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SavageChains:Part1
CarisRoane
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TableofContents
Cover
TitlePage
CopyrightNotice
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
CarisRoane’sMeninChains
MorefromtheSavageChainsSeries
AbouttheAuthor
Copyright
ChapterOne
AngelicastoodinfrontofBriggs’sOceanClubinNewportBeach,staringupattwowell-lit
palmtreesthatflankedtheentrance.Herhearthammeredoutafewunsteadybeats,since
herreasonsforbeinghereinvolvedacertainwalkofshameshehopedtomakesometime
thenextmorning.
Butnowthatshewashere,herkneesfeltwateryandthebutterfliesinherstomachhad
stagedamassiveriot.Shehadn’tbeenwithamanforagoodlongstretchofroad.Sowhy
wassheaimingfordarkanddangerouswhenanynumberofhardworkingmalesaroundher
officewouldscratchthisitchjustfine?Shemightevenfallinlove,makesomebabies,have
alife.
Exceptshedidn’twantthatkindoflife.
Puttingahandtoherstomach,shedrewadeepbreath.
She’dfinallyadmittedtoherselfthatonlyonemanwoulddo:BroganReyes,asix-five
godwholookedlikeheranblackopsmissionsinhissparetime.Piercingblueeyes,massive
shoulders, and a scruff that made her tongue tingle just thinking about licking a line
straightuphisjaw.
Despite her self-confessed need, she remained outside the club, knowing he could be
inside.Forwhateverreason,shecouldn’tmakeherfeetmove.
Shedidn’treallyhavetimeforamaninherlifeanyway.Shehadademandingjobasan
accountantinabigfirmthatkeptherinsanelybusy.Sheshouldjustshowsomesense,head
backtoherapartment,paysomebills,drinkatumblerofPatrónSilver,andgetsomerest.
Besides,herstilettospinchedlikehell.Shewasn’tusedtodressinguplikethis,showinga
ridiculousamountofcome-and-get-mecleavage.Andshewaswayoutofflirtingpractice.
Yetherfeetwouldn’tmovebackward,either.
Herlifehadbecomeaseriousrut,andifshedidn’tdosomethingtoshakethingsupshe
thoughtshemightgomad.
Asuddenoffshorebreezegaveherasmallpushandshefinallysetherfeetinmotion,
straightforthedoors.Shewantedthisforherself,ifonlyforonenight.
AndReyeswasthemanshewanted.
Taking a deep breath, she lowered her chin and crossed the foyer threshold, her black
sequinclutchheldtighttoherside.
The hostess smiled. “Welcome to Briggs’s Ocean Club. Can I help you with your
reservationthisevening?”
Theclubhadavarietyofvenues,includinganupscalerestaurant,ahugebarandlounge,
andanoutdoorpatio,aswellaslivemusicanddancing.
Angelica waved a hand to the left, indicating the lounge, and the hostess smiled and
nodded.Shemadeherwaytotheshortstaircasethatdescendedtothelarge,noisiestpartof
theclub:thebar.
Asshewalkeddownthefivesteps,shequicklyscannedthetablesandlong,polishedoak
bar,butReyeswasn’tthere.
Shepickedastoolattheendnearestthestairs,andperched.
Thebartendermadehiswayover.“Angelica,greattoseeyouagain.”
“Hey,Marcus.”
“Youhaven’tbeenhereinawhile.”Aconcernedfrownfollowed.“How’syourmom?”
“She’sdoingmuchbetter,butthanksforasking.Myaunt’sintowntolookafterher,soI
haveareprieve,atleastforacoupleofweeks.”
“Well,that’sgreat.”
Anditwas.Angelicacouldbreathealittleandtonight,shecouldindulge.
“You’re one of my favorite people, you know. Lot of spoiled rich kids in this joint. So
whatcanIgetyou?”
“Ginandtonic,please.”
“Yougotit.”Hemovedawaytoprepareherorder,thenreturnedswiftly,drinkinhand,
layingdownasilvercoasterfirst.Buthewasoffalmostasfast,greetinganewgroupand
takingorders.
MarcushadworkedattheOceanClubforyearsandkneweveryonewhofrequentedthe
upscale,sexynightspotthatservedtheyoungandwealthyofSouthernCalifornia.Agem-
like array of bottles ran floor-to-ceiling behind the bar in every color imaginable, a
beautifulmosaicagainstamirroredwall.Lowlightsanddeepmaroonglossywallsgavean
intimatefeeltowhatwasalargespacefulloflinen-coveredtables,comfortablechairs,and
chatteringguests.
Whenseveralcustomersgotcalledtotheirrestaurantreservation,alullallowedMarcus
tocomebacktoher.Hehadshoulder-lengthblackhair,darkeyes,andawarmsmile.“You
lookgoodinred.”Hisgazefelltothelowcutofherneckline,andhewaggledhisbrows.
“Hot.Veryhot.”
Shefeltablushclimbhercheeks,butshesmiled.“Thankyou.”Sheliftedherdrinktohim.
“Ineededthat.”
She’ddressedfortheoccasioninredsilk,sleevelessandcutlow.Sheworemoremakeup
thanusualandhaddressedherthickdark-brownhairtoflowawayfromherface.
“SocanIhelpyououttonight?Anyoneyouwanttomeet?”
Marcus had a sixth sense where people were concerned, and he had never steered her
wrong.Shetrustedhim.
Squaring her shoulders, she jumped in. “I’m wondering what you know about Brogan
Reyes.”Justmentioninghisnamecausedtheever-presentbutterfliestomakeafewdive-
bombingruns.
Hisbrowsrose.“Onetoughhombre,butIhavetosayIdon’tknowmuchmorethanthat.
Notsureanyonedoes.HecomesfromEuropeanmoneyormaybeSouthAmerican—even
that’sunclear.ButhemusthavebeeneducatedsomewhereintheStatesbecausehehasno
accenttospeakof.He’susuallyintheloungeonFridayssoIwouldexpecttoseehimandI
have asked around, but he keeps his cards close. All I know is that he’s wealthy, doesn’t
makeashowofit,andmeetsbusinessassociateshere.Andno,Idon’tknowwhatkindof
business.Myonlyconcern,butit’samildone,isthatsomeofthepeoplehemeetsgiveoff
thewrongvibe.”
SheknewwhatMarcusmeant—morethanonepersonhe’dhaddrinkswith,thoughwell
dressed,hadapredatorylook.“Youknowwhatitis?SomeofthepeopleI’veseenhimwith
doakindofstripsearchwiththeireyes.ThelasttimeIwashere,IfeltlikeIwasbeing
visuallyweighedandmeasured,summedup.Makeanysense?”
Henodded.“That’sagoodwayofputtingit,butI’veneverseenReyespullthatkindof
shit.I’llgivehimthat.”
“Iagree.He’sdefinitelyacutabovethecompanyhekeeps.”
Heleanedhisforearmsonthebar.“Soishetheone?”
Againhercheekswarmedup.“I’mnotsure,butI’mdeterminedtofindout.”
“Goodforyouandforwhatit’sworth,despitehisI-can-beat-the-shit-out-of-anyonelook,I
likehim.Hedoesn’tplaygamesandhetreatswomendecently,whichsaysalot.”
Anotherthrongofcustomersarrived,andMarcusmovedawaytotakemoreorders.
Angelicaswiveledinherseat.Thedimlylitroomwasfulloflaughterandlotsofflirting.
Windowslinedthelounge,withapairofdoubledoorsthatledtoacrowdedpatiobeyond.
Outside,tablesandchairssurroundedamassivetreecoveredinwhiteminilights.
Musicfilteredthroughfromthedanceclub,sometimeswithastrongrhythmicbeatand
othertimesaslow,sexygroove.
Asthebandmovedintothelatter,theeroticrhythmofthebassguitaranddrumssent
anothershiverthroughher.
Marcus called her name, and when she turned toward him, he winked, then jerked his
chintowardthestairs.“He’shere.”
Forasecondshecouldn’tbreathe,asthoughalltheairhadbeensuckedfromherlungs.
Shelethergazemoveslowlytowardtheentrance.Therehewas,standingatthetopofthe
short staircase, looking sexy as hell dressed in a black leather coat, blue silk shirt, and
tailoredslacks.
Awedasshewasbyhisphysicalpresence,sheremindedherselfthathewasthereason
she’dcomeheretonight.Shesatupalittlestraighter,drinkinhand.
Hescannedthelounge,justasshehad,hisgazemovingslowly,thenlandingonher.She
smiled and lifted her glass to him. She’d hoped for an answering curve of his lips, some
indicationhemightbeinterested.Insteadhefrowned,thoughholdinghergazesteadily.
Notthemostencouragingnote.
But the moment of truth had arrived. Was there a chance in hell she could persuade a
frowningmantoatleasthaveadrinkwithher?
Shefeltinhergutthatherlifewaspoisedrightontheheadofapin,andwhatshedid
nextwouldeithercatapultherforwardorsendherbacktoherapartmentandasadbottle
oftequilaforcomfort.
Despitehisfrowns,shemadeaquickdecision.
Grabbingherclutch,andsettingherdrinkdown,sheslidoffthebarstoolandheadedin
hisdirection.She’dcomeheretotalktohimandtalktohimshewould,evenifallhedid
wastellhertogetlost.
Asshemountedthestairs,heturnedbackinthedirectionofthefoyerwithaslightjerkof
hishead.Withthatsmallmovement,hopesoared.
Shefoundhiminthefoyer,standingnearthetallwaterfeature.Asshedrewcloser,his
gazefelltohercleavage.Shewatcheddesiresparkinhiseyes,andanansweringresponse
racedthroughherbody.
Stillverynervous,shepushedherhairawayfromherthroat,andhisgazefollowed,his
nostrilsflaring.Heblinkedandhislipsparted.Shehadn’tbeenwrongabouthim;hewas
interestedinher.Yep,hewastheone.
“Iwashopingtotalktoyoutonight.I’veseenyouherebefore,ofcourse.”
Hesearchedhereyes.“Whatdoyouwant?”
Angelica’sturntofrown.She’dhopedforalittleice-breakingchitchat,maybethepromise
ofasmile.Insteadhisjawstiffenedasonceagainheheldhergaze,frowning.
Butshewasn’tabouttogiveup,atleastnotyet.“CanIbuyyouadrink?”
Heshookhisheadslowly.“Notinterested.”
Well,thatwasalie,soshepressedon.“Letmebuyyouoneanyway.”
Hiseyesnarrowed.“What’syourgame,Angelica?”
Herheartskippedacoupleofbeats.Heknewhername.Thatmeantsomething.
Swallowinghard,shedrewinadeepbreath.“Idon’thaveagame.Ijustwantedtotalk
toyou,maybegettoknowyou.”
“Inevertookyouforafortunehunter.GuessIwaswrong.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Whyelsewouldyoubetalkingtomelikethis?”
Shedidn’tunderstandwhyhesuddenlysoundedsohostile.Itmadenosense.“Youthink
I’mafteryourmoney?”
“Sure.Whynot?”
Hewasbeingincrediblyrude.“HowdoIknowyouevenhaveanickel?”
Hesnorted.“Womenlikeyoualwaysknow.”
“Women like me?” She shook her head. This was not how she’d imagined her first
conversationwithhimgoing.“Youknow,Iaskedaroundandnooneknowsmuchabout
youexceptthatyouhavetiestoEuropeandmaybeSouthAmerica.Yourlastnamesounds
Spanishenough.Andyoudresswell,butevenamonkeycouldputonafinesuitandCartier
watch,andlookwellshod.”
Somethingpassedthroughhiseyes—amusementmaybe,shecouldn’ttell.Butforasecond
heseemedalmosthuman.
Hissteelyexpressionreturnedfastenough,however,andhesquaredhisshoulders.“Let
mespeakplainly.”
“Oh,youhaven’tbeen?”
“Allright,letmespeakmorespecifically.Youdon’tbelonghereinthisclubandwhenI
sawthatyou’dstoppedcoming,Ithought,Good,onelessgolddiggertoworryabout.”
She compressed her lips but lowered her voice. “I’m not a gold digger. You’ve got me
wrong.”
“Thenhowaboutyoujuststicktoyourownkind?”
“Myownkind?Youmeanpeoplewhoworkhard,takecareoftheirfamilies,thatkind?”
Hesnorted.“Gohome,Angelica,toyourlittleapartmentandtothenumbersyoucrunch
all day long.” So he knew the details of her life. That meant something, too, but it also
madeheralittlenervous.Hadhebeencheckinguponher?
Heleanedclose,thoughhisvoicesoundedalittlesofter,notquitesomean.“Gohomeand
liveyourlife.Findsomeguywhocansetyouupinasuburbandmakebabieswithyou.
Isn’tthatwhatyoureallywant?”
Thequestionbroughtherupshort,maybeevengoingtotheheartofwhyshe’dcometo
theclubtonight.Shedecidedtobehonestwithhim.“Icouldhavehadthat,Isuppose.Yet
somehow,youwerewhatIwanted.Icamehereforyou.”
Heseemedtakenaback,surprisedeven.Hehuffedanexasperatedsighandtookherarm
inhishand.“Forfuck’ssake,justgohome.”
But the sudden physical contact had a strange effect on her as she met his gaze once
more.Desireforhimflowedalloveragain,anunstoppablewaveofneedthatbroughttears
tohereyes.Shecouldn’texplainitasanythingotherthanabone-deepinnerknowing.She
knewtheman’scruelwordsweren’ttruthful.Hewasmerelytryingtodriveheraway.
“Reyes,”shewhisperedsoftly.“You’renotindifferent.Icansenseit.AndIpromiseyou,
I’mnotafteranything,exceptthis.”Sheleanedupandkissedhim.
Hislipsweremoistandsensualandforjustamoment,heleanedintoherandreturned
thekiss.
Whenshefinallydrewback,hiseyesflaredoncemoreandthegriponherarmincreased.
“Whoareyou?”Hisvoicewasnowhoarseanddeep.
Shewantedtoaskhimtotakehersomewhere,anywhere,buthereleasedherarmand
oncemoreadoptedahardexpression.
“You’remakingamistake,Angelica.AndI’mbeggingyoutoleavethisclubandnever
comeback.Youbelongtuckedupinyoursafe,verynormallife.Thisone,Ipromiseyou,
thisonewilldestroyyou.”
Beforeshecouldaskwhatthehellhemeant,hemovedpastherbackinthedirectionof
thebar.
Angelicadidn’tknowwhattothink.Hiswordsseemedtosuggestshewasinsomekindof
danger,oratleastshewouldbeifshestayedhere.
Foralongbeat,sheconsideredfollowingafterhim,butthemomenthadpassed.She’d
givenhimplentyofopportunitytoengagewithher,butinsteadhewantedhertogoaway.
She moved forward toward the open front doors of the club. The cool ocean breeze
clearedhersensesasmorecustomersflowedintothelargefoyer.
Shecouldn’tbelieveshe’dkissedhim.She’dwantedtoshakehimup,andshewassure
she’dsucceeded,atleastalittle.Butapparentlynotenoughforhimtoaskhertostay.
Walkingtowardhercar,almostinadaze,hiswordskeptplayingoverinhermind:that
thisclubormaybethispartofsocietywoulddestroyher.Butwhatbotheredherthemost
washisreferencetohersafelife.
AsshereachedhermodestCamry,averysafecar,shedrewherkeysfromherclutchbut
gotnofurther.Shedidn’twanttogobacktoherusualroutine,tohernormallife.That’s
whatwentthroughherhead,anditmadeitimpossibletoputthekeyinthelock.
Sheknewthekisshadtouchedhim,openedhimalittle.Shecouldn’tbewrongaboutthat.
Shealsothoughtitpossiblethatifsheleftnow,she’dneverseehimagain,andthatwas
the last thing she wanted. She had to break through his icy barrier, get him to talk, and
maybeattheveryleasttoexplainwhyhethoughtshewasindanger.
Sheputherkeysbackinherpurseandturnedaround.Shehadtomakeonelastattempt
toreachhim.
Theparkinglotwaswelllitwithlotsofpeoplecomingandgoing.Thoughthereweretwo
ratherlarge,imposingmenattheendofherrowofcars,shehadnoreasontofeelatrisk.
Therewerejusttoomanypeoplearoundforanythingtogowrong.
Shemovedquicklyinthedirectionoftheclub,andatthesametimethetwomenpivoted
towardher.Ajoltoffearwentthroughher,aninstinctthatalmostturnedherfeetaround
once more. But even if they meant her harm, what could they possibly do with so many
witnessesnearby?
Shethereforestraightenedhershouldersandkeptongoing.However,justasshedrew
near,shesworetheairaroundthemgrewoddlydistorted,thewayheatwouldlookonsun-
blastedasphalt.
Sheblinkedandthenextmomentoneofthemengrabbedherarm,hauledheragainsthis
chest, and held her tight. The other pressed a cloth over her nose and mouth. The smell
nauseatedher,andshestruggledhard,kickingandscreaming,certainthatsomeonewould
cometohelpheror,ifnot,atleastcallthepolice.
Buthermindstartedspinning,shecouldn’tfeelherfeet,thenshewasfalling.
#
ThreedayslaterBroganReyessatinaverydifferentkindofclubdeepintheComocavern
system,hisnervesonedge.Sexslavesofeveryhumanethnicityworkedtheclubtable-to-
table,whilealivestageperformancekeptthecustomersonthevergeofrelease.
Fromtheearliesttimehecouldrememberhe’dsurvivedbyplayingarole,andtonight
wasnodifferent.Butifallwentwell,he’dgettheonethinghewantedaboveeverything
else:aninvitationtobecomeamemberoftheStarlinGroup.
JustafewnightsfromnowStarlinwouldhostanothergalaevent,andifheplayedhis
cardsright,hewasin.He’dpurchasehisfirstsexslaveandbecomepartoftheinnercircle
ofoneofthemostheinousslaveryringsinhisworld.
Onceinsidetheorganization,heintendedtobringthewholedamnthingdown.
Soheplayedhisrole,watchingthelivestageshowandbehavingasthoughhelikedthat
thewomanscreamedinpain.Thedom,coveredinleather,usedavarietyofimplementsto
draw blood. He knew the progression of torture well; given her pallor, she’d drop into
unconsciousnesssoon,thenanotherslavewouldbebroughtoutandtheprocesswouldbegin
again.
Partofhimwantedtorushthestage,grabthewoman,andgetherpermanentlyoutof
thishellhole.Ifhedid,however,he’ddestroydecadesspentbuildingareputationasaman
fully into the lifestyle. He had to perpetually think beyond the present moment, to the
thousandsofwomenandmenwholivedcagedinthispartoftheworld,servingthesadistic
needsofahungry,perverse,butwell-payingvampireclientele.
The club appealed to high-end slavers, with black marble on the walls layered with
swaths of emerald crystals. Soft lighting hung suspended over numerous linen-covered
tables,creatinganoddlyintimateatmosphereforthehorrortakingplacenotjustonstage
butallaroundhim.
Manyoftheclientelebroughttheirownslaveswiththemtoperformfellatiowhilethey
enjoyedtheevening’sentertainment.Ecstaticmoansoccasionallyrolledthroughtheclubas
waitstaffkeptthedrinkscoming.
Thisclubwasatthedarkendofthelifestyle,wheretheslaveslivedconstantlywiththe
threatoftorture.Butotherclubswereworse,involvingasnuffelement.Those,heavoided.
He’dsacrificedalottocreatehiscover,buthedrewthelineatwatchingslavesmurdered
forthepurposeofsexualgratification.
He lifted his now-empty glass to a passing female slave, toggling it slightly. She came
towardhimonaquickstep,eyesflaring.Withthatonebriefsignal,heknewhertype:She
mighthaveenteredtheworldasaslave,butshe’dfullyembracedthelifestyleandlearned
thefineartofturningpainintopleasure.
OnhisperipheryhesawthattwoStarlinmensatatanearbytable,nodoubtassignedto
observehim.Hethereforehadhisownlittleperformancetogive,andthisslavewouldbe
perfectforwhatheneededtodo.
ShewasAsian,withstraightblackhairtohershoulders,andworeacostumemadeup
entirely of chains crisscrossed over most of her body. The chains left nothing to the
imagination,revealingbarebreasts,buttocks,andanarrowblacklandingstrip.
“What’syourpleasure,MasterReyes?”Sheheldhersmallroundservicetraytowardhim.
With one hand he placed the tumbler in the center, but with the other he grabbed the
chain that ran from the middle of her chest, downward between her legs, then rose to
connecthighonherback.Hepulled,onehardtug.
Shegasped,herchinquivering.
He watched her face as the pain transformed into something sweeter, and in a slow
rhythmheworkedthechainupanddown.“WhatIwantrightnowisyourmouthonmy
dick.”
Withherdarkeyesglittering,shesethertrayonhistable,thendroppedtoherknees.
Shedidallthework,unbucklinghispants,lickinghim,teasinghisballs.Withhiseyeson
thestage,shetookhimdeep,herheaddoingaslowbobasheleanedbackinhischair.
Hewasn’thappyaboutthesituation,whichmeanthestruggledtophysicallyenjoythe
process,buthekepthiseyeontheprize:provingtotheStarlinspiesthathe’dadoptedthe
slaverwayoflife.
Shepausedforamoment,lookingupathim,andwhispered.“You’relegendary,master.”
Sherubbedherthumbslowlyoverhiscrown.“Takemehome,later?Myownerwon’teven
charge,notifheknowsit’syou.”
Herwordspleasedthehelloutofhim,notbecausesheapplaudedhissexualprowess,but
becauseshe’dinadvertentlytoldhimthatherownerwouldtreathimjustlikehedidallthe
bigboysatStarlin.He’dworkedahelluvalongtimetoachievethisposition,spendinga
largeportionofhisfortunesecuringthegoodwillofthevariousclubowners.
Hesmiledandleanedclosetobiteherear,sinkinghisteethharduntilhetastedbloodon
histongue.Herepressedthepartofhimthatwantedmoreofthesweet-tastingelixir,that
wantedadeepdrawatherthroat,thensatbackoncemore.
Shelookedupathimagain,herlipsswollenasshebreathedhard,clearlyenjoyinghis
attentions.“Please,master.”
“We’llsee.Takecareofmenowandwe’lldiscussterms.”
Shesmiledandwentbacktowork,headbobbingoncemore.
Hishatredofthesex-slaveworldwentdeep,sotosustainhisarousal,helethisminddrift
intodangerouswaters:intotherecentpastwhenhe’dseenAngelicaattheOceanClub.
Themerethoughtofherbroughtpleasureflowingandhishipsflexingslightly.
Angelica.
She’dbehissalvationinthisheinoussituation;imagesofherwouldseehimthrough.
Herecalledherreddressandthemostbeautifuldisplayofcleavagehe’dseeninalong
time.Shehadlookedsodamnsexy,sobeautifulwhenhe’dfirstseenhersittingatthebar,
herlonglegscrossedattheknee,hergazefixedonhim.He’drecognizedtheinvitationand
wishedlikehellhecouldhavetakenheruponit,takenherhome,madelovetoher.God
knew,he’dwantedto.
Themorehefocusedonthosememories,themorehisbodyresponded,sohestayedwith
them.She’dlookedevenprettierupclose,withlargebrowneyes,madeupjustright,her
lips shiny with gloss. Then she’d kissed him, one of the biggest surprises of his life. He’d
wantedtokeeponkissingher,tolayalineofkissesacrossthemoundsofherbreasts,to
runhishandsupherdress,tosinkhisfingersdeepinsideherwetness.
Hemoanedandthemouththatworkedhimsuckedjustalittleharder,alittlefaster,a
perfectresponse.
HesawAngelicanaked,herlayeredhairshovedbehindhercreamyshoulders,herthroat
exposed,pulsebeatinginherneck.
Desireflowedashesawnothingbuther,imaginingthefeelofherbreastsbeneathhis
fingersandhismouthsuckingeachnipplerepeatedlyuntilherbodyrespondedwithheavy
undulations.
Withthesethoughts,pleasuresoared.Hecuppedthebackoftheslave’shead.Sheknew
thesignalandsuckedfaster.ButhismindwasfullofAngelicanow,herlonglegs,hisknees
spreading them wide. He was over her now, pushing his cock inside, pumping into her,
fasterandfaster.
Hislowerbacktightenedandthereleasecame,streakinglikelightningthroughhiscock.
Angelica.
Shewastheone.Theonehe’dwanted,desired,needed.
Ashispleasurepeakedhegroaned,notcaringifhewasheardabovealltheothersounds
intheclub.
Angelica.
His breathing slowed and he leaned back in the chair, his mind still spinning with the
imageshe’dcreated.
HefrownedashethoughtofAngelica,ofhowmuchhewantedher,howmuchhewished
shewerehererightnow,withhim.Thatwouldneverhappen,ofcourse,notinamillion
years.
After a moment the slave leaned back on her heels. She gently tucked him inside his
briefs,zippedhimup,fumbledwiththebutton,thenbuckledhisbelt.Allneatandtidy.
Thoughshesmiled,hesawherdrawncheeks,thepinchatthecornerofeacheyeasshe
workedtoholdbackheremotions.Heknewwhatitwastobeinherposition,tohaveto
engagesexuallyondemand,oftenseveraltimesanight.
Fuckthishorriblesituationandthewaythisslavehadbeenbrutalized.Hetookherchin
inhandand,leaningdown,hewhisperedinherear,“Youbroughtmebeautifully.Thank
you.”
When he leaned back again in his seat, her dark eyes grew haunted and she spoke
quickly.“Master,pleasebuyme.Iwouldgiveanythingtoserveinyourhouse.Iknowmy
ownerwouldallowit.LikeIsaid,he’ddoanythingforyou.Hesaysyou’retobethenext
Starlinmember.Please.Ineedtogetoutofhere.”
Hefeltherdesperation,butwiththeStarlinboyswatchinghim,hestillhadhisroleto
play.
He steeled himself and took on a bored expression. “All I want from you right now is
anotherMaker’sMark,neat.”
The light of hope died swiftly in the woman’s eyes. She nodded, rising to her feet and
movingawayasfastashershackledankleswouldallow.
HemadehimselfapromisethatassoonashebroughtStarlindown,he’dstartdestroying
clubslikethisoneuntiltheywereallgoneandslaverywasathingofthepastinhisworld.
ThankGodhe’dbeenabletowarnAngelicaawayfromtheOceanClub.Whatshedidn’t
know, what he hadn’t been able to tell her, was that she perfectly fit the bill for Starlin
acquisition.Notjustbecauseofherbeauty,butmoreimportantbecauseshehadnomoney
tospeakofandherclosestrelativewasinfirm.
Earlierintheyearhe’dseentheStarlinteamscopingher,sohe’ddonehisownsurface
investigation and learned the basic details of her life. He understood her vulnerability.
Fortunately,atleastuntilafewdaysago,she’dstoppedcomingtotheclubandhe’dbeen
relieved.
But the moment he’d seen her, he knew she was in danger. She’d never looked more
beautifulorsexierandtheStarlinteamhadalreadyarrived,huntingfortherightwomento
snatch.
He’dwatchedherleavetheclub,thenhe’dtakenoffintheoppositedirection,heading
backtohishomeinItaly.Hejusthopedtohellthatinthefutureshe’dstayaway.Theone
thinghe’dlearnedwasthattheacquisitionteamsworkedclubsalmostexclusively,allover
theworld,grabbingwomenandsometimesmentosellatauction.Witnessesatclubswere
notoriouslyunreliable—anotherperfectaspectofthewholesetup.
Hisserverreturnedwithhisdrink,buthereyeswerenowpassive,nolongerpleading.
Shemovedawayslowerthistime.Hefeltherdespairlikeapalpableweightintheair,but
hekepthisgazefixedonthestage.
He drank his whiskey in slow sips and after a few more minutes, from his peripheral
vision,hewatchedtheStarlinspiesleavetheirtable.Theywouldmakeafullreport.Ifthe
godssmiled,he’dgetthatfuckinginvitation.
Heneededtogetthehelloutoftheclub,takeahotshowerusingplentyofsoap,buthe
remained where he was just in case there were others tracking his movements and
reporting,spieshedidn’tknowabout.
Afteranotherhour,andanotherwhiskey,hewasabouttoleavewhenaslavebrought
himanembossedenvelope.HerecognizedtheStarlininsignia,anSwithachaininacircle
aroundit.
Hestrovetocalmthesurgeofadrenalinethatrocketedthroughhim.Thiswasit,what
he’dbeenworkingtowardalltheseyears.
Breakingthegoldseal,hepulledoutthecardandread.TheStarlinGroupextendsthewarm
handoffellowshipandrequestsyourpresenceatallfutureevents.Congratulationsandwarmest
wishestoournewestmember.Yourfellowslaver,MasterEngles.
Heglancedupatthemaleslave,whomheknewtobeoneofEngles’smanyassistants.
EngleswasthemantoimpressandReyeshadapparentlygottenthejobdone,butithad
takenyears.“YoumaytellyourmasterIammostgrateful.”
Theslave,hisfacealsoafamiliarmaskofimpassivity,noddedonce,thenleft.
Reyesremainedanotherhalfanhour,apowerfuleuphoriaflowingthroughhisveins.His
forearmrestedovertheinvitation,thephysicalreminderofwhathe’daccomplished.
Hisgazesoughtouttheslavehe’dusedearlier.Asshedroppedtoherkneesinfrontofyet
anotherslaver,awomanthistime,hepromisedhimselfhe’dgetheroutalongwithallthe
otherswhohadservedhimwhilehebuilthisheinousreputation.
Hisplanswerefinallyfallingintoplace.ThenextauctionwouldtakeplaceonFriday,
followed by several gala parties. On the block would be beauties gathered from every
corneroftheworld,andtocementhisreputationhe’dbuyhisfirstslave,orevenagroupof
slaves.
Whenthewomanonstagefinallypassedout,thedomtossedheroverhisshoulderand
hauledheraway.Aroundofapplauserippledthroughtheaudience,alongwithcallsfor
moredrinks.Anothergroupofslavesenteredthestagetocleanup.
Reyesfinallyrosetoleave.
Pulling a well-packed money clip from the pocket of his pants, he dropped several
thousandonthewhitelinen,thenheadedhome.
#
Angelicalayonahardmattressthatsmelledofbloodandurine,herhandsboundbehind
her. She couldn’t keep her eyes open and her head felt as if spikes had been jammed
throughthetopofherskull.Mostlyherarmswerekillingherinthisposition.
Shesensedthatconsiderabletimehadpassedsinceshe’dlastseenReyesatBriggs’sOcean
Club,butshehadnoideahowmuch.Days,atleast.
She also had vague recollections of being awakened, forced to drink things she didn’t
wantto,thenshovedbackdownonthesamemattresstosleepforlongperiodsoftime.
Herarmshadn’talwaysbeenboundlikethis—onlyaftershe’dtriedtoclawoneofher
captors’eyesout.
Shestilldidn’tunderstandwhereshewas,whatwashappeningtoher,orhowlongshe’d
beeninwhatshecouldonlydescribeassomekindofjailcellsetinacave,averylarge
cave.
“How’sSleepingBeauty?”Awoman’svoicereachedher,sweetandmelodious.Aspurtof
hopesweptthroughher.
“Coming‘round,mistress.”
“Well,getinthere,stripherdown,andletmehavealook.TheStarlinacquisitionteam
saidshe’sworthatleasttwomillion.”
“Yes,mistress.”
Hopecrashed.
Angelicatriedtositup.Shewantedtofightwhoeveritwasthatintendedtofollowthe
woman’sorders,butshe’donlymadeittoherelbowwhenahandgrabbedherarmand
hauledhertoherfeet.
“Hey.”Herprotestcameoutslurred.
Forthisoneword,shereceivedahardslapacrosshermouth.
“HowmanytimeshaveItoldyounottohittheface?Humansdon’thealfast.”
Angelica processed this statement, but couldn’t make sense of it. What did the woman
meanbyhumansnothealingfast?
“Sorry,mistress.”
“Bringhercloser.”
Angelica’sfacethrobbedashercaptordraggedhertothefrontofthecell,thenpulledher
uprightforinspection.Betweenthepaininherheadfromwhateverdrugsshe’dbeengiven
andthenewblowtoherface,shecouldbarelyopenhereyes.
“Closer.”
Blinking,shehadablurredviewofthebarsofhercellandafigurebeyond.
“Aw,whyareyoucrying,sweetheart?”Thewomancluckedhertongue.“Hedidn’thityou
thathard.”
“Notcrying,”Angelicamanagedthroughthickenedlips.Shemighthavebeen,shewasn’t
sure,butlikehellshe’dgivethisshe-devilareasontothinksmallofher.
“Well,atleastyou’vegotsomespirit.”Thewomantiltedherhead—thatmuchAngelica
coulddetermine,buthervisionstillwasn’tworkingright.
“Getherclothesoff.Ineedtoseethegoods.”
AtthatAngelica’sinstinctstookover.Shethrashedintheman’shold,kickingathimand
screaming.Ofcourseshecouldn’tdomuchwithherarmsbound.Still,shefoughthimhard.
Somethingstruckthebackofherheadandallwentblack.
Shewokeupwithapungentsmellwaftingbeneathhernose.Againshecameupfighting,
butshedidn’tgetfarsincerestraintsheldherdown,flatonherback.
Andshewasnaked.
Shebreathedhard,tryingtotwist,butherankleswerepinnedaswell.
“Youneedtorelax,princess.”
Thewomanofthemelodiousvoicehadreturned,onlynowshewasinsidethecell.
Shedrewclosetothebedandsatdownonastoolbesidetheputridmattress.Sheputa
handonAngelica’sthroat,strokingdownthesideofherneck.“Yourbloodhasawonderful
smell, very rich. I’m tempted to sample you myself. Unfortunately, we always promise
pristine,never-before-bittengoodstoourclientele.”
Angelicarockedherheadbackandforth.“Getthehellawayfromme.”
Shecouldfinallysee,despitehowbadlyherheadached.
The woman smiled at her, but her dark-blue eyes held a cruel glint, truly malevolent,
despite her otherwise angel-like appearance. She looked like something out of an old
painting, with light-red hair in a mass of curls, pale skin, small pink lips, and large
cornflower-blueeyes.
Angelicacouldn’tbattlethewoman,butmaybeshecouldreasonwithher.“Listen,Idon’t
belonghere.There’sbeensomekindofmistake.”
The woman’s small lips curved into a bow. “Of course you belong here. You’re built
exactlyrightforourneeds.”
Achillranthroughher.“Whatdoyoumeanneeds?”
“You’reawoman.Figureitout.”
Thestatementconfirmedherworstfears.“Sex.”
“Ofcourse,andallsortsofvariationssoyou’llneverbebored.”
Angelicashuddered.“Can’tyouletmeoutoftheserestraints?”
“No,Ican’t.Youalmostblindedoneofmyworkers.Youmustbeobedientwhileyou’rein
ourcare,doyouunderstand?”
The woman slid her hand down Angelica’s chest and began caressing her bare breasts,
movinginslowcircles.“Youhaveveryfull,exquisitebreasts,bytheway.Doesthatfeel
good?”
Angelicasquirmed,tryingtogetawayfromtheunwelcometouch.“I’mnotintowomen.”
“They all say that at first, but pretty soon you’ll be doing a lot of things you never
thoughtyou’ddo.Andgivenyourspirit,Ifeelcompelledtoofferatasteofthekindofpain
you’llexperienceifyoudon’tdoasyou’retold.”
The woman took hold of Angelica’s left nipple between her thumb and forefinger and
pinchedharderandharder.Angelicatwisted,tryingtogetrelief,butthepressureincreased.
She looked at the woman’s face and saw a kind of euphoria in her features. She was
enjoyinghurtingher.
“Sorry,precious,butthisisgonnagetworsebeforeitgetsbetter.Trytorelax.”
“It’sbadenoughalready.”Shespokethewordsbetweengasps.
SomethingthatfeltlikefirebegantoburnthroughAngelica’snipple,aburnthatkept
coming,keptincreasing.Sheheardscreams,thenrealizedtheybelongedtoher.
“Beautiful,”thewomansaidsoftly.“Ireallyamtemptedtokeepyouformyself.Let’ssee
howmuchyoucantake.Ihadn’tmeanttogothisfar,butyou’vegotsomechops,mydear.”
Thefierypainbroadened,expandingthroughherbreast.Sheshook,criedout,andwept.
Thepainwasbeyondbearing.Shewassureitcouldn’tgetworse,thenitdid.
“Whatstamina.IswearIhaven’tseensomeoneofyourpotentialinmorethanacentury.
You’ll do extremely well on the block, just wait and see. But you’ll need to rein in your
spiritifyouwanttosurvive,anddon’teversayIdidn’twarnyou.”
Her vision began to blacken. As Angelica slipped into unconsciousness once more, she
sawthewomansmile,afinalimageshe’dneverforget.
ChapterTwo
OnFridaynightReyesstraightenedimmaculatecuffs,heldtogetherbyblackonyxlinks.His
Brioni tux, ordered months ago, fit like a glove and looked like the fortune it had cost.
Shoes,Italianleather.Watch,limited-editionCartier.
He’dleftnothingtochance.Whatheaccomplishedattheauctiontonightwouldbethe
finaldoorhe’dusetoentertheStarlinworldforgood.He’dworkedtowardthismomentfor
alongtime,buildinghisbad-boy,playerreputationandfinallygainingmembership.
But having access to all the Starlin events was only the beginning and he knew that.
Therecouldbenoeasingoff.Ifanything,heneededtoworkjustalittlehardertomake
sure that the front man for the operation, Damien Engles, totally bought his cover, the
reasonheintendedtopurchaseaslavetonight.
OncehehadEngles’ssupport,hecouldbeginpushingtheboundariesofthecorporation
tofindoutonceandforallexactlywhowasbehindtheStarlinGroup.Onlythenwouldhe
knowwhatstepshe’dneedtotaketodestroyanorganizationthathadenslaved,tortured,
andmurderedhundredsofthousandsofinnocentpeople,humanandvampire.
His heart thrummed with excitement and with a familiar deep need to pay-it-back-in-
fucking-full.Theslaveryhe’denduredhimselfforafullcenturyhadcreatedhisprofound
wishtochangethestatusquo.Slaveryhadgoneonformillenniaandmaybethatwaspart
oftheproblem:Timehadgivenitacertainacceptabilityandtolerance.
Notthathecared.Hehadonepurposeinhislife,andhemeanttoseeitthroughevenif
hediedintheattempt.
His reasons were personal since he’d never found his captor. She’d eluded him all this
time,stayingonestepaheadofhim,livingherlifeinsecrecy,perhapsknowingthatonce
hefoundher,he’dkillher.However,shehadalotofpowersinherarsenal,andoneof
themwastheabilitytocreateintricatedisguises.
She’dboughthimatauction,orsohe’dbeentold.Hehadn’tbeenconsciousbythetime
he’dbeentakentotheactualbiddingblock.He’dfoughthiscaptorshard,somethingthat
hadappealedtohersadisticnature.Theonlywaythey’dbeenabletomanagehimwasby
bindinghimwithadozenchains,allenhancedwithpreternaturalpower.
SweetDove,theonlynamehe’deverknownherby,hadofferedthehighestbidinsex-
slavehistory.Thenshe’dtornhimdown,onedropofbloodatatime,oneinflictedwound
after another, depriving him of sleep and of sustenance, until he’d become a mass of
incoherentthoughts.
She’drebuilthimwithsex,chaininghimupandmakinghimcomerepeatedlywithevery
partofherbody,untilhissoulshutoffandhebecametheanimalshe’dcraved.
He’dengagedwithherthen,fullyandcompletely,holdingnothingback.
Yet some part of him had remained intact, and began a painfully slow resurgence, a
processthattookoveracentury.BythetimeheescapedSweetDove’scavernlair,he’dhad
onlyonethought:togetridofherkindforever,thesexslaversthatusedhumansandfellow
vampireslikeanimals.
Maybe he hadn’t found her yet, but in the meantime he’d undermine the world she’d
helpedcreateandnodoubtcontinuedtosustainwithherwealthandpatronage.Asfaras
heknewshehadnoassociationwithStarlin,butthisarmofthesex-slavetradefunctioned
inawaythatfeltveryfamiliartohim,withlayersofsecrecyhehadn’tseensincehistime
withher.Thoughhebelievedthatamanheadedupthisorganization,somehowhewouldn’t
havebeensurprisedtofindshewasamajorcontributor,atleastonsomelevel.
Half an hour later he arrived at the auction site, deep inside the underground cavern
system. The large ballroom-sized space was beautifully decorated with carved slabs of
polished black granite embedded in the rock walls and surrounded by intricate carvings.
Thefloorwasmadeofthesamegranite.Thehousedisplayedlargephotosofeachofthe
slavesoneaselsspreadaroundtheroom,sothatbuyerscouldlookoverthetwentywomen
whowouldbeauctionedthatnight.
Servers came up to him, offering drinks and anything else he wanted, bare-breasted
beautifulwomenandmenwhoalwaysrevealedwhattheyhadtooffer.Someevenlooked
himoverandmadeovertures.
Herefusedthemall,politely,butcarriedawhiskeyashemovedaroundthelargecavern.
Giventhathe’dbeengraduallymakinghimselfknowninthedarkersex-slaveclubs,the
presence of so many owners at the auction with their slaves in tow seemed par for the
course.Mostofthecaptivesworepainfulcollarswithleashesattachedandverylittleorno
clothing; they bore plenty of bruises, cuts, and bite marks. Public sexual exchange was a
given, part of the allure of the lifestyle, so that couches in different configurations were
scatteredaroundtheroom,aswellaswingbackchairs.
Liketheclubhe’dbeenatearlierintheweek,moanssoundedthroughtheroom.
Thetruthwas,whenhe’dfirstwitnessedtheovertnatureofthelifestyle,he’dquestioned
his ability to go through with his plans. As sadistic as Sweet Dove had been, she hadn’t
takenhimtopubliceventsliketheseandputhimondisplay.Ofcourse,she’dheldbrutal
privatepartiesandhe’denduredmuchworsethananythinghewaswitnessingtonight.But
whathe’dlearnedlaterwasthatbecauseSweetDovehadfearedlosinghimtoanaggressive
competitor, who might have done anything to get his hands on Reyes, she’d kept him
hidden.
Now, after decades of being in the clubs while he built his reputation, he was fairly
immunetothesufferingaroundhim,butonlybecausehemadenightlypromisestohimself
thathewouldgetridofthisscourgenomattertheprice.
Mostofthefemaleslavesparadedbyproudownerswerevampires,prizedbecausethey
could outlast their human counterparts by decades. But for those men and a few women
whowantedtheexcitementofthemorefragilehumanslaves,whobruisedandscreamed
moreeasily,theauctionsfeaturingthebesthumanwaresbroughtalmosteveryonetothe
monthlyevents,ifonlytowatchthebiddingwars.
Someoftheslavessoldtonightwoulddiequicklyatthetwo-weekmark,aweaknessof
thehumanracethatcouldn’tbepredictedorhelped.
Otherswouldperishatasix-monthtransition,anotherhumanphenomenonandonethat
manywhoenjoyedtheslavelifestylepaidtowatch,asortofsnuffversionofthevampire
world.Fortuneschangedhandsoverthebettingthatwentonduringtransitionweeks.
WhenReyeshadescaped,he’dchangedhisidentity,andbecauseSweetDovehadkept
himlockedaway,andalsobecausehe’dshavedoffhislonghair,noonerecognizedhim
now.Thefacialscruffheworealsoenhancedhisalteredappearance.
Heworkedoutaswell,sothathispresencetendedtodominatemostrooms,sodifferent
fromwhathe’dknownasaslave.SweetDovehadkepthiminaweakenedstate.Abouta
decade ago, he’d added a series of tattoos to further establish his new identity. He now
sportedahawkwithwingsthatstretchedacrossthetopofhisback,andacollagecovered
hisupperrightarmandshoulder,offoliageandsymbolsthathadgreatmeaningtohim.
Nowhewashere,playinghisroleasaslaverandaStarlinmember.Manycameupto
congratulatehimandeventooffertheuseoftheirslaves.Hethankedeveryone,hisface
almostasimpassiveastheslavesontheirleashes.
Heignoredthesexgoingonallaroundhimandtookhistimeviewingthepicturesofthe
slaves who would soon be auctioned. He paused before each nude image, feigning deep
interest,buthebarelylookedatthewomen.Theywereheavilymadeup,anothersignof
theirenslavement,butevenlookingfeltlikeaviolation.
Theauctionhadtwoparts.Thefirstinvolvedtheindividualslaves;inthesecond,several
groupsoffivewomensoldforoneprice.
He’dalreadymadeuphismindtofocushiseffortsonpurchasingagroupofslavessince
he’dsavefivewomeninsteadofjustone.
He continued to move slowly, sipping his whiskey. The auction had become a time to
preen,somethingpopularamongthiswealthyset.MostwouldgotoEngles’safter-auction
party to celebrate the purchases that would take place tonight. Those who successfully
bought a slave, or even a group of slaves, would be expected to show off the prize, and
especiallytodemonstratedominance.
He’dmadeacompletecircuitbythetimehereachedthelastphotograph,awomanwith
dark-brown hair and, as he’d come to expect, heavily made-up eyes. For a moment,
however,ashestaredattheportrait,hismindfilledwithflashesofAngelicaattheOcean
Club,ofherreddressandsoftlipsasshekissedhim.
He stepped closer to the photo, frowning now. He wasn’t focusing very well, and a
strangeredhazehadstartedtoflowoverhiseyes.Hisarmstensedup,thenhisthighs,his
bodyreactingtowhathewaslookingatbeforehismindcouldcatchuptowhathewas
actuallyseeing.
ThewomaninthisphotolookedlikeAngelica.
Aterriblesinkingsensationgrabbedhisheartandpulledhard.Heshookhisheadonce.
Hecouldn’tbelieveitwastrue,thiscouldn’tbetrue,couldn’tbeher.
Angelica.
He’dtoldhertoleavetheplaceandnevercomeback.Thenshe’dkissedhim.Hecould
stillfeelherlipsonhis,asofthummingagainsthismouth.
Afterward,he’dwatchedherleavetheclub.
Angelica.
Hewantedtobemistaken,buthewouldknowthoseeyes,thatnose,theshapeofherlips
aswellashisown.She’dbeencapturedbytheStarlinGroupdespitehisefforts.Howthe
hellhadthishappened?Howhadhenotknown?
“She’stheone.”
Heturned,hismindstillfree-falling,tostareintoEngles’sface.“Pardon?”
Themannarrowedhisgaze,thentookasipfromhistumbler.“JustthoughtI’dletyou
knowthatshe’smine.TheStarlinacquisitionteamwhofoundhersomewhereintheStates
saidtheyhadaliveone,arealfighter.”
Angelicawouldhavefoughthercaptors.Heknewthatabouther,knewherspiritwould
be part of her appeal. She might seem innocent and have a kind, even vulnerable
appearance,butshealsohadstrengthofwillandcourage.Hell,she’dkissedhimdespitehis
abrasiveattemptstogetridofher.
He needed to adjust quickly to this reality, to pull himself together, because the man
claiming Angelica for tonight’s auction was Damien Engles. He was the one man whose
goodsideReyesneededtocultivateaboveeveryoneelseinthissoul-suckingroom.
Takingadeepbreath,hereorderedhissenses.
HeshovedhishandoutandEnglestookit.“BroganReyesandyou’reMasterEngles.Very
nicetomeetyouandIwanttothankyouformymembership.Ilookforwardtomanyyears
of,shallwesay,pleasurableassociation.”Heevensmiled.
Hismindmightbeinturmoil,butyes,hecouldsmile.DecadesofservicetoSweetDove
hadbuiltupafineskillset.
Englesheldhisgaze.Themanmethimeye-to-eye,straighton,puttinghimatasimilar
six-five.Hisgripwassolid.HethenaddedabitmorepressurebeforehereleasedReyes’s
hand,afamiliarsignalthatheconsideredhimselftopdogandwantedReyestoknowit.
Starlin’sfrontmanworeatailoredtux,finelycutbutofashimmeringdark-bluesilkthat
made him stand out, no doubt by design. He had dark-brown wavy hair that he combed
awayfromhisface,thickarchedbrows,andround,almostinnocentbrowneyes.Hisnose
waslargeandaquiline,givinghimthelookofapredatorybird.Hehadadeepcleftinhis
chin.Oddly,helookedlikethemanhewas,asthoughevenhisfeatureshadconspiredto
revealamanofviolentintentionwithjustenoughinnocencetolurehisvictimsintoafalse
senseofsafety.
ReyesturnedbacktoAngelica’sphotoandhesippedhisdrink.“She’sverybeautiful.”
“Yes, but it’s the expression in her eyes, don’t you think? I know what they put these
womenthroughtogetthemreadyforauction,yetinthisphotojustlookattheglintofrage
inhereyes.Yes,she’stheone.”
Reyestookdeepbreaths.HeknewEngles’spreferenceforfighters,justlikeSweetDove.
Hewantedsomeonehecouldbreaktohiswill.
ThethoughtofAngelicafallingintoEngles’shandsnearlyundidhisresolution.Hedidn’t
want her hurt like that, her mind and soul destroyed, her body tortured. In addition,
Engles’shumanslavesneverlivedverylong.
Buthehadajobtodo,abigone,thatwentwaybeyondwhatwouldhappenheretonight
—andthatincludedAngelica’sfate.
Hehadtosticktohisplan,hehadtorememberthathewasworkingtosavethousandsof
women from the fate she would soon endure. Whatever happened tonight would be a
tragedyforher,buthecouldn’tjeopardizehismissionforalonehumanfemale.
Andifshesurvivedhercaptivity,he’dmakeithismissiontofindherandtakeheroutof
herhell,butrightnow,heneededtostaytough.MorethanjustAngelica’slifewasatstake.
HeliftedhisdrinktoEngles.“I’msurethiswomanwillbeallthatyou’rehopingfor.”
He’dintendedtowalkaway,butEnglesheldhimback.“Areyoubiddingtonight?”
Reyessmiled,abroadcomprehensivesmilehe’dlearnedtoofferallthoseyearsago.“I
camefornootherpurpose,butI’mlookingformoreof,shallwesay,agroupexperience.”
Englesclappedhimontheshoulder.“Goodman.”
He took one last look at Angelica’s photo and saw what Engles had meant and what
wouldmakehertonight’sstar.Shehadadefiantexpressioninhereye.Aslavewithspirit
always tempted the most sadistic owners. Angelica would have done better to have
appearedbrokenandsubmissivebecauseshewouldhavegainedoneofthemorehumane
owners.Herchancesatsurvivalwouldhaveincreasedtremendously.
Hefeltsickinhisgutsuddenly,thatthewomanwhohadkissedhim,whohadforabrief
momentfilledhimwithsomethinglikehope,wouldbesoldtoEnglestonight.
Hecursedmentallyashesignaledtooneoftheservers.
“WhatcanIgetforyou,master?”
“Maker’sMark,neat.Makeitadouble.”
#
Angelicafeignedadrugged-outstateinthehopeoffindingherwayoutofcaptivity.Forthe
first time in a week, she was outside her prison cell, all her attention focused on her
surroundings,ontryingtofigureoutwhereshewas.Shesearchedeverywall,lookingfora
doorwayorsomekindofaccesstotheoutsideworld.Thetroublewas,sheseemedtobein
somekindofcavernsystem,whichseverelylimitedthenumberofwaysout.
Shestoodinalonglineofwomen,eachdresseddifferentlyinstrangecostumesthatleft
verylittletotheimagination.
Shenowunderstoodthatshe’dfallenintosomekindofsex-slaveryring,operatedwithin
averystrangesecretsociety,thatkeptitswomeninsideakindofprison.Shedidn’tknow
whereshewasorevenwhatpartoftheworld.She’dbeenoneofdozensofwomeninthe
samesituation,allheldinseparatecellsinthesameprison-likefacility.
Hercaptorshadputherthroughhelloverthepastseveraldays.She’dbeenstrippedof
herclothesandtieddown,thenbeatenforscreamingthatshewantedout.Tohersurprise,
none of the other women had put up such a racket, but then maybe her screams when
torturedhadtaughttheresttokeepquiet.
Intheendthey’ddruggedher.Atleastthen,she’dslept.
Butafewhoursagothemaleservantassignedtoherhadproddedherawakeandforced
coffee down her throat. The final prepping had begun, as she was bathed, manicured,
coiffed,madeup,andfinallyadornedwithhercostume,suchasitwas.Sheworeonlya
headdress, draped with a long gauzy floor-length scarf in a leopard print. She could
appreciatetheartistry,exceptthatshewasotherwisecompletelynaked.
Alltheotherwomenhadadoptedsubmissiveattitudes,whichpissedheroff.Iftheyall
foughttheircaptorstogether,maybethey’dhaveachanceofescape.
Thelinemovedintermittently,andtheseveralmaleservantsinchargespokequietlyinto
headphones,proddingthewomenasneeded.Noonetalked.Noonedared.Themencarried
Taserswiththem.
At the same time a number of shirtless men, real bodybuilder types, who wore black
leather pants and carried whips, lined the walls. She didn’t need to be a genius to
understandthethreat.Evenso,shekeptlookingforameansofescape.
Ifonlyshecouldfindadoorway,anythingshecouldslipthrough,nomatterwhereitled;
she’dtakethechance.Everyinstinctscreamedthatthiswouldbeheronlyopportunityto
escape.
Hopedimmed,however,whenthelinereachedwhatlookedlikethebackstageareaof
somekindoftheater.Shehadn’tseenasingledoororhallway—nothingthatcouldhave
takenherawayfromthis.
Butwhatweretheydoinginatheater?Wouldeachofthemberequiredtoperformin
somekindofstripshow?
Sheglanceddownatherbreasts,beadedinthecoldcaveair,andshewouldhavelaughed
if her situation hadn’t been so horrific. If she was supposed to strip, what would that
involve?Takingoffthescarf?
Asshemovedbythewingsofthestage,pastseveralrowsofcurtainsandbackdrops,she
sawthefirstofthewomenwalkingdownarunwayofsomekindfollowedbyapplause.
Definitelyashowofsomekind.
Butthenextwordsfrozeherheart.“We’llbeginthebiddingonthisfineChinesewareat
ten thousand dollars. Do I hear ten thousand? Yes, the gentleman on my left. Do I hear
eleven?Tothegentlemeninthegreenblazer.Verynice.Twelve?”
When she’d first realized that she was being held a prisoner, she’d had many thoughts
aboutwhatwashappeningtoher.Butnotoneofthemhadinvolvedbeingcalled“ware”by
anauctioneer,orhearinganaudienceapplaudingeachbid.
#
Reyessatatasmallglasstable,onekneecrossedovertheother.Aserverhoverednearby
justforhim.Ontheothersideofthestage,Englessatdirectlyoppositeandhadalready
raisedhisglass,makingitcleartoReyesyetagainthatheexpectednocompetitionforhis
bid.
ButEngleswassafefromhim.He’dlongsincemadehisdecisionandwouldstickwithhis
plan,despitethefactthathisnerveshadgrownraggedwithwaiting.Hedreadedseeing
Angelicawalkdowntherunway.
Thebidshadalreadystartedandhefeignedhisinterestineachwoman,knowingthatas
thenewestStarlinmemberhewouldbewatchedforalongtime.Evensexslaveryhada
probationaryperiod.
Many would be curious about him. Others, like Engles, would want to know how his
loyalties fell. He had an organization to protect so no doubt everyone, including Reyes,
wouldrequirecontinualsurveillanceandmonitoring.
How did Reyes know? Because he would have done the same thing, left nothing to
chance.Englesstruckhimasthesametypeofman,incompletecontrol.
Reyesfinishedhiswhiskey,thenorderedanother,justtokeeptheedgeoff.Theparadeof
captivewomendisgustedhim.Theywerefrightenedbywhatwashappeningtothem,and
morethanonehadstumbledinherstilettosonthewaydownthepolishedwoodrunway.
Hejusthadtogetthroughthenight,winhisbidforoneofthegroupsoffive,thengetthe
hellhome.
Butwhenthegavelcamedowntoindicatethatnumbernineteenhadjustbeensoldfor
one-million-five,hisstomachtwistedintoaknot.Thenewownerliftedheroffthestageand
carriedhertoadarkcorner.Amuffledscreamfollowed.
Reyesstruggledtosuppresshisrage,remindinghimselfforthehundredthtimetotakethe
longview,thatonedaythisorganizationwouldbetoast.
Then Angelica appeared at the top of the runway and he fell to a place of intense
stillness.Timeflowedtoastopashestaredather.Heforgotforamomentwherehewas.
Hesawonlyher,theshapeofherbrowneyes,herstraightnose,herfulllips.Shewasan
incredibly beautiful woman and carried herself like none of the others. He’d been right
abouther:evennowherspiritshowed.
SuddenlyhewantedtobebackattheOceanClub,butinsteadofwarningheraway,he
wantedherinhisarms,wantedtotakeherhome,tomakeherhis.Hecouldhaveprotected
herthen,ifonlyhe’dknownwhatwasinstoreforher.
Hisgazedrifteddownherbody,tofullbreastspeakedinthecoldroom,hernarrowwaist,
andtheelegantlineofherhipsandlegs.Shehadanarrowlandingpatch.
Unlikealltheothers,sheatfirstrefusedtomove,whichcausedthetensionandinterestin
theaudiencetorise.Buttwodomswithwhipsnudgedher,andshefinallymovedforward.
Timeresumedwhentheauctioneerstartedrunningthroughalistofassets,includingher
womanlydimensionsandhowmanysexpartnersshe’dhad.
She moved slowly, glancing around the tables. No other slave had done that. Her
expressionslowlyfilledwithdisdain,herupperlipcurled,hercheeksdrawnback.
Hewantedtowarnherthattheseoutwarddisplayswouldonlyenflametheaudience,but
therewasnothinghecoulddo.Hecouldonlystare,likeeveryoneelse.
Herhairhadbeenpiledhighonherhead,revealingherlongtaperingneck,whileavery
long, leopard-patterned scarf, just a few inches wide, trailed from a feathered headdress
over her right shoulder, partially covering one breast. She held the scarf in place by
wrappingitaroundherarmasthoughshekeptthisonepartofherbodysacred.
Shehadnoideathatanattemptatmodestyandthelookofdefiantdisgustinhereyes
wouldhavetheoppositeeffect,makinghermoreandnotlessdesirable.
He felt the interest of the vampires around him like a wave through the room as the
tensionlevelratchetedup.
Shepausedhalfwaydowntherunwayandthrewherarmswide.“You’reallabunchof
fuckingperverts.What’swrongwithyoupeople?Can’tyouseethatwhatyou’redoingis
vile?Thatitgoesagainsteveryhonorablecodeofhumanity?”
Thecrowderupted,notindisapproval,butratherinasuddenfloodofbids.Shelooked
confusednow,notunderstandingwhatwashappening.
ButReyesdid.She’djustsetherselfupasasadist’sdream,aninnocent,worthywoman
readytofight.
Theauctioneershoutedabovethedin,“Ihavetwohundredthousand,doIhavethree?
Three,doIhavefour?”Thenumberkeptescalating,andquickly.
Hesawhermouthmoveandextendedhishearing.Hervoicehaddroppedtoaconfused
whisper.“What’shappening?Idon’tunderstand.”
HeglancedatEngles,whowasnowonhisfeet,hisfaceredashecalledoutabidthat
launchedthenumbertotwomillion.
Twomillion.Sofast.
Slowly,Angelicaloweredherarms.Shesearchedthecrowd,tryingtomakesenseofher
surroundings. She pivoted, looking perhaps for one person who would stand with her
againstthisterriblecrime.
Reyesrosetohisfeetandmovednexttotherunwayassomanyothershad,needingto
seeherdefiancecloseup.Henowstoodnomorethanthreeyardsawayfromher.
When she met his gaze, her lips parted. She shook her head several times. “No,” she
murmured.Shelookedathimwithaquestioninhereyes;thentheanswerseemedtodawn
onherandhergazegrewcold.“Soyou’reoneofthem.”
He nodded slowly, still staring at her as the bids kept climbing toward four million,
Englesleadingtheway.Shesearchedhiseyesandhesawprofounddisappointment,butshe
couldn’tpossiblyknowwhatitwouldcosthimtosupportherrightnow.
Hehadaroletoplayandlivestosave.Hehadhiscovertoprotect.
But even as he made up his mind, a different kind of drive rose up in him, one that
involvedgettingheroffthestagesothatalltheseothermenwouldstoplookingather.
Inastrongvoice,andagainsteveryounceofreason,heshouted,“Fivemillion.”
“Ihavefivemillionfromoneofournewerbidders,ReyesoftheVenezuelansystem.”
Thecrowdfellsilent.
“DoIhearfive-million-one-hundred-thousand?”
Englessuddenlycalledout.“Reyes,whatthefuckdoyouthinkyou’redoing?”
ReyesglancedatEngles.“Iwantthewoman.”Heevenofferedashowoffangs,justtolet
Englesknowhemeantwhathesaid.
Englesmethisgaze,staringathimhard,butReyeskeptglaringback.“Mybidstands.
Youofferingmore?”
Englesslowlyshookhishead.“You’llregretthisoneday.”
Reyes turned in the direction of the auctioneer. “Five million,” he reiterated in a loud
voice.
Thatoldsaying,apindrop,fitthemoment.NoonecontradictedEngleswhodidn’thavea
deathwish.
Thegavelcamedowninahardcrack.“Sold,thehumanAngelica,tothebidderBrogan
Reyes.”
HemovedswiftlytowardthestageandheldouthishandtoAngelica.
“Fuckthat.”Sheturnedaway,movingtowardthestageproper.Thetwodomsnowstood
atthetopoftherunway,whipsinhand,readytotakechargeofherifneeded.
Shetoppedinhertracks.“Shit.”
Hisdecisiontobuyhermighthavebeenimpulsiveandincrediblystupid,butifhedidn’t
want to lose the entire game, he knew exactly what he had to do. He had to make her
submittohimrightnow,infrontofhispeers.
Risingintotheair,helevitatedinherdirection.Hereyesopenedwideasshestaredat
him.“You’reflying.Areyouonwiresorsomething?”
Shedidn’tevenknowthetruthabouttheworldshe’dentered.Ashelanded,hecaughther
aroundthewaistinagripsotightthatshecriedoutinpain.“You’rehurtingme.”
Aslightrolloflaughtermovedthroughtheaudience.“Justthebeginning,sweetheart,”a
voicecalledout.
“Fuckyou,”sheshoutedatthecrowd.
But he gripped her harder until she turned to stare at him and felt silent. “Let’s get
something clear right now. You belong to me from this night forward. You’re my slave,
Angelica.Gotit?”
Hehatedthatthisworthywomanwouldalsohavetolearntheartofadoptingahated
role, but it couldn’t be helped. He’d just saved her life, although that was something she
probablywouldn’tunderstandforsometimeyet.Butmorethananything,heneededherto
submittohiminfrontofhisfellowStarlinmembers.
Sheturnedtostareathim,hereyeswidewithhorror.“Whyareyoudoingthis?”
“BecauseIjustboughtyouatauction,you’remyslave,andyouneedtolearnyourplace.
Iwantyoutoshowthesefinepeoplethatyouunderstandyournewrole.”
Usingapressurepointbetweenhershoulderandneck,hepinchedhard.
Shecriedoutinpain.Inwardly,herecoiled,disgustedathimselfforhurtingher,butit
couldn’tbehelped.Hepusheddownonheratthesametimesothatshebegantolowerto
herknees.
Aspatteringofapplauserolledthroughtheclub.
Hekeptupthepressureuntilshe’dlandedonthewoodrunway,herhandgrippingthe
backofhislegforsupport.
“Stop,pleasestop.”
“Whatdoyoucallme,Angelica?Usethecorrectaddress,andthepainwillgoaway.”
Shelookedupathim,tearsrollingdownhercheeks.“Ican’tbelievethisiswhoyouare.”
Thelookinhereyesofpainanddisappointmenttoreathim,buthecouldn’tstopnow.
He’dalreadymadeanenemyoftheonemanhe’dneededtokeeponhisgoodside;ifhe
didn’tupholdhiscovernow,he’dnevergetinsidetheStarlininnercircle,findthenameof
themanwhoruledthisgroup.
“ThenIguessyouneverreallyknewme.”Hesmiled,stillpinchingherhard.“Nowwhat’s
myname?Whatdoyoucallmefromthismomentforward?”
Heincreasedthepressuresothatshecriedoutagain.
“Idon’tknow.Idon’tknowwhattocallyou.”
“It’ssimple:master.Youcallmemaster.Sayit,loudenoughforeveryonetohear.”
“Master.”
“Louder,slave.”
“Master.Master.”
“Onemoretime.Whatdoyoucallme?”
“Icallyoumaster.”
“Wefinallyunderstandeachother.Good.”
Hereleasedhishandfromtheslopeofherneckandshefellforward,facedownonthe
runway.
Applauseresoundedfromtheballroom,lettinghimknowhewasontherighttrack.
Turningtothedoms,hecalledout,“Iwantshacklesbroughttomerightnow,forboth
wrists and ankles, preternaturally charged.” When they stared at him slack-jawed, he
shoutedinaresonantvoice,“Doitnow.”
The men leaped like he’d struck them, though they were thirty feet away. Angelica
remainedprone,onlypartiallyconscious.Halfaminutelaterthedomsreturned,levitating
inswiftflightdowntherunway.Afewsecondsmoreandthejobwasdone,theshackles
sealedandcuttingintoherskin.
A third burst of applause sounded and he knew he’d finally done his job well enough.
Thoughhewouldbewisetostayandparadeheraround,Angelicawasinseriouspainnow
andhe’dhadenough.
Leaningdown,hegatheredherupinhisarms.
Shemoanedsoftly,regainingconsciousness.“MyarmsandlegshurtandIthinkmywrists
arebleeding.”Herspeechwasslurred.
Hehatedthathe’dhurthersomuch.Unfortunatelyforher,thingswereabouttogeteven
more complicated. For one thing, he intended to shift into altered flight, a form of
teleportationthatwouldallowhimtopassthroughsolidmatter.He’dbemovingfasttoget
heroutofthebuilding,butthatlevelofspeedalwayshurttheaveragehuman.
“Sorry,”hewhispered.“Butthisnextbitisreallygoingtocausesomepain.”
Without trying to explain further, he flew her straight through the cavern wall. Her
screamsechoedinhisears,butshemightaswellgetadjustedtohernewrealityassoonas
possible.
Withinhismind,heformedapictureofthetwo-storymansionhe’dhadbuiltnotfarfrom
the Starlin headquarters and like a homing beacon, the location drew him in. Within
secondshelandedinhisfoyer.
He was about to explain that they’d be heading to Engles’s after-auction gala, but
Angelicapulledfromhisarms,whirled,andthrewupalloverhisentryrug.Sheshookhead-
to-foot,thelongscarftrailinginthevomit.
Holdingherarminastronggrip,heheldherupright.
Hishousekeeperappeared.“MasterReyes?What’sgoingon?”
“Mathilde,wehaveanadditiontothehousehold,ahuman.Ijustflewherinandshe’s
airsick.”
Mathildefrownedashergazetookintheshackles.“Master,whathaveyoudone?”
“Justfixhersometeaandgetherarobe.Doitnow.”
“Yes,master.”Shelefttheroom,headingbacktothekitchen.
Angelicagroanedandtriedtoliftahandtoherhead,buttheshacklespreventedher.She
staredatthem.“You’veboundmewithchains?Oh,God,myheadhurtsalmostmorethanI
canbear.Andmyarmsfeellikethey’reonfire.”
“You’llbefineinafewminutes.”
Hereachedupandunpinnedtheheaddress,lettingitfalltothecarpetawayfromher
feet.
A moment later Mathilde and several of her housekeeping staff returned to help with
Angelica.Thewomenbundledherupinarobeandledheraway.Evenoneofthemaids
turnedandscowledathim.They’dallbeenslavesatonetimeoranotherandeachknew
exactlywhatpreternaturallychargedshacklesfeltlike.
Ofcourse,theycouldn’tknowhe’djustsavedAngelica’slifebybuyingheratauction.
Forfivemillion.
His turn to groan. What had he done? What impulse had led him to throw so many
carefulplanstothewind?
He could have saved five women tonight and cemented his position in the slavery
communityatthesametime.Insteadhe’dusedupahelluvalotofgoodwilltorescuejust
one.Andhe’dmadeanenemyofEngles,theonemanhe’dneededtoplacate.
Astringofobscenitiesflewthroughhishead.
Mathilde returned. “We can’t get the shackles off. Master, where did you get this
woman?”
Twooftheservantsreturnedwithbucketsofwaterandspongestoworkontherug.
Hemovedpasthishousekeeper,awomanwhohadbeenwithhimfortwodecadesnow,
andgesturedwithawaveofhishandforhertofollowhim.Partofhimfeltacompulsionto
tellherthetruthoratleastsomepartofwhathadhappened,butmorethananythinghe
neededtosalvagehiseffortstogetintothebellyoftheStarlinGroup.
WhichmeantheneededtofigureoutwhattodowithAngelica.
Hemovedintohislibraryandwavedherin,shuttingthedoorbehindher.“Thiswomanis
myslaveandwillbeuntilItellyouotherwise.”
Mathildeglaredathim.“Yourslave?Ican’tbelieveit.You,ofallmen,whenyou’vebeen
sotolerant.”
“Thepastdoesn’tmatter.She’smyslavenow,thisismydomainandyou’remyservant.
Andyouarenottoquestionmydecisionortospeakofthistoanyoneoutsidemyemploy.
Doyouunderstand?”
“Yes,master.”
“You’llbereceivingalargeparcelfromStarlininthenextfewminutes.Iwanteverything
unpackedassoonaspossible.”
“Yes,master.”Shepinchedherlipstogether.“Ijustdon’tunderstandhowyoucoulddo
this.Ilostamostbelovedsistertoslavers.”
Hekepthisfaceimpassive,butherhorroranddisgustmirroredhisown.“Iwilltreather
kindly,Mathilde.Shewillcometonoharmonmywatch,youforoneshouldknowthat.I
willonlytellyouthathadInotboughther,Engleswouldhavehadher.”
Shegaveasmallcry,ahandpressedtoherchest.EngleshadboughtMathilde’ssisterat
auction, and by all accounts she’d died in the middle of one of his sessions with her.
Afterwardhe’ddumpedherinthenearestoceangraveyard.
Tearstouchedhereyes.“Theseareterribletimesinourworld.”
“Yes,theyare,butshe’stobemyslavenow.”
Mathildenodded,buthershoulderssagged.“Verywell,buttheshackleshavehurther.
Canyouatleasthavethemremoved?”
“Ofcourse.I’lldoitnow.”
ChapterThree
AngelicalayonabedinwhatthehousekeeperhadtoldherwasReyes’sguestsuite.The
kind woman had taken the pins from her hair, removed her ridiculously thick false
eyelashes, and wiped her face. For all of that, she found herself grateful. Despite the
amountofpainshewasin,shewantedoutofthishorriblecostume,everybitofevidence
removedanddestroyedthatshe’deverbeenonthatdisgustingrunway.
“Themasterwillbeheresoontoremovetheshackles.I’msureofit.”
Tearsstreamedfromhereyes.Shehadn’twantedtocry,butshewasinphysicalagony
from the steady pulse in her head as well as the horrible sensations flowing up both her
armsandlegs.Apainfulsensation,likeanelectricalcharge,emanatedfromthepointthat
theshacklespressedagainstherskin.
AndReyeshaddonethistoher,themanwhojustaweekagoshe’dwantedtotakehome
withher,themanshe’dkissed,themanshe’dthoughtwastheone.
Nowshehadanentirelydifferentviewofhim.Itseemedhewasn’tamanatall,buta
beast,ananimal,justlikeherjailersandallthosepeoplewho’dparticipatedintheauction.
Shesqueezedhereyesshut,forcingthetearstostop.
Sherealizedthatshehadtrulyknownnothingaboutthemanshe’dcravedformonths.
The darkness she’d seen in him, which she’d understood as some kind of black ops
background,hadbeenfarworsethananythingshecouldhaveimagined.
BroganReyeswasaslaver.
A slaver in some kind of alternate world that she found herself trapped in. The way
they’d flown here and all the oddities she’d witnessed during her captivity confirmed it.
Whenthehousekeeperandtheotherservantslefttheroom,shewouldhavestartedlooking
foranescaperouteifshehadn’tbeeninsomuchpain.Asitwas,shecouldonlyliestilland
endure.
Thedooropenedandhercaptorenteredtheroom.
“Angelica,turntowardmeandI’llgettheshacklesoff.”
Cringingatthesoundofhisvoice,sherolledonthebed,unabletopulltherobearound
her;oncemoreshelayexposed.Theshackleswereheavy,andashortchainbetweeneach
setpreventedmuchmovement.
Helookeddamnseriousashekneltbesidethebedwithatoolinhishandthatsortof
lookedlikeascrewdriver.
“Isthisgoingtohurtmorethanitalreadydoes?”
Buthedidn’tsayanything.Hejustscowledasheplacedthetoolagainsttheboltholding
together the manacle on her left hand. He tapped and at the same time, some kind of
energyflowed.
Andsodidthepain.Shescreamed.
“Mathilde,”Reyesshouted.“Getmeagoddamnhealerhere.Now.”
“Ialreadycalled.She’sonherway.”Thehousekeepermovedbackintotheroomtostand
besideReyes.Shewasveryshortandworethickblondbraidswrappedaroundthecrownof
herhead.Shesportedanequallyseriousexpression.
Hepulledapartthefirstshackle.Thoughtheweightwasnolongerthere,thepainpulsing
upAngelica’sarmremained,andtheskinatherwristbledevenmorethanbefore.
Shewantedtotellhimhowmuchithurt,butshedidn’tseethepoint.Hewasnolonger
someoneshecouldeverthinkofasafriend.He’dboughtheratauctionandnownodoubt
thoughtofherexclusivelyashisproperty.
He glanced at her. “Preternaturally charged shackles cause a lot of pain, even when
they’regone.That’swhyIcalledforthehealer.”
Shedidn’twantahealer,whichsoundedverynewageandprobablywouldn’tbeofmuch
use.Shewantedamedicaldoctor,anemergencyroom,painkillers.Andwhatdidhemean,
preternaturallycharged?
She nodded, but she didn’t know what else to say. She’d entered an extremely sadistic
world, an experience that had begun with her abduction, moved on to a strange woman
withcurlyredhairsendingshardsofpainthroughherbreasts,andendedatanauctionwith
Reyescontrollingherthroughtheshackleshewasnowremoving.
He repeated the process with the other manacle, and she screamed again. And just as
Reyeshadsaid,theremovaloftheshacklesstillleftherarmsfeelingasthoughfireburned
uptohershoulders.
Heturnedandwenttoworkonherankles.Whensheheardthepunchofthetoolagainst
theshackle,thesameelectricalchargerippedthroughherlegsothatshescreamedallover
again,thenstartedsobbing.
Thelasttapofthetoolsentpainflowingthroughtherestofherbody.Shewrithedand
screamed.“Ihurt.Oh,God,Ihurt.”
“Master?”Anotherwoman’svoicethistime.
“Abouttimeyougothere.Dammit,helpher.”
“Yes,master.”
Reyesdrewbacktoallowthenewarrivaltotakehisplace.Shehadlight-brownhairand
pinchedgrayeyes.ShekneltbesidethebedthewayReyeshaddone.Themomentsheput
her hand on Angelica’s head, however, sudden warm waves started passing through her;
likemagic,thefireinherarmsandlegsdriftedawayasthoughithadneverexisted.
ThereliefwassogreatthatAngelicasobbedalloveragain.
Butthewomancontinuedtoworkonher,releasingsomekindofhealingtouchwithher
handsothatinslowstages,eventheterriblepaininherheadeasedup.
Angelicafinallystartedtobreatheagain,deepdrawsintoherachinglungs.Shelayon
herbacksorelievedthatforalongtimeshecouldn’tevenspeak.Finally,shemanageda
weak“Thankyou.”
Thewomannodded.“Howdoyoufeel?”
“I’m very tired, but my arms and legs no longer hurt and my headache is completely
gone.”
“Good.I’mhappytohavebeenofservice.”
Sherosetoleave,butAngelicagrabbedherarmandpleadedwithher.“Youhavetohelp
me.I’maprisonerhere.”
Thewomanmethergaze,removingAngelica’shandgentlyatthesametime.“I’msorry,
mistress, but I treat a lot of slaves. I can’t do anything for you other than to tend your
wounds.Havethemastercallmeagainifyouhaveanyotherdifficulties.”
“Please,Ican’tstayhere.I’lldieifIhavetoliveunderthisroof.”
Atthat,thewomanbowedtoher,astrange,formalmovement,butavertedhergaze.“I
havetogonow.Iwishyouwell.”Shethenturnedandhurriedout.
“Pleasedon’tgo.”
Reyesappearedinthedoorway,thunderonhisbrowasheslammedthedoorshut.“Don’t
everdothatagain.Don’tevertrytoenlisteithermyservantsoranyoneelsewhocomes
intothishousetohelpyoutoescape.”
“Iwon’tstayhere.IpromiseyouI’llneverstoptryingtogetawayfromyou.”Herwhole
bodyshookasshespoke,butheoughttoknowthetruth:thatshewouldn’tremainavictim,
thatshe’dnevergiveuptryingtoleave.
“Youintendtojustwalkoutthedoor?”
“That would make the most sense.” She’d walk out, then she’d make her way to the
nearestpolicestation.
“Andwhereexactlydoyouthinkyouarethatyoucanjustopenadoorandleave?”
She looked around, then up at the ceiling. She blinked several times at an intricately
carvedflowofrock,beautifulinitsway,butlikenothingshe’deverseenbefore.Shekept
havingherthinkingknockedsidewaysatunexpectedmoments,andthiswasoneofthem.
Other parts of the room looked quite normal: flat walls made of drywall, painted up,
trimmedwithbaseboardsandmoldingaroundthedoorways.
Thoughthedoorwasclosed,sherememberedseeingthehallwaywhenReyeshadbrought
herintothisroom—she’dhadaglimpseofanotherintricatelycarvedrockwall.She’dseen
similarwallswhilemovingfromherprisoncelltothebackstageofthetheater.
Sheknewthenshewouldn’tfindadoortotheoutsideanywhereinthishouse.Reyeshad
builtaverylargemansioninthemiddleofacave.
Finally,hergazereturnedtohim.“WhereamI?Whatisthisplace?Andhowdidweget
here?”
Heonlyshookhishead,stillverygrimashestareddownather.
Aterriblesensationdescendedonherthatshewasinaplaceevenworsethantheprison
cellshe’dinhabitedforthepastweekandthelargeroomwhereshe’dbeenauctioned.
Shemetandheldhisgazeassheleaneduponherelbows.“Tellme…please.”
“TheComocavernsystem,inItaly,deepunderground.Milesunderground.”
Forthefirsttimesinceshe’dawakenedinhercell,shefelttrulyandcompletelytrapped.
Shestaredforalongmomentathercaptor,amanshe’dthoughtshe’dknownwellenough
towanttotakehimhomewithher,yethelivedunderground.She’dneverheardofsucha
thing. Other things that didn’t make sense returned to her. “You said the chains had a
preternaturalcharge.”
Henoddedslowly,holdinghergaze,hisexpressionsolemn.
“Oneofmyjailersspokeofwantingtotakeadrawfrommythroat.Whatdidshemean?”
The word hovered just at the edge of her consciousness, but she couldn’t bring herself to
thinkit.
Heseemedalmostangryashisjawworked.Butamomentlaterhepartedhislips.She
didn’tatfirstrecognizewhatshewaslookingatuntilhisnostrilsflaredandhisupperlip
curledback.
Fangs. Like the ones he’d shown while making his bid and yelling at the other man.
Fangs.Theywerereal.
“Vampires,”shesaidbarelyaboveawhisper.“Oh,God,thisisavampireworld.”
“Averysecretone.”
Theroomseemedtogrowwarmandevenspinalittle.Sheleanedherheadbackagainst
thepillowsoncemoreandclosedhereyes.Thiscouldn’tbetrue,couldn’tbehappening.
Forthepastweekshe’dtriedtoassimilatethehorrorshe’dlandedin,buthermindhad
refusedtocatchup.Insteadshe’doperatedonsomekindofrawinstinctthathadkepther
fromknowingthetruth,fromunderstandingwhereshewasandwhatexactlyhadhappened
toher.
“Angelica.”
Whensheopenedhereyes,Reyesstoodrightnexttothebed,hisblueeyesdarkinthe
dimlylitroom.Atleasthisfangshaddisappeared.
Sheheldahandupasthoughtowardhimoff,butasshethoughtbackoneverythingthat
hadhappened,onethingreallydidn’tmakesensetoher.“Ineedtoknowsomething.Will
youatleastansweraquestion?”
Henodded.
“Attheauction,whenIsaidwhatIsaid,callingallthosepeopleperverts,whydidthat
jump-startthebidding?Whydidthatmakemesuchahotcommodity?Ithoughtitwould
havetheoppositeeffect,makemelessattractive.”
“Youreallymustbenaive—orwereyoujustnotpayingattention?Thinkforamoment.
Whatdoyourememberabouttheaudience,thosewhohadcometobidandtoobservethe
bidding.Whatwasgoingon?”
“Isawalotofnakedflesh.Women,andevenafewmen,walkingaroundwithbarely
anythingon,likethoseofusonthestage.”Herstomachroiled.“Andtherewassexaswell,
inatleastthreedifferentplaces.Sothatwassomekindsicksexclub.”
“Keepthinkingback.Didyouhearscreamingaswell?”
Shenodded,turningeverythingoverinhermind.“Sowe’retalkingsadism.”
“Exactly.”
“Andyoubelongtothisclub?”
Heliftedhischin.“Justjoined,andyouweremyfirstbuy.”
Shestaredathim,oncemorefeelinglikeshe’dbeenbody-slammed.Aweekago,she’d
wantedtosleepwithReyes,andnowheownedher.He’dhurtheraswell,pinchingher
shoulder to force her to the runway floor, then putting on the painful shackles. She just
couldn’tbelievethiswaswhohereallywas.
Hescowledheavilynow,hisnostrilsflaring.
SherealizedsuddenlythatReyeswasangry,butshedidn’tknowwhy.Infact,heseemed
downright hostile toward her, which made no sense at all. He was the one with all the
powerinthissituation.Hecouldhurther,useher,eventortureherifhewantedto.She
shouldbetheonlyangrypersonhere.
“Whyareyousopissedoff?”Shesatupandswungherkneesoverthesideofthebed.
“I’mthevictiminthissituation,theslave.”
“You want to know why?” He took a menacing step toward her, bumping against her
knees,ahardlightinhiseye.
Shenodded,buthescaredherlikethis.Shepulledherrobetightacrossherchest.
“Becauseyou’vejustfuckedupmyplans.”
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?Whatplans?”
#
Reyesstaredatherforalongmoment,wishingAngelicahadalittlelessspirit.Hehadno
intentionofsharinghismissionwithher,butshepresentedaseriousdilemmaforhim.He
neededtotakeaverysubmissiveslavetoEngle’safter-auctionparty,notawillfulhuman
femalefullofquestionsandoutrage.
Inordertosustainhiscover,she’dhavetobeobedienttohim,evenfrightenedofhim,
throughouttheentireevent.He’dallbutmadeanenemyoftheonemanwhocouldlead
him to the power behind the Starlin Group. But if he took Angelica to the party in her
presentcondition,Engleswouldknowthetruth,thatallthistimeReyeshadbeenfronting,
andhiscoverwouldbeblown.
Right now he had to get away from her, to think, to figure out just how to get her to
submittohim.“You’retostayinthisroomuntilIsummonyou.”
Heturnedonhisheelandwalkedswiftlyoutoftheguestsuite,headinginthedirection
of the foyer and the broad, curved staircase. More than anything, he loathed that she
thoughthimaslaver,buthesawnootherwayaroundtheissue.Heneededhertoplaya
role,andtheonlywaythatmadesensewasifhebroughtherintosubmissionsothatno
matterwhat,she’ddoasshewastold.
Whenhereachedthefoyer,hepulledhisphonefromthepocketofhistuxandcalledhis
head of security, ordering guards to be placed at each door of his mansion. To keep
Angelicasafe,hehadtomakecertainshedidn’ttrytoleavehishouse.Thisexclusivesection
of the Como system housed a lot of Starlin members, and if she was caught on the run,
Angelicacoulddisappearintoanotherslaver’shouseandneverbeseenagain.
Runawayswerefairgame.
Hewishedtohellhecouldtellherthetruth,buthe’dberiskingtoomuch,whichmeanthe
hadtomakeherbelievethatshetrulywashisslaveandhersurvivaldependedondoinghis
bidding.
Whichmeanthehadtobreakherwillanddoitfast.Mostofthetime,ittookverylittleto
makeahumansubmit—athreatofpaincoupledwiththetasteofgreatpleasurebeneathhis
fangsifsheobeyed.Angelicawasn’tthetypicalhumanfemale,however,andheworried
thatifhestarteddownthisroadhe’dbeforcedtodothingstoherthatwouldmakehimas
badasEngles.
Acoldshudderwentthroughhim,buthereallydidn’thaveachoice.
Ashestartedupthestairs,heheardherbarefeetslappingagainsttheslatefloor.She
calledout,“Thisisn’trightandyouneedtoletmego.Idon’tcarethatyouboughtmeat
somekindoffreak-assauction.I’mnotaslaveandyoucan’tmakemeone.”
Pausingonthethirdstepandgrippingthehandrail,heturnedtostaredownatherashe
consideredhisnextmove.He’dintendedonlytoretrievetheoutfitshe’dneedfortheparty
andbringittoher,andafterwardmakeheracoupleofseriousthreatsthathehopedmight
bringherinline.Butshe’djustprovedyetagainthatbreakingherwillwouldbenosimple
thing.
Twoofhisguardsarrivedandtookuppositionsoneithersideofthemassivewoodfront
door.
She watched them, her brows raised. He thought their arrival could work in his favor
becausethemenwereonemoresignalherbrainclearlyneededtohelpclarifyherpresent
reality.
Heheldahandouttoher.“Comewithme.Ithinkit’stimewehadaheart-to-heart.”
Shelookedwaryanddidn’tmoveforalongmoment.Butafterglancingoncemoreatthe
guards,shefinallyputherfeetinmotion.
Heledherupthestairs,thentotheeastwingthathousedhisprivatequarters,recently
renovatedtoenhancehisslaveridentity.
Hethrewthedoorswide,thenpassedbyhisbedroom,takinghistimesoshecouldseethe
levelofhiswealth.Moneywaspower,anotherpieceofinformationsheclearlyneededto
figureout.
Hehadasittingroomontheright,thenhisexerciseandmassagerooms,andfinallyan
expansivebathroomwithadeepsoakingtubinadditiontoawalk-inshower.
Shedidn’tsayanything,butshe’dslowedhermovementstolookaround,whichhetook
asagoodsign.
Thelastroomhadcosthimoveramillion,havingrequiredthedredgingoutoftonsof
rock.ButtheinvestmenthadspeededuphisStarlinmembershipsincetheroomhadmetthe
approvalofseveralStarlinmenwho’dcometomakeaninspection.
Ashegraspedthedoorhandle,helookedbackather.Mostofhermakeupwaslonggone,
andherhairhadcomedowntohangabouthershoulders.Shewasinastateofdisarrayand
lookedridiculouslyvulnerableassheheldherheadhigh.Evenlikethis,withreddenedeyes,
she was damn beautiful. How he hated that fate had somehow put her in this heinous
position.
She met his gaze. “So what’s beyond the door? What is it you need to show me? I’m
guessingit’ssomekindofoversizedclosetforyourbillionairewardrobe.”
“Seeforyourself.”
Hepushedthedoorwide,flippedonthelightsthatdottedthewoodceiling,thenstepped
asidetomakewayforher.“Thisisthegameroom,aplaceyouandIwillbespendingalot
oftime,startingnow,actually.”
Shemovedinslowly,thengasped.“Oh,God.Whatisthis?”
He’ddesignedthespacebasedononeoftheroomsSweetDovehadkeptinhersprawling
home.She’dtakenhimthereonanalmostnightlybasis.Theresultwasessentiallyapadded
torture chamber full of masks, whips, a variety of implements for cutting, two different
kindsoftableswithstrapsandstirrups,andawallofchainsandmanacles.
TakingholdofAngelica’sarm,hepulledherintotheroom,thenturnedtolockthedoor.
He’dpositionedthedeadbolthighsothatnoslavecouldreachit.
Sheturnedtohim,wide-eyed,afrownbetweenherbrows.“Youcan’tbeserious.”
Hecouldexplaineverythingtoher,orhecouldshowher.Heknewshe’dbeenthrougha
lot,butsheneededtogetwiththeprogramnow.Ifhewantedtosustainhisreputationin
thislifestyle,heneededAngelicaonaleashandherdemeanorproperlysubduedbythetime
hetookhertoEngles’shome.
“You’regoingtolearntoobeyme,Angelica.Iwon’thaveyoufightingme,nothereinmy
homeorinpublic.Iownyounow,you’remyslave,getusedtoitanddoitfast.I’vebeen
workingforyearstogainadmittanceintotheStarlinGroupandI’mnotabouttoletyou
fuckitup.
“Now,we’llbegoingtoapartyinacoupleofhours,andwhilewe’rethereIneedyouon
yourkneesthemomentItellyoutogetonyourknees.”
Alookofhorrorpassedoverherfeatures.“Todowhat?”
“Ithinkyouknowexactlywhatthatmeans.”
She shook her head. “This can’t be happening and like hell I’m going down on you in
public.I’dratherdie.”
He’dhopedthemeresightoftheroomwouldstartsofteningherbelligerence.Insteadshe
wasmoreobstinatethanever.
Timeforphasetwo.
Heshiftedtoalteredflight,scoopedherup,andslappedheragainstthewallthatdangled
withchains.Heboundherupvampire-fastsothatshewasoncemoreshackled,andspread-
eagledwithinseconds,herrobegapingwide,herbodyondisplay,herfeetonthefloor.The
onlydifferencewasthattheseshacklesweren’tpreternaturallychargedandexceptfortheir
weightwouldn’thurther.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
Hegotupclose.“I’vealreadytoldyou.I’mhelpingyougetagoodpictureofyournew
lifesothatyoucanadjustyourattitudeaccordingly.Iwantyousubmissiveandmeek,and
itlookslikeyouneedalessonortwotogetyoustarted.
“Butfeelfreetoshout.Screamyourheadoff.Thisroomissoundproofandifoneofthe
servantshappensby,well,let’sjustsaythateveryoneinthishouseisloyaltomeandserves
onlyme.Youcan’tturnasinglepersonintheimmediatetwentysquaremilesagainstme.
Youcan’tescape,youcan’trun,youcan’thide.I’mhere.I’myourmaster.Andyou’lldoasI
say.Dowehaveanunderstandingyet?”
“Iunderstandthatyoucangostraighttohell.”
Heletoutaroaroffrustration,buthergazeneverwaveredfromhis.Shit,thiswasgoing
togetuglyifhehadthesmallesthopeofbreakingherwill.
“Letmegohome.”
“Notgonnahappen.”
#
AngelicastaredatReyes,hercaptor,aself-proclaimedslaver.
Hermindwasstillworkingtomakesenseofallthathadhappenedtoher.Sheknewshe
wasstillinshock,yetshehadtopullherselftogetherenoughtowithstandhisattemptsto
breakher.
Shegotthatthemanshe’dkissednotlongago,themanshe’dwantedsobadly,wasa
monster, the worst kind, sadistic and brutal. The room spoke of the kinds of things he
intendedtodotoher.Inaddition,thenatureoftheauction,aswellasthehorribleacts
goingoninthatroom,madeherfutureclear.
Yetsherejectedallofit,witheveryounceofherbeing.
Herheartpoundedinherchest.“I’llneverstoptryingtoescapethiscaptivity.Youhave
toknowthat.Nomatterwhatyoudotomerightnow.”
Hemovedincloserandpressedahandtoherthroat.“DoyouknowhoweasilyIcould
killyou,snapyourneck,orjustchokeyoutodeath?”
He squeezed her windpipe, making it hard to breathe. She felt his latent strength and
trembled.
“AllIwantyoutodoissubmittome.That’sall.”
Thoughtearsbithereyes,sherefusedtobend.Ifshehadtodie,thensobeit.
Sheclosedhereyesandwaited,butafteranotherfewsecondsthepressureeasedup.
Sheblinkedandstaredintocoldblueeyes.
“Howdidyouenjoythat,Angelica?Icanchokeyourepeatedlywithouttakingyourlife.
HowaboutIdothattoyouformonthsoryears,onlyeachtimeI’lltakeyoujustalittle
closertodeath.Howdoesthatsound?”
“Gotohell.”Hervoicewashoarseasshespoke.“Idespiseyou.”
“Whatyou’renotgettingisthatIdon’tcarewhatyouthinkofme.AllIneedisforyouto
say‘Yes,master,’andmeanit.”Hishandsliddownherthroattoherbreasts.Hecaressed
her,inmuchthesamewaythathorriblewomanhaddoneearlierintheweek.
“Doesthatfeelgood?”Hewasevenusingthesamelinethewomanhadused.
“Ihatethatyou’retouchingme.”
“Youcanlearntolovemytouch,orfearit,thechoiceisyours.”Hepinchedhernipple
andthesamekindoffirethathadpenetratedherbreastatthatwoman’shandtouchedher
again,athreatthatcouldgetmuchworse.Butnowsheunderstoodthatthiswassomekind
ofvampireability.
“AllIhavetodoisletmyenergyflowandyou’llbescreaming.Isthatwhatyouwant?
Painsobadthatyou’llpassout?”Heleanedclose.“Idon’twanttodothistoyouandyou
canmakeitstop.Justsubmittome,because,trustme,Icankeepthisupforhours.”
“Shedidthesamethingtome,onlymuchworse,andIdidn’trelentthen,”Angelicasaid.
“WhywouldIgiveintoyounow?”
Hereleasedherbreast,frowning.“Whatdoyoumean,she?”
Angelica’s knees had started feeling rubbery, and she was grateful he’d backed off. He
hadn’thurtherthewaythewomanhad,buthecouldhaveandmightyet.“Thewomanat
theprison,withthiscloudofredcurlyhair.Shecametoseeme,saidshewastemptedto
buymeherself.Ididn’tgetit,then,butIdonow.She’sasadisticslaver,justlikeyou.”
Hedidn’tsayanythingforalongmoment.Finally,hesaid,“Describethewoman.What
didshelooklike,besidesherredhair?”
“WhyshouldItellyou?”
But the moment the words left her mouth, his hand was around her throat again,
squeezing.“Whatdidshelooklike?”Hiseyeswerewild.“Goddammit,Angelica,whatthe
fuckdidshelooklike?You’vegottotellme.Thisisimportant.”
She blinked several times, stunned by the sudden intense look in his eye. The woman
meantsomethingtohim,somethingreallybad.“Hereyeswereadarkblue.Shehadasmall
mouth,paleskin.Shewasbeautifulanduglyatthesametime.Shehurtme.”
“Andshewasattheprison,whereyouwereheld?”
Shenodded.
She didn’t know why, but Reyes released her throat, then stepped away from her,
sweeping a hand down his face. He bent over as if in sudden pain. After a moment,
however, he rose up and straightened his shoulders, coming back to himself. Whatever
memoriesthiswomanhadevoked,heappearedtohaveshuntedaside.
He met her gaze again, his eyes narrowed as though contemplating his next move. “If
paindoesn’taffectyou,maybetheoppositewill.”
When he moved toward her this time, she trembled all over again but for a different
reason as his gaze roved her body. He drew close, pushing her robe aside. “You have
beautifulbreasts.ThatdressyouworeattheOceanClubstillgetsmegoingwhenIthink
aboutit.Butwhatwouldpleaseyou,Iwonder?”Heleaneddownandsuckledherbreast.
“Don’tdothis,”shewhispered.She’dhadfantasiesaboutReyesbeforeherabduction,all
ofwhichshe’denjoyed.
Butrightnowshewashorrifiedthathewoulddothistoherwhileshewaschainedtoa
wall.Forsomereasonitseemedworsetoherthanthefeelofhishandatherthroat,orthe
fireatherbreast,thatwhileholdinghercaptive,hewouldpleasureher.
Inaloudervoice,shesaid,“Yousickbastard,stopit.Ihatewhatyou’redoing.”
Heslowlydroppedtohisknees,lookingupatheratthesametime.“Youdon’tgetasay
inthis,slave.You’vefeltthestick,nowletmeshowyoutherealadvantageofsurrendering
yourwilltomine.”
Histongueswirledoverhersensitivenavel,thenbeganalow,purposefulglidetoward
thefleshbetweenherlegs.
“No,pleasedon’t.”
The shackles held her prisoner and there was nothing she could do to stop him as his
handsglidedupanddownherlegs.Butbeforehistonguefoundhermosttenderflesh,he
roseupinfrontofher.
Asmuchasshehatedhim,therewasnodenyinghowhandsomethemanwas,hiseyes
liketheclearestwaterasheheldhergaze.
Thenhisnostrilsflaredashisgazerovedherthroat.Heslidahandaroundthebackofher
neck,andtoherhorrorshewatchedashisfangsemerged.
“Don’tbiteme.Don’tyoudarefuckingbiteme.”
“Youthinkyou’vefeltpleasurebefore?Youhavenoideawhat’sabouttohappen,and
onceI’vegivenyouthisrideyou’llbebeggingformore.”
Shehadlittlestrengthlefttofighthimwhenhetiltedherheadtotheside,thenstruck
withhisfangs.
Shewincedatthesuddensting,butamomentlater,ashebegantodrawfromherneck,a
newlayerofdesirerushedthroughher,akindofeuphoriashe’dneverknownbefore.
Shewantedtoscreamherfrustrationatfeelingsomanyunwelcomesensations,buthe
wasright:thepleasureshefeltgrewmoreintensewitheachdrawfromherneck.Ithither
likethestrongestdrug,andwhilepartofherragedagainstit,shewaspowerlesstostopthe
wavesofblissthatovertookher.
Hesuckledgreedily,groaningashetookherblooddownhisthroat.Shefelteachdrawin
aheavypulsedeepbetweenherlegs.Heslidanarmaroundhernow,caressingherbottom
oncemore,thenanchoredhishipsagainsthers.
Through his pants, she felt the thick rope of his erection and groaned once more. He
archedhiships,pressingintoherfleshinjusttherightwaysothatshecriedout.
Maybeitwasthecompletedespairofthemoment,orthefactthatshewasfullyaroused,
butherbodytookoverandshewrithedagainsthim,anorgasmbuilding.Herwholebody
feltsensitizedsothatashishipspressedintoherrepeatedly,pleasureranupanddownher
armsandlegs,herback,andoverherbreasts.
Hishipsmovedfaster,pummelinghernowwithswiftstrikesthatbroughthercloserand
closertotheedge.Evenhissucklingincreasedinspeed.
Thesoundofthemoanshemadeaddedanotherlayer—sothatsuddenlysheflewstraight
overthecliff,cryingoutoncemoreasalightningflowofecstasyrushedthroughher,taking
herhighintothestratosphere.
Pleasurepeaked,fellback,thenpeakedagain.Hekeptworkingherbody,keptdrinking
from her throat, and she cried out repeatedly, pleasure, just as he’d promised, rolling
throughheragainandagain.
Shefinallycamebacktoearth,herbodygrowingquietashereleasedherthroat.
He planted his hands on the wall on either side of her head, staring into her eyes, his
expressionasseriousasever.Hewasbreathinghard,hisbrowpinched.Sheknewwithout
havingtobetoldthatthoughhe’dbeenaroused,hehadn’tcomeandtheexperiencehadno
doubtlefthiminpain.
Forthat,shecouldn’tfeelbad.Heoughttosuffer.
Herlegsdidn’twanttosupportherandherarmshadstartedtohurt.Notthathercaptor
cared.
Hermindspunincircles.She’dgonefromReyesfrighteninghertogivingherthemost
incrediblereleaseshe’deverknown.
Butherstomachboiledwithangeranddisgust.Justbecausehe’dbroughtherdidn’tmean
she’dthankhimforit,orevenvaluewhathadjusthappened.
Onthecontrary,somethingabouthavingbeenworkedupsexuallyagainstherwillserved
tostrengthenherdetermination.
“You’llneverbreakme.Youcantearmyfleshapartwithoneofthosewhips,youcan
givemeathousandorgasms,butIpromiseyou,Iwillneversubmittoyouwillingly.”
ChapterFour
ReyesstaredintoAngelica’shardbrowneyes.He’djustintroducedhertoanewworldof
sensationthatwouldhavetakenanyotherhumanfemaletoherknees.Insteadsheglared
athim.
He knew from his own experience that every man or woman could be broken, given
enoughtime,andheknewthateventuallyhecouldmakehersubmit.However,givenher
spirit,theprocesswouldrequiredays,maybeevenweekstoaccomplish,andhedidn’thave
thatkindoftime.
He knew something else as well. He couldn’t do it. What he’d done tonight had been
somethinghe’dpromisedhimselfhe’dneverdo:forceeitherahumanoravampiretodo
anythingagainsthisorherwill.
Yetthat’sexactlywhathe’ddone.
Worsestill,whenhe’dsentalightpreternaturalchargethroughherbreast,givingahint
ofthekindofpainhewascapableofinflicting,she’dtoldhimsomethingthathadsenthim
reeling.
If he was right, the woman who had hurt her might very well have been Sweet Dove
herself.Thephysicaldescriptionmatchedandtheterribletruthwasthathe’dlearnedfrom
herhowtofocushispowerintoadebilitatingstreaminordertocausepain.Howmany
timeshadshehurthiminjustthatway,sometimestocreatesexualpleasure,othertimesto
torturehimjustforhergratification?
Guilt and shame washed through him, and slowly he set about unlocking Angelica’s
shackles.Whenshewasfree,sherubbedherwrists,thentiedupherrobe.Shemovedslowly
tositonthenearbypaddedtable.
Hershoulderswereslumpedwithfatigue,buthereyesstillsparkeddefiantly.
Despitehisguiltovertryingtobreakher,heknewbythelookinhereyethathe’ddone
the right thing in buying her. If Engles had won the bid, he would have battered her
senselessbynow,savoringhowhardshefoughthim.Butshewouldhavediedwithinafew
daysbecausehewouldhavebeatenher,brokenherbones,cuthertoribbons.
Oneofonlytwothingswasgoingtohappenfromthispointforward.Hewouldtellher
abouthismissionandeithershewouldagreetohelphimorthegamewasover.Therewas
simplynowayhecouldtakeAngelicainherpresentstatetoEngles’smansionandhave
anyonebelievethathe’dbroughtherunderhiscommand,thatshewastrulyhisslave.
Butwouldsheeveragreetohelphimafterwhathe’djustputherthrough?
He removed a soft linen handkerchief from the pocket of his pants and wiped any
remainingbloodfromhislips.He’dalmostcomeatleastthreetimeswhiletakingdownher
life force. She’d tasted as sweet as her blood had smelled and he was satisfied—another
realitythatfilledhimwithguilt.
Hepacedslowly,tryingtofindtherightwaytotellherthetruthandtoaskforherhelp.
Atthispoint,however,he’dbestunnedifsheeverbelievedanotherwordthatcameoutof
hismouth.
Finally,hemovedtostandinfrontofher,thensweptanarmtoencompasstheroom.“So
noneofthisreallyfrightensyou?”
Sheglancedaround.“Actually,I’mfrightenedoutofmymind,I’mjusttoowornoutto
showit.Anychanceyoucanleavemeinpeaceforawhile?Letmegetsomesleep?”
“IwishIcould,butthere’ssomethingIneedtoexplaintoyou.I’mnotaslaverandyou’re
notreallymyslave.”
She held up both hands. “You’re driving me crazy. What does that mean, I’m not your
slave? From the time you brought me here, you’ve messed with my mind. You hurt me
badly,thendidallthatshittomewhileIwaschainedagainstthewall,andnowyou’re
tellingmeyou’renotaslaver?”
“I need you to listen to me. For a long time now, I’ve been working to infiltrate the
StarlinGroup,thesameoutfitthatabductedyouandforcedyoutowalkdownthatrunway.
Thisorganizationisoneofthemostpowerfulsex-slaveryringsinourworld.
“WhenItoldyoutoleavetheOceanClubthatnight,Iwastryingtowarnyouthatyou
werebeingscopedbyaStarlinacquisitionteam,agrouptrainedtohuntallovertheworld
for beautiful but vulnerable women who could be removed from their lives without
significantrepercussions.”
She blinked. She looked exhausted, which of course she would be. She’d already been
throughhellbeforehe’dbroughtherintohishome,thenhe’daddedtohermisery.
Hershouldersfellalittlemore.“Butyoutoldmeyoujoinedthisgroup,thatIwasyour
firstbuy.”
“Bothofthosethingsaretrue,butIdidn’tbuyyoutokeepyouasaslave.”
“Thenwhatdidyoubuymefor?”
“Foroneessentialreason,toupholdmyreputationasaslaver.”
“Butyoujustsaidyou’renotaslaver.”
“No,I’mnot.”
Sheglancedatthechainsonthewall,thewhips,theknives.“Sowhatisallthis?Areyou
sayingyoudon’tusethisroom?”
“Never,notuntiltonight.”
Sheshookherheadindisbelief.“You’relying.You’reafucking,lyingbastardandyou’re
messing with me again. How can I believe you? You hurt me just now, or at least you
showedmehowmuchyoucouldhurtmeifIdidn’tdoasyousaid.Thenyouusedyourfangs
onme.I’mjustsurprisedyoudidn’tshoveyourcockbetweenmylegsandtakethewhole
thingtherestoftheway.”
“Iwantedto.Believeme,Iwantednothingmore.”
Shereleasedaheavysigh.“Soyoudrewthelineatrapingme.”
“Yes.Idid.”
“You’redisgusting.”
Hesawthelevelofherrevulsionandknewhewasn’texplainingthingswellenoughyet.
“IboughtyoutosupporttheroleI’mplayingasaslaver.”
“Whatrole?”
“Ihaveonlyonegoalhere,Angelica,tobringStarlindown.AndIstillwantto.WhenI
succeed in destroying this slavery ring, I’ll be saving tens of thousands of lives, maybe
more.Theseauctionswillendforever.That’showI’vejustified,untilthismoment,doingto
you what I just did. I don’t know how else to say this to you, except that I’m deep
undercoverandIhaveaplan.Adamngoodone.”
“Andthat’swhatyoumeantwhenyousaidIfuckedupyourplans?”
Henodded.“That’swhatImeant.WhatIdidinbuyingyouhasputmeaninchaway
fromblowingmycover.”
“AndI’msupposedtobelieveyou?”
“Yes,becauseit’sthetruth,theonlyonethatmattersrightnow.”
“Andit’sStarlinwhoabductedmeandallthoseotherwomentheretonight,paradingour
bodiesandsellingusatauction.”
Henoddedagain.Hecouldseethatshewasturningallthisnewinformationoverinher
mind,sohewaited.
Finally,shemethisgazestraight-on.“Let’ssayIchoosetobelieveyoufornow.Sotellme
aboutthisStarlinGroup.Itakeitthey’reasignificantplayer.”
“Oneofthebiggest.”
He gave her numbers, something an accountant would appreciate: The Starlin Group
movedtwentythousandhumanwomenthroughitsorganizationeveryyear.Betweenthe
prostitutionhousestheyownedinanumberofcountriesworldwide,aswellastheauctions
theysustainedinthevampireworld,theygeneratedeighteenbilliondollarsayear.
Then he added the worst stat of all: without exception the human slaves died, so the
inventoryhadtobereplacedataquick,steadypace.
Shestaredathim,adeepfrowndrawingherbrowstogether.“Allofthem?”
Henoddedonce,slowly.
“How?Why?”
“Inaslavesituation,acertainpercentageofhumans,aboutfifteenpercent,willnotlive
beyond the two-week mark even if they’re treated well. Ultimately, it’s a matter of the
will.”
Shepressedafistintohercheek,hereyespinched.“Andafterthetwo-weekperiod?”
“A second transition occurs at six months, but the survival rate drops to fifty percent.
Beyondthat,onlyahandfullivepasttwoyears.”
“Oh,dearGod.Somylifeexpectancy,inthebestofcircumstances,wouldhaveonlybeen
twoyears.”
Henodded.“ButIalsowanttostressthatintheStarlinGroup,thepercentagesaremuch
worse.”
“Becauseofthesadisticelement.”
“Yes.Thetorture.Humansjustdon’tholdupwell.”
“Arethereotherauctionhousesinyourworld?”
“Afew,butnotatthislevel.”
“Andyouintendtotakethisbeastdown.”
Again,henodded.
“Areyouworkingalone?”
“Prettymuch.”
“Buthowcanonemanreallybringdownanentireorganization?”
“Itwillstilltaketime,butthemostcriticalelementisthatIneedtofindoutwhorunsthis
show.Theheadguy,thebrainsbehindtheoperation,mustbeeliminatedfirst.Afterthat,
I’ll use my resources to take every single member of this club down, one by one, until
nothingisleft.
“Despitemyeffortstofindhim,themanwho’sbehindStarlinremainsoneofthebiggest
secretsinourworld.HegoesbythecodenameScorpion,andtomyknowledgeonlyone
manhasaccesstohim,amancalledEngles.”
She frowned slightly, tilting her head. “Do you know, I used to think you had to be
involvedinblackopsmissionsofsomekind.Youhadthatlook.I’mbeginningtothinkmy
firstassessmentofyourcharacterwasright.Soareyousomekindofmilitarymaninyour
world?”
Heshookhishead.“No,notatall.”
Shelookedhimupanddown.“You’rebigenough.Youlooklikeyoucouldtakeanyone
down, which means the real question on my mind right now is why you’re so intent on
breaking up the sex-slavery operations in your world? Why are you so determined to
destroyStarlin?Whydoyouevencare?”
Shegotrighttotheheartofthematter,he’dgiveherthat,butjusthowmuchheshould
tellher,hewasn’tsure.
Ontheotherhand,hesuspectedthattoholdbacknow,tonottellherthetruth,wouldbe
the last straw for her. And because he was so close to really getting inside Starlin, he
decided to risk it all. He’d tell her what he’d never told another living soul, vampire or
otherwise.
Hedrewadeepbreathandheldhergazesteadily.“Iwasasexslaveonce,heldbymy
captor for over a century. I know what it is to endure abduction and sale on the block.
Everythingyouwouldhavesufferedasaslave,hadanothermanwonthebidandbrought
youtoaroomlikethis,Iexperiencedatthehandsofmycaptor.Butworse.”Sheopenedher
mouthtospeak,butheheldupahand.“I’mnotwillingtotalkaboutwhathappenedtome,
exceptthatitwasbad,asbadasitgets.ThatIsurvivedisnothingshortofmiraculous,but
everydayIpromisedmyselfthatifIeverescaped,I’dtearthisdepravedpartofourworld
down,ifIhadtodoitwithmyownbarehands.”
#
Angelicawonderedifshe’deverbeabletoblinkagain.Shestillsatonthetable,herhands
claspedtightlytogether,staringatReyes,andtryingwithallhermighttoprocesssomany
revelations:hismission,hisreasonforbuyingher,andthefactthathe’dsufferedasasex
slavehimself.
Shelookedawayfromhim,lettingthisnewtsunamiofinformationsweepoverher.That
feelingofhavingbeentackledhardandslammedtoearthstruckheragain.
Shemethisgazeoncemore.“SoifI’vetrulyunderstoodyouandifIcanbelieveyou,then
yousavedmylifebybuyingmeatauction.”
“Morethanyouknow.DamienEngles,themanIreferredtoearlier,hadmadeitclearto
me before the auction began that he intended to purchase you and that I was not to
interfere.ButIalreadyknewhisreputation.Humanslavesdon’tlivelongerthanaweekin
hishouse.Hesavorsthekillingelementaspartofsexualgratification.Theworstkindof
monster.”
“Andhewasintentonhavingme.”
“Absolutely.Helikedyourfightingspirit,yourdefiance.”
Reyesturnedsuddenly,crossingtoanearbyshelfandpickingupwhatlookedlikeasmall
leatherbag.Whenhereturnedtoher,hepulledoutaweird-lookingglove,thenslippedit
on.“Iwantyoutotakeagoodlookatthis.”
Hergazemovedslowlydowntohishand—andwhatshesawforcedalltheairfromher
lungs.Eachfingertipheldasharpsteelclaw.Shetriedtobreathe,butcouldn’t.Everypart
of her body felt frozen, immobile. Nothing she’d been exposed to in this world had truly
sunk in, not even his comments about sadism and torture, until she stared down at the
leather device. The middle finger had two claws, about a quarter inch apart. “And this
groupusesthisthing?”
“Somedo.Engles,mostcertainly.”
Sheshookherhead,staringathim.Hetuckedtheglovebackintothebagandinaquick
flickofhiswristtosseditbackontheshelf.
She pulled the lapels of her robe tight together once more. Her voice came out on a
whisper.“You didn’t just save my life, you saved me from a kind of torture I can’t even
begintoimagine.MyGod.”
Foralongmoment,shecoveredherfacewithbothhands.Shedidn’tthinkshe’deverbe
abletogettheimageofthatgloveoutofhermind.Butmaybethatwasagoodthing,given
herpresentcircumstances.
She’dthoughtReyesanabsolutemonsterwhenhe’dputahandtoherthroat,givinghera
warningaboutwhathecoulddotoherifhewantedto.Buthehadn’tactuallyhurther.Of
course,he’ddefinitelycausedherpainontherunway,butnowsheunderstoodwhyhe’dfelt
compelledtodoso:toshowhecouldcommandhisnewlyboughtslave.Hewasplayinghis
role,supportinghiscover.
“Angelica,Ineedtobehonestwithyou.Ihadn’tintendedtobuyyoulikeIdid,especially
since my plans depended on Engles having his way. I acted on impulse when I started
bidding for you, because I knew that not only would you be tortured, but you’d be dead
withinafewdaysandIcouldn’thavelivedwithmyself.Butdammit,Englesisthekeyto
mymission.”Heshookhisheadseveraltimesinarow.“Now,however…”
“Thiscouldalreadybeashitfestforyou.”
“Toputitsuccinctly.Ibidagainstthemostpowerfulmanintheorganization,shortof
Scorpionhimself.”
Shefrownedasshemethisgazeagain.“You’reaskingformyhelp,aren’tyou?That’s
whyyou’vetoldmeallthis.”
“Yes, but there’s something else you should know before you make a decision. These
people,Angelica,they’reevilpersonified.IftheyquestionwhoIamandwhatI’mdoing,I’ll
bedeadandyou’llbeauctionedagain.Soyou’llneedtothinkaboutthat.”
Heranahandthroughhishairandglancedattheplacehe’dchainedherup,shakinghis
head.“Shit,Ishouldhavebeenupfrontwithyoufromthebeginning.Ishouldhaveasked
youstraightoutforyourhelp,themomentIbroughtyoubacktomyhome.Ishouldhave
laiditalloutassoonasIremovedtheshacklesintheguestroom.”
Atthat,sheslidfromthetableandpunchedhimintheshoulder,athumpthatcausedhis
browstoliftashestareddownather.“Yes,youshouldhave,andwhydidn’tyou?Didyou
thinkIwouldrefuse,especiallyknowingthatyousavedmefromatruesadistlikeEngles?I
wouldhaveforgivenwhatyoudid.NowIdon’tknowwhattodo.”
“IthoughtIhadabettershotatpullingthewholethingoffifIforcedyoursubmission.If
you’renotwillingtocooperate,oryoucan’tpullitoff,though,alltheworkI’vedoneisfor
nothing.”
“Can’tyoujustgotothepartywithoutme?”
Hesnorted.“There’dbenopoint.I’monthiniceasitis.IfIdidn’tshowupwithyou,the
wholethingwouldbeover.”
“Soit’sallonme.”
“Idon’twantyoutothinkofitthatway.That’sunfairtoyou—youneveraskedforany
ofthis.Ifyoucan’tcontinue,I’llwalkaway.I’llfigureoutanewstrategyandrebuild.It’ll
meanashiftindirection,noquestion.Butthiscurrentplanwillbedead,thatmuchistrue,
and right now I’m okay with that. No one deserves to be ripped from their lives and I
promiseyouthatifyoudecidetoreturnimmediatelytoyouroldlife,I’llseetoitthatyou’re
safefromStarlin.”
Shenoddedseveraltimes,processing,runningthenumbers,thinkingthrougheverything
he’dtoldher.Reyesneededhertoplaytheroleofawomanboughtatauctiontosustainhis
mission.Andifeverythinghe’dsaidwastrue,onsomelevelsheowedhim.Butshe’dhave
tobesubservienttohim,willingtodoanythinginpublictoprovehersubmission.
“Howlonghaveyoubeenbuildingthiscover?”
“Decades.”
“Seriously?Ittookyoudecadestobeabletojointhisfreakshow?”
Henodded.“They’reextremelyprotectiveoftheirorganization.I’vedonethingsI’mnot
proudoftoprovethatI’veembracedthelifestyle.”
“Jesus.”Sherubbedherforeheadwithherfist.“Andyou’dgivethisallupifIsaidthe
word,ifIsaidIwantednothingtodowithit,ifIcouldn’tplaythisrole,ifIjustwantedto
gohomeandbedonewithitall?”
Henoddedsolemnly,andshebelievedhim.
Angelicasearchedhiseyes,seeingonceagainthemanshe’dbeensoattractedtobackat
theOceanClub,forallthosemonths.Shehadn’tbeenwrongabouthimafterall,evenifhe
was a different species and his cover meant that he did things she knew she wouldn’t
approveof.
Butcouldshereallydothis?Couldshestepintotheroleofsexslaveandperformwell
enoughtosecurehisreputation?Couldshekeepheropinionstoherself,hereyeslowered,
hervoicesubmissiveasshespoke?Orworse,ifthesituationcalledforit,couldsheengage
incertainactivitiespubliclyinordertosustainhiscover?Orwouldsheendupjeopardizing
hismissionbysayingordoingthewrongthingatthewrongtime?
Beyondwhatherrolewouldentail,however,wastheprospectofreturninghome.He’d
justtoldherthatshecouldgobacktoherlifeifthatwaswhatshewanted.
Shewasanaccountantwhoworkedlonghoursinherfirm,butwasn’tthatcrazyabout
heroccupation.Mostlysheworkedthekindofovertimeshedidtohelpsupporthermother,
who’dbeenillforyears.Herauntwaswithhernow,soAngelicawouldn’ttrulybemissed
foranotherweekormore,butallofthoseessentialsremindedherwhyshe’dgonetothe
OceanClubinthefirstplace.
Herlifehadbecomearut.
Ifshewentbacknow,nothingwouldbemateriallydifferent.Ofcourse,shehadnoideaif
herjobwouldbewaitingforherwhenshereturned,butshecouldalwayslookforanother
accountingjob.Itwasmorethanthat,though.
As she stared into Reyes’s eyes, she understood his purpose, why he felt called to stop
othersfrombeingabusedastheyhadbeen.“Howlongdoyouthinkyou’dneedmeinthis
role?”
Hiseyeslitup.“Justfortonight.AfterthatIcouldfakeyourdeath,whichwouldgoa
longwaywithStarlin.Ijustneedtoparadeyouatthepartyforafewhours.Itwon’tbe
pleasant,however.Thatmuchyoureallydoneedtounderstand.”
“Butitwouldonlybefortonight.”
“Exactly.”
Shethoughtabouttheotherwomenwho’dbeenauctionedofftonight,andsomehowshe
cametoherdecision.TheleastshecoulddowasgiveReyes’splanachance.
“Okay,then.Icoulddothisforonenight.IknowIcould,andIthinkIoweyouthat.It’s
cleartomethatyousavedmylifeandthatifyouhadn’tbidagainstEngles,well,Idon’t
wanttothinkaboutwhatI’dbegoingthroughrightnow.”Sheglancedbrieflyattheleather
pouchontheshelfandrepressedashudder.
“Angelica,Idon’tknowwhattosay,exceptthatI’mgratefulandI’mequallysorrythatI
putyouthroughallthatearlier.”
“You were doing what you felt needed to be done.” She clapped her hands together.
“Okay, so, what happens next? Although to be honest I wouldn’t turn down a meal. I’m
starved.”Thiswasthefirsttimeinthepastweekshe’dactuallyhadanappetite.
“I’llhavemyhousekeepersendupsomehomemadesoup.Howdoesthatsound?”
“Perfect.”
Hemovedpasther,headinginthedirectionofthedoor.“Yourmeasurementsweretaken
whileyouwereimprisoned.Starlinalwaysprovidesaninitialwardrobefortheauctioned
women, including makeup and all kinds of lotions and hair care products. By now my
servantswillhaveunpackedeverythingforyou.”
Heledhertohisbathroom,whichprovedlargeenoughtoroller-skatein.Whitemarble
coveredthefloors,walls,ceiling,andalongvanityarea.Twosinkshadgoldfixtures.Given
allthatshesaw,shehadnoreasontodoubtthegoldwasreal.
Shefollowedhimashemovedintowhatprovedtobealargeclosetwithadressingarea
and a full-length mirror. Most of the space was empty except for a row of barely-there
garmentsthatmadeuseofleatherandsequins,feathersandchains,andavarietyofsheer
fabrics.
Reyes went through them, sliding the hangers along the rod in quick swipes, his
expressionasgrimasever.
He chose the red costume that seemed to have the most fabric, and that wasn’t saying
much.Fromarowofshoes,hepickedupapairofmatchingredsequinedpumpswithfive-
inchstilettos.“Thesewillhavetodo.I’llapologizenow,butthetruthisI’mgoingtohate
everyonestaringatyou.”
Sheglancedathimandrealizedtherewasahintofjealousyinhistone,butshedidn’tsay
anything.Asattheauction,onceagain,mostofherbodywouldbeondisplaynomatter
whichoutfithechose.
He took the costume and hung it back up, putting the shoes back on the rack. “While
Mathildepreparesatrayforyou,whydon’tyouhaveabath?”
Sheglancedatthesoakingtubandnodded.“I’dreallylikethat.”
“I’llleaveyoualone,then.”
Helefttheroomandsheimmediatelyturnedonthewaterfall-fillingfeatureandpoured
insomebubblebath.Asthetubfilledshehuntedthroughthedrawersandfoundthathe’d
described things exactly right: she had more cosmetics, lotions, powders, oils, and
hairstylingimplementsthanshecoulduseinadecade.Afterfindingabrushshetookher
timegettingridofthetangles,thenpinnedherhairupoffherneck.
Thebubbleswereabeautifulmoundwhenshereturnedtothetub.Sheletherrobefallto
thefloorandclimbedin.
Forthefirsttimeinaweek,herbodyrelaxed.Shesanktoherneck,closedhereyes,and
letoutadeep,shudderingbreath.Forthemoment,shewassafe,andifallwentwellshe’d
behomebymorning.
Aftershe’dsoakedforafewminutes,Reyesknockedandaskedifhecouldcomein:her
mealwasready.
Reliefoncemorerolledthroughher.Shewasnolongeraslave,buthadthesimpleright
ofgrantingorrefusingpermissionforanyonetoenterabathroom.Withbubblescovering
herhead-to-foot,shethoughtitcoulddonoharm.“Comein.”
Hisbrowsroseashesawher.“Better?”
“Alittle.Yes.Thankyou.”Shefeltnervoussuddenly.He’dalreadyseenhercompletely
naked,yetsomehowthisfeltmoreintimate.
Heheldthetraycradledinonearm,andopenedthedoortherestofthewaywithhisfree
hand.Shewatchedhimsetthetrayonachair,thenadjustanearbyrollingtabletobathtub
height.Whenhehadtheheighttohissatisfaction,andpoisedoverherchest,heplacedthe
trayontop.
Thesoupsmelledheavenly,andherstomachgrowled.He’dprovidedasmallglassofred
wineaswell.Hesaidnothingashelefttheroom.
Shescooteduptoabettersittingpositionandpulledthetablecloser.
Thesoupprovedtobeaflavorfullentil,andeachspoonfultastedlikeheaven.Forthe
firsttimeinaweek,sheatewithoutthefearofhavingoneofhercaptorsshowupandstart
demandingthings.
Andbyallappearances,Reyesintendedtohonorherbasicboundaries.
Withoutwarning,hermindslippedbacktothemomentwhenReyeswasdrinkingfrom
herthroat,theabsoluteblissofitandtheattendingsexualneed.Nowthatsheunderstood
himandhispurpose,apowerfulwaveofdesiresweptthroughheroncemore,despiteall
thatshe’dbeenthrough.
Aftermonthsoffantasizingabouttheman,howstrangetothinkthathewasn’tamanat
all—oratleastnotahumanmale.Hewasavampire,fromasecretworldthatmostofthe
humanpopulationknewnothingabout.
With her meal consumed, and her skin starting to wrinkle, she finally left the tub and
startedgettingreadyfortheafter-auctionparty.Shewentintotheclosetandfoundaclean
robetoreplacetheoneshe’dwornearlier,thisoneabeautifuljadesilk.Shereturnedtothe
vanityareaandtheoverstockedmakeupdrawer.
Shesatonthecushystoolanddebatedhowtodohermakeup.Intheend,forherown
sanity,shechosetokeepitsimple.Despitetherevealingnatureofthecostume,beingable
toselectitherselfgaveherasenseofcontrol.
Maybe she would have to parade around in a sequined outfit that barely covered her
nipplesanddidn’tcoverherassatall,butshewouldn’tdouphereyesliketheyhadforthe
auction,withfalseeyelashesthatlookedlikeapairofsmallblackfans.
Havingweptoffmostofhermakeupearlier,sheaddedbackalittlegrayeyeshadow,a
thinlineofeyeliner,somemascara,andjustahintofblush.
Asforherhair,shetooksometimewithacurlingiron,thenarrangeditallinsoftlayers
the way she usually wore it. She finally worked herself into the minuscule, snug red
costume,thensteppedintothesequinedstilettosandheadedtothesittingroom.
Timetostartplayinghernewrole.
#
Reyessatinabrownleatherchair,oppositethebedroom.Hesippedadifferentscotchthis
time,aBowmore‘64.He’dacquiredthetasteforfinewhiskeyduringhiscaptivity,Sweet
Dovehavingbeenasgenerousasshewassadistic,arealfuckingparadox.
Heswirledtheamberliquid,sipped,savored.
Hestillfeltguiltythathehadn’tdoneabetterjobatwarningAngelicaawayfromthe
Ocean Club sooner, but he couldn’t change the past. He also knew he’d made the right
decisionbytellingherabouthismission.
He’dgetherhomeassoonashecould,butshe’donlytrulybesafeifhetooktheStarlin
Groupdown.Heheardthedoortothebathroomopenandthesoundofherheelsonthe
hardwoodfloors.
Heleanedbackinhischair.Hereallydidn’twanttoseeAngelicainafantasyoutfit.He
alreadylustedafterher,sohavinghersoftcurvesondisplaywithoutmuchcoveringherup
wasgoingtomakethesituationsomethingofatrialforhim.
Sheappearedandtimeslowedtostandstillashisgazedriftedoverherbody.Thebarely-
there costume made use of a handkerchief’s worth of sheer red fabric, along with a few
sequin-embellished triangles that covered her nipples, her peach, and little else. A few
narrowstrapsheldeverythingtogether.
Sheputherhandsatthehemofthematerialthatdippedjustbelowhernavel.Sheflipped
itupanddownacoupleoftimes.“Feelsalittlebreezy,otherwiseitfitsquitewell.”
Atthathesmiled.Thiswasthewomanheknew,theonewhohadkissedhimattheOcean
Club,who’dmadehimthinkthatmaybehislifecouldbemorethanheimagined.
Herlegswentonaboutamile,slenderandshapely.Red-paintedtoenailspeekedthrough
thecutoutsinthefrontofhersequinedshoes.
Hesethistumbleronthetableathiselbowandstoodup.
Hewasn’tgoingtoevenbotherconcealinghisarousal,thoughthecoathelped.
Even so her gaze took him in, and her brows rose. “So does this mean you don’t find
anythingwrongwiththisgetupatall?”
Heshrugged.“Onlythatwehavetoleavethisroom.AsIsaidbefore,Ireallyhatethe
ideaofothermenseeingyoulikethis.”
“Vampires,youmean.”
“We’reallmales.Humanorvampire,wethinkwithourdicks.”
Shechuckledbutafteramoment,shefrownedslightly.“Willeverythingelsedo?Isaw
abouttensetsoffalseeyelashesbutIcouldn’tbringmyselftousethem.”
Helovedherappearancerightnowwithjustalittlemakeup,thesamewayshe’dlooked
at the club, fresh, earthy, very feminine. “You look fine. In fact, I think you look
wonderful.”
A short leash, also covered in red sequins, dangled from her hand. She held it up. “I
supposeIhavetowearthis.”
He crossed to her and took the leash. “It’s probably the most important thing you will
weartonight.Initsway,it’llprotectyou,becauseitwillkeepusconnected.”
Heunbuckledthecollar,fromwhichseveralthinloopsofsilverchainshung.Pushingher
hairoverhershoulder,hereachedupbehindherneckandsecureditwithoutmakingittoo
tight.
Whenhewasdone,sheplantedherhandsonhisarms,whichsurprisedhim.
“Reyes,I’dliketothankyou.”
“Whatfor?”
Shetookadeepbreath.“I’vehadtimetothink,toprocess,andIrealizenowwhatyou’ve
done,thatyoureallydidrisksomuchtosavemylife.Ialsothinkit’sincrediblyselflessof
youtobeworkingonbehalfofalltheseenslavedmenandwomen.”
Heclearedhisthroatandpulledaway.“Ithinkit’sgenerousofyoutosaythat,butyou
maybecursingmebytheendofthisevening.You’regoingtoseesomeshittonight,andit
can’tbehelped.Youmightevenberequiredtoperform,ifyougetmydrift.Areyousure
you’reupforthat?”
“I’vealreadytoldyouIam.I’lldowhatever’sneeded.”
“Okay,then.”
She surprised him all over again. His threats and sexual violation had accomplished
nothing,butaskingforherhelphadbroughthimmoresuccessthanhewouldhavebelieved
possible.
He clamped the other end of the leash around his right wrist. “Before we go, is there
anythingyou’dliketoknow?”
“Actually,thereis,andIthinkithassomethingtodowithyourworld.WhileIwasatthe
parkinglotoftheOceanClub,Igotthefeelingthatnooneactuallysawmyabductioneven
thoughtherewereplentyofpeoplecomingandgoing.Howwasthatpossible?”
“Many of us have an ability to create what we call a disguise. I’m sure the men who
abducted you did exactly that. Nothing that happened to you would have been visible to
anyonebutthem.Andiftheyhadsufficientpower,whichtheyprobablydid,itwould’ve
beeninvisibleeventoothervampires.”
Shenoddedslowly.“Well,thatwouldexplainit.Ihadabadfeelingaboutthosemen,but
IwassureIwassafe.Thenextminutetheygrabbedme,putaclothovermymouththat
smelledmedicinal,andnowI’mhere.”
“Angelica, there was nothing you could have done. My only regret is that if I’d
understoodyouweremarkedtobetakenthatnight,Iwouldhavewalkedyoutoyourcar
myself.Asitwas,ItookoffshortlyafterIthoughtyou’dleft,afterIbelievedyouweresafe.
And frankly, I blame myself or maybe that red dress you were wearing. You looked
amazing.”
Herlipspartedasshemethisgaze.Foramomenthefeltthewayhehadbackinthe
foyeroftheclub:Hewishedhecouldtakeherhome.Andnow,ironically,shewasinhis
home.
He looked away because as always, he was drawn to her, but not a damn thing could
comeofgettingclosetothewomanrightnow.Shewashuman,notfitforhisworld,andin
themorninghe’dtakeherhome.
“Onelastthing.There’ssomethingIwanttotrywithyoubeforewego.Itcouldmakeit
easier on both of us during the party. You’re a strong woman, which tells me there’s a
chancewecoulddothis.”
“Dowhat?”
“Telepathy.”
Hereyeswentwide.“Seriously?”
Withasmile,hesentthewordsstraightintohermind.Whynot?
She blinked, gasping slightly. “Did you just say, ‘Why not?’” She put a hand to her
forehead.“Oh,myGod,Iheardyou.”
Henoddedandhislipscurved.Damn,thewomanhadchops,morethansheknew.Now
yougiveitatry.
How?
Hechuckled.Justlikethat.You’reanatural.
Then,rightnow,I’mspeakingtoyou,insideyourhead?
Yes,youare.Nowtellmesomethingaboutyourself,somethingImaynotknow.
IliketodrinktequilawhenI’maloneinmyapartment.
Aloud,heasked,“Whythehelldoyoulikedrinkingtequilaalone?”
“BecauseIdo.”Sheglancedpasthim.AndI’llbetyoudrinkwhiskeywhileyou’realone.
Yeah,Ido.
Sheshookherhead.“Wow.Thisreallyisadifferentworld.”
“But this is good news. We’ll be able to communicate with each other throughout the
evening.IcanwarnyouwhenIhavetoputonashowandcommandyoutodosomething.
AndyoucanletmeknowifanyoftheothergueststrytomanhandleyouwhileI’mnot
looking.”
“Well,thatdoessoundlikeanadvantage.”Thensuddenlyshewasinhishead.SoI’llbe
abletocommunicatewithyouatanytime.
That’sexactlyright.
Thisisamazing.Willanyoneelsebeabletolistenin?
Notevenalittle,sodon’tworry.
Hedrewcloseandheldouthisarm.“Asforhowwe’regettingthere,I’llbeusingaltered
flight.Nowputyourarmaroundmyneckandstepontomyfoot.”
“Oh,Reyes,no,I’llpukeallovereverything.”
Hechuckledandforjustamomenthealmostfeltlikearegularguytakingawomanona
date…except of course that she was dressed like a stripper. “I promise that it’ll be very
differentthistime.I’llgoreallyslow,unlikewhenItookyououtoftheauctionhouse.You
mightfeelalittledizzywhenwearrive,butthatshouldbeall.”
She drew in a deep breath and settled herself on his shoe with great care, apparently
makingsureshedidn’tpuncturehisexpensiveleatherfootwearwithherstilettos.
Holding her tight against his side, he told her to close her eyes. “Let me know when
you’reready.Again,I’lltakeitslow.”
Hefelthertakeadeepbreath“I’mready.”
Fromhisperipheralvisionhecouldseethathereyeswereclosed.Heopenedhispower
andenteredalteredflight,headingstraightthroughboththebedroomandthecavewalls.
Just as he’d promised, he flew at a crawl, the picture of Engles’s mansion burned in his
mind,atruehomingbeacon,typicalofhisworld.
Heslowedonapproach,andfelttheresonanceofothersarrivingatthesametime.He
gaugedwhereheneededtobewithoutcollidingwithanyoneoranythingelseandlanded
nearalargefountainthatrosethirtyfeetintheair.Engleslikedtodisplayhiswealth.
Angelicablinkedandreleasedhim.“You’reright,justalittledizzy.”
She glanced up at the well-lit structure that had water cascading from a central bowl.
“Wow,”shemurmured.Hergazeskatedaroundthemassive,vaultedcavernandhereyes
widened further. “I hate to admit it, but this is beautiful. The sculpted rock walls are
exquisite.Itakeitthatstoneworkisahighlyprizedartforminyourculture.”
“Itis.”
“AndIdidn’texpecttoseesomanywomeningowns,thoughIcanseethattherearean
equalnumberofslavespresent.”Hefelthershudder.“Somanyofthemarebruised.”
“That’susuallyhowyoucantelliftheslaveishuman.Vampiresself-heal.”
Sheturnedtolookathim,butsurprisedhimbyshiftingtotelepathy.Reyes,shouldIhave
afewbruises?Wouldthathavemadeyoulookbetter—youknow,tokeepupappearances?
Hewasincredulousashestaredather.Sorry,butIdrawthelineatbeatingtheshitoutof
you.
Shesmiledfaintly.Justaswell.Iprobablywouldn’thavegoneforitanyway.
Hislipscurved.No,Idon’tthinkyouwouldhave.Butthere’ssomethingelseyoushouldknow.
Heglancedaround.You’rethestarofthisparty.
Great.Everygirl’sdream,tobethemainattractionatasex-slaveblowout.Nopunintended.
ChapterFive
Angelicatookamomenttocalmdown.Shewasnervousashellandtryinghardnottoshow
it.
Sticking with telepathy, she asked, So how do we do this? Do you want me next to you?
AlthoughI’mnotseeinganyoftheotherslavesdoingthat.
Walkjustalittlebehindmeandkeepyourheadslightlylowered.Hetookacoupleofsteps
forwardandglancedbackather.Good.Youlooksubmissive.JustrememberthatIwon’tbe
abletoseewhat’sgoingonbehindme,soifanyonetouchesyou,tellmetelepathically.Andfor
God’ssake,don’taddressanyonedirectly.Letmedothat.I’llprotectyoutonight.
Gotit.
“Oh,shit.”
“What?”Shelookedaround.
“Englesisattheheadofthestairs,waitingforus.It’stime.”
Sothat’sthemonster?Irememberhimfromtheauction.Hisfacehadaruddycoloratthetime.
Iguesshewasprettyworkedup.
Andfurious.
She let him get half a foot ahead before she fell into step at an angle behind him. He
tuggedontheleashandshetuggedback.
Withherheaddown,shecontinuedtoglanceatwhathadtobeahugemansiontucked
intosomecornerofthecavernsystem.
The area where they’d landed sported a waterfall, a small lake lit by torchlight, and
dozens of potted trees and shrubs, creating a sort of outdoor garden. The trees twinkled
withsmallblueandwhitelights.
Allthisledup,throughaseriesofwidestonesteps,tothehouseitself.Thefrontfacade
appearedtobefiftyyardsacrossandatleastfourstorieshigh.Mansion,indeed.
Shewasstruckagainbyhowbeautifullygownedthewomenwere.Mostofthemworenot
justnecklaces,butintricatechains.
Alotofchainsaroundhere.
Yes,someofthemareblood-chains.
Okay,that’snew.What’sablood-chain?
Thesingleblood-chaincreatesatightbond—thecouplecan’tbemorethanafewyardsawayat
anygiventime.I’veneverdoneitmyself,butifIwasacontrollingsadistassomeofthesemen
are,I’dchainyou.
Ifwewerechained,Iwouldn’tbeabletorunaway,wouldI?
Notevenalittle.
She noticed one woman who wore a gold double-chain, linked together with loops. A
largediamondpendantpulledthechaintowardhercleavage.Yousaidsingle-chain.Arethere
double-chainsaswell?
Yes.Thesearedeepbondingchains,usuallyindicatingamarriedstatus.
Ah,marriedslavers.Howcharming.
Therearealotofwomenequallyintothelifestyle.You’dbesurprised.
Afterthatredheadedshe-devilwhohurtme,IguessI’mnot.
He didn’t respond, but at the mention of the woman, she felt he’d tensed up again.
Reyes’sownerhadbeenawoman.Thesubjectnodoubthitsomebuttons.
Asshedrewclosertotheentrance,shesawthatmassivewhitemarblepillarssupported
the front structure, leaving it completely open to the air. She began to understand
somethingimportant:shehadn’tfallenjustintoaworldofvampiresandsexslavery,but
intoanentirecivilizationaswell.Aprofoundlyskilledarchitect,accompaniedbymaster
builders,hadcreatedthisextraordinaryhouse.
AndthisisEngles’shome?
Yes,itis.
I’mguessingStarlinearningsbuiltthishouse.
Youguessedright.
Andhe’sreallynottheonerunningthings?
He’safrontman.Don’taskmehowIknow,butIknow.Callitaninstinct.He’ssmartenough
and manages things quite well, but he’s not an empire builder. He’s too much of showman.
Buildingandsustaininganempirerequiresfinesseand,toadegree,secrecy.
Angelicathoughtitagreatironythatsomuchbeautyhadbeenbuiltonthedeathsoftens
ofthousandsofslaves.Hehasexcellenttaste,I’llgivehimthat.ButIwouldn’tmindseeinghim
torturedforadecade,thenhisheadchoppedoff,forallthathe’sdone.
Haveyoubeenreadingmymind?
Sheheardafaintwhimperingsoundandglancedtoherright.Sherecognizedoneofthe
womenfromtheauction,atallblondRussian.Shehadbruisesonherarmsandlegs.She’d
beenworkedoverbutgood,andhernewownerhadhisfangsburieddeepinherthroat
suckinghard—toohardbythelooksofit.Theslavestaredupatthecavernceiling,tears
streamingdownhercheeks.
As Angelica walked up the steps, however, she noticed that when some of the guests,
especiallythemen,lookedather,theyfrowned,thenglancedatReyes.
Ithinkweshouldhavefiguredoutawaytogivemethosebruises.You’relosingyourstreetcred
becauseI’mstillintact.
Heglancedatagroupofmenandnoddedtothem.Idon’tgiveafuckwhatanyofthem
think.IonlyhavetoimpressEngles—andmendfenceswithhim,ifIcan.Therestcangotohell.
HiswordsremindedheragainjusthowdifferentReyeswasfromtherestofthesecretins.
She had to work at holding her head down and sustaining her long-suffering expression,
becauserightnowshefeltnothingbutadmirationforhim.
DoIlooksubmissiveenough?
Heglancedbackatheroncemore.You’redoinggreat.
Andsoareyou,master.
#
Reyes liked Angelica in his head and he was proud of her for bearing up well, but he’d
expectednothingless.Heknewherhistory,becausehe’dhadherinvestigated,thatshewas
thesolesupportofherinfirmmotherandhadsacrificedalottotakecareofher.Shehadn’t
hadaneasylife.
She was a woman of great strength, another reason why he hated that she’d gotten
caughtintheStarlintrap.Andonemorereasonwhyheneededtobringthisorganization
down.
As he led her up the broad stone steps to the entrance, Engles stepped out onto the
expansiveporch.HehadhisusualDubonnetinhand,aleerinhiseye,andasmileReyes
wantedtowipefromthebastard’smouth.
“Youhaven’tchainedheryet?”Englesnarrowedhiseyesashetookanothersip.Hisgaze
driftedthefulllengthofAngelica.“She’snotevenbruised.”
Reyestookastepclosertoher.“Unlikeyou,Iintendtotakemytime.”
Engles shifted his gaze to stare hard at Reyes. “I’ve always had my doubts about you,
prettyboy.AndIthinkyoumayhavejustprovedmyopinionagaintonight.Andbythe
way,anyone’smembershipcanberevokedatmysolediscretion.”
Reyes had known men like Engles his entire life. They taunted and bullied at every
opportunity,nomatterthesituationortheperson.Butheknewsomethingelseaswell:if
heshowedthesmallestsignoffear,Engleswouldgoafterhim.Norcouldheappeasehim.
Engleswouldseethatasasignofweakness.
Arealrockandahardplace,soheoptedforadifferenttack.
HeheldEngles’sgazeforalongmoment,thenwheeledonAngelica,hopinglikehellshe
wouldfollowhisleadwithoutflinching.Hecaughtthebackofherneckwithhishandand
telepathed,DroplikeI’mhurtingyou.Whimper,groan,cry,anythingyoucando.
Aloud,hesaid,“Onyourknees,slave.”
Sheimmediatelyobeyedandgaveadecentperformance,cryingoutasshecrumpledat
hisfeet.
WhilekeepingonehandonAngelica’shead,hemetEngles’ssurprisedstare.“Thething
is,I’vealreadylaidoutaplanforthisslave.AndifIdon’tholdback,she’llbedeadbefore
I’veevenstarted.Imaynothavethesamepunchingstyleastherestofyourbidders,butI
likemymeatseasonedoveraperiodoftime,thenchewedslowlyinmymouthforaboutas
long.Itakenopleasurefromaquickslice-and-drain.Iwantthewoman’spaintoserveme
formonths.”Heloweredhisvoice.“Moreimportant,Iwanttogethertoasecondauction
atthesix-monthmark.Iintendtosetanewrecordandrecoupmyinvestment.”
Engles’seyeswidenedashisgazefelltoAngelica.Heactuallyseemedimpressedashe
lickedhislips.IfReyeshadbeenatallserious,Engleswouldnodoubthavebeenthefirstin
linetobidforAngelicaathersix-monthtransition.
Englestuggedathischin.“Allright,then.Ilookforwardtowhatthefutureholds.”
“AsdoI.”HepulledontheleashandAngelicaslowlyrosetoherfeet,wipingawaytears.
Hegaveherashove,settingherinmotionastogethertheymovedintothefoyer.
Youokay?Oh,God,hadhehurther?
How’dIdo?
Soyouareokay.
Hesworeheheardhersnortinsidehishead.Didthebastardbuyit?
Yeah,heboughtit.
Heglancedather,meetinghergazeforafleetingmoment.You’redoinggreat.
Anoddblushcoveredhercheeks.Hewishedlikehellcircumstanceshadbeendifferent,
becausehereallylikedthiswoman.
Butthisthoughtstoppedhimupshort.Whatcircumstances?Angelicawashuman,and—
except for the extremely rare mating between the species, involving love, marriage, and
offspring—vampiresdidn’tdatehumans.
Beyondthat,hisbackgroundmadehimabouttheworstsortofmansheshouldeverget
tangledupwith.
MovingAngelicaintothehouseproper,heheardherswiftintakeofbreathandwatched
hereyesskatetothetallceiling.Massivecrystalchandeliersilluminatedthespace,morefor
effectthannecessity.Vampirescouldeasilyseeinthedark.
Toobadthiswasallbuiltonslavebloodbecauseit’sabeautifulhome.
Yesitisandyou’reright,Angelica.Thisdwellingisatravesty.
Asheledhertothetopofalargedescendingstaircase,applausebegantobuildthrough
thegatheredpartygoersbelow.
Isthisbecauseoftheauction?
Ofcourse.Again,you’rethestar.
IthinkI’mgoingtobesick.
Justkeepyoureyesloweredandstayonestepbehindme.
Noproblem.
Reyesknewhowtosquarehisshouldersandgiveashow.Hiscaptor,SweetDove,had
trainedhimwellinanumberofdifferentways,andoneofthemwastheimportanceof
holdinganattitude.Mostofthewomenwatchedhim,lusting,asdidsomeofthemen.
All around the audience, the slaves were apparent in their usual revealing garb, like
Angelica’s,sportingsheerfabrics,chains,andleather.Lotsofsequins.Afewfeathers.
Thefemaleslaves,mostwithnakedbreasts,oftenhadrowsofdotstattooedaroundtheir
nipplesthatinturnwerestainedvaryingshadesofburgundy.Manyofthemaleslaveswere
alsonakedandkeptinastateofarousal,usuallythroughavarietyofdrugs.
Theroomwasjammed,someattendeesstandingaroundanddrinking,othersseatedin
severalloveseats.Manyofthenewslavessatbesidetheirowners,cutupandbeaten,eyes
glazed.
Reyes repressed the deep disgust that threatened to rise like bile up his throat. There
wouldbetimelatertopunisheachandeveryslaver.Fornow,heneededtostayfocusedon
doingallthathecouldtodiscoverthemaninchargeandtakehimdown.
Scorpion had kept his identity secret from the time Starlin came into existence. Once
Reyesfoundoutwhothemanwas,hecouldbegintheprocessofworkinghiswayintohis
innercircle.BeyondScorpion’sidentity,heneededthedocumentsthatdetailedeveryaspect
ofhowtheorganizationworked.Afterthat,he’dknowexactlyhowtodestroyStarlinfrom
within,stepbystep.
Ashemovedthroughtheroom,attentionbecameincreasinglyfocusedonAngelica.
Whenhe’dtoldherearlierthathehatedtheideaofothermenlookingather,hemeantit.
Some caveman part of him had already laid claim to her, so to have other men openly
lustingafterherscrapedathisnerves.
Angelica’svoicepiercedhisthoughts.Calmdown.Icanfeelyouragitationlikeit’srubbing
againstmyskin.
Itshows?
Well,thatfistyou’remakingisatleastoneclue.
Herelaxedhishandandstretchedouthisfingers.
That’sbetter.
For the next hour, he greeted most of the members by name, essentially working the
room.Whatwasn’tlosttohimwasthegoodwillthatflowedinhisdirection.Herealized
thatalotofslaversherelikedwhathe’ddonebywinningthebid,beatingoutEngles.
Bythetimehe’dmadeacircuitofthelarge,ballroom-likespace,Engleswaitedoncemore
backatthetopofthestairs.HegesturedforReyestojoinhim.
Engleswantsus.
Gotit.
Once Reyes was standing beside Engles—with Angelica on his other side, though as
alwaysslightlybehindhim—EnglescaughtReyes’shand.
Liftingithigh,Englescalledout,“Ourwinningbidderforourmostsought-afterslave.”
Heavyapplauseandafewwhistlesandshoutssoundedthroughtheroom.
Whentheaudiencesettleddown,Englesturnedtohim.“Andnow,myfriends,Ihavea
surpriseformyguestofhonor.”HepivotedtowardReyes.“Atheatricalperformancefrom
theownerofTheRubyCave.ThefamousEvesaidsheknowsyouwellandagreedtobring
oneofhertroupeshere,toperformforyoutonight.Nowfollowme.”
Turning to his right, Engles led the way down the sloping path of the theater, settling
theminafront-rowloveseat.Thestagewassituatedjustafewyardsaway,raiseduponly
afoot,sothatalltheactionwouldbeateyelevel.
Morethanoneofthecouplesintheaudiencehadalreadygottenbusy,slavesontheir
knees.Youneedtoprepareyourself.Thiswholethingmighteruptintoanorgy.
Heheardhersigh.Great.WillIbeexpectedtojoinin?
It’sstandardcourtesythatslavesbesharedwithothermembersoftheclub.ButIwon’tletthat
happentonight.
Won’ttheysuspectyouifyoudon’tparticipate?
We’llcrossthatbridgewhenwecometoit.
He didn’t glance around but he knew damn well everyone in the theater would be
watchinghim,andhisslave,throughouttheperformance.
Thelightsdimmed,andatthesametimethestagespotslituptheareatotheleft.Eve
appeared,wearingredleatherfromheadtotoe.Shewasatallwomanwithlongblondhair
thatrangedpastherknees.Tonightsheworeitpulledontopofherheadtocascadebehind
inaponytail.Buteventhatropeofhairlandedmid-buttocks.
Eve owned The Ruby Cave and had been one of the leading performers of The Erotic
Passage for a long time. She had a melodious, carrying voice. “Hello, my lovelies, and
welcome to a performance by the Ruby Theater Players. Knowing that my good friend
Reyeswouldbehere,Idesignedashowjustforhimandforhislovelydate.”
EvewasamajorstarinTheEroticPassage,otherwiseknownasThePassage.Shewas
heavilyintoBDSM,butplayedthegamebyherownrules.Heknewherwell:shedidn’t
approve of slavery, but she had a no-judgment rule about everyone. Of course, it hadn’t
failedtoreachhisnoticethatsheoftenboughtslaves,puttingthemtoworkinherclubfora
periodoftime,theneventuallysettingthemfree.Byhiscount,she’dsavedthousands.
Hetrustedher—somuchsothatshewasoneofonlytwopeoplewhoknewofhismission.
TheotherwastheownerofThePassage,ashortItalianvampirenamedRumy.Bothcould
keepasecret,andeachhadpromisedtohelpifheeverfoundawaytobringStarlindown.
Onamorepersonallevel,Evehadbeentryingtogethimonhertable,chaineddown,for
a long time. She’d told him repeatedly that after everything he’d been through, a good
dominance session would work wonders for him, give him the kind of release he’d been
needingforafewdecadesnow.
He’d never do it, of course. He’d made himself a promise that never again would a
womanchainhimdown.
#
Angelicacrossedherlegs,gratefulthatatleastfornow,herbodyforthemostpartwasn’t
ondisplay.Sherelaxedagainstthesoftcushionofwhatlookedandfeltlikearegularold
loveseat.Toherrightanotherslavefromtheauctionhousewasalreadybendingherhead
downintothelapofherlord-and-master,andtheshowhadn’tevengottenstarted.
Shedrewherhairclosetoherfacetoblockasmuchofthatimageasshecould.
ShewasalsogratefulthatReyeshadpulledherclosesothatshewaspressedupagainst
him.Thecavewasn’tfreezing,butwithoutevenadecentshirtorpantson,shewascold.
The woman, Eve, had an exotic appearance. She wore stiletto boots that rose past her
knees,snugredleatherpants,andatightredleatherbustierthatsupportedlargebreasts.
Shecarriedalongblackwhip.Swingingitonceoverherhead,shecrackeditattheend
ofthestage.
Angelicajumped.
Atthesametime,asoundtrackstartedupthathadadeepthumpingrhythmicbass,a
strongguitar,andabeatthatspokeofsexandnotmuchelse.
Angelicaputahandtoherstomach.Shedidn’twanttobeaffectedbywhatshewasabout
tosee,butReyes’swarmbody,hernever-endingdesireforhim,andthesexualnatureofthe
musicrippledthroughher.Shefeltthingsshedidn’twanttofeel,moresobecausesheknew
ReyeshadtensedupthemomentEvehadsaidthisperformancewasmeantforhim.
Evenhisthighsflexedandreleased.
Atfirst,shethoughtitwasasexualreaction;thensherealizedithadtobesomethingelse
becausesexwasnotthesensationshegotfromhimrightnow.Ifshehadtodefineit,she’d
callitfear.ButwhatdidReyeshavetobeafraidofinatheaterlikethis?
Fromthebackofthestage,twomeninloinclothsrolledamassivewalltoangletoward
theaudience,lockingitinplaceonthefloor.Chainswithmanacles,meantforwristsand
ankles,hungfromthewall,similartotheonesReyeshadputherinearlier.
Anotherwoman,alsocarryingawhip,enteredthestagecompletelynude.
The two loincloth men returned, dragging a third man in a black tux. The spotlight
focusedonhimasthefirsttwochainedhimup.
The completely nude woman, a very athletic vampire, used her whip. The first crack
caughttheman’scoatinadeeptear.
Hewinced,andtheaudienceknewthewhiphadstung.
Softgroansmovedaroundthetheater,butReyes’stensionlevelrampedup.Thefemale
repeatedtheprocessinquicksuccession,herarmandeyetrainedtostripthemanofhis
clotheswhileleavingveryfewsignificantcutsbehind.
The male servants tore the strips between strikes so that more and more of his well-
muscledbodyappeared.
The music continued to beat the erotic rhythm and the whip kept time so that even
Angelicacouldseetheexquisitelyorchestratedartistryoftheperformance.
Butwhatsurprisedherthemostwasthatoncetheservantspulledthetornpantsaway,
themanwasfullyerectbehindapairofsnugbriefs.Heclearlyenjoyedtheexperience,the
fear,thepain.
Shewasprettysuretheentireaudiencehelditsbreathasthefemale,onthebeat,andin
twoquicksuccessions,cuttoeithersideoftheman’sgroinandsenthisbriefsfallingtothe
floor.Thetwomengathereduphistorn-upclothesandleftthestage.
Angelica covered her mouth with her hand. Despite the fact that the man was clearly
enjoyingtheperformance,shecouldn’tgetpastthepublicnatureofthespectacle.
Thewomanmovedforwardand,nosurprise,beganfondlinghisarousal.
#
Thewhip,thechains,theseductivefemale,drewReyesintothepast,hisyearsasaslave.
He’dbelongedexclusivelytoSweetDovetouseasshesawfit,tosharehimwhenitpleased
her.
She had places of punishment and of pleasure, so that over time his body became
confused.Whathurthimoftendealtoutreamsofexquisitesensation,andwhatshouldhave
beenpleasurablecausedhimaterribleagonyofhismindandhisvampiresoul.
Sittinginfrontofashow,besideawomanhe’ddesiredintenselyformonthsnow,hadhis
bodyinanuproar.Thewholetime,guiltandshametightenedhischest.
Thesightofthewomannowcaressingtheslave’sthighsandgroin,herlipssurrounding
hiserection,sentshockwavesthroughhisbody.Hewantedtolookawaybutcouldn’t.
Evewalkedaroundtheperformers,crackingherwhiptothebeatofthemusic.Thetempo
increased,andthewomanrosefromherknees.
Oncuethetwoservantsreturnedandliftedher,poisinghersplitlegsoverhiscock.The
manstruggledinthechains,thrashinghisheadbackandforth,feigninghisunwillingness.
Shemountedhimandthemangrewstill,hiseyesrollinginhishead.
HowmanytimeshadReyesknownthismomentwithSweetDove,tryingtorestrainhis
desireonlytohaveallthephysicalsensations,bothbrutalandsensual,coalesceinanerotic
waveofpleasure.
She wrapped her legs around his waist. Once she was secured with her hands on his
shoulders,theservantsdriftedbackintotheshadows.
Sherodetheslavehard,usinghervampirestrengthtoworkhisbody.Sheshovedhishead
tothesideandheinturnshoutedhispleasureasthewomanbitintohisveinandstartedto
drink.Noplayacting,either.Thiswastherealdeal.
Butatthemomentthattheplayshouldhaveclimaxed,thewallbegantotrembleandthe
slave’sarmsflexed.Thewomancriedout,alonglingeringgroanthatturnedtoascreamas
theslavebrokefreeofhischains.
Theaudiencegasped,cryingoutinsharedecstasyaswell.
Theslave,nowfreeofhismanacles,whirledthewomaninhisarmsandwithhiships
pistoningharddroverelentlesslyintohisowner.
Thistime,hebitintoherneck,returningthefavor,gruntingashepushedinsideherin
heavy,powerfulthrusts.
The woman’s face looked pained at first; then her arms wrapped around him and she
begantomoan,thenuttercriesofecstasy.
Finally,themanliftedoffherneckandpoundedintohersothatherwhimpersturnedto
screamsasshecameandasheshoutedhisrelease.
Reyeswatchedunblinkingasbothpairsofhipssettleddown,themusicsubsided,andthe
lightsgrewdim.Thecoupleonstagebreathedhard.
Reyesgrippedhisthighs,hisfingersdiggingindeep.
AsinglespotlightfollowedEvetothefrontofthestage.ShemetandheldReyes’sgaze.
“Mayyouknowthepleasureonedayofreleasethroughdomination.Andmayyoubreak
freeofyourbonds.”
Thelightswentoutandtheaudienceapplaudedwildly.
Reyescouldhaveadjustedhisvampirevision,buthedidn’twantto;infact,hecouldn’t.
Hesat,unabletocalmhiserection,hisbodytrembling.
Angelica’svoiceoncemoreslidthroughhismind.You’reshaking.
He couldn’t speak, not even telepathically, as though the nature of the show had
scrambledhisneurons.
Thecrowdhadalreadystartedmovingaround.Someonestoodinfrontofhimspeaking
hisname,buthecouldn’tmakeitout,couldn’tfocus,couldn’tthink.
HeliftedhisgazeslowlyandintherecessofhismindrecognizedthatEnglesnowstared
athim.
“Reyes?”Hisnamesoundedasifspokenunderwater,onlywithlongechoes.
Theperformancehadtakenhimbackatleastacenturyintime,tothemiddlepartofhis
captivitywhendespairhadmadehimcontemplatechewingoffhisownhands,haltingthe
healingprocess,andwelcomingdeath.
He felt a hand slip around his elbow and squeeze, a tender touch that startled him
blinking.
Reyes,comeback.You’vegottocomeback.Engleslookssuspicious.Idon’tknowwhatyou’ve
gotplanned,butyou’reabouttoblowthiswholething.
Heturnedslowlytostareather,horror-stricken.Whyareyoutouchingme?
Hecouldn’tbelieveanyonewouldwanttotouchhim.Hewasafilthyslave,usedsomany
timesbySweetDoveandherfriendsthathewasunworthyofeverbeingtouchedagain.But
then Angelica didn’t know the complete truth of who he was, how many times he’d
orgasmedoncommandforSweetDove,orhowmanymenhe’dfuckedduringhiscaptivity
inhell.
Andwiththathismindshutdowncompletely.
ChapterSix
Angelica watched Reyes turn away from her to stare blankly at the now empty stage.
Somethinghadhappenedtoforcehismindinward.Maybetheperformancehadbeentoo
much.
Sheglancedaroundandsawthatalleyeshadturnedtothem,waitingexpectantly.
Sheusedtelepathyagain.Reyes,comebacktome.Youhavetodosomething.
Whenhedidn’trespond,panicsetin—notjustthathisplansmightbedisruptedbutfor
her own safety as well. If Engles attacked right now, Reyes wouldn’t be able to defend
himself,andsheknewenoughaboutthebastardtoknowthatEngleswouldtakecommand
ofherifhecould.
Shemadeaquickdecisionandaloud,said,“Yes,master,I’veheardyourcommandwithin
mymindandI’lldoasyousay.I’llobeyyouineverything.”
With all eyes in the theater now on her, she felt nauseated as she rose up slightly,
trembling,andmovedinfrontofhim.Sheloweredherselftoherkneesassomanyother
slaveshadalreadydonethatevening.
Shespreadhislegs,movingbetweentoundohispants.Notsurprising,hewasfirmand
readyforher.Withoutallowingherselftothinkaboutthehorrorofthemoment,shefocused
onReyes,knowingthatifhedidn’tgetwithit,he’dlosehisstandingwithEnglesandthe
restoftheStarlinmembersandshe’dbecaughtinamadman’spower.
She slid her mouth over his cock, shutting out the movement and increased groans all
aroundher,eventhenearbyapprovingcomments.
Reyes, you feel so good in my mouth. You’re a big man and hard as a rock. She reached
betweenhislegsandfondledhisballsasshesucked,thenstrokedthelengthofhisstalk.
I’vewantedyoufromthefirstmomentIseteyesonyou.I’vehungeredforyou,cravedyour
cock.Shetonguedhiscrown,slidingovertheridge,teasingthemostsensitiveparts.
Shekeptherministrationstender,hopingthatthefeelofhertonguewouldbringhimout
ofhismentallylocked-upstate.Maybethenthey’dbothsurvive.
Shealsoblockedeverythingelseoutofhermind.Sherecalledherfantasiesofhavinghis
bodybeneathherhandsandletherselfgothereagain,pretendingshewasalonewithhim.
You have a beautiful cock, thick and long. She took as much of him in her mouth as she
could,workinghimwithherhandatthesametime,slowupwardpulls.
Reyes, I’ve wanted to do this for months now. How many times I’ve longed for your body
movingovermine,yourcockburieddeep,yourhipsthrustingharderandharder.Icouldcomelike
this.I’donlyneedthepressureofyourhandpressedbetweenmylegsandI’dbescreamingwith
pleasure.
Shemovedfaster,herheadbobbingupanddown.
Hestartedtorespond,hishipsrockingslowly.
Yes,that’sit.YoulikewhatI’mdoing.Comebacktome,Reyes.LetmeknowI’mpleasingyou.
#
Reyesbeganthelongjourneybackbecausepleasurerodehisthighs,hisabdomen,andhis
cock.Awarm,wetmouthworkedhim.
With his eyes closed, he heard a voice in his head, a woman’s voice. With a start he
recognizedAngelica,butwhatwasshesaying?Hismindfeltmuddyandstrange.Shetalked
aboutlovinghiscock,wantingtocomelikethis.
Likewhat?
Hestrovetomakesenseofwhatwashappening.Mostly,hefeltlikehewaswakingup
veryslowlyfromasexdream.
Angelica?
I’mhere.JustenjoywhatI’mdoing.That’sit.You’resohard.Icanfeelyou’reclosetorelease.
Her mouth sucked a little harder, but her hand worked him faster at just the right
pressure.Heslidhispalmtothebackofherheadandflexedhiships,pushingasshesucked.
Helovedthatshewassuckinghim.
Otherimagesintruded,ofEveandherredleather,ofthedominanceshow,ofthetheater
inEngles’shome.
Tensionflowedthroughhim,notinagoodway,asrealityreturned.Angelica,whatthehell
ishappening?
Butshedidn’tpauseinhermovements.Justgowithit,Reyes.I’vegotthis.Englesiswatching
andyouneedtocomeforme.
Thisisn’tright.
Withherfreehand,shedughernailsintohisabdomen,drawinghisattentionlow.
Heopenedhiseyesashervoiceoncemorepenetratedhismind.Shemethisgaze,staring
upathim.I’vewantedyoulikethis.Didyouknowthat?I’vewantedallofyouinmymouthfrom
thetimeIfirstsawyou.I’vepleasuredmyselfrepeatedlywiththoughtsofhavingyourcockright
here,mytongueswirlingoveryou.
ReyesfinallyreturnedtorealityandinabriefflashrealizedallthatAngelicawasdoing
forhiminthismoment,thesacrificeshewasmaking.Asaslave,he’dbeeninthisposition,
havingtoperformagainsthiswill,againsthismorality.Butshe’dchosentodothisforhim.
Hestrokedherheadandsethismindonnothingbutthewomanonherkneesinfrontof
him. He recalled the kiss she’d given him in the foyer of the Ocean Club, the way she’d
lookedinherredsilkdress,thehopefulexpressioninhereyes.
Shewassodamnbeautifulandhewantedher.Helethisdesireforhertakeover.Aloud,
hesaid,“Suckmehardernow,slave.”
Sheresponded,movingfasteraswell.
“You’veobeyedme,slave.That’sallthatmatters.”
Angelica,yourmouthislikefire. He thrust his hips now and she moved even faster. His
ballstightened.I’mcoming.
Icanfeelit.
Shestayedwithhim,withhismovements,holdingherheadandthesuctionofhermouth
just right as he pumped all that he had straight into her mouth. The orgasm had him
shouting at the cavern ceiling, eyes closed, refusing to acknowledge anyone else around
him.
As he settled in his seat, Angelica drew back, swallowing and wiping her lips. But she
wiselykepthereyesdowncast.Hesawtearsonhercheeksasshetuckedhimbackinside
andcarefullyzippeduphispants.
He’dhadenough,andhewassureshe’djustreachedherbreakingpoint.
Ignoringthesuddenburstofapplauseallaroundhim,andnotcaringwhatrepercussions
mightfollow,hecaughtherupinhisarms.
Inaloudvoice,hesaid,“Ineedyouinmygameroom.Now.”
Moreapplause.
Shiftingtoalteredflight,heflewthroughthecavernwalls,takingitslowforhersakeas
hespedinthedirectionofhishome.Hedroppeddownintohismastersuiteoncemore.
Helaidheronthebed,butsheturnedtoherside,swipingatherface,tolookupathim.
The crowd’s approval still worked like a sickness in his gut, twisting him up. His guilt
rose,heavyguiltoverhispast,overallthethingshe’ddonethroughthedecades.Andnow
aninnocentlikeAngelicahadperformedinpublic,suckinghimoff.
Theeroticshowhadmessedwithhismind,makinghimlongforthingsthatcouldn’texist,
likebreakingfreeandhavingpoweroverwhathadcontrolledhimforsolong.
Afterthefirstmonthsofhisfreedom,he’dthoughtthatifhecouldtrackdownSweetDove
andkillher,thenhe’dbefree.
ButSweetDovewasn’ttobefound.Hequicklylearnedthatveryfewpeopleevenknew
ofher.Eventhemenwho’dvisitedher,whohadalsousedhisbody,haddisappearedfrom
thevampireworld.
HenowbelievedthatSweetDovehadkilledthem,ororderedthekillings,thoughdoing
thejobbyherownhandwouldhavesuitedherequallyaswell.Sincethen,nothinghe’d
donetotrytolocateherhadworked.She’dslippedintosomewell-disguisedcavernsystem
anddisappeared.
Maybeshewasdead.OrmaybefindingScorpionwouldhelpleadReyestoher.Afterall,
SweetDovehadbeenwithAngelica.She’dknownallabouther.Itwashighlypossiblethat
SweetDoveknewScorpion.
Angelicashivered.
“Areyoucold?”
Shenodded.
Hemovedtothefireplaceandlitawell-constructedstackofnewspaper,kindling,and
logs.Whenthefireburnedhot,Angelicashiftedtositonthesideofthetallbed.Shestared
upathim,thecomforterlooseaboutherwaistasfirelightplayedoverherperfectcleavage
andtheredsequinscoveringhernipples.
“Angelica,I’msosorryforwhathappenedjustnow,butI’mbeyondgrateful,too,because
you saved the situation. I got lost for a few minutes, and you brought me back. Is there
anythingIcandoforyou?”
She released a weary sigh. “I know this is going to sound odd, but I’d really like a
shower.”
Henodded.“Actually,thatmakesperfectsense.”He’dbeenthereathousandtimes.
Shepushedthecomforterbackandheadedtothebathroom.
#
Angelicaletthewaterflowoverherheadforalongtime.Shesoapeduprepeatedly,trying
toscrubsomeoftheexperienceoffherskinandoutofherpores.
Herjobwasover,thepartshe’dagreedto,andsometimethenextmorningReyeswould
takeherhome.He’devensaidhe’ddoallthathecouldtokeephersafefromStarlininthe
future.
Sheshouldhavefeltrelieved,andmaybeshewas.Butalargepartofherwasstillstuckat
that horrible party where at least a hundred slaves had milled around dull-eyed and on
leasheslikehers.Excepttheirobedienceandsubmissionwerereal,unlikehers.Sheonlyhad
tofeignhercaptivity.Sheshuddered,tryinghardnottothinkaboutwhattherestofthe
nightwouldbelikefortheotherwomen.
Despite this brutal reality, she was proud of what she’d achieved tonight. She’d saved
Reyes’sreputationandprotectedhiscover.Hecouldgoforwardwithhisplansandfulfill
hismission,andintheprocesssavetensofthousandsoffutureslaves.
Thenwhydidn’tshefeelmoresatisfied?
#
Reyes leaned his forearm over the tall mantel, drawing deep breaths. He could recall
everythingnow,howhe’dwatchedtheshowandfallenintoastrangetranceasimagesof
SweetDove’storturehadovertakenhismind.
Engles had stood nearby watching him like a hawk, waiting for a sign of weakness,
hopingtotearhimapart.
Dream-like,hecouldevenseethemomentAngelicahadmadethedecisiontogodownon
him,pretendingthatsheobeyedhisorders.
Horrorrolledthroughhiminwavesatwhatmighthavehappenedhadshenotjumpedin
andplayedherslaveroleasbrilliantlyasshehad.Butitwasn’tthepossibilityoffailingat
his mission that distressed him; it was the simple fact that Engles happily would have
appropriatedAngelicaashisslaveoncehewasassuredthatReyeswasn’tuptothetask.
Hecouldn’tbecertainexactlywhathadhappenedtohim,whyhe’dcheckedoutforthose
fewminutes.HesupposedEve’sshowhadbeentoorealforhim.Ormaybetheoverallstress
oftheeveninghadfinallygottentohim.
Hesqueezedhiseyesshutandforthepresentworkedatlettingitallgo.Angelicahad
savedthesituationandnowhehadherhome,safeandsound.
Inthemorninghe’dtakeherbacktoNewportBeach,toherapartment,backtohelping
hermotherandworkingallthelonghoursatheraccountingjob.Maybeitwasn’tagreat
life,butitsureashellwasn’tthedangerousandpotentiallyfatalonehe’dbroughtherinto.
He ignored certain other thoughts that had stolen into his mind as well, ones that
involvedkeepingherwithhimforthenextfewweeks.
Hehadnorighttoaskanythingmoreofher.
Evenso,hemovedtothewallunittotheleftofthefireplace,ladenwithahostofbooks
onshelves.Asetofdrawersmadeupthelowerportionoftheunit.
Openingthetopdrawer,hepulledoutaredleathercaseandpoppedthelid.Onabedof
scarletvelvetlayapairofidenticaldark-metalchains.Hetouchedeachinsuccessionand
feltthepowerfulvibrationstheycarried.Whencreated,thechainshadbeeninfusedwith
hisbloodandcarriedhisDNA,whichmeantthathecouldbindAngelicatohimifhewanted
to.Hecouldkeepherclosetohimwitharangethatrarelyextendedbeyondtenfeet.
Thechainswouldprovehe’dbroughtherunderhiscompletecontrol.Buttheywoulddo
morethanthat.He’dhaveasenseofheratalltimes,andshe’dknowexactlywhathewas
feelingmomenttomoment.
Everythingabouttheircurrentrelationshipwouldbeheightened,includinghisdesirefor
her,hislongingforherblood,hisneedtoburyhimselfinsideher.
He knew she desired him, so in turn, what she felt for him would be enhanced
exponentiallyaswell.
ThethoughtoftakingAngelicatobedasawillingpartnerwhileboundinblood-chains
causedhimtogroan.
“Youokay?”
Heclosedthelid,thenthedrawer.
Pivotinginherdirection,hemethergaze.Sheworearobe,tieduptightathernarrow
waist. Her hair was slicked back, wet from the shower, which made her eyes look huge,
enhancinghervulnerablehumanness.
Hereallycouldn’taskthisofher.
Hecouldn’t.
Insteadheansweredherquestion.“I’mfine.Tired,maybe.”
“WillIbesleepingheretonight?”Shedippedherchintowardthebed.Withatowelshe
rubbedtheendsofherhair.
Henodded.“Icansleepintheguestroom.”
Hergazerovedthebed.“Ithinkthatwouldbebest.”Butshefrowned.
“Whatisit?”
“Nothing.”Atthat,shesmiledasshemethisgazeoncemore.“Icouldusesomesleep.
Maybeadecade’sworth.”
He realized then that whatever she could do in terms of helping him reach his Starlin
destructiongoal,therewasanotherreasonhedidn’twanthertogo.Sheeasedsomething
insidehimhecouldn’tdefine.
Andhewantedhertostaywithhim,atleastforalittlewhilelonger.“Ineedyou.”
“What?”Shetiltedherhead.
“I need you.” There, he said it again, flat out. “I want you with me for the next few
weeks. The Starlin Group is hosting a festival, like your New Orleans Mardi Gras, with
paradesandpartiesinmanyofthelocalsexclubs.Itculminatesinamaskedball.”
“Idon’tunderstand.Whatareyousaying?”
Hedovein.“Iwantyoutostickthisoutwithme,toshareablood-chainbond—whichwill
helpkeepyousafe.Ithinkwithyoubymyside,I’llbeabletofinishmymission.InfactI’m
sureofit.Angelica,Iwantyoutostay,tocontinuetoposeasmyslave,tobewithme.”
#
AngelicadrewclosetoReyes,tryingtounderstandhismeaning.Shefrownedsohardthat
themusclesofherfacehurtasshestaredoncemoreintoclearblueeyes.Hewaspleading
withher,somethingshehadn’texpectedfromhim.
Andhewantedhertostay.
Buthowcouldsheremaininthisworld?She’dalreadybeenthroughsomuch.Thatlast
episode, when he’d mentally checked out, had almost put her square into the hands of a
madman.
“I can’t. You know I can’t. I have to go home. I have my mother to think of, and my
future.IfIstay,there’sagoodchanceIwon’tmakeitoutalive.”
Hedrewherintohisarmsandkissedher,thennuzzledhisneck.“Angelica,”hemurmured
againstherthroat.“YoumadeeverythingpossibleandIwantyouwithme.Ineedyouwith
me.Pleasestay.”Hekissedheragain.
Shesensedhowdesperatelyhewantedherwithhim.
Shepulledawayfromhim,rubbingherforeheadwiththepalmofherhand.“I’msorry,I
can’tdothis.”
Heturnedbacktothedrawerhe’dclosedandpulledoutaredcase.Openingit,helether
lookatapairofchains.
“Theseareblood-chains,aren’tthey?”
“Yes,theyare.Wewouldeachwearachainandoncebound,you’dbeabletosiphonmy
power,sensewhereIamatalltimes,andtosomedegreewhatI’mfeelingandthinking.
AndIwouldexperiencethesamewithyou.Itwouldmakeworkingtogethermucheasieron
everylevel.AndifIboundyou,I’dgaincredibilitywithEngles.”
Evenwithouttouchingthem,shesensedtheirpower.
“Iwantyouwithmemorethananythingintheworld,morethanI’vewantedanythingin
mylife.AndIknowyou’vefeltit,too—it’swhatbroughtyoubacktotheOceanCluband
whyyoudidn’tleavemyworldwhenyouhadthechance.Webelongtogether,Angelica.
Pleasestaybymyside.HelpmebringStarlindown.”
Herheartlurchedasshemethisgazeoncemore.Shewassodrawntohim.Shehatedthat
he’d once been a slave himself, that throughout the first part of his life, he’d endured
decadesoftorture.Andnowallhewantedwastomakeadifference,toendthehorrorsof
sexslavery.
ShethoughtbacktotheRussianslave,whimperinginpainashernewownersankhis
fangsintoherneckanddrankfromherwiththeintentionofhurtingher.Reyeshadtaken
herblood,butithadn’thurtatall.Insteadshe’dneverknownsuchexquisitepleasure.
Andtherewastheother,sensualsideoftheequation:Shewouldn’tjustbepartnerswith
him,sheknewhe’dbecomeherlover,thethingshe’dwantedmorethananythingelseover
thepastseveralmonths.
Buthe’dspokenofherstayingwithhimforweeks?Shecouldn’tbeawayfromhermother
for that long. And despite Reyes’s assurances, what if she died? Who would care for her
parentthen?
Did she really want to enter such a completely intimate relationship with a vampire?
Evenifshesurvived,wouldshelikethepersonshe’dbecomebythetimeitwasallover?
Shecouldn’tdothis.Shefeltinherbonesthattochooseablood-chainbondwithReyes
wouldalterherlifeforever,thatshe’dneverbeabletogobacktoherhumanworld.
“Ican’t,Reyes.IwishIcould,butIcan’t.I’mnotstrongenoughforthis.Trustme.”
“Youhavemorestrengththanyouknow.”
Sheshookherhead.She’dmadeuphermind.
Thenasiffromagreatdistance,sheheardhisspiritcallingtoher.
Stay.
She didn’t know how she knew, but this wasn’t telepathy, not like before. It was a
plaintivecrystraightfromhisheart.Andforthatreasonalone,shewantedtosayyes,but
howcouldshe?
Stay,Angelica.Pleasestay…
Tobecontinued…
GetevenmoresexyromancewithCarisRoane’sfull-lengthMeninChainsseries
fromSt.Martin’sPaperbacks!
Available
July2014
SAVAGECHAINS
Surrendertoyourdarkestdesires.
Don’tMissAnyoftheInstallmentsinThisSexySerialfromSt.Martin’sPress!
SavageChains#1:
Captured
SavageChains#2:
Scarred
AvailableearlyJune2014
SavageChains#3:
Shattered
AvailablelateJune2014
Caris Roane is the author of the Guardians of Ascension series and the Men in Chains
series,bothfeaturingpowerfulvampiresandthewomenwholovethem.Carislivesinthe
PhoenixareaoftheSonoranDesert,reallydoesn’tlikescorpions,andinhersparetimetries
tostayoffFacebook.YoucanfindCarisat
Thisisaworkoffiction.Allofthecharacters,organizations,andeventsportrayedinthisnovelareeitherproductsofthe
author’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.
“Captured:SavageChains:Part1”copyright©2014byCarisRoane.
Allrightsreserved.Forinformation,addressSt.Martin’sPress,175FifthAvenue,NewYork,N.Y.10010.
Coverart©GoldenCzermak
eISBN978-1-4668-3292-3
FirsteBookEdition:May2014
Document Outline
- Title Page
- Copyright Notice
- Table of Contents
- Chapter One
- Chapter Two
- Chapter Three
- Chapter Four
- Chapter Five
- Chapter Six
- Caris Roane’s Men in Chains
- More from the Savage Chains Series
- About the Author
- Copyright
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