Hollow Hearts (The Harkwright Trilogy Book 1)

by B C Morgan

  “We just heard that this reporter got sacked because of an interview she did on Sir Harkwright!” Millie says, but I’m struggling to see the point, it’s barely a surprise. If it’s the one I saw, then her days were numbered.

  “It’s hardly gossip worthy, anyone who speaks out against Harkwright publicly will pay for it,” I say dismissively and I stand up and head to the bathroom.

  “She didn’t just get fired, she’s been blacklisted. Nowhere else will hire her and if the rumors are true, she can’t even get credit. Her life has been destroyed because she asked the questions she was told to,” Millie states.

  “No one made her ask them, besides how can you even know all of this?” I ask as I hesitate before closing the door on this entire conversation.

  “One of the girls here is her niece,” Caitlyn whispers and I close the door and lose myself in the lukewarm stream coming down from the shower. That man has too much power and no one will ever dare to try to take it from him.

  I’ve never really been much for idle gossip, I had to focus hard in school to even get anywhere near a good grade and if I wasn’t studying, then Poppy would teach me some very important life skills. Until she couldn’t guide me any longer and everything came to a standstill. As though our family revolves around her and without her sunlight, nothing could grow. I know I should go easy on the metaphors but she was my polar opposite and if I’m the moon, then it’s only right that she would be the sun.

  Pulling myself out of my mind I notice that Carly hasn’t returned yet, her bed is still crisp, and the door hasn’t opened since the girls returned earlier this afternoon. One thing I will say, even though I’m not attempting to ingratiate myself with them they still think of me, they even brought me a map so I wouldn’t get lost and that gesture almost made me cry.

  I don’t join them as they go down to get their dinner and instead I take my map and make my way to the library that I’m allowed to enter. It’s not small by any means, row after row of shelves line the space. The room has tall bay windows with a window seat for each one and a couple of comfy reading chairs pushed to the back.

  I browse the books looking for something to distract me from my first day nerves and I have to fight my squeal of excitement when I find a copy of Boss by Scarlett Ross. I used to read this book all the time until one of the boy’s at school got a hold of it and ripped the pages out right in front of me, just to hurt me. I’d never done a single thing to him or his friends, but I was the odd one out. The quiet girl who couldn't even fall back on her book smarts, I was the easy target, and they took every opportunity to remind me just how pitiful and weak they thought I was.

  Holding the book to my chest, I tuck myself against the wall as I sink onto one of the window seats and lose myself in the pages and find myself wishing I could live in this world and leave mine behind for good.

  I don’t know how much time has passed since I came in here, but I don’t think I’m alone anymore. I can hear murmurs, as though someone is whispering and I don’t want to intrude. Maybe I can sneak out before they realize I was even around.

  Slipping my heels off, I hold them in one hand, with the book still in the other as I make my way to the door and a breathy moan fills the surrounding air. I freeze as my cheeks heat and I turn around with my back to the door and a pair of blue eyes lock onto mine from one of the comfy chairs.

  I recognize him from the dossier instantly and it’s safe to say that Scott Harkwright is keeping my gaze hostage. Even as a girl’s head moves up and down, swallowing him whole. Crouched at his feet, with her hands splayed over his thighs.

  “Enjoying the show Zero? Participation is always greater than spectating,” he says easily, as though he isn’t being given a blow job. His breathing isn’t even staggered.

  “You don’t need her,” Carly says as she releases him from her mouth and looks at me as though I’m less than her. Yeah, cause I’m the one swallowing cock on my first day.

  “I wasn’t asking you and I never told you to stop,” he growls down at her and her cheeks redden before she returns to the ahem, task at hand.

  “What do you say Snow, are you staying or leaving?” He smirks at me and I push my way out of the door, his laughter filling the room in my wake.

  I can feel my blush spreading down my neck and I know I can't go back to our room like this, especially after seeing Carly in there. There’s only one other place that I can disappear to and it’s almost calling to me as I hurry to the kitchen and lose myself in the flour, sugar and eggs. I think I’m in the mood for brownies and double chocolate cookies tonight.

  One tray of brownies, thirty cookies and a batch of blondies in the oven and I feel content. My face no longer feels hot and my heart is a reassuring thump, thump in my chest. I need to learn to school my features better but no one has ever been so blatant about sex before, and I don’t need a front-row seat while it’s happening. The other thing that worries me is what if they order us into a threesome, I don’t think I can do something like that, yet if I refuse, I’m gone.

  I’m watching the timer tick down when the door hits the wall and I jump out of my skin. I spin around and come face to face with the guy who was in my room this morning. It’s ten pm, what is he doing in here?

  “Sorry, I didn’t know anyone would be here” he says as he drops his eyes to the ground and hurries over to the double fridge.

  “It’s okay, I’m allowed to be in here,” I say, as I pull out the map and the list of places I’m allowed to go from my pocket.

  His eyes crease up around the edges as he smiles at me before coming over and placing his hand on mine and pushing it into my body.

  “It’s okay, I don’t need to see that. I’m just the help, besides I wouldn’t tell on you,” he says with a genuine smile as he pulls his hand away and returns to the fridge.

  “Can I help you with anything?” I ask quietly, my hand buzzing from the small amount of contact he just gave to me.

  “Just claiming my dinner, have you eaten?”

  I shake my head and he rolls his eyes before pulling out all the fixings for a sandwich and to my surprise, makes one for me as well.

  “You didn’t have to do that,” it sounds awkward even to my ears as he holds it out for me to take.

  “Let’s call it a trade, I’ll supply dinner and you can give me dessert,” I can feel my eyes widen as his words sink in before his mouth falls open, and he slaps his hand over his mouth. His cheeks blaze as he shakes his head almost comically. “I meant the cookies and brownies, I swear I would never proposition an Academy girl. Sir Harkwright would have my hide for even daring something as idiotic as that,” he says and I offer him a soft smile as I plate up a generous helping of brownies and cookies and he takes it with a mumbled, “thanks.”

  “See you around…” he hesitates on his goodbye and I’m not sure what he’s waiting for.

  “I’m a Zero,” I shake my head as I say it and his mouth turns down into a frown.

  “That’s great, but I think I’d prefer to know your name. Mine’s Liam by the way,” he places one of the plates down and holds his hand out for me to shake.

  I place mine within his, feeling his heat engulf my smaller hand. “I’m Luna,” I whisper and he brings his head in closer.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you Luna, thank you for the dessert,” he drops me a playful wink and a low laugh passes through my lips as he releases my hand, collects his sandwich and leaves.

  What just happened? Are there real life, friendly people in this place? Because I wasn’t expecting that. I sink down on one of the stools and eat my sandwich, when the timer dings I pull the blondies out and get started on a quiche for the people who work here. If they’re anything like Liam, then they deserve something nice to be here waiting for them when they start their shift.

  By the time I finish and I have quenched my baking urge, it’s almost midnight and all I have left to do is cover the food and tidy up my mess. I made it, so it’s only right
that I clean up after myself.

  “Fancy seeing you here Zero,” his voice washes over me, as my hands stop moving and the sponge is squeezed tightly in my grip.

  “I didn’t t-t-think a-an-anyone would be here,” I hate that my stammering has come back now.

  “Our wing is getting a little loud,” Aeron says as I feel a weight press up against my back and a finger trail down my neck. Running up and down but not quite entering the valley between my breasts, and I’ve forgotten how to think or move.

  “H-How come?”

  “First day, horny guys plus girls desperate to prove themselves, means a lot of fucking noise,” he groans, as he moves away from me and starts lifting the covers over my baked goods.

  “You bake Little Zero, how interesting,” he says and I turn around to see a smirk on his face.

  “It keeps me calm,” I mumble before rolling my shoulders and returning to the task at hand. The sooner I get this cleaned up, the sooner I can get to bed.

  He claps his hands together before his hands fall on my shoulders and he spins me around to face him, dirty sponge and all. “I’ve had the best idea,” he says with his eyes sparkling with life and he brings his head closer to mine.

  “W-what’s that?” I ask hesitantly, my nerves stacking up inside me, threatening to tumble down.

  “You bake to relax and I get high, how about we combine the two,” he replies with a huge grin as he pulls out a baggy with an immense amount of weed threatening to spill out of it.

  I jerk back, holding my hands out in front of me. “I can’t touch that,” I choke out and a laugh falls free from him as he cuts the space between us and reclaims my shoulders.

  “Nothing is illegal in this place Little Zero, we make our own rules. So I’ll give you a choice, I can order you to make me some hash brownies or you can decide to do it yourself. Things are so much better when we just say fuck it and do something because we decided to. What’s it going to be?” His nose brushes mine and I feel my head drop into a nod as I take the bag of weed and hold it in my hand.

  “Don’t be so greedy, I’ll keep it for now and we’ll meet back here tomorrow. Ten pm, don’t be late,” his head drops to my collarbone and I feel his tongue run along it, up my neck and just below the lobe of my ear. He smirks at me as he pulls away and leaves the kitchen and all I can do is stand here, still trying to remember how to breathe.

  My second day here passes in the same way, we go to breakfast, lunch and dinner in the mess hall and watch as Carly performs for most of the guys. By dinner she doesn’t even hesitate when Scott calls her to the table. He recounts to everyone in detail, the blowjob he got from her in the library.

  “You know, I’m starting to worry that the only way we can ensure our fate here is to act like Carly,” Caitlyn says as her shoulders roll forward and her arms hug her stomach.

  I want to offer her comfort but that’s not the sort of person I am, I mean I could offer her a pat on the back but I don’t think that will help either of us.

  “I don’t think that’s the way to get it or at least it can’t be the only way. Find what makes you different and get them to see it,” I say, paraphrasing Liam and trying not to smile as the thought of him flits through my mind.

  “I saw that, you like someone,” Millie whispers as she bops my shoulder and my cheeks heat instantly.

  “Don’t be ridiculous, we’ve only been here two days and I don’t intend on liking any of the guys. I just need to be able to stay till the end and get the money I need to get the life I’m wishing for,” a few girls dotted around other tables are looking at us and I don’t think I said that as quietly as I hoped.

  I could have sworn I was barely above a whisper, my thoughts are running rampant as I worry over just who may have heard us when a hand falls onto my shoulder and I flinch but I have to remind myself not to pull away.

  “You don’t need to like us Zero, as long as you follow orders you’ll do fine,” I don’t know this voice and I don’t dare look over my shoulder to see who it is.

  “I’ll do whatever’s necessary,” I force the words out through my clenched teeth and his hands on my shoulders tighten, bringing a wince out of me.

  “Good, now get the fuck out of my sight. I don’t need no pitiful stand in right now,” he pushes me forward until my cheek is pressed against the table and tears are pricking my eyes. I feel his chin as it sits on my cheek and his lips press up against my ear. “You want the money so bad, maybe you should have chosen a street corner instead. I’m sure the overweight balding men would have paid well for an hour of your time. Don’t worry though, I’ll make sure you get the experience you crave. I may even leave a few dollars behind for you if you do a good enough job,” he pushes off me and I listen to his footsteps as they move away from me before I get to my feet and walk out.

  I keep my head held high until the weight of the stares in this room grows too heavy and then I tuck my chin, step out of the mess hall and run back to my room. The tears are streaming down my face as I run and my hair is sticking to my face and I can’t bring myself to care. I get to my room in half the time it usually takes and I fall through the door as it's pulled open from the inside and a pair of strong arms catch me before I can hit the ground.

  “Luna, what's the matter?” Liam asks as he closes the door but refuses to release me from his arms.

  “Please, just let me go,” I beg as I push at his chest but he only tightens his hold as he pushes my head to his chest and runs his hand through my hair.

  I can’t deny the soothing effect it has over me, even though I shouldn’t be held by anyone while I’m in here. The Harkwrights could evict me for this.

  “Please Liam, I can’t a-a-afford t-t-to be k-kicked out.”

  “Fuck that, I won’t tell anyone Luna. Please, tell me what happened, it might help. Everyone needs a friend, why can’t I be yours?”

  I look up into his mossy eyes and I think he seems genuine, there's a warmth there but also something else that I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s the same with his voice, there’s something familiar about it, but I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to him before yesterday.

  I shake myself out of my thoughts as I nod my head at him and pull away, moving over to the lumpy and springy sofa and dropping down.

  “What happened?” He asks softly as he sits beside me and folds his hands in his lap.

  “I was talking to the other Zeros and said that I-I-I d-d-don’t intend on l-liking anyone a-a-and…” I can’t get my words out and I hate it.

  “Hey it’s okay, just breathe. There’s no rush Luna,” he says and his voice washes over me, hitting that familiarity again before I do as he says. Breathing in through my nose and out my mouth. Feeling my lungs constrict which each inhale.

  “A Harkwright heard me and he… he told me I should have just been a prostitute and he’ll give me the experience of being one. I knew that this whole arrangement would involve sex,” my cheeks are flaming, and the heat is traveling down my chest as I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. “I just wasn’t prepared for it to be said like that,” my tears are gone but my hands are shaking at the way he grabbed me and the fact that nobody stepped in.

  “Dickhead, do you know who it was?” His voice drops, it has an almost dark quality to it and the place I’ve heard it before is right there, but I can’t quite reach it.

  “No, but I know it wasn’t Aeron or Scott, I’ve run into them already,” I say with a mirthless laugh and his eyes narrow before opening back up and he gives me a gentle smile before patting me on the hand and standing up.

  “I meant what I said Luna, if you need a friend then I’m happy to apply for the position. I’ll see you later,” he gives me a quick wave before gathering up his supplies and leaving the room.

  Walking over to my bed, I pull out my rota of clothing that I’m allowed to wear on which day and when I’m allowed to wear my choice of clothing. Basically, when I’m in my room or if I have permission from the Harkwright
men. I thought I’d wear my clothes tonight while baking but that isn’t allowed, I already hate this place and it’s only day two.

  The only clothing option that I’m allowed to wear and will be remotely comfy to bake in is a romper. It’s shorter than I would ever pick and I don’t like how it clings to my body like a second skin. The fabric is soft against my skin and a zipper travels up from my navel to just above my breasts. They like to leave little to the imagination. I pair it with a pair of wedge sandals and slip out of the room before any of the girls can ask me where I’m going.

  I walk past the library and stop when I hear groans coming from within, I have this sudden urge to step inside and discover what is happening this time but I fight it off. I don’t need to become a voyeur, I don’t want to lose myself and doing something like that has to be a stepping stone in the wrong direction. Picking up my speed, I make it to the kitchen with ten minutes to spare but I hesitate when I hear voices coming from inside.

  The dirty voice of Aeron that I will recognize anywhere and a voice filled with darkness, encompasses me and I know it's the first one I heard when the questions began. The one who called my story or maybe me, pathetic.

  “She’ll be here soon, if you’re still set on not being here then you should probably leave,” says Aeron, and his laugh filters under the door.

  “Then answer the question, which one pushed her face down into a table and told her he would help her become a prostitute? Everyone is talking about it but no one will say who it was, so tell me Aeron, Bradley or Shane?” Why would the one with a voice so dark, it both terrifies and - I hate to admit - excites me, care about what happened in the mess hall?

  “It was Shane, he heard her talking and thought he’d show her exactly what he thought of the Little Zero. No harm done,” he sounds like he’s already off his head and he wants me to make him pot brownies, yeah great idea.