“It won’t forgive your entire debt,” the man spoke after a few moments of thought. I couldn’t help but sway where I stood.
He must have made some sort of motion, as I was pushed towards his direction from behind. Once I saw his perfect black shoes in my line of sight, I collapsed to my knees, not caring as tears of fear fell.
He took a pocket knife from the table beside him, and I flinched as he quickly cut the rope, letting it fall to the floor in a heap.
“Closer, between my feet,” he mumbled out to me as he lay the knife back on the table, letting it clink against the glass top.
I did as he said. Whatever drugs I was given made his commands easier to follow, and I hated it. I already hated this man with every beat of my heart.
Once I was between his feet where he wanted me, one hand came to my hair, petting the top of my head in a soothing manner. He acted as though he was pleased with my actions, which didn’t make any sense. His other hand pulled out a gun.
I jerked as the sound echoed around the room and in my ears.
Chapter 3
Avidya
I woke some time later, feeling groggy and more confused than before. Without opening my eyes, I knew I wasn’t in the room I had somehow grown accustomed to. I was now laying on a bed that felt like clouds. I was laying on my back, hands at my sides. I wasn’t tied up, yet my body felt heavy as though a hundred pounds held me in place.
I wasn’t alone, wherever I now was, but I wasn’t being watched. I could feel a presence in the room I was in. Since it wasn’t a concern at the moment, I took stock that other than my head hurting, I could feel only a small tinge of pain from when I fell into the table. The headache could be explained by the lack of food and water. I slowly tested my limits in a way that didn’t draw attention to the fact that I was awake.
Who had I been given to? What would become of me? Would I be alive long enough to find out?
Was this a sick game these so called people wanted to enjoy? Was I pawn in their schemes?
A ringing phone broke the silence, causing me to jump, opening my eyes to a low light streaming in the room.
“What?” a man’s voice broke through, although he attempted to keep it quiet.
“Not now,” he barked. “Take care of it!”
His words didn’t make an ounce of sense to me, but I knew from the way his voice sounded, he wasn’t above taking care of things himself it if came to that.
Thinking he was busy on the phone, I turned my head to look in his direction. What I saw, I’m not sure what someone like myself could possibly be here for. Nor why.
He could have easily been the most handsome man my eyes have ever seen. He was a few shades darker than my pale skin. Almost like he had spent years upon years outside in the sun. Pitch black short hair, a thick dusting of the same dark hair on his face. His long dark eyelashes landed on his skin with each blink. His dark eyes were glued to me, watching me take him in.
He was not what I expected. I wasn’t sure what I thought he’d be, but this was not it.
I instantly withdrew my eyes from his as my father’s voice rang in my ears about how the Devil always deceived those by looks more than anything else in this world. The Devil didn’t make you sin, but he sure as heck tempted you to.
So, was I in Hell? It sure felt like it.
With a deep breath in, I slowly sat up. I planned to ignore him as well as I could in my predicament. I had no idea how much I could get away with, but I surely would try. Even the pain would not stop me from trying.
Once I was sitting up straight, I could feel the man’s eyes on me as he hung up from whoever he had been talking to. He didn’t say anything, even as I fought to stay upright.
How long had I gone without food?
Once the dizziness passed, I slowly scooted to the edge of the bed and stood on shaking legs. I glanced around the room I was in, trying to take in any way I could possibly escape once I gained some sort of strength.
The bedroom was what I would consider a normal sized room. A bed, dresser, and three doors along with a window. From the dim lighting, the furniture looked as though it all matched.
“Bathroom is through the white door,” he spoke, causing me to startle and brace myself against the four-poster bed frame to keep my balance.
Within seconds, he was up and beside me, offering his hand for balance. When I merely glared at it, he sighed loudly, but otherwise didn’t touch me. It was as though he expected it. Was I the first one that had been given to him?
“You won’t make it across the room on your own,” he said knowingly.
I knew he was right, but I still ignored his hand and slowly took steps around the bed and closer to where the bathroom was. I wasn’t handicapped.
Of course, it didn’t work as I had hoped. A few feet from the bed, both of my legs gave out from underneath me. I would have collapsed to the floor if it hadn’t been for the man as he caught me around my waist, holding me up.
He didn’t say anything as he helped support my weight the few steps to the bathroom.
“I’ll wait out here,” he said, letting me go as I used the wall to keep upright.
Once inside the bathroom, the gray carpet changed to rock tile. I took in the huge mirror above the two sinks that were in the dark countertop. A huge walk-in shower took up the farthest corner with a window high up, the glass doors perfectly clean.
After relieving myself and washing my hands, I couldn’t help but look in the mirror. I was still in the same dress, although now it was filled with wrinkles. It was a refreshing thought that he didn’t change my clothes, I didn’t want him, or anyone, to see me naked. That also meant he hadn’t seen the damage to my ribs, and I didn’t want to even think about them.
My blonde hair was crazy, like always after waking up. It tended to have a mind of its own most days. My blue eyes popped, bright and red-rimmed against my pale skin. My face was paler than normal, too. I assumed it was due to such an ordeal I had been put through recently.
The huge handprint-shaped bruise on my arm was dark and angry on my skin, and I knew it would take weeks to fade.
My heart beat in my chest in heavy thumps as worries of the unknown bombarded my mind. What did he want with me? What was he a part of? Surely whatever operation I had been in was not legal, that was for sure.
A soft knock on the door made me jump back, releasing my pale reflection from itself.
“You okay?” he asked, opening the door slightly.
“Yes,” I squeaked out.
He opened the door wider once he realized I was finished. I refused to meet his eyes, preferring to look at the floor, one hand limp at my side with the other keeping my balance.
“Do you need help to get back to the bed?” he asked, stepping in.
I nodded, knowing I wouldn’t make it on my own as my legs already shook with fatigue.
He slowly took the last few steps towards me, being careful to pick me up and carry me back to the bed. I didn’t want to, but I held onto him, my arm around his neck, eyes stuck to my lap. My stomach did flips at his touch. He sat me gently down on the edge, taking a step back.
“I’d offer to let you get cleaned up,” he began, running a hand along his jawline, voice low. “But I’d have to help you, as you can hardly stand on your own. I’m sure you don’t want that.”
I quickly shook my head. No matter how appealing a nice warm shower sounded, I wasn’t up to letting him see me naked. Although I wasn’t dirty, I felt like I was. My head itched and I wanted out of this dress, into my old comfortable pj's. But more so, I was just so dang tired.
“Rest,” he said with a nod of his head towards the pillows. “I’ll get you some food.”
With another nod, I made myself comfortable, my head on the pillows. I felt so small in such a huge bed with it’s black as night comforter. Before I could think anymore about it, my eyes fell closed and sleep took me.
Chapter 4
Zachariah
&nbs
p; I never once thought he’d ever go to this far to repay a debt that he could have easily avoided. Gemini never liked to repay his money on time. And this time was no different.
I had known that he would try to pull something on me, as I refused the last time he gave me a gift. I never once touched those women downstairs in a sexual manner, and I never would. I could never see myself that low for any circumstance.
The only reason I had a brothel was because those girls were way better off being here in a shelter than living on the street. I knew how rough men could get. Most of those girls dropped their pants for men if it was offered for a certain amount of money.
True, it wasn’t the best place to live, but it worked. It brought in money, brought in more men, and protected women that didn’t have a way out. Here, these women got a roof over their head and food to keep them alive.
Sometimes, when a debt was to be paid to me, or even by me, the girls were used. Some went to handlers as a toy to play with, others were used a pretty arm candy for social gatherings. Nothing that they would not have done on their own terms in time.
Most often than not, the women were able to get back on their feet with working under my care, which wasn’t known outside of these walls. I had my ways here, and even my trusted men didn’t know that I secretly helped the women who did want to better themselves.
I wasn’t a complete monster. I did care for others, no matter the color or race. Growing up the way I did, I knew the good and bad about life. It worked in my favor. I didn’t care if it wasn’t right. The girls wouldn’t have to worry about where they were sleeping, so I saw it as helping.
Not everyone agreed. If I ever found anyone abusing the women they would pay,
Gem never seemed to care. He didn’t care if his payments were never on time. I had to take action one way or another. I’d had enough. Being the grandson to the Don of the family, I knew I had to handle this on my own. This was my job, and I would prove myself. Family name only went to so far . . .
So, when Gemini entered my office, my guards placed around the room as though they were merely pieces of furniture, I hadn’t expected the man’s priceless gift he dragged along. At first, I wasn’t able to get the best look, but when I did, I was able to keep my furious expression hidden. She was just a child. And not who I had expected.
Avidya Mariah Ray.
Oh, I knew all about her. How could I not? I had one of my men keeping tabs on her and her parents for a number of years now. Her parents – mostly her father – was not who he claimed to be. His true colors were beginning to show, and it was a matter of time before he dipped a foot into where he shouldn’t belong.
But this. This I could work for my benefit.
Avidya was a sight to behold. Dressed a nice black dress, much nicer than the women downstairs would ever wear. It fit her perfectly, so much so that I knew it was specifically for her. Her hair was still wet, but I knew it would be nearly white when dried and in the sunlight.
What got to me was that she was drugged. And marked. Gifts were never meant to be marked unless the handler knew for a fact that the woman would never be returned to where she came from.
I couldn’t help but let anger drip into my voice as I stared Gem down, somehow knowing he was the one to do that. He knew, he fucking knew, that if a girl was gifted and marked with my brand, I could do nothing but keep her unless I killed her.
She was not to be killed. She didn’t deserve any of this. I could guess that she had no idea who she really was, or who her parents were. Nor who they worked for. It was normal in this day and age for girls of powerful families, or ties to said families, not to know what was going on.
I didn’t have to think about killing the man, tired of his lies and disrespect. He didn’t see it coming. What I hadn’t counted on was Miss Ray passing out against my legs as I used the gun I always had nearby. She’d make a wonderful way in for me, more than anyone else could now that I had her.
From what I knew, her parents were strict. Her father was looking for potential husbands, and I made sure to gain his attention. But this, oh this would bump me up to the top. I wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer on this.
I had my guards clean the mess up, and took my prize to the apartment upstairs that I hardly ever used. It was there for a number of reasons, but not of much use to me. Everyone here knew who I was.
Not only would I be the head of the family later, much, much later, but I also would find out the truth of who exactly Avidya Ray was.
Avidya was so light as I held her in my arms, and fit perfectly against my chest with her head against my shoulder. Being a guy, my dick had other ideas as I laid her down on the bed, tucking the blanket around her. I thought of changing her into something else but shook that idea from my head. I didn’t need her panicking when she woke up. She’d be confused enough anyway.
Instead, I took a seat in the chair and sent out a few texts to the men that needed to know what was up if I didn’t answer. I refused to leave Avidya on her own, at least until I knew she was okay. For some reason, this girl would be important, even for more than my own plan for her. She was more than just a pawn, and I’d be sure to show her that.
This apartment wasn’t anything compared to where I actually lived when I did go home, but it worked for its purpose. One bedroom, one bathroom space with one of the smallest kitchens ever known. I had the essentials here, mostly on my mother’s wishes only.
There were other apartments in this building that were often put to use by my men that worked for me, along with a few of the women from downstairs. For instance, if a woman was pregnant, I’d allow them to have a safe place to stay and use until they gave birth. After the baby was born, who was often gave up for adoption to an agency that I personally knew, the woman was put to work with other duties until they could be of service to me.
Being able to read people gave me an easy up on knowing who wanted more out of life. Many women, unfortunately, did not want more, therefore they ended up with handlers and passed around from place to place without ever having a way out.
Avidya’s clothing choices alone showed how simple she was, but also her actions. She’d adjust to what I wanted for her in time. She’d fight at first of course. I couldn’t wait for her to try.
I didn’t want it to, but just seeing her so small in the bed made my heart ping with sadness.
She was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen when she woke up. I could see that she had some fight in her. She’d fight me tooth and nail. In time. Not right now, but she would. The thoughts swirled in her mind as she let me help her from the bathroom.
I hated seeing her so weak, though. I knew Gemini was not the only one involved in how she got to be here where she was now, and I would make sure everyone that had a hand in her disappearance would suffer.
Such a stubborn girl. I’d thoroughly enjoy showing her what she could become. She’d become someone her father never wanted for her.
She had no idea what she was capable of, and I planned to show her just that. I would show her that every thought she had was okay to act on. Well most of them anyway. She . . . . she would steal my heart too, in the end.
Chapter 5
Avidya
The next time I woke up, I felt more like myself. Unlike the last time, I was completely alone. I took a moment to stretch out my body, hearing my ankles pop in the process. I was happy to feel more like myself and not in pain.
Upon sitting up, I found a pile of clothes folded neatly at the end of the bed. A piece of white paper sat atop the pile. Crawling on my hands and knees, I reached out for the folded paper and slowly read the words. I was confused but yet grateful all the same.
Enjoy a shower. Help yourself to food in the kitchen.
~ Z.
After taking a shower, feeling stronger this morning – was it morning? – and putting the clothes on that fit me better than I expected, I headed out of the room. The clothes were simple, but more me than anything I had ever wor
n my entire life. I didn’t even know what I liked most of the time as everything I owned was allowed under my parent’s strict rules. I was expected to dress like my parents had more money than they really did, but at the same time modestly.
These clothes, comfortable dark washed jeans and a tank top with an off the shoulder cream sweater were comfortable and warm. They were more my style than anything my mom ever bought me.
I walked quietly, taking in the décor, or lack of, and learning the layout. I was still confused about everything, and finding I was alone didn’t help, nor did it soothe me.
I had no idea for sure who Z was, or what he wanted with me. It didn’t matter how smoking hot he appeared to be. What about the men who took me in the dead of night?
I could run, leave this place. But where would I go? How far would I even make it? Not far, surely. I was too weak to run much of anywhere. My entire body was still slightly sore, so I knew that I wouldn’t make it very far. Or far enough to even count as trying.
His to Own (His to Own #1) Page 3
