“And that’s why you have us,” Charles reminded him.
“Nah. Not my thing. I don’t share, and I definitely don’t play well with others. She was used once before me.”
“Who trained her?”
“That’s none of your damn business.” Asher wrapped his hand around the base of my neck, rubbing his thumb up and down. That small touch was soothing, and it calmed my racing nerves. I knew Asher could take Charles but who knew how many more men he had under his beck and call.
“You’re a difficult one to crack, my dear Ash.” Charles pressed a button, speaking into the intercom. “Take us around the back. I have to remind our dear friends how we play.”
“She already knows what happens if she doesn’t listen, but if you feel the need to be extra dramatic, then by all means.” Asher waved a hand in front of him. “You do realize, though, that if she misbehaves, what you show her will be nothing compared to what I do to her when I get her home.”
“Oh, do tell,” Charles clapped his hands together. “I love a little story of what happens to the toy that has been bad.”
Asher laughed, cold and maniacal. “If only she bruised easily.”
“Fuck, I love some pale skin that turns purple fast.” Charles groaned. “Speaking of which, I need to show you a new device we got.”
“And what kind of device is that?”
“Oh, you will see.” Charles tapped the back of the window shielding the front seat from the back. It rolled down a couple inches, revealing two large men. “Well?”
“We’re here,” the one stated, his voice deep and rough.
I had no idea where we were going. I didn’t know what would become of our situation. Asher being with me kept some of the fear at bay but his acting messed with my head. He would never speak to me that way under normal circumstances. Although he was demanding, something told me that I hadn’t experienced all of that yet. His dark and dangerous desires could no doubt bring me to my knees. His dirty words melted me into a puddle of heated bliss. Once. Once was all it took for me to be begging at his feet, pleading that he do everything he wanted to me as long as he promised me the greatest pleasure in return.
My skin tingled, my nipples puckering at the memories of his mouth on me. It had been fast. It was nowhere near enough. An ache spread between my thighs, my body needing him back inside of me.
When we came to a stop outside of a large building, although the windows were tinted, I could see that the mansion was old. Weathered paint, vines growing up the sides of the house. It was a house taken out of a horror movie. It was eerily perfect for the solemn mood that had taken over the vehicle.
The car drove around the building, heading to the back of the house. A cloud had taken over, putting a permanent darkness above the rafters of the roof. If only the walls could talk.
“I shouldn’t be so excited, but I am,” Charles exclaimed. “I love it when a fresh pair of eyes sees what’s in store for them if things go wrong.”
“Nothing will go wrong,” I blurted, snapping my mouth shut as soon as the words left my mouth.
Asher stiffened beside me.
“Ah, little thing has a voice. It’s about time you spoke.” Charles grinned. “Get out of the car.”
Knowing I would probably hear of it later from Asher, I excited the vehicle. A part of me didn’t care what happened, but then I had to keep reminding myself of the girls who had gone missing. The new victims. The old. Jay's sister. Jay herself. She had been taken and screwed up, having to take some time off for herself and Angel. God, I couldn’t even imagine, and there I was being selfish. If Vega had been any indication of how evil these men were, Charles was the Master of it all.
Standing on shaky legs, I wrapped my arms around myself. Knowing I wasn’t supposed to show any emotion, I held back a gasp at the sheer idea of what happened behind these walls.
A warm hard body stepped up behind me, fingers wrapping around my arm.
I inhaled. The scent of spicy cologne filled my nostrils mixing with the hint of sex. I knew it was Asher just by the firm but gentle hold he had on me. He was letting me know that I didn’t need to worry. I was his. For how long, I wasn’t sure. I couldn’t think about that right at the moment. Although, it was a badgering question that wouldn’t leave me alone.
“I need you to be strong. Not for me. But for you.” He kissed the top of my head. “Let’s get this shit over with before I kill him.”
I nodded, letting out a heavy sigh. Maybe he didn’t care about my outburst.
“And, Meeka? If you blurt out something again, I will bend you over my knee.”
I swallowed hard.
Allowing Asher to lead me up the steps, I followed beside him. Not wanting to take any more chances, I kept at his side, careful not to make eye contact with Charles.
“Are you sure you don’t want to leave her alone with me?” Charles asked, opening the front door. “I could take her off your hands while you make yourself at home.”
“We’re here for business. Not for your training techniques.” Asher tightened his hold on me. “If I have to remind you again on who she belongs to, I will make it so you have to eat through a tube for the rest of your fucking life.”
“So damn touchy.” Charles chuckled. “I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, of course.”
It would be easier if they got along, but how could anyone get along with a monster? We all had our own vices, our own dark and dirty secrets, but when children—young women—were involved, it took things to a whole other level.
“Are you ready to see the room, pet? Asher saw it. I don’t think he was a fan but, of course, he didn’t say.” Charles pushed through another set of doors, his two large security caging us in.
Asher didn’t show any emotion as we were blocked in the hall.
He kept me at his side but that only did so much as we were surrounded.
“Oh, this will be so much fun.” Charles nodded once.
In a quick move, his two men grabbed onto Asher, ripping his hand from mine.
“What the fuck?” he snapped, struggling to break free.
A shiver of fear gripped my spine when I was suddenly pushed forward. Charles grabbed my arm, holding me steady.
“It wouldn’t make sense for you to be with us, Ash. It has a bigger effect if your toy is by herself when she sees what could become of her if she doesn’t listen.” Charles raised his hand. “No point arguing. You may be big, but no matter your size, you can’t fight against a gun.” Not waiting for Asher to respond, Charles cupped my nape and pushed me in front of him. “After you, pet.”
I DIDN’T want to leave Asher, but I knew I had no choice. I may have been naïve at times, thinking the good in everyone, but I wasn’t stupid. Charles scared me more and more every time he opened his mouth. I had been through shit in other undercover missions, but this time, it was worse. I had no problems playing the strong female, but when it came to being submissive and complying to the waking demands of men, I had to fight the urge to run.
When Charles opened the door to a second room, I had no idea what I was in for. But the scent of death hit me in the chest, knocking the breath out of me. It was strong and acidic. Bleach and other chemicals mixed as one making my throat burn. Closing my eyes, I didn’t want to see what laid before me. I didn’t want to see the victims, the females lying about after God knew what was done to them.
Charles moved behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders. “Open your eyes.”
Nothing could prepare me for what laid before me. Everything evil was created from. Although the scent of death warned me that what was in the room was beyond anything I had ever seen before, when I opened my eyes, all I could do was stare. The walls were lined with stains of red. Some so dark, they looked black. Small cages filled the room, each holding a body. Even though the cages weren’t empty, the room was silent. It was beyond eerie how quiet everyone was.
“Do you see?” Charles muttered in my ear.
> All I could do was nod. The image before me would forever be burned into my mind. My darkest nightmares would be filled with what I had just seen. I prayed they were alive, but I was sure they would be better off dead. How could anyone move on? They would forever be broken, addicted to whatever Charles had forced onto them.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” he purred.
Bile rose to my throat at the husk in his voice.
He pulled me back against him, wrapping his arm around my waist.
“Tell me how Asher feels knowing his boss was one of the front runners of the organization.”
I attempted to pry him off of me, but his hold only tightened.
“Tell me.”
“He … he was upset. He still is.” I didn’t want to talk about Asher and his feelings with the man holding me. I didn’t want to reveal anything to him. I could have called his bluff. Would he hurt me if I didn’t talk? Would he hurt Asher? Or worse? Chains clinked together in the large room but I couldn’t make out where the sound was coming from. Relief floated through me knowing at least one was alive. If only I could save her. If only I could save all of them.
“Eric Vega was nothing. He was a fucking pussy for shooting himself.” Charles pushed me further into the room. “If it were me, I would have had Genevieve begging at my feet, pleading for mercy.” He chuckled. “She’s absolutely beautiful from what I hear. I wonder what Angel would do if she was taken again.”
“How do you know their names?” I asked, shoving from his grip.
“I have my sources.” He shrugged. “You shouldn’t be surprised, Meeka. I know everything that goes on in that club house. But the only thing I don’t know is how you are associated with them.”
I kept my face impassive, not wanting to reveal that I was a member of King’s Harlots. If he didn’t know, that might work to my advantage. “Why are we here?”
“Because Asher wants to work with me. I can’t deny him that. He clearly has some fucking screws loose if he fights for his country but in his free time, tosses girls around like yesterday’s trash.”
That made me wince. Even though I knew it wasn’t true, Asher was a good actor. He almost had me convinced. “How do you know all of this?”
“I have to find out everything I can about the people I work with.”
“Does he know this?” I knew he did. Angel had made sure to stay one step ahead of Charles.
“No, and we’re going to keep it that way, aren’t we?” Charles led me into the room until we were standing in the middle of the vast space. “At first, I didn’t think Asher was who he said he was, but when I brought him in here and saw his expression, I knew.”
I swallowed hard. “What did you know?”
“That he was fucking perfect for the job.”
“And … and what job is that?” Even before the question left my mouth, I knew what kind of job Charles would have for him.
“Why to take the girls, of course.”
No. It couldn’t be. “He would never. I don’t care what you say.” All of it was a ruse. It had to be. Part of me wondered why Asher agreed to any of it. He said he had no choice but when I spent the morning with him, I felt a different side to him. Maybe it should have made me nervous. But yet, it excited me.
“Oh, little girl. You clearly know nothing about your Master.”
My Master. My stomach clenched. I didn’t like that term when Charles used it. To be someone’s slave? I was all for kink but being a willing slave was not something I was into. Asher hadn’t mentioned anything about being my Master.
“I know enough,” I muttered, trying to avert my gaze from the unmoving bodies lying in the cages.
“Do you?” Charles walked around me, pacing back and forth from cage to cage. His fingers grazed the bars, his eyes taking on a faraway distance like he was remembering a past memory. What happened to him that he felt the need to take these girls? Was it the stereotypical occurrence where his childhood was full of torture and abuse?
I was supposed to remain quiet. Only talk when spoken to. Only move when allowed. But I couldn’t resist the words that fell from my lips. “Why them? What did they do to deserve this?”
“They lived.” Charles met my gaze. “That’s what they did. Women are for pleasure, that’s it. Didn’t you know that? Why do you think your boyfriend has slept with so many females?”
He was bored. “He’s not my boyfriend,” I mumbled, looking down at my feet.
“Good, girl. Keep your eyes down. You don’t deserve to look at me.”
My chest panged. I wanted out. I needed to leave before I said something else that would get me into trouble. I couldn’t comply, falling victim to the wrath of Charles Brian. If that was even his real name.
“But because I’m a nice guy, I’ll answer your question in more detail. These girls were easy. They were taken from a time in their life when they had no one else. Research after research was done on them. They weren’t chosen at random, Meeka. Make sure to tell whomever you speak to that little piece of information. And next time I see you, you better be more submissive. I don’t want a fucking word to leave your mouth or I’ll shut you up myself.” He laughed. “I don’t think Asher would like that too much. Mind you, it would probably please me more having him watch as I fuck your throat.”
My heart raced, my hands twisting and turning in front of me.
“But I’ll leave you alone—for now.” He snapped his fingers. “Look at me.”
My eyes reached his. I bit back a gasp at the look of sheer evil in his dark gaze.
“I want you to choose a girl.”
I shook my head. “Excuse me?”
“That is the last time you speak to me without permission,” he shouted, banging his fist against the cage beside him. “Choose a girl or I’ll throw you in a cage and you’ll never see your precious Asher again. Now!”
I jumped. How could he expect me to choose? “I …”
“I’ll give you to the count of ten.”
“I can’t,” I whimpered.
“One.”
“What do you want from me? You have all these girls. Just choose one yourself.” Shut up, Meeka.
“Two,” he smirked.
Gripping my hair, I pulled and tugged, the strands coming loose in my fingers. There was no way I could choose a girl and just hand her over like that. He may have had access to all of them, but I didn’t want any part of it.
“Three.” He took a step forward, forcing me to back up.
“Please.”
“Four. Come on, Meeka. Time is running out.”
“No. I won’t play into your games.”
“Five. You can refuse all you want, but I know you don’t want anything to happen to Asher. I can see it in your eyes, pet. You love him.”
“He’s like a brother to me.”
“Come on, Meeka.” Charles stopped a foot away from me. “Unless you’re into incest, we both know that’s not true.”
Either way, no matter how I felt about Asher, it was none of Charles’ damn business. I wouldn’t admit my feelings to him when I hadn’t even told Asher how I felt. “I’m not telling you shit.”
“Six.” Charles feigned a yawn. “I’m getting bored. Trust me, we don’t want that to happen. I’ll choose a girl myself and force you to kill her. How about we play that game instead?”
When he went to turn around, I stopped him. “No! Please. I’ll choose a girl, but please don’t make me hurt them.”
“Oh, Meeka.” He patted my hand. “No matter what happens, it will be because of you they get hurt or worse. Seven.”
Tears burned my eyes, my throat closing. “I choose the girl on the left. Fourth cage from the front door.”
“Good girl. See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Charles opened the door, calling in Asher and his security.
Falling to my knees, I let out a soft cry. My fault. It was all my fault. The girl would be killed because of me. How could I give in? How could I let Charles control me li
ke that?
“Meeka.” Asher knelt in front of me, pulling my hands free from my face. “We need to go.”
“Not yet you don’t,” Charles interjected. “I have to show you my toy, that yours chose for me.” Tugging a small frail girl in front of him, she wavered on her feet. Dark bruises marred her pale naked skin, her hair matted to her head. Her pupils dilated, her eyes glassy with whatever drug had been injected into her body.
“You got fifty grand out of me before we’ve even set anything up. We are leaving,” Asher told him, his voice firm. Rising to his feet, he pulled me upright.
“You have no way back.” Charles crossed his arms under his chest, raising an eyebrow.
“I just gave you fifty thousand dollars without any hesitation. I think I can afford a fucking cab.” Asher moved in front of me, shielding me from whatever was about to take place.
“You’re lucky I like you.” Charles snapped his fingers again. “Bring her to the showers and have her cleaned. I want her primed before I fuck her.”
The girl didn’t make a sound as she was guided out of the room. Before she disappeared through the open doors, she looked my way. Our gazes locked. No emotion passed over her face but her eyes glowed, shining with fear.
Because of me, she was being taken away. To be prepped. Primed. Ready for Charles to do whatever he pleased. She looked no more than twenty but still so young. She would have had her whole life ahead of her but I sent her to her death instead.
MEEKA DIDN’T talk. At all. Not when I called the cab. Not when we took it back to my place. Not even when I asked her what had happened. She didn’t tell me what Charles had said to her. She didn’t tell me anything.
Although I had given Charles fifty thousand fucking dollars, he still made it difficult to leave. I didn’t expect any less from him. The guy was all about making some extra cash and he would go through any means to make sure his addiction was satisfied. I also knew that he was aware of my job. He didn’t know I was undercover. He assumed I had a sick desire. Maybe I did. But not when it came to little girls. That crossed the line. Charles should be shot and fucking pissed on.