by Bale, Sarah
Aunt B was leaving as I walked through the door and she stopped me.
“Better take your food back to the room. He’ll be furious if you’re not there.”
I nodded and got in line, wondering if maybe she did know more than I thought.
Juan was working the serving line and smiled at me. I waved at him at the same time the hairs on the back of my neck prickled. Glancing over my shoulder I saw Sir walking toward me with a scowl on his face. Great.
People moved out of his way and he was at my side in no time.
“I don’t remember telling you to come to the cafeteria.”
“I-I was hungry.”
“Is that so?”
I nodded, my heart pounding. He wrapped his fingers around my wrist and led me to the front of the line. Juan swallowed, his throat bobbing.
“Give me a tray, Juan.”
Juan dished up meatloaf and boiled potatoes and handed the tray to Sir. Sir held it in one hand and pulled me along with him to a table. He sat and pointed to the floor next to him.
“Sit.”
My face warmed. “Sir…”
“I said sit.”
I lowered to my knees and sat back on my haunches, placing my hands in my lap. Sir grunted and took a bite of his meatloaf. Conversation began to flow around us and no one paid me any attention at all. Seriously, how often had this happened for them to not stare?
Sir continued eating and my stomach began to rumble in protest. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of asking for food, though. I did, however, imagine several different ways for him to die. Fork in the neck. Butter knife to the balls. I snickered to myself.
“Care to share?”
I glanced up. “Nope.”
He cut his eyes at me and pulled me to my feet. “Finish this and then go back to my room.”
There were literally two bites of potatoes and one bite of meatloaf left. Glaring, I took his fork and finished the food. I dropped the fork on the plate and left the cafeteria, my anger growing each second. I wasn’t naïve- he wasn’t going to bring me more food. In fact, he was probably going to lock the door once I was inside.
I slammed the door shut and went to my bag. I’d sewn a secret pocked inside where I’d hidden an energy bar. Tearing off the wrapper, I ate it quickly. It was expired like most prepackaged items were, but it tasted like heaven. I dropped the wrapper inside of the dresser. Let him chew on that when he discovered it.
Out of curiosity I tried the doorknob. As I’d guessed it was locked.
“You must really be worried I’m going to run,” I murmured.
He should be worried. Once I formed a plan I would be gone. And then I would continue on my original journey and try to get to my family in Texas. It was the only thing I had left to hold on to. And by god nothing was going to stop me.
The next morning I woke and dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. Sir never returned and I tried not to think about whom he’d spent the night with, but I couldn’t deny the sour mood I was in. I left the room and went to the lobby.
Marianne cut her eyes at me as I walked toward the group, the mended laundry in tow. Good. Someone to take my anger out on.
“Good morning everyone.”
Several of the women smiled up at me, but Marianne didn’t. I dropped the basket on the floor next to her and it made a loud sound as it hit the tile. Everyone grew quiet.
“Here’s your laundry, Marianne. Why, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you purposely cut some of the items.”
Marianne rolled her eyes. “Like I have nothing else better to do.”
“Oh, I’m sure you have plenty of extra time since you’ve been sleeping in the common area.”
My point struck home and a few of the women giggled. She jumped to her feet, getting in my face. But I was ready for whatever she had up her sleeve.
Aunt B stood, too. “Careful, Marianne.”
14
Marianne’s face was bright red, but I wasn’t about to back down.
“You must think you’re something special, like you’re the only one he’s ever brought back. Well, you’ll see soon enough how things are, and then me and you will revisit this conversation.”
She was closer to the truth than she knew and I pushed the hurt I felt away, letting anger take over. The lobby grew eerily silent and I knew Sir was there before he came around the corner. He was focused in on Marianne, a look I’d see a few times. This wasn’t going to end well. He caught my gaze and gave me a little wink, which confused the hell out of me, before clearing his throat.
Marianne turned and cried out, falling to her knees.
“Boss, I didn’t know you were here today.”
“So I see.”
Tears fell from her eyes and she said, “We were just finishing-”
“Marianne, how long have you been on laundry duty?”
“Three months.”
Sir nodded thoughtfully. “Tomorrow you’ll report in the fields.”
There was an audible gasp from some of the women and I knew this was the lowest blow that Marianne could receive.
Marianne bowed her head. “Yes, Boss.”
Sir turned to me. “Go to my room.”
My face flamed, but I did as he asked. After tomorrow I’d be sleeping elsewhere and maybe then I’d finally be able to make friends amongst the women – until I found a way to escape. And hopefully my path wouldn’t cross with his while my heart healed. I could at least admit that much – I’d fallen for him.
As I walked, I passed two men whom I didn’t recognize, and continued toward Sir’s room. Footsteps echoed behind me and I glanced over my shoulder. The men were walking the same way.
“Ma’am, we seem to be lost. Do you know where room one hundred is?”
The younger of the two spoke while the older man shifted.
“You made a wrong turn. Go back to where the hallway splits off four ways and go left.”
Room one hundred was where Sir met with his men from the outlying properties, but he hadn’t mentioned meeting anyone today, but then again maybe he didn’t think I needed to know his business any longer. The younger man stared at me until I felt uneasy.
He smiled. “I’m sorry. You seem very familiar. Have we met?”
“I don’t think so.” I picked up my pace and realized they were following me. “You shouldn’t be here.”
The younger one nodded. “Probably true, but we’ve been waiting a while to see the Boss. Might as well have a little fun until he shows up.” He reached out and grabbed my arm. “Now, where can three people go to be alone around this place? There are obviously plenty of rooms.”
“You’re making a big mistake,” I said, trying to free myself from his grip.
His friend tried the door nearest to us and it was locked. I pulled my arm again and was met with a slap across my cheek so hard my head snapped to the side. Tears filled my eyes, but I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of crying.
“Try that third one. If it’s locked we’ll fuck her out here. Hopefully she’s not a bleeder.”
Terror blossomed in my chest and I scratched at the man.
“Big mistake, bitch,” he said right before he head-butted me.
Bursts of white light made my vision wane and I couldn’t hear anything through the ringing in my ears. Blinking, I tried to focus, but I couldn’t. I felt like I was falling and then I felt the cold tile against my cheek. I lifted my head, but something pushed it down and held me in place. Air left my lungs as I realized I was pinned.
There were hands everywhere and I whimpered when my jeans were pulled roughly down my hips, scraping my skin. Another set of feet approached and there was a gunshot. The older man joined me on the floor, a hole in his head and empty eyes staring back at me.
Someone screamed far away and there was another shot. I closed my eyes as an icy fog settled over me. Someone lifted me, holding me close.
“I’ve got you.”
I knew that voice, but I couldn’t foc
us. I rested my head against the strong chest and gave in to the darkness.
Cold water sprayed over me and I gasped, opening my eyes. Sir held me in his arms as water doused both of us.
“Wh-why are you dressed?”
Sir exhaled. “Thought you might need more laundry to do.”
I chuckled and my head ached. “Ouch.”
Touching my forehead I winced when I saw blood on my fingertips.
“We’ll clean that up in a moment. I needed to wake you up.”
I nodded. “I think I can stand.”
Sir put me down, but stayed close as if he thought I might fall.
“Are they dead?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
I’d never been glad of someone’s death before, with the exception of Red. We stayed under the water for a few more moments until I began to shiver. Sir got out first, getting us towels. I stripped out of my clothes and wrapped the towel tightly around my body.
“We’ll need you clean your hips, too,” Sir said, watching me.
I nodded and he pulled some peroxide from the cabinet. He used a cloth and cleaned the scrapes on my hips and then my forehead.
“I’ll get you an ibuprofen.”
I shook my head. “No, save it. Someone else might need it more than me.”
“Daisy, there’s a fucking knot the size of an egg on your forehead. You’re taking an ibuprofen if I have to force it down your goddamn throat.”
He pulled a bottle from the cabinet and dumped four into his palm before filling a glass with water.
“Open.”
I did as he commanded and he dropped the pills on my tongue. I rolled my eyes and he held the glass for me as I drank.
Opening my mouth, I showed him it was empty and said, “There.”
“Now get your ass in bed.”
I wasn’t feeling as chilled, so I let the towel fall and padded into the bedroom. He pulled back the covers and I got on the bed. I expected him to tuck me in and leave, but he undressed and climbed in behind me. Snaking an arm around my waist, he pulled me against his body and rested his chin on my head.
“Thank you,” I murmured, snuggling against him.
“I pull two assholes off you and you’re thanking me?”
“Well… yeah.”
“Daisy that should’ve never happened.”
“I know. I’m sorry-”
“That’s not what I mean. I shouldn’t have sent you from the lobby without following you. I knew there were representatives from some of my properties here today. I didn’t think they’d be foolish enough to try something with my woman.”
This made me smile.
“Oh, so I’m your woman?”
He pulled me closer and kissed my temple. “Yeah.”
I hated the wave of sadness that swept throughout my body.
“Until tomorrow, at least.”
“Fuck that. You’re mine.”
“Good.”
“Good,” he echoed back.
We were both silent as rain hit the window, leaving little shadows on the walls.
“Want to know something funny?”
“What?”
“Right before you got there all I could think was I didn’t even know your name. It felt silly to yell out ‘Sir’, so I just laid there.”
He turned me over, so we were chest to chest. “It’s Elijah.”
I smiled up at him. “Nice to meet you, Elijah.”
“Nice to meet you, too.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “But that’s something that stays between the two of us.”
Because a name held power. I understood that.
“You want to know something else?” At his wary look I laughed. “It’s nothing bad. You’re the first person I’ve told my real name to in a long time. I used to make up names before.”
“What made you tell me?”
I shrugged. “I think I knew you were going to be important to me.”
He was silent, but pulled me closer against his chest. I had to ask before I let myself relax completely.
“Are you still planning on moving me in with the other women tomorrow?”
He shook his head. “No. I said you’re mine.”
My heart skipped, but I needed to ask the next part.
“And am I your only woman?” At his incredulous look I went on, “I figured you’d found someone else. That’s why you were acting different and moving me out.”
He sighed. “You’re the only one, Daisy. And I’m a fucking asshole.”
“What do you mean, Elijah?”
His eyes darkened and he caught my lips in a kiss.
“Fuck, I love hearing you say my name.” He kissed me again and said, “I pushed you away because I have feelings for you.”
I kissed him back, feeling him grow hard against my stomach. I couldn’t help but to rub against him. “Want to know a secret?”
“What’s that?”
“I have feelings for you, too.”
“I want you so bad, Daisy, but I’ll understand if it’s too much after everything you’ve been through.”
I shook my head. “No, I need you.”
He rolled on top of me and began to worship my body. Where before we’d fucked, this was different. This was lovemaking. He kissed his way from my cheek down my jaw and over the bruise that was forming on my cheek as he murmured sweet nothings. Our lips met and we kissed, our tongues slowly exploring each other.
His head moved lower and he cupped my breast before covering my nipple with his mouth. Hot air and moist lips had me panting before he began licking the budded flesh. Everything felt different this time as he moved downward, trailing kisses on my stomach and hips.
When he was between my legs he pushed them open and began licking and kissing my most private area. I moaned and writhed beneath him as my stomach tightened. I came when he entered his tongue inside of me and he lapped up every last bit of my orgasm.
“Elijah, I want you…”
He moved up and kissed my lips as he slid into my aching folds. Together, we met each other thrust for thrust in a sensual tango of love. My stomach tightened and I needed more, but he slowly drove me insane with his slow movements, each one leaving me feeling cherished.
“I love you, Daisy,” he said against my lips.
I cried out as I came and he drank in my cries with his mouth. Joy and happiness kept my orgasm going until he jerked and joined me on the journey to heaven.
I kissed him back and said, “I love you, too, Elijah.”
He pressed his forehead against mine. “But now we must be more careful than ever.”
“What do you mean?”
His eyes were sad as he replied, “There are people who will do anything to take me down. If they know that you’re not a fling they’ll use you.”
My heart missed a beat. “I trust you and I’ll do whatever it takes to stay by your side.”
He kissed me. “We’re safe for now. And I’ll work on a plan to keep us together.”
I nodded, knowing he would do everything in his power to make that happen. But I couldn’t ignore the icy dread that was now living deep in my heart. We had time together… didn’t we?
15
We lived in sweet bliss for one week before all fucking hell broke loose. Elijah became more stressed each night we spent wrapped in each other’s arms, finally confessing to me.
“Those men I killed were from a property about thirty miles from here and their people are angry.”
I was amazed.
“How do you control something so far away?”
His forehead scrunched up with worry lines. “I don’t, not really, and that’s the problem. I can only do so much.”
“But your men here are loyal, right?”
“They’re as loyal as they can be. But, I’m no fool. If someone comes along with a better offer then they’ll fuck me over.”
I hated the stress he was feeling, but I didn’t know how to help. My experiences wi
th other camps hadn’t ended well.
“What are you going to do?”
He closed his eyes. “I’m going to have to make a point, but it’s risky because I’ll be leaving the hospital wide open for an attack.”
“You think it’s a trap?”
He nodded. “It might be. Bertha overheard some of the men grumbling by the barns. Said I’d made a mistake by thinking with my dick.”
So all of this was because of me? My stomach churned.
“I could move out with the other women-”
“No fucking way! I can’t protect you out there.”
I sat up in bed. “You can’t protect me if you’re dead, either.”
He sat up, too, and ran his fingers through his hair. “I know, Daisy, and it fucking kills me to think about it.”
He’d thought about dying? My unease turned into full-fledged panic.
“What are we going to do?”
He smiled, relief washing over his face for a moment.
“I fucking love you. You know that?”
My cheeks flushed. “What?”
“You’re ready to fight alongside with me. I never thought I’d have that.”
“Of course I’ll fight with you. If you die, I die.”
I realized the double meaning of my words, but both were true. Without him, I’d have no reason to live. And if he died, then I was sure my own death would soon follow.
He pulled me into his strong arms. “Tomorrow night I’ll pay a visit to the other property. If everything goes well I’ll be back in bed with you by that morning.”
I hated to ask the next question, but I needed to be prepared.
“And if you aren’t?”
“Then I want you to run like hell and don’t look back.”
He stood and went to the closet, coming back with a backpack. I moved to the foot of the bed as he opened it.
“Water, some food, basic medical supplies, a forty-five pistol with extra magazines – everything you’ll need to get by for a few weeks until you can find a new camp.” He pulled out a map from a side pocket and pointed. “We’re here. If you go this way you’ll be out of the reach of my men and hopefully you’ll find help.”