The Bride Hunt Box Set: Books 1-3

by Charlene Hartnady

  It was important that he start thinking of ways to win her back. Candy had been right to call him an asshole. Sky and Julie were right on the money as well. Torrent would prove himself worthy. She would forgive him. She had to. He drank some of the water and then closed his eyes. The sooner he healed, the better.

  Her hands were bound at the wrists.

  “Your first client is on his way.” Ellis winked at her. “Are you sure you don’t want to change your mind? The good senator was most upset when he heard that you weren’t taking on any new clients after all. He offered more money …” He paused. “More than we’ll get from this pretend rape.”

  “It won’t be pretend. I can’t believe you’re doing this.” Tears caused her throat to clog but she refused to let them fall. A guy like Ellis would get a kick out of seeing her upset.

  “Believe it, baby. Do you really think I’d just let you walk away?” He walked to the other side of the room. “You’re a damned gold mine, Candy.” He snorted out a laugh. “Even your god-given name is a hooker name for god’s sake.”

  “I can’t help it if my mom is a hippy.”

  “I can’t help it if you’re in such demand. By the way, Charles died.”

  “What?” Her voice was laced with shock. “Don’t lie to me, Ellis.” Charles was her longest client. They had sex on occasion but he mainly just wanted to spend time with her. He’d cried the first time he had been intimate with her. The old guy still loved his wife. He spoke of her all the time. Charles was gone?

  “How? When? You’re lying, Ellis.”

  “I’m not lying. He died in his sleep. Someone called looking for you.” Ellis laughed. He looked more relaxed. Maybe she could negotiate with him. She didn’t believe that Ellis would really go through with this whole rape thing. He was just trying to scare her into doing what he wanted. “Looks like the old geyser left you something in his Will.”

  Candy bit down on her lip. Charles was a really sweet man. A gentleman. He and his late wife didn’t have any children. His wife, Beatrice, was unable to conceive. It didn’t change the way he felt about her. It did mean that he didn’t have anyone to leave his fortune to. Surely he didn’t leave it to her. That would be crazy. No way!

  “We’re going to go to the lawyer’s office first thing in the morning. I knew you were going to make me a rich man.” He rubbed his hands together.

  “You can’t be serious. I’m sure Charles didn’t leave me much.”

  Ellis looked thoughtful. “I think he left it all to you. His tight piece of ass. If that’s the case, we’re getting hitched, baby.” He winked at her.

  “What?” She looked at him in disbelief. “You’re crazy.”

  “Crazy for you.” There was a knock at the door. “It’s show time, babe.” He opened the drawer and rummaged through it, pulling out some tape.

  Shit! Maybe he did mean it … or was this another ploy? Him taking it a step further. “Don’t do this, Ellis. If Charles left me anything …” She felt desperation set in. “I’ll give it to you. I don’t care about the money. I have enough.” She was breathing hard, trying not to lose it. “Just let me go, please.”

  “There’s no such thing as enough money.” Ellis nodded, looking thoughtful. “I’ve made up my mind. I think I’m going to enjoy watching you get broken in … for me.” He winked at her. “My soon-to-be wife.”

  “You’re crazy.” He was. She could see it in his eyes. Ellis was evil and not all there.

  “Just so you know upfront, our marriage won’t be exclusive. I get to fuck other women and you are definitely going to fuck other guys.” By the bulge in his pants, she could see that he was hard. Not only evil and crazy, it turned out he was sick as well.

  He pulled the tape and broke off a piece using his teeth. Then he kneeled beside her. Candy turned her head away, trying to avoid him but Ellis gripped her by the jaw with his good arm and slapped the tape over her mouth. He pushed down hard.

  “Just remember,” he whispered against her ear. “The harder you fight, the more he’ll enjoy it. This guy is a freak.”

  Pure terror gripped her. Her nostrils were wide as she struggled to breathe. She fought against her restraints until her hands felt raw.

  Ellis opened the door. She heard him greet someone. Then footsteps. “She’s ready for you,” he said.

  “Do you have a pair of scissors like I asked?” she heard the guy say.

  “Yeah, but—” Ellis paused, “I’m not so sure …”

  The stranger laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt her … I like to cut off their clothes.”

  Oh god! This wasn’t happening.

  “No hitting or biting.” Of course not. Ellis would hate to see one of his merchandise items broken.

  The guy chuckled as they entered the bedroom. Candy was on the floor. The guy was really short, and skinny. His hair was thinning on the top. His whole look screamed ‘nerd’. His eyes widened as he spotted her. She read excitement in their depths.

  “Shit!” he sighed. “Her eyes. Oh man!” He put a hand over his mouth. “Look at that fear. I could almost swear this was real.”

  “You paid good money so you got my best.” Ellis leaned against the door and folded his legs across each other, looking so relaxed. “Oh, I need to give you this.” He threw the guy a bottle and she realized that it was lube. Then he handed the guy a string of condoms.

  Candy felt ill.

  “I know you’re going to be rough and I wouldn’t want you to tear or bruise her. You have to wear a condom. No glove no love.” He laughed at his own joke.

  The guy nodded, looking enthusiastic. “Sure thing. I’ll use the lube and the condom. No problem.”

  “One last thing.” Ellis smiled. “I’m staying … just to be sure.”

  “What?” The guy didn’t look happy.

  “I’m staying,” Ellis repeated. “I’m watching.”

  The guy shook his head. “I don’t know if—”

  “I can’t leave my best girl with you, like this.” He pointed up and down the length of her. “You wanted her tied up and gagged. No problem but I wouldn’t be able to hear her shout for help if you got a little rough. I need to stay and watch.”

  Sick bastard! They were both sick but Ellis took the cake.

  “You can pretend we’re a tag team or something.”

  “I don’t like to share.” The guy sounded whiny.

  There was a tic in Ellis’ jaw and for a second she thought he might throw the guy out. Please, please. Then he smiled. “I don’t want in on the action, I just want to watch. Forget I’m even here. I’ll give you a discount for the inconvenience.”

  The nerdy guy seemed agreeable and they haggled over price. Candy swallowed hard, trying not to puke. Maybe if she peed herself … The guy put his beady eyes on her and she realized that nothing would deter him. In fact, if she fought him or peed herself, it would probably turn him on more.

  “I like to play a bit with them first. I won’t hurt her though.” He picked up the scissors and tested them. The blades flashed as they opened and closed, making slicing noises.

  “Knock yourself out.” Ellis took a seat. “Touch a hair on her head though and you will regret it.”

  “I would never hurt her.”

  The nerdy guy turned towards her. “It’s time to play.” He smiled. His eyes looked dead. She couldn’t help but notice that he wasn’t in the least bit turned on. This guy was sick with a capital ‘S’. He took a step towards her and she couldn’t help herself. She screamed. The sound was held back by the tape.

  Then she wriggled and tried to get up onto her feet, which were tied with a cable tie. The sicko’s eyes gleamed and his smiled widened. To her horror, the start of a hard-on lined his pants.

  Chapter 19

  It felt like the walls were closing in. That everything was spinning. “What?” Torrent roared.

  “Lie down, my lord.” Sky tried to push him back down. “You are in no condition.”

  “I have t
o agree with Sky,” his brother boomed. “I will take a team of males. I will find her.”

  “No.” Torrent lurched to his feet. He felt like a day-old lamb. “I will find her myself. She is mine.” The world spun harder, he gripped his brother’s shoulder to stay on his feet.

  “You won’t be able to shift. You were dead a couple of hours ago.” Tide looked at him with concern. “Even if you do make the shift, you might not be able to stay in dragon form for the flight. If you shifted at thirty thousand feet, the fall just might kill you for real.”

  “It won’t happen.” His head cleared somewhat. “Not with this amount of adrenaline in my veins.” He pulled his shoulders back and locked eyes with Tide.

  His brother shook his head. “It’s a bad idea.”

  Torrent grit his teeth. “I have to go. She is my female. Mine.”

  “I understand your—”

  “No, you don’t. You have no clue. We’re wasting time arguing. Bring the fire dragon to me. I want the details first-hand.” When no one moved, he shouted. “Now!” Smoke wafted from his nose and mouth. If he had been a fire dragon, there would have been flames.

  “Maybe you’re not as weak as I thought.” Tide turned and left.

  Torrent was still royally fucked up. His bones were only half knitted and his skin was still pink and even still raw in places. The biggest problem was the lack of energy. It was a pity Coal had killed him. It always sapped a male and made the healing process that much slower. He would deal. His female needed him.

  Within minutes, his brother returned with the fire Dragon. “Good day,” the male nodded. “I am Heat. I was the male tasked with fetching your female. I was given her address, a description and was told to bring her back here to the water lair.”

  Torrent ground his teeth, having to work hard at remaining patient. He wanted to grip the male by the throat and demand answers. Since he knew that this wouldn’t help, he kept silent, at least for the time being.

  “When I arrived at Candy’s house, the human protectors were there. There was a vehicle parked out front, lights flashing. There were two protectors inside of her house. One of them held a suitcase and was talking with an older human female.”

  “Go on,” Torrent growled, patience waning by the second.

  “The older female lived across the road. The human protector was busy questioning her. The suitcase belonged to your female. She was walking on foot, with the suitcase when a male pulled up in a vehicle next to her. He was driving one of those roofless cars, I can’t recall the name of such a vehicle …” He lifted his eyes in thought.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Torrent snarled. “My female is in danger. Give us the facts and do so now.”

  The fire dragon nodded. His throat worked and there was a sheen of sweat on his brow. It was the only outward indication of fear. “It seems that the human female who lives across the road from your female is very interested in what goes on in the area. She heard Candy’s house door slam and watched her leave her home. The human male chased Candy soon afterwards. She dropped the suitcase in her attempt to get away. He broke into her house and physically removed her. At this stage, her hands were tied and it looked like he was threatening her as he pushed her into his car and sped off. The window to her house was smashed. She did not seem to be injured in any way. The human was too afraid to intervene but she called the protectors immediately. She—”

  Torrent could not withhold his rage any longer. He roared. His fists were clenched so tight that his nails dug into his skin. Adrenaline coursed through him. It felt like his scales were rubbing him raw and his teeth erupted.

  The fire dragon took a step back. “I would be happy to assist with any rescue operation.”

  “The female was unharmed and very little time has passed since she was taken. We need to assemble a team.” Tide was the vision of calm. His brother’s demeanor and words helped calm him as well … somewhat.

  Torrent nodded. “No more than two males, as well as yourself and the fire dragon.” He glanced at the male.

  The fire dragon nodded. “It would be an honor.”

  Torrent clasped his hands in front of him, he looked his brother in the eyes. “There is no time to waste. I’m going to leave ahead of the team. The male’s name is Ellis. Candy used to work for him at a place called Kitty’s. I’m not sure where it is but I plan on finding out. Sky …” he called to the she-dragon who came running.

  Her eyes were wide, they were filled with tears. “Yes, my lord.”

  “Do not concern yourself,” his voice shook but it couldn’t be helped. Torrent had never experienced fear before. Not like this. To his very core. Like a living and breathing thing. “I will bring Candy back.” He touched the side of her arm. Her lip quivered but she pulled her shoulders back and nodded. “Where is my cell phone? I’ll need to research this male, this Kitty’s establishment. Brother?” A low bark.

  “Yes.” Tide stepped in beside him.

  “Take your cellular device. Call me when you reach Walton Springs.” He huffed out a breath. “I should have all the details by then.”

  “I would urge you to wait the ten minutes that it will take me—”

  “No!” he snarled. Torrent had waited long enough. His female’s life lay in the balance. He could feel it.

  Sky returned moments later with his phone. It had been placed in a ziplock bag. He would thank Sky properly later. Phone in mouth, he erupted into his dragon form and left without a second to spare

  “We’ll be right behind you,” Tide bellowed as he flapped his wings.

  Everything ached but he didn’t give a shit. He tried to clear his mind. The only thing he could do was concentrate on his female. On her face, her eyes, her lovely smile … the one she saved just for him. It was because she loved him. Sky was right. What a fool he had been. What an utter fool. He only hoped he got the opportunity to apologize.

  Hang on, Candy.

  I’m coming for you. Just hang on!

  An anguished wail was torn from him. She had to be okay, she just had to be. That male was going to wish he had never been born.

  Chapter 20

  The freak leaned in next to her, still holding the scissors. His breath was coming in tight gasps. His eyes were wide and his cheeks flushed with excitement. She tried to worm away from him but he grabbed her by the leg and yanked her back. His grip was surprisingly strong for such a scrawny guy. “Stay still. I don’t want to cut you.” His voice was unnaturally feminine sounding with a nasal edge. It made her skin crawl. Everything about this guy made her skin crawl.

  He moved to her ankles, bringing the scissors down to the bottom of her jeans. He obviously planned on cutting them off. As he brought the scissors further down, she kicked out with both legs and knocked them from his hands.

  “Owwww.” A long drawn out whine. “Quit doing that.” He gave her a wink, like suddenly it was okay for her to play along with him or something. He thought that this was all an act. He expected her to play along. Tough freakin’ luck. This might be a game to him but it sure as hell wasn’t to her. The nerd leaned over, grabbed the scissors and moved back to her ankles.

  As he got close, she kicked him again, harder this time. He narrowed his eyes. “I said to quit it.” His voice was even more nasal this time round. “Tell your girl to stop messing around,” he glanced at Ellis who had made himself comfortable on one of the chairs in the corner.

  Ellis held up his hands. “Hey, I’m not even here remember? You said you wanted authentic. That’s about as authentic as you’re gonna get.” He pointed in her direction. “No rape victim is going to just play along.”

  The nerd puffed out a breath. “But you said I can’t hurt her. If this was a real rape, I’d punch her or cut her a little. I’d get her to cooperate.”

  “You can’t break or damage the merchandise. I don’t want you bruising or tearing her pussy either but you can hurt her a little,” Ellis shrugged.

  Bastard! She made a moaning noise which
made Ellis smile in her direction.

  The nerd didn’t even notice the exchange, he was too busy getting all excited for that. “I can?” His chest was heaving now. He was clenching and unclenching his fists. His voice was singsong.

  Ellis smiled. “That’s what I said.”

  He was such a dick! What was wrong with people? It was a question she asked herself more than once. What the hell was wrong with society?

  This was a world in which children were abandoned, abused and murdered. Ghandi had once said that you could tell the quality of a nation by how it looked after its animals and she’d been to the shelters. Cages overflowing with unwanted pets. All of those innocent eyes staring back at her, begging for some sort of affection. For love of any kind. Many of them would never leave. Not alive anyway. It was heartbreaking.

  Tears were streaming down her cheeks and she shook her head as the freak moved back to her ankles. “Now …” his voice vibrated with excitement. “Are you going to be a good little girl or am I going to have to teach you some manners?”

  There was no way she was going to just lie there and take it. She gave a nod, feigning acceptance.

  “That’s a good, little—” he began to say, but at the last second, she kicked out. He yelled out in pain and anger. The guy moved much quicker than she expected. He gripped her hair and pulled hard. He pulled until she was sure it was going to come out by the roots. He pulled until pain surrounded her and filled her. Until she became one with it.

  Her head thudded softly against the wooden floor as he released her. She could feel him tugging on her pants, could feel the cold steel from the scissors as he worked his way up her leg. She was too afraid to move in case a sharp edge caught her.

  Her scalp throbbed with every beat of her heart. Unfortunately, her heart was beating fast so her head hurt badly. Then his hands were on her. He rubbed up and down her leg and squeezed her thigh. He’d cut most of the way up her thigh but had stopped just short of going all the way.