Henry looked over his shoulder. “I can’t see your brother anywhere.” He smiled wolfishly. “I won’t touch. I know how you feel about fingerprints on your things.”
Kade analysed him before giving in. It wouldn’t hurt to allow himself to become the envy of another Fortunate for a little while. He turned to Nine. She looked up at him before he called for her, like she sensed his eyes on her. He flicked his head in his own direction and she swallowed hard before stepping down from her pedestal. Kade watched her bunch her dress up at her knees as she lifted the fabric so she could see her feet as she walked down the steps. Beside him, he heard Henry rub his fat hands together. Nine lowered her dress and approached them with as much discipline and grace as she was meant to. It actually shocked Kade. He hadn’t seen her do anything right since she got here and he was worried he was going to have to punish her in front of Henry. Not that he could bring himself to hurt her or any female, for that matter. He’d never hit her. He was much stronger than she was, he knew that, and her face was too pretty to mark. Kade didn’t care much for bruised slaves representing his house, anyway. Everyone in his house needed to be perfect. Nine’s behaviour wasn’t perfect, but her looks were damn near close.
Pride surged in Kade’s chest as Henry’s gaze raped her from head to toe. Nine kept her head down, ignoring his prying eyes.
“Perfection,” he mumbled.
It occurred to Kade, as he watched the fat, lust-filled Fortunate, that he could forfeit Nine for himself and use her to gain power instead. He saw the way the Fortunates watched her, licking their lips like the air that surrounded her was delicious. Using her as bait, he could probably make any powerful man do whatever he wanted—like Albert Knowle, for example. Kade didn’t need her, it’s not like sex was hard to come by—but power, on the other hand, that was a rare treat for a Sario these days. If he was going to use her, he needed to protect her and then present her to the one person who could offer the Sario family the most. It wasn’t a bad idea, he thought.
“What I wouldn’t give—” Henry groaned under his breath.
And then he reached out and fucking touched her.
Chapter Four
Nine
I stood still as Master Kade’s friend ran his chubby fingers up my arm. They’re warm and soft, unlike his cold, rough eyes, and I clench my jaw as his green and brown irises send large quantities of uneasiness through me.
“Fingerprints,” Kade says through gritted teeth, tightening his grip on his glass.
Henry pulls his hands back and threads them together in front of him. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
“I forgive you,” Kade says, taking a quick sip of his drink. “Do it again, though, and I’ll break your fingers.”
Henry laughs, shrugging Master Kade’s words off and treating them like a joke. I glance at Kade and the look on his face is anything but humorous.
“Eighteen years young?” he asks me, raking his fingers through his grey hair.
I nod and fight the urge to cringe. I don’t like how excited I’m getting him. You’d think he’s never seen an Unfortunate before.
“Virgin?”
I open my mouth to speak, but Kade cuts me off. “Those questions and the information they draw are best reserved for her owner.”
“Of course, sorry.” Henry’s beady eyes survey me for a few minutes longer before he finally turns back to Kade. “I don’t suppose you’re going to put her in the Black House?”
I tense. Black House?
“Absolutely not.”
“That’s a shame… you could make a lot of money off of her.” He clicks his tongue against his teeth. I hate being talked about like I’m not here. “She seems so… alive, doesn’t she? I know a lot of people that would pay top dollar for her.”
Kade slams back the rest of his drink and I lift my eyes long enough to see his fingers whiten around the glass. “She’s not for casual use outside of my house.”
Henry chuckles a deep, throaty chuckle. “You lucky son of a bitch.”
I drop my eyes in fear of Kade seeing me cringe. The reaction I’ve received since my arrival is off-putting and I worry what’ll happen to me if Master Kade leaves my side for a second. I hate that I, suddenly, never want Kade to leave my side.
“More whiskey,” Kade demands, extending his cup to me.
With a nod, I take the cup and stroll away. As I walk, I feel Henry’s seedy gaze stick to me like sweat on a hot summer’s night. I don’t like him… not one little bit.
I detour off the path and press the bottoms of my feet against the grass. It welcomes my feet like fluffy clouds and I fight the urge to reach down and touch the blades with my fingers. Whiskey. I remind myself, Get the Whiskey and touch the grass later. I stroll into the mansion, turn left down a narrow corridor, and then right into a kitchen. Unfortunates work hard, cooking food and filling drinks. As I reach the door frame, three Unfortunates dressed in elegant white tunics push past, carrying large trays of drinks. I step into the chaotic kitchen and set Master Kade’s empty glass down on the bench. The entire bench seems dedicated to various drinks and it occurs to me that I don’t know what Whiskey is… let alone what it looks like.
“Need help?” a womanly voice asks.
I glance over my shoulder at another Unfortunate. She pulls her frizzy hair up into a messy bun and saunters closer. I notice her tunic is worn, like she’s been wearing it for years.
“Master Kade…” I mutter, turning back to the dizzying variation of bottles. “I don’t suppose you know which one of these he drinks?”
She reaches across and plucks a gold and black bottle from the centre of the counter. “Here’s a tip, Master Kade’s drink matches his personality, cold and rough.” She hums a catchy tune. “Black and gold for callous and cold.” She chuckles to herself. “Linking things to Fortunates with rhymes usually helps me keep on top of things.”
“You think Kade is callous and cold?”
The colour drains from the woman’s face. “No! Absolutely not. You’re not going to tell him, are you?”
As if I’d ever put one of my own in harm’s way. I flash her the palms of my hands. “No, no. I would never.”
“Oh.” Her tiny frame relaxes as she sighs. “You had me worried for a second.” She reaches for the glass and knocks over the bottle of whiskey, spilling it on the counter. I step back to avoid getting the strong smelling liquid on my dress as she dives for it, setting it back upright before its entire contents are lost.
“Go down the hall and fetch some towels. I’ll pour his drink while you’re gone.”
I whirl on my heel and flee the kitchen. I walk quickly, worried I’ve already taken too long to get his drink. I hope he isn’t mad.
I approach the only cupboard in the hall and yank it open. It’s filled with towels, towels and more towels. All are the same creamy colour, so I grab a handful and slam the doors behind me. I manage to take one step before a strange moaning draws my attention. I still and my fingers instinctively tighten around the fabrics.
“Yes, oh, please,” a feminine voice sighs.
A very distinct male groan reverberates around my skull, followed closely by a crude command. “Spread your legs wider. Fuck yes, just like that.”
My curiosity piques again and I find myself stepping closer to the sound. Curiosity is bad. Curiosity is wrong. It’s going to get you killed!
It seems to be filtering from the crack in the door across from the towel cupboard. I get closer and closer until I’m right at the door. I peer through the crack. My vision is bombarded with a female’s flushed cheeks, her face twisted into an expression of pure pleasure. She’s facedown on the bed, her ass sticking up for all to see. My gaze travels down her body, over her slim hips and creamy skin to her backside. The skin covering that area is red, like it’s been slapped a hundred times. I watch as large, manly hands grip her flesh, forcing her to move harder and faster onto him. The girl’s mouth parts as quick pants of air escape her and my own breath picks up
as she grips the sheets until her knuckles turn white. Between my legs, I feel an unfamiliar tingle and I squeeze my thighs shut. This is wrong, I tell myself, but I don’t dare look away. I couldn’t, even if I tried. I look at the man, the cause of her pleasure, and to my astonishment he’s still fully dressed, suit jacket and all. He looks familiar but I can’t pinpoint it. The sound of the female’s moan forces my attention from the clothed man back to her.
“Yes,” she breathes. “Harder.”
He crouches over her and grabs a fistful of her hair, forcing her neck back on an almost painful angle. She whimpers in delight as his groans become more pronounced. Out of nowhere, the girl begins to scream and I watch completely mesmerised by her body as her muscles ripple and shudder under the weight of the man. He made her come… which means she can’t possibly be an Unfortunate. Unfortunates aren’t allowed to experience the same pleasure as Fortunates. With one last guttural moan, the man collapses on top of the woman, his body suddenly limp and tired. With a heavy sigh, his strained expression smooths out and glazes over with complete satisfaction.
Time to go. I pivot too quickly on my heel and accidently knock one of the towels out of my own hand. My heart leaps into my throat and I swing at the cloth as it falls. It’s too late and my fingers graze the edge of the fabric and connect with the heavy, wooden door. The door is thrown open and it slams against the wall, startling the two lovers. My wide stare flicks to the young man and the way his dark, amused gaze lingers scares the hell out of me. His eyes are as dark as oil, lined with perfect thick, black lashes—much like Kade’s. Then it hits me, he was the Fortunate who slapped Thirteen on the pedestal.
“I’m so sorry,” I breathe, feeling my lungs inflate to maximum levels in my chest. “I didn’t mean—I mean, I-I did mean to see, but I d-didn’t mean to interrupt.”
He straightens his posture, pulling himself out of the girl and exposing his long, still-semi-erect penis. My muscles clench uncomfortably and I drop my gaze to the floor. I hear the girl giggle and sigh as she makes herself more comfortable on the bed. Painful tendrils of anxiousness burrow in my chest and I cringe, taking an unintentional step back. I look back to the Fortunate and his eyes narrow. My heart stops cold and I panic. I crouch and pick up the towel before whipping around on my heel and fleeing from the man. Tears threaten my eyes as I realise what I’ve done. I spoke to a Fortunate without reason, invaded personal space and turned my back on him, leaving without being dismissed. I’m screwed.
I dive into the kitchen and throw the towels at the Unfortunate I met earlier. She opens her mouth to talk, but I snag the drink and ditch her instead. I can lose the Fortunate in the crowd… I hope.
I march over the grass, my eyes desperately scanning the crowd for Kade. I spot him immediately talking to a blonde female Fortunate. I take another step closer and a warm hand surrounds my elbow and yanks me backwards. I gasp as a few drops of Kade’s drink hits my skin.
“Easy now, Sugar.” The voice is smooth and kind. I glance over my shoulder.
My heart sinks into the pit of my stomach when I see the same dark eyes I met less than a minute ago. He circles me, leaving little space between us. Tears threaten the rims of my eyes and I push my tongue to the roof of my mouth, breathing only out of my nose to prevent the dams from bursting. The unknown Unfortunate glides a finger up my neck and under my chin, tilting my face towards his.
“You’re Master Kade’s Unfortunate?” he inquires.
I nod. “Yes, sir.”
I stand still as his hands glide down the length of my body and over my hips. My organs move slowly, as if his toxic touch is seeping in through my pores and poisoning my insides.
“Did you like the show?” he asks, his full lips twitching slightly.
“Please, don’t—”
“—I asked you a question.”
I rake my teeth over my trembling bottom lip. “I’m not sure.”
He chuckles and the sound chills me to my core. Don’t ask me why. It just does.
“You know, the city is abuzz with gossip about Kade and his new, beautiful Unfortunate.” He lets me go and takes a step back, giving me space. “You look innocent with your big violet eyes and your light pink lips.” He reaches out and twirls a lock of my hair around his long finger. “But I don’t think you’re innocent. No, I think all you want is a good, long, hard fuc—”
“Vince.” I jump as Master Kade’s voice rings loud and clear. “If you value your hands, you’ll stop touching her.”
I hear the smile on Vince’s lips as he ponders Kade’s words. A few seconds pass before he laughs under his breath.
“I think she wants to be touched.” He grips my shoulders and slowly turns me around. I keep my eyes on the light green grass. I see his shoes first… black and shiny, tied up with thin laces. I lift my gaze, following his black suit up his long, strong legs, over his slim hips and waist before looking him in the eyes. As we make eye contact, I feel Vince move closer, pressing the entire length of his body into my back. “Perhaps you and I can strike a deal?”
Kade smirks, shifting his eyes to Vince. “If I wanted to share Unfortunates with you, brother, I’d use the ones that already linger around the house.”
Oh, god. I feel like vomiting. Vince is Master Kade’s brother? He couldn’t have been a random Fortunate from another household? He just had to be directly affiliated with my Fortunate. What are the odds? Maybe the universe hates me… though I can’t imagine why. It’s not like I’ve provoked it.
Vince moves from behind me, stepping closer to his brother. “Why the sudden attachment? Father told me you didn’t want an Unfortunate.”
Kade extends his hand and I pass him his drink. “I don’t,” he says. He sips his whiskey and swallows. “But you do and that’s good enough for me.”
I’m stuck between two bickering brothers—both seemingly as controlling and aggressive as each other. I give them both a quick once over to compare similarities. While Kade is tall, dark, and handsome, Vince is shorter and his features are more boyish and playful. Where Vince’s messy hair grows, adding to his carefree persona, Kade’s is cut short and groomed well, adding to his own disciplined personality. In short, I’m a hell of a lot more terrified of Kade than I am of Vince.
Kade saunters forward, swallowing the distance between us, and he grips my jaw. I grit my teeth as he treats me like an animal. “Look at her. No Fortunate in their right mind would refuse owning her, and besides, I have plans.”
“The Black House?”
I don’t know what the Black House is, but I don’t like it. I don’t like the way it sounds or the devious gleam Vince gets in his eyes when he said it.
“No, better than that.”
“You’re delirious. What use is an Unfortunate outside of the bedroom?”
With a quick flick of my long hair, Vince saunters off, collecting a glass off a passing tray. Kade’s hand doesn’t leave my face, and when Vince disappears into a throng of Fortunate women, Kade yanks me in his direction. “Avoid my brother at all costs, do you understand?”
“Why?”
“That was a direct question. Answer it.”
“Yes.” His thick fingers squeeze harder and I openly wince. “Yes, Master Kade.”
“Good.” He releases me. “If he so much as lays a finger on you, you are out of here. Do you understand?”
I nod. Rules don’t come any clearer than that, and thankfully, it’s a rule I can easily follow. I don’t want Vince putting his fingers on me either.
“Go get cream and ice for your shoulder. I want it healed as quickly as possible, then go to your quarters and remain there until I call for you.”
“Yes, Master Kade.”
With that, he simply turns away and storms off. I feel every muscle in my body relax when he disappears. He makes me anxious, more so than anyone else here… maybe it’s because he has complete control over me… whatever it is, I don’t like it.
∞ Kade ∞
The
Black House.
It was Kade’s favourite place growing up. As a teenage boy, nothing was better than getting blowjobs or having sex. From sixteen to twenty he visited the Black House regularly, as did a lot of the Fortunates. Sure, you could fuck any slave you wanted in house, but those slaves didn’t understand the art of pleasure like the ones in the Black House did. They were trained to please… and boy, did they please.
Usually, when a Fortunate received an above average Unfortunate, they were smart enough to send them to the Black House for other Fortunates to pay to use. The money you could make off a decent Unfortunate was almost endless. Kade was strangely happy that he would never have to use the Black House again now he had his own special Unfortunate, one everyone in this entire city was drooling over. He was thankful his father had a strong relationship with Soyer, the moderator assigned to the Unfortunate camp. If he didn’t, Nine would have ended up with a Knowle… or worse, a Miller. Both houses were known to be a little… sex-driven. In fact, you could find a Knowle inside the Black House at any time of day. If they sank their claws in Nine first, she’d have been fucked, beaten, and broken long before her branding ceremony even began.
How anyone could put pussy above finance was beyond Kade. Sure, he liked to fuck just as much as the next guy, but if it came down to his cock or his money, paint him abstinent.
Kade sat in his plush seat with his ankle resting on his knee. He twirled his drink in his right and watched an Unfortunate get fucked from behind right in front of him. He watched her breasts jiggle every time the man thrust into her. She knew he was watching, and every now and then, her eyes would flick to Kade’s and glaze over with lust. She wished it was him that was fucking her from behind and Kade’s hard cock wished it was him too, but he had only come to watch, not partake… at least not yet, anyway.
A light touch snapped Kade’s mind from his throbbing dick to the woman in front of him. His gaze focused on her face as her blonde hair fell around her shoulders as she leaned in. Elizabeth, the girl Kade wanted to see.