by Erin Trejo
I take that as my cue to leave. I turn and hurry out of the room before I lose it. I collapse on the floor in the hall, a mess of tears. Sobs shake my body roughly.
I try to stop it but there is no use. My world is slowly falling around me. It’s crumbling and taking me along for the ride.
And just like Jaxson said, I’m his little puppet. He pulls my strings and gives me a false sense of security just to pull another and rip it away. My heart pounds. It feels like I’m being ripped in half.
“Come with me dear.” Beverly’s soothing voice is near my ear. I look up through the tears. She takes my hand and helps me off the floor, leading me back to my room.
“Wait here.” She says sweetly as though I had anywhere else to go. I’m here. I’m stuck.
I hear the bath water running when she comes back out with a smile on her face.
“Let’s get you in. It will make you feel better.” She leads me into the bathroom and helps me undress. I stand here in a world of my own. A place that no one else can touch because I have no idea where it is.
I step mindlessly into the warm water and sit. My mind a complete mess. Thoughts are jumbled. Nothing makes sense. My parents were good people.
“Just relax.” She says calmly.
Chapter 26
Why me? Why was I born into the wrong family? Is that what happened? Are they after me because of who my family is? I don’t know what to think anymore. I don’t know what to feel. I’m numb. I’m a shell of what I should be.
I take a deep breath and slide below the surface of the water. I keep my eyes tightly closed as flashes of my childhood blink before me. The times that Harvey would tell me stories about my father. How good of a man he was.
Hands rip me from the water before I can even take a breath. “Had I known you’d try to kill yourself, I would have made Beverly sit with you.” Jaxson’s growl startles me. Kill myself? I wasn’t trying to kill myself!
I wiggle my way out of his grasp. He reluctantly sets me on my feet in front of him. I’m so enraged that I ball up my fists, pounding them into his chest. It makes no difference that I’m standing naked in front of him. I don’t care that he can see every piece of me.
“I wasn’t trying to kill myself you idiot!” I scream as I keep punching him in the chest. He stands there, letting me take out my frustrations on him.
It isn’t hurting him. I know it isn’t. In fact, he stands there with the perfect smug look on his perfect face. I hate him. I hate what he’s doing to me. I hate that I’m letting him affect me the way he is. After a few more blows, he captures my wrists with his hands. Those large powerful hands.
I’m out of breath and tired. Jaxson looks into my eyes like he has something to say. I wait for it too. I want him to yell at me. I want him to throw me back into the darkness because that’s the one place that I’ve been safe this whole time.
“I like it rough, little puppet.” And just like that, he’s back. The monster that treats me like an object.
“Get your hands off me.” I growl low in my throat. It startles Jaxson slightly until his lips curl into a smile.
“The fight is the best part of the game, isn’t it, little puppet? The way there’s a push and a pull. The way one plays off the other. Life is much like a game.” He leans down closely to me. His lips near mine. I suck in a breath at the way he’s looking at me. Like he could devour me in one move.
“Leave me alone, Jaxson.” I jerk my wrists away, pushing him back a step. To my surprise, he stumbles back. What scares me is the savage look in his eyes.
Without any kind of notice, he moves toward me. He lifts my body in his arms, moving us toward the bed. He drops my body down before climbing on top of me. He knees my legs apart, propping his strong body between my legs. He cups my face with both his hands, leaning in, brushing his lips over mine.
His tongue slides along the seam of my lips until I open up to him. He takes advantage, plunging his tongue into my mouth. The softness that slips against mine makes me moan. As soon as he hears it, the kiss turns rough. He’s taking what he wants. It’s not a surprise. This is the man I’ve come to know. This is the monster that holds me hostage.
His hard body grinds against me, that sweet friction hitting me in the right spot. I raise my hips trying desperately get him exactly where I need him.
Jaxson stops moving. A cry escaping me. He pulls back breathlessly.
“You want to get off, you do it yourself.”
Chapter 27
He rolls off me and I swear I’m going to die. Why does he keep doing this to me? Jaxson lays back on the bed, propping his hands behind his head.
“What are you waiting for, little puppet?” I gasp when I realize that he’s letting me take over the control. He’s letting me take what I need for a change. It’s a subtle shift in power, one that I’m not sure I want to take. He watches me, waiting for me to move. I’m having a war within myself. I shouldn’t do this. I shouldn’t let him do this to me.
Against my better judgement, I sit up and climb over him. Straddling his hips, I lower myself slowly. I can feel his dick, hard and ready between my thighs. Jaxson groans.
“Do it, Jade. Make yourself feel good.” I watch the look in his eyes. Its erotic.
I rock my hips slightly feeling the way his dick twitches against me. The fire in his eyes pushes me further. I slide my body against his, loving the feel of him between my thighs. I can’t help but marvel at the sheer size of him either.
My breathing picks up a beat. Heat coils inside of me. My stomach clenches. Jaxson moves his hands sliding them slowly up my sides until he comes to my breasts.
Pulling my nipples and rolling them between his fingers, I moan loudly.
“That’s it. Cum for me, baby.” His voice has softened to almost a whisper. It sends a shudder through my body. There’s a wave of heat that shoots through me.
“Jax! Oh, god!” He grins at me. His fingers continue their sweet torture.
My body shakes as I cum roughly. My body locks up, stars shooting behind my eyes. Jaxson’s hands slide down my sides, holding onto my tightly.
I collapse onto his chest trying to catch my breath. He doesn’t move me. He lets me lay here. I can hear his heart beating rapidly in his chest.
His fingers roam up and down my back almost in a soothing motion. My chest feels heavy, my heart wants to explode. I know it will be short lived.
And like I thought, he’s gone.
“Get on your knees.” The rough growl startles me. I sit up on my unsteady legs and look down at him before climbing off the bed.
“Now.” I quickly move to my knees. Jax sits up, sliding his pants down his legs. I lick my lips at the sight of his strong thighs.
“Have you ever done this?” I shake my head. Something in his eyes flashes. I can’t place what it is.
He reaches for my hands, wrapping them around his thick length. My breathing picks up feeling the silky soft skin beneath my fingers.
The weight of him is exhilarating. Jax moves his hands before standing. He leans in toward me, grabbing my face in his hands. He’s gentle but I know that can change at any second.
“Open.” He demands. I open my mouth and he shoves into it roughly. I gag on the size of him but he doesn’t care. He fucks my face like he would my body. I know it. He’s rough and all in control.
Just like the man himself.
Chapter 28
The days have trickled by. The time I’ve spent in this house is adding up. After our little encounter the other night, Jax disappeared again. Beverly assures me it’s a common occurrence. She says he has a lot of business to attend to. I can’t say that I mind. Being alone is something I’m growing accustomed to.
I lay in my bed, a bag of popcorn and a bottle of water in my lap. I’m watching some kind of chick flick on the flat screen that magically appeared in my room. I don’t know if it was Beverly or Jaxson that had it brought in but I’m thankful they did. It gives me a break from wandering
the same halls all the time.
I could go to the theater, yes but who wants to be in there alone? I tried it once. I didn’t like the feeling I got while I was in there. I’ve been swimming. I even played around in the DJ booth.
The house has been silent. Too silent if you ask me. I don’t know why the silence is bothering me now. It isn’t like Harvey’s was a party house. The lights are off and I’m relaxing when the door creaks open. My heart starts hammering in my chest. Who the hell is that?
I pull the blankets up to my chest, a tremor ripping through me. It’s not until I see those eyes that I let out a sigh. “You scared the shit out of me.” Jax walks in with a slightly amused grin on his face.
“I didn’t know if you were asleep.”
“Would that have stopped you?” I’m defensive. Why shouldn’t I be? He’s an asshole.
“Probably not. You do realize what day it is don’t you?” His hands are shoved in his pockets much like they usually are.
I shake my head as I think about it. Then it all hits me.
“The auction.” I whisper more to myself than to him. He nods once, taking a step toward my bed. I don’t even notice when he sits down next to me. My head is whirling with thoughts of what might happen to me there. Who is going to be bidding on me? What do they want from me? Is it all about me being a Dell?
“Don’t over think things, little puppet.” His knuckles brush down my cheek. A gentle gesture.
“Who is going to bid on me?” I ask as my breath catches in my throat.
“There will be men of all walks of life there. Mainly ones with large bank accounts. I can’t guarantee who it will be.” His hand continues its torture. Everything inside of me comes alive. It isn’t want. It isn’t even lust.
It’s fear.
It’s fear of who or what is going to buy me. It’s fear that my life may be ending before I ever got a chance to begin it.
It’s fear that this is going to be the end of me.
Chapter 29
Jaxson left the room only to come back with a dress bag. He lays it on the bed before he says, “Put this on.”
I take in the tuxedo that he has on. He’s stunning. His long black hair is slicked back. His eyes seem a lot bluer than I’ve ever seen them before.
I pull myself off the edge of the bed on shaky legs. Jaxson unzips the bag and pulls the dress free. I gasp when I see it. It’s elegant. It’s long and lavender. I run my fingers down the front of it while Jaxson holds it up.
“Do you like it?” He asks as though it would make a difference.
“It’s beautiful.”
Jaxson lays the dress back on the bed before turning to me. “Don’t be nervous. You won’t be able to see anyone when you’re on the platform. Just be yourself.” He reaches for the hem of my shirt. I’m not sure why I let him but I raise my arms and let him take my shirt off.
“Easy for you to say. You aren’t being sold.” My comment gets me a ghost of a smile from him. At least that’s more than I was expecting.
I pull my shorts down my legs. I stand before him in nothing but my lace bra and panties. Jaxson’s eyes rake up and down my body. The unintentional tremble that rushes me causes him to smirk.
“Why do you shiver when I look at you, Jade?” I know what he’s doing. He’s trying to throw me off. He’s trying to get me to be nervous. He wants me on edge because that’s what gets him off. Seeing me on the verge of tears and ready to throw myself at his feet to get away from all of this.
Too bad for him I won’t be giving him that satisfaction. Not tonight.
“I’m cold.” I say keeping my tone even. Jax doesn’t say a word. He picks up the dress in his hands taking the final step toward me.
“Raise your arms.” He says, his voice husky. I do as I’m told, lifting my arms in the air. Jaxson slides the dress on and over my head. His hands skim along my waist as he smooths the dress over my body. “Turn around.”
I turn, pulling my hair over my shoulder. I listen to the only sound in the room, the zipper as it runs up my back.
“There are products for you in the bathroom.” I nod my head and head into the bathroom. Makeups and curling iron wait for me. Jaxson doesn’t come into the bathroom and I’m not sure if I’m happy or sad about it.
A part of me wants him to come to my rescue. The other part knows that’s only a dream.
He’s a monster amongst other monsters.
Chapter 30
My hairs hanging down my shoulders in large blonde curls. My lips are a bright red which was the only color in the bag.
I step into the room to find Jaxson is gone. The shoes I assume are for me sit at the end of the bed. I walk over and slide my feet into them. I feel like a princess.
I don’t feel like I’m on my way to my own death. I feel like Cinderella on her way to the ball. I take a look at myself in the mirror that hangs on the wall.
“Is this what I’ve become?” I ask myself. How did this happen to me?
The door opens once more. Beverly walks in with a small glittering handbag. Her smile is brighter than I’ve ever seen.
“You are exquisite dear.” I smile a genuine smile and say, “Thank you, Beverly.” She nods her head, passing me the purse.
“You are magnificent. Shall we?” Jaxson enters the room eyeing me. The heat in his stare is unsettling. His eyes roam up and down my body. An approving look crosses his face.
I walk toward him slowly. His smile almost seems genuine too.
He extends his hand. I’m slightly on edge, my hands shaking. Jaxson grabs my hand in his almost reassuringly.
“Calm down.” It’s a demand. Like a light switch. He’s back in business mode.
He walks me down the stairs and out the front door. He stops right at the bottom of the stairs. I risk the chance to look up at him. His features have softened. He releases me and walks towards the bed of roses. Picking one, he turns back to me.
Holding out the yellow rose, I take him in. His dark hair, the sparkle in his eyes. Why does he have to be so perfect? What made him into a monster?
I take the rose, bringing it to my nose. Inhaling the sweet scent, I smile. Is this his final gesture? Is this his way of trying to make up for selling me to the highest bidder? Confusion and fear accumulate inside of me.
“Are you sure you don’t know about any of the men that will be there?” I risk another question. I know how much Jaxson hates me asking. The limo door opens and Jaxson ushers me inside.
Once I’m seated against the cool leather, he climbs in next to me.
“I can tell you that there are a few that I wished weren’t attending.” What the hell does that mean?
“Regardless of what you think of me, I’m trying to protect you, Jade.” Protect me?
I want to yell. I want to scream. I want to take out my rage on him but I can’t. I won’t.
That would mean he won. That would mean that he got what he wanted and broke me down. I won’t let him do it.
Chapter 31
The ride is silent. He doesn’t look at me and I don’t say a word to him. He’s impeccably dressed. He looks like a GQ model.
I’m jealous.
“I hate you, you know.” I channel all my inner confidence to do this. I have to do this.
“Is that to mean something to me?” He doesn’t even turn to look at me. “Look at me, Jaxson!” I snap. He finally shifts in his seat. He turns to look at me.
“Why are you telling me this?” I take a deep breath. I need to get this out before I’m sent away.
“Because you are selling me! Because you have ruined my life since the day you stepped into it. I don’t know why you have a grudge against me. I have never done a thing to you or your brother! Why do you hate me!” I yell. Jaxson’s face doesn’t change.
“You kidnapped me! You killed Don! What more do you want from me?” Tears stream down my face. Jax looks down before bringing his eyes back to meet mine and asks, “Are you done?”
I nod
once, my hair tumbling over my shoulder. He reaches up pushing it back over to my shoulder.
“I don’t hate you. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.” He admits. What?
“Then why are you selling me?” The tears keep falling. He runs his hand over his face before he looks back at me.
“What do you know about your parents? Mainly your father?” What the hell do they have to do with anything?
“They’re dead.” I say softly.
“I know that. What do you know about them? About your family name?” He snaps.
“They were into businesses. Trading or something. I don’t know. I was only ten when they died. Harvey didn’t like talking about them much.” It’s the truth. I don’t know much about them. It’s my sad reality too. How does a person not know about their own family?
“They were in the business of trading. That much is true. I asked you once what you would say if I told you that I was trying to protect you. That’s what I’m doing.”
“By selling me to the highest bidder? By forcing me to sleep with someone that I don’t really want? How is that protecting me, Jaxson!” My body temperature rises. Anger courses through my veins.
“It is, Jade! Just trust me! That’s all I can ask of you right now!”
“Trust you? Are you insane? You kidnapped me and killed Don!” I roar. Something inside of Jaxson snaps. He moves quickly, grabbing me by the shoulders. Slamming me against the back of the seat, he looks me in the eyes.
“I did not kill him. He is alive and well. As for kidnapping, I’d say that you came with me pretty willingly.” With one last shake, he releases me. He moves back to his seat, adjusting his jacket.
My heart thunders in my ears. Trusting Jaxson was never on my priority list. If fact, I don’t know how I could trust him.
Then again, what has he really done to me that was so bad?