by A. A. Dark
“There you go. Have a nice stay.”
I took one step back before the male cleared his throat.
“Not so fast. We have a message for you.”
“Do you now?”
I let confusion come. Anything to try to save my cover. The woman removed her hat, peeling off the thin, fake moustache as she stepped closer.
“That’s right. You don’t fool us. You’ve come for nothing. The Mistress you seek is not here, but she’s aware you are. She says hello.”
The fire within me grew hotter. “Mistress? Alright... No idea who you’re talking about, but if someone says hi, I will say hello. Good day.”
I intentionally gave them a look of bewildered annoyance and turned, but the click of a hammer from a gun had my feet coming to a stop. I could have pretended ignorance, but training couldn’t erase what was ingrained. My feet had a mind of their own as they cemented to the ground.
“What are you going to do, kill me right here in front of all these tourists? You have no idea who you’re dealing with. You’d be dead before you could even raise that gun.” Slowly, I turned back to face them. “You play a very dangerous game.”
“This is no game,” the woman snapped. “You’ll leave this place immediately and tell your Main Master to forget about Mistress Harper or else she’ll stay true to her threat of exposing his secret.”
“Who are you? Her look-alike?”
The red tinting her cheeks from anger was immediate. “I’m whatever she wants me to be. Everleigh saved my life from a man like you.”
“Like me? Right. Well, tell your Mistress I’ll relay her message to my Master, but he’s not fucking going anywhere. She’ll be found, and when she is, she’ll wish she would have given up long ago. The more he waits, the angrier he becomes. She’d be smart not to push him too far.”
Awaiting a response was pointless. My cover was blown. Slave twenty-four-six-ninety wasn’t here, and come tonight, after I dropped off these twins, neither would I. If I hadn’t had it in my heart to find Everleigh before, I sure as fuck did now. She was good. Too good. No one had ever discovered my secret, and now that the bitch had, I felt exposed. Violated, even. It didn’t make sense, but I didn’t care. My pride in what I had spent my life training for was huge, and she’d just thrown my very existence under the bus. Being a Master’s son made no difference. Ol’ Man Whitlock had put me through hell growing up. I’d been forced to learn, watch, and train. And Everleigh fucking Harper saw through all of it.
Reaching into my bag, I pulled out my phone and hit the number programmed as MM. I didn’t want to tell Bram I had failed in staying under the radar, but there was no way around it. He needed to know she wasn’t here, and I needed a new location to find her.
Ringing filled my ear and his voice cut through.
“What do you have?”
I left the bordering trees to emerge into the city again.
“I just had a visit from two of her goons. A man, and a woman I could have sworn was her. It was a look-alike I think. I don’t know how they knew I was searching for twenty-four-six-ninety, but they did. They told me she’s not here. That I was basically wasting my time and needed to leave immediately. If you ask me, this was a set-up and we walked right into it. I think she’s testing the loyalty of her people and someone just fucked up by running their mouth to whoever you have on the inside.”
“Son of a bitch!” A bang sounded, no doubt something he hit in anger.
“She did, however, leave you a message.”
“Did she? What?”
I gripped my bag tighter as my rage increased. “She said to stop looking for her or she’ll stay true to her threat and expose your secret.”
“No she won’t. No she fucking won’t. Goddammit. We’re close and she knows it. Stay rooted until I talk to the others. I’ll call you back.”
“Yes, Main Master.”
The line went dead, and I pushed myself to walk faster. People bounced off me, stumbling and falling as they tried to catch themselves. I didn’t care. No one was getting in my way. Not on the street, and sure as hell not in my profession.
Buzz.
Buzz.
I slowed at the barely existent vibrations. With the bag slung over my shoulder, it hummed at my lower back. I came to a stop, looking at the Whitlock phone I still had fisted in my palm. Pounding erupted in my chest. I shrugged off the bag, pulling out my personal cell and nearly growling at the words on the screen: Unknown caller. Immediately, I scanned the tourists and buildings as I hit the button and brought it to my ear.
“Travis Sloan, so nice to see you again. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure that was you. It’s been awhile, but I’m happy I went with my gut on this one. Tell me, how’s the Main Master? Did he take the news well?”
The feminine voice was soft. Breathy. Seductive even. I’d never heard the slave talk, but I knew her voice matched her looks. To deny her beauty was impossible. It was the reason she’d stuck out to me so much growing up. But me, had I really stood out to her? I didn’t think she knew who I was. She’d been very guarded in her youth. It had to have been by word of mouth. Her first Master was known for his gossip.
I forced myself to continue to the resort, but took in everything as I did. “Slave twenty-four-six-ninety. You know, if you’re curious about our Main Master, I would be happy to take you to him.”
“Bram would love that,” she laughed. “As it is, I’m quite happy where I am, thank you.”
“What do you want?”
“It’s simple, really. I’ve been told you’re tailing twins.”
I paused at the intersecting street, staring right at the hotel as I weighed her threat. And it was a threat. If she had saved one slave from the clutches of a scout, she would do it again.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I made friends. You should know all about me and my social life. It’s what I do.”
“I’m no fool. You’re tailing twins and you will hand them over to me.” The softness was gone, exchanged with a deep, controlled tone, one that hit my killer harder than I thought possible. That was who I was talking to now—the slave who skinned the faces off her victims.
“Hand them over? What do you need twins for?”
“Let’s just say I’m partial. Are they on the list yet or not?” At my silence, she continued. “That’s what I thought. They are not safe, nor will they ever be, thanks to you.”
“You’re in way over your head, slave.” I crossed the street, stalking into the hotel and toward the stairs. The long pause had my eyebrows drawing in. “Are you there?”
“I’m here, Travis. I’m right here. Send them to Whitlock if you so choose. I won’t stop you. But know, if you do, you take their place.”
The line went dead and the unbearable need to explode took over. I stopped at Joe’s door wanting nothing more than to pound my fist into the surface. He wasn’t safe. If they knew who I was, he was compromised. Unless it was the other way around and he was the reason Everleigh recognized me.
“Joe.”
I knocked, increasing the pressure as the seconds passed. Something twisted within me, and I used the bottom of my shirt to cover my hand as I turned the unlocked knob. As the door opened and I stepped forward, I cursed at the sight and overwhelming smell. Crimson-soaked hemp was tied around Joe’s lower chest, and his arms appeared to be restrained behind his back. He was sitting in a chair, secured at the feet as well. What looked to be his tongue was resting in a pool of blood and piss beneath him. Only wearing boxer shorts, the missing skin from his face, pecs, abdomen, and thighs told me he was tortured before his throat was slit.
“She’s here. The fucking bitch.”
My hands scrambled for Whitlock’s phone as I shut the door behind me and ate up the length of the hall. The moment I hit Bram’s number, Aamir and Jessa stepped from a room. I jolted to a stop, quickly turning my back to them as my Main Master answered.
“Five?”
“She’s h
ere. Slave twenty-four-six-ninety is fucking here. She called my personal cell after I hung up with you. She knows about my chosen. I’m getting them out of here as soon as possible. Like, right now.”
“Whoa. Slow the fuck down. Did she tell you she was in Athens?”
My head shook, though I didn’t answer. I peered back over my shoulder. Aamir was still talking to his girlfriend, and things looked to be getting heated.
“No, but I just found Joe. He’s been tortured. His face is missing, as are other sections of skin.”
What sounded like chaos erupted over the phone. Banging echoed through, and a child began to cry. Bram’s heavy breathing was quickly followed by the roar of his voice. He was spouting orders left and right, yelling at people to hurry.
“We’re on our way. Get your chosen off the island, and fucking stay alive until I get there.”
“Yes, Main Master.”
I hung up, sending a text with only one word, and then placed my phone back in the bag. I may have had Joe to help me with Everleigh, but I had more resources than just him when it came to scouting.
The weight of the gun at my lower back called to me. Calmly slinging my bag back over my shoulder, I turned toward the arguing couple. They never looked over as I headed in their direction.
Silent. Focused. Aamir and Layla had been wanting new accommodations. I was about to set them up with a place they’d never forget.
Chapter 6
Everleigh
Trademarks, MOs—they were a funny thing. People held to them. Put their trust in characteristics when similarities matched up. They grasped to hope because it was what they wanted to believe. Fools. All of them. To think I would so easily give myself away by letting a Whitlock scout find his partner dead was absurd. But I knew they’d all jump to that conclusion after my call to Travis. They believed I was unstable and hoped I’d get caught by giving into impulses they assumed I couldn’t control. It was why I had the man’s face removed. It was also why as everyone was scrambling to get in position to find me in Athens, I was instead walking the halls of Whitlock … my home.
Nostalgia. It was also a funny thing. Once upon a time, I couldn’t wait to escape this place. The white walls used to torture me. I had feared every guard, at every turn. Now, as I peeked through the black wrap covering my head, I couldn’t have felt more alive. My heart was racing—my senses soaring from adrenaline.
Brown eyes narrowed as I headed through the hall entrance. They watched my every move. Although it wasn’t uncommon for a slave to roam, it was stupid—especially this late.
“Best be getting inside, slave. You’re asking for trouble.”
I held in my smile at the tinge of concern. Most guards were hardened, which told me he was new. It was rare and a bit refreshing considering what I thought I’d come back to. But this was only the beginning...my first obstacle.
“Yes, sir.” With my head lowered and hands joined at my waist under the oversized robe, I picked up the pace. Through my flowing dark gown, I clutched the knife buried within my sleeves. Each door I passed was a possible attack, each Master a monster who could end me. I shouldn’t have been here. It was stupid. Risky. But what did I have left to lose? I had a point to prove, and a debt to collect.
Another turn. Another guard. His stare followed, full of evil as I moved by. The invisible pressure on my back was like an electric zap to my instincts. My mind grew fuzzier as my killer awakened.
Screams echoed through one of the rooms. Crashing came next. I didn’t pause through the increasing screech. My pace remained steady and determined. A roar I knew all too well erupted from behind the closed door and I stopped, knocking loudly against the barrier. Silence immediately came from within.
“Who the fuck…?”
A smile did come then. The door swung open and Master Barclane’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me.
“You’ve got the wrong room, slave. Unless you’d like to come in?”
I’d never seen this side of the Master. His face was scratched, and his true side was showing, unlike the composed gentleman he pretended to be. He was on the board. We’d become friends during the time after my husband’s trip to the White Room. But this wasn’t the Master he’d shown me.
“Delilah.”
The angry slits flew open, and for seconds, he didn’t move. It was the one word I’d used to make him swear a favor for me. His biggest secret, and one he would have killed to protect.
“It can’t be. It…” His head shot out of the door to see if I was alone and he thrust his arm out, grabbing my bicep and pulling me in. I jerked off the head-covering, satisfied as he grew pale at my presence.
“You owe me a favor. I’m here to collect.”
“The Main Master—”
“Isn’t here. He’s on his way to Athens looking for me. And before you think to do something stupid, know I have men within this fortress who will kill you if you think of touching me. Guards of Whitlock, my own hired men. They’re both awaiting my return. If I’m not back in ten minutes, your secret will flood the main stream media and poor Delilah will have to explain why she’s on film doing some very inappropriate things to Daddy.”
“You fucking bitch.”
“That’s what people keep saying.”
“He watches us,” he growled. “You know that. He’ll see you here.”
My eyes went to the corner of the room where the hidden camera was. “Yes...he will. Maybe it’ll teach him to think outside the box. It’s his own fault.”
At my wave, Master Barclane cursed, jerking my hand down. “You must have a death wish. Or maybe you’re sentencing me by showing up here. Is that what you want? For Master Whitlock to kill me too?”
“He’s not going to kill you. You gave your word, he knows that. He was right there when you did.”
“That doesn’t matter! You have no idea what’s happened since you’ve been gone. He’s different, and it’s all your fault. Now here you are, and he’s looking for you. Are you lacking common sense? I can’t let you leave Whitlock. He will kill me if I do. Your favor is useless.”
My head shook and movement had me leaning to the side to see around him. A blonde, tall slave was standing at the bedroom door wearing a white shift that rested low on her small breasts. She was beautiful. So much so, my mind blanked for the smallest second.
“No. Part of the deal is letting me leave. The other part is a purchase. You will buy for me at the auction. And you will keep your hands off them.”
“Wait.” Confusion and almost relief took over his features. “You want me to buy you a slave? You mean to return?”
I opened my mouth, but no response would come. Time went by before I could push the words free. “No. But I’m not naïve either. I may eventually get caught. If I do, I will be prepared.”
“If you get caught, you’ll be in the White Room. You will have no use for a slave.”
“Wrong,” I snapped. “I will not go to the White. Never again. Our Main Master knows better. Like you, he gave me his word. I saved his life, and although he looks for me, he understands why I’ve done the things I have. Now, tell me about the new board members.”
“Excuse me?”
“The members. Master Yahn and Kain are dead for plotting Bram’s death. Am I right?”
“Well, yes.”
“Then I need the names of those who took their place, Master Barclane.”
He grew silent, shifting on his feet. I could see his apprehension. Something wasn’t right. “Masters King, Elliot, and Torres. Master Hunt has taken over as the Main Master’s second. He runs us, but it’s so much more complex than that. Each new member...we...have people under us who are…”
“Wait. What of Master Leone? And Master’s Killinger, Gorner, and Winn? Those were the names I was told were taking over for the others.”
Barclane grew pale. “They’re all dead. Bram killed them. And not in a good way.” Nervously, he looked up to the corner of the room. “That’s all I’m sayi
ng. You have to go.”
“No. You mentioned people under all of you. What did you mean by that?”
“We all have our roles. You know how this works.”
My eyes lowered as my mind raced. “Yes. Priorities. Top priority. Me.” My gaze cut up. “They’re helping him. These new board members are using their resources in the outside world to look for me. Shit. I’m running out of time.”
“Mistress, you need help. You’re clearly not thinking straight. You don’t have to go anywhere. Stay. Put a stop to this. Let me help you. If you remain here, the Master will take it easy on you. I can call him right now. We can fix this. He knows how unwell you are. What West Harper did—”
“Don’t you dare say his name!”
The blonde jumped, and I fully put my attention on her. Her face was bruised and she was curled into herself as she clutched the doorframe. She looked like a model. Knowing the scouts, she probably had been at one point.
“These people working for the members, are there a lot of them?”
“Yes. You will be found. It’s inevitable. These men who have joined the board, they have connections that far outreach what you can imagine. You are not safe. Bram knows that. It’s probably why he left tonight. He needs you found, but he doesn’t trust all who are tied to this search. They’re the vilest, Everleigh. They may kill you for pure enjoyment, rather than return you for the fortune you’re worth.”
“Thank you for the warning. I’ll be careful. As for my twins,” I said, lowly, stepping around Master Barclane to move in closer to his slave. “They’ll be here in a matter of weeks. I want you to keep them safe for me.”
“Twins? You want me to purchase two slaves?”
“That’s right. They’re around eighteen. A boy and a girl. And I want you to get me an apartment ready just in case.” I stepped closer to the woman. Tears streamed from her eyes and her hand cautiously lifted to me for help. “Is she new?”
“What? Oh...yeah. I just bought her.”
“May I?”
The Master looked between me and his slave. “May you what?”