by A. A. Dark
“No,” she mumbled. “It can’t be.”
“What can’t be? Jessa, please.”
A whimper left her as her fingers dug into my shoulder. “The captain...he mentioned this Whitlock. He said…” Another sound, breathless at first, then nearing hysteria as a cry hit a high pitch. “He said, ‘cute, but not Whitlock material.’ The island will suit you. They’re different places. They’re going to separate us! I don’t want to be there! I don’t want to die!”
“You’re not going to die,” I rushed out. “No one is going to die. We’re going to escape, Jessa. We’re going to make it back home.”
“We’re not. Land is gone. We’re so far out, we’d never make it to shore if we jumped overboard. I’ve seen. I had a window in the captain’s cabin. We’re in the middle of nowhere.”
Still, Aamir jerked against the door. His feet continually pushed and kicked against the surface to no avail.
“Stop it, Aamir. We have to think. I can’t think. I don’t feel good.”
The last slipped from my lips though I hadn’t meant to say it. I truly didn’t feel well. Even with the bread settling in my stomach, it was impossible to shake the nausea or cramping. I was so tired, and fear only increased my desperate need to close my eyes and disappear. It didn’t help that I was wet, cold, and shaking just as bad as Jessa.
“What about a phone? Did you see one in the captain’s quarters?”
That seemed to catch my brother’s attention. He was calmer now, moving in closer to our side of the bars.
“Yes. If there’s a phone, I can sneak in to call for help once they set me free to work.”
“No. I was in there for two days. I searched the entire cabin. No weapons, no phone. The captain didn’t even lock me in. I walked outside once. The big man...”
“The giant?” I asked quickly.
She shuddered against my chest. “He watches everything. The moment he saw me open the door, he came in and slapped me. Said if I went out there again, I was free game for all the men on deck. Including him. I didn’t go out again.”
Hope faded, as did all of our words. Silence took over minus the footsteps pounding above. Time whispered by in a mix of growling stomachs and decreasing sways. Soon, I found myself drifting to sleep, curled around Jessa. For a woman I hadn’t cared for up until this point, I was finding an odd comfort in her body heat and slow breaths.
But it didn’t last. The sea slaves returned, and when they did, the giant followed. Deep grunts pulled me from my peace, and his twisted, scarred face morphed evilly at his silent stare. He pointed at me again. A mysterious order—the beginning of a sick chapter I could have never imagined.
Chapter 10
Scout 5
I was never a fancy cocktail type of guy. Couldn’t stand the taste of the fruity shit. Put liquor in my system, and I prowled the streets looking for someone’s face to smash in. Beer, though, I was rather content throwing back a few. It made me mean, but nothing I couldn’t handle. And I had to stay clearheaded while I was playing the role of internet celebrity.
Mingling by the pool, I butted in on conversations. I smiled, all charming, getting to know the families and random singles. They took to me like candy, savoring my presence, drinking me in. Irritation festered, but stayed at bay through my act.
The sun traveled the span of the sky and finally set in shades of pink and orange. For appearances sake, it looked like I was having the time of my life. Like I had it made in the perfect vacation destination. When I intentionally nudged into the wall and staggered, I only laughed harder. The man who was following me to dinner wasn’t any better off than I pretended to be. He kept going on about the woman he’d been sitting next to on the plane, and all I could think about was whether Bram or the other scouts had any success with Everleigh Harper.
“God, she was so beautiful. Do you believe in fate, Trevor?”
I paused at his mix-up of my name, but I didn’t correct him. It only had me smiling more.
“Sure. I believe things happen for a reason.”
“Me too. I wonder if I’ll see her again.”
I shrugged. “You never know, Bill. Maybe she’ll be here and you can sweep her off her feet and live happily ever after.”
The sarcasm was light, but the sparkle in the guy’s eyes told me he hadn’t caught it.
“She was...angelic. I know that sounds corny, but that’s the only way I can describe her. Blonde hair, green eyes. And she was wearing white. This loose-fitting dress that sort of swayed magically while she walked. I couldn’t stop staring.”
“Swayed magically? What time did you start drinking?”
Laughter billowed onto the rooftop as we headed through the door. Twinkling lights surrounded the railing and torches were lit at the corners. The breeze was light, the scene picturesque. None of that mattered. It was the faces of the people I was taking in. One who happened to be one of our men. He was watching over me, posing with an escort as if they were on a date or a couple. Bait. Yes, hopefully Everleigh’s men were watching.
“I may have had a few drinks on the plane, but I was far from drunk.”
Gesturing with my hand, I led us to a table at the far end. It was long, seating twelve, and already occupying three other people: two men and a woman.
“Are these taken?”
My smile had them returning one.
“No, go ahead.”
I took a seat at the opposite end, and Bill moved to sit across from me. An older man immediately came over asking what we’d like to drink. While I ordered water, Bill didn’t seem like he was ready to call it quits with the alcohol.
“A blonde, but not my girl.”
The words were light, and I ignored them, taking out my Whitlock phone from my pocket.
Five: Anything yet?
It wasn’t typical for a scout to write the Main Master, but I didn’t care. If anyone had news, they’d immediately relay it to Bram. I had to know where I stood.
MM: Nothing yet. All quiet there?
A sigh left me as I typed.
Five: Yeah.
Standing, I headed for the railing, aiming the camera on my phone toward the illuminated temple. I took a few pictures, knowing they’d never see my social media pages. It was all for show and allowed me a glimpse to the streets below. If anyone was watching the resort, I wanted them to see me. To believe I didn’t take their threat seriously. It would be a slap in the face, and I wanted them to feel the sting of my defiance.
My phone vibrated in my jeans, and I paused, placing the Whitlock one in my pocket and waiting a good minute before pulling out my personal one. Impatience had me wanting to rush through, but I remained poised as I turned and lounged against the back of the railing to peer at my cell.
Unknown: Do you like games?
To hope it was Everleigh had my pulse spiking. It had to be her. Only a handful of people had my personal number, and she’d already called before.
Five: Depends on the game. What do you have in mind?
Unknown: Cuffs. A blindfold. It could be fun.
Five: Sounds a little kinky. Not really my thing, though. Unless you’re referring to yourself. In that case, I might be interested.
Dishes of random food were beginning to be placed at the table. I headed forward, taking my seat. While I started making my plate from the buffet-style dinner, no new messages came through.
“Hey, Trevor. You’ve been here for a few days. Any good places to go have fun?”
I took a bite of the lamb and sautéed peppers, shaking my head. The spices swept over my tongue, and talking was the last thing I cared about. The food was so good, the annoyance faded when he took a bite and began talking again.
“We should find somewhere. The night is still young.”
A buzz had me looking down at the table where my phone rested. I brought up the messages, taking another bite.
Unknown: Don’t eat too fast. You wouldn’t want to choke. How does the lamb taste? Good?
&
nbsp; I paused mid-chew, slowly swallowing. So she could see me. Or someone could.
Five: You could come join me and see for yourself.
Unknown: I don’t think so.
Five: Your loss. You sure?
Placing the phone back on the table, I took another bite, scanning the surrounding tables. There were fourteen people present. No one was looking at me, and none of the women or men I could see fit the build or appearance of Everleigh.
Bill cleared his throat, reaching for his water instead of his mixed drink. His mouth opened to say something, and I watched as his smile fell.
Buzz.
My screen lit up, and I scanned the message preview without opening it.
Unknown: Uh oh. Someone doesn’t look so well.
Confusion registered, but diminished the moment I glanced up. Bill continuously cleared his throat while pulling at the loose collar of his t-shirt.
Buzz.
Unknown: Too much pepper, you suppose?
The fork fell from my hand as I yanked the phone from the table.
Five: What have you done?
Unknown: Does it matter?
Water flooded over the table, rushing toward me as he and I both flew from our chairs. In circles, Bill spun, tearing and shredding down his neck as his back contorted almost demonically in odd angles. Crimson began to flood through the whites of his eyes, and he wouldn’t stop looking at me. Screams pierced the terrace, high pitched and full of terror. One by one, chairs flipped to the sides in peoples’ haste to get back. Foam bubbled, and what I could only assume was bile mixed with blood began to stream over his lower lip and chin.
“Someone help him!”
The chaos led me through the main door with others as someone yelled out for help. I didn’t. I slipped through a side door, disappearing into the hall as I fumbled with my phone.
Five: Nasty stuff you have there. The guy did nothing to you.
Unknown: Is that sympathy for the man who was meant to bring you to me? I thought you smarter than that. He was a traitor. He deserved to die, and so do you. Your day is coming…Five.
A growl tore from my throat as I shoved the phone in my pocket and grabbed the Whitlock cell. Footsteps weren’t far behind, but I didn’t glance over my shoulder. It was my guy. He was following. I wasn’t sure how I knew, but I did.
Ringing filled my ear, and Bram answered immediately.
“A man I met earlier was just poisoned. His name was Bill. She labeled him a traitor.”
“She called you again?”
My head shook at his question. “No. She texted. Asked if I wanted to play a game. Then inquired how my food tasted. Before I knew it, Bill was ripping out his own throat. She said he deserved it and so do I. She called me Five. She knows too much.”
“Yes, she does. More than she should. She’s not the only one who has a traitor in her midst. Son of a bitch.”
“I’m headed to my room. I suspect the police may come talk to me. If they do, I’ll be ready. You all need to be ready too. I don’t trust your slave.”
“You’d be smart not to. Send me screenshots of her messages and stay in touch through text. We’ll be watching.”
I hung up, returning my phone and withdrawing my gun and keys. I eased open the door, locking it behind me as I began to search the small room. Nothing appeared out of place. I followed my Main Master’s orders as I moved the chair back a few feet away from the front door. Tonight was going to be long. I didn’t think she’d come to get me so soon, but if she did, I’d be ready.
Chapter 11
Layla
He came in the middle of the night as violent as the death he’d inflicted on that poor sea slave. Sound was distant in my sleep, and for the first time since I’d been on the ship, unconsciousness was deep with Jessa’s arms around me. I had felt safe when I’d drifted off, but like my life since we’d arrived in Greece, the speck of security hadn’t lasted.
Weight from the embrace disappeared, and with her scream, my eyes flew open just in time to see her crash into the side of the bars. Pain squeezed into my arm, and I was pulled from the cage so quickly, I barely caught Aamir’s frantic expression as he flew into a sitting position.
“No! No! Layla!”
My brother’s voice pulled at the fighter inside me. I thrashed, trying everything I could to fight against the giant’s hold. An explosion of pain flared across my face and my knees buckled at the shock. But I didn’t stop clawing.
Skin tore under my madness, sending blood beading at his jaw. The hold to my bicep loosened, only to tighten so hard, I felt myself lowering through the crushing force.
Whack!
“I’ll kill you! I’ll fucking kill you!”
My brother’s words permeated through the haze, but my limp frame was already being thrown over his shoulder. We were leaving the underground area of the ships.
Aamir and Jessa’s voices carried to me, begging for my release, threatening the man I stood no chance against. The wood below wavered, rippling as I fought to stay awake. My face was beating along with my pulse and the numbness and tingling whispered of the nightmare I was sure to face.
“Get back to work!”
The vibrations from the roar sent my arms swinging again. I slammed my fists into his back as he climbed the narrow stairs. With each step higher, the salty sea air invigorated me, stealing the fumes I’d become immune to. A breeze sent my hair blowing at the force and deep breaths cleared my head as we stepped onto the deck. Lights covered the area and a net full of some sort of silver fish swung above.
I froze, taking in the hectic movements, trying to memorize everything from the size of the ship, to how many boys were onboard. We were walking in long strides as I pushed against the giant’s back to see. Outside the ship, the moon barely lit the small waves. Land wasn’t visible, but I held to hope I was wrong as he stormed through a door, closing us in.
The turn as he shut the barrier and locked it gave view to a small room. One with no windows. One...from Jessa’s description, I didn’t think was the captain’s. This space was so small, all it housed was a bed, a tiny door that made me believe it was a restroom or closet, and chains. They were bolted to the floor, extending only a good five feet, housing one shackle. I screamed, throwing my weight to the side.
Massive hands caught me as I began to fall. Where I was hoping to escape, I was now being molded to the front of the giant as he headed for the bed. We hit hard, the air leaving me from his weight as he immediately buried his hand between my legs. But it didn’t stay. He drew his arm back, glancing at the blood covering his fingers. Where relief dawned, it faded just as fast. Narrowed eyes blinked wider, excited at the crimson staining his fingertips.
Harder, I shifted, trying anything I could to buck off the monster jerking against the fastening of his pants. When a finger plunged into me, my scream got caught in my throat as he hit the wall marking my virginity. Pain branched out. If I didn’t fight harder, this wasn’t going to compare to the damage to come.
“Stop! Please, stop!”
Whack!
Lights. They blinded me at the blow. I knew my head was rolling more to the side, but even as it did, I was pulling at his shirt. My mind was begging me to continue the fight. No matter how hard I tried, my limbs wouldn’t respond to the demands.
“S-Stop. S…”
Another finger entered my channel, stretching me wide. The sting had me jerking, but unable to do much as he bore down on me harder and replaced his digits. Thickness like I couldn’t believe had me sucking in air at the excruciating pain. It zapped me to life in a whirl of swinging arms and kicking legs. It didn’t matter. The vicious surge stole me in its brutality. It stole my mind. My sanity. I floated between unconsciousness. It was the gag from the agony that kept me rooted to the hell that had become my life.
“Fuck...yes. I knew it.”
The thrusts were savage—the pain, a never-ending torture to the zings of tearing unchartered territory. I stared in ho
rror at the scar only inches from my face. I was bouncing at the pounding of his cock, crying from the trauma, but I never took my eyes from the red marring of his skin.
Somehow, he’d gotten my wrists locked in his palm. He held tightly, squeezing each time he buried his thick length in me. I wasn’t dead, but a part of me inside was devoid of life. Devoid of feeling. A numbness was rooting over more than my heart. It was cloaking my soul as if it could protect me from what I had to look forward to. It couldn’t. Somehow, I knew no amount of internal guarding was going to save me. Each grunt from the giant promised that. Each twitch of the muscle surrounding his deformity assured me of my new station.
“I knew you’d be good. Untouched.”
His free hand pushed up my stained white shift, gripping my breast. I should have felt it. I should have kept fighting, but all I could do was move my glare up to his different colored eyes. I didn’t break my stare. I waited, silently cursing him to endure the worst death imaginable. Internally begging him to see what he’d stirred inside me. I wasn’t Layla anymore. I wasn’t even sure who I was or if the shell he was using even existed.
Moments passed with hard thrusts. Weight from his swelling length pulled a cry from my lips, but I couldn’t remember thinking I needed to voice my pain. With as fast as he’d filled me, he was leaving me hollow and empty. Wet heat scorched over my lower stomach, and not once did I move.
“Look at me.”
Nothing. The giant stood, grabbing the dingy sheet I was on and dumping me from the bed.
“Look at me!”
In slow wipes, he cleaned the blood off his cock. Only then, did he turn his evil gaze my way. Minutes ago, I would have been terrified. In my moment of shame and destruction, I was pissed. I flew from the floor, ignoring the pain and blood running down my inner thighs as I threw myself at him. My nails raked across his neck, disappearing as he reared back and sent me flying across the floor. I hit the wooden wall, going completely blank. Dark colors of the wood were before me, but sound was nonexistent as I was picked up and carried back out to the deck. Echoes broke through—yelling—orders. And diesel returned. By the time I was tossed back in my cage, Aamir’s voice was clear. He was pulling my hand to his side of the cage, asking me to look at him. But I was gone...just like Jessa had been when she returned. I was wrapped around her, sobbing, crying, but…not there amongst them.