Page 110 of Volatile Waters

I snarled, “Why are you trying to undo all the trust I have built with this slave?”

Father got in my face. “Because someone has betrayed us. Someone snuck out of this house the night before we were ambushed. Did you have anything to do with Kirill’s betrayal?”

The driveway video cameras. Uncle and Father had a live feed. How could I have been so stupid! I had assumed the only feed was at my location. “Kirill has not betrayed you. He only wanted alone time with his whore. How many times must I explain this?”

“They are not alone anymore.”

Oh, shit. Uncle tightening up loose ends… “You are wrong about Kirill.”

“You loading your car for your ‘errands’but returning? It is the only reason you are alive, and the only reason your bitch upstairs isn’t being tortured while you watch, like your cousin.”

It took everything I had not to grab my nauseous stomach and close my eyes in regret. Valerie. I thought Kirill escaping was going to keep him out of the storm I had created. Instead, it made him look guiltier than the guilty. Now, Valerie was paying the price.

Father switched to English again. “Or, is having Fire fucked by many at once something you are interested in?”

In the corner of my eye, I saw Wolf’s shoulders tighten. He was a true saint, wanting my slaves to be free—not raped and tortured to satisfy a madman’s lunacy.

I snarled at Father, “I’m in charge here now, or have you already forgotten?”

He argued, “Kirill is my brother’s son! He can do as he pleases!”

“If Uncle wants to make a huge mistake and lose his second son forever, so be it. Fire has been claimed! You touch her, you not only betray me but all of your employees.” I gestured to the few gathering, including Adrian, who came to my side. “Wish to explain your bendable rules?”

Unexpectedly, Father smiled as if I had played right into a plan he had all along. A wave of chills ran down my spine, leaving me achingly cold inside, while he licked his teeth as if already tasting his victory. “Speaking of rules, who is most important in our line of business?”

Not sure of his angle, I numbly replied, “The customer.”

He smacked his hands together. “That’s right! And, our most important customer wants a sample of our prized slave.”

My stomach soured immediately. “But he’s not ready for a new Master.”

Dismissively, Father waved his hand through the air. “No. Of course not. Training is,” it felt like daggers flew through the air as he finished with, “so important,” as if he didn’t believe any training was happening in the slightest. “Progression is so important.” He gestured to the filming room down the hall. “This is why our client would like an example of what his money is getting him.” His face, so patronizing, kept grinning. “Just a little sample of a cock inside Wolf’s ass.” When I didn’t move, Father added, “Unless you have claimed him also?”

And there it was. The trap I had entered, unknowingly.

“No,” I replied, trying to sound dismissive. We all knew we could only claim one slave at a time. “Besides, Wolf has been bought.”

“Yes, he has. So, let’s satisfy his new owner.”

Now, I was swallowing down the bile that rose in my throat. The situation was going from horrendous to unbearable. I sneered, “I didn’t know you were so soft and compliant with customers these days.”

“Meh.” Father shrugged. “I would have you fucked for the right dollar amount.”

My eyes closed, and I shook my head, stung by his words but feeling more for my slave, my love. “If we push this slave before his time, you will have him regressing.” Wolf had just told me not to let him get on film connecting us. I would be hooded, but this all felt so wrong. Having sex with him was… private. I didn’t want to share one glimpse of him during such a time. “Why is our customer not taking your fucking word for it?”

“What have I seen to give my word about?”

My eyes opened. “You want to watch me fuck another man?”

“Why are you being so sensitive about this? You fuck on film weekly.” I internally cringed. This was information I never wanted to be shared with Wolf. Father coyly added, “It is not too late. You could always match our customer’s price if you wish to exchange your claim.” He indicated to Wolf. “No one would blame you. He is beyond stunning.”

I stood there, blinking, because it was now clear Father knew I had feelings for Wolf and was punishing me for it by making me choose. With the best lie I could fake, I claimed, “This is absurd. I have no attachments to a slave.”

“No? Wonderful news.” He took a step toward the filming room. When he saw I was invisibly concreted to where I stood, he told two minions. “Go get Fire. Yury has had a change of heart. There will be an exchange. And, she is to be fucked by all who want her, then killed once and for all.”

Adrian moved from my side to block their path.

Again, I saw Wolf from the corner of my eye. Against slave rules, he dared to lift his eyes to look at me. It broke a part of me inside because I knew what he was begging me to do.

In my mind, I was screaming, trapped in a rage I’d helped create by being a part of this horrid profession. I was finally paying—being punished for my wrongs—having to choose between two people I loved.

It was amazing, but at that very moment, I wondered what Crash would do if forced to choose between the two people he cherished: Whitney and Link. I didn’t have to wonder long before knowing the answer. He wouldn’t let Whitney get dragged into my father’s psychosis, not like Valerie was presently experiencing. He would let Link, the stronger of the two, take the fall.

Someone, somewhere, had to be spared.

That person wasn’t going to be my Wolf.

He was strong. He was an FBI agent for Christ’s sake.

I believed he could take what I had to do.