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I thought I needed time. I’d always been one to bounce back quickly. After all, I’d hit the ground so many times throughout my life, picking myself up wasn’t much of a chore anymore. My stepfather ruined me and my mother. He beat the hell out of her every chance he got. Then, it was me. Both of us off and on. He’d destroyed me at eleven. Called me every name in the book by the time I graduated high school. Had it not been for all my hard work and dedication to softball, I might not have made it out of that town. But I did, and my scholarship didn’t just take me miles away, it brought me states away from the nightmare I called home.

Where I thought my life was finally going to get better, the first party I went out to destroyed that. I escaped my stepfather’s grabby, overpowering advances, but I wasn’t a match for alcohol. I never drank. I didn’t know what to expect. That landed me naked in a back room, raped by two men I didn’t know. It wasn’t how I wanted to lose my virginity. I sunk low. So fucking low, not even a year of university therapy could come close to scratching the surface of the hate or anger I harbored.

I went wild. I did things I didn’t want to remember. I did things I couldn’t remember. But I didn’t lose sight of why I was there or the opportunity I’d been given. School and my future were the only things I looked forward to…until I was kidnapped and brought here. That should have taken the cake of horrors I faced. It didn’t. Or maybe it was just all catching up with me.

One night of no control. One night as a shell of a person for my Master. It fucking decimated me. And although scary, it wasn’t being in that state that did it. It was being forgotten. Disregarded with no control to save myself. Even him leaving this place for three days did nothing to help me get out of this funk. If anything, it had the opposite effect, which made no sense. But now he was back earlier than his original week he’d told me he’d be gone for, and his problems seemed worse. Call after call. Hour after hour. I saw as he tried to move in to watch my show with me. He kept busy, and although I secretly watched his every move, I kept silent.

“Maybe you should have come home while I was there. No. We could have talked then. I know you were working. I was too. I still would have made time. Hale . I don’t care what you want. Absolutely not. God, do you even fucking hear yourself right now? Are you sure you went to Mistress Two?” He paused. “And she fixed you? She got rid of Elec’s brainwashing?”

I stole glances, pretending to stay glued to the television as my Master paced. The newest episode of ‘Pieces’ was starting, but after hours of watching, I was going crazy. I didn’t care which slave died or which Master or Mistress was the killer. Not when I could feel my own Master stare suddenly on me as he went back and forth. I couldn’t focus. How would it be when he finally did have time to talk to me?

“Could have fooled me, Hale. You’re making no sense.” Hesitation. “I know something happened. I know you’re hiding shit from me. It has to be bad if you’re this desperate.”

Silence had me quickly glancing over. My Master’s lids closed as he came to a stop and stared up at the ceiling.

“That’s not enough, Brother. Tell me what the fuck is happening with you, and I may consider it.” A growl. “ I do have the right. Until you come clean, I refuse to allow you admittance. And I can do that as head of the family.” His face lowered in my peripheral. “You’d do that? All because I’m respecting your wishes? You don’t want this. You never did. Until you’re honest with me…no.” A pause. “Do what you feel you have to. I will too.”

He hung up, squeezing into the phone. I could see him glance my way, but I kept my stare ahead on the show as he kept going back and forth.

“You’re still mad.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re going to lie to me too?”

He threw the phone at the other side of the sofa making me jump.

“Great. Just fucking…great. Anything else you want to lie to me about while we’re having this fantastic fucking conversation?”

“No, but we’re out of coffee. I need to make a grocery order.”

“I told you I don’t drink that shit. I’ll go to the lobby.”

My head jerked over. “It’s for me , not you. The world doesn’t revolve around you, Sebastian. If I have to be here, I want some goddamn coffee.”

His eyebrows lifted in surprise, and he jolted to a stop.

“What did you call me?”

“You heard me.” Now that I had started, it was impossible for me to stop. I was shaking. Nauseous. I should have feared him saying Maggie’s name and shutting me down again, but I was too unstable for that. My mind was swarming on what I wanted or needed. I was confused at a pull I couldn’t understand. At empathy I shouldn’t hold. How could I fear someone and yet crave their presence? I was fucked. I was broken.

“Coffee. Fine. What else do you want to get off your chest?”

“Nothing.”

“No, please. Keep going. I think I’d rather listen to you bitch than to see you pout, watching that stupid show.”

“I’m not pouting.”

“Lies.”

“ I’m not lying . I don’t lie. I have no reason to.”

“Then be honest. Say everything that you’re thinking. You hate me. You think I’m fucking sick. You wish I was dead.”

My lids lowered into a glare only for the black hole of emptiness inside to return. With it, the anger subsided, and I couldn’t keep in the truth.

“I should. I don’t.”

“What do you mean, you don’t? You don’t hate me? You don’t think I’m sick?”

My eyes rolled. “You’re not the only one who’s ever…been the way you have.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You were in love. She died. Your mind is trying to grasp what’s left the only way it knows how. I know pain. Having sex with…” I stopped as his brows lifted expectantly. “You don’t need to commit murder to replicate something close to what you need.”

“You’re going to tell me you know ways?”

“Well.” I swallowed hard. “There’s always ice.”

My Master’s head cocked to the side.

“You’re serious.”

“I don’t mind the cold. What I do mind is that…thing you do. Shutting me down like that. You left me. You?—”

“That’s what did it? You’re all fucked up because I left you alone like that?”

Tears clouded my eyes. “ You didn’t just leave me . You were smothering me with your big-ass, heavy body. You threw up on me. Have you ever tried to hold your bladder until you couldn’t anymore? Try doing that multiple times. Have your body ache and go numb and not be able to stop the pain. Try enduring that shit. Hell, try thinking about someone other than yourself. What about our problems? What about our needs? But you can’t even fathom my questions because you can’t get over how ridiculous they sound. Why? Because it’s not you . You’re the head of your family. You’re the Master. You’re obviously rich so you’re probably some mighty, powerful CEO, spouting orders to the peons below.”

“Are you done?”

“Am I right?”

My Master’s mouth puckered the smallest amount. “I don’t think like that. I take care of those that matter to me.”

“I bet you do.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He got closer, and I knew I needed to stop.

“Margaret. Keep going.”

“Your brother needs your help. Something is happening with him. Or happened to him. If he’s not telling you, it’s because he feels he can’t. Maybe he’s embarrassed. Maybe it’s too painful. You know pain. God, you fucking live it. Call him back. Instead of attacking or arguing with him, make it right.”

For seconds my Master didn’t speak.

“I can’t call him. He has to be patched through to call me.”

“Then I guess you’ll have plenty of time to figure out how to approach the situation to garnish the best results. Do it for him before he gets worse, because we both know he will if he doesn’t get this off his chest.”

His hand rose, and his finger pointed towards me.

“Maybe…but don’t do that again. What you hear, you don’t speak. Especially about my brother. That’s a fast way to find yourself in a lot of trouble.”

My eyes lowered. “It won’t happen again.”

Sebastian walked over, picking up the phone. I put my attention back on the television as he walked around the coffee table, deeper into the room.

“That’s right. Bring me a canister of coffee. A big one. Yes. Great.”

He hung up.

“I hope coffee improves that mood of yours and this isn’t your everyday personality. I can’t promise how long you’ll live if that’s the case.”

“I better drink a lot then. I think this is me.” A smile tugged at his mouth, and I couldn’t stop the one that wanted to appear on mine. “Thank you.”

“It’s coffee. It’s not a big deal.” He gestured to the room. “I’ve been in meetings all morning. I smell like cigars and stale cigarettes. I’m going to take a shower and change. Go ahead and answer the door when the slave comes. Make enough coffee for me too. I think I could use a cup or two.”

My smile finally broke through, even if it was a small one.

“Alright.”

There was the slightest hesitation before he nodded and headed for the room, cracking the door behind him. I grabbed the remote flipping the channel. Raw celebrity interviews. Killer confessions. I groaned as I settled on the upcoming events page, watching it scroll through the dates as a good few minutes passed. There was an event every night. Specialty hunts. Mixers. Themed dance nights. Knocking had me standing. I headed for the door, smiling as I pulled it open.

“That was fas—” My smile fell at the younger, dark-haired man standing in the doorway. His eyes raked down my body before coming back up to meet my gaze.

“Well, well. And so we finally meet.”

“I’m…sorry? I thought you were someone else.”

“It’s okay.” His head tilted as he peered in the apartment behind me. “Is your Master home?”

“He’s not available right now. Maybe try coming back later.”

I pushed the door to shut, but his arm shot through, pushing it back open.

“Don’t be silly. Sebastian wouldn’t mind me waiting.”

“I’m not allowed to let anyone in. Try coming back in a half hour or so.” I pushed harder at the door, but his foot wedged in.

“I really thought you’d return to Ashley’s, that little boutique on the corner. You seemed to like it.”

“Ashely’s?”

“In the city. You never came back down. I’ve been waiting.” His brow creased. “That’s okay. I figured I’d just stop by. You know… to visit. I heard my mom earlier saying your Master was back in Chicago on business. He’s not here, is he?”

My heart raced as I put all my weight against the door. Pressure exploded at the barrier, and I flew back, crying out as I slid against the floor.

“No!” Weight was on me before I could try to turn and run. I swung, kicking and twisting as I tried to move out from under him.

“Listen to this. Are you listening? I know a trick. I know so many tricks.” His hands clutched to my wrists, squeezing with bruising force as he forced my arms down to my sides. His voice was changing. Turning deeper as I sucked in to scream. “ Maggie-Lynn .”

My fight was gone. My resistance disappeared. My scream…nowhere to be found. The man’s smile turned evil as he scrambled back, pushing the door shut. When he appeared back over me, I couldn’t stop screaming in my mind.

“I knew it would work. Those guards should really take better care when it comes to those tablets. You wouldn’t believe all the information you can find in there. This was too easy. Look at you.” His hand brushed back my hair. “You should have been mine. Now, you can be. Sucks it has to be here, but shit happens.”

He glanced to the corners of the room. “Cameras see things, but all that stupid Main Master is going to see is a slut slave fucking his replacement. You asked for this. You opened the door. You might as well have invited me in. Sure, it’ll look like I forced my way in, but it’s what we do . It’s what we talked about in the city, right slave? They don’t have enough cameras there to verify if it’s the truth. It’s so perfect. If only your Master wouldn’t have shown up on that elevator, we could have done this sooner. Don’t you love divine timing? We have us…and this.” My eyes went big at the long, thin metal stick he held. It looked like an ice pick. “This was just me getting a little too carried away. Sebastian will get over it in time. I bet by next auction, he won’t even remember you.”

His free hand grabbed my breast, squeezing through the dress as he traced the end of the tool along my cheek.

“You’re so afraid. You won’t feel that for long. I promise. Soon, you won’t feel much at all. That’s when the real fun begins. The things I can make you do to yourself…”

Knocking sounded and the Master’s head jerked to the door. He glanced down at me, standing, and going to look out of the peephole.

“Fucking delivery slaves.” He opened the barrier, snatching the bag and tossing the coffee across the room. “ Where were we? ” His smile was back as he lowered his weight down on top of me. “That’s right. We were getting to know each other better.”

Pain stuck into the side of my throat, piercing through my skin as his teeth bit into my lip, tugging back. Inside, I was screaming with everything I had. On the outside, I didn’t move.

Warmth raced down towards the back of my neck as he pulled the tool free, itching my skin as it trickled into my hairline.

“I don’t have much time. I’m meeting my mom and the Main Master for dinner. We’ll make this quick.”

My dress was pulled up over my bare breasts, and he didn’t waste any time pulling my panties off. When he bent my knees and spread my legs wide, I squeezed my eyes shut. Tears were leaving me. Tears and pleas and more and more screams.

A sharp pain pierced one of my folds. It immediately had him moaning as he began repeating the act, switching back and forth to each side of my pussy as he stabbed the tool into the flesh.

“Damn you’re so hot.” The long end of the pick slid into my channel, punching holes here and there as he began thrusting it like a toy. White noise played in my ears, humming so loud I was sure I was going to pass out. It was the sensation of fingers smearing the blood that had me hanging on. He had the tool out of me, but he didn’t pause to savor what he was doing by shoving multiple fingers inside my pussy to thrust. That didn’t stop him from still using the tool. Pain began slicing deeply into my skin, making its way up the side of my stomach through his rush.

Stab. Thrust.

Stab. Thrust.

Stab. Thrust.

His fingers eased out of my channel as the stinging slices worked their way over my ribs and up to my sternum. More, he smeared the blood, moving up over my breasts, up to my throat. How much damage he was doing, I didn’t know. The pain was extreme at times, but even with my medical training, I couldn’t tell if it was just the tip of the pick he was stabbing in, or it was going inches deep. My adrenaline was soaring. The panic and insanity were all I knew as he leaned over me, rubbing his lips against mine. He pulled back, tracing the bloody tip of the weapon along my lower eyelid.

“God, you’re so gorgeous. Maybe I’ll keep you like this and come back. There are so many things I want to see you do to yourself. It would be a waste to kill you so soon. I think?—”

“I don’t smell any coffee, slave.”

The man’s head jerked up at Sebastian’s voice, and his eyes grew wide as he scrambled out of my view. Within seconds the door shut and time seemed to stretch out as I waited. Banging sounded in the room. The dresser? The closet door?

“ Margaret . You’re seriously not ignoring me again, are you? I’m not in the mood…”

At his words trailing off, I was internally going crazy. Footsteps pounded, and he slid to my side, running his hand up and down my stomach in just as much panic as I felt. Blood was covering his palm and fingers as he clumsily reached up to try to find a pulse. All he found was more blood from the wound as he jerked back his hand to look at it.

“No, no, no. You’re not dead. You’re not fucking dead.”

Hands were all over me, sliding over the surface of my skin. Confusion and horror stayed transfixed on his face as I watched him drop a shade of color.

“Come on, baby, wake up. You’re okay. You’re…God, I can’t find a pulse. Talk to me. Move. Do something . Margaret! ”

But I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t communicate when he was looking everywhere but my face. If he did look at me, it wasn’t long enough for him to realize I wasn’t dead.

“God dammit.”

He got up, leaving before rushing back. I blinked rapidly, but he was running his bloody hands down his face, spinning before lowering back down to examine the wounds on my body again.

“Yes, this is Master Three-sixty-one, I need the High Leader and Main Master in here immediately for an investigation. Fucking now! There’s been an attack on my slave. I-I need a doctor. I think. I can’t. I mean.” A roar left him as the phone shattered on the wall and he lowered.

“You’re not dead. Wake up, Margaret. He grabbed my shoulders, shaking me viciously. “ Wake up! ”

For the first time his eyes met mine and he froze. Sebastian’s lips parted and he sucked in a shaky breath, growing even paler.

“You’re not dead.”

I blinked as fast as I could, screaming so loud in my head that it was all I could hear. I couldn’t stop. I’d never stop. My Master’s head shook, and I watched a monster appear as a veil of pure rage slid down his face.

“ No fucking way. No. Fucking. Way. Maggie-Lynn.”