by Sam Crescent
You need to be strong, James. She’ll be safe as long as you do as he commands.
The Dom inside him rebelled against being told what to do. He was the one who made the rules. Men abided by what he told them to do. No one else told him what to do. Opening the door, he climbed out then followed his friends inside the house. Biting down on his lips, James did everything he could to contain the rage inside him.
They were all seated at the bar area. Isabella and Rebecca looked terrified and yet firm.
He recognised the two agents who stood to greet him. Ignoring their hands he straddled a chair.
“I’m pleased you could join us,” Josiah said.
“I’m not here because I want to be.”
“No, you’re here because of Daren Robinson and this.” Josiah pulled out a small recorder and pressed a button. Daren’s voice came over the line followed by Prudence’s screams.
“Don’t hurt her. I’ll do anything just don’t hurt her.” That was him speaking. The memory of his pleading was still raw in his mind. James didn’t say a word as he listened to everything spoken.
“Good. Now, I’ve simply made an exchange. Dane and Mary will bring you up to speed. I was going to take the money, but I think Prue will get me what I want. He asked for Mary’s safe return. I prefer to make an exchange, and I knew the Feds would be following him. Prue is simply a means to an end.”
“I will pay anything.”
“Your money is shit, James. I’ve got more than enough money to last me a life time. What I want is all the evidence.”
“What?”
“You have evidence that can be used. You will come to England, alone, and we’ll make the exchange. Prue for the file I’m looking for.”
“How do I call you? I want to make sure she is okay.” Again, his pleading filled the air.
“Prue will be well looked after, James. I suggest you hurry. I’ll give you a month. If I don’t get my file in the next month, Prue goes up for auction, and she’ll be lost.”
James turned to the men in the room. The tape recording was clearly of the conversation he’d had with Daren.
“How do you have that?” he asked.
“You’ll be surprised what we do have on Daren Robinson as well as his boss. We’ve kept a very good eye on him, and you don’t want to know how we got this recording.”
Josiah placed the recorder back in his pocket. James saw red. Before he could stop his actions, he jumped over the table and wrapped his hands around the man’s throat. “If you’ve been watching that fucking bastard and the piece of shit he works for then why did you let Prudence be taken? She’s my woman. She’s a fucking innocent. Tell me, why?” His voice rose until he was shouting in the other man’s face.
His partner, Hubert, tackled him to the floor. James went willingly. His actions were unpredictable. He was starting to fear what he’d actually do to someone if left alone with them.
You need Prudence.
James knew what he needed, but he wasn’t getting her any time soon.
The two agents cleared their throats. James got off the floor holding his arms out in front of him. “Are you going to arrest me?” he asked, not caring about the answer.
“Will you fucking stop it,” Lucas said.
Kevin and Tate walked into the room at that moment.
The two agents sat down after James took his seat. His body shook with the need to do violence. He’d never been a man to viciously react. The only explanation he could come up with was not having Prudence in his life.
“We’re not going to bring the cops. We’ve got a whole unit working on this case. We don’t want to bring the undercover agents forward. Their cover is imperative to this investigation,” Hubert said. “We understand why you’re reacting like this. To be honest, we never anticipated Daren doing this. Henry Warren gave the order for Prudence before our men could update us. We’d never allow an innocent in the field and especially not who isn’t an agent. They had us unprepared for that move.”
They all cleared their throats trying to cut through the tension. They were all in the room. Ursula joined Stephen as Tate and Kevin took their seats. The only people missing were Prudence, Cadeon, and Violet. Their loss hit James straight in the chest.
“We know what Daren wants and what his boss needs. Henry Warren has become sloppy. The man took over from his father over five years ago, and since then he’s been leaving us little breadcrumbs to follow. This latest problem will link him to Dominic Green and Lloyd Black and be the catalyst we need to take him down,” Josiah said. His voice sounded scratchy.
When Prudence was in his arms, James could care about what he did to the man before him. Until then, he didn’t give a shit whom he hurt.
“Are you telling me, a fucking file is all it will take to put this fucker away?” Kevin asked.
Rebecca whimpered. James saw the pain on her face. There was a lot going on, a lot he didn’t understand.
The two agents exchanged glances.
“For fuck’s sake, tell them,” Lucas said.
“Rebecca and Isabella have agreed to give their statements. Witness statements count for a lot. My contact has said Mary will also testify. She saw Henry Warren with her own eyes. Her witness testimony could be the key we need.”
James frowned then flicked open the file. “Henry Warren.” He repeated the name until he found it. “My father has his signature linking him with Lloyd Black. I don’t understand.”
The two agents stared at Lucas, who then nodded. What the fuck did Lucas know?
“Your mother and father were killed by Henry Warren. We have evidence linking a payment of execution. Your parents were killed by Daren Robinson and made to look like an accident.”
“This just keeps getting better and better.” James hung his head between his knees. He felt sick to his stomach. Prudence taken and his parents murdered. It was too much.
“Then here is the good news,” Lucas said. “That file you found in the safe, James. That’s the file Daren wants.”
He lifted his head staring at the other man. “How do you know?”
“Because your father was in contact with the Feds before he died. He saw what was happening at Possession and at Ravage. His evidence and words are what we’ve been working on. When he died the case went cold, but everyone was still waiting for them to slip up. Henry’s father slipped up, and so has Henry. Together, we can get Prudence back and put an end to their shit for good.”
For the first time in the last forty-eight hours, James started to feel a little better.
Chapter Five
Prue had gone from being locked in a room on a boat to being locked in a room in a gorgeous house. She’d seen the house in a passing glance before she was escorted to her room. The windows had bars across, and she felt more like a prisoner than she had on the boat. She couldn’t detect any sounds either. Prue never heard when someone was close by or waiting outside her door. The only person she’d seen was a woman in a plain white robe who delivered her meals.
She’d not seen Daren since she arrived at the house. He threatened to kill her if she caused too much of a fuss. The woman ignored her as she delivered her breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Boredom was her biggest problem. There was nothing for her to do except stare through the bars trying to find some landmark or location of where they were.
She’d slept enough to last for one lifetime. The days passed, and she didn’t know how long she’d stayed at the house.
The door opened, and the girl who served her dinner came inside. Prue saw the man waiting outside. He openly stared at her. The girl looked more frightened than normal. She called her a girl, but she had to be in her early twenties.
“Morning or is it afternoon?” Prue asked. Like so many times before the girl didn’t answer. “Should I ask you what time it is or what fucking day it is?” She stared at the guy waiting for the girl to finish.
Her dinner at the table, Prue approached. The girl looked up startled, and she s
aw the shiner under her left eye. From the looks of it, the girl had been either punched or slapped hard in the eye.
Wincing, Prue reached out, touching her. The girl yelped jumping backwards. Prue’s bruises had lessened, and the ache they used to cause was gone.
“Release her,” the man said. He walked into the room and grabbed the girl harshly by the arm, pulling her backwards.
“Let her go.” Prue charged at the man. She hated him instantly.
Before she could do anything the door was closed and locked. No sounds came through the door. Her heart pounded inside her chest.
“You fucking cruel bastards. Keep your hands off her.” She slammed her palm against the wood, wishing with all of her heart it was the man’s face. The food on the table held no appeal.
Growling with frustration, Prue paced the room. She wished with all of her heart she was back on the boat. Charging into the bathroom she stared at her reflection in the mirror. The bruises against the side of her face were slowly fading. They looked worse than they actually felt.
She took a deep breath. “I’m Prudence Star. I’m twenty-five years old, and I’m in love with James Castleden. I’ve got an older sister, Veronica, and she’s married with children. I used to work for Cadeon Ashwood but then worked for James at his club Ravage.” She closed her eyes as tears began to fall. Being alone in the room was driving her crazy. Standing in front of the mirror staring at her reflection and speaking the facts of her life helped her to focus and remember who she was. “Ravage is a night club that has a BDSM club in the basement or the dungeon. James is an experienced Dom and a member of Possession.” She sobbed the words now. “Possession is a club for men who feel possessive about their women.” Rubbing her temple she let another sob break free.
Staring at her reflection she watched the tears begin to fall. “James is known as being an Owner. He will come and get me. He will come and get me.”
“You’ve resorted to talking to yourself in the mirror?”
Prue turned to see Daren leaning against the doorframe. She folded her arms taking an involuntary step back. He chuckled.
“What do you want?”
“I thought you’d miss me.”
She stared at him refusing to say a word.
“You’ve upset Cindy.”
When she didn’t say anything else Daren chuckled. “Cindy is the girl who has been delivering your food. You shouldn’t try to talk to them. The women here are … not useful.”
Folding her arms over her chest, Prue glared at him.
“What do you want?” she asked after some time had passed.
“I want a great many things, but the boss wants to see you now. You’ve caused enough fuss for him to want to meet the woman James Castleden wants.”
James has nothing to do with these people. They’re scaring you into thinking they know him for far more.
When she showed no signs of moving, Daren grabbed her arm then pulled her out of the room. The guy at the door sneered at her as she passed. Prue followed Daren’s rushed steps. He tugged her down three flights of stairs then through three rooms until she was pushed into a dining room.
Daren pulled her until she stood at the side. Three men were eating at the table. The man at the head of the table had slicked back hair that looked greasy to her. He stared at her. His gaze was cold as he looked at her.
“She’s old,” he said.
I’m twenty-fucking-five, you pig.
Prue held her tongue even though she wanted to scratch his eyes out.
The other two men leered at her. “I’m not one for young bitches. I’m happy with a nice, willing one. I bet her cunt has been tested a time or two.”
The man who spoke disgusted her.
“She’s not for sale,” Daren said. “This is James’s girl.”
“You’re the one that has my Cindy in hysterics.”
Glaring at the man before her, Prue couldn’t hold her tongue. “You’re the disgusting excuse of a man that gave her that shiner? No wonder you needed to hit her. You’re a poor excuse for a man.”
The silence following her words was deafening. The other two men looked at her as if she was some kind of alien.
They’ve not had a woman speak out at them.
Be careful, Prue.
The man at the table looked at Daren. After a sigh Daren raised his hand and slapped her hard. She fell to the floor clutching her cheek. Prue was determined not to whimper or cry out. These men were animals, and she needed to stay strong.
James is coming for me. Hold on until James comes.
“I know you’re not accustomed to our ways, Prudence, but you’ll fucking learn to do as you’re told, or there will be consequences. I have no problems killing you or giving you to a few of my business associates.”
He flicked his hand at her. Daren pulled her by the arm leading her upstairs.
Neither of them spoke as he closed the door behind him. Holding her face, she stared at him in the room she’d been staying.
He moved closer, and she took a step back. Daren kept advancing in the room until she fell to the bed. He held her hand away from her face turning her this way and that. “You won’t bruise.”
Releasing her, he stalked to the door.
“Why are you even pretending to care? What is with you checking me after you hit me?” she asked.
With his hands in his pockets, Daren turned to face her. “Regardless of what you think, I don’t like hitting women. Yes, I’ve hurt you, but now that James is working on getting it, I don’t see a need to continue hurting you. You hurt Henry’s pride down there. If you want to get back home then I suggest you hold your tongue.”
Daren left her slamming the door behind him. She watched him go feeling confused. He didn’t like hitting women? Daren was the one responsible for her bruises.
It was a trick. Daren was giving her a false sense of comfort. He worked for Henry, no one else.
She curled up on the bed. Cindy came to take her food. The woman glanced at her as she lay on the bed. The bruise on the other woman’s face had turned into a split lip.
“Thank you for bringing me food, Cindy,” she said.
The girl gasped and quickly left the room. Wrapping the blankets around her, Prue thought about James. She wondered what he was doing.
You need to stay strong. Don’t give in to their demands or what they threaten.
Tears leaked out of her eyes, but she didn’t sob or cry out. No matter how much she wished differently, Prue needed to resign herself to her fate.
The hours passed as she lay on the bed. She didn’t know what time it was when the door opened.
Henry, the man from the head of the table, stood staring at her.
She wanted to run away and hide. Instead, Prue lay there on the bed pretending his presence didn’t have any effect on her whatsoever. He looked shocked by her lack of response.
He closed the door then made his way over to the bed. She resisted moving away as he sat down.
“You’re a lot different from other women,” he said.
“Why? Because I’m American, or because I refuse to be scared of you?”
He chuckled. “You’re scared of me. I see it in your eyes. That doesn’t matter to me. Continue to be afraid.” Henry reached out to stroke her face.
Prue tensed. His touch repulsed her. The slicked back hair really made her feel sick to her stomach. Everything else about him sickened her. His arms were covered in tattoos, and those very arms were thick. She guessed he’d killed people with his bare hands.
“Don’t touch me,” she said.
Henry chuckled and still caressed her cheek. She grabbed his hands stalling his movements.
“I belong to James. Everything I am is his.”
“Do you really think that means anything here? You’re staying in my house, eating my food, and I demand payment.” He pulled his hand away then made to touch her more intimately.
Prue jerked away pulling herself out of the be
d. “You can think I owe you for that shit, but I’d rather scrub your fucking floors than have you touch me.”
She tensed waiting for him to hit her.
He raised his palm to strike her. Before she could stop herself she broke the distance between them. Grabbing his face between her palms she glared at him. “If you think to harm me then do so, but I don’t think Daren has told you the consequences of doing so. James Castleden is not just a rich, pampered boy. He likes nice things, and he’s strong. I belong to him. Daren took his token that I wore around my neck. If you harm me then James will kill you.”
Henry chuckled. “Little girl, I’ve got far more dangerous weapons than money.”
“Laugh, but he’s part of The Owners, and they have power in high places. If you really think it will be easy to get away with what you’ve done, then go ahead. Hit me. Do your worst, but I swear, you’ll live to regret doing what you’ve done. You heard of Dominic Green? Lloyd and Eugene Black? Think about what happened to them. They went against The Owners and threatened their women. One is rotting in jail while the others are rotting in their graves.”
James had told her everything about the men who’d tried to take everything away. She didn’t know how much she was saying was true. James was a powerful man, and he was the type of man to get everything at his disposal to get back what was his.
You’re his woman, and he will come and get you.
Henry growled then left the room.
Prue wasn’t under any illusions that she’d won anything. In fact, she’d probably just caused herself more of a problem.
She resisted the urge to beg for James to come and get her.
Chapter Six
For the past week James had done nothing but listen to what Josiah and Hubert had to say. They had a shit-load of evidence already but nothing concrete that could take Henry out of the equation for life. If they acted too quickly then they risked Prudence’s life. James had told them that no matter what they didn’t put her life at risk. The file his father had kept in his safe had been the file that should have gone to the Feds.
His father never got the chance to tell him what he’d planned to do. James was still in shock by the fact his father knew what was happening inside their own clubs.