by Bella J.
It was simple…he gave Brent what he wanted, and now Riggs had the SOB’s eternal fucking gratitude. What a bunch of fucking idiots.
Stepping into the house, Hunter didn’t even pause for a second to admire all the crappy knickknacks laying around. He didn’t care that it was a huge-ass mansion that screamed shit loads of money. All he cared about was finding her.
“Where is she, Riggs?”
“Through here.” Colton stepped up to a door, but as he reached for the knob, he paused. “Hunter, you need to—”
“Open the fucking door.” Hunter was done hearing about how he needed to keep his shit together. He knew the stakes. He knew everything depended on him playing it cool and remaining calm.
Colton turned the knob, and Hunter watched as the double dark wood doors slowly creaked open. Like the loud rumbling of thunder, Hunter’s heart beat inside his chest, and for a few soul destroying seconds he stopped breathing…until he saw her.
And then he lost his shit.
“What the fuck!” Hunter stormed inside when he saw Scarlet chained to the table, half naked and crying while Brent was licking his slimy motherfucking tongue up her leg.
Murder.
Death.
Pain.
The three main things that Hunter felt the compelling need to do. Murder the motherfucker, bring him death while inflicting the maximum amount of pain humanly possible.
Two men rushed from the side, blocking his way, and aimed four guns at his head.
“Riggs!” Hunter yelled. “What the fuck is going on here?”
Scarlet’s head jerked in his direction, and when her eyes met his, he saw more tears stream down her face while she made the most horrific moans, the sound shooting straight through his chest. Her mouth was gagged with blood at the corners, and her cheeks red from crying. With everyone yelling, chairs screeching across the floor, all he heard was her whimpers—her cries—and it was turning him into a fucking mad man.
“You filthy motherfucker!” Hunter just reacted, not even taking two seconds to think it through.
He grabbed one of the asshole’s arms in front of him, twisted it, and then pushed down on the guy’s hand gripping the gun, forcing him to pull the trigger—but not before aiming it at the other guy’s chest.
Blood gushed from the man’s chest, oozing out of the wound like red pus. At that moment, with all the rage pumping through Hunter’s vision, he loved the sight.
“Hunter, stop!” James rushed in, but Hunter wasn’t close to being done. The guy Hunter had a hold on started fighting and thrashing, but in the state Hunter was currently in, there was no way anyone would be able to beat him. He had one goal, and one goal only—to get Scarlet off that goddamn table and kill every goddamn motherfucker in the room.
Hunter started pounding the guy’s side, slamming fist after fist into the exact same area, inflicting the worst damage possible. The second Hunter felt the guy’s fight leave him just a little, he twisted his arm up, pointed the gun at the guy’s temple, and once again forced his finger down on the trigger.
It was like the motherfucking Fourth of July with fireworks of blood and brain matter exploding everywhere.
Hunter tossed the half-headless dead weight to the floor and then his vision zeroed in on Brent, who seemed frozen, still on his knees, crouching over Scarlet’s legs.
Just as he went to rush forward, to rain down his fucking wrath on that psycho, the sound of a gunshot penetrated his murderous haze.
When he looked to the side, he saw a man he didn’t recognize holding a gun at Scarlet’s head.
“Well, you sure know how to make a memorable entrance,” the man said.
“Rex,” Colton said, and Hunter narrowed his eyes as he stared at the man. So this was Rex, supposedly the evilest man everyone thought had the power to defeat the devil. “This is Hunter Keaton, and he’s here claiming that Scarlet is his.”
“Yeah. So I’d point that gun somewhere else if I were you,” Hunter warned.
“No, I think it’s in my best interest if I keep it right here.” He pushed the gun harder against Scarlet’s temple, and she whimpered. Hunter’s heart was racing, sounding like a train on a rickety track about to lose control.
Four more men came pouring into the dining room, each armed with some big-ass rifles, circling around Rex like he was the damn Russian president.
Brent, with his freakishly white hair, got off the table and stood about six feet away. Hunter really wanted to carve the fucker’s face off.
“Why the hell is he still alive?” Brent glared at Colton.
Colton walked around the two dead bodies on the ground. “Sir, I tasked Killian here,” he pointed at one of the corpses, “to kill him. Obviously, he didn’t do it.”
Hunter snorted. “Obviously.”
Well, he had to give soldier boy an A for thinking on his damn feet. Blame the dead guy; it always worked like a charm.
Brent lifted his ugly as shit eyes and glared at Hunter. “Well then, I guess I’ll just have to do it myself.”
He pulled out a gun from his waist and pointed it at Hunter’s face. Hunter didn’t even flinch.
“Hold on,” Rex interrupted, and Brent immediately paused. Even he was scared of this Rex dude.
Rex looked at Hunter. “Is Colton right? Are you claiming that Scarlet belongs to you?”
“She sure does,” Hunter replied.
“He’s lying,” Brent spat out. “She’s mine. He’s the one who took her from me.”
Hunter bit his teeth into his lower lip, wanting to launch himself at Brent so he could claw his insides out of his gut.
“Now, now,” Rex said abruptly. “Let’s settle this like gentlemen, shall we? There’s no need for more bloodshed.”
“Oh, trust me, I can still shed shit buckets full of blood right now,” Hunter said, his gaze darting down to Scarlet every two seconds. He would slaughter every one of these men if it meant he would get her out of there. The blood he already had on his hands would never be enough, not until she was safe.
“Rex.” Brent rushed around the table toward him. “This man is an imposter. She does not belong to him. She is mine.”
Rex held up his hand, silencing him like one would a child. By the look of disgust on Brent’s face, he didn’t like it one little bit, but Hunter loved to watch the bastard squirm.
“So, Hunter, is it?”
Hunter nodded.
“You are aware of our slave honor code—if we can call it that?”
Hunter scoffed. “Honor? None of you fuckers have any honor.”
James nudged him in the shoulder. “Hunter, keep your cool.”
Fuck. He was trying. But he didn’t think it would be this damn difficult, especially since he had to stare at Scarlet gagged and bound to a table with her breasts sticking out for everyone to see. Every possessive bone is his body was urging him to pop out every eye that had seen her like this, to cut off every hand that had touched her, and to rip off every man’s head who had pondered lustful thoughts about her.
It would be less painful if someone had pierced a blade through his back, carving up his spine, than to think of what they had already put her though.
Hunter focused his glare on Rex. “I know that no master is allowed to touch the property of another without consent. And this fucker right here,” he pointed at Brent, “did more than just touch.”
With his gun still firmly pressed against Scarlet’s temple, Rex rubbed his chin with his other hand. “It seems like we’re in quite the predicament. Two men claiming ownership on one woman.” He looked down at her. “Although I can’t say I blame you. She is quite the…feisty little slave, isn’t she? Sure to keep every master well entertained.” He started to drag the gun down her cheek, slowly down her neck, all around her exposed breast in leisurely circles.
Scarlet jerked her arms and the chains rattled. Her body was squirming on the table, and it took every ounce of control for Hunter not to run to her.
The animal in Hunter was clawing at his chest, wanting out so that he could slaughter the fucker. His muscles tensed, his mouth dry while he bared his teeth, struggling to contain his anger.
Rex noticed Hunter’s reaction and narrowed his eyes, his mouth pulling into a half grin. “So, gentlemen, there is only one way we can settle this. One way to figure out who she really belongs to.”
Hunter didn’t like the sound of this.
Rex cocked his head to the side. “You’re going to have to prove it.”
Hunter frowned. “How?”
“By showing me.”
“Show you what?”
Rex finally removed the gun from Scarlet’s breast and stroked it down her side…down her leg as he slowly walked along the table. “One can always determine who a slave belongs to by the way she reacts to her true master—by the way she reacts to his touch.” Rex was pacing up and down like he was a teacher in the front of a classroom, giving everyone a lesson on slave one-oh-one.
“Although a lot of slaves—as we know—are mostly filled with fear for their masters, it’s not the fear that shows you true ownership. It’s the way the slave allows her body to suppress the fear by giving her master pleasure, and embracing her own.”
Hunter glanced from Rex to Brent, who seemed livid with anger, yet pale with panic. Hunter turned his focus back to Rex. “Enlighten me and get to the fucking point.”
Rex smiled. “Everyone out,” he ordered. “Except you, Hunter. And you.” He nodded to one of the two goons with rifles.
Brent started to protest when Rex just shot him a warning glare, and the coward stepped back, zipping his lip.
James leaned closer to Hunter and whispered, “You need to do exactly what he says. Do you hear me? Don’t try to be a hero; you will only get her killed.” And with that he turned around and walked out with the rest, including Brent.
“Oh, and please send Piper in,” Rex called from across the room, and Colton just nodded.
The moment he heard the doors slam shut behind him, the atmosphere grew thick with even more tension. There was no guessing what this fucker had in mind, what he was about to do, but Hunter could only assume it wasn’t going to be something he would like.
Hunter never took his eyes off Rex. With those calm-looking blue eyes, Hunter knew not to be deceived by them. There was something evil hidden behind those irises, something sinister, warning Hunter not to fuck with this man.
“Listen, why don’t you just give me my girl and we’ll get out of here. There’s no need for this to go any further. I just want her,” Hunter said, trying to stay as calm as possible.
Rex lifted a brow. “You’ve never heard of me, have you?”
“Just some tidbits of information here and there.”
“So then you know how much I like to play.”
Hunter narrowed his eyes. “Unfortunately, I’m not in a playful mood right now.”
“Unfortunately…I am.”
Rex and Hunter kept their eyes locked on each other. The mighty stare-off between men, neither of them willing to back down. The door opened and a petite, blonde woman wearing nothing but a thong got shoved inside.
“Ah, there she is. Piper, come here.” Rex held out his arm and she sauntered her half-naked body right to him.
Hunter took the opportunity to look down at Scarlet, and he mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
She closed her eyes, unable to say anything with the gag in her mouth. Hunter knew how much she hated to be bound and gagged, because that was what her son of a bitch cousin used to do to her. Just thinking about the fear and the panic she had to be in was tearing his fucking soul apart.
“Rex,” Hunter said desperately. “What do I have to do?”
While Rex eyed Hunter, he whispered something in Piper’s ear before she started to move around the room.
“Like I said, I’ll be able to determine whether she really belongs to you or not in seeing how she responds to you.”
And then it dawned on Hunter. “You want me to have sex with her?”
Rex nodded. “In front of me.”
Holy fuck. This guy was more than twisted. “I’m sorry, man, but exhibitionism isn’t exactly my style.”
Rex took a seat on a chair at the end of the table. “I don’t give a fuck what your style is. If you want your girl back, you don’t have a choice.”
Hunter noticed Piper starting to light candles all around the dining room. What the fuck? Did they actually think creating a romantic ambiance would get Hunter in the mood to fuck Scarlet in front of them?
I don’t think so.
Hunter squared his shoulders. “If I refuse?”
“Then I’ll get Brent to do it. Judging by the way he was all over her before you came barging in, I’m willing to bet he’d do about anything to get that dirty cock of his inside her.”
Hunter growled. “If you let that son of a bitch come near her, I will slit his fucking throat.”
“Well then.” Rex placed his hands in his lap like sophistication had suddenly become him. “I suggest you do as you’re told, otherwise I will let Brent come in here. Currently, I’m the dictator here, and the odds are in your favor, my friend. Don’t fuck it up.”
Hunter rubbed the back of his neck, feeling frustrated as hell. James warned him. James told him what a twisted fucker this dude was, and in the back of his mind he knew it would come to something like this. But he’d hoped that it wouldn’t. Fucking hoper.
“Let me speak to her first.” Hunter glanced down at Scarlet.
Rex studied him with intent before nodding, giving him permission.
Hunter rushed forward, letting his hands hover over her body. He didn’t know where to touch her, or if he should touch her. Then he reached for the sides of her torn bustier and tried to cover her breasts, but it didn’t work.
“Scarlet, baby.” He leaned down, finally placing his hands on both sides of her face, wiping the lingering tears off her cheeks. “I’m going to get us out of here, okay? I won’t let anyone touch you again,” he whispered. He didn’t want Rex to know what he was saying. “I’m sorry, but I will make this right.”
The blue eyes that stared up at him pierced through his heart. But the more he wiped her cheeks, touching her face, the calmer they seemed to become. That was also the moment Hunter realized that those eyes—they were no longer Blue. They were Scarlet. It was Scarlet’s eyes staring up at him—and only hers. Every trace of Blue had been wiped away, and all he saw was the woman he had helplessly fallen in love with…Scarlet.
“Do you trust me, Scar?”
Her eyes searched his face for a few seconds, and then she nodded.
“Good.” He leaned down and whispered into her ear, “I’ll take care of you, baby. I promise.”
Hunter straightened and glared at Rex, who was sitting like a fucking king with his one leg on top of the other.
“You want to play? Then let’s play.” Hunter pulled off his jacket and tossed it to the floor.
Rex clapped his hands together. “Excellent. Piper, if you’d please help Miss Woods into a more comfortable position.”
Hunter watched as Piper started to unchain Scarlet’s wrists. The skin on her arms was already bruised and cut, and Hunter could only assume it was from struggling against her bonds. The anger inside him started to churn violently, but he needed to contain it. He needed to tap into the deepest parts of him for this to fucking work. There was no way in hell he would fail her now.
The second Scarlet was loose, Hunter wrapped his arms around her shoulders and helped her off the table. He immediately loosened the ball gag and took it out of her mouth.
Scarlet cried and threw her arms around his neck, soaking his skin with her tears.
God, it felt so good to have her in his arms. All this time he was worried sick, and he couldn’t stop thinking about how much he wanted to feel her again. After all the shit they had been through, constantly pulling and pushing each other, Hunter knew he would never push her away
again. In fact, once all of this was over, Hunter would never pretend he didn’t care about her—never again.
“I’ve got you, baby. Soon, this will be all over.”
“Ace,” she breathed, unable to say anything further. By her rapid breathing it seemed like she had run a fucking marathon.
“Shh.” He stroked his hand down her hair. “I need you to be strong, Scar. Just for a little while longer, okay?” He pulled her face away from his neck and forced her to look at him. “Just a little while longer.”
She bit her lower lip and nodded slightly, soft whimpers still escaping her. Hunter felt her body shiver, and he knew her legs were weak by the way she struggled to keep herself up. Dear God, he hoped she would be strong enough to get through this. Fuck knew what she’d already been through.
Piper took Scarlet’s hand, and when the click resonated through the room, Scarlet’s lower lip started to quiver.
Hunter stared at the cuff Piper had just secured around Scarlet’s wrist. It was attached to a chain that came from the ceiling, and Hunter had to wonder how sick these sons of bitches really were if they had chains at the ready in the fucking dining room of all places.
“It’s okay, Scar. I’m here, and I won’t leave you.”
Another click and the second cuff was placed on Scarlet’s other wrist. Hunter made sure he never broke eye contact with Scarlet. He knew how she felt about being tied, left helpless, unable to escape. It was a hard limit for her, yet she had trusted him once by letting him tie her down and allowing him all control. Now she just needed to be brave enough to trust him with this once more.
“Trust me,” he said to her when he noticed her eyes grow wide as Piper tightened the chains, and Scarlet’s arms started to slowly lift up in the air. Even when Piper brought the spreader bar and Hunter knew this was going to get fucking dark, he never took his eyes off Scarlet. He needed her to know he was there and he wasn’t going anywhere. Scarlet needed to concentrate on him, and him alone—not on what was about to happen.
The higher Scarlet’s arms lifted up in the air, the faster Hunter’s heart started to race. Inside his chest was a raging war as his blood boiled and his heart pounded against his ribs like it wanted out. But Hunter pretended to be calm. He needed all his goddamn strength to get both Scarlet and him out of this mess.