“Why is she being released?” Federico asked.
“Because she is mine. Now, unlock Rita so she can roam the room freely.”
Federico’s frown deepened, probably because he’d been told that Honey was flying out to Spain, but instead of contradicting me he nodded.
I patted his arm, then ascended the staircase, knowing that Federico was probably watching me. I headed for my room, needing another shower. After a quick clean, I climbed into bed and closed my eyes, wanting to escape into unconsciousness. But my mind wouldn’t stop working, the acid kicking in even more, taking me to places I didn’t want to go, seeing things that horrified me, and the people who’d tormented me: my mother, Alberto, Frano, the dead body of my first lover ... and the Padre. My eyes widened as the black robe of terror descended upon me. He wrapped his arms around my body, overpowering me: my master, my nightmare, the man who called me his Angel Gabriel—and the demon who’d ruined me: Father Michael, the brother of the Donatelli don.
6
Rita
With the shackle now gone from around my waist, the guard having freed me, I went over to the woman called Honey. What had just happened totally floored me. Not because Jagger had called me by my name, which was a simple shortening of Margarita, but because of his actions: the way he’d made love to the blonde woman, his panic attack, his pleading words for the woman to stop, as if he was being assaulted, then that one name he’d uttered in fear: Padre. It didn’t appear an act, it was all too real, Jagger had lost control, something that contradicted everything I’d read about him, and even more, the arrogant act he put up.
I sat down next to Honey, who I knew as Sarah Phillips from the photos I’d been given back at the unit. “Has Jagger been abused?” I asked, not bothering to introduce myself, my need for information more important.
“I don’t know,” the woman said, looking at me suspiciously. “What’s your name?”
“Margarita,” I replied, not believing she could be so oblivious to Jagger’s state of mind. I barely knew the man, yet I could clearly see that something traumatic had happened to him, his actions speaking for themselves. “You said you love him, he said it back, so how can you not know when it’s obvious to me?”
“He’s never done it before.”
“Done what?”
“Acted like that or allow me to take control. But he said he loved me, so I thought it was alright to do. I didn’t mean to upset him, he’s always so sure of himself. I’ve never seen him look scared. Never. Maybe it was the drugs causing it.”
“They might have brought things on, but his behavior still reflects an abuse victim. I’ve seen...” I stopped myself just in time, realizing I’d almost blurted out that I’d dealt with abuse victims, which Jagger clearly was. “I’ve seen a couple of my students act strangely,” I said instead. “I eventually found out that they had been abused at home, which is why I believe something has happened to Jagger. He called out the name Padre, which is Italian for father. Maybe his father abused him.”
She shook her head. “He said his father’s dead, that he died a long time ago. He said it in anger once when I cried out for my father. He told me that my father won’t save me, like his didn’t save him.”
I wondered whether I should tell her about how her father was trying to get her back, and how her husband wept alongside him. But after seeing the way she acted with Jagger, I knew it could lead to my exposure.
“So, you’re not going to be sold,” I said, still surprised at Jagger’s declaration of love for the woman. She was stunning, her features picture perfect. But regardless of what she looked like, the way she’d kissed and held Jagger was genuine, plus he’d been gentle with her, looking embarrassed when she’d called him Master. Did he have a heart after all, and it was sitting here right next to me? That thought made me feel uncomfortable, his fear adding to my confusion.
The woman smiled. “I’m so relieved that I’m not being sold. Master, I mean Jagger, said the man I was meant for is cruel, way crueler than he could ever be. But Jagger’s not cruel. He tried to make me think he was, but he’s a beautiful man, both inside and out. It’s his cousin’s fault. The don forces him do things. Jagger beat me real bad once, then broke down and begged for my forgiveness, telling me he was told to do it, that he had to prepare me for worse. He is forced to do this, like we are forced to be here.”
My frown deepened, her words fitting in with his behavior. “Has the don touched you?”
She shook her head. “I haven’t met him.”
“So, you’ve seen no one but Jagger and the guard?”
She screwed up her face, looking like she was going to cry, her reaction making me nervous, the fear in her eyes speaking of someone else.
I placed a reassuring hand on her knee. “Has someone hurt you?”
She nodded.
“Who? Because I need to know, they might come for me too.”
“Alberto. He always comes when Jagger isn’t here. I told Jagger, but he can’t stop him, because Alberto is second in command.”
“Did Alberto help Jagger kidnap you too?”
She nodded. “I was waiting for a client to show up, but they never did, so I thought I’d just have a drink then go home. Jagger was in the bar. I couldn’t help but stare at him, because he’s so beautiful. The next thing I know he was next to me, touching my leg and asking if I wanted to go to his room. I told him I was married, but it didn’t put him off. I tried to ignore him, just wanting to finish my drink and to get home to my husband, but I think my drink was spiked. I started feeling lightheaded, then before I realized what was happening, he had his hand up my dress. I slapped him and left, going into the women’s restroom, where I threw up what I’d drunk. I think I blacked out in there, then the next thing I know Alberto’s helping me walk, pretending I was his drunk wife. I blacked out again, then woke up in a van.”
“They ambushed me in my hotel room,” I said. “I also woke up in a van. Have you seen other women?”
“Only once when a blonde woman yelled at the guard to let her into my room. She marched up to me and spat at me, telling me not to touch Alberto. But I don’t want Alberto, I hate him. I hate him!” She looked down at her hands, her nails bitten down low.
I moved my hand to her back. “He tried to rape me too.”
She kept her gaze down, her hands now shaking. “He didn’t try with me, he did. I don’t know how he could be related to Jagger. I really don’t. He is such a cruel man.”
“Which is why we should escape.”
She shook her head. “I can’t go, I have Jagger, plus there’s no way out of here.”
“You should at least try. Don’t you have family you want to get back to?”
Her eyes saddened. “If I go I’d lose Jagger, and I can’t do that, I need him.”
My thoughts went to the woman’s father breaking down, and her husband’s tears. I wondered what those men would think hearing this. Betrayal would be the word, hurt another one. I didn’t know how she could fall in love with a man in less than two months and give up another that she’d been with since high school. Jagger was beautiful, but her husband was lovely, so sweet and his heartache genuine.
I looked down at the gold band on her finger. She was naked but for that. “But you have a wedding ring,” I said.
Her face crumbled. “I love Adam, but what I feel for Jagger is stronger. I’ve never felt like this for anyone, never lived for another person like I live for Jagger.”
I sighed. She had Stockholm syndrome. She was lost, even more so that Jagger actually wanted to keep her, though, I had no idea why he wanted me to watch them make love. Probably to make me feel uncomfortable, which it did, the man certainly an eyeful.
I talked with the woman longer, getting as much information out of her as possible. She answered all my questions, but kept reiterating that I wouldn’t be able to escape, that I just needed to do as Jagger said, and hope that Alberto didn’t come for me.
The
thought of Alberto made me sick, what he had almost done earlier still plaguing my mind. I looked down at my bracelet, wishing that the tiny microphones inside could transmit from long distances, but knowing that it was impossible, especially with us being in a different country, wherever that was.
After a few hours, Jagger returned. He appeared twitchy, his eyes not settling on anything, while his hands moved all over the place as though he was batting away demons, but Honey didn’t seem to notice, the woman instead squealing in delight. She jumped up and ran to him, giving him a hug and a kiss. He kissed her back, then signaled at me with a wave of his hand, like I was another of his demons that he wanted gone. “Federico, take her out so I can be alone with Honey,” he said, to the guard.
“Where do you want her?”
“Her room. Once I’m done, she can come back and keep my amore company.”
The guard indicated for me to follow him. I got up without issue, my gaze flicking to Jagger as I headed for the door.
“Take that ring off, you’re mine now,” he said to Honey.
She let go of him and pulled it off, handing it over to him.
I rounded the corner and entered my room, sick that she could throw away her husband’s love just like that. I could never give my memory of Matt up for another man, especially not one who had kidnapped me—it was obscene.
I sat down on my bed, watching as the door closed, the sound of the bolt locking me in. I heard a happy squeal come from the next room. I stood up and headed for the wall, placing an ear to it. I heard muffled voices, but couldn’t distinguish anything that was said.
I moved to the door, checking how solid it was, then went into the windowless bathroom, hoping there would be something in there that could help me escape. But there was nothing of use, only a bath and a washbasin, not even a mirror that I could break to use as a weapon.
I went back to the bed and lay down, my mind going to Matt. I closed my eyes, bringing up an image of him. He had been tall, much taller than Jagger, bulkier too, the physique of an athlete, a man who loved to spend his time outdoors. I smiled at the memory of his excitement when I had agreed to a hike through Yellowstone. I had teased him, telling him he was like a boy with the way he’d acted over it. He had picked me up and thrown me on the bed, proving he was all man. And he was all man, the top undercover agent in our department, the one person my boss said would never fail. But Matt had failed, Frano D’Angelo shooting him down in cold blood.
But I wouldn’t fail.
No
Matter
What.
7
I woke to the sound of the door opening. I shot up in bed, only to be greeted by the guard.
“You’re going back to Honey’s room,” he said.
I pushed off the bed and followed him into the next room. Honey was sitting on the bed fully clothed, her happy face the only thing lighting up the place. She was wearing a pretty yellow sundress, while her long blonde hair was brushed and lay loose over her shoulders. She looked sweet, the opposite to Jagger’s explicit sensuality, the two opposing elements, nothing alike.
“Hello,” she said.
I sat next to her, feeling self-conscious about my nudity, even more so now she was clothed.
“Are you alright?” she asked, her expression turning to concern.
“I want to go home,” right after I kill Frano. But I also wanted to learn more about Jagger, and whether he was really being forced. The thought of torturing Frano to find out almost made me smile.
“I’ll ask Jagger if he can help you too,” she said.
“He won’t help, he hurt me.”
“Only because he was forced.”
“It didn’t feel that way when he slapped me over and over again, then sliced my foot.”
She frowned. “Frano would find out if he didn’t do as he was told. I’ve seen bruises on him. Frano hurts him. Alberto does too. He doesn’t have a choice, and it kills him hurting us.”
I breathed out, wondering whether my information on Jagger was incorrect. I’d never anticipated this, didn’t expect Jagger to be anything other than a sadist pig, the intel collected by my unit depicting him as a monster, not an abuse victim forced to commit heinous crimes.
The door opened, making both of us look up. My heart stopped as two men entered the room with the guard, one of them Alberto, the other resembling the photo I’d seen of Frano: the new don of the D’Angelo family. He looked scruffier than the image, the stubble on his face adding to it. But instead of taking away from his looks, it gave him a more sensual appearance, as though he’d just gotten out of bed and had thrown on his clothes haphazardly, his mussed up hair adding to the sexual aura surrounding him. But to me, he was an ugly monster, his handsome mask unable to hide his black soul, something I would destroy, making him look as foul as his nature.
He indicated at me. “What is she doing in here?”
“Jagger wanted Honey to have some company,” the guard said, looking worried.
Frano’s gaze moved to Honey. “And why is that slave in clothes?”
“Jagger gave her them.”
“Alberto, undress her then take her to the van.”
The guard stepped in front of Alberto. “There’s been a misunderstanding, boss. Jagger is coming back for Honey.” He cleared his throat, looking like he was regretting getting in Alberto’s way. “He said you approved it, and that if anyone touched her he would kill me.”
Frano puffed up his chest, looking as though he was going to blow-up. “You answer to me, not him! And I’ve approved nothing!” Frano indicated to Honey. “Strip her now and take her to the van.”
Alberto smiled, his eyes fixed on Honey. “Can I have some fun first?”
“Sì, just make it quick.”
Alberto shoved the guard aside and headed for Honey, who scrambled across the bed, yelling: “You can’t touch me, I’m Jagger’s!”
I remained still, wanting to help her, but knowing I couldn’t without giving myself away, plus both the guard and Frano were holding guns, one of them pointed at me.
Alberto grabbed Honey, his big hand ripping at her pretty dress. Honey screamed and hit out at him, getting him in the face. Alberto punched her in the stomach, then shoved her flat on the bed, punching her again. I closed my eyes, the noises making me want to disappear.
A few seconds later, an ear-splitting scream cut through the air, the sound making me open my eyes. Alberto was on top of Honey, forcing himself inside of her, his large body swamping hers. Unable to control myself, I jumped onto his back, putting him in a chokehold, knowing it was the wrong choice to make, but the only thing I could do.
Alberto swung around, knocking me to the floor. Frano stormed over to me and grabbed me by the hair, yanking me up. He pushed me onto the bed and placed his gun to my head as Alberto climbed back onto Honey. My head was yanked into a position where I could see everything, from Honey’s tear-stricken features to Alberto’s cock entering her. I closed my eyes, sickened by the sight, and also wishing I could shut the sounds out, the sobs from Honey and Alberto’s grunts combining with the slapping of bodies.
Frano pressed the gun to my head harder. “Open your eyes,” he said.
I shook my head.
“Open your eyes or I will shoot you!” he yelled.
I opened them, seeing Honey now sobbing uncontrollably, her weak voice hopelessly begging for Jagger to save her.
Frano placed his lips to my ear. “This is what happens when Jagger doesn’t do as he’s told. This woman is not his, neither are you, you both belong to me to do as I please, and after Alberto finishes with that slave, she will be shipped to Spain, earning me a lot of money. So, the next time you think about attacking one of my men, I will allow Alberto to enter you as he is doing to Jagger’s Honey. Is that clear enough, slave?”
“Yes.”
“Good, because I’d much rather fuck you than give you to an animale like Alberto.”
Alberto stilled on top of Honey. �
��I’m not an animale.”
“Oh, yes, you are,” Frano laughed, the sound cruel, “so enjoy my gift, but don’t take too long, because her flight is in a few hours.”
Alberto started up again, grunting as he raped Honey, the woman no longer making a noise, her face a mask of horror. I stared at the top of her head, not wanting to see any of it, but unable to block it out: the sounds, Alberto’s movements, all inches away from my face.
After what felt like an eternity, Alberto finally pulled out of Honey, the man not wearing a condom. He grabbed Honey by the hair and yanked her around, then picked her up and carried her into the bathroom, the door closing behind them. Honey’s screams started up again, making me want to disappear into nothing.
Frano yanked me around to face him. “Remember, you belong to me, not Jagger.” He leaned down, looking like he was going to kiss me. I jerked my head to the side, everything in me wanting to kill him, the pull on my hair barely registering. He placed the gun to my temple, causing me to freeze, then leaned down and kissed me, his lips parting mine, his tongue thrusting inside. I wanted to bite it off, but remained still, although it took all of my self-control to do so, my self-preservation winning over my hatred for him.
He pulled back, his eyelids half-closed. “You are mine to do as I please, so the next time you think about defying me, think about what Alberto did to Honey and compare it to what I did for you in the bath, then decide which you’d rather have.” He pushed up and headed for the door.
The screaming stopped in the bathroom, then the door opened. Alberto came out with an unconscious Honey in his arms.
“What did you do to her?!” I yelled.
He looked at me as though he couldn’t believe I had dared speak to him. “None of your business, puttana.” He headed for the door with Honey, disappearing through it.
The guard pulled the door shut behind him, the bolt sliding into place. I stared at it, totally shocked at what I’d just witnessed, my mind returning to the expression on Honey’s face as she was raped. I closed my eyes, knowing I’d failed her, that the woman would be gone soon, nothing she was receiving now wanted, nothing her choice, the woman lost to her family and the man she loved.
My Masters' Nightmare Season 1, Episode 1 Page 6
