Chapter Five

Larissa

One day, things changed. I'd been held captive for about a month and a half. At least, that was my best guess from the times they fed me. I was given a pair of black tights, a crop-top, and sneakers. I'd already figured out that Amon didn't give me anything unless he had a reason. I didn't care. It was great to have clothes again.

One of the men, a big burly guy who rarely said a word to me, led me to the treadmill, and I was forced to run. If Amon thought it was a punishment, he was wrong. I'd gone running almost every day in my old life. That's how I thought about it now—my old life. It was as if that other me was fading away.

As I ran, I closed my eyes and imagined running toward my freedom with the wind on my face. I could almost hear the birds outside or see a squirrel jumping from tree to tree. The sun would be warm on my face.

I tried not to show any emotion. I held it all inside. I was afraid they would take it away from me if they knew how much I enjoyed my time out of the cage.

The treadmill slowed and then stopped. My breathing was ragged because it had been so long since I'd had any real exercise, but for the first time since I'd been kidnapped, I felt alive.

"Say, thank you for the clothes," Amon spoke behind me.

I stiffened but didn't speak.

"I can take them back if you would rather be naked all the time. Maybe you want one of my men to fuck you? Is that it? That could be arranged."

I cringed. "Thank you," I mumbled, hating that I was being forced to say words I didn't mean.

"We start your training today."

I turned and looked at him, then looked around. The room had cleared. This might be the only chance I'd ever get to escape. My heart began to thud rapidly.

He smiled, that evil look in his eyes. "I know what you're thinking, but it won't happen, pet. See the red dot in the center of your chest?"

I looked down. He was right. There was a red dot in the center of my chest. I met his gaze again.

"They will drop you with one gesture from me. You would be dead before you hit the ground. Now, are you ready to begin your next level of training?"

There wasn't a damn thing I could do. "Yes," I said, gritting my teeth.

"That's a good girl."

He raised his arm. That's when I saw the dark leather collar and leash that he held.

"The collar and leash are not because I think you'll escape. There's no place for you to go, and I would find you, then you would be punished. It's so you'll know who owns you," he explained before fastening it around my neck.

I raised my chin. "No one owns me. Not you, not anyone."

He leaned forward.

I forced myself not to shrink away.

"Oh, but I do own you. You'll be surprised at the tricks I'll train you to do. You'll even do them without question."

"That will never happen." He couldn't make me do anything! I hated him with his skinny frame and bony fingers.

He jerked on the chain until I dropped to the floor. This was what I was afraid he would do. He was going to rape me. I always thought I would lose my virginity to one of the brothers, but never that I would be a victim of rape. But Amon only grabbed me by the chin and brought me closer as he leaned down near my face.

"I can see in your eyes what you're afraid of." He grabbed my breast, squeezing hard.

I gasped as the pain rolled over me.

"But you see, that will never happen." His gaze narrowed. There was so much fury in his eyes that I began to tremble. "It's not that you aren't a beautiful woman. I would love to fuck you, but you see, I can't. Brandt Morelli took that away from me when he blew up the warehouse as I was leaving, and killing my father who was still inside. He murdered the one man I admired more than anyone else."

He suddenly straightened as if he'd said too much.

"Follow me."

I had no choice but to do as he ordered since he pulled painfully on the leash until the leather rubbed my neck. He opened a door and motioned me inside, then removed the leash but left the collar on. Without another word, he left, leaving me alone. The room had windows along one wall, but I couldn't see out. Two-way, maybe? So Amon could watch me? But watch me do what?

I didn't have to wait long to find out. The door opened and a man came inside. He wore a white T-shirt and black jogging pants. He'd pulled his blond hair into a low ponytail. He might not have looked too bad except for the darkness in his eyes. I was beginning to think no one here had a soul.

"Aren't you the pretty one. I'm going to hate messing you up."

I began backing away.

He only moved closer. "I'm Bernard, and we're going to get to know each other really well."

I didn't stop until I was up against the wall. He was still coming toward me, but not in a straight line. It was more like he was a hunter, and I was his prey as he weaved toward me.

"Stay away from me," I spat.

"Where would the fun in that be?"

"Amon will kill you if you touch me." I used the only weapon I had, hoping he would be too afraid to hurt me.

"Who do you think sent me in here?"

I should've known Amon was up to some new kind of torture.

He moved faster than I thought he would and gripped the neckline of my top. With one sharp pull, he tore it off. I automatically covered my breasts. He pressed against me. I had nowhere to go.

"Please, don't do this," I begged.

"Why shouldn't I? It's not like you're going to stop me."

He grabbed my breast, rubbing his thumb across the nipple. I gasped.

"You like that, don't you, baby? I'm going to fuck you so hard you'll be begging Amon to send for me again and again."

Something inside me exploded. "Like hell, you will!"

Ezra had taught me basic self-defense. I jerked my knee up, connecting with his balls. He gasped and stumbled back, dropping to his knees. All the pent-up fury inside me rose to the surface. I slammed my fist into his face. The jolt from connecting with his nose throbbed all the way to my shoulder, but I didn't care, and I didn't stop attacking.

He struggled to his feet, growling as he lunged toward me. He punched me in the stomach. I drew in a sharp breath, doubling over. His fist connected with my jaw. Pain exploded across my face. I clawed at him. He pushed against my chest. I came back at him, biting his arm. He yelled and pushed me again, and then he doubled his fist, but before he could strike the killing blow, the overhead light blinked on and off several times.

The man immediately stopped and went to the door, leaving without another word. I was breathing hard as I walked to the windows. "Fuck you, Amon! Fuck you!" I stumbled across the room, but my legs were shaking so hard they wouldn't hold me up a second longer. I leaned against the wall, then slid down to the floor, tears streaming down my face.