by Brooke Page
Colby laughed. “So… you are cold?”
“Yes,” I whispered, running my hands down his chest and to his abdomen overtop of his t-shirt. The pressure of my touch increased, showing my intent. His grin faded, the rise and fall of his breathing increasing. My gaze followed my hands. “I’m sorry.”
One calloused finger found my chin, tipping my face so I would look at him. His brows were narrowed, but he wasn’t angry. The blue of his eyes was passionate, the same lust-filled gaze Vance would give me before we took off our clothing. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for,” he murmured, never taking his eyes from my lips.
Tears pricked my eyes. I didn’t want to cry, I had spent a day’s worth of crying. It was time to get over it all. The loss of my drug addict mother, any hopes for life outside of this shitty town, and my shattered heart would have to settle for Colby, because he wouldn’t stray. He would always take care of me.
Standing on my tip toes, I wrapped my arms around his neck, planting my lips against his. I searched his mouth with my tongue, throwing all I had left to give into the kiss.
He hummed into my mouth, palming my shoulder with one hand and slipping the other underneath my t-shirt, skimming his rough hands along my skin.
Pulling away, he was breathless. “I’ve waited so long for this.” He dove back in for more kisses, his erection hardening. I could feel it throbbing through his jeans and against my stomach, wanting to be free.
Grasping the hem of my shirt, I threw it over my head and to the ground, then reached for his. He helped, yanking it over his head then pulled me back to him, claiming my mouth with more urgency. We were moving like lightning now, our mouths hurriedly kissing and sucking. I walked him backward while our lips were locked, pushing him on the bed and landing on him. We continued to kiss but my hips were grinding against him now, ready to move on, in hopes with giving myself to Colby would erase all my memories of Vance.
But his hands didn’t move like Vance’s, his kisses weren’t as tender or focused, he was devouring me as if I’d run away again. My heart screamed at me, Vance’s name on replay in my head when Colby gently undid the strap to my bra and threw it to the ground, freeing my breasts so they were squished against his pecs.
“Stop me, Lo,” he rasped, planting open mouth kisses along my neck and shoulder. “Say no, and I’ll quit.”
I grabbed a handful of his hair, forcing him to sit up with me straddling his lap. He gazed at me, his eyes stopping on my breasts then meeting mine.
“I don’t want you to ever stop,” I whispered, removing my hair tie and letting the blonde locks fall down my shoulders. “I love you, Colby. I always have, and I always will.”
He grinned, both of his hands cupping my cheeks and kissing me more sweetly.
It was similar to Vance’s style, and I wanted to crumble into a million pieces. Vance. I loved him. I’d never stop, and I hated it.
Colby’s hands swept down my back, then lifted me from his lap to guide me to my back. My shorts soon disappeared along with his jeans, and he was settled between my legs.
“I’ll go slow,” he murmured, planting a gentle kiss on my mouth.
I closed my eyes and curved my hips. The tip of him found my entrance, and he stroked the hair from my forehead. “I love you, Lauren.” He entered inch by inch, waiting for more lubrication to come, and once my body was ready, he found a rhythm and began losing himself, kissing my cheek and shoulder with each thrust.
I tried so hard to get into it, to get lost with him and forget about Vance. My emotions were sporadic, and I couldn’t contain the tears from shedding.
Colby slowed. “Am I hurting you?”
I shook my head and forced a smiled, rubbing a tear away with my wrist. The same one that held the leather bracelet Vance had given me. “It’s just…”
His worry evaporated, and he kissed a tear from my other cheek. “I know, I know. I’ve got you, Lo.”
I hugged him, not wanting him to see the heartbreak in my eyes. I wasn’t crying because I was overwhelmed by an emotional connection.
I was crying because there wasn’t one.
Chapter Twenty-One
Vance
“You ready for tomorrow?” Marcus asked, puffing on a cigar. I met him for lunch upon his request. He wanted to go over details and prepare me for my first sale. In a sick and twisted way, he was excited for me to finally be on his level. It was his goal to work side by side, and I finally earned his complete trust.
“I’m picking Abby up tonight at seven. I’ve been priming her all week, so it won’t be hard to get her alone after dinner.”
“You have the necessities?”
I glared at him for thinking I was a moron, and he laughed. “I have to ask. Bring her in for Christina to prep her by nine.”
“Prep?”
He took another hit of his cigar. “These may be sick fucks, but they like their women cleaned and ready.”
I nodded, thankful my eyes were covered by my sunglasses. It would explain some of the rooms I passed by while at the Sanctuary. Abby might remember more once she sees her pussy has been waxed. If a bare pubic area was the only thing she’d be scarred with, I could live with myself. I had to make sure the bust was made before Tarby got his hands on her. He said he preferred to have girls in his environment, but a hard dick can alter your intentions.
“Another hunter brought in a girl similar to Lauren. We won’t need her.”
I remained passive, although I was thrilled. He knew she was out of town. Tucker most likely came to him and ratted me out. It would explain the disappointment in his tone.
“I’ll let your mistake slide this time,” he muttered, his cigar still in his mouth.
“Not a mistake since I’ve told you from the beginning she wouldn’t be a good candidate.” I feigned interest, picking up the menu.
“I’m talking about you falling in love. It’s not good for anyone.”
How could I put up a front I wasn’t in love with her? I missed her like hell, had thrown phone in the ocean so I wouldn’t be tempted to call her or track her whereabouts. “A wise man once told me falling in love makes you weak.”
He grinned. “Wise he is. If only our hearts would realize it the first time around. You’re better off without her. If she had stuck around here, she’d be knocked up and then turn into a psychotic bitch. They always do. Besides, their pussy is never the same.”
I shook my head. “Thanks for being so sentimental.”
“Suppose you turned out halfway decent. We’ll find out tonight, otherwise Percy will kick the shit out of you again.”
I glowered. “What the fuck was that about, anyway? You think a fucked-up face is attractive for hunting?”
He smirked. “Maybe you won’t fuck up again.”
Our server came in the nick of time. I wasn’t sure if I could keep myself from beating the shit out of him myself. He was so arrogant and conceited.
Handcuffs were going to look fantastic on him.
***
“Do you have the girl?” Riley asked.
I was driving toward the Cage, Abby passed out and drugged in the backseat. “Yeah, she’s out cold. You swear we’ll be able to get her out of there as soon as possible?”
“I’ll do my best. Teams staked out and ready. SWAT will be on call, waiting for my go ahead. They’ll probably take you down with the rest of Marcus’s thugs, so do as they say so you won’t get shot.”
“Great. So I could get caught in the backfire.”
“When I come in, you’ll be fine, just play along with it. It’s best for your safety and for anyone else you care about. If Marcus sees we’re working together, you’re as good as dead anyway.”
Did I really care? Lauren was back home, most likely hated my guts and wanting nothing to do with me. Even though we parted ways so terribly, I still loved her, and I never told her. My stomach twisted in knots. Why didn’t I tell her?
Because she would have ended up in the Cage with
Abby.
Maybe telling her I loved her would have softened the blow, and when I came back for her, she’d be more apt to run into my arms. But at this point, I was beginning to think it might be never happen.
“I’ve played along this far, I think I can handle a raid.”
“Good. I’ve been waiting a long time to catch this sick fuck. Let’s do it right the first time.”
I hung up the phone and tossed it out the window. We blew through these burner phones more than toilet paper. It’d get tracked and picked up, but they rarely worked by the time the elements had their way with them.
“This will all be over before you know it,” I whispered to Abby as if she could hear me. She was so alive standing on the porch of my house. Keeping her at bay was difficult. She had been touching and groping me the whole way home, even kissing my neck while I drove. It made my stomach clench. Maybe if I would have had the balls to fuck her, it’d help get Lauren off my mind. Guilt consumed me for opening a damn door for her, I could only imagine what fucking another woman would have done. If I would have even been able to get my dick up for her.
I had to bribe her with wine and a sunset to keep her from striping her clothing off the second we got inside. She grumbled some but went outside while I got the injection. Sneaking up behind her and shoving it into her neck was surprisingly easy, and a relief.
There would be no way I could even see her laying my bed. No woman would ever lay there, not unless they were Lauren.
How could she want to be with someone who wouldn’t drop what they were doing to go home for her mother’s funeral? I had to have looked like a heartless asshole. The worst part? She thought I used her. When she asked me if what we had was real, I knew she didn’t believe me when I told her yes.
Not to mention, I was as much of a monster as my father. I might not have the same blood on my hands, but I’ve known about the terror he causes, and I waited too long to make a difference.
This was my time to avenge the death and pain of all the women he’d sold and used. This was the only gift I had left to give to my mother. I’d give her the warranted justice she deserved.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Vance
I dropped Abby to Christina, no judgmental looks or disturbed eyes sought me out while I passed by the Sanctuary’s workers. Percy followed me, his huge frame blocking nearly the whole narrow hallway.
Once the women were saved, I’d be happy to light the flame to burn this hellhole down with every single ‘employee’ inside. Then I’d open the roof to the birdhouse, letting them fly free along with the lost women.
“She’ll sell high,” Christina purred, resting her hand on my bicep. I flinched, knocking it off me. She pouted her cherry lips, her dark hair high in a ponytail on her head. “Vancy, she won’t take long for me to get ready. Would you like to go to your father’s office?”
“No thanks. I’ve got my own meeting to get ready for,” I hissed, not bothering to say goodbye when I left the room.
A suit was set out for me in the room Percy led me to. It was eerie inside, no windows with red, cushioned walls. The flooring was a dark bamboo, and a bed was in the center of the room, calibers attached to the ceiling. This must have been one of the rooms to test out the girls Marcus told Tarby about. The dresser drawers most likely held an assortment of sex toys.
Fixing my tie and staring in the mirror, I mentally prepped for the night’s events. I knew which cell Abby would be inside, I knew her buyer, and I had a good idea where I was and how to get out if I had to create my own plan to get Abby out. Although I didn’t want a relationship with her, that didn’t mean I wanted her life to get ruined.
Percy entered the room without knocking. “It’s time.”
“Thanks, Percy. Where’s Marcus?”
His expression remained bleak. “He’ll be here. He does the bidding.”
I laughed under my breath. He fucking would.
We walked through the still hallways, my shoes clicking along the floor. What I would give for my flip flops and board shorts. The black Armani suit was form-fitting, and although I was used to neoprene, this shit didn’t breathe.
Finally, we made it to an entrance I hadn’t seen. There were French doors nearly touching the twenty-foot ceiling. Would the girls be lined up and in shackles? I had no clue what this part would be like. I imagined women walking with leashes, grinding on anything they could find, but I knew it would be much darker, much more sinister than I could make up in my head.
Percy opened the big doors, and to my surprise, it was a prestigious ballroom, men in expensive suits mingling and chatting amongst each other. A woman similar to Christina was serving beverages off to the side. The middle of the room holding a chandelier above our heads, the walls covered with elaborate cream paneling. What the hell was this?
But then I saw the stage, a giant velvet curtain covering a box, a podium next to it with a microphone. Chairs were lined up in front of the stage, all a fair space apart from each other. I suppose you’d want a touch of privacy while watching a woman who had no control over her hormones getting off on stage in front of you. My fists clenched, my jaw tightening to keep myself from losing my cool.
“Hey, you must be Vance, I’ve been looking forward to this day,” a gentleman greeted me with a handshake and pulled me from my stupor. “I hear you’re a chip off the old block, is that right?”
My jaw dropped, but I snapped it closed, then fronted a smile. “So they tell me.”
He smacked me on the back and laughed, and more men approached me. Every single fucking comment they gave me was in regards to my disgusting father. Hiding my rage was becoming unbearable, and I might steal Percy’s piece and shoot all of them before the SWAT team came into this weird ass auction room.
The soft music played in the background against their chatter, and the tone was formal, as if they were having a business meeting. Is this really how these sales went down? These fuckers were sick.
Mr. Tarby spotted me, his cane tapping the ground on his way toward me. I didn’t want to see this sick fuck who used younger girls for his disgusting pleasure, and I was feeding into it. But I only had to play the part for a little while longer.
“Mr. Vance Everett, how are you?” he asked, his glasses low on his nose. Both of his hands held the end of his cane for support. “Where are my girls in the line up?”
“Good to see you again, Mr. Tarby. Unfortunately, Marcus hasn’t informed me, but I’m sure they’ll come up quickly.”
“I’ll take care of them, Vance.” He winked slowly, stepping backward, never taking his eyes off me.
The interaction was odd, and should have given me the creeps, but it only intrigued me.
“Gentleman, gentleman, I’m thrilled to have you all here this evening!” Marcus greeted, standing on the stage. He was stealthy with his entrance, and I was irritated I didn’t see where he came from.
“Please, the sooner you find your seats, the sooner you get your women, and the sooner you can play. Remember, we have rooms available filled with all of the necessities for an evening you’ll never forget. Also, remember, there are no refunds.” The crowd of men laughed, and I fumed. There was a special place in hell for each and every one of them.
The lights dimmed, even blocking out Marcus, focusing on the box with the curtain. A moan emerged over the chatter, silencing the crowd. All of their attention was directed toward the noise, some men leaning forward, others breathing becoming shallow with their stillness. A room full of Vultures, circling and preparing to take their prey. Holy hell, this was it, they were bringing in the girls to show for sale. Percy stood by me, nudging me roughly. I glared at him, then took a step to the side so we weren’t touching. He mimicked me, and I threw out my arms.
“Shouldn’t you be crowding his space?” I hissed, motioning to my father.
“Boss’s orders are to crowd you.”
I covered my mouth and shook my head. “You better keep your cock in your pants,�
� I mumbled.
“Your hands aren’t soft enough,” he teased in his deep timbre.
“You’re fucked-up.”
Percy smirked, then raised his chin toward the stage.
The curtains were pulled backward by more men like Percy, and the dim light slowly grew brighter, revealing a petite woman with big breasts, wearing a see-through night-gown. She was moaning and swaying her hips, but unable to touch herself because her hands were tied in shackles hanging from the ceiling.
“This is the lovely, Peach,” Marcus drawled.
The bile in my stomach was beginning to rise. The excitement in Marcus’s eyes was nauseating, and the SWAT team couldn’t come soon enough.
He went on and on about her, even opened the glass door and touched her with a feather to show how she reacted. The men watched with wide eyes, and it was the vilest sight I had ever seen. They were hungry for these women who had no control.
My eyes found the ground, but Percy grabbed a hold of my head, forcing me to look. “Boss says to make sure you get the full experience, and that you don’t look away.”
I swallowed what felt like knives, my chest constricting while I watched. This was fucking torture, and the mere thought of my Lauren being put through this humility made it all the more awful. Thank fuck I got her out of town, even if it was a horrible way to make her leave.
Girl after girl was auctioned off, and I was beginning to sweat. Where the fuck was the SWAT team? Riley’s guys? Why weren’t they starting the sting? I gave him the correct map of the compound; he should be here by now. Did they get caught up by Marcus’s thugs? For all I knew, the entire SWAT team could have been shot off and dumped in the ocean.
Then, to my horror, Abby was in the box, shrieking and carrying on. The drug wasn’t affecting her how it had the others. She was in torment, her body pained and wild, searching for a relief that wasn’t sexual. It was as if she were a rapid animal trying to escape a trap. It took all of my strength to stay glued to my spot.
