“Why now? Because you took me?”
“Took you? No. It’s because I protected you.”
“Protected?”
“I got rid of the driver who would have tried to take you from me. I also got rid of the muscle who would have incapacitated you. They tried to stop me. They tried to get to you before I could save you. They wanted you gone so I would be their puppet again. They tried to take you. But you’re my girl. You fought for me. You didn’t let them drug you and take you from me.”
My head is reeling. Was the limo incident me almost getting kidnapped and sold? Were the driver and the escort guy both in on it? And when he said muscle, does he mean who I think?
“Did you kill Dozer?”
“Yes, princess, I did. She was meant to weaken you but my girl is stronger than she looks. Dozer needed to be taught a lesson. And I’m sorry it took me so long to come and save you that night. I was dealing with her. She took too long to die, but I had to make sure she wasn’t going to come after you again. If I had just shot her like I wanted and not planned the whole hit-and-run so no one noticed I injected her with enough insulin to kill her, I would have been able to get to you before the dirty dogs did.”
The way he speaks of the Hounds, I can feel his hatred without even looking at his face. I bet he’s snarling at the idea of someone else coming to my rescue. Not that I needed one. And if the guy who drugged me was part of it, then I bet he’s doubly pissed that Domino ended his life and he didn’t. This guy seems just sick enough to hate that he didn’t get the kill himself.
“Why did they want me?”
“I’ve been watching over you for years. At first I didn’t care, but you smiled at me. You saw me. Few see me. That’s why I knew you were meant for me. I was getting close, and they thought I was getting sloppy. It wasn’t my fault that they already got shit fucked up on their end when they were drawing the heat. But they put the blame on me. I knew I had to act to keep you safe. Once I saw your escort was Roy Baner, I knew they were making a play for you. I kept you safe, baby. You’re welcome.”
He rubs his hand over my head in what I’m sure he thinks is a loving action, but again, I just want to barf. I try not to flinch away this time, but I can’t control my face, and I know it’s giving a look of disgust.
He sighs heavily and stops touching me. I hear him walk around as his voice moves through the room.
“It’s only natural. It’ll take you some time to fall for me like I did you. I can be a patient man. I even let you fuck a dog to get it out of your system. And now that you’ve had a bad lay, you can feel what a good one will be. And I’ll be good, baby, real good for you.”
I wish I could say I breathe easier with him away, but I have no clue where he is or what he’s doing. At least when he was next to me, I could expect his touch. I need to keep him talking,if only to figure out where he is for my sanity. Being without sight fucking sucks, and I swear to anyone listening that I’ll start investing in all the research possible to cure the blind after this. You know, if I make it through this.
“What got fucked up? Why would they blame you?”
His hum comes from the top left, so what I’m lying on isn’t against a back wall. Just in the middle of whatever this place is.
“I’m the middleman. It’s easier to blame someone other than yourself, I guess. The person running this area, Cast Off, got killed, and someone had to step up. I wasn’t looking to advance. I’ve got skills, but not about managing people. Took a while for a new head to come in, and by then, they saw I wasn’t interested in the money anymore. I only wanted you, and they thought they could start back up and keep me in line if they took you. Their mistake.”
“So.” I lick my lips only because they’re dry. I hope he doesn’t see it as an invitation. “Are the bad people gone?”
Is it just him left? Or once I’m out of here, do I have to worry about possibly getting taken again? How many people are really after me?
“I took out those who tried to control me. I told the others not to bother me. We have an agreement.”
“What’s the agreement?”
“I keep you. No one else but me. And if they keep up their end of the bargain, I’ll go back to hunting down their targets. I did a job a few weeks back in good faith, got them a new girl. They liked her. She brought in a few hundred, I heard. Don’t really know. I got my 20 percent, and I plan to put it toward our future, just like I will for the others. So don’t worry yourpretty little head, princess. I’ll provide for us. You can just stay home and take care of the house and kids.”
I swallow hard. “Kids?”
“Oh yeah, princess, we’re going to have so many. Can’t wait to have a few girls with you. If we have too many, we can always sell them. Don’t worry about that for now, though, baby. Just relax and realize your man’s here now. I got you. I’m going to take care of you.”
I can’t holdit in any longer. I turn my head and vomit.
I thought I was strong. And I am. But no one could keep from reacting to what he’s saying. He plans to rape me, impregnate me, then sell his offspring. If I didn’t throw up, I don’t know what kind of person that would have made me. I won’t cry and scream, but my body will repel the idea for me.
I’m not surprised when I feel a cloth on my mouth, wiping away the vomit. I felt some get in my hair, but the guy’s diligent about getting everything out. I didn’t hear a sink running, so he must have a bucket of water or maybe even a water bottle that he’s using to wet the towel with. He’s patient and thorough in cleaning me.
I don’t thank him. I can’t. I was raised to be polite till someone isn’t. And this guy is most definitely not deserving of any gratitude.
“There you are. All better now, princess. Do you want some water?” He pours some into my mouth before I can reply, and I sputter but drink a few drops before he pulls it away. The rest dribbles down my cheeks and neck. Another thing he takes his time to clean.
This time, I don’t suppress the shiver of disgust when I feel his hand lower across the top half of my breasts. I mightbe covered, but his touch feels like it’s searing through the cotton. I feel his brand on me, and I just want to roast in a hot fire till it’s burned away.
