by Terry Towers
Confused, I stepped back looking up into his eyes and gasped. “What happened to you?” He looked like he’d just gotten hit by a transport truck. Despite my question I had a pretty good idea of what happened. His face looked battered and bruised, but it wasn’t anything compared to the bruises covering his torso when I lifted his t-shirt or the way his rib on the right side didn’t quite look proper.
“I had a little disagreement about how I handled you with my father.”
“So he had the guys beat the shit out of you?”
“Considering the other guy was gutted and tossed into the ocean, I think I got off good.” He brushed past me and walked over to the bed, sitting down with a low groan. “Family favouritism, I guess.”
“Why would you take the chance if you knew they might kill you?” I fell to my knees between his legs and rested my head on his lap, wrapping my arms around his waist but not holding too tight, scared I might hurt him further.
“I was betting on they wouldn’t.”
“My God. But my buyer. Did you… ?” I looked up into his blue eyes and waited on bated breath.
“The Boss permitted me to bid on you.”
“Oh, thank God!”
“With some stipulations.”
“Sure, whatever.”
“You cannot come into the main part of the compound and are not allowed to leave. Ever.”
“Ever,” I echoed. I envisioned the cell downstairs – my home – forever.
“And I have to take on a more hands-on role with the organization.”
My brow furrowed. “What do you mean by hands-on?”
He began stroking my golden locks. “I mean, I’ll be required to train and discipline the slaves, along with my other duties. He’s been wanting that since I started working for him here, but I was putting it off, until you. Now he has you to use as leverage.”
I lowered my gaze. “I’m sorry. Maybe –”
Capturing my chin in his hand he forced my face up to look at him. “Don’t even say it. At least with me they won’t be brutalized like they are with some of the others.”
And you’ll have to fuck them… I didn’t ask the question, but jealousy coursed through my veins. He was my master, no one else’s, and I didn’t want that to change. But at the same time I felt bad for being selfish, he made the deal for me and the women would be in better hands with him. Even if I had the right to protest, how could I in good conscience knowing that I could relieve some of the pain of one of my cellmates by having them handled by him?
“What are you thinking?”
I shook my head. “It’s not important.”
“Gwen…” The look of warning in his expression told me he wasn’t going to let it go.
“I just... With the other women…”
A cocky grin spread across his cut lips. “Hold on, are you jealous?”
“No,” I snapped, not meaning to as I stood and attempted to back away from him, my cheeks burning. This isn’t high school, I chastised myself, he’s not your boyfriend, he’s your… I frowned. Handler. Master. Captor… Pick one.
“Whoa. Just hold on.” Grabbing my wrist in his iron grasp, Lance refused to allow me to escape. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Then why am I getting an attitude from you?”
My temper flared; why couldn’t he just drop it? “It’s not an attitude.” I yanked my arm from his grip and I saw him cringe as he let me go.
“Then tell me. Are you pissed because I’ll be handling other women? Do you think I really want to do it?”
“I don’t know… Maybe?” My mind screamed no, I had no idea why I was being so damn combative. He’d saved me… Again… Why was I being such a bitch?
His jaw clenched and I could see him fighting to contain his temper. “You know what, Gwen. Yes, that was it. I took your virginity, scarred your back, got my ass beat up, broke a rib and fully indebted myself to my monster of a father just so I could do what I could have done all along and fuck and beat the shit out of the slaves.”
He quickly stood and then grimaced, grabbing his side and sitting back down.
“Shit, Lance.” I stood frozen, not sure if I should go to him or cower.
“Congratulations, you’re on to me, Gwen.” He touched the side where I’d seen the abnormality and grimaced again. “Unravelled my master plan.”
“Look, I just…” Walking over to him, I fell to my knees between his legs and pulled up his shirt to get a better look at the injured rib. “I’m confused and stressed and just don’t know what to think about anything right now. I’m sorry.”
Looking up into his eyes I waited for his response. A tight smile forced its way onto his lips. “So was this our first fight?”
I held his gaze, needing a moment to process his words before laughing and leaning forward until my forehead rested on his hard stomach. I knew he was trying to lighten the mood and make me smile, but I couldn’t. It was too much. “I don’t know anything anymore. It’s only been a couple weeks and I think I’m half losing my mind. Nothing makes sense anymore.”
“Sit next to me.” Grabbing my upper arms he directed me to sit next to him on the bed. “I have something I need to tell you.”
Last time he looked at me as seriously as he was now, with the hollow tone in his voice, he told me I was going up for auction. I knew I wouldn’t like whatever it was he was going to say and I wasn’t sure if I could handle much more. I felt weak, so weak. Becca had been sitting in the cells, enduring so much more hurt mentally and physically than I had and she was still so much stronger. I wished I were as strong as her, had her determination.
Without Lance I knew I’d be well on my way to breaking no matter how much I thought I knew about trafficking and how much I’d been determined for that not to happen when I’d first arrived. I’d been so naive. This was one of those instances where reading and studying about something couldn’t even begin to prepare you for the realities.
“What’s wrong? I’m not sure I can handle many more surprises.”
“In a couple of days I’ve got some business to attend to outside of the compound so I’m going to have to leave you for two days, three days maximum.”
Horror rushed through me. The sound of Connor’s voice whispering in my ear on how he was going to fuck every hole in my body came to mind. No doubt he’d take the opportunity of fulfilling that promise with Lance not there to protect me. My body trembled at the thought.
Placing an arm around my shoulders he pulled me close to his uninjured side, no doubt seeing the worry in my eyes. “If I had a choice I wouldn’t leave you, but this is extremely important.”
“And I can’t go with you?” I knew the answer without even asking, but couldn’t have stopped the question even if I tried.
“No baby. The Boss would never allow that. Besides, you’re the collateral he has that I’ll come back.”
“Why does he think I’m so important to you?”
“Because in my two years here this is the first time I’ve risked my neck to keep one of the slaves. He’s not a stupid man, Gwen. He may not be around for much of the process, but nothing slips past him. Selling women is only a tip of the iceberg for him. The main reason that slaves are kept in the dungeon area is because he has business transactions and meetings going on with lots of powerful people; people are coming and going every day from the compound. While most of his associates know what lives downstairs, they have no desire to see it walking around in front of them.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to mention Connor, but the truth was if I was going to be there for any amount of time Lance wouldn’t be around all the time to save me. If Connor was going to do something to me he’d find a chance and take it, regardless of whether Lance was there or not – it was only a matter of time. I nodded.
“Stand for a minute, I want to see your back. How does it feel?”
“Better. Sore. But better.” I stood and lifted my hair, showing him m
y back.
“Fuck. I’m sorry, baby,” he whispered, barely loud enough for me to hear as his finger trailed along my back, avoiding the wounds. “I’ll have the doc look these over when he comes in in a few hours, a couple look like they might be becoming infected. I have to go see him anyhow.”
“Your rib?”
“Yeah, you know what they say, you haven’t really had the shit kicked out of you unless something is broken.”
I look over my shoulder at him, frowning. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard that saying before.”
He chuckled, turning me around in his arms.
“I’ll be fine,” I assured him.
“No, you’ll go.” He gave me a sexy, sweet grin that made my heart throb in my chest. “Don’t want my investment getting sick and kicking the bucket before I can enjoy her.”
I scoffed and rolled my eyes, stepping up to him and placing my hands gingerly on his shoulders. “So do I have to go back down there until seeing the doctor?”
“No.” He looked down at his watch and stretched back onto the bed, closing his eyes when his head hit the pillow. “You’re staying here with me until the doc gets in later this evening. You can go back once you’re checked out.”
I hesitated getting onto the bed next to him; his body had so many bruises I had no idea where to touch without hurting him.
Sensing my hesitation, he opened a single eye and cocked his finger at me. “Don’t make me come and get you.”
With reluctance I laid next to him, on my side facing him, keeping my body an inch from his.
His other eye popped open and he clucked his tongue off of the roof of his mouth. “A little closer.” I squirmed closer until our bodies were touching, but didn’t snuggle tight. Grabbing my hand, he pulled me tighter and placed my arm over his chest. “Was that so hard?”
I shook my head, placing my chin on his shoulder. “You’re so bruised.”
“I’ll be fine. Relax and enjoy the time we have here, while we have it.”
~*~*~*~*~
“On the table, on your stomach. Feet in the stirrups.” the doc ordered.
I looked over my shoulder at Lance, who gave me a nod. Walking to the table I did as told and waited, my face growing warm. It was bad enough this stranger had examined me once, but here I was again, about to be poked and prodded.
“What happened to her?” I heard the snap as the doctor pulled on a pair of latex gloves and cringed.
“She required discipline.” Lance’s voice was stone cold.
“Weren’t there orders she wasn’t to be marked?”
“There were. I took the initiative.”
I heard the sound of the stool rolling up behind me. “I imagine The Boss is pissed over this mess. Did you fuck her too?” Without waiting for an answer, the doctor spread my labia and inserted a finger deep into me.
My body tensed as I gritted my teeth, trying to tune out the feel of him probing me. Why did he need to be examining me down there? It was the cuts that needed attention.
“Never mind, I don’t need an answer. Who fucked her? Connor? Jazz?”
“I did. She attempted to escape and she was punished. She was disrespectful and I taught her respect. End of story.”
The doctor huffed. “I suppose that explains your face. Did she sell at auction?”
“Yeah.”
I heard the sound of his stool rolling away from me and then a few moments later returned, but this time to my side. I wanted to look over my shoulder at him and Lance, but kept my eyes firmly closed.
“To whom?” A cool liquid spread across my back and I cringed as the wounds began to sting.
“I bought her.”
“That so? Why did he allow that to happen?”
“I made arrangements with him. The details are none of your concern.” I could hear his voice growing deep with annoyance. “How is she?”
“A little infection. Not a big deal. I’ll give her some antibiotics and she’ll be fine.” The doctor gave my ass a slap and I yelped as my bottom stung. “Off the table. You’re done.”
“On your knees by the door, slave,” Lance barked, a scowl on his face as he followed my every move until I did as told and knelt on the floor with my head bowed.
“Seems she’s quite obedient now,” the doctor commented, watching me intently, too intently for my liking. I got the feeling that if Lance allowed it the doctor wouldn’t hesitate to give me a try himself.
“She’s a fast learner.” I watched as Lance grunted and grimaced as he pulled his shirt up and over his head and then undid his pants, pushing them down until he was standing in front of the doctor in a pair of boxer briefs. I had to hold back a gasp as my eyes surveyed his body seeing how battered he really was.
“Well, the boys fucked you up pretty bad I see.”
“Just check my side, Doc. It’s hurting like a bitch.”
I watched as the doctor examined Lance, gave him a bottle of meds and told him it looked like a little fracture. Get some rest, no big deal, was what the doctor prescribed. What kind of fucking doctor says a fractured rib is no big deal! He hadn’t even had a proper x-ray!
One who examines slaves for his monster of a boss, my conscience replied. Which made me wonder if he even was a doctor. Or maybe he was one of those doctors who lost their licence for some malpractice suit and this was their only option.
“Let’s go.” Lance stood before me, leash in hand, waiting for me to get to my feet.
“Yes, Master.” Rising to my feet I lifted my chin so he could easily hook the leash to my collar.
“Thanks Doc.” Opening the door, Lance led me out of the office and toward the dungeon.
“I think you should see a real doctor,” I whispered when we were out of hearing range.
“He is a real doctor,” Lance replied. “Don’t worry about it, I’ve been in worse shape than this before. Other than rest and painkillers there’s nothing anyone can do, it needs to heal naturally.”
“Maybe The Boss will make an exception and let me stay with you to take care of you until you’re feeling better.” I really didn’t want to see him doing anything other than resting, so many things could happen to him if he overexerted himself. I just didn’t understand why he was taking this so damned lightly. It was beyond infuriating.
He looked down at me and smiled. “I don’t think so. I’ll be fine, the last thing you need to worry about is me. ”
A feeling of disappointment settled over me as we reached the entrance to the dungeon. More than ever before I didn’t want to leave him and go back to the cool dreariness of the cell to worry about him.
“It’s going to be okay.” He brushed the back of his hand against my cheek before hooking his index finger under my chin and forcing my eyes up to meet his. Leaning down he brushed his lips across mine. The kiss was so light and quick that I whimpered in disappointment when he straightened and unlocked the dungeon door.
With my head down, I entered the dungeon and headed straight to my cell, which Lance promptly locked and left without another word to me. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Jenny sleeping soundly on her cot.
“What happened?” Becca whispered as soon as we heard the lock in the door engage.
“I went to auction.” I walked over to the bars separating my cell from hers and placed my forehead against one of the cool bars.
“And?”
“I was sold.”
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry. When do you leave?”
“I don’t.” I looked up and into Becca’s eyes. “Lance bought me.”
Her brow furrowed as she got up from her cot and walked over to the bars. “Lance? The son?”
I nodded. “Yeah. So I stay here.”
“Are you going to be allowed out of the cell then?”
I shook my head. “No. I guess it just goes on like it has been; he comes down when he wants me and puts me back when he’s done.”
Becca placed her hands over mine on the bars and gave them a s
oft squeeze. “Not to trivialize what he did to you, but I think you must have a guardian angel on your shoulder, girl.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but the sound of voices coming down the hall had us both scurrying to get onto our cots and in position for our visitors.
Chapter 13
“Stop fussing, Gwen.” Lance turned off the final camera in the BDSM room and joined me on the bed. “It’s been a few days and I’m feeling better – really. Almost as good as new.”
“I call bullshit.” He still winced when he moved too quickly or coughed too hard. Three days was hardly enough to heal. I couldn’t help but be worried. However, I was relieved to see the bruises on his face and many on his chest had turned to a faded mustard color.
He chuckled, lying down next to me and urging me close to him, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “For someone who’s supposed to be owned by me the balance of power here seems to be shifting. You’re turning into a nagging wife.” He placed a chaste kiss on the top of my head.
Leaning forward, I brushed my lips across his as my fingers played with the top button of his shirt. A soft growl-like groan escaped him as he threaded his fingers into my hair and pulled me down tighter. Our tongues touched and a surge of need rushed through me. We hadn’t been intimate since the night he took my virginity and each day that I spent with him, I needed him more.
The top button of his shirt came undone, followed by the next and the next until his shirt was peeling back, exposing his chest. I began to gingerly trace the curves of muscle, taking care to keep far away from his injured rib area. As our tongues continued to dance the heat and throbbing between my legs intensified.
“I want you,” I whispered, surprising myself with the words. However, the words didn’t surprise me as much as the fact that my hand had wandered to the front of his jeans and was already undoing his belt.
“Mmmm. I’m not sure how much I can participate, considering.”
“You won’t have to do a thing.” Giving him a wink and pulling out of his arms I got to my knees beside him and quickly undid his jeans, pulling them down and off quickly followed by his boxer briefs. His cock sprang free, erect and alert.