C2083

T he moment I went to run, my entire body locked up. I hit the ground with dead weight, and it was all because of the one word the Main Master spoke. Alpha-one. That's all it took for me to become unresponsive—paralyzed. Locked in my own body. As the three had stared at me cold, detached, I'd never felt so disposable. That was hours ago. Lots of hours . Footsteps sounded outside of my cell door, but I couldn't see who was moving around. Not with the door closed. Aside from terror, I felt sick. I felt…used? Deceived? How was that even possible? I helped the woman. We'd kissed. It was just a fucking kiss, and yet somewhere deep inside, I prayed the brief passion plus the information I gathered would somehow save me. Would somehow stir humanity in her and at least buy me time.

I was so wrong. I feared I'd die here, and now it was going to be worse. I'd die by the very men I turned my back on. I'd die by a myth. From a ghost. And I had no doubt they'd make it worse than I could even imagine. Gilbert Marks or his men didn't have a reputation for standing down to a threat. I killed one of them. They'd make me suffer for that.

More footsteps sounded, followed by the small bang of the bedroom door. A minute passed. Two. My stomach clenched and at the multiple male voices, my body betrayed me. A warm pool built along my side and stomach, soaking through the sweats along my thighs. Trembling took over, and it was the only movement I had. Aside from my wide eyes, my arms and legs couldn't jump into action like I wanted. All I could do was watch that fucking door, and the more moments that passed, the more frightened I became.

"He's just in here."

The door opened, giving view to three men. Leading the way was Jack, but the two behind him hadn't registered before they were too close to see. From where I was on the floor, I couldn't see past their knees. The closer they got, the more I shook.

"You don't fucking say. Are you seeing this shit, Mateo?"

I trembled at the name. The stories whispered about him were almost just as famous and vicious as Gilbert's.

"Yeah." Spit splashed down near my face. "I see the son of a bitch. We've been looking for you, Walter. Manny was my uncle. Did you fucking know that?"

"He's shut down. He can hear you, but he can't respond."

"It's okay, Mr. Collins. We'll have him talking in no time."

The other man who'd spoken before lowered his voice. "We need to confirm it's him with Gil."

My shoulder was pushed back, and dark eyes and hair came into view as Mateo leaned in, squeezing my jaw enough to have my body jolt through the pain.

"It's fucking him." He bared his teeth. "I'll be back. You will pay for murdering my uncle. Four kids, motherfucker. He had four kids, and you took him away from them. My aunt is distraught. Heartbroken. Did you know they'd been together since their teens? Do you know what you did?"

Mateo stood. His leg drew back, and light exploded in my eyes as his foot connected against the front of my face. Blood immediately covered my tongue, and I could feel fire incinerating the inside of my lip. It was stuck to my tooth and there was nothing I could do to try to dislodge it. Tears left me, and I somehow even made a sound as anxious, broken-up breaths took me over. I may have been unable to physically respond, but my body knew what my mind couldn't control.

Fuck, I was in trouble. Big trouble. It was over for me. Greed did this. Greed to be more. To have more . And what did that get me? An end bloodier than my beginning?

My death was going to be what horror movies were made of. Maybe worse. They'd torture me every way under the sun, and my only hope for survival wasn't even in the room. Georgie would help me. I helped her. It was her turn to return the favor. She had to, didn't she?

Again, a sound managed to force its way through. Almost just as fast as they left, footsteps returned. My eyes squeezed shut, trying to will me anywhere but here. Could one find a way to escape the present or the past? Could you disappear from reality as if you never existed? Only one thing made that possible. Death . Even the choice over that was being robbed of me.

My body was pulled up and I squeezed my lids tighter as I felt myself being half carried and half dragged. Wind brushed my skin. The sweet sensation registered. Where minutes ago it would have been a relief from the stench and the stuffy heat, all it held now was sadness. Terror. I savored the feel against my face wishing the cool air was taking me anywhere but to a nightmare. Long fingers from one of the men pushed through the back of my hair, jerking and lifting my head.

"Open your eyes."

The soft, feminine voice had me. My lids softened, letting moments pass before they lifted. Tears immediately raced down my cheeks. Green eyes scanned mine. I glanced to her side, taking in Jack and the Main Master. Not far on the other side of her, a group of men stood. The tallest dominated the spot in the middle. I didn't need to know his name to know who I looked at. His dark hair was brushed with salt and pepper. His build was wide and powerful. The hardness of his face radiated the leader and legend he was. He was Gilbert Marks, and the deadness of his expression had my gaze jerking back to Georgie's. My lids lowered the smallest amount as I begged her the only way I knew how. I projected my fear. Tried to force the energy inside of her so she could provide mercy. Mercy. Mercy! I needed a miracle. I needed this Mistress killer. To help me. To not trade me.

"You're asking the wrong person, slave." Jack placed his hands on her shoulders, trading her places to rest between him and Elec. As he faced me, all I could do was more of the same. Beg. Beg. BEG. "Georgie has no say over anything anymore. But you know that. And I will not save you. I will not rob a family of their justice like others have robbed my own."

The Main Master leaned forward, whispering what sounded like foreign words in my ear. One minute I was being shifted in Mateo and the other man's arms, the next, my body came to life. Power surged through my muscles, and a yell tore from me as I thrashed through the panic and realization of a fate I couldn't escape.

"Please. Master, please! I'll make it up to you. Don't do this. I'll be a good slave."

My head whipped to Gilbert at Jack's shake.

"Mr. Marks. It was a mistake. I swear I'm sorry. I'm sorry!"

Tighter the grip grew around my arms. I tried thrashing even more, but the men were around me like cement. I couldn't escape. I couldn't run.

"You're sorry."

It wasn't a question. His voice was smooth like leather as he took his time closing the distance.

"You're sorry?"

A sob tore from me.

"I swear I am. I'll do anything if you spare my life. Anything . I'll make it up to them. To the family. Whatever you want. I swear I don't know what I was doing. I don't know why I did that. I'm sorry!"

Dark eyes looked at the men at my sides, only to turn and glance to the one behind him.

"He says he's sorry." Snickers and even a few curse words left the men around me. When he stopped and faced Jack and Georgie, the room got quiet. "I'm sorry for the family's sake that we couldn't get to him sooner. I accept this trade. Walter Vanzetti for a future favor. I only have one problem." His gaze went to the Main Master, and I couldn't help but jerk as a loud rumble of defeat left me. "This is not how I operate. I understand the rules, but you know I'm good on my word."

The Main Master's head cocked to the side.

"And now it is you who is asking a favor of me. You know the rules to the Gardens." Blue eyes, so deep and empty put their focus on mine. For the smallest moment, my heart stilled in hope. But moments never lasted. Moments were the void just before the monster ate you alive. "For you, Gilbert, and only for you, I do believe I'll make this exception. Once. For my own favor should the time ever come."

Mr. Mark's expression softened. One side of his face pulled back in a grin. His head gave a jerk, and I yelled as I fought against the men who pulled me to the door.

"His family will be thankful, and so am I. I won't forget this, Main Master. Jack. Georgetta. I owe all of you. Me and my men are here, should you ever need any of us."

My yelling got louder but died with those two damn words I'd heard before. My body went limp. Unresponsive. And I could hear footsteps come up from behind.

"I've given you another gift, Mr. Marks, and this one is on the house. Pain is a powerful thing. Beautiful when we want it to be. When you begin, he'll feel it more than most. It was in the words I whispered when I brought him back. When the time comes, and you want to hear him really scream, say—" The whispering got so low I couldn't hear. "A scratch will feel equivalent to a serrated knife—to him, any hit will break his bones. He'll suffer far worse pain than one can imagine. Grab some popcorn, this is what dreams are made of. It's good to have you at the Gardens. I'll see you again at the next auction. Have a safe drive home."

The End