by Sam Crescent
“Don’t fucking lie to me!” James slammed her against the wall for added force. He no longer saw a woman in front of him but the enemy. Never in all of his life had he ever hurt a woman. Veronica, if she wasn’t careful, would change his track record.
“I’m not lying to you. I’ve never lied to you. Why are you behaving like this? I’ve never known you to be this way.” Her fingers clawed at his hands.
“They’ve got Prudence. The man in the picture you gave has taken her from me, and if I don’t give them what they fucking want then she’s dead, Veronica. Are you understanding me? Your sister will fucking die.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. They were irritating to see. His hands were shaking. The last time he’d seen his woman had been in his office. How he’d love to go back in time and take her with him.
Shoving his emotions aside, James glared at the woman before him.
“You’re going to tell me everything you know.”
“I don’t know anything.”
****
Dane glanced at the woman huddled in the corner. Mary looked broken inside. The last time he’d seen her, her eyes had been pleading with him to love her. What had he done? He’d never wanted another woman to take her place. Thinking about Prudence at the mercy of the men he’d once worked for frightened him. All of this had come about because he was too much of a fucking coward. He should never have allowed Mary to be taken into the prostitution ring. He’d been working for Dominic Green in collecting women to sell. The women were selected for their looks and size and came from many different backgrounds. Dominic had branched out to the States, where he had gotten to know Lloyd Black. Both men exported women like products to be used for men’s amusement. Because of this, the man in charge of the whole slavery ring had hired Daren Robinson to take Prudence. The only reason Prudence was taken was to guarantee James Castleden’s cooperation in helping them find a file that would implicate Daren and Henry. Mary had simply lost her value to Daren and to Henry. Daren was well known for keeping his word. He’d promised to give him back Mary in exchange for money, but instead of the money, he’d taken Prudence.
Dane couldn’t believe the mess he’d brought on himself and the men around him. James and his friends were great men and didn’t deserve this kind of problem.
“I can’t get in touch with James, but I’ve updated Sean. I think he’s about to hit the bottle,” Cadeon said. Lucas was currently looking down at the dead body of Jermaine, the barman at Ravage.
“We’re going to need to shut Ravage,” Stephen said, terminating his call.
“Who were you calling?” Cadeon asked.
“Ursula. I tell her everything. She’s locked all the doors and grabbed the gun out of my safe. No man will take her without the risk of having his balls shot off.” The pride in Stephen’s voice cut through the tension in the room.
“We need to call the cops,” Lucas said, staring at the body.
Dane couldn’t look at the man on the floor. He’d been the one to try to strike a bargain.
“You’re all fools. Do you really think you’ll get that girl back?” Mary asked. The animosity on her face cut him to the core.
“I’ve already called the cops, and the agents on Dane’s case are on their way. They’re going to want to talk with all of us,” Stephen said.
“James is going to be in a shit-load of trouble.” Cadeon added to the stress with his words.
“We’d all do what he’s done just to get the woman back.” Lucas didn’t turn around as he spoke.
Dane kept his gaze on Mary. She stared at everyone but him. He remembered a time when she had stared up at him with love in her eyes.
“I don’t like this,” Cadeon said. “I need to phone Violet and get her up to speed. She’s pregnant.”
He watched as Stephen walked over to the other man then tapped him on the back. “We understand if you decide to back out. I’m happy for you to take Violet and run.”
From where he stood, Dane saw the desire on Cadeon’s face to do exactly that.
“No, I’m not running. I’m going to see these fuckers brought down before I run away. Violet has run all of her life. I promised to protect her. I’m not getting her to run again.”
An hour later Dane was in the back of the car of the two agents, Josiah Dewitt and Hubert Long. They were escorting him to a safe-house while Mary was taken to the hospital. Stephen, Cadeon, and Lucas were being taken in for questioning.
None of them mentioned James.
“Tell me Mary is going to be okay?” he asked the two men.
“You’re going to tell us the truth of what happened tonight,” Hubert said. “We’re not some dumb rookies on the job, Dane. You’ll tell us everything. We’re here to help you and those blasted men. I’m sick and tired of being treated like this.”
Dane bit his lip. “What do you want to know?”
“Where is James Castleden?” Josiah asked.
Several minutes later they pulled up outside of the safe-house. The small bungalow looked reserved and tasteless in a family estate. Dane climbed out feeling out of place. He followed the two men inside the house. To the outside world they looked like three friends, but Dane knew the difference. These men were out to catch a bunch of criminals, and he was just the means to an end.
They had their job to do while he needed to complete his job.
He sat down on the sofa as the two men completed their obligatory safety checks.
“What is happening with Mary?” he asked.
“We didn’t give permission to allow you to trade, Dane. You’re in deep shit with the Director, and he wants to throw your ass in jail.” Josiah sat in front of him handing him a can of pop. Smirking at the immaturity of the action Dane threw the can in the trash.
“Could you stop treating me like a child?” He wanted to do some serious damage.
Dane saw the looks exchanged between the two men.
“What is it?” Dane asked. He hated the men before him but respected them as well. They weren’t on the take or working for the bad guys. They were the good guys trying to catch the bad ones. He wanted to trust them and wished he could.
“We can’t let you see Mary or know anything about her.”
Running his fingers through his hair, Dane let out a sigh. “I saw that coming.”
“Also, we know Daren Robinson has taken Prudence Star,” Hubert said.
Dane froze. How did these men find out their shit? “How do you know this?” Dane asked.
“We’re paid to know this, not to look pretty. Our job is catching these bastards. Talk, or we’ll make life difficult for your friends.”
He sat back looking between them. Both men looked calm and ready for action. Hubert and Josiah knew a hell of a lot more than Dane gave them credit for.
Hubert took the seat next to him. He handed a load of pictures showing Prudence and then several of the men from England. Mary was among the pictures. None of the images made sense to him.
“Daren Robinson, also known as Leo at the club Ravage, wanted something from James and Stephen. I want to be clear here, Dane. Prudence Star will be going up for auction. My guy close to Daren has confirmed the plans to sell her. No matter what James thinks he needs to do, the guys he’s dealing with have their own path,” Hubert said.
Dane stared down at each image. Prudence looked serene as she smiled up at James.
“You’ve been over this the whole time,” Dane said.
“Do you really think we were that stupid to allow you to be babysat by those men? Lucas I’d allow, but the others have no other training. Yes, they’re pretty decent men but not with dealing with this shit.”
He threw the images beside Josiah. “If I agree to help you, you’ll help us get Prudence back.” Dane owed that to James. The older guy would go crazy without his woman. There was no stopping the man who owned Ravage. Prudence possessed James’s heart and soul. He’d only settle with her back in his life.
Chapter Two
/> One day later
Endless ocean surrounded Prudence. Leo smiled at her as he took a chunk of fruit to his lips. Several men were dotted around the boat they were sailing on.
“So what is your name?” she asked, picking up a piece of fruit. She didn’t see why she needed to starve when Leo had kidnapped her. The sun glared down, making her eyes hurt. The bruise would look hideous in the light. She lifted her fingers to touch the sore side of her face only to be startled by Leo grabbing her hand. He kissed her knuckles then placed her hand on the table.
“I wouldn’t touch your face. I go by Daren. Leo was a nice touch. I liked Leo.”
She nibbled on fruit while waiting for him to speak some more. Touching her throat she mourned the loss of James’s necklace. The one token he’d given her Daren had taken away from her. She felt naked and alone without the cross around her neck.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“England, that’s where all the fun is. I wish it was somewhere more romantic, but my boss likes living in the miserable, cold, depressing country.”
Daren’s true accent really started to show through. Prue stared at him waiting for something else to jump out and spook her. The man before her was nothing like the man she knew.
Leo’s not real.
Will he kill me?
James?
Sipping her juice, Prue took the time to gaze around her. The two men sat at the table were reading the paper. She took the time to memorize them.
When James finds you, he’s going to need all the information he can get.
Stop being afraid and look at them!
Glancing at Daren she saw him staring at her.
“Go ahead, look, baby. Take in every detail of their faces. The more you know the less chance you have of getting out of here.”
She didn’t want to know how he knew what she was thinking. With a lump in her throat she did her best to swallow down the food.
When she finished, one of the guards escorted her to her room. They dumped her inside then locked the door.
Unable to stop her movements, Prue tested the door even though she heard the lock slide into place.
“Shit,” she said.
After throwing her body against the door, Prue collapsed on the bed, exhausted, in pain, and downright fucking angry. She stared in front of her at the door. Her heart pounded as she waited for something else to happen.
She hated silence, and this was the worst thing, to feel trapped on a boat with a bunch of raving lunatics. Closing her eyes she counted to ten in an effort to calm her raging nerves.
“Everything is going to be fine,” she said.
“It will be if you behave.”
Opening her eyes she saw Daren standing in the doorway. In the split second Prue hadn’t been paying attention, Leo had been able to get inside her room. She needed to stop thinking of him as Leo. He covered the door with his presence. She licked her lips and stood away from the bed. He laughed as she folded her arms over her chest.
“No offence, baby, but you don’t do it for me. I’m not going to hurt you no matter how much the idea turns me on.” His arms folded over his chest, and he stared at her. “To be honest, I don’t want to have anything to do with you. My boss demanded that I take extreme measures to make sure James and his friends do as they’re told.”
At the mention of James she touched her chest. “Where is my necklace?”
He chuckled. She watched as he reached into his pocket then showed her the necklace with the cross. “This is what you’re missing?”
She moved to snatch the necklace from him. He pulled it out of reach.
“You’re not having it back,” he said.
“What do you possibly get out this agreement?” she asked.
Daren stared at her for several moments without speaking. His gaze didn’t roam her body, nor did he show any signs of attacking her. “You’re too young to understand the world.”
“I’m twenty-fucking-five, Daren. I’m sure I’m over the edge for a lot of people.” The anger rose inside her at his words. “You’ve taken me away from James and my town. I think I deserve to know exactly what you want with me.”
“Then I can tell you that I want fuck all from you. My boss may be a different way inclined.”
Daren kept mentioning a boss, which only settled to put her on edge. If there was someone else out there worse than Daren then she never wanted to meet them.
“I’m more than happy to keep you confined to this room for the remainder of the journey to England, but I think the trip would drive you crazy. Be good, and I might let you out.” Daren winked at her then closed the door locking it behind him.
Why had he visited her? Did he want to freak her out with his horrid words? She touched her neck, missing the comfort of James’s necklace.
“Take deep breaths,” she said. “Everything will be all right. James will fix everything, and this will be a bad dream.”
She took several deep breaths to try to rid her mind of the panic so close to the surface. Her life had taken an unexpected turn. She didn’t want to continue on this path. Prue wished she could open her eyes and be back in James’s study without any fear or worry. He’d smile at her, and everything would be all right in the world.
Standing up in her small room, Prue moved toward the window. She wondered how long she’d be forced to remain on this boat. The thought of travelling to England held little excitement. She’d never wanted to visit England.
The hours passed. She didn’t know how much time had passed before the lock was being turned in her door. Turning, she saw Daren stood with a plate of food.
“I thought I’d bring you something to eat. It is past seven and has been awhile since you ate.”
He closed the door then took a seat on the bed.
“I thought you’d starve me,” she said.
“I’d do no such thing, unless I’m told to.”
“All you do is take orders?”
“No, most of the time I work alone. This, however, is a difficult matter, and I need every option open to me.”
Prue stared at him confused. Why was he confiding in her?
“I brought you something,” he said, going behind his back. She tensed waiting for something horrible to happen.
Her gaze searched his hands.
“I’ve come to help your face as it looks a little swollen.” Daren patted the bed beside him.
Cautiously, Prue approached the bed waiting for him to lash out or do something she’d regret.
When he made no other move to touch her, she sat down on the firm mattress with her hands in her lap.
Daren placed the medical kit beside him on the bed then lifted up a piece of fruit. “You need to eat to keep your strength up.” He pressed the fruit against her lips. She opened her mouth, accepting the food he offered.
“I can feed myself,” she said.
He pushed the plate next to her. Slowly, she took bites of each delicious fruit and preserved meats on the tray. Her gaze never left his as she ate.
The man before her watched her, clearly waiting for something.
“Have you spoken to James again?” She recalled what happened during their last conversation. Her appetite vanished at the pain his hands could cause.
“No, I’ve no cause to speak with him. I imagine he’s doing everything he can to find what I’ve asked him to. You’re his woman, but I think this will be fun.”
“How so?” she asked.
“The Owners have never been without their women. I’m paid to know everything about my competition, and I know all about their fucking possessive streak. Since learning more about them, I’ve often wondered what would happen when one of their women was taken away.”
She gulped the orange juice.
“James will come and get me,” she said. Prue needed for him to realise she wasn’t going anywhere. She trusted James with her whole heart and soul. He’d never let anything happen to her.
“P
rue, I have no doubt that he’ll come to collect you. I think you should be more worried about where you’ll be when he does.”
Her heart stopped beating. There was no other way to describe the feelings vibrating inside her chest. “You promised I’d be safe if I was good.” She couldn’t bring herself to add “girl”. The word sounded so immature.
“I know, but I didn’t say anything about my boss.” He leaned closer. His lips almost brushed against hers. “And he’s a hard man to please. If he finds you lacking for him, he’ll get rid of you. Now hold still.”
His words stayed with her as he pressed something cool against her face. She stared past his shoulder wondering what the hell was going to happen to her. James would fight for her. She didn’t doubt her man for a second. What she doubted was the time in which he’d come for her. Daren painted his boss in a bad light.
She wasn’t at home anymore with her sister or parents. James’s arms wouldn’t be wrapped around her as she fell asleep. For all intents and purposes, she was alone in the world.
“What’s your boss’s name?” she asked. Prue had grown sick and tired of hearing him referred to as, “my boss”, or “the boss”. She wanted to know who was causing her so much trouble.
Daren let out a sigh. He stroked her bruised cheeks then stared into her eyes. “You’re very pretty. I can see why James likes you.” She tensed waiting for him to say something. He’d promised her she’d be fine. Part of her feared being raped by this man while another part did not because he’d kept his word for the most part.
“His name is Henry, and that is all you need to know.” Daren placed two white pills in her palms. “Take this for the pain, and try and get some sleep. I’ll come to you every morning and night. If you wish to walk on the deck or do something else, let me know first thing in the morning so I can arrange it.” Daren grabbed her plate then turned to leave.
“You’re not going to keep me locked away in this room?” she asked to his retreating back.
He turned. “No, that’s not my intention.” Daren continued to stare at her. “I want to be clear, Prue. I’ve never hurt a woman unless I’ve been forced to do so. I live by my own code. I do what Henry says, but other than that, I live like every other man.”
