“I’m free!” I scream at the top of my lungs. I splash at the water and shout again. “I’m free!” If anyone’s next door, they’ll think I’m mad. I start chuckling at the thought.
Once finished, I grab the offered dressing gown and put it on. I then jump on my bed a little before putting on the TV. I watch a couple of reruns of Friends before my eyes start to feel droopy. I look at the clock and find it’s already ten.
Sighing, I get up off the bed and walk towards the TV. I turn it off, and I’m about to walk to my bed when a knock on the door sounds. I frown, wondering who on earth it could be. Maybe it’s the receptionist’s manager, and he’s found out that I’m staying here and wants to check that I’m his cousin or something.
I hear a knock again, so I shout, “Coming,” before walking quickly towards the door. I open it and gasp when I see who it is.
“Well, hello there, Evelyn.”
Present Day
As quickly as I can, I try to slam the door, but he’s way too quick. I try and scream, but immediately, he has a hand over my mouth. “Not so fast, little one.” Once he has me in place behind me he snuggles his face into my neck and inhales. “Don’t you just love that new bath smell?”
“What do you want?” I muffle behind his hand.
“I’m surprised you don’t know. I thought we had a deal?”
“I’m not going back to Drake,” I muffle into his hand.
“Drake doesn’t know where you are, but I do. I knew you were up to something from the very beginning. I kept my distance and followed you all the way here. Now, don’t you owe me something?”
He takes his hand away momentarily.
“That was if you helped me, but I managed it all by myself. Besides, I wouldn’t sleep with you if you were the last man on earth.”
Joe sniggers at my neck and licks it. My heart starts drumming and with it so does the fear. With his body still fixed to mine, he places a hand inside my dressing gown and finds my breast. He hisses his pleasure as he fondles me. All I feel is sick.
“Hmm, I want nothing more than to take this further, but unfortunately, someone else got wind of your escape and demanded that I bring you to him.”
My eyes widen. “Who?”
“My boss.”
“But Drake is your boss.” I’m confused. What’s happening?
“Drake is not my boss. He was just my way in to get to you. My real boss is the one who’s been desperate to meet you. He’s also my father, but that’s another story.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about Isaac Monroe.”
My eyes widen in fear. Practically all my life I have been told to fear that name. I’ve been shielded from this man for years, but what is it that he wants from me? What makes me so special?
“What does he want with me?”
He starts fondling my breasts again, and I try pulling away. “I have a knife in my pocket you could meet if you’re not careful.” I immediately still. “That’s better. You see, my father has known about you for quite a long time. You’re the girl who the great Drake Salvatore has been salivating over for the last few years. He knows the price Drake has paid for you. You’re worth a pretty penny now out there in the big wide world. Isn’t that where you’ve always wanted to be? Out there seeing what the real world is all about? Well, you asked, and now you shall receive.” A phone starts ringing in his pocket, and he sighs his displeasure. “That’ll no doubt be my dad wondering what’s taking me so long. For some reason, he doesn’t want me to fuck you before I bring you to him. So much to do and so little time.” I feel a syringe in my arm and scream out. He has his hand over me again, and within seconds, my legs feel wobbly and my eyes begin to droop. “That’s it, little one. Sleepy time.”
When I wake, I find I’m restricted on a bed. I don’t have my dressing gown on anymore, but what I do have on is a white negligee.
I look around the room, but all I see are four white walls, a door, and a window. That’s it. I think I’m all alone, but then, I hear a voice.
“Ah, she’s awake.”
I search the sound of the voice, and wish I hadn’t. That scar that has haunted me since I was thirteen is staring back at me. The scar belonging to the man with the most evil-looking eyes. Drake never wanted me near him, and now I can see why.
“Why am I here?”
He starts tutting. “Such questions. Obviously, Drake didn’t teach you well enough. You were always the light in his eye. You were the only one to … soften him shall we say. Everyone was fascinated with you—including me. Unfortunately, he always kept you at arm’s length. Such a pity really.” His eyes snake the length of my body. “I could have gotten more for you if it wasn’t for the fact he had gotten to you first. Do you have any idea what the going rate is for you now since word got around that you were bought for five million? Men have been practically banging my door down for you. Some have even offered five hundred thousand for just thirty minutes of alone time. Can you imagine?”