by Marian Tee
If that was true, then she should be unconscious in thirty minutes. Surely that was enough time for him to find MJ and get her out of here. The abandoned warehouse was as heavily guarded as it had always been, men patrolling the premises every five minutes, but unlike in the past, none of them cared to hide the fact that they were fully armed.
Lots of strings had been pulled for tonight’s event then, Helios observed. How many politicians had been bribed for this supposed celebration to push through? Worse, how many of them were inside this very place, all of them possessing depraved souls in their bodies, wanting to “feast” on the flesh of unwilling women?
Helios’ lip curled at the word “feast”, which was what Olga and James had both used to describe what Manolito Chavez and his patrons did during gatherings like this.
“Helios? Is something wrong?” Gracie asked worriedly, seeing the frown on her date’s face.
He forced himself to shrug. “I’m just a little impatient. After all, you can’t say I’ve been slow in sending you the money you needed…”
She flushed. “Thank you for that. And I promise, tonight will be worth it. Daddy always has the most wonderful shows prepared for nights like this. And when he learns how much you’ve helped me, I’m sure he won’t just gift us with one girl. He’ll give us a full harem.” She paused. “As long as you don’t have any preferences?”
“Someone young and white, preferably. I have what they call a younger sister complex.” It was the only explanation he could think of to make sure he had someone that fit MJ’s bill sent to him.
“You have a younger sister?” she asked in surprise.
“A friend’s sister,” he prevaricated, mentally apologizing to Yuri as he found himself inadvertently talking about Hailey.
“Interesting,” Gracie murmured, but she was already secretly vowing to herself to find out who that girl was. That bitch, whoever she was, had to go. She was not the kind to share her man with anyone else, especially when it was of Helios’ caliber.
Inside the warehouse, Helios was subjected to a thorough body check, and he allowed this without even blinking, knowing that his weapon was safe in Gracie’s handbag. As he had expected, Gracie was able to sail inside the place like a spoiled little princess, the guards deferential towards her.
The interior was as gaudy as any 19th century brothel, which he supposed appealed greatly to Chavez and his ilk. Gazes followed him and Gracie wherever they went. By now, people would recognize him as Thanato, although he knew only members of Gracie’s club would also know him as Helios Andreadis. Someone who was as debauched as Thanato would not care about what these people thought, and it was this that allowed him to meet each and every person’s gaze unflinchingly.
As they descended into the dungeons, that was when Helios’ mettle was tested. In each cell they passed, either two or more individuals would be inside, and all of them would be involved in an act of degradation. He wanted to charge into each fucking cell and kill Chavez’s customers but he restrained himself, knowing that there was a better way to save everyone in this place.
When they reached an unoccupied cell, Gracie stopped and pushed its door open. He watched warily as she stepped in.
Gracie found Helios still standing outside the cell. “What are you waiting for, caro?” she asked throatily. She let her hand lovingly run through the assortment of whips hanging from the strip of wall hooks. “We can do something really quick here. Wouldn’t you want to whip me a little, see my blood running down my thighs like a frightened little virgin?”
No.
He didn’t fucking want that because it would remind him too much of what MJ might be going through.
But he heard himself saying, “You don’t even have to fucking ask.”
He knew what he had to do.
Inside, he didn’t reach out for any of the whips. Instead, he slowly unbuckled his belt. “Get on the bed without your clothes.”
Gracie hurriedly undressed herself and got on all fours on the narrow bed, which squeaked under her weight. She watched with mounting excitement as Helios moved towards her, the deadly look in his gaze thrilling her to no end. He looked like he was ready to kill her, Gracie thought dreamily. Oh, this was going to be soooo—
She screamed, the agony of having her flesh torn apart telling her this was no ordinary whipping. Helios had started whipping her with the buckle rather than the leather end of his belt.
Whip.
Whip.
Whip.
It took a while, but the pleasure came to her still, making the blazing pain on her back all the sweeter.
****
“There, there, you look almost like your beautiful self,” Manolito cooed to her lovingly as his men presented MJ to him. He had her dressed in bridal finery, an old-fashioned lacy white gown with long sleeves, a high neckline, and a semi-full skirt.
“Now, for the final touch.” Manolito stood up, his smile making his face even more grotesque. As he walked towards MJ, someone handed him a row of pearls. “These are not true, of course. After all, you weren’t true to me either, were you?”
MJ tried her best to keep still as Manolito wrapped the pearls around her neck, tried not to flinch as the pearls touched her still-burning skin. Last night, Manolito’s bridal gift for her had been having someone leave stub marks from a cigarette all around her neck, like a permanently tattooed necklace.
In her mind, Helios’ voice had gone hoarse. It’s all going to be over soon, brat. Trust me.
She didn’t answer because she no longer knew what to think.
Every day, Manolito liked to torture her with tidbits about Helios dating different women every day of the week. Was that like a man bent on finding the lost love of his life? Oh, he still heard about Helios’ men coming after him, Manolito told her, but it was more for vengeance. Helios had given her up for good, had come to terms with her death, and who was he to disagree with him?
“If your beloved Greek thinks you’re dead, then I shall deliver you just like that. I will even have our wedding ceremony taped for his viewing benefit. Would you like that?”
Remembering Manolito’s words made her wince, causing Manolito to lose his hold on the pearls. It clattered to the floor, and Manolito cursed before backhanding her, hard enough for her to follow where the pearls went.
Pain stung the left side of her face but before she could even open her eyes, Manolito was already there, pulling her up roughly. “There, there, I told you not to move unnecessarily, haven’t I, my dear? Haven’t I taught you anything?”
She whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“I know, I know. You won’t do it again, will you?”
She shook her head even though a part of her knew she would do it again. And she would keep on doing it until Manolito finally snapped and killed her for good.
Don’t fucking say that, brat. Don’t lose hope.
She closed her eyes to Helios’ voice.
Don’t shut me out.
I’m just so tired, Helios. I don’t know what to think of anymore.
Just think of me. Think of how much you love me, and how much I love you. That’s all you need to think about.
I just want this to be over.
Remember what the motto of Afxisi is?
MJ frowned. Afxisi meant ‘rise’ and…
A story to tell, a tragedy to overcome, and a…cage to break free from.
Yes, her imaginary Helios said fiercely. I was meant to break you out of that cage, so stay with me a little longer. Wait for me.
Dimly, MJ felt Manolito’s men pushing her forward, and she started to walk. Someone shoved a bouquet of dead flowers in her hands and she took it. She tried to shut everything out, tried to focus on the words of Helios in her mind.
Yes, she thought jerkily. She had to stay alive. She had to wait. She had to believe.
As they went down into the dungeon, MJ averted her eyes from the couples inside the cells, blocking out every cry of pain because she wouldn’t be able to bear
it, knowing she couldn’t do a thing to help the other women.
She was suddenly forced to stop midway towards the hall at the end of the dungeons, where she and Manolito were supposed to take the vows between Master and his offering. She listened without really hearing as Manolito greeted the occupant in the cell with unusual warmth.
And then—
No.
It couldn’t be.
Surely it wasn’t him.
Manolito yanked her forward, and as she fell to Manolito’s side, the man started caressing her silk-clad breast. “This one is a new recruit of mine,” Manolito was saying. “I don’t plan on disposing of her, but if what my lovely daughter says is true, then perhaps she will be a fitting gift for you. She’ll give you two a wonderful fight. She’s a fierce one, this girl.” Manolito tipped her chin up. “Right, my dear?”
MJ managed a nod.
“Now, now, don’t be too obedient. You’ll be giving me a bad rep with that.” When Manolito made her turn towards the people he was talking to, that was when she started to struggle. Something inside her screamed at the thought of having to see the truth, of confirming that what she heard was indeed real—
“See?” Manolito murmured in approval. “A fighter, just lilke I told you.”
No matter what she did, her strength was puny against his, and soon Manolito had forced her to face the others. The first one she saw was an ash blonde woman, half naked, blood running down her back and thighs. But she had a cat-ate-the-cream smile playing on her lips, as if she relished the fact that she was bleeding.
Slowly, MJ lifted her gaze to meet the man standing next to her.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Helios.
Helios.
Helios.
She didn’t want him to see her like this.
“What do you think, Thanato? Do you like this one as a gift? I’m only going to use her once. I spent a fortune having her hymen reconstructed, you know.”
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
“In fact, you’re invited to watch the ceremony. I have something really special prepared for this one here.” Manolito tweaked MJ’s nipple, and it was the last straw just before MJ’s mind shattered.
Chapter Eleven
MJ was crying.
In his mind, she was crying and it tore him apart because he knew how much she hated to cry, how much she hated being weak.
I’m here now, baby. Why won’t you look at me?
But she didn’t stop crying, didn’t even look back at him.
Gracie squeezed his arm. “Are you ready?” Her voice was excited and slurred at the same time. The drugs he had put in the bottle of wine he had sent her were starting to take effect. All perfect timing, since a fully alert Gracie would ruin his plans.
Pulling her to his side, he played with her breasts while idly flipping on the tiny camera he had pinned to the neckline of her dress while they had been fucking inside the car. He saw it blink once, a tiny red light that was lost in the blaze of lights focused on the ceremonial stage in front of them. With the camera on, his men would be able to position themselves around the compound and ensure that they wouldn’t be killing anyone innocent.
Now that was done, the hardest part awaited him.
Taking a deep breath, Helios forced himself to look at the stage. Manolito was lying flat on his back on a marble table, naked. A moment later, MJ was brought forward, and she wasn’t struggling. The vacant look in her eyes tore at him, and Helios had to remind him that it was for her sake he couldn’t do a fucking thing…yet.
Ten seconds.
When they started to disrobe her, she didn’t do a thing. He wanted to fucking cry for her, and he knew when this was all over, he would. Goddammit, why? Why did someone so pure and innocent like MJ had to suffer something like this?
Nine seconds.
The men lifted MJ up and placed her slowly on top of Manolito.
But still she didn’t move a muscle.
“Look at her,” Gracie whispered hatefully. “She looks so calm. She thinks she can just pretend this isn’t happening?” She laughed at the thought. “What a dumb bitch. There’s more—”
Six seconds.
Helios froze at Gracie’s last words.
And that was when he saw another man, built like an ox, climb on top of the pedestal and crawl towards MJ. It was only then MJ stirred, only when she saw that her nightmare was the very worst kind, that she started to struggle, tears running down her eyes.
Four seconds.
“Nooooooooooooooooo—”
Helios knew he would never forget that sound in his life, never forget the look of despair on MJ’s face as she found herself sandwiched between two monsters.
Three seconds.
“You first,” Manolito told the man on top of MJ.
Fuck the plan, Helios thought. Even if he’d end up killing himself for not sticking to the plan, it didn’t matter. All he knew was that he could not bear to prolong MJ’s agony.
Two seconds.
Snatching Gracie’s handbag as he pushed his way forward, he pulled out the knife he had hidden, flipped it open, and let it fly.
The knife hit Manolito square in the forehead, killing him in an instant.
Chaos erupted, followed by the sound of bullets behind him as Manolito’s men exchanged fire with Helios’ men outside the compound. Helios didn’t stop moving, running as fast as he could to get to MJ.
****
The sight of a knife sticking out of Manolito’s head shocked the man on top of MJ so much that he lost total control. In his haste to scramble out of the way, he inadvertently pushed his dick forward, and MJ screamed.
Her violation was complete.
She screamed and she screamed and she screamed.
Suddenly, the man on top of her became dead weight, and then he was being rolled out of the way.
Still she screamed, wishing she could scream herself out of the nightmare she had found herself in.
Someone was shaking her, calling her name.
“MJ! MJ! Open your eyes! You’re safe!”
Helios?
Was that Helios?
If it was—
She didn’t want to see him.
Not like this.
Not ever.
Around Helios, the sound of gunfire was dying. He was dimly aware of Manolito’s men, the few of them that were still alive, shouting to get Gracie out. He knew he should turn around and kill her now before she could cause more trouble. She was the type to do that, the kind that held a grudge to her dying day.
But Helios didn’t.
All he had eyes for was MJ.
“Please,” he whispered hoarsely. “Look at me. You’re safe now. Believe me.”
But still she didn’t stop screaming.
He gathered her close to him, taking off his jacket and putting it around her, leaving behind two dead bodies on the marble table. The other man had died with a shot to the head, Helios managing to grab a gun from one of Manolito’s men as he charged towards MJ.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m here now, baby. Do you hear me? No one’s going to hurt you anymore.”
But she only answered him with more screams.
Helios gazed down at her face, and the devastating pain in her eyes made him swallow. Tears stung his eyes, tears he wanted to shed for her because it seemed like she didn’t even want to allow herself the relief of tears, didn’t want to allow herself to escape the nightmarish world she had exiled herself into.
“MJ, I’m here.” His voice broke. “Please come back to me. Please.”
But she had no answers except for more screams.
Chapter Twelve
“You’re looking stronger every day,” Katya said with a smile as she kissed her half-sister on the cheek before sitting next to the bed.
MJ forced a smile. “I’m glad.” But a part of her thought that the truth was the opposite. The stronger her body was, the weaker her mind became. Every day, the n
ightmares got worse but she did her best to keep it hidden from everyone, swallowing her screams to herself.
It had been a month since she had been taken to the hospital. A month of trying to forget the time she had spent with Manolito Chavez…and failing. A month of refusing to see or even hear from Helios Andreadis…and succeeding. But until when?
It was that question which troubled her the most, which was why MJ was determined to talk to Katya today. “Katya?”
“Yes?” She tried not to show how startled she was that MJ had taken the initiative to speak to her. It wasn’t that MJ felt awkward with her now that she knew they were half-sisters. It was only that MJ had changed, and most of the time she would spend her days staring and saying nothing.
“Do you think you…you and Ioniko can take me away from here?”
Katya started at the request. “Yes, but…is there a place you want to go?”
Looking away, she whispered, “Anywhere…any place that Helios wouldn’t be able to reach me.”
Katya’s heart broke at her sister’s words.
MJ squeezed the hem of the covers lying in a bunch around her waist. “I know it seems ungrateful, but I just can’t…” She closed her eyes. “All I can see is his face, watching me as another man…” A gasp tore out of her throat as she found herself unable to complete the sentence.
Hand shaking, she reached for MJ’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m sorry,” Katya whispered. “God, I’m so sorry for what happened to you.”
She choked out, “Sometimes, I ask Him that, you know. Why did it have to happen to me? What did I do so horribly wrong that had to happen to me?”
“I don’t know,” Katya said brokenly. “I wish I knew what the answer should be for that, but I just don’t know. All I know is that…things happen for a reason. They always do.”
“There’s no reason for this,” MJ said bitterly.
Katya didn’t speak, knowing whatever she had to say wouldn’t be able to heal her sister’s pain.
“Will you and Ioniko take me away, Katya?” Her voice caught. “Please?”
“Of course. Anything you want. Anytime.” She hesitated. “But MJ, don’t you think you should let Helios at least know what you’re planning? I know you…you no longer feel the same way about him, but he loves you terribly.”