Page 67 of Wicked Shadows
As they were forced to their knees with their hands behind their backs, their reactions were as varied as the women themselves. Carrie bowed her head and cried, knowing one of them had to die for their actions. Katrina was terrified of the dozens of men leering at her. Beth’s gaze kept returning to the gate as she calculated the odds of actually making it to it and over it without getting caught.
Elle spoke first when the owner arrived in the middle of the scene. “It was my idea. The only reason they’re out here is because I coerced them. Put all the punishment on me. Just don’t hurt them.”
The distinguished-looking man regarded her, contemplating her words for a moment. The tension around the ladies was thick and heady, feeding his controlling nature. “Take the other three back inside and leave your gun with me.”
“No!” Beth screamed as one man lifted her to her feet. She fought against him, struggling in vain against his strength. “No, Elle! Leave her alone!”
They were forcefully taken back to the house while Elle remained kneeling on the ground alone. Just as they stepped into the basement, a gunshot rang out in the night, followed by the screaming wails of the three who still lived.
“Move—or I’ll make you move,” the man behind Beth threatened.
With tears streaming down her face and sobs racking her body, she forced her feet to move, following the others back up the staircase and down the hall to her room. The door was slammed and locked behind her. Resigned to her fate, she fell onto the bed and cried herself into a restless, fitful sleep.
Elle remained motionless in a heap on the ground outside while the two men stood over her. “Spider, she has to go first thing in the morning. The rest can stay here for now, but we need to arrange to transfer them soon.”
“You got it.” Spider picked up Elle and slung her over his shoulder. “Guesthouse for tonight?”
“That’s fine. Just make sure she’s gone by the time I leave for work.”
“Don’t worry. I got you covered, Uncle B.”
Spider walked off toward the guesthouse, his brother-in-colors, Axle, falling into step at his side. “She’s hot, isn’t she? We could fuck every hole she has twice tonight, and she wouldn’t know it. I gave her an extra spray of our sleeping juice for good measure.”
“No way, man,” Axle replied. “You know I wouldn’t normally give a shit what you do to some sheep, but this one brings a special price. Your dick isn’t going to rob me of my retirement fund.”
“Just as well, I guess. I do prefer them to be conscious when they suck my dick. Can’t get enough of those girls who can suck better than a Hoover.” Spider laughed and opened the door to the guesthouse. He dropped her on the bed and shook his head. “Shit. I don’t want to sleep in the fucking guesthouse to babysit her all night.”
“Head on back to the main house. I’ll stay. This place is nicer than my shitty apartment.”
After Spider left, Axle moved into the living room, leaving the bedroom door open so he could see her, and dropped down on the couch. He raked his hands over his face before removing his phone from his pocket. “Hey. Yeah. I got eyes on her now. It’s just a matter of time.”
Deception seems to be the name of the game with these guys, Elle thought.I can play that game, too
After she’d been caught and they’d taken the others inside, Spider sprayed the sleeping serum in her face. When she slumped on the ground, her captor fired his gun into the air as a scare tactic to keep the others in line. She’d prepared herself by holding her breath to avoid inhaling the spray when she saw Spider moving toward her. With one eye barely open, she saw the older man lift his arm above his head and knew what would come next. She kept perfectly still, not giving away her advantage or her subterfuge.
She waited for Axle to fall asleep in front of the television, hoping the noise would mask her movements. When his breaths became even and he didn’t move for an extended time, she silently rolled off the bed and tiptoed to the door. With her hand on the knob, she began to turn it.
“If you open that door, every alarm in this place will go off. You’ll be sorry this time, trust me. You’ve already tried twice. Third time will be lights-out for you.”
She gasped and jumped at the same time, turning to look at him. He remained on the couch in the same position he was in when she’d thought he was asleep.
“Best just to go on back to bed and wait until tomorrow. You’ll be moved from here. They won’t let you escape. Even if you get away this time, they won’t let you live. They can’t take the chance you’ll talk.”
“So I’m just supposed to take it? To let them do what they want with me?” Fire lit in her eyes, and her lips formed a thin line. Rage built up inside her, pushing her to the limit.
“You don’t have much choice. You’re in this now, so you’ll just have to ride it out till the end. Whatever that may be.”
“Why are you here? I remember seeing you in St. Lucia. Were you following me then? Helping them to kidnap me?”
“Nope.”
She waited for him to continue, to elaborate on his single-word answer, but he didn’t. “That’s helpful. Thanks for the detailed explanation.”
He chuckled and sat up, his gaze finally meeting hers. “Go to bed. You’re safe in here with me. I won’t let Spider back in until morning when we move you. Might want to remember that handy trick you used earlier when you see us coming for you, though.”
“Why are you helping me?”
“Because I’m selfish.”
