by M. G. Morgan
"I hope you're a screamer. I enjoy them the best." The stranger smiled once more and turned and continued walking.
Paige had heard enough. She struggled harder. The look in the stranger's eyes was enough to tell her that he couldn't be trusted. What would they do to her if they got her alone in the holding room? What would they do to her while they waited for Will?
She kicked out with her legs and finally broke free of their grip. Her sudden spurt of strength had taken them by surprise and Paige tried to run. The stranger tackled her to the ground his body pushing her into the dirt. The sound of tearing fabric met Paige's ears and she quickly realised that the bodice of her dress was ripped.
The man above her lifted his hand and hit her once. The blow causing stars to burst behind Paige's eyes. Darkness crowded in on top of her and the last thing she remembered was being picked up and thrown over one of the men's shoulders.
***
Paige's eyes felt gritty, as though someone had rubbed dirt into them while she was out cold. Groggily she opened them and stared around. The room she was in was dark. The walls a grey colour and the floor she lay on was cold hard stone. She tried to pull herself upright but instead was greeted by the sound of clinking chains.
Her arms were pinned behind her and the feel of the heavy metal cuffs sent a jolt of fear down through her. She felt cold and dirty. The metallic taste of blood was still in her mouth and her head ached as though she had been hit with a ten ton truck.
When she finally managed to pull herself up into a sitting position the feel of a cold breeze across her chest drew her eyes downwards. She was barely covered by the dress and she dreaded to think what they had done to her while she was unconscious. She wouldn't have been able to stop them and that thought made her stomach feel even sicker.
The sound of a bolt being drawn back and the door opening on squeaky hinges pulled Paige out of her silent contemplation. The stranger who had hit her stepped into the room. Behind him stood one of the goons who had helped carry her.
Paige prayed that Will would come into view but there was no sign of him. Her stomach sank as the stranger who seemed to be in charge moved in towards her.
"You're awake... I was worried in case you wouldn't wake up in time for your Master to arrive... I don't want him thinking that we roughed you up in any way..." He pulled a damp cloth from the hands of the guard and crouched down beside Paige. His touch was gentle as he dabbed at her bloodied lip.
"You shouldn't have tried to run."
"Well you shouldn't have taken me hostage. Will isn't going to like it one bit and when I tell him what you did."
The stranger started to laugh as he cleaned the blood from her face. "Your Master will just be pleased to have you back... I'm still hopeful for a punishment."
Paige jerked away from his touch. It made her head swim but she fought to keep her mind clear. She needed all of her wits about her. She didn't know how long it would take for Will to come get her. Did he even know yet? Had they told her where she was?
The stranger grabbed her face in his hands. His fingers digging into her chin as he tilted her face back to his. "I like your spirit. Most of the girls who come here are already broken but not you and that intrigues me..." He slowly let his free hand wander down the exposed column of Paige's neck.
If only she hadn't been so stubborn about the stupid thing, then none of this would be happening...
His fingers reached the snapped strap of her sundress and Paige squirmed in discomfort. She didn't want him touching her. And she certainly didn't want him touching her somewhere so intimate... Somewhere only Will had touched her...
"Terrence, cut it out and get away from her."
The familiar sound of his voice didn't send shivers of delight down Paige's spine. Instead, the cold shock of fear crawled up the inside of her throat. Although she had known he was here, he was still the last person on earth she had expected to see...
Terrence drew back, a sour look on his face. Paige was glad for small mercies but at that moment in time she was sure she would have preferred Terrence's unwelcome advances over the man who stood in the doorway.
Chris moved into the room. Something dark in his hands. Try as she might Paige couldn't figure out what it was.
"I was hoping we would meet like this. Part of me hoped you would be too stubborn and stupid and disobey Aidan and Will's orders... But I was unsure. The look you gave Will that day... I saw it in your eyes. You love him and he loves you. So I was certain all of that would throw a spanner in my plans. But here you are!" Chris gestured to Paige and her surroundings.
He grinned at her, the suave disarming smile he had given her the first time she had met him. But this time she knew what it hid. It was like having a shark smile at you. It might look harmless but you knew deep down given half an opportunity it would eat you alive.
"Where's Will. He's meant to be here... To give me my collar..."
Chris laughed. "Is that what they told you? That Will would come for you?"
Paige looked confused. Terrence hadn't said his name but he had called him her Master... And well there was only one man who fitted into that category...
"Did you tell her Will would come for her, Terrence?" Chris turned to the man standing just behind him.
"No, Sir."
Chris returned his gaze back to Paige. "It seems we have some confusion here, Paige. You say Will is supposed to be here... I say he isn't coming..."
Fear gnawed at Paige as she watched Chris come closer and crouch beside her.
"You see, Paige, only your Master can come and claim you... But in order for him to be your Master you would have to be wearing his collar. The one he gave you... As you know you're not... So you're Masterless. But not to worry because you're on my island..." Chris paused in order to let his words sink in.
When he lifted his hands Paige cringed but he didn't hit her. In his hands he held something much worse. A plain black collar hung from his fingers the words Freedom Island was emblazoned across the front of it.
Paige shrunk back against the hard stone wall but it was no use. He reached out and grabbed her by the hair his hands roughly jerking her head forward.
"You don't need to worry, Paige. I'll be your Master... It'll make it all the more fun to dish out your punishment in person. By the time your darling Will finds out what has happened to you... Well let's just say it'll be far too late." Chris pulled the collar tight around Paige's neck. The leather dug into her skin as he fastened it and she struggled to breathe.
Kneeling between her legs he pushed his face up close into Paige's and pushed her head back against the wall, giving her no chance of escape.
"You see everything on this Island belongs to me. If you had been a good girl and listened to Will then my own rules would have prevented me from touching you... But..." Chris laughed and pressed his lips to Paige's ear. "You weren't a good girl and when I and the others are finished with you... Well your precious little Will won't want such damaged goods... That's if there's anything left to call damaged."
Chris jerked away from her and stood. He gestured to the others to follow him from the room and they left Paige alone in the dark. Tears ran down her face and her entire body trembled from shock and fear. The collar was much too tight and she could feel herself beginning to grow lightheaded.
In her mind she imagined Will calling her. Searching frantically for her. Each time she tried to call out to him her words were choked off by the tightness of the collar. The argument they had had seemed petty and childish now. She should have listened to him. He was only trying to do what was best for her. And now look at where she had gotten herself.
Closing her eyes as her head began to spin and her air supply grew thinner, Paige vowed that she would find a way back to Will. He owned her, no one else. She loved him and she was certain he loved her... But would love be enough to bring them back together? Darkness pawed at her like and animal and Paige gave in. Her only thoughts were of Will and findi
ng her way back to his arms. No matter what it took, she would feel his touch once more...
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