag, soaked it with water, and wiped the blood and grime from his face and arms. She whispered to him, hoping if any recording equipment was in place, it wouldn’t pick up her low tone.

  Will didn’t move. Didn’t wake up. Didn’t even flinch when she pinched his side. That left her to face Jeremy alone. She stood from the bed, and turned around as he advanced on her.

  The look of utter relief on his face halted the apology on her lips. He closed the distance of their short separation slowly, as if gauging her reaction to his presence. She remembered everything about their past in fine detail, but she also remembered these past months with Will. It would be foolish to expect Jeremy hadn’t seen the videos of them together, otherwise how had he found her?

  A traitorous tear fell from one lower lid followed soon by another, until trails of saltwater stained her cheeks. She never cried, but this untenable situation seemed somehow tear-worthy.

  “Do not,” he said simply. “Do not pretend for one second that I’m upset in any possible way for what has transpired here. And if you say you’re sorry, I’ll have to arm wrestle you until you cry uncle, forcing you to snap out of it. Don’t think I won’t.”

  She glanced into his forgiving eyes, and nodded, relieved to hear the words she suspected, but the riotous tears continued to fall anyway. “I’m only sorry that I forgot you.”

  “I’m fairly certain you had help with that.” Tears of pent-up emotion continued to stream down her face. Maybe the uncontrollable tear-fest was some form of release from the pressure, fear, and guilt she’s lived with all this time. She wasn’t usually a woman who let sentimental feelings loose in the form of teardrops. Usually she unleashed her emotions in the virtual reality booth with a weapon in hand, fighting until she didn’t feel anything anymore or was too numb to move after her exertions.

  Ironic that tears were what she needed as a release after months of battling with weapons and beasts in a hostile environment, followed immediately after with Will and lots of satisfying sex.

  Today, in the arena, staring at Jeremy’s tattoo, she’d seen clearly the hidden letters of his sister’s name within his military battle insignia tattoos.

  The memories she’d tried so desperately to recall flooded into her mind like they’d been a torrent unleashed in her brain. It had been painful, but she welcomed the pain along with her blessed memories. Now she could remember everything, and she was so grateful to learn that her love, Jeremy, had traversed all the way into District Six to find her and help her escape. And when she repudiated him for Will in his first attempt to rescue her, he stayed anyway to try and free her. Now he was locked in the web of deceit Lord Harcourt called entertainment.

  All her recent memories came with unwanted tears. Perhaps they were tears of joy mixed equally with regret.

  Jeremy put a palm softly against her jaw line, brushing her foolish tears away with his thumb. The other hand came up to wipe clean her other cheek, cradling her face as he always did, looking at her like she was the perfect answer to all his problems.

  Angelica was so glad to see him. So grateful to have her memories of him tucked back safely in her mind. So thankful that he’d come after her and rescued her from certain death.

  He then wrapped his strong arms around her trembling frame. Her cheek rested against the tattoo beneath his collarbone and signaled another concentrated rush of memories back into her brain, so she asked him, “Are you upset by the choice I made today?

  “No,” he said resolutely. “Not even the tiniest bit.”

  “Thank you.” She pulled away a bit to see his face and assure he wasn’t truly upset.

  Jeremy focused his intense stare at her eyes, and asked, “Was he good to you when you weren’t on film?” His voice was low, intense, and filled with unspoken meaning.

  She didn’t have to ask who he was talking about. “Yes. H
e is the most honorable of men, Jeremy.”

  A sexy half-smile shaped his luscious lips, and he said, “I’ve missed hearing you say my name.”

  “I’ve missed saying it. The only memory I had was a brief sexual one of us together. But I couldn’t see your face or remember your name. I didn’t even know what the tattoo said, just that it was beneath your collarbone, near your heart, and that it was very important.”

  “I’m glad you remembered me at all. I’ll admit, at one point, I wasn’t certain you ever would. Or perhaps that you’d made another choice as to the man you wanted a future with.”

  Angelica thought about that for a minute. If she’d remembered her identity, she wouldn’t have slept with Will. Would she? Perhaps that had been inevitable for another reason. The fragrance of the fresh-cut flowers in their room after each battle did have a powerful impact. Both when their rich scent permeated the air around them, and when it didn’t.

  Rehashing the memories before she’d known her true identity was like watching a movie of someone that looked exactly like her doing things she never would have.

  “I was with Will from the first night.” She squeezed Jeremy a little bit tighter as if to soften the blow of her inadvertent infidelity.

  Had Jeremy seen the first film after that initial battle? Of course he had. She’d forgotten, ironically enough since the reveal in the arena. How else could he have possibly found her here? Had he been worried she would be swallowed whole by the huge tigers? Or had he been sidelined by her enthusiastically fucking Will from the very first night.

  “I watched every single film, Angelica, searching endlessly for clues to where you were located. And it worked. I found you. I’ll never be sorry about any of it.”

  “But you saw me with Will. You saw us together…” She cleared her throat to keep from finishing her sentence. Fucking. That’s what Jeremy had seen her doing with Will. Fucking wildly like mindless animals, unable to get enough of each other with the help of fragrant flowers endlessly spewing out a pungent aphrodisiac into their quarters to make their coupling inevitable.