Paige walks in front of me, and once we reach the top, Mario drags me to the left, and Paige is dragged to the right. She turns crying out my name, and I shout out hers feeling my eyes prick with tears.
Mario doesn’t budge. He pulls on my arm forcefully and drags me to a room where he shoves me into it and locks the door behind us. I quickly turn around, scared he might try to do something to me.
“Don’t worry, signora, I’m not going to touch you. Clemente would kill me if I touch his prizes.”
Feeling a sense of relief, I take a look around the room noticing large red velvet drapes covering the windows. A bed sits in the center, draped in a black and red duvet. Dark mahogany furniture dresses the room with a fireplace that has a rug before it.
It does look like a castle.
If this were another time, I would appreciate its splendor, but it’s not another time. I’ve been kidnapped against my will, and I have no idea what they plan to do with Paige and me.
My eyes focus on a garment that’s lying flat on the bed. I walk toward it—a black silk negligee with lace around the breasts.
I turn to Mario and ask, “You don’t expect me to wear this?”
He takes a couple of steps and picks up the negligee. “Not me, Mr. Clemente, and he doesn’t like disobedience. Mario hands me the negligee, then lifts my chin with his finger. “You are very beautiful. I’m only sorry I didn’t meet you under different circumstances.”
I take a step back, not wanting him to touch me and glare at him. He laughs, steps in closer again, then he leans in and whispers in my ear, “Tell me, Lexi, are you still pure?”
I turn my head away from the disgusting asshole.
I wonder if they would let let me go if I told them the truth? That I’m not a virgin.
Hope fills me, and I look back at him and smile. “Sorry to disappoint you, Mario, but I am indeed not a virgin. So, I’m sorry that Mr. Clemente has been led to believe otherwise.
Mario shrugs it off, then points to a door over on the right. “In there is the bathroom. Clean yourself and get dressed in this,” he says, placing the negligee on my shoulder, then looks down at my attire, and I feel my body chill. “And if you come out wearing those dirty clothes, I will take all the clothes away including the negligee, and keep you naked for all the men to see. So don’t test me.”
I swallow hard thinking about his words. He said, ‘for all the men to see.’ What men? Who are they? Where are they? What do they want with Paige and me? Tears threaten to fall again. “Please, will you just tell me what you’re going to do with us?”
“Don’t worry, little girl, all will be revealed soon.” And with that, he walks back to the door and shuts it behind him. I run over hoping it’s unlocked, but as I suspected, it’s not. I stand banging on the door, screaming louder and louder, “Let me out. Please, let me out.” But there’s no reply.
I place my ear to the door, trying to hear if there’s anyone out there who might help, but all I can hear is the thumping of my heart. I turn to face the bed and slowly walk back picking up the negligee in the process. I clench the material in my hand noticing the rich fabric that was used to make it.
Where am I?
Where did they take Paige?
I walk to the bathroom, and the shower before me almost brings tears to my eyes. The design of it reminds me of the shower back at the villa, and my heart fills with dread.
How could I have been so stupid?
Again!
Knowing tears are not going to get me anywhere, I reach in the shower and turn the faucet on, instantly loving the warm water on my hand as I adjust the temperature. I get undressed and make my way under the hot shower, letting it wash away all the dirt and grime.
My parents spring to mind, and I think about how they must be going out of their minds with concern about Paige and me, wondering where we are and if we’re safe.
I need to find a way to call them.
But how?
They took away my cell, and I doubt I’ll be able to break out of here. I grab the shampoo and quickly lather my hair, then wash myself with the bodywash. I run my fingers over the marks on my skin where they injected the drugs into my bloodstream.
This is all a giant nightmare, and I know one I’m not going to wake up from anytime soon. Fear grips me when my mind wanders to what their plans are for us. I feel myself crumbling into a thousand pieces and begin to cry, letting my body slide to the tiled floor as my tears mix with the water streaming down my face.
Hugging my knees into my chest, I let them run free, allowing all my pain and worry out knowing nobody is around to hear me. I’m so scared and can only imagine how Paige is feeling. She’s so young and must be going out of her mind.
I must remain strong for both of us, but it’s something I’m not sure I can do.
I sit under the water for a little while longer, then when all my tears are done, I slowly stand to my feet and switch off the faucets. I step out and grab the nearby fluffy white towel.
I dry my hair and my body catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I don’t recognize the girl that’s looking back at me. She’s pale with dark bags under her eyes, and her cheeks are sunken in.
I turn away, not liking what I see, and continue to dry myself.
Noticing there’s no underwear, I grab the black negligee and place it over my head, letting it drop to a pool at my feet. I adjust the straps over my shoulders and see a nearby brush on the counter and begin to stroke out my knots.
A noise sounds outside in the bedroom, and I quickly run out to see if someone has come to my rescue. “Hello? Who are you?” I ask the stranger who’s standing by the bed in a black suit and tie.
“Hello, Alexandra, I’m Christopher. I’m here to ensure that you look immaculate before you’re introduced downstairs. I swallow hard feeling the lump in my throat. There’s something familiar about his voice.
“What is d-downstairs?” I mumble, fear coming through my words in the form of a stutter. Then, all of a sudden it comes to me, he’s the man with the American accent who was in the back of the van.
“He smiles. Nothing to worry your pretty little head about. Now let me take a look at you.” He steps in closer, and I notice his combed light brown hair and blue eyes. Christopher doesn’t look like a monster, but then again, I have no idea what his role is in all of this. The American begins to walk around me in a circle, and my body stills. This asshole’s looking at me like a prize, a possession, and my legs begin to tremble.
“Mmm, you are quite beautiful, Alexandra Ambers.”
Stunned that he knows my full name, I quickly turn my head to him.
He smiles. “We’ve done our homework. We don’t just kidnap any girl. Clemente has a particular taste when it comes to his… girls.”
Clemente, there’s that name again.
“Who is Clemente?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” He lifts a strand of my hair between his fingers, his face taking on a somewhat annoyed expression. “This won’t do. Go! Dry your hair.” His hand comes out, and I flinch back. “Don’t worry, Lexi, I’m not going to hurt you.” My teeth chatter with fear as he runs his fingers softly down my cheek. “There’s makeup in the bathroom, make sure you use it. You have horrible marks under your eyes.” His strong cologne envelops me before he leaves to go into the bathroom. When he returns, he hands me a lipstick. “This is the color you will wear tonight. I’ll wait right here to make sure you look perfect before we head downstairs.” Christopher turns and takes a seat on the bed, folding his legs then shoos me away, saying, “We don’t have much time. Go! Do it now. Mr. Clemente doesn’t like his girls to keep him waiting.”
“Girls? What girls?” I ask, stepping closer.
“Tsk tsk… no more talking. Head into the bathroom and dry that hair of yours. And don’t forget to use the makeup.”
I listen and walk back into the bathroom. My hair has begun to dry and become fizzy. I open the drawers and find a hairdr
yer. Plugging it in, I quickly dry it and brush it to the point that it falls in waves down my back.
The makeup kit is on the bench, so open it and apply some concealer to cover the blackness under my eyes with shaking hands as I dab the cream into my skin. I have no idea what I’m being prepared for, and the thought alone scares me to death.
Grabbing the eyeshadow, I decide on a natural color and lightly cover my eyelids followed by some mascara. Looking in the mirror, I still look quite pale. Knowing that Christopher will send me back in here if I walk out there like this, I decide to place some color to my cheeks by applying some pink bronzer. Lastly, I remove the lid from the bright red lipstick. I’ve never worn anything but gloss on my lips, and usually, I would pass on this color. However, I’ve been told that I need to wear this, so with shaky hands, I start to apply it to my bottom lip. I stop, take in a few short breaths trying to get my nerves under control. Then when I’ve calmed a little, I attempt to cover my top lip without shaking.
Once I’m done, I wipe away the excess lipstick that’s gotten out of line. If this were another time, another place, I would admire my appearance, but right now, I have no idea what’s in store.
I sense we have been sold to this Mr. Clemente but have no idea what that means.
Will he keep us here as slaves?
Are we going to be sold again?
Will they rape me?
Fear grips me, and I struggle to breathe through a panic attack.
No, this can’t be happening!
I feel slightly faint and try to sit on the edge of the nearby spa, but before I can step close, I must blackout because when I wake, I’m lying in bed.
“Where am I?” My voice sounds croaky, and I try to sit up.
Christopher is there beside me with an amber liquid in his hands.
“What happened?” I ask, confused.
He takes a seat on the bed beside me and replies, “You fainted. Understandable, considering you haven’t eaten or drunk much in the past few days. Here drink some of this, it will make you feel better and bring some pinkness to your cheeks. I accept his amber liquid, and when I bring it to my lips, the strong scent of alcohol causes my nose to tingle.
“I don’t want this.” I hand it back to him.
Christopher lifts the glass by the bottom and tilts it to my mouth. “Drink it! This is not a choice but a demand.”
Not wanting to anger him, I take the glass to my lips and take a large gulp of the contents. The liquor burns all the way down my chest, and I begin to cough.
Christopher laughs, then pushes the glass to my mouth again. “All of it.”
I want to throw it in his stupid face and tell him I don’t have to do fucking anything, but I know that’s not possible. So, obeying his demands, I bring the glass to my lips and swallow the contents until the glass is empty.
“There you go. Good girl.” Christopher removes the glass from my hand and places it on the bedside table, then looks back at me. “How do you feel? Do you think you can walk?”
I feel a little better, but the last thing I want to do is walk anywhere because I don’t know where I’m going. But before I can reply that I’m not ready, I think about Paige, who will probably be going wherever they’re sending me, and I don’t want to leave her on her own, so I reply, “Yes, I think I can.”
Christopher stands, then holds his hand out to me to support my wobbly legs. I accept it, but when I stand, I sway a little on my feet, and for some reason I giggle. Not sure what that alcohol was, but it’s making me feel giddy.
“Whoa… be careful.” He steps in front of me and holds both of my hands. “Lexi, are you okay?”
I nod, blink a few times, and attempt to straighten myself. I tilt my head wondering if I should ask the question that’s on my mind, but then figure I have nothing to lose.
What’s worse than getting sold?
“What’s on your mind, Lexi?”
“I just wonder… what’s your role in all of this?”
His lips lift to the side “You’re not scared of me, are you?”
“Should I be?”
“Don’t test me, Lexi. What I do here is none of your concern. As I mentioned before, it’s my job to make sure you look presentable and at your best before I take you downstairs.”
I chew the inside of my cheek then ask, “And what’s downstairs?”
“You’ll see—”
Before he can finish, a voice comes through on a radio. I frown wondering where it’s coming from, then see Christopher pick up a walkie-talkie, and he turns to step outside. Closing the door behind him, I quickly tiptoe to the door wanting to hear what’s being said. The door is thick, but I can definitely make out his words.
“Yes. I will. I’ll bring her out now.”
The other person says, “Is she going to be a problem? Do you think she needs more drugs?”
I hold my breath praying he doesn’t answer that with a yes. “No, I don’t think so at this stage. I’ve given her some brandy to calm her nerves. She’s ready.”
“That’s good.”
Quickly, I spin around and walk back to the bed.
Christopher opens the door announcing, “It’s showtime.”
My stomach twists in knots, and once again, I feel a little shaky.
No, I need to be strong, not only for myself but for Paige.
So, I take in a deep breath and stand tall. I can do this.
Christopher reaches out his hand, and I walk to him with courage that I’m not feeling. Once I’m beside him, he places his hand at the small of my back and ushers me out of the door. When we exit, I contemplate running away, but when I see men at the top of the staircase holding shotguns and wearing camouflage gear, I decide it’s not in my best interests right now.
My eye catches the attention of something, and then one by one, I see girls exiting rooms with a man in a suit just like Christopher and wearing the same negligee as me. I search the girls for my sister Paige, then I see her.
I start to run to her and cry out, “Paige! Paige!”
She sees me right away and takes off toward me, but we are both captured and dragged back to our spot.
“I told you to behave. Don’t make me do something to ruin that pretty face of yours.”
I look up at him and realize he’s serious. And here I was thinking maybe he could be one of the good guys and perhaps someone I could try and manipulate to help me. Obviously not.
I hear Paige cry out my name, and I yell, “It’s okay, Paige. Please don’t cry.” My heart breaks when I see how vulnerable she looks in what she’s wearing. She’s so small, and the negligee basically hangs off of her body. She’s wearing the same lipstick as me, and then I glance at the other girls and notice they are too. I count the girls and come up with eight.
Eight girls!
They all look frightened which is the same way I’m feeling.
There’s one girl, in particular, who looks around twelve.
My God, what are they going to do with her?
I feel sick to my stomach to think that they are going to sell her. She’s so young and just beginning her life. Her hair is blonde and looks as if it’s been curled and styled. Her eyes, which I’m sure are usually bright and full of life, are dull and void. As I look on, I find that I’m possibly the eldest one here because they all look under sixteen. Beside each girl is a man wearing a tuxedo, just like Christopher is standing beside me.
Without warning, a man who’s wearing a white shirt and black pants walks past each of the girls spraying us with perfume. It smells like musk and vanilla and something exotic. It’s like nothing I’ve ever smelled before.
One by one, we are accompanied by the men beside us, and with their arm in ours, they walk us down the stairs. I can see Paige is about two girls in front of me, and I watch her as she struggles with the length of the negligee which is tripping her constantly.
When we reach the bottom of the stairs, we are placed in a line behind each other. A ma
n exits a door wearing doctor’s attire with a white lab coat and white pants. I can make out his dark hair through the protective cap he’s wearing. He’s short with a black goatee and dark eyes. He speaks to the man next to him in Spanish, and then both the man and the doctor grab the first girl in line and walk her into the room the doctor exited from.
It’s quiet, and the girls all look around trying to figure out what’s going on.
Then struggling echoes around us, and I swallow hard wondering what they’re doing to that poor girl. I lick my lips trying to gain some sort of feeling of normalcy. I look up at Christopher, but he’s standing there like a statue, void of any emotion and certainly not giving anything away.
It’s about ten minutes later, and a young brunette exits the room in tears.
What the hell did they do to her?
She glances at me as she passes me in the line. Her eyes are dull and lifeless, but the tears have run down her face and run her mascara. One by one, they continue the same process, and then I freeze when it’s Paige’s turn. I step onto my tiptoes to try and get a better look into the room, but the door is abruptly closed after Paige is taken in.
I wait, patiently biting the skin around my nails praying Paige is okay, but then I’m relieved once she finally steps out. I try to gain her attention, but she’s avoiding eye contact and staring at the floor.
“Paige… Paige, are you okay?” I ask as she passes by.
She looks up at me, her eyes telling me exactly what I don’t want to know—she’s not okay. My heart sinks that little bit more, and I watch her walk to the back of the line with her eyes looking at the floor once again.
It’s not long until it is my turn, and when I’m ushered into the room by Christopher, I’m standing in an operating theater. The room smells of bleach and other sterilizing agents, a scent I’m all too familiar with, especially considering my dad’s a surgeon.
Before I can say or think anything, I’m thrust forward and asked to lie on my back. I would argue, but when I see two men in the theater dressed as the others holding guns, I decide it’s best to do as they say.
Lexi, Property of Rhyder: A Motorcycle Club Romance (Blood Brothers MC Book 6) Page 10
