by Evie Harper
“He’s breathing,” I state, then continue, feeling like this is a good time to share my feelings. “I hate this place. I hate Marco. I hate you, and most of all, I hate him.” I point to Jake and see him staring at me. His body language tells me he doesn’t care about my words. But his eyes, like always, they tell me differently, and this time they show me sadness. I freeze what I’m doing, stunned, but then Davis takes my attention away.
He’s shaking his head laughing. “Marco is crazy if he thinks something is going on between the two of you. I know a woman who detests a man when I see one, and you would never be with someone you hate.” He claps his hands together and stands. “Well, that was easy.”
What the hell is he talking about? “What the hell are you talking about?”
Jake interrupts Davis just as he begins to speak. “Nothing, Lily, let’s move on to tomorrow night.”
Confusion muddles my head, and I can’t help but continue looking between the two men. I’m missing something.
“Oh, yes,” Davis says, “your visitor will be here tomorrow night at nine pm, he will be here and gone within a few hours. Don’t disappoint him. He’s paying a lot of money to see you between parties.”
Confusion quickly gone, my emotions turn back to fear. How much does God expect me to take? I’m shaking my head with glassy eyes, but I let no tears escape. “Of course he is,” I hiss.
“Now, now, Lily, are you not surrounded by luxury? Fed? Clothed? Marco only asks you to repay him.”
I growl, “I would rather be homeless, starving, and dirty than living in this Hell.”
Davis sighs, “You will learn.”
I ignore him and stare down at my lap.
Out of the corner of my eyes I watch Davis walk to Jake and hear him mutter, “Watch her.” With that, he leaves the room.
My emotions want me to scream and throw things around the room, but I’m so sick of feeling like that. I have hurt, screamed, and cried—there’s nothing left. Instead, I form a plan.
My hands shake, and I have a lump in my throat. “Jake, I need a drink, a strong one. Vodka? Rum? Can you get me something?”
He exhales loudly and nods. When the door closes, I walk over to my tray still left from lunch. I lift the lid and take out a fork. I clean it with a napkin and place it under my pillow.
They think they can control me. They think I will just let men keep taking me. Well, tomorrow night will be a wakeup call for them. That man will bleed and die before I ever let him force himself on me again.
I move back to the chair and pick up my book.
Jake walks back in with a glass and brings it over to me, “There was some vodka. I added a bit of lemonade, but it’s still pretty strong.”
I snatch it off him and drain the glass.
I reach out to hand Jake the glass back. Looking to the ground, I say, “You can go. I’m not going to lose it again.” Adrenalin pumps through me. Finally, I have some power over what will happen.
“Lily, it’s okay to break about this. I’d rather you did it while I was here than if Davis hears you.”
“You think anything else can hurt me? They’ve already taken everything from me.” My voice wobbles, and it pisses me off. “Bring it on. I will fuck that man and make him scream my name, so he never forgets it.” When I stick that fork in his neck, he will scream and never forget me.
“Lily,” Jake growls low and rough.
“What, jealous?” My tone borders on want and desperation. Give me a sign that you care.
“No.” His voice is hoarse. He heads for the door to make a quick exit.
“I hate you,” I hiss, kicking myself for pointing out that I care about his answer.
Jake faces me, his expression hopeless. “Next time, don’t give away your heart so quickly, and then you won’t be so disappointed.”
I pale at his words, realising he’s right. I did fall in love with him; however, I didn’t do it willingly. “I didn’t give you my heart. You stole it.” And now, I can’t get it back.
Jake’s face turns ashen.
I stare out the window and continue to talk quietly, if only to myself, “You’re an arsehole. I wish I never met you.”
I sense him just behind me now, so close I feel heat at my back.
“I know,” he sighs. “I know what I am. I wish you’d never met me, too.”
I continue talking quietly to the window, “I’m not a fool, Jake. I know this is about that man, Davis, being here and Marco thinking we had feelings for each other. Either you did all this to save me, you, or both of us, but whichever one it is, it doesn’t matter, because you hurt me beyond repair.” I feel his hot breath on my neck, goose bumps rise on my skin.
“I know, but I need to get there so damn badly. You have no idea. I’m so fucking close.” His tone’s laced with desperation.
There. The collections’ secret location. I haven’t even been there yet and already I hate the place.
Still facing the window, I say loud enough I know he will hear every word, “Whatever you’re so fucking close to, I hope it was worth selling your soul to the devil.”
Jake reaches one arm out and leans on the windowsill. Softly, he speaks into my ear, “I have no choice but to believe it will be.”
He backs away, but I don’t turnaround, and I hear his footsteps get further away. The door closes and the lock clicks into place.
***
When I wake up, I’m shocked I got a great night sleep, no nightmares of what’s to come tonight, just numbness and a peaceful sleep. I wonder if God was giving me a reprieve to prepare me for what I’m about to do tonight.
I would never regret it or feel guilty. If Mr Smith thinks he can just take women by force, then he will be getting his karma tonight, and I’m happy to be the bitch.
I’m not saying I’m not scared, because I am, but I’m more scared of what’s to come: what man will come next, how many parties will I be forced to when I get to Marco house. What’s the point of surviving if, in the end, I will be dead on the inside. They already took Sasha from me, but that’s all the blood they will draw from me. Tonight, I will make them wish they never kidnapped us in the first place.
I hop out of bed and shower quickly. I’m jittery with anticipation, hoping the day goes by quickly. I dress in jeans and a black lace short-sleeve top. I step out of the bathroom. At the same time, my bedroom door opens, and Jake walks in with my breakfast.
He looks at me, and I feel a shot straight to my heart, like a machine restarting it. He looks horrible, like he hasn’t slept in a month. His hair is messy as if he pulled at it all night long, and his shirt is inside out.
I take my breakfast from him and say, “You might want to look in the mirror before you leave your room.”
Jake looks down at himself and mutters a curse.
I walk over to the table, sit, and start eating my omelette.
Jake takes his shirt off, and I stop with the fork hanging just in front of my open mouth. Jake’s bare chest has captured my eyes and my attention. God, I growl in my head, so damn hot. Why can’t he be hideously hairy or have pimples everywhere? Why does he have to be perfect? Oh, Jesus, am I drooling? I shove my food in my mouth quickly. Chewing, I try to look around the room calmly.
Jake puts his hands through his hair, but it does nothing to dispel the look of a sleepless night.
“I didn’t say to fix yourself up in here,” I state, my tone distant and uncaring. I continue to eat, waiting for Jake to move or say something. When he doesn’t, I huff out an annoyed breath and look up at Jake.
At the same moment, he mutters, “Tomorrow cannot come soon enough,” and starts for the door.
Oh, that’s right. From one hell to another. We’re supposed to be leaving for Marco’s secret location tomorrow. I doubt I will be going anywhere after tonight. But out of curiosity and need to be prepared for anything I ask a question.
“What do I take?” Jake turns back around to me at my question. I have nothing I ow
n with me, but if I was being moved, I would want to know I will have clothes.
“Nothing. Just dress in the morning.” Jake extends his hands to the room and says, “Marco has these rooms in every property he owns. All fully stocked to have collection pieces at any time.
“Good to know,” I say, finishing up my breakfast.
“You seem to be in a good mood today, Lily,” Jake states.
I shrug. What does he think I’m going to say.
“I almost had to search your room last night. One of the slave girls said you didn’t send all your cutlery back.”
I freeze for a millisecond before turning my calm expression to Jake, praying the panic doesn’t show on my face.
“But,” he drags out the word, “a slave girl said she already put them in the washing up. Who was it again?” Jake narrows his eyes on me and says, “Oh, that’s right, Beth.”
Beth, oh God, helping me again. “Well, there you go. They found them,” I say casually. I take a sip of my iced tea and stand, putting the lid on the tray and pushing the table cart toward Jake.
“You can take this with you on your way out. Ah, and when you check under the tray I promise the knife and fork will still be there.” I wink and move over to the chair in the corner and pick up the book I was reading last night. As I sit, I see Jake still standing there, looking at me.
“This doesn’t seem like you, Lily, to be acting so...so, fine on a day like today. I expected you to scream, fight bloody murder about tonight, or I don’t know, maybe even beg for help,” he says as he flings his arms out, exasperated at my casual attitude.
“And if I did all those things, would you help me?” Jake just stares at me, giving me my answer.
“I’d rather save my energy for getting through tonight, than waste my begging on bastards.” I look back to my book and end the conversation.
Jake says nothing. I hear the cart move and the door slams closed.
Sometime later, Davis enters my room, smiling. “Good morning, beautiful. Get a good night’s sleep?” he asks, while rubbing his hands together and giving me that obnoxious smile.
I choose to ignore him and give him a blank expression. I’m getting pretty good at it I think.
“Suit yourself. Ignore me. I know if it was me always locked in a room, I would take every opportunity to talk to anyone who offered a conversation.” I continue to pretend to read. “Lily, look up at me and give me some respect before I lose my temper,” Davis growls at me.
I sigh, lookup at him and then he smiles. “Much better. Now I can see your beautiful face while I talk to you. We need to cover some details about tonight. Mr Smith will be here at nine pm. I will bring him up and then I will be downstairs with the other guards having a meeting about who will be in charge when Jake and I leave tomorrow. Mr Smith has requested dinner with you first, so I want you dressed in one of those expensive dresses,” he waves his hand, gesturing to the closet, “by eight thirty. Mr Smith has instructions on how to enter and exit the property. When your night has come to an end, he has been told to leave straight away.”
“So no guard at my door in case he tries to hurt me? Kill me?” I say, arching my eyebrow in question.
Davis smirks. “He’s a trusted client, who has been with many of our collection pieces and never harmed any of them, so no, all guards will be at the meeting and Jake will be patrolling the fence line.”
He slaps his knees as he gets up, startling me. “Tomorrow morning we leave around nine. Make sure you’re dressed and are ready on time.”
Davis looks down at me with a sickening smile this time. “Have fun tonight, Lily.” And with that, he leaves the room.
Oh, I will have fun tonight.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Playing by my own rules now.
The rest of the day didn’t drag like I imagined it would. Before I know it, it is eight o’clock, and I’m showering and picking out a dress. I choose a short bright red, silk wraparound dress, wanting to tie in with the theme of the night, blood.
I put my hair up in a high bun. I don’t want him to grab onto anything while he’s struggling against me. After applying only mascara and lip gloss, I select a pair of black pumps from the walk-in closet. For some reason, and this is probably where I should take notice of how sick my mind is becoming, but I want to look good while I take back my power. I have this image in my head of standing over his body, all sexy in my black pumps, red silk dress and the fork in my grip with his blood dripping down my hand. I’m sure it will be gorier than that, but a girl can dream.
I hear my bedroom door open and go out to see who it is. I stay just inside my walk-in closet and watch as three slave girls’ drag in two chairs and a round table. They put a white cloth over the table and two candles in the centre. Great, a romantic dinner with a rapist. Awesome.
Jake walks in not long after and looks over the table and chairs. He looks to the bathroom door which is closed, and I assume that’s where he thinks I am. He walks over to the window, leaning on his two outstretched arms he bows his head and stays like that. The girls finish setting the table, and Jake looks over his shoulder and growls at them to get out.
The anger behind his growl has me straightening my back and walking out to defend them.
“Don’t treat them like that,” I state angrily.
Jake stares at me, looking shocked that I appear out of nowhere. He looks me up and down, grits his teeth, and bends at the knees and groans. He grabs his head in his hands and pulls at his hair, shaking his head while leaving the room, slamming the door.
I’m not stupid. I see the war raging inside him, the one where he’s the bad guy and the good guy. My heart believes in the good, but my mind reminds me of the bad. But it doesn’t matter what my heart wants; Jake is letting this happen tonight. My heart may always want him, but a part of me will always loathe loving him.
Sitting in the chair in the corner, I stare into nothingness, waiting for nine o’clock to arrive.
Eventually, my door opens, and seeing the same man from the party brings back all of the contempt I hold for him. The memories flood my mind, but I manage to push them back, remembering he won’t be doing that to me tonight; he won’t be walking out of this room alive.
“Wow,” Davis says as he puts his hand on Mr Smith’s shoulder and pats him while saying, “Lucky man tonight, enjoy.”
And with that, Davis walks over to the lights and dims them. The lit candles on the table add an air of romance.
Davis leaves the room and shuts the door, no lock this time. I wonder if after I do this, I should try for the front door.
“Gorgeous, Lily.” Mr. Smith steps toward me, and I take a step back. He stops and smiles the same sleazy smile as last time.
“Okay, we’ll take it slower this time, however, it’s going to be hard to keep my hands off you when you look so delicious. Nevertheless, I’ll try.”
He extends his hand toward the table; the hot food arrived while Davis was here. “Let’s eat first, shall we?”
He moves to the table first and removes his expensive looking suit jacket and takes a seat. Walking over to the seat across from him, I sit.
“How have you been gorgeous?” I shiver at his name for me.
“Have you thought about me as much as I have thought about you?” Yep, he is the craziest man in crazy-town. I continue to ignore him.
Mr. Smith reaches over, and I flinch as he pulls the cover off my plate.
“Lily, don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.” Yeah, that’s what you said last time.
I look down at my plate and see roast beef with vegetables and gravy. My stomach rolls at the thought of eating anything right now.
“Go on, begin. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can get to the good part of our evening together.” Yep, there goes my ability to eat at all now. I cut some beef and nibble on a piece.
We eat in silence, Mr. Smith staring at me the whole time. Sweating, my palms begin to slip on the cutlery. He plac
es his cutlery down and pushes his plate away from him.
Showtime.
He stands, and I stand quickly to match him, knocking my cutlery from my plate to the table.
He shakes his head with a smirk. “So tense, Lily. Come. Let’s move to the bed.” I decide that’s a good idea since it’s where I will have a better advantage to surprise him.
I walk over to the bed. My main goal is not to let him hold my wrists down again. If he does, then I am in trouble. I need to relax him, let him think I’m okay. He’ll then give me free reign, maybe even allow me to dominate until I can find the perfect time to use my weapon.
Come on, Lily. Smile and touch him. I form a smile. Argh, God, this sucks.
“That’s better. You have a stunning face. You should smile more often.” Sicko.
“Come. Let’s lie down,” he requests.
I decide to be brave and take the lead. I pull the tie from around my dress and it undoes; the dress opens and falls from my shoulders to the ground. All I have on is a lace bra, G-string and garter. Mr Smith inhales sharply at my lingerie—the exact reaction I am after. I want him distracted.
I climb onto the bed, turn and lay down exactly the same as I did at the party. Except this time, I put my hand under the pillow and feel the fork there. I wrap my fingers around the handle and force myself to look relaxed and sexy.
Mr Smith climbs on top. He spreads my legs and sits on his knees between my thighs. He looks down at my G-string and garter, and grunts his approval.
My body begins to shake. I’m trying to calm myself, but having him so close is sending warning signals all through my body.
“So perfect, worth every cent I spent on you.”
My spirit takes a knock at his words, but I quickly recover and start rubbing my legs along his thighs to get him moving.
Unbuttoning, his shirt but doesn’t take it off. Instead, he comes down to my bra and starts sucking on my nipples through the material.
I groan in disgust then catch myself and try to make it sound like a moan.
Mr Smith doesn’t seem to catch my mistake as he lifts up, quickly unbuckling his belt and pants with haste.
