“I thought she’d be okay. I expected her to just go to bed,” I stated, rubbing a hand down my face.
“Well, she didn’t. She was kneeling by the door on her knees waiting for you to return. She was obviously in full-out panic mode. You should have called me before you left the house,” he said, lowering his voice as anger dissolved from his voice. “You’re lucky Emily came with me, Elijah. I have no idea how to handle women; she was bad enough.”
“Yeah,” I replied, at a loss for words. “Did she say anything?”
“No,” he laughed sadly. “She panicked even more when I tried to get near her. Took my Emily a good ten minutes to get her to calm down enough to move off the floor.
“Tell her thank you for me,” I said. I wanted to punch myself for being so stupid, but what was done was done. There was nothing I could do about it now.
“You can tell her yourself,” he replied. “And are you sure this girl is our Dawn? She’s so . . . sad…”
“Yeah, it is. The DNA test results are a match,” I answered quietly, so I wouldn’t have to worry about being overheard. “I hope to be back once I can get Joan calmed down.”
“Alright bro, bye.” Zack ended the call.
Walking back to the living room, I found my parents sitting on the loveseat and Joan sitting in the same spot she was before. She held her hands in her lap and kept sniffling. She looked up when I re-entered the room.
“So, can you find some info on my baby? Please, Elijah?” she begged with sad eyes. I was good at reading people, and this woman here was certainly putting on a good act.
“I’ll see what I can do. I won’t be able to find her location, but I can hopefully get something on how she is doing. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to my guest,” I said, hoping to pacify her for the time being.
I bid my parents goodbye and dad walked out with me. The sun had long sat on the horizon, casting long, dark shadows around the yard.
“Thank you, son,” he stated once we were outside. “Joslyn couldn’t figure out a way to get her to calm down, and there was an emergency at the hospital so I couldn’t leave.
“Thank you, Dad,” I said, before I made my way to the car. I shot Zack a text, letting him know I was on my way home.
I tried to be quiet so I wouldn’t wake Dawn if she was asleep by chance when I got back. I may have even exceeded the speed limit to get there faster because I was so worried about her.
Reaching the living room of my house, the scene made my heart break once again. Dawn was the only girl who could ever cause me this type of weakness. My girl was lying on the couch with her head in Emily’s lap. She had an afghan covering her as she lay there. Occasionally, I could see tremors go through her body. She looked worse than when I’d left her.
What had I done?
Zack sat in the chair closest to the door. He was looking at the TV but I could tell from his face that he was worried. So was I. I had no idea what to do to make Dawn happy and healthy again. She wasn't a simple fun-loving girl anymore.
I patted him on his upper arm, drawing his attention away from wherever his mind was. I walked to the couch, crouching down next to Dawn right as her green eyes slowly opened into a dazed look. They were filled with nothing, almost completely blank. It was as if she had no reason to live—nothing to fight for any longer.
“Hey there,” I said to her, letting my southern drawl break through. “You ready to go to bed so we can let Zack and Emily go home?” I wanted her to hear my accent.
Over the past five years, I had train myself to speak in a region neutral accent. However, Dawn would only remember me with that southern twang from when I was younger. Whether she did or not, I hoped the accent would comfort her.
Instead of answering me, she only blinked. I yearned to see the young, bright-eyed girl reappear.
“I’m sorry for putting you in a position where you were left alone and afraid. I didn’t think clearly,” I said, keeping my hands to myself, even though I wanted to pull her into a tight hug and never let her go.
“She’ll be okay,” Emily whispered. “Give her some time and show her you’re not mad.”
“Oh, I can’t be mad; it was my fault,” I said, running the back of my hand down the side of her face. She closed her eyes at the contact and cradled her face in my hand, seeming to want to soak up any affection she could from me. “Now let’s get you to bed, Dawn.”
I knew without a doubt that Zak’s Emily was the Emily in the cages with my girl for a short time. Surely she wouldn’t have taken so easily to anyone she didn’t know?
Once I had her in my arms, she buried her head into my shoulder and neck as her small hands clenched my shirt like her life depended on it.
I vaguely heard my brother and soon to be sister-in-law make their way out of the house. I carried Dawn up to my bedroom, knowing she wasn't going to want to be in her own bed by herself. Plus, I wanted to hold her until she felt safe. I attempted to lay her on my bed, but she clung to me tighter, if that were possible.
“I won’t leave you. I’m just laying you down on the bed,” I said gently.
“Stay?” she cried, glancing up through her long eyelashes, spiked with tears. More tears were gathering in her eyes as she looked at me.
“Of course,” I answered, smiling tenderly at her.
She slowly released her hold on me so I could lay her down. I watched her as she began to stiffen with wide eyes as she watched me. I took my shoes off and sat my phone and keys on the side table. My bedroom was set up similarly to hers. The only difference was instead of the light brown colors, my room was bathed in grays, blacks and whites, and I had a king size bed.
Once I was in bed, laying on my back with only the glow of a small lamp to fend off the darkness, I pulled the frightened girl closer to me, where she instantly curled into my side. I had shed my shirt, so her soft warmth soaked into me even more.
Chapter 7
Dawn
The thumping of a heart reached my senses as I slowly woke up. My cheek was pressed against Elijah’s chest that, at some point during the night, I had decided to use as a pillow. His breathing was slow and even as he slept. I think that was one of the most peaceful night’s sleep I’d had in years. I was warm, comfy, and surprisingly refreshed. I almost didn’t want to wake up and face reality.
When I was rented, the rooms that did have beds were not used as a place to sleep. If I was lucky, the men would pass out after getting their fill and I would lie there, unable to sleep as the sounds around me would continue. It was almost worse than the dark and quiet when I was locked away. I never knew what might happen to me if I fell asleep.
I had no idea how long I dozed, lying in Emily’s lap, before Sir came back. I couldn’t recall what was said between the three, but Elijah seemed worried, or maybe angry, when I saw him in front of me. Despite whatever he felt, he picked me up and carried me up to his room, where I expected him to either leave me or have his way with me like Morgan and the other handlers always did. I felt so weak and tired.
I had asked, almost cried, even, for the man to stay, even with the risk of him hurting me in any way, just so I didn’t have to be left alone. I wasn’t able to deal with the panic-filled memories I knew would take over if I was left alone again. He surprised me by getting into bed and pulling me to his side, instantly soothing my nerves. It hadn’t taken me long to fall asleep wrapped in his embrace.
I hid my feelings for so long, refusing to allow myself to feel anything at all, knowing it would hurt worse. I hated it, but if I wanted to survive those cages, I couldn’t do anything differently.
Glancing down, I saw the comforter tented a little at Sir’s crotch. Feeling a little brave, I wanted to show the man I was thankful for everything so far: warm clothes, a bed where I could sleep, and good food. I gently and slowly moved my right hand down to his dick. Sometime during the night, he’d shed his pants and only had thin boxers on, where his tip was poking out.
Slowl
y, as not to awaken him, I pushed the material down around him. I then made my way down his body so I could use my mouth on him, leaving the covers over my head. The warm, stifling air was nothing I couldn't handle. He smelled so good, a mix between some kind of cologne, soap, and the musky scent of a clean man. Normally, the men I serviced were filthy, grime embedded in their skin, the scent of stale sex and body odor rancid. Sir was different.
Wanting to surprise him, I sucked on the tip before taking him fully in my mouth. He was very hard and thick by then. I sucked on him, swiping my tongue underneath on the vein, making him arch up and slide down my throat some.
Pulling back a little, I tenderly nibbled him before taking him in my mouth again, making him moan deep in his chest. I smiled, because for once in my crappy life, I was happy and content. I hummed against his member, and his hand grabbed my head, fisting my hair but not too hard. Most men never cared if they hurt me, and I had grown used to the pain—almost craved it, some days.
“Oh, fuck,” Elijah moaned as I released him and sucked on the mushroom head of his cock again. He quickly used his other hand to pull back the blanket. I looked up at him through my eyelashes. I could tell he wasn’t sure what to do: demand I stop or let me continue. His face was controlled, but his eyes shone with pure want and lust.
Quickly before he could decide, I took him all the way in my mouth. He was so long he hit the back of my throat. I moaned around him, liking the hardness of him. I had never before liked to give blow jobs, but I would do it every day for this man, if he’d allow me.
Elijah’s hand tangled in my hair, giving into my ministrations and letting his bright blue eyes close as he took deep breaths. I moved my hand into his boxers and played with his balls, rolling them softly. He muttered a soft “fuck” as he exploded down my throat. I gladly swallowed everything he gave me.
Pulling me off him, he was breathless but spoke with authority. “Come back up here.” I obeyed, hoping I wouldn’t be in trouble.
“Not that I can complain to such a great wake up call, but you didn’t need to do that,” he said once I was back up near the pillows. “But, that was the best blow job ever.”
“I’ve had a lot of practice, Sir,” I whispered, near tears. Was I in trouble?
“Oh, sweet girl, you are going to be hard to resist,” he mumbled as he kissed the top of my head. “I think you should get ready for breakfast. We have a few things we need to talk about—like how I expect you to act around here.”
“Yes, Sir,” I said, not knowing how to respond otherwise.
Slowly making my way off the bed and to my room across the hall, my fears grew. I didn’t know what would happen. Would I be punished? Would he make me go back to Master Galvin and Morgan?
After taking a shower and getting dressed, I made my way down to the kitchen. My nerves were finally calm, knowing that if I had survived this long, I could make it through whatever he had in store for me.
On the table sat two steaming bowls of oatmeal. He already sat with a bowl, watching me as I entered and took my seat. He didn’t say anything as I began to eat.
“Why were you in such a panic last night?” he began, his voice soft.
I remained quiet, pretty sure he already knew why, and not wanting to voice my fears. I wasn’t a child and shouldn’t be afraid to be left alone for any length of time. Galvin enjoyed punishing me for little things, no matter what it was. I hoped Sir wouldn't do that to me.
“Answer me, Dawn, and please be truthful,” Elijah said as he stared at me with those brown eyes. “What made you so afraid? Was it because you were alone, or because you didn’t know what to do?”
“Both, Sir,” I whispered, trying to look anywhere but at the man across from me. I didn’t want him to see how upset I was. I could hardly see through my tears.
“Dawn,” he warned, his voice hardening.
“I don’t like to be alone, Sir. Master Galvin liked to leave me alone for days at a time. He would punish me with the dark and being alone. No one would come and feed me.” I spoke quietly, feeling ashamed of myself for my weakness. “And . . . I didn’t know what you wanted me to do, Sir. Morgan and the other men would tell me exactly what they wanted me to do, all of the time, unless they were trying to trick me.” By now, tears slowly fell down my cheeks.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t clear about what you could have done. I should have waited until Zack arrived before I left you here to your own devices,” Elijah said. “I know I should have gone over the rules before now, but you were sick and I didn’t feel like you would be able to stay coherent long enough for me to do so.”
I looked up at him, and I could see that he truly was sorry. I wasn’t sure how to take that, as no one had ever apologized to me when I was with Master Galvin.
“So, once you’re finished eating, you are to meet me in my office and we will go over the rules and punishments of this house. We will both agree on these rules and consequences together. I want you to be honest with me the entire time. Understood?” his eyes locked on my own.
“Yes, Sir,” I said. I was scared, but I also felt better, knowing I would be able to have some sort of guidelines to follow so I could do my best to not be punished.
Elijah took care of his bowl before leaving me to finish my own food. After a few minutes and not able to stomach anymore, I took care of my own bowl, not caring if I’d get in trouble for wasting the food.
By the time I made it to Elijah’s office, I could feel the onset of panic again. I really had no idea why I was so scared. Either Elijah didn’t know I was on the verge, or chose to ignore it, as he simply smiled at me when I entered quietly. He told me to take a seat in the brown leather chair he’d moved beside his desk.
His office was off the living room, with a set of white French doors; his space was clean and colored like the rest of the house. Elijah sat in a fancy office chair.
“Before we begin, I want you to know that you will not be in any trouble at all while we discuss things. I want you to be open with me.”
I simply nodded my head. I tried to stop my hands from shaking by folding them in my lap.
“First, I will start with what I would like you to do, since my hours at work are usually long, both day and night. I would like my laundry to be washed, folded and put away, along with yours, in a timely manner. I try to put all my dirty clothes in the hamper in the bathroom, but sometimes my clothes end up around the bedroom. Later, I will let you explore the house and figure out where everything is.
“You don’t have to do any of it, if you don't want, of course. I just think that if you have something to do to keep your mind and body busy, then you won’t get lost in your mind and have as many panic attacks.” He paused then, waiting for me to respond.
“I don’t mind cleaning,” I said after a moment. “If it’s what you want me to do . . .”
“It’s not what I want,” he was quick to assure me. “It’s what you want, Dawn. You never have to do anything, never lift a finger, or even see me, if you don’t want to.”
He paused, letting that sink in before continuing.
“I would like my bed sheets washed and changed at least once a week. I don’t expect the entire house to be spotlessly clean, but I do want my bathroom, the bathroom down here, the living room, this office and the kitchen to be cleaned, and kept clean as much as possible. I have guests who like to pop in without calling. It’s important that these more public rooms stay as clean as you can keep them.
“On the nights I am home, I would enjoy having a nice warm meal made for both of us to eat together. I will be sure to let you know ahead of time, so you can get the meal prepared. Joslyn and Emily will be more than happy to help you if you need anything, of course. If you are hungry, at any time, you are free to eat or drink anything you want in this house.
“I also expect you to be polite to me and to anyone who comes in this house, and when you are out with me or my family. Rudeness will not be tolerated. Anything I say to anyone is
never to be repeated to anyone ever.
“If you have any questions or concerns, you must always come to me at any time to ask me what to do. If I'm not here, you can ask Kaleb or Zak. They are the two exceptions to the not repeating anything rule. I don’t expect anything sexual from you in any way. I don’t want a repeat of this morning until I know you are stable mentally and physically. This is very important, Dawn.”
“But you liked the blow job,” I blurted out. I quickly covered my mouth with my hands as my eyes widened. Did I just say that out loud?
“Yes, yes I did,” he laughed, leaning back in his chair. His laugh was soft but full of humor. “I know you are used to being used and abused in many ways, but you will never be treated like that here. I will get you whatever you need, any desire or want, within reason. I will never take advantage of you like that. I will never expect you to provide me, or anyone else, with sex.
“You will be treated with respect—like a person. You are not a slave in this house, and I know my mother already considers you family. It is my job to make sure you are happy here. But I don’t require that type of service from you. We not in the type of relationship to take that step yet. Maybe someday we will, but not for some time.
“Do you know anything about BDSM?” he asked, leaning forward again. He gently took my hands and held them in his bigger hands.
“No, not really, Sir,” I answered.
“I am a Dom—a Dominant. I like to control everything, especially sexually,” he said, making sure I was paying attention. “I will try my best to not overwhelm you, not with your history, but I do like order, and insist on having your respect. I will only give out punishments when—and that is a big when—we play in a scene. I will never just punish you because you didn’t do what I wanted. That’s not how this relationship works; no relationship, actually.
“Some Doms like to use canes and whips, but I personally do not like them, therefore I will never use one as a tool of punishment on you.
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