by Vance, Ally
I didn’t take much notice of my surroundings when I came down here before, but as it seems I have some time to kill, I might as well explore my latest prison. There may be something I can pry the door open with or use as a weapon when he comes back for me. When I venture farther in, I’m surprised to feel carpet beneath my feet as well as discovering sparse but comfortable furnishings. I find nothing I could use against him though.
There’s a second, smaller room leading off from what I would call a living room, and this one has a double bed, which looks as though it’s been slept in, along with a dresser. I cautiously open one of the drawers unsure what it may contain. Even though logic is telling me it will be clothes, everything up until now seems to have defied all rational explanation and normality. Who the fuck knows what Seth has been doing down here?
I laugh to myself when I see plain black t-shirts untidily folded inside. The rest of the drawers also contain clothes of some description: all plain, and all of them black. The clean scent of washing powder permeates the air, and the soft fragrance lingers even after closing the drawers.
My adrenaline-fueled anger is beginning to fade and weariness starts to take over, filling me with a heaviness I want to shed. The events of the past few hours have exhausted me, and I’m tired: tired of fighting, tired of being at the whim of others, and tired of feeling so damn helpless.
The room begins to spin, so I take a seat on the edge of the bed while I wait for it to pass. The last vestiges of my energy have been spent trying to get out of here, and my growling stomach reminds me it’s been hours since I was last given food. It seems I’ve been moved from one monster’s den to another’s, and there’s little hope of regaining my freedom. But so long as there is even the slightest chance I’ll succeed, I won’t back down.
* * *
I open my eyes with a groan. My whole body feels like I’ve done a heavy workout, and I ache all over. Blinking the blurriness away, I realize I must have fallen asleep. For a moment, I’m disoriented, but when I sit up and look around at the unfamiliar room it hits me all over again.
I notice a small door I didn’t spot last night during my exploration of the basement rooms. Getting to my feet on shaky legs, I make my way over to it. Pulling the door open, I smile in relief when I see that it’s a small, tiled bathroom with a shower. However, on catching sight of my reflection in the sunken mirror, I let out a gasp of horror. I barely recognize myself: dark rings circle my eyes, my skin is pale beneath the dirt coating it, and my long, blond hair, which is usually tied back, is hanging limp and filthy.
Shuddering at the sight and feel of all the dirt coating my body like a second skin, I decide to take a shower. As I move to shut the bathroom door, I hesitate, noticing there’s no lock. I let out a derisive snort because, after everything I’ve been through, modesty is the least of my worries. Glancing one last time at the door, I start the water running, quickly shed my clothes, and step under the spray.
I release a contented moan as the water runs over my body, and when I spot bottles of shampoo and bodywash sitting on a small shelf, I eagerly grab them. The masculine scent gives me pause, and it occurs to me that this must be where Seth stays in the house. But why the basement? I shake off the questions and focus on getting clean. The steam fogs up the glass door of the shower, and I begin feeling more relaxed the longer the hot water streams down my skin, whilst the male aroma of the wash products surrounds me.
When I’m done, I grab a towel from a hook just outside the shower and wrap it around my body. No way am I putting those dirty clothes back on, so I’m going to have to borrow some from Seth. I don’t care whether he likes it or not; I need something fresh to wear. Opening the door, I shiver when the cooler air from the basement rushes in and over my heated skin while the hot steam escapes from the enclosed space of the bathroom.
I let out a high pitched scream and nearly drop the towel in shock when I see Seth lying on the bed staring absently up at the ceiling, or at least he was until my scream brings his attention snapping to me. A wicked grin lights up his whole face, and I feel my cheeks start to heat under his appraising stare. I clutch the towel tighter around myself and stalk over to the dresser, making every attempt to ignore his burning gaze on my skin.
I was feeling so relaxed after my shower that I let my guard down, but I shouldn’t have. I busy myself opening the drawers, looking for something to wear, and then it hits me…if he’s down here, the door leading out is unlocked.
I stiffen when Seth speaks; his words make my body temperature flit from hot to cold and then back to hot again.
“Go on, try it. I dare you, pretty girl. I’d catch you before you even got to the bottom of the stairs. Then I’d rip away that towel and spank that lovely ass of yours until it’s pink.”
Angrily pulling out a t-shirt and a pair of sweats, I slam the drawer shut and turn to him with a glare, “What makes you think I’d let you, hmm?”
“Your flushed face speaks louder than your words, babe,” he replies with a shrug, amusement coloring his tone.
I let out a huff, and snap back, “The heat from the water makes me hotter than you do, asshole. As soon as I’m dressed, you’re going to let me the hell out of here. I’m so fucking done with whatever games you people are playing!”
Seth
I’ve not spent much time with Leeann, yet, but I already love getting under her skin. It’s fair turnaround because she is doing a fucking great job of burrowing under mine. While her attitude is pissing me off, it also reminds me of how I do the same thing to Lance to get a rise out of him. Although now he’s got his girl I don’t see him as much as I used to, he still checks in with me every so often. It’s fucking irritating at times, but I know it’s only because he actually gives a shit.
Since I took her, Leeann’s done nothing but lash out with that sharp tongue of hers, and it needs to be silenced. I don’t want to cut it out like I threatened to, though. Fuck no…I want to put it to good use. She's fucking delightful, and I suspect Leeann is going to be a lot of fun to play with.
I’ve got two weeks with her until the deadline I gave Caryn comes to a close. I can already tell it’s going to feel like a very fucking lot longer. Not only have I got to somehow keep Leeann here and my balls intact but also I have to spend time upstairs while I keep her down here. I would rather be anywhere than in the main house.
I couldn’t let this place go even with the fucking nightmares of what I found the day I came home to apologize to my mom. The only people who know what happened to her are Lance and Arthur. As much as I trust the other guys in the organization, I don’t talk about it because it fucking hurts, and I don’t want to show them any kind of weakness. It’s not fucking complicated. My mom will always be a sore spot for me. I can still see the damned stain on my kitchen floor even though I’ve torn up all the linoleum, and it’s been tiled over.
“Where do you live?” I ask Leeann as she charges past me toward the bathroom, clutching my clothes she’s taken from the drawer in one hand and the towel covering her body in the other.
She stops and blinks at me in surprise, clearly taken aback by my question. Then she scowls. “Right now?” she asks, immediately following it with a sneer. “In your fucking basement, asshole.”
I chuckle when she slams the door, and I sit up to wait for her. The part of me that finds her tempting as fuck is wondering whether to offer her a hand getting dressed, but the other part of me knows I’ve a fucking job to do and don’t need distractions...and Leeann is damn distracting. It took all the willpower I possess not to whip that towel away from her as it was, and I know she would sooner cut my balls off than let me undress her. Although it doesn’t stop me from picturing her hot, naked body beneath me.
The shape of her ass peeking out from beneath the towel, which I saw when she stormed past me was enough to have me salivating for a taste. I want to bite the tantalizing curves she displayed, marking every inch of her body as I claim her. I’m fucking hard, again.
Taking care of myself last night has done nothing to curb the craving I already have for her. I let out a heavy sigh and force myself to leave the basement before I fuck everything up, including her.
* * *
It’s been five days since I stole Leeann away, and I haven’t heard anything from Caryn yet. She has nine days left to hand over payment, but I’ve never been the most patient of men. I pull out my phone and grit my teeth before dialing her number. I’ve tried to stay away from Leeann, but every day I find myself struggling to keep my distance.
“I need her brother’s address,” I bark out as soon as Caryn answers.
She laughs, “Why would you want it when you have the girl?”
“That’s none of your damned business. Address, now,” I demand, working to keep my tone even.
This bitch is fucking annoying me. I should’ve just killed her and made things simpler, but I still can’t shake the sneaking suspicion that something else is going on.
“Either pay up right now or give me the address, it’s your choice. I’m tired of fucking waiting. Arthur isn’t a patient man, and I’m not either,” I snap, my own patience hanging by a damn thread.
I can hear her speaking quietly to someone in the background. I strain my ears trying to hear what’s being said, but the signal isn’t good enough wherever she is for me to be able to make anything out. Finally, when I’m about ready to crush the phone in my hand, she rattles off an address, and I hang up before she can say another word. Silencing my phone, I turn and unlock the door. Leeann is standing on the other side...eavesdropping.
Her surprise at being caught quickly morphs into anger. She opens her mouth, no doubt getting ready to tear me a new one with that sharp tongue of hers, but before she can speak, I cut across her and interrupt whatever she was about to say.
“You’re coming with me and don’t even think about trying to alert someone or escape,” I tell her, grabbing her by the hand and dragging her through the house.
“Where are we going?” she questions, already trying to pull away from me, and I grind my teeth together in an attempt to remain calm but tighten my grip in response.
“To pay your brother a little visit,” I state. Out of the corner of my eye, I see her face pale, and her eyebrows furrow together in concern.
“You shouldn’t worry, pretty girl. After all, he was the one who sold you to them,” I laugh hollowly.
The slap of Leeann’s palm connecting with my face doesn’t come as too much of a surprise, and I can’t help but relish the sting as it bites into me. I want her fire, I want her anger, and I want to be the one to set her rage burning because it fucking excites me.
“Don’t fucking slap me,” I growl, turning and pushing her up against the wall before pinning her arms against her body.
This time I move closer until I’m right up against her, so she can’t use her crafty little knee to incapacitate me again.
“Stop being such an asshole, Seth,” she spits.
“Default mode only, pretty girl,” I retort, leaning closer to her.
“Stop calling me that,” Leeann bites out, and I chuckle.
“I’m really getting to you, aren’t I, pretty girl?” I taunt, running the tip of my nose down her cheek and nipping at her jaw.
“N-no,” she gasps, and I don’t miss the hint of a moan hiding in her answer.
Leeann is not immune to me, and it makes my balls ache because I’m anything but immune to her either. She’s been plaguing my fucking thoughts. I know I’m a bastard for keeping her locked away in my house, but I’m already addicted to her. I can’t get enough.
Leeann
“My brother?” I ask warily, mentally cursing myself for still caring after all he’s done.
Arron doesn’t deserve my concern for him, but I can’t ignore the fact he’s the only family I have left in the world. Even though ninety percent of the time I want to throttle him for being a selfish prick.
Seth looks at me scathingly and nods. “Yes, your brother. It’s about time I paid him a visit. I want to know more about Caryn and her little schemes. He’s been sufficiently close to her or the club on enough occasions to rack up a huge fucking debt, he may know something of interest.”
“Arron wouldn’t know anything. He gambles, but he doesn’t work for her,” I tell him.
“Money talks, pretty girl. The fact he’s been allowed to build up such a huge debt, shouts loudly to me that he’s in with the bad guys,” he laughs, shaking his head as if he can’t believe I’d be so naive.
“Are you coming or not?” he asks when I don’t move from my spot.
“I thought I was your prisoner. Aren’t prisoners supposed to stay locked away in their cells?” I snap back, the rhetorical question tasting bitter.
His mouth twists up into a mischievous grin. “I break all the rules, pretty girl. Are you coming or not? I won’t ask again.”
I stare at him, and although the expression on his face together with his words war with everything that makes sense to me, I can’t help grinning back. “Sure, but aren’t you afraid I’ll run?”
Seth laughs and grabs my hand, pulling me along behind him. “No, because pretty girls run toward me, not away from me.”
I scowl at him and snatch my hand back. “I can guarantee I’m not one of them. I’ll always be running in the other direction.”
“I’ll enjoy the hunt, but at the end of it, you’ll be coming home with me,” he replies, turning back to look at me. The challenge shining in his eyes makes my heart race.
I want to run, and I want to fight him every inch of the way. Even though I don’t need his encouragement, this feels like he’s actually daring me to try...and I will. But I won’t be predictable; I’ll run when I want to.
* * *
I’m uncertain whether I should be concerned or not when we pull up a street away from the shitty apartment building where Arron and I rent a space. I didn’t even need to direct Seth; he seemed to know exactly where he was going. My guard is up, and I’m on high alert to everything around me. Something doesn’t feel right, and it’s not only because Seth drove us directly here without having to ask me for a single direction.
Before Seth has finished parking, I’ve removed my seatbelt, yanked on the door handle to open it, and launched myself out of the car.
“Fuck. Leeann, get your ass back here!” I hear him call out, but I don’t turn, and I don’t stop.
In spite of my bare feet slowing me down, I keep running. I know if I stop…if he catches me, I’ll be dragged back to his car and that fucking basement. I don’t care about the comfort of the place he’s keeping me in, because it’s still a prison, and I’m his unwilling captive. The sound of heavy boots hitting the pavement and pounding across the concrete reaches my ears, but I don’t have enough air in my lungs to scream.
An arm comes around my waist, and I’m jarred roughly backward up against a warm, muscular body. I let out a small cry of desperation, realizing I’m caught. Harsh, heavy breaths blow against my ear, and when I open my mouth to scream, a hand comes up to stop me.
“I told you not to run, pretty girl. Didn’t I warn you what would happen if you did?” Seth murmurs. His lips brush the edge of my ear, making me shiver.
I jerk an elbow into his gut, and he grunts but doesn’t loosen his hold. Looking around, I scan frantically for someone who may notice us, but the streets are dead and there’s no one there. I tilt my head back to peer up at him, and his dark green eyes meet mine. All playfulness has vanished from his expression, and for the first time since he took me, he looks completely serious.
“This isn’t a fucking game you can play in the hopes you’ll win. A lesson your brother refused to learn, Leeann, and look where he’s got you...in the hands of one of the twelve most dangerous men in the fucking country,” Seth says, and my blood runs cold. “You’re in way over your head, pretty girl, and if you don’t keep it, you’ll lose it.”
Dropping his hand from my mouth, Seth wraps
both arms firmly around my body, and it suddenly hits me how intimately we are standing in spite of the circumstances. He affects me, and I want to bang my head off the nearest wall for even acknowledging it, especially after he’s just professed to be even more dangerous than I can comprehend.
I’ve known from the start he wasn’t a hero or one of the ‘good guys’. I’m not so naive to consider fantasizing such an idiotic thing about him. But regardless of what I know, I can’t ignore the fact that something about Seth is drawing me in, and the more we fight with each other, the harder it becomes to fight against myself.
Seth
Mentioning the Cavalieri reminds me there’s still work to be done, and I reluctantly release Leeann from the prison of my arms. This time when I take her hand, she doesn’t fight me. I’m not sure what prompted this change of heart and sudden docile behavior, but I don’t believe for one second it means she’s surrendering to me. Leeann is like a wild cat: all teeth and claws, and when she speaks, her words are sharp enough to leave a mark.
I didn’t lie to her; I know for a fact that if Lance knew what I was doing right now and how fucked up I’m getting over this girl, he’d kick my ass and tell me to focus. Doesn’t mean I’d do what he said though. I carve my own damn way down this path lined with blood and death.
Walking into the building, I feel Leeann move closer to me, and I scowl when I realize she feels unsafe here. I’m not surprised. This place isn’t exactly in the ‘nice’ part of town. No one would have intervened to save her from Caryn’s men when they took her, even supposing they’d heard or seen anything to begin with.
“It’s on the fourth floor,” Leeann mumbles, and the pink blush coloring her cheeks tells me she’s embarrassed about living here.