by Sam Crescent
“No. Look at me.” Prue pointed at her face. “I’ve never been hit by a man, ever!”
“You still have your attitude, and it won’t be long until that is taken from you.”
Her hand was grabbed again. She sat and watched as Cindy continued to clean her hands. “Do you really want to stay here?” Prue asked.
“No, I don’t.” The words came out quietly.
“Do you know what’s going to happen to me?”
This woman could be her friend. Cindy was the only one who’d been inside her room beside Henry and Daren. Prue saw the fire behind her eyes and the determination as well. No matter what Cindy or Henry said, this woman before her still craved her freedom.
“I’ve heard them talking about an auction.”
Prue grasped the other woman’s hands. “Please, there is a man looking for me. A powerful, rich man, and he’ll protect us both. I need you to see if you can find out what is going on outside. I’ve not got the means or ways of seeing it done,” she said.
The hands she held tugged, and Prue let her go.
“I’ll see what I can do. Please, stop angering him.” Cindy went back to cleaning her hands.
Prue didn’t know how much time passed as Cindy sorted her nails. No more conversation took place. Cindy didn’t even look at her. When her bedroom door opened, Prue looked in the direction to find Henry stood staring at them.
Her heart hammered inside her chest. Fear gripped her at his presence. The door closed, and he stood behind Cindy as she worked. His hands settled on the other woman’s shoulders. She didn’t know how Cindy didn’t react to his touch. The sight of his hands on another woman made Prue shiver with disgust. She really despised the man before her. When he leaned down to kiss Cindy’s temple Prue thought she’d thrown up in her mouth.
Prue wasn’t a stupid woman, and she saw through Henry’s act. He was giving the woman a loving gesture so that when he hurt her, Cindy would think it was something she’d done rather than Henry was just an abusive bastard. Prue had taken psychology in college. Admittedly she’d not aced the subject, but she knew enough to pass. When Cindy finished, Henry ordered her to fetch some food. The door closed, and Henry took the seat that Cindy had occupied.
Blowing on her nails Prue waited for what he had to say. His visits were always unpleasant, and her body tensed remembering the blows he liked to deliver when she least expected it.
“How are you enjoying your stay?” Henry asked. He leaned back watching her.
She wanted to poke his beady eyes out. Instead, she blew on her nails while thinking of a quick retort.
“I think your accommodations and activities need a lot of work.” As if she’d chosen this guy’s home to take her holiday. The thought alone made her feel sick.
Everything about this bastard makes you feel sick.
Come on, James, where the fuck are you?
Henry chuckled.
Folding her arms over her chest, she glared at him. His gaze moved down to her breasts. He’d been trying to make her uncomfortable with his lingering gaze and presence. If he wanted her then there was nothing she’d be able to do to stop him. Prue didn’t know how much longer she’d have before he’d take what he wanted.
You don’t even know if he wants you.
“I’ve got some interesting news,” he said.
“Really?”
His glare came back with full force.
Stop riling the bad man, Prue. He could kill you without blinking. Shit, he could get Cindy to do it, and James would be pissed.
Keeping herself hopeful was getting harder.
You’ve got to be strong. You’re stronger than they are.
“You should learn to hold your tongue. Didn’t James teach you that lesson?” Henry asked, leaning forward on the chair.
She glared at him. “James is a proper man. He doesn’t need to silence a woman to feel better about himself.” Gritting her teeth didn’t help stem her anger.
“Well, you might want to forget about James coming to save you.”
That one hurt. Prue refused to bite. Begging him for more information would give him what he wanted.
“I’ve been told he’s walked away from it all. He’s not interested in getting you back. I believe he’s found something else to entertain himself. What do you think to that?” he asked.
If he’d not added in the last bit, Prue would have believed him.
She smiled. “Is that all you’ve got? Do you want me to simper and cower like every other woman you’ve got?”
Prue felt strong inside. Henry was doing everything in his power to break her down. She didn’t know why he wasn’t using brute force at the moment, but that would come. She could guarantee it.
“James wouldn’t let me go. He wants me too damn much to let me go.”
“You’re so sure of yourself,” Henry said.
“What’s the matter? You’ve never known a real woman who knows her worth?”
He started laughing. Henry clapped his hands in delight. “I thought I’d give it a try.” He moved faster than Prue anticipated. Grabbing her around the neck he pulled her onto the table. He opened her thighs and stepped between them.
Real fear unlike anything she’d ever experienced gripped her. Tears leaked from her eyes as she stared at him.
She didn’t know how long she’d hold onto her sanity if he used her against her will. Thinking about that four letter word scared her. Rape. It was brutal, nasty, and the thought of having it linked to her name terrified her.
“See what I can do to you,” Henry said. He pressed against her, and she sobbed in pain. “No one can come for you. No one can save you, but I think I’d like to have you out of my sight. You’re far too much trouble.” With his hand around her throat, Henry threw her to the floor. He landed three kicks to her abdomen, which winded her. She curled up in a ball wanting the pain to go away.
Henry caught a fistful of her hair and pulled her close. “I think it’s time you listen, bitch. When James comes for you, and he will, you won’t be anywhere to be seen. It’s Wednesday night, and you’re going up for sale on Friday. Look at the night and start your countdown, bitch, because this is the last time you’ll see me.”
He spat in her face then walked away. When the door slammed closed Prue let loose the pain and agony of what had just happened. She wiped her face with her dress hating everything that had happened.
She wanted James more than ever. He’d protect her and keep her safe.
What was going to happen?
Stop giving in. This is not over until it’s over.
Be strong, Prudence.
Rolling over onto her stomach, she went to her knees then stood up. Slowly, she moved toward the bathroom. Staring into the mirror at her reflection, she wiped the tears from her eyes.
Opening her mouth, she closed it again. More tears spilled down her cheeks, and she fought the never ending battle inside herself. Shaking her head, she stared at her reflection and started her fight.
“My name is Prudence Star. I’m the younger sister of Veronica Star. I used to work for Cadeon Ashwood but got fired, and now I work for James Castleden. I’m in love with James.” She stopped as a sob caught in her throat.
What if he doesn’t come for me?
Why would he come for me?
Staring at her face, she saw the fear of her words grip her.
“He will come for me. James will come for me, and then everything will be fine.”
She spoke the words, but unlike when she’d said them a few days ago, the conviction of her words could no longer be heard in her voice. Slowly, Prue was giving up.
Chapter Eight
“Where could he have gone?” Josiah asked.
“I don’t fucking know,” Dane said for the hundredth time. They were looking for Lucas and for James. No one had seen or heard from them in the past twenty-four hours. Dane hoped that Lucas was working with James. With both men working together they had a better chance of finding Prudence.
Prudence was a sweet woman, and as she was twenty-five, they’d tear her apart.
Dane didn’t regret giving the information to James. In fact, he thought it was the best thing he’d done in a good long while. He’d not counted on Lucas helping.
“James could fuck over our entire case. If that file is taken then we’ve got nothing. That file has details of the private investigator we’ve got in protective custody. Those men find out about any of the information in that file and they’re dead,” Hubert said.
“We’re close.. We’ve got enough. I think it’s time we ordered the strike against Henry and bring him in. I’ll book the tickets, Hubert. This case has run its course.”
The two agents walked out of the room leaving him alone.
Isabella came out of the bathroom where she’d run to when the two agents descended on him.
His throat hurt from James cutting off his air supply. The bastard had a bloody good grip.
“Do you know where my brother is?” Isabella asked.
He stared at the beauty before him. Since she’d come out of the hospital, she’d started to flourish. He imagined with all the bad shit out of her life she’d soon start to have laughter in her eyes.
This woman, along with Rebecca and Mary, gave him hope for a better world. When he’d first seen them, they’d awoken a part of him he’d thought long dead. Dominic, Henry, and a few others had turned him into a monster, but the monster wasn’t part of him. It was just a small smidgen of the man he could be.
“I don’t know where your brother is, but I can take a few good guesses.” He rubbed his throat, trying to ease the soreness.
“What do you mean?”
“I think he’s gone to help James. I don’t know why he’s helping him, but it could mean they get Prudence back.”
“I don’t understand. Those men were going to help them. Why are they doing this alone?” Isabella held her stomach as tears fell down her cheeks.
He needed to stop her from having hysterics. Pulling her into his arms, Dane held her close. “They were not going to help us.”
“But—”
“No, no buts. They were not going to help us, and James needs Prudence.” Dane held her tight against his chest.
“Which is why we’re going to help them,” Sean said. They both turned as the other man made his presence known. Isabella tensed in his arms.
Sean closed the door. “Lucas and James are meeting with Lloyd. Your brother has been in touch with me. We’re going to help them get Prudence back.”
“What about Josiah and Hubert?” Isabella asked.
“What about them? They want Daren and Henry while we want Prudence. Let them go after the men. We help our friends find the woman.”
It was the first time Dane had seen Sean sober. The way Sean looked at the woman in his arms made Dane swallow past the lump inside his throat. There was so much yearning in Sean’s eyes.
“You don’t have to get involved,” Isabella said.
Sean moved closer into the room. He stopped several feet away from her. Dane watched as Sean fisted his hands but kept them firmly at his side.
“I have to do this.”
There was a lot of history between the two people in the room. He saw it and mourned for them. His thoughts turned to Mary. The young woman refused to have anything to do with him. He couldn’t blame her. He was a monster in comparison to most men.
“I regret what I did,” Sean said.
“You shouldn’t—”
“I do.” Sean cut her off from speaking. Dane loosened his hold. Whatever was going on was between the two people. He didn’t know exactly what happened between them, but it was something that had changed both of their lives. “Please, I fucked up before. Don’t let me fuck up this time.”
After several seconds’ hesitation, Isabella nodded. “Okay, we’ll work through this together. I’d advise not to talk to Rebecca. She’s got a lot of crap on her mind, and I don’t want her to be involved.”
Both men agreed with her. Dane didn’t know how they were going to help Lucas and James; he only hoped they could do something to get Prudence back.
****
James sat beside Lucas, and they both sat across from Lloyd Black. Getting a meeting with the criminal hadn’t been that difficult. Sean had been involved in arranging it for them. The thought of Sean sent a chill of unease down his spine. Sean was known for being irrational and a drunk. Lucas assured him they could trust Sean.
Still, James wasn’t happy with having Sean help them.
“So, I’m being visited by James Castleden and his minion.”
Lucas tensed beside him. In the last few hours, James had learned a great deal about the man beside him. He was proud, hard, and didn’t like being considered someone’s pet or minion.
“I don’t think you should be testing him, Black. I mean, your officers need to unlock the door to get to you. Lucas can do a lot of damage in that time,” James said, warning him.
Lloyd sneered, glancing behind him. He wasn’t a high risk prisoner as he was only doing time for assault because Rebecca hadn’t died. But he was doing an extended sentence. Glancing at the man, James saw the true evil in his eyes. He’d not associated much with the Blacks, and he saw why. Being in their company irritated him. Lloyd was in his fifties and held all the spite and malice of a man scorned. From what James had learned about this man, Lloyd hadn’t been scorned. He’d been responsible for the kidnapping and sale of women of all ages.
He’d used their clubs to vet his fucking women, and James hated the way Lloyd had taken advantage of the women and the two clubs. Up until a year or so ago, Possession and Ravage had had a high reputation for discretion. Since his son had pushed their names through the mud it was up to James and Stephen to clear their clubs’ names once again.
“I’ve heard a great deal about you,” Lloyd said, looking at Lucas.
“Your sister was one ripe peach.”
Lucas tensed. James feared the man beside him would react, but as quickly as the anger overcame him, Lucas relaxed. Lloyd was playing with them. He and Lucas needed to be smarter.
“She’s a beauty, my sister, and she’s doing better than ever before,” Lucas said.
“Speaking of a beauty, Rebecca is doing splendidly well. She smiles all the time, and her smile lights up the whole room. I’ve never seen three people more in love,” James said.
Lloyd tensed this time. He glared at them across the table. “How dare you?”
“You lost all right to Rebecca. She’s a free woman able to love and to fuck whomever she chooses.” James leaned forward locking his fingers in front of him. His posture gave him an air of confidence when in truth he was fighting the urge to slug the man before him.
“What are you doing here?” Lloyd asked.
“Dominic Green, Eugene Black, Daren Robinson, and Henry Warren.”
There was no visible change to Lloyd Black apart from the fact he appeared frozen to the spot.
“My father has evidence linking all of them together, including you,” James said.
“You were sloppy back in the day. Dominic and Eugene have both been taken out of the equation as they’re both dead.”
The muscle in Lloyd’s cheek tensed.
“Do you know, I heard a little tale that Henry has a new girl on the market,” Lloyd said. “Her hair is dyed black with red underneath, and she has an interlocking black rose tattoo across the base of her back.”
James tensed at Pr
udence’s description.
“A wild cat and a woman only a hard man can tame.”
The more he spoke, the harder it was for James to control his anger.
“The man that gets between her thighs will be crying out in bliss.”
“Shut your fucking mouth!” James yelled the words and slammed his fist on the table. Lloyd chuckled.
“Don’t do this, James. He’s winning if you let him get to you. He’ll be a dead man either way.”
“What’s that?” Lloyd asked.
Lucas winked at James before they both turned back to him.
“The Feds have everything they need to put Henry and Daren away. All we’ve come to ask for is information on the girl,” Lucas said, taking control of the conversation.
James wanted to help, but the images Lloyd had put there made him take a step back. The danger Prudence was in cut him to the core. How was she ever going to forgive him for leaving her alone at Ravage?
“You tell us what you’ve heard, and I’ll make sure neither man makes it to this prison because if they do, I can guarantee your life will get a whole lot harder.” Lucas warned the older man.
If Lucas had his way, Henry and Daren wouldn’t see the inside of a prison cell.
In the face of Lucas’s warning, Lloyd slumped in his chair.
“I’ve heard bits of rumours and gossip. I don’t know how much of it is true.” The angry, older man was gone.
“Then tell us what you know,” Lucas said.
They were running out of time. James glanced at the window to see the sun high in the sky. It was Wednesday morning, and she’d been gone well over a week. The past week had felt like hell. All he wanted to do was wake up as if it was some kind of awful dream. Instead, he was forced to admit the truth that he’d failed her.
Lloyd let out a long sigh before he started talking. “Friday night is when they sell a great deal of girls. Most of the time it’s in an abandoned warehouse if it’s not much profit.”
James turned to Lucas.
“He means if the girls are not that pretty or there’s something wrong with them.”
Turning back to Lloyd, James wanted to kill the man. Prudence was perfect.