“Oh, I see why,” Morgan laughed as he entered thekitchen.
“She was to be mine, but Galvin just had to sell her,” Erick seethed, turning his head to look at Morgan, but keeping me in his line ofsight.
“You know Galvin has his plans and reasons,” Morgan said calmly as he moved up next to me. “I will get her back to her mother soon, and then you can have your share ofher.”
“Ah, yes. How is that working out for you? I hear Eli is of no help,” Erick laughed, bringing a hand to my upper arm. I flinched, making him laugh. He squeezed me harder, giving a look that clearly told me not to make asound.
“I have Hughes working on it for me. Can you believe how easy it is to do something like this right under the fed's noses?” Morgan laughed, bringing his hand up my other arm. I wanted to scream, to run, but my body wasfrozen.
“I can’t wait till I can play,” Erick laughed, leaning in to smell my hair. I couldn’t stop the cringe I made, making him laughmore.
“That’s my property you’re both touching,” Elijah hissed. I didn’t hear him come in but was relieved he’d finally showed up. Morgan and Erick instantly backed off. I was still frozen in my spot. After a moment, Elijah said my name, and I went to him with panic on the edge. I wanted nothing but to run to him—to mysafety.
Instead, I slowly walked to him on shaky legs. He pulled me to him, and I breathed in his scent, not being able to help the few tears that leaked out my eyes. Somehow, he was just able to make me feel okay with his presencealone.
“What made you think you could touch his pet?” Galvin saidcalmly.
“She’s a slut; she’s been made to let any man touch her, and she will never be what he wants,” Erick replied. “I marked her, and she can never have a normal life, so I don’t see what the harmis.”
“When I step back from you, you need to go upstairs, and don’t look back,” Elijah whispered in my ear. “I need you to hide in the closet, and lock the door behindyou.”
“She’s not yours, Erick!” Galvin nearly shouted, outraged. “You have not been a follower, but doing your own thing. That is why I didn’t permit you to haveher!”
I felt Elijah’s phone vibrate against my hip, and he kissed the top of my head before whispering, “Now.”
I looked up at him briefly before walking away hurriedly up the stairs to the closet. I made sure to close the door softly, turning the lock as quickly as I could. I didn’t think anyone followed, but I still had to followorders.
I found two pillows, a battery-operated lantern, and a blanket folded neatly in the corner. I had to wonder if Elijah had expected something like to this happen. He most likely did, as he seemed to be prepared for just aboutanything.
I couldn’t hear anything from the men, but that was probably good, as my panic was already setting in. My heartbeat was loud, my palms sweaty. I was worried about Elijah, and if I was safe hidinghere.
Taking a pillow and hugging it to my chest, I backed into the far corner where the items were, hoping to find some sort of calm there, even though it was unlikely to happen. I wanted my Elijah. I ended up closing my eyes and rocking back and forth as I full outpanicked.
* * *
Icould hear laughingas my arms were tied in front of me and my legs were held down. There was an audience at the door and I refused to give them any of my time. I breathed in and out, trying to picture myself anywhere buthere.
“It’s almost over, sweetie pie,” Morgan groaned as he pounded into me roughly. “Daddy likes you tight and wet, just for me.” I gagged at thename.
This wasn’t the first time, nor would it be the last. I wanted to pass out so I could have the darkness instead of the pain. Instead, I just lay there, limply, hoping it would all end. Either I could pass out, Morgan finishing quickly so I could be thrown back into my cell, or justdie.
“That’s how Daddy likes it,” he grunted as he froze on top of me. After a few moments, he pulled out and shooed the bystandersoff.
Afterward, he was gentle, picking me up and carrying me back to my cell, where he tenderly cleaned me up. He told me how he loved me, how he couldn’t wait for my mother to be out of the picture like my father, so he could be the one to take care of me. Morgan wanted me to keep his needs met twenty-four seven. I couldn’t stop the tears, knowing what he wanted wasn’tright.
I couldn’t help but remember another time in thatplace.
“Please,” I cried out, holding my torso as the pain racked through my veins. My ribs hurt and it hurt to breathe. Galvin stood by, watching as Morgan and another man I didn’t know took turns kicking and hitting me—all because I refused to let two men use my body at one time. I knew I shouldn’t have fought, but I had to. I had that small amount of hope flare up that I may be saved from thishell.
“Cry some more,” Galvin laughed. “It’s like music to my ears, dearone.”
With another kick, I blacked out, letting the promising darkness take over. I hoped I wouldn’t wake up thistime.
The memories faded and I lifted my head, my vision blurry as I grabbed the pillow and hugged it. It smelt like Elijah’s laundry soap, but not likehim.
I wantedElijah.
I wantedout.
