by Terry Towers
Not wanting anyone to see my pain and tears, I lowered my head and cried softly, the throbbing between my legs a reminder of what had happened. Monsters – they were all monsters. How could Tanner leave me with them? I was his, wasn’t I? He’d told me over and over that if I was good, he’d protect me. Then why leave me with these monsters?
“All right, everyone here knows Flynn McCarty,” Tanner said as he entered the room and made his way over to me and Victoria. “So if you all can take your seats, I’ll have you come up to the platform one by one, get a final look at Victoria and place your bid with me.”
I sniffed and glanced at him through tear-filled eyes. Hearing my sniffing, he looked at me and our gazes locked. He frowned and came over to me. “What happened?”
Shaking my head, I didn’t answer. I didn’t even know how to tell him.
Tanner took a step back and examined me. When his eyes landed on my mound he crouched and his finger swept at my inner thigh, near the apex. When he stood there was a drop of blood on his index finger. Rage filled his eyes as he looked at me. I’d never seen rage so intense from him before.
“Who did this to you?” he growled. Not waiting for me to respond, he spun around and scanned the men who were seating themselves. “Who touched her?”
The man who had shoved the barrel of the gun in me stood. “Sorry, man, she got mouthy and I was teaching her a lesson. She needed to learn her place.” He laughed. “I thought you were supposed to be the best? By the looks of it you’re not doing a very good job with that one. I’ll be happy to pay damages, though.”
Tanner’s hand disappeared under his suit jacket. When it reappeared his revolver was in his hand. He pointed it at the other man’s head and without hesitation pulled the trigger. I screamed as the sound of the gunshot rang out in the room, leaving a ringing in my ears. The man grunted, blood spraying out as he fell backwards.
Virtually everyone looked down at the now dead man in shock.
“I gave the rules when you all arrived. The first and most important one being NO ONE touches MY slave. NO ONE! If you touch her, you die. He touched her, he’s now dead.”
The men all looked back at Tanner, some with shock still on their faces, some quickly regaining their composure and shrugging off the incident as if it were just another everyday affair. I could only assume that perhaps it was just an everyday thing for them. It wasn’t for me. My eyes were glued to the dead man on the floor, lying in an ever increasing pool of his own blood as it drained from him. I was both terrified that Tanner could do something like that, and glad he had. I was having a hard time grasping the ease with which he’d pulled out the gun and shot the other man – there hadn’t been even a second of hesitation. I was even more repulsed over the fact that a sick sense of satisfaction washed over me.
Tanner spun back to me and leaned in, his lips grazing my earlobe as he whispered, “See what I’m willing to do for you? He was a good client, but I killed him, for you. Now do you see how important you are to me, slave?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but had no idea what to say even if it had been possible for me to form a coherent thought, so snapped it shut again. A man had died – because of me. Blood on my hands. I had blood on my hands now. Maybe I hadn’t pulled the trigger, but Tanner had killed him for me – because of me – and I’d felt satisfaction over it. I suddenly felt sick. I was going to puke. I closed my eyes as the room started spinning. I both prayed I wouldn’t pass out and hoped I would at the same time.
“No need to thank me now. You can thank me later.” He span back to the group. “I apologize for this little set-back. If a couple of you could give me a hand we can get this cleaned up quickly and move on with the auction.”
Chapter 15
Tanner
She didn’t seem grateful that I’d killed her would-be rapist. Maybe she was still pissed, or maybe she couldn’t quite grasp the magnitude of the gesture I’d made for her. Okay, all right, maybe I hadn’t done it entirely for her. He’d touched her and she was mine. Nobody played with my toys but me. No one touched my things without my permission. He’d taken liberties, and while when I’d been working for The Organization my actions might have resulted in discipline, this was my world now, my playground, and I made the rules.
I looked across my desk at Flynn and silently willed the other man to leave. He was in the middle of his pitch. I didn’t care. I’d heard it over the phone a dozen times, I had no desire to hear it again, but out of professional courtesy I acted as if I cared. I really didn’t want to be on Flynn’s bad side – I might need him one day. All the others had left, leaving me Flynn and a couple of his men. Even Victoria was gone, with her new owner. And all I really wanted was to get to Emily and ensure she was aware of my grand gesture. She’d thank me when she understood.
“So what do you say, son? Join us.”
I sat back in my desk chair and steepled my fingers before mw. “I’m sorry Flynn. I’m done with this life, for now at least. I have everything I want and need right now, there just isn’t anything you can offer me.”
Flynn frowned but slowly nodded. “That’s unfortunate. I saw your work with Victoria and was very impressed.” He shrugged. “The other one definitely needs more work.”
Something within me coiled in anger. She didn’t need work. She was just the way I wanted her. All right, maybe not exactly, but she was coming. I didn’t want a fucking drone. “She’s fine,” I growled.
A grin spread across Flynn’s slips and he nodded. “I think I’m beginning to understand. You realize I would be fine with you keeping your pet while you worked for us. There’s no rule you have to get rid of her. For that matter, there’s no rule you even need to do the training yourself, just oversee. That’s all. You make the rules, Tanner.”
“I just don’t think it’s going to happen. Again, I’m sorry.” I stood and extended my hand to Flynn. “But if I change my mind…”
With reluctance, Flynn stood and took my outstretched hand. “Very well, then.”
Once Flynn and his guards were gone, I groaned a sigh of relief. Finally we were alone. The house was empty with the exception of me and Emily, just the way I wanted it. I’d locked her in her room for safekeeping, but now I could bring her back up and we could make some supper. Maybe we’d watch a movie. We could play happy, boring couple for a night. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d actually done something like that – pretended to be in a ‘normal’ relationship It might be fun.
After taking a quick shower and shaving the several days’ worth of stubble that had grown, I made my way downstairs to retrieve Emily. Unlocking the door, I found Emily on the bed curled up in a tight little beautiful ball. She didn’t move when I entered, but I could tell by her rapid breathing that she was awake.
“Everyone is gone.” She didn’t answer, so I proceeded into the room. “I thought we could go upstairs, maybe make some supper and then watch a movie. Your choice. We could even watch some chick flick if that’s what you’d like.” With a sigh, I sat down on the bed and ran my fingers through her dark locks. “What’s wrong now?”
Still silence.
“Don’t force me to do something drastic to get you to talk to me. I don’t think either of us wants to go down that road.”
She opened her eyes and looked up at me, remaining in the curled-up position. She looked so tiny, so delicate in that position. “You sold her.”
“Of course I did. I told you I was going to. I’ve told you before I’d never lie to you.”
“And you killed that man. He’s dead because of me.” Tears began to stream down her cheeks.
All right, I’ll admit, this confused me. I thought she would be thanking me, ecstatic I cared enough to kill a business associate for her. She shouldn’t be staring up at me with hate and sorrow in her eyes. No, she should be falling to her knees and begging me to let her blow me for being such a kind and considerate owner. This lack of gratitude was beginning to seriously piss me off.
/> “You’re crying tears for him? Do you have any idea how horrible of a person that man was? Normally I wouldn’t care, but he hurt you, he took what was mine, and so he paid the price. Did he not hurt you?”
She paused but slowly nodded.
“Did he not make you bleed?” A new surge of anger washed over me. He’d taken what was supposed to be mine. Her blood was supposed to be for me. I’d been relishing the fact she’d bleed on my cock as I breached her and now he’d ruined that for me. If he were alive and here right now, I’d have killed the motherfucker a second time. But everything said and done, she was still a virgin. No one was taking that from me.
She nodded again.
“Do you think he felt regretful over his actions?”
She shook her head, her frown deepening.
“Then why the tears?”
She shrugged. “I feel responsible.” A new stream of tears slid down her cheeks. I didn’t like seeing those tears. When she cried for me, because of me, I liked it. It gave me an instant hard-on. But this wasn’t the case – she was crying over that piece of shit. My anger deepened, but I supressed it, forcing a calm expression onto my face for her benefit.
I cocked my head to the side and eyed her, trying to make sense of her logic. “Why are you responsible? He was told not to touch you or I’d kill him. He touched you. I killed him. Cause and effect – it couldn’t be any more straightforward. If anything he’s the only one to blame for his death.” It was so simple. I didn’t get why she couldn’t see it that way.
She turned her face away. “You don’t understand. Why would I ever think you would?”
Good question. Surely I’d missed something.
“I’m a man of my word, Emily. Everyone who knows me knows that. So take this as the truth – that man deserved it. Even I can barely comprehend some of the things he does, if that gives you an idea of how vile he is, so rest assured the world is a better place without him.”
The statement was slightly over the top and dramatic, but it seemed to have the desired effect. After a minute she uncurled herself and sat up. Slipping her arms around my neck, she clung tightly to me, crying softly against my neck. Wrapping my arms around her, I held her tight, gently rocking her back and forth, murmuring soft reassurances in her ear. I was starting to get that this had less to do with me killing him and more to do with what he’d done to her.
***
Emily
After a few minutes – or twenty, I really had no idea how long – I was finally able to pull myself together and the tears slowed to a stop. But I clung on to him for a few minutes longer, and for those few minutes pretended I wasn’t in this situation and I felt safe.
“Are you ready for your surprise?”
Surprise? I pulled back from him and sniffed, staring up into his dark eyes, frowning. The last time he’d ‘surprised’ me, I’d got a dog collar put around my neck and an electric shock. He was great at surprises.
He must have seen the look of apprehension on my face because he chuckled and raked his hand through my hair. “Oh no. I think you’ll like this surprise better than the last one.” He stood and extended his hand to me. “Will you come upstairs with me?”
I nodded, taking his hand and sliding from the bed. “Okay.” Not like I had a choice – if I refused he’d just jab a needle in my neck and carry me up anyhow.
He led me upstairs and into his bedroom. Releasing my hand, he motioned to the bed. Walking past him, I went over to the bed, where there was a number of items waiting. The first thing I grabbed was the pale pink sundress. It was simple but pretty. I looked back over my shoulder at him.
“It’s for you. I hope you like it. And the make-up is yours too.” Reaching into his pants pocket, he pulled out a key and approached me. Grabbing my collar, he spun it around until the padlock was at the front and unlocked it, taking the collar off. “This is a fresh start, honey.”
I immediately moved my head from side to side, back and forth. It was so nice to no longer have my neck restricted by the thing. God, I didn’t know how much I hated it until it was off. I felt so free without it.
“Thank you, Master.”
He smiled. “There’s more.” Motioning me to follow him, he entered the connecting master bathroom. He immediately went to the large bathtub and turned on the water, adding bath salts, oils and bubble bath. I really couldn’t help but laugh – this certainly wasn’t what I expected.
“Is that for me?”
With the water running in the bath, he turned back to me and smiled. “Of course. I already told you that it was your surprise.” Crouching, he opened the cabinet under the sink and grabbed a razor and shaving gel. “Can I allow you with these things without you slitting your wrists or something equally stupid?”
“Yes. I haven’t tried to hurt myself yet, have I?”
He shrugged. “Just making sure. I’ve got a nice date night planned for us, so I’d hate to have it ruined.”
Date night! My heart soared. It had been over two weeks, maybe three – I’d already begun to lose track of time – since I’d been out of this house. The thought of actually going into town was like a dream come true. “We’re going out? To the city.”
“No. Not to the city. It’s too risky. Your disappearance is too fresh and we’re too close to where you were taken to be able to risk it, but we can go out on the back porch. Maybe go for a little walk on the property if you like. It is seventy acres. If you want we could go see the dogs. They’re beautiful bloodhounds.”
My heart sank a little, but still, outside was better than nothing and I’d really like to see the dogs, even if they might be part of the reason I was never going to escape from this place.
He stepped up to me and took my upper arms in his hands. “I hate to spoil this mood, but I need to make a couple of things clear to you. If you attempt to escape, your punishment will be that I’ll have a new girl occupy that room that is now vacant. With Victoria gone, I want this to be a new beginning.”
“But you promised…”
“I promised that as long as you keep me happy, it’ll be only you.” He brushed a lock of hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear. “But if you try to escape, then I assure you, I won’t be happy. Okay?”
I nodded. “Yes, Master.”
“And one final surprise.”
“What’s that?”
“Since you were so good at the auction, and in the spirit of our date night, I’ll give you a pardon from having to use the term Master tonight. Tanner is fine.”
I wasn’t sure what was going on or what his plan was – he always seemed to have a motive for everything he did – but the last thing I was going to do was second-guess a good thing. Maybe for tonight I could pretend this wasn’t what is was and maybe I could pretend it was a normal date. There was a good chance there was a catch that came with the night, but for now I’d take the gesture at face value.
Chapter 16
Emily
The bathwater was divine. I felt like a queen soaking in the large tub full of bubbles, smelling of lavender and roses. The bath oils were working their way into my skin, leaving it soft and lightly scented. Tanner had turned on some music, some jazz station. I never really listened to jazz, but it was nice and soothing. It was so relaxing that the events of earlier that day seemed like some sort of bad dream. Heck, the events of the past few weeks seemed like another lifetime – some nightmare I’d finally awoken from.
A soft knock sounded on the door – there was even a door to this bathroom! It didn’t lock, but still it was a door. A moment later it opened and Tanner poked his head in. I sank deeper into the water until only my head and shoulders were visible above the thick layer of bubbles. “If you don’t come out soon you’re going to shrivel up.” He smiled, a sweet, sexy smile. Even his dark onyx coloured eyes carried an amused twinkle. It was the same smile he’d flashed me at the club and it had the same effect, making my tummy flutter and my pulse race.
“Do you
want me to get out, Ma—” I bit down on my lower lip and smiled. I wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity to use his name for a change. “Tanner.”
“I just thought you’d like to see your next surprise. I think you might like it.” He gave me a wink. “But if you’d rather stay in the bathtub…” He left, closing the door behind him.
Now I was facing a dilemma. Continue to enjoy the bath or venture out to see what else he had planned? The problem was that what he thought would be a nice surprise was a crap shoot. But he was right, I was starting to wrinkle up. My curiosity got the best of me. I quickly shaved my legs and mound, then pulled the plug, got out of the tub and wrapped a towel around my body.
Leaving the bathroom, I found Tanner in the middle of the bedroom doing up a pair of black pants and fastening his belt. I stood watching him for a moment. He was wearing a dark blue, long sleeved, V-neck sweater that hugged his lean, muscular torso and broad shoulders. Hearing me enter the room, he looked up and gave me another smile. The smile was friendly and made me wonder if I’d imagined the past few weeks.
“Curiosity got the best of you, huh?”
I nodded. “Kinda.”
He walked over to the dresser and opened the top drawer and my heart sank with disappointment. That was where he kept the handcuffs and butt plugs and heaven knows what else. He had already informed me that we were yet to even begin our ‘journey’ together.
When he turned around he was holding a thin, square velvet jewelry box in his hands. “What’s the matter?” He asked as he walked towards me.
“Nothing. I just…”
He looked at the drawer and nodded. “You thought…”
I nodded.
“I told you this was a special night for you. I’m not forcing anything on you tonight, I promise.” He stopped a foot from me and opened the case. “I picked this up for you the other day, for tonight. I hope you like it.”