Joe starts stalking towards me, so I start walking back. Pretty soon, I’m up against the wall. Once trapped, Joe leans in and trails a finger down my face. “You and me both wouldn’t want that now, would we? Remember, I’m your only saving grace in here.” He moves his hand until it’s down towards my breast. I grab his hand, and he just smiles at me. “I thought we had an arrangement?”
“Yes, but you haven’t carried it through yet, have you?” I seethe.
“You got your tablets back, didn’t you? I should at least expect a blow job for that.”
My heart starts racing. “We made a deal.”
He pulls away. “So we did.” He motions for me to pass him. “Enjoy your swim.”
Glaring at him, I walk past him, but as I do, I feel the sting of a big slap. “Ow!” I protest, looking back at him.
Joe laughs. “Such a peachy arse. I simply couldn’t resist.”
Ignoring him, I make my way outside before I get into any more trouble. I really don’t know how Joe does it. If it wasn’t for the fact that he’s my only way out of here, I would have told on him ages ago. He’s an arrogant pig—especially since he wants to use me for his own pleasure as payment for my freedom. I’ve gone from virgin to whore in the space of a few weeks. How can it end like this so suddenly?
As I dive into the pool and start swimming, I think on my parents and also Mandy. I often wonder if they think of me. I doubt my parents do. They’re probably lavishing it up on their world cruise and spending the five million that Drake gave to them.
I imagine that Mandy, on the other hand, would at least be wondering why I haven’t called. I also imagine she’s tried to call me, but since Drake’s taken my phone from me, contacting her has not been an option.
As I swim, my thoughts drift away to a better place. A place where I get my degree, meet the man of my dreams, and start a family once my career takes off. Joe is offering me this chance. How I would be and where I would go frighten me beyond words, but at the same time, the feeling excites me. If I could withdraw the amount that’s accumulated in my account, I could get a place, work in a bar somewhere at night, and study during the day. I picture myself owning a place near to the sea where I can take leisurely strolls in my free time. That’s if I get any free time between school, studying, and working in a bar.
Once I’ve done fifty lengths of the pool and finished off dreaming of the life that can be, I get out of the pool, dry myself off, and sit down on the sun lounger. I make sure to lather on the cream before laying back.
I must have fallen asleep at some point because, all of a sudden, I feel something silky soft over my skin. I look up to see what’s happening when I see Drake hovering over me, looking as deadly as ever. His eyes are dark—like the pools of black I stared into after his father drugged me. Instantly, my skin prickles, and my heart races a million miles an hour.
“Put that on now.”
I grab the turquoise kaftan he threw on me and quickly place it over me. Once in place, Drake grabs my arm and hurls me to my feet. “So this is how it’s going to be, huh? I’m obviously still too soft. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have disobeyed me. Again!” Squeezing my arm, he pulls me towards the house.
“Drake, please stop. You’re hurting me.”
“You should have thought about that.”
Holding me by the back of the neck, he pushes me until I almost fall onto the floor. I know why he’s doing this. He’s showing his authority to everyone in the house. That he’s the boss. He’s the boss of them, and he’s the boss of me. He’s humiliating me the only way he knows how just so he can assert his authority.
Grabbing the back of my neck again, he leads me through the kitchen and out into the hallway by the stairs. Guards are watching this time. I suppose this spectacle is too good to ignore.
As we reach the stairs, he motions to one of the guards to open the door. Once he does, he pushes me through and turns to the guard. “No one comes in or out. Got it?” The guard nods and shuts the door behind us. I’m lead down the stairs and into the basement where I find a big seven-foot frame with chains and harnesses attached. This must be where he took me before.
Feeling afraid, I back up, but hit a solid chest when I do. Drake pushes me again, and this time I land on the floor. “When am I going to get through to you? When are you going to learn to fucking submit and do as you’re told?”
He’s so angry—the angriest I’ve ever seen him. I’ve seen his Mr Hyde, but that version has nothing on what I’m seeing before me now.