“Why?”
“For love. Aaron and Xander are not good men. But, buried somewhere deep within their souls is a brilliant light, one that grows brighter once it’s found. It exists within you as well and I think Xander is intent in bringing it out of you. He’s become protective of you, although he won’t admit it.”
“Xander has done nothing but abuse me.” Hope’s words were saturated with venom, with the hatred and puzzlement that she felt. She found it unnerving that her heart rate could speed, that her skin could tingle, that a warmth could develop inside her even though she wanted nothing more than to hate him.
“Is that all?” Maddy’s smile crooked up, her expression speaking to some knowledge or thought unknown to Hope.
Thick silence fell over them again, only lifted by Maddy’s next words. “When is the last time any person made you feel something — anything?”
Hope immediately thought of her sister, the only light that existed in the abysmal truth of her life. She didn’t want to speak of Honor, her heart gripped with fear that her sister no longer existed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Maddy paused a bit before saying, “You don’t have to tell me. But think about it for yourself. I assume you feel nothing — that you have to be cold to hunt and kill, to take people’s lives for nothing more than money or request. Beyond that, who has made you feel anything? Love, hate, happiness, or misery? Who has been able to affect you so much that you feel human and not like a machine?”
“Why does that matter?”
Maddy shook her head, amusement playing over her face. “Why do you think it matters? It must be lonely, never connecting to anything or anyone — a life always moving, always hiding in shadows. I understand the need to grow cold, but if something can create a spark within you, can break through the fog, I think you should give it a chance to show you just how alive you can become.”
Hope’s brows furrowed over her eyes at Maddy’s bewildering words. Before she could respond, the sound of the front door opening announced the presence of another person in the suite and Maddy stood up to return to the seat where she’d originally sat when Hope had awoken.
Heavy boots fell rhythmically across the stone floors and, from the corner of her eye, Hope could see broad shoulders when Xander entered the room. “Cricket, I need you to leave.” His words were curt yet forceful, his tone business-like in its formality.
Maddy didn’t object, instead she eyed Xander for a moment before quietly grabbing her book and walking from the room. Xander waited for the door to open and close before turning his attention to Hope. “You have information that I need and I’ve played your silly games. Tell me why you are here.”
She was struck by the urgency of his words. “Why should I …”
His hand was around her face, his fingers digging painfully in her cheeks. With a voice low and barely controlled, he interrupted, “I’m tired of your arguments. You asked to be defeated. I’ve done so. The next option is death. Do NOT think we can’t discover the information ourselves.” His voice grew frustrated, his eyes squeezing shut before opening again. “I know what network you are from. We will kill them all, one by one, until we have our answer. If you care anything for the people with whom you are connected, you’ll tell me what I want to know.”
She glared up at him, noticing quickly his unyielding stare. Shaking her face from his grip, she yelled, “And what makes you think it is MY network that attacks you? Maybe you should spend less time raping women and more time checking on your own men!” She couldn’t help her sudden release of anger. It was HIS people that forced her into this, HIS people that held her sister.
He looked shocked and angry, but eventually his expression grew bored once again. “It’s about fucking time. Tell me more so we can get somewhere.”
Frustrated tears leaked from her eyes. She feared he would kill every person in that house, not taking the time to judge them for guilt or innocence before cutting them down. When she didn’t respond again, he breathed out an exaggerated breath and sat down beside her. Her chains rattled when she moved as far away from him as possible. Heat burned along her skin to look at him, making her more angry and confused at his presence.
“What is so important that you risk your life to protect it?” His voice was softer, hinting at concern she did not want to believe he felt towards her. When he reached out to touch her arm, she was angry at how her body tingled, how she wanted to lean into him, to feel him cover her body with his. Her thoughts drifted to what Maddy had said before Xander arrived. Yes. He made her feel things she’d never felt before, made her shiver in memory of the peace he’d granted her mind with the pain he’d granted her body. Lost to the realization, she was startled when his words broke through her thoughts.
“Will dying protect the reason you are here?”
She was unable to talk; her mind reeling against his presence, her heart torn apart by the fear that Honor was gone. It disgusted her that her body was reacting with heat towards a man that had done nothing but take advantage — his methods were objectionable and immoral. Yet, somehow, despite her desire to hate him fully, to reject him as thoroughly as she should, she found comfort with him by her side.
Xander grew restless next to her, but appeared sad when he looked away and said, “I have no choice but to allow Aaron to drag the information from you. I doubt you’ll survive his methods.”
Her eyes shot to his when he looked back in her direction. “If I tell you it was your men who sent me, what will you do?”
“Not that it will be any of your concern, but they’ll be executed immediately.”
“That’s why I’ve haven’t told you. You’d kill indiscriminately. It’s well known that The Estate leaves nothing behind in its wake.”
“Why do you fucking care?!” The volume in his tone increased sharply.
“Because they have my sister!”
His eyes widened with understanding, and he didn’t even flinch in reaction to the way she yelled back at him, mimicking the intensity of his anger. He spoke slowly, pronouncing each word with care. “We’re going to start from the beginning. I need every detail you know.”
“Why?” She glared up at him again. “So you can find out what you want to know only to kill me and my sister while punishing your men? It seems to me that if I keep my mouth shut, I’ll live a longer life.”
He smiled and reached out to grab her chin. She attempted to pull away but his grip was too strong.
“You must not remember what I told you in that gym” The hint of a dark thought graced his expression.
Her eyes peeked up at him from beneath her lashes.
“You are owned, Hope. I have far more uses for you alive than I do if you were dead.”
“Fuck you.”
His eyes darkened and his chiseled jaw pulsed from his clenched teeth. Eventually he tore into the thick silence, by admitting, “That’s one of them — yes.”
Her heart fluttered in her chest and her mind reacted with uncertainty and dread. Had he taken her body prisoner while at the same time capturing her heart?
His expression grew serious. “Is your sister like you? Does she kill?”
A single tear slipped down her cheek. “No. She’s innocent … an artist. She wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
The murderous expression that manifested on his face took Hope by surprise. His skin reddened and his body quivered with anger. “How long have they had her.” His words were like cold steel slicing across the thickness of the air.
“I’m not sure anymore.” Softer, she added, “Thanks to you.”
He looked at her with twin blue gems floating within the white fire of his eyes. “It’s been three days. You should have told me when we first caught you!” Rage lit his eyes impossibly brighter.
“Would you have cared about my reason when you first took me? I’m nothing more than an assassin, a threat. And my sister is of no use to you either. You would have killed her along with everybody else in that h
ouse. You may still. If I can get back to her, I have a chance of getting her out, of saving her life.”
His face softened, sympathy obvious behind the blue of his eyes. “I’m sorry to say this but more than likely, she’s dead already; and if not, she’ll want to be.”
Fury bloomed in Hope’s chest. But her shock at his next words, was like ice through her veins.
“And we wouldn’t have killed everyone, we have no desire to take innocent lives. You can choose to believe me or not, it doesn’t matter, but this information needs to be given to Aaron. He’ll make the final decision regarding what will be done.”
She opened her mouth to respond, but placed a finger against it to silence her. “You’ve lost. It’s time you accept your defeat — fighting will only lead to further embarrassment and injury.” Uncovering her mouth, he leaned in and placed a light kiss on her lips. “I prefer not to have to punish you further.”
Her ability to speak was stolen by what he’d said. Anger tickled along her spine, but something else, something she’d never felt and couldn’t recognize grew inside her — simultaneously frightening and exciting her.
He moved away from her and off the bed. “I’m going to call Aaron. I’m sure he’ll want to discover what you know as soon as possible.”
When he left the room, he took the feeling of strength and control with him and Hope balled over herself wondering how she’d gone from absolute hatred, to a weak kneed response when he was near. She was angry, she didn’t know whether she could believe him or if she could trust him, but given that he’d obliged her, that he’d proven his ability to dominate and overpower her, she knew he was the only chance she had to save her twin.
Chapter Fourteen
Honor’s body felt broken, her bones and muscles battered and bruised, the scalding water burning the areas where her skin had been torn. She didn’t dare smile even though she knew she was being prepared. Whenever they bathed her — her angel came to her, gave her another chance to prove her obedience.
They pulled her from the cement slab, the metal slats of the grate imprinted across her legs where’d she been sat over it. Even though she could barely move, and even though her body had been pushed to a point where she could no longer fight, could no longer resist the actions of the monsters that held her — she smiled. It no longer bore the crimson stain of their punishment. Her skin was washed clean and he would be pleased with her beauty.
Thrown into a corner of the room, they no longer bound her arms and legs; realizing that her body was too frail and her mind was too far gone for her to attempt escape. She knew that her angel was the only person who had the power to remove her from this place. She wanted to please him — HAD to please him. She was tired of the nightmare. She wanted to be good.
She heard a noise at the door, the knob flicking once … twice … three times … until finally the dark wood broke away from the wall and his body filled the broad expanse of the doorway.
She wanted to call to him but knew better than to speak. He liked her to moan, to cry … but never to scream or talk unless told. She hated the pain, hated having to bite her lip against the splitting agony, to taste the bitter iron on her tongue.
“Are you ready for me today, pet? You’ve been punished enough for your last failure.”
She nodded, not daring to make a sound or disappoint him. She knew she was ready, her body numb to the abuse of the monsters, only her angel taking the part of her that led inside.
He lifted her by her arms, supporting the weight of her body where her legs now failed her. She cringed in fear that he’d be angry about her weakness, but he carried her, granting her a reprieve from her shame of not being strong enough to move in front of him.
Placing her over the ice cold, metallic surface, he secured her in chains, exposing her in all places he cared to explore. She was his pet, his to do with as he pleased and to do so without the complaint of her screams.
His hands rubbed along the bruised muscles of her ass. “It’ll be a shame to damage this body further. Behave my pet so I can take you away, so I can rebuild you into the most perfect of my possessions.
Slowly he walked around her, eventually moving in front and holding a rubber strap in his hands. “Open your mouth.”
Placing the strap in her mouth, he instructed, “This will protect your mouth. You can bite down without breaking your teeth. Thank your angel.”
Speaking around the strap through her mouth, she responded, “Thank you.”
After he fastened two small chains to the ends of the strap where it stuck out at the sides of her mouth, he walked behind her, using the chains to pull at her like the reins on a horse. Her head lifted, the skin of her neck stretched taut and overextended from the position.
He pushed inside, not slowing to give her body a chance to accept his width. She bit down, but didn’t scream, however she wasn’t yet happy with herself — they reached this point before. It was what came next that scared her.
Moving within her, she heard the skin of his body slapping against her, felt his width rubbing along the walls of her core. Her moans joined his, her mind in a state of elation that she’d behaved, her body trembling at the force of his strokes within her.
“Let me know how you like my gift, pet.”
She moaned, the release of the sound causing him to swell within her — her body quivering violently around him as he moved.
Heat blossomed inside, building like an avalanche about to cover her completely, her breath stolen by the peak over which he drove her. Just as she neared the edge, just as she was about to be lost to the oblivion of primal pleasure, he pulled out. She wanted to cry, but bit down in frustration knowing that her complaint would not please him.
His hand rubbed over her ass again, his finger finding the small delicate space. She trembled, knowing what would come.
She felt him position himself, pushing forward one quick time before pushing again, burying himself fully within. The skin ripped and despite biting into the strap, she couldn’t contain the scream that burst from her body.
Ignoring her pain, he powered against her until he found the release he sought. When he pulled free, her sobs shook her body more than what he’d just done. She heard his boots across the floor as he came around the table to face her. Once he’d removed the strap from her mouth, she felt where her lips had torn from the thickness of the rubber. He grabbed her hair, pulling her mouth open again.
“Remove your shame, pet. Perhaps next time you’ll be ready for me.”
Chapter Fifteen
Xander stood by the side of the bed, his eyes raking across Hope’s back when he instructed: “I’ll need to restrain you for the walk. When I remove the shackles from your wrists, I want you to sit up and put your arms behind you without struggling against me. The wound on your shoulder needs to heal.”
Aaron had ordered that Xander present Hope in the ballroom. His body had flinched in reaction to the words, resonant of a time when being summoned meant you were about to be introduced to unspeakable horror.
Hope looked up at him from the bed. Behind the metallic color of her eyes, he could see her struggle with whether she would do as told or continue to fight against him. The warrior had not yet been tamed within her and Xander was pleased that her spirit wasn’t so easily broken. She continued to impress him even now that she’d been cornered and broken down. He hoped the glint of rebellion never truly left her eye, it was what attracted him, made him so intoxicated with heat and desire that he could barely control himself when he was near her.
They stared at each other; their eyes exchanging words without breaking the silence in the room. He willed her to do as she was told and she fought against him. The beauty of her eventual submission was more exquisite than Xander could imagine. Slowly, acceptance passed over her expression, her eyes still alight with a small flame not easily extinguished. But her body turned, the long, lean muscles moving over her frame as her hands came behind her, the backs resting on the
mattress as she resigned herself to his dominion.
Extracting the key from his pocket, he quickly released her from the chains and replaced those with handcuffs. But even those actions, simply touching her skin as he removed her from one binding just to replace it with another — his body burned with need and he grit his teeth to pull his hands away in order to comply with Aaron’s orders.
Once she was secured, he walked around the bed, noting how she sat with her legs bent beneath her, her face turned down and her mahogany hair a curtain hiding the expression she wore. His clothes hung loosely over her shoulders and he wished to dress her in attire more suited to the spirit he knew existed within her. He stood in front of her, watching as she sat reverently and completely still. He didn’t want to take her from the room, wasn’t sure he wanted to share her splendor with the occupants of the ballroom.
Grabbing her by the elbow, he led her off the bed and to the front door of his suite. Leaning into her, he covered her back with his chest, his breath trailing down her neck when he said, “Behave when in Aaron’s presence. He is not as patient as I am, he won’t tolerate rebellion and I guarantee you that his methods of ‘correction’ are not as generous as mine.”
The walk was familiar; nothing but the sound of his booted steps echoing through the empty corridors as they made their way to the ballroom. Xander felt ill to look upon the foreboding wooden doors when they neared their destination — memories and flashbacks of the nightmares played out on the other side of the doors, the haunting sound as they opened before him and the terrifying sound as they closed at his back.
Entering the space, he noticed the absence of the members of The Estate, the tables sitting empty where an audience once sat. Looking towards the raised platform at the front of the room, he saw Aaron, Maddy and Jason standing together talking; awaiting the arrival of a woman they considered to be their enemy, a person not worthy of respect or remorse.