“What the hell is going on?” he asked. Peter cupped her cheek, and she stared at his chest.
Wanting answers, he charged down her house, and when he passed the kitchen he glanced inside.
“Peter, please, stop. You shouldn’t be here,” Rose said.
He stopped and looked at the kitchen. What he saw turned his stomach. Going inside, he tested the chains to make sure it wasn’t a trick. They were locked solid.
Opening the fridge he saw the lines on the milk and the monitoring of the fridge.
“What the fuck is this?” he asked.
She lifted a hand to her face, wiping her eyes. He saw the glint of a diamond on her ring finger.
Grabbing her hand, he looked at the ring.
“Tell me what’s going on now,” he said.
Tears filled her eyes as she stared at him. “My Mom and Dad will be home soon.”
“Then you better fucking explain fast.” He let go of her hand. “How does a woman who wants to go to college and enjoys working at the library suddenly get engaged and quit her job?”
“You don’t understand?”
“Why is that same woman being monitored on what she eats?”
Peter had heard about this sort of lifestyle before for a submissive. Some submissives allowed for this kind of lifestyle. Rose was not in a submissive relationship. She was in her parents’ house.
Leaving the kitchen, he opened doors, cupboards and drawers looking for the scales, tape measure and notebook. He found them in the long cupboard. Flicking them open he got the answers as to why her lunch had been reduced.
“Tell me what the fuck is happening, or I’m phoning Gabriel to report abuse.”
He grabbed his cell phone ready to do it.
“Don’t. It’s Brad and my family.”
Peter stopped, looking at her. “Speak, Rose.”
She looked behind her before speaking. “I’m engaged to Brad, the guy you saw at the library. He’s the one who organised that.” She pointed at the book in his hand. “If I don’t marry him then my parents will kick me out. I don’t have what it takes to survive on my own, Peter. I’ve got to do what they say.”
“You look hungry, Rose. What are your meal times now, and what are you allowed?” he asked.
Her cheeks were red. He didn’t give a shit about her embarrassment. This kind of control was not healthy, especially to a woman like Rose. They were starving her and could be doing long term damage.
“I’m allowed a slice of toast for breakfast, two pieces of fruit for lunch and some dinner. I also have to complete ten miles a day on the running machine. Brad doesn’t want a fat bitch, and I’m to stick to a strict regimen and be a v-virgin on my wedding day.” Tears were pouring down her face as she spoke.
His heart went out to her.
“Why didn’t you come to me?” Peter asked. He would have done something to help her.
“Why would I come to you, Peter? You’re in love with another woman. I’ve got no one else to turn to. I know this is my future.”
Peter closed the distance, cupping her face. “This future will get you killed, Rose. Brad’s the one in control, and what makes you think he’s not going to stop this control or make it worse? He could make you go days without food.” He stopped as his anger threatened to consume him. Rose was being abused, and from the look inside the book this had been her life for a good few months and he’d not seen it. “Do you love him?”
She shook her head. “He scares me, Peter. If I don’t do as he says he’s going to share me with his friends. I don’t want to do that. I wouldn’t survive that. I’ll be good. I promised.”
He shook his head. “No, that’s not going to happen. Brad is bad news.” Peter cupped her cheek, resting his head against hers.
“There’s no stopping it.”
“Yeah, there is.”
“How?” Rose asked.
“You’re coming with me.” He stormed up the stairs, opening the doors until he found her room.
****
Rose had to stop him, but as she followed him up the stairs and entered her room, she couldn’t form the words. She watched him throw her clothes into an overnight bag, pack up some of her books, and then he was done. Peter was saving her from her parents and from Brad. It was only a matter of time before something bad happened to her. She knew the rumours about Brad had to be true. The way he kept warning her about sharing her with his three friends scared her. Each time he mentioned it, he looked more and more aroused. There was no stopping him, and Brad was the one who held all the cards right now. He made sure she knew who was in control of her and the situation.
“You can’t take me with you. If Brad finds out…” She couldn’t finish her words.