by Elisa Leigh
Shit, I need to get back to work. I just took a potty break, and I'm ready to knock out this last stretch. It’s Saturday night, at eleven-thirty and I still have an hour left to go. I’ve made some good money, and the customers haven’t been assholes, so I’m not complaining. I’m going to earn enough money soon to be able to put down payment on a rental. I need to ask the girls if they know of anyone renting a place.
I’m almost to the main entrance from the side hall where the bathroom is when a big, rough hand clamps over my mouth, digging into my cheek. He smells of cheap cologne and liquor. Something I’ve smelled a million times, back in Atlanta. I open my mouth to bite him, but he’s smart and squeezes my mouth together, hard. It’s then I feel the gun at my back and I know I’m screwed.
“One sound Holly and I’m pulling the trigger. I’m not fucking around. I’ve got orders to bring you back to Mr. Prescott. He didn’t say you had to be alive.”
I struggle against him, but I’m not stupid enough to say anything. He removes his hand from my mouth and drapes his meaty arm around my shoulder. Johnny has always been an asshole. Figures Steven would send him to get me. They always got close, but never caught me. I guess it was naive of me to believe he’d stop looking for me.
He walks me out the back to a dark sedan and opens my door for me. He stops, and zip ties my hands together, then zip ties them to the front handle on top of the glove compartment. Johnny may be an asshole, but he’s been working for Steven for so long, that he’s a smart asshole.
He gets in the other side of the car and cranks up Frank Sinatra so loud we can’t talk to each other. I decide to settle in and lean my head against the window. It was nice while it lasted, getting a taste of freedom.
I’ve never been one who cries, but I’m close to tears thinking about all that has been ripped away. I’m losing more than my freedom tonight. I’m losing out on a life I’ve always wanted. Men who would love me exactly as I am. Girlfriends that are as quirky and sweet as they are badass.
It’s a long ride back to Atlanta, back to Steven and his perfectly fucked up world. I close my eyes, knowing if I do what Johnny says, he won’t hurt me. I dream of waking up lying between Quinn and Jasper. Christmas is less than a week away, and I wanted to cook. My nana taught me how to make the best cookies for Santa, and while I know he isn’t real, the cookies are delicious. I would make them for my men. We’d get a tree and decorate it with popcorn. I’d finally have a holiday with people I loved.
∞∞∞
Johnny was able to drive straight through, only stopping for gas. I guess Pennsylvania wasn’t far enough away. Except it was exactly where I was supposed to end up.
He turns down the road to Steven’s house, and my skin begins to crawl. A feeling of dread washes over me as the seconds tick by. I haven’t seen him in over six months when I escaped, just hours before our wedding. Johnny pulls up to the gate and presses the button.
“Please state your name and business you have with Mr. Prescott,” Bernard announces.
“Bernie, you fuck, it’s Johnny. I have her, tell Mr. Prescott.”
The gate opens a minute later, and he drives up the long brick driveway to the house I never wanted to return to. He parks on the side of the circular driveway, behind Steven’s Mercedes S-Class Coupe. Johnny pulls out his pocket knife and cuts the zip tie from my wrists. “Don’t do this again Holly. I’ve been gone for six months, and the next time I have to come get you I won’t be so nice.”
I’m about to tell him to go and fuck himself when my door is opened. Steven is standing there in his expensive suit frowning down at me. “I’ve been so worried about you Holly. Come, I want you to get cleaned up and out of those rags.” He holds out his hand to help me out. I know if I hesitate it will only piss him off and I’ll pay for it later. I place my hand in his and allow him to pull me into his arms.
He licks up the side of my neck and then bites down hard. I bite my lip to stop from crying out. “Don’t you ever fucking run from me again Holly. I’ve got reach even in that podunk town in Pennsylvania. I’d hate to see those friends of yours get hurt.” He says evenly against my hair.
He pulls away and kisses my forehead, then clasps my hand in his and pulls me with him into the house. We walk in, and I see that Birgitta, the housekeeper, has been replaced with a much younger version. The way she follows Steven with her eyes tells me everything I need to know. She’s been keeping him satisfied until I returned. I wonder if he plans on keeping her here now that I’m back. God, I hope so. Maybe it will keep him away from me.
“Go to your room and take a shower. You stink. Leave those clothes. I’ll have Lana grab them to burn once you’ve finished. Do I need to go over how you are to dress? Or do you remember?”
“I remember,” I mumble and turn for the stairs.
“Don’t keep me long Holly. We have much to talk about once you have cleaned the filth from your body.”
I climb the marble staircase and walk to my room. It looks like the same white prison I left this summer. I close the door for privacy, but I’m unable to lock it. Going to the bathroom, I turn the shower on as hot as it will go and strip the clothes from my body.
I stare at myself in the mirror and look at how much I’ve changed since the last time I was in this bathroom. My body is stronger, more muscular, and my hair is much longer. Steven made me keep it cut at my shoulders, a respectable length, so I haven’t cut it since I left.
I move my hair to the side and see Steven left a red mark where he bit me. The fucker broke the skin. I don’t know why but that’s what finally breaks me. I fall to my knees, with my head in my hands and cry. How the hell did I find myself back here again?
I give myself only a few minutes to lose it and then pull myself back together. I hop in the shower and scrub myself clean using the products Steven picked out for me. He’s always liked for me to smell like lavender. Don’t ask why, because I have no clue. Personally, I think the shit stinks. If I could go another day without smelling lavender, that’d be fine with me.
I get out quickly and apply newly bought makeup and do my hair the way he likes. When I walk back into my room, I find clothes laid out on my bed. I cringe when I see the expensive dress and heels. I fucking hate wearing heels.
Once I’m dressed, there’s a light knock on my door before Brigitta’s replacement walks in. She keeps her head down when she speaks in a low even tone. “Mr. Prescott has requested you wear the jewelry that is on the dresser. He impressed upon me how important it was you wear your engagement ring. Please don’t upset him, Ms. Holly.”
“Does he hurt you?”
Her cheeks turn red, and she looks up at me, shocked I even asked her.
“Before I left, the days I would go against what he said, or he had a bad meeting with his men, he’d be extra needy at home. Is he that way with you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about Ms. Holly. I’m only the housekeeper.”
“Yeah, and I’m the queen. He shouldn’t be allowed to treat you this way. Why don’t you just quit?”
Tears fill her eyes. “He took my travel visa. I have no other identification or way to get out of here. I came from Russia to go to school.”
“What is your name again?”
“Lana. I was sold to him, Holly. How do I leave? Where would I go, you couldn’t even stay away!”
If she starts crying Steven will know something is up. “Okay, okay shit. I’ll figure this out, I promise. When I leave, you’re coming with me, just be ready to go as soon as I say.”
She nods her head eagerly. I realize I’ve judged her all wrong. I should have known no one would willingly be a part of the world.
Thirteen
Holly
I walk downstairs into Steven’s office to find a few men in there. I wait quietly at the door to be welcomed in.
Bernard, Steven’s assistant, walks up to me like we’re old friends. He’s in his early sixties and looks harmless. He’s not. He’s
got a predilection for young boys and Steven feeds his ‘needs.’
“Holly, my dear. It’s so good to see you again. We’ve missed you here at Prescott manor.” Bernard says, hugging me quickly and kissing my cheek.
I want so much to wipe his touch from my body. I refrain, knowing it will be in bad taste and embarrass Steven, who will then punish me for it later. He loves punishing me.
“Thank you.” Steven locks his gaze with mine and I continue. “It’s nice to be home.” Bernard grins, playing his part perfectly.
“How was your stay? Has your nana recovered from her treatment?”
I look to Steven, who looks at the other men in the room. Is this what he’s telling people? That I left to take care of my nana, who died when I was much younger.
“Yes. She’s much better now.” I lie.
“Come in darling.” He holds out his hand for me until I walk to his side and take it. “I was just telling Pastor Holmes and Mr. Acosta that we couldn’t wait another minute to be married.”
The pastor looks normal enough, probably doesn’t know who Steven really is. Mr. Acosta on the other hand, he looks like a slime ball. His slicked back hair, cheap suit, and gold tooth really complete his look.
“I… didn’t realize you wanted to do this today my love. I thought you might want to plan for something in the spring. As soon as it’s warmed up.” I smile up at him, wondering how I’m going to get out of this. I can’t fucking marry him.
His grip on my hand becomes tight, too tight. “I can’t wait another minute Holly. We should have been married months ago. Pastor Holmes, let’s begin with the vows.”
Pastor Holmes looks at me. “Is this what you want dear?”
No! I don’t want to marry this monster! I don’t want to spend another second with him touching me and sharing the same airspace as me. I want to be so far away from this man I’d rather die than marry him and live in this prison!
“Yes.” I don’t know how I say it with a straight face. Don’t know what to do other than go through with this.
“Come stand in front of me. Face one another and hold hands. We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. You are being joined together for all of eternity in the eyes of God and his disciples. Holly, repeat after me.”
I feel my soul begin to die with every word the pastor says.
“I Holly Bell, take Steven Prescott, to be my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live.” Both Pastor Holmes and Steven are waiting for me to say it and I know I have to even if it kills a part of who I am. I have to say these words, even though I don’t mean them. I’ll figure a way out of this later.
“I, Holly Bell, take Steven Prescott-” I’m interrupted by a commotion at the front of the house.
“Bernard, go figure out what is happening.” Bernard leaves the room, leaving the door wide open. What’s going on?
“Holly, our vows, sweetheart.” He grinds out.
“I, Holly Bell, take Steven Prescott to-” Before I can finish, Quinn, Jasper and Prince come storming into the office, guns out, ready to do business. Thank you, Jesus.
“Precious don’t finish that fucking sentence.” Quinn says, glaring at Steven.
I hear a gun cock and see Jasper pointing his pistol at Steven’s head. “Get your hands off our woman fuck head.” Steven drops my hands and Quinn pulls me to his side. Rock walks in with his arm wrapped around Bernard’s neck. “Please tell me this isn’t the man that took you Hell’s Bells. I know you could have taken him on your own.”
I laugh, God it’s good to have the guys back. “No. Johnny took me. He’s about, well, the size of you, actually. Less muscle though.”
When I hear things crashing to the floor I run out of the office knowing it can only be one person.
“Help!” Lana screams as Johnny tries to get her through the front door. She’s a tough little shit. She’s fighting back with everything inside her, kicking and screaming, pulling art from the walls. Her clothes are torn, and she has blood dripping down her chin. I can only imagine the sick shit Johnny has done to her.
“Fucking piece of shit!” Mumbles Prince beside me and his gun goes up, aiming at what’s in front of us.
“Lana, down!” I yell. She ducks as best as she can with Johnny holding onto her.
Prince doesn’t even flinch when he shoots Johnny in the middle of the forehead. Lana cries out as he falls to the ground on top of her. Prince runs over, flinging him off her. I can’t make out what he’s saying when he walks out of the house with her in his arms, but he’s looking down at her like he’s just found the answer to life. Fuck these guys move fast.
I walk back into the office and see Steven, Pastor Holmes, Bernard, and Mr. Acosta on the floor with their hands zip tied to their ankles. Where the hell do they get all the fucking zip ties?
“Doll, tell me you weren’t really going to marry this bastard.” Jasper drawls, hitting Steven in the head with the butt of his gun.
I shrug. What else was I supposed to do? “Thank goodness you got here in time, eh? How did you get here so fast by the way?”
“We’ll explain it all to you on the flight home Precious.”
“But what about them?” I point to the men on the floor.
Quinn wraps his arm around my waist while Jasper takes my hand. We leave the guys tied up in the office with Rock, closing the doors behind us.
We walk out and I’m not expecting to see a plane sitting on the side of Steven’s house. We walk to the plane and I’m not surprised to find Lana in Prince’s lap. Quinn, Jasper, and me sit a few rows back.
I sit between them and curl into Jasper’s side, while Quinn strokes my hair.
“What’s going to happen to those men?”
“Rock did what he needed to do Precious. There’s a team coming into clean up, make it look like a robbery gone wrong.” Quinn tells me.
“But the pastor, he-”
Jasper squeezes me to him. “Doll, that pastor was as dirty as the rest of those fuckers. They don’t deserve to be breathing.”
He’s right. I couldn’t have done what Rock did, but I’m happy they aren’t on the earth any longer, tormenting others.
A few minutes pass and Rock walks on the plane and closes the door. He sits down near the front and leans his head back, closing his eyes. “We ready to go? I need to see my Angel. Need to hold her tight. She’s growing me a son or daughter.”
“Chelsea’s pregnant?” He opens his eyes, smiles proudly and nods. He’s a quiet man, but fierce.
“I’m so happy for you two. I can’t wait to see her. I know she was looking forward to being pregnant at the same time as Em.”
The plane takes off and I close my eyes snuggling back into my men’s embrace. I’m safe in between the two most important people in my world.
Fourteen
Quinn
I finally have them back in my arms and my world is spinning again. The last twenty-four hours have been the longest of my life. All I need is to get them home and in bed. We can deal with the rest later. As soon as Triton lands the plane at our tiny airport here in town, I carry our woman, who has been sleeping hard for the past two hours, to our truck.
Jasper gets into the driver’s side while I maneuver Holly and me into the passenger side. I hold her in my lap for the twenty-minute ride home and love every second of it.
Jasper and I don’t need to talk, we’re finally on the same page. Tomorrow we’ll talk to Holly about how things have changed for the better, but tonight I’m going to take care of our woman. We walk to my room, since the bed is a little bigger. Jasper and I undress her, and put her in one of my t-shirts. Placing her between us, we strip and get into bed.
While my dick is hard having both of them so close, I’m content to hold them. I fall asleep with my arm slung over her stomach and my legs tangled with hers and Jaspers.
I’m awoken in the middle o
f the night to tiny moans escaping her lips.
“Shit, just listening to her has my dick leaking cum.”
“Jasper?” She wakes, asking sleepily.
“Go back to sleep Doll.” She rolls over so she’s laying over Jasper’s front and ends up pushing her ass into my very hard dick. I moan out, not meaning too, but damn she feels good. When she rubs her ass into me again, I know it’s not by accident. I grasp her hip and rub my dick into the crevice of her ass. She moves with me and starts to shift her legs. I reach down smoothing two fingers through her slippery pussy lips.
“Mmm yes. Quinn that feels so good.”
She moves so she’s hovering over Jasper and takes him into her mouth. Jesus Christ that’s one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen.