by Melissa Jane
“Thank you for helping me.”
My gratitude extended from the bottom of my heart, but due to being so emotionally wrecked, my appreciative tone sounded weak.
With a heavy sigh, he released my hand back into the soapy suds and clasped his own tightly together. His outstretched arms rested on the edge of the bath tub as he lowered his head toward them. Aiden’s silence was deafening, every unspoken word hanging dangerously in the air before he finally said something.
“I was called out to a disturbance in the grounds,” he said solemnly before yet again falling silent.
Unsure of what he was talking about, I didn’t press the issue until it occurred to me what he was suggesting.
“I saw you leave,” I said as understanding dawned. “You didn’t see what happened?” My eyes were wide with grief and shock with knowledge that tonight could have potentially ended differently if it weren’t for this so-called disturbance.
“I didn’t see but I heard about it. The callout was nothing more than a hoax,” Aiden continued along the same thought process failing to hide the bitter edge to his words. “It was a stupid move. I should have seen it coming. Juan, he …” Aiden clenched his teeth, causing a vein to bulge in his neck. “I saw you being paraded around – it's a common thing for all the new girls…,”
He drew breath sharply again and wrung his fingers so tightly his knuckles turned white. “I may not have seen it, but Hector is furious right now and I'm guessing it has something to do with you. I’m sorry.”
I wanted to ask why he was sorry. I wanted to know why he cared. But the words couldn’t track a path from my brain to my mouth.
Tears were now falling down my cheeks at what he was admitting. Even though I doubted his intentions were honorable, no one had shown me kindness in so long. Not since being here. Now it was overwhelming.
“Please don’t let him come near me again,” I sobbed, sitting forward. I knew it sounded like I was pleading and I was at peace with that. Maybe he could be further swayed into helping me.
“If I had stayed, he would not have laid a finger on you to begin with and he knows it.” There was sincerity in his words as his eyes met mine. “Like I said, it won’t happen again.”
Aiden reached over to the basin and grabbed a washcloth. Submerging it into the bath, he wrung out the excess water and, cupping my chin, gently wiped the tears and mascara from my cheeks. I closed my eyes and allowed the heavenly warm water to caress my skin. I relished Aiden’s soft hands that made me want to melt into them and his breath sweet on my face. Perhaps the stark comparison between the touch of both men was playing tricks on my mind.
My eyes shot open to find him staring intently back, a faint frown marring his features. Our faces were no more than eight inches apart and an unfamiliar magnetic pull existed between us.
Aiden cleared his throat and pulled his eyes away from mine, a sense of discomfort settling between us.
“Has there been any news about my brother?” I asked, aiming to be more professional in this game of kidnapping while struggling to ignore the vibes between us.
Aiden’s head snapped to face mine, this time I knew the look of reproach was directed at me. I watched, feeling slightly reprimanded as he tossed the washcloth on the tub edge and turned to the towel rack to dry his hands.
“I have to go,” he said coldly, his tone a stark contrast from moments earlier. It felt like a slap in the face from a man I was beginning to place my trust in. It was a foolish notion.
I was the fool.
***
Studying my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I was now not surprised by Aiden’s quick departure. Both my cheeks were heavily inflamed and bruised from Hector and Juan’s battering. My poor bottom lip had swelled and dried blood formed on the thin slit. There were clear signs of strangulation marks which were also forming bluish bruises on my neck. My eyes were tired and the once bright blue hue now had lost its sparkle and hope.
I stopped at the threshold of the bathroom while wrapping a silk gown around my body. Gazing numbly out into the bedroom, I noted the haphazard comforter on the bed. It was now a reminder of where the nightmare claimed all the pride I once possessed. How could I sleep in that bed knowing Juan could come in any time to repeat the process? The very thought made me want to vomit. Could I place my safety in Aiden’s promise instead?
The door to the bedroom swung open, startling me from my tortured thoughts.
It was Carlos.
“Get dressed!” he barked. “Be ready in five minutes.”
He didn’t move.
“I'll be ready,” I stammered. Still, he didn’t move.
“Don’t be shy, sweetheart,” he taunted. “You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Can you close the door?
“Say please.”
Inwardly I scoffed. Everyone is this house liked to play games, including the security.
Sophia entered the room and scowled when taking a look at my unprepared state. She followed my gaze to the peeping brutes and swiftly slammed the door closed.
“Why are you not ready? He’s waiting for you and he's pissed enough with you already, so hurry,” she scolded.
“What more does he want from me that he hasn’t already done?” I sounded simple as my eyes followed her around the room.
She moved in silence, ignoring my question.
“You are too much trouble for him, gringa.”
Even she sounded angry with me. She pushed a small handful of material against my chest. Ignoring the challenge in her eyes, I took the fabric and eyed it warily. The negligee was beautiful, but I didn’t want to be paraded around, not again! I had had enough shit in one night to last me a lifetime.
My nerves were on edge and my emotions shattered. All I wanted was to crawl into the fetal position under a blanket where no one could find me and allow my body and mind to heal, if it was at all possible. My vision clouded over with tears and my throat ached like I had been punched. No matter how much I tried to swallow, the lump simply would not move. I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to play this game if I had any hope of coming out alive. My dignity and pride would be a little harder to repair.
“Don’t stare at it, put it on!” Sophia demanded, her voice startled me out of my melancholy.
Resigned, I undid the robe and let it fall to the ground, not caring that Sophia was seeing me naked. Why would I care? We had been making out for all to see less than three hours ago.
Slipping the silk garment over my body, I studied my reflection in the mirror. The negligee was scandalously short, in fact, any shorter and my privates would be on full display. The back was worse. My curvy derriere shortened the length even more to the middle of each cheek. My full breasts were almost falling out of the lace cups. The beauty of the expensive piece of material was marred by the bruises and deep red markings claiming their spots on my body and tarnishing my usual milky skin.
“Keep taking your time and you will have more of those, gringa.
Chapter Thirteen
Aiden
For good reason, I had my reservations about how the rest of the night would progress. The clock on the wall revealed that dawn would arrive in only three hours and yet there was still so much to settle before any of us got some shut-eye. I absently stroked the bruised knuckles of my right hand that had not so long ago pummeled Juan’s face. It had taken a giant’s determination to stop when I did, though, truth be told, my conscience could have happily allowed maiming the prick into submission. Hector on the other hand would not have been so forgiving.
It had been a testing night for all involved and while it was in my best interest to show as little interest as possible, it was proving a greater challenge than I had anticipated.
The tension in the room hung like a heavy blanket. The question of why we were all called to congress in the early hours of morning remained unanswered. Hector had already downed four tequilas in fifteen minutes as he muttered obscenities
and Juan sat perched on the arm of the chair, nursing his now gratifyingly blackened eye.
An abrupt knock sounded at the door, yet it was only Hector who remained unperturbed by a random visitor. The door swung open and Ethan’s sister was escorted in by the two guards. The sight of the purplish bruising around her neck and wrists and her reddened cheeks only reignited the rage I had been feeling earlier. My teeth clenched tight with such force, my jaw immediately began to ache.
The girl looked ashen-faced, but with the strong line of her own jaw, I could see she was determined to put on a front. She was by no means a weak spirit, that much was obvious but, in this place, such a trait could get a woman killed.
Hector turned to look in her direction, but not before shooting me a warning glance. I could do nothing but watch on as he made his way with easy strides toward the girl whose body had become as rigid as a plank of wood.
Her fearful eyes cautiously glanced at Juan, who stood facing her square on with the audacity of a hunter who got off on mauling his prey. There was no mistaking the flicker of curiosity that flashed across her face as she took in the sight of Juan’s swollen eye. Then it seemed to dawn on her suddenly and she shot me a subtle look of appreciation.
That simple look filled me with a perverse sense of satisfaction I had never felt before. Her attention reluctantly fell back to Hector who had now closed the space between them. I was transfixed by the pale swell of her chest rapidly rising and falling, followed by a deep breath to calm herself. She was a beautiful woman unaware of her ability to draw attention.
I realized nothing about this night could rock this girl enough to deter her from meeting the challenges that kept coming her way. She was a force to be reckoned with.
Chapter Fourteen
Laila
Hector regarded my battered face with a self-righteous air.
“Laila, Laila, Laila.” He spoke my name as if testing the way it sounded on his tongue while turning to the men behind him, both of who stood stoically motionless.
“As intoxicating as wine,” he said, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he spun on his heel to face me. “How true a meaning. You do have a certain pull over men.” His greedy eyes roamed over my curves. “Isn’t that right, Juan?”
I knew what he was doing and it was nothing short of a kick in the guts. He didn’t really like the quiet demure me, he wanted the feisty bitch who wasn’t afraid to be slapped around. Now that I wasn’t responding to him, he felt like his hold on me was slipping. That still didn’t stop the nightmare of what happened to me only an hour ago from attempting to chip away at my steely resolve. The wound was still raw.
Juan, on the other hand, found his father’s jibe humorous, a wicked smile reaching his eyes. In my peripheral vision, I saw Aiden flex his fingers before they formed fists, his eyes boring holes in the back of Juan’s head.
“I wouldn’t normally address the girls by their names,” Hector said arrogantly, drawing my attention back to him. “It tends to add an inappropriate familiarity, but you, Laila, are different. The name suits you, but if you like I can call you whore.”
He regarded me with a provocative stare while awaiting my reaction. I gave him none.
“I have to admit I accept some responsibility for tonight’s unfortunate events. I made the mistake of thinking you were ready to make your debut. Your little performance out there almost cost me a small fortune but lucky for you, our trusted customers found your naïve state rather alluring.” The corners of his mouth twitched.
“I am not yours to do as you wish,” I stammered.
“That’s where you are wrong, my dear. You see, your misfortune is incredibly opportune for me.”
If his pause was designed to rattle me further, he successfully accomplished his goal.
“I currently have a buyer who has missing merchandise. If by chance he feels you are a suitable replacement then he will take ownership of you after your training. If not, you will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The money made from that will act as compensation for our original buyer.”
Again he waited for me to speak.
I didn't utter a sound. How could I when I was dying inside?
“I foolishly thought you would be like all the other girls who come into my home. You, however, do not even seem to possess basic cooperation. From here on out, Juan will train you in everything that is required for your new role.”
My legs lost all strength and threatened to collapse while my chest hurt from a heavy weight that seemed to be crushing me. I didn’t want to be anywhere near Juan. Not after what he had done. I could barely stand to be in the same room with him.
“You appear quite pale, mamasita. Is everything alright?” Hector asked, as if we had just been discussing what to have for dinner, instead of tormenting me with his wicked words.
His eyes, however, radiated spite. He was enjoying the effect he was having on me and I hated myself for being such an open book in front a man who had no qualms about wanting to destroy me.
“No! This isn’t right,” I retorted, my voice small and defeated.
“Mmm, not a good start,” he tut-tutted me. “Defiance is not your friend, Laila. Our customer will not be so kind to you if you give him the insolence and unnecessary problems you have given me.”
I remained silent as my future was read out to me.
“All discipline will be a reflection of your behavior. Therefore, the state of your wellbeing will be solely in your hands.
"That being said, if our original buyer chooses you as a replacement, I cannot guarantee your safety. You see, he has rather unorthodox needs and it is our job to ensure you can meet every single one without question or hesitation.
"No matter what Juan chooses to do to you, including any basic commands he may have, you are to be obedient and receptive at all times. Any adolescent behavior will carry a consequence. Do you understand?”
Hector closed the gap between us, gripping my chin cruelly; his soulless black eyes penetrating mine. I winced from the pain, but he only tightened his hold.
“You see, girl. You are very beautiful but so fucking slow to learn.”
His grip tightened.
“If you cannot refrain from acting impulsively, then you should not plead so innocent when that situation becomes your demise. Pain and humiliation beyond your wildest imaginings will be a part of your daily routine, you may beg for mercy and sob for pity but it will fall on deaf ears. This is your new existence.”
Hector released his grip, taking a step back, leaving behind a dull ache in my jaw. In that moment I saw Juan. He was so smug, I wanted to punch him in the face myself.
He was clearly pleased with how the night was playing out, his eyes glistening with amusement. It was all a game to him, nothing but the thrill of the chase. He wouldn’t stop until I was broken in every way.
“I will teach her,” Aiden offered, stepping forward into the light. He appeared calmly assertive yet his eyes blazed with fury. My stomach dropped as the realization of his sudden request sunk in.
Juan’s loud, mocking laughter filled the room. Aiden remained unperturbed, his determined focus never breaking from Hector’s quizzical eyes.
“Aiden, you have never expressed interest before, why now?” Hector asked with genuine surprise and curiosity, his deep voice heavy with suspicion. He looked to me expecting to see some answers from my expression, yet all he got was a mix of disbelief and devastation.
Aiden folded his arms across his chest, his body language speaking volumes.
“You want the best results, get the best man for the job.”
Chapter Fifteen
Aiden
I stood before the two men who over the course of many years I had grown to despise and detest with every fiber. The veiled look on my face ensured they could not see the contempt I held for them, however my credibility as a neutral player was wearing thin. Somehow, somewhere, something fucked up and now it was all I could do but fix it. I was here to p
lay their game and, while losing had never been an option for me in the past, it was certainly not about to take first place now.
Being a well-known drug magnate who heads a cartel stretching internationally through fifteen countries, Hector Florez was not a man to mess with. Civilized or not, people who know the rules of coercion Hector plays by are more than happy to act as his minions to avoid a painful death or, for the brave ones, pocket some extra blood-stained American dollars.
The girl before me was clearly having difficulty swallowing his words, her body trembling from head to toe as the realization took hold. If she were any other girl, she would not stand a chance in this place. All credit to her, she deserved a medal of bravery.
Five sets of astounded eyes lay upon me. They waited expectantly for an explanation that would be entirely improvised and hopefully somewhat believable. The notion of Juan being the one to orchestrate the girl's 'education' made every cell in my body want to explode. Unbeknownst to him, Juan had already jeopardized the plan I had set in motion, and him having the freedom to molest this girl was not conducive to my objective.
Laila’s expression seemed now a mix of pure disgust and heartache. While she had been fighting a battle of wills against Hector’s sickening threats of her demise, her doll-like face turned stricken with distress when I added my two cents worth.
Stepping close behind the crestfallen girl, so close my chest pressed against her small back, I could feel the trembling of her body. The gentle scent of her hair reached my nostrils and a part of me wanted to indulge a little more in her tastes and flavors, but for now business had to be exactly that.
Hector’s face was one of confusion and Juan was simply incredulous. I knew I was fighting an uphill battle, but it had to be done. I rested my hands on Laila’s petite shoulders and felt her body immediately tense at my touch. I could hear her rapid breathing and considered for a second why she would detest me so much. Rubbing my thumbs gently but rhythmically over the nape of her neck, I could feel her body quiver and skin cover in goose bumps. The moment of doubt left me and it took all I had not to smile knowing she was enjoying my touch. Perhaps I wasn’t seen as a total monster after all.