"That wouldn't stop most men."
I shivered. "My father never would have allowed something like that." I looked Mason straight in the eye. "Does my lack of experience somehow disqualify me for a Cording?"
Mason laughed dryly. "Quite the opposite."
I nodded. "How soon can we do it? I need to get Quinn."
Mason smiled. "We'll do it as soon as we can. I'm glad you're in a hurry; I'm in a hurry myself." He ran a finger down my cheek. "My first virgin … and a blonde one." He seemed to be considering something. "I'm changing the terms. I want a personal Cording."
"A personal Cording?" Ethan spat.
"What does that mean?" I asked nervously.
"It means you'll belong to me and me alone."
I wasn't sure if that was better or worse.
"Do you agree to the terms, Kayla?" Once again he used my name. And once again the way he said it affected my entire body.
I nodded.
"Good. Then we have a deal." He reached out a hand, and I shook it.
"Damn it, Kayla." Ethan's face twisted in concerned.
Mason punched him square in the face. "You are excused, Ethan."
Ethan covered his nose, trying to catch the blood.
I gasped.
"Jarrett," Mason summoned. "Take Kayla to the girls' wing. Have Johanna put her in something special tonight."
"I'll see you soon, Kayla." Mason lightly kissed my neck. "Oh and leave the personal Cording part between us for now."
I dared a glance at Ethan before I was led out of the room. He didn't look at me, but I saw the blood dripping down from his face onto his now blood stained shirt. I stifled the emotion welling in me. I couldn't worry about it. I'd take help where I could. Rescuing Quinn and Bailey was the only thing that mattered.
Seven
"So you've agreed to a Cording then?" Jarrett ushered me from the room and down a long hallway.
"Yes." I breathed evenly, trying to keep my head.
"The men are going to be happy to meet you." He opened a door and then pushed a button for an elevator. I'd never been in a working elevator before, but I recognized them from the broken ones at the shop in town.
I heeded Mason's words and only nodded.
"Where's my feisty one gone? Did Mason scare you, or was it something Ethan said?" He pressed for answers.
"It's just been a tiring few days." That was technically true.
"You should probably get some rest in now then. It's going to be a long night." He raised an eyebrow.
I nodded, pushing away thoughts of exactly what Jarrett was implying. Anything was worth saving Bailey I reminded myself. She was so little and innocent. She deserved a chance at life.
"Cheer up. There are worse places to be. We treat our girls well here. Who knows, maybe you'll even prefer it to your life in the Rurals." He gestured for me to enter the waiting elevator car.
"I doubt that," I mumbled.
"Why'd you come?" He pressed a button and we started moving.
I startled but found my footing. "To see Ethan."
"Did you want him to leave with you?" Jarrett pushed for more. He needed to stop asking questions.
"Mason agreed to help me instead."
"In exchange for a Cording?" The elevator doors opened, and Jarrett ushered me down another hall.
"Yes." I went with one word answers when they worked. Otherwise I might say too much.
"I see."
"What do you mean?" My stomach turned. What wasn't he telling me?
"Nothing."
I didn't have time to dwell on it long. He opened another door that opened into a large suite of rooms.
A beautiful middle aged woman with long brown hair and deep brown eyes greeted us. "Hello, Jarrett." She adjusted the tie on her floor length wrap dress that appeared to be made out of silk. I had to resist the urge to reach out and touch the fabric.
"Hi, Johanna. This is Kayla. She's being Corded as soon as Allen returns."
"I see." Johanna ran her eyes up and down me as if to appraise me. I was tired of being seen for only what I was on the outside. I was tired of being seen as nothing but a body.
"Mason wants her looking nice for him."
"My girls always look nice," She gave him a hard look. "You can go. Kayla's fine here." She put an arm around my shoulder.