Chapter 5

Chapter Five

"Say your goodbyes, Maya. You won't be seeing Rue and Dabney again," Erik said as he gathered the bedding and began loading the dirt bike. The sun had risen, and I could already tell by the early morning temperature that the day was going to be much warmer than yesterday. Erik and I had already eaten our breakfast and gotten dressed long before anyone else had woken. He was clearly anxious to be on his way.

"Oh, come now, brother. You sound so dramatic," Pasco said, feeding Rue bits of food as she sat beside him.

"You know damn well that you'll see us again," Pasco added as he petted the top of Rue's head.

"No, we won't," Erik said, securing the bedding to the bike with leather straps. He seemed angry with the thought, which confused me. Why wouldn't he want to see his brothers again? "You take the boat and head to Seattle. Shay is heading to the main part of Heathens Hollow and then taking the ferry from there. We all agreed we'd split up and stay that way. This job was our last. I'm done pushing my luck with stealing from the Godwins."

I glanced at Shay, who was silently loading his bike, apparently uncomfortable with the conversation and appearing to stay out of it. Dabney stood nearby, quiet as usual.

"That's what you said after the last job, but when starvation is knocking at your door, stealing from a new shipment doesn't sound so bad, now does it?" Pasco broke off another piece of meat and laid it delicately on Rue's tongue.

"I told you this was the last job, and I meant it." Erik didn't even look at his brother. His jaw clenched, his shoulders seemed stiff, and I feared him. "I'm heading to my cabin and making the best off the land and fishing."

"Fuck that land. You and I both know that it's not worth crap. And this last haul gave us nothing but another mouth to feed. You know we're going to have to do another in a few months or die. Stop seeing it as a crime, and see it as a way to fucking survive."

"I'm going to make do," Erik grumbled, then turned to look at me. "Are you ready?"

I glanced at Rue, who didn't seem the least bit concerned about me, then at Dabney, who appeared too scared to come and give me a hug.

I looked back at Erik and nodded. "We can't just leave them."

His eyebrow rose, and his eyes darkened. His silent warning was all I needed. I didn't want to have to ride the bike on a freshly spanked bottom.

"Yes," I quickly corrected as I went to where he stood.

Pasco let out a loud laugh. "You got a lot of training ahead with that one. Better get her tamed before I see you again, brother."

Erik ignored the statement, grabbed me by the waist, and lifted me onto the back of the bike. He gave a nod to Shay, then a nod to Pasco before hopping on in front of me.

It was an uneventful goodbye, but then I was used to those. I hadn't even said goodbye to my parents when I left my home. Why bother?

We rode in silence for miles at a high speed. I tried to take in the scenery, but the air whooshing past my face dried out my eyes every time I tried, so I eventually gave up and closed them as I rested my head on Erik's back.

"Are you cold?" The rumble of his voice vibrated against my cheek.

"No." I had dressed warmer and worn my wool coat in preparation for the chilly air of the journey.

Again we rode in silence for miles and miles. I dozed in and out of sleep—shocking considering how bumpy the roads were—and was eventually awoken when the bike came to a stop. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes as I looked around.

We stood near a barn and an old house that reminded me of what I would see in the country back in Russia. The clucking of chickens had me turn to see a large coop with orange, black, and white hens milling about.

"Is this your place?" I asked as I took a tentative step, being careful that my legs hadn't fallen asleep.

Erik took hold of my arm to help steady me. "No. This is the Marx farm. It's on the way to my place. We still have another two hours or so until we reach my land, but the roads are tough, and I think our bodies could use the break. Marx is a good man and has provided shelter to me every time I do a job with my brothers."

A man called loudly from the porch, making us both turn our heads. "Erik, my man! It's been a while."

"That's Marx," Erik said quietly as the man approached us, grinning broadly. "You better behave. You think Pasco was bad? Marx has an awful temper and won't tolerate even the slightest act of disrespect. He and his pets live a lifestyle that has very strict rules. And I can bet money you aren't going to be comfortable with what you see. But this isn't the place to judge or criticize. You do exactly as he says. Understood?"

Pets?

I swallowed hard at the warning, though the man approaching us did not seem ominous in the slightest. He was small in build, balding, and aging. His face seemed friendly as he reached out and shook Erik's hand, but looks could be deceiving. My father had appeared nice, and the bastard was definitely not.

"What do you have here? Did you go and get yourself a pet? I thought you said they were too much of a pain to maintain." Marx looked at me from head to toe as if he were admiring a piece of property. "Pretty one you got here."

Erik shrugged. "It wasn't planned. She was on the boat we were robbing. The Godwin fucks were trafficking her over. I couldn't exactly leave her there."

"So you claimed her as your own?"

"I suppose that's what happened."

"Godwins aren't going to be happy."

Erik gave another shrug. "I don't give a fuck. Poseidon Enterprises is full of sick assholes." He looked at me. "Who knows what was waiting for her."

Marx smirked while he continued to gawk at me. "Well, next time you and your brothers go do a job, involve me. If this is the kind of loot you come home with, then I'm in. It's worth the risk of a death warrant issued by the Godwins for stealing another pet."

I'm not a fucking pet , I want to snap, but I remembered Erik's warning and kept my mouth shut.

"There won't be any other jobs," Erik said firmly. "That was my last one. I just want to settle down and live off the land. That was always my intent when I moved to Heathens Hollow. Being involved in a sex-trafficking hijack was not my plan."

"Survival, man. You have to do what you have to do."

"That was the last job," Erik said, even firmer than before.

"Too bad. Care to sell?" Marx asked.

My heart stopped, and I looked at Erik in fear of what he would say. I wasn't stupid enough to believe I had much to say in the matter, but I didn't want to be sold… again. Oddly enough, I wanted Erik to want to keep me.

"I think I'll keep her," Erik said, not looking at me as he responded.

Marx nodded. "Well, come on in. One of my house pets made stew, and it's simmering inside."

Erik placed his palm on my lower back and began leading me to the house.

Marx cleared his throat. "I think she may be better off placed in the barn. I rarely allow pets in the house unless they are serving me, cleaning, or cooking."

Erik stopped, but didn't say anything. His jaw tightened, and he narrowed his eyes.

"Let's put her in the barn with my other livestock." Marx didn't wait for an answer, but instead headed toward the barn, clearly expecting Erik and me to follow.

"Don't say a single word," Erik whispered in a stern warning. He pressed against my lower back and walked behind Marx while I tried not to panic. Livestock? Others? Barn? I was not a fucking animal. Sex slave, victim of circumstance, captive—but I was a woman. A human! Not an animal to sit among the livestock.

Outrage sizzled in my core as I glanced around. I wanted to run, but all I could see was large, expansive land all around, and then dense forest beyond that. So, my only shot at escape would be outrunning Erik, and I wasn't fool enough to think I could do so. And again, what would I do? Where would I go?

I had no choice but to follow Marx as he led us to the large barn doors.

"She'll be fine in here," Marx said as he opened the doors, reached for a lantern and lit it.

The yellow glow from the light flooded the interior, casting a warm glow along the stalls, the piles of hay, and…

I gasped in shock at what I saw. Scattered about were women. Naked women.

All wore collars. Some were shackled and chained to the planked walls. Three were locked in a cage. I looked at Erik to see if he would help, if he would do anything, but he only stood in place, as if what was being seen before us was absolutely normal.

Some of the women had what looked to be horse bridles around their heads with something ball-like in their mouths. Horsetails protruded from the cracks of their asses, and they were in the stalls.

Marx must have noticed that I was staring at these ladies in fascination. "Those are my ponies."

I swallowed hard but didn't say anything. I didn't want to be a pony. I didn't want to have whatever that leather device was around my head and forced into my mouth. And I most certainly did not want a tail inserted into my ass. Was this what being a pet was?

Marx went over to a metal pail, picked it up, and made his way to three women who sat in a row with large steel milking devices hooked to their engorged breasts. Their round bellies told me they had been recently pregnant, in addition to the metal devices pumping their breasts so that white, creamy milk was extracted from their bodies and deposited into a large metal pail.

"These are my milk cows," Marx said as he swapped the full metal pail for the empty one. "And my little hucows did good this evening." He looked into the pail, dipped his finger into the milk, and then brought his breastmilk-covered finger to his lips and sucked it clean. "Delicious and plentiful. Just the way I like it. My kitties are going to be so pleased with their supper tonight." He went over to the women who were also chained to the milking device. All three watched him with wide, saucer-like eyes as he stood before them and jiggled their breasts one at a time. "Still some more milk in there. Maybe another hour or so of suction, and then I'll come in and free you from your milking machine. Fill up another pail, and there will be no discipline for you. Your owner will be very happy with his cows."

Marx's words resulted in a visible sigh of relief for all the women. I could tell they were observing me; I was the only woman who stood in the barn fully clothed and didn't have some device attached to her.

Marx put the pail down near Erik's feet. I couldn't tell what Erik was thinking, and that alone made me more terrified than I was already. He didn't appear shocked in the slightest by the scene before us.

Was this how they got their milk rather than from real life livestock?

"She doesn't have a collar," Marx observed as he stared at me, his once-friendly demeanor appearing much darker. He went over to a wall that had pieces of leather, metal, whips, and chains hanging from it on row after row of racks.

"Marx, you know that's not my thing," Erik said. "Not my kink."

"Well, it's mine. My land, my rules. No worries, I have plenty." He looked over his shoulder and stared at me, sizing me up from head to toe. "What type of pet will she be?"

Erik looked at me, and his stare caused my face to heat up. I didn't like the intensity of his gaze. "Your land, your rules, your choice."

"Well, she can't be a cow obviously. She could be a pony, but refresh my memory. Do you have a barn or just your cabin?"

Erik shook his head. "She will be staying with me in the house."

"Ah, a house pet," Marx said with a smile. "How about a kitty? I could see her as a kitty, for sure. She looks like she has a mind of her own, much like my sweet pussies." He turned his head to glance at three women who were in a cage off to his right. The completely naked women had their hair styled in a fashion that made it look as if they had tiny ears on the top of their heads. Buns twisted out of braids, black collars with little bells, and long black tails protruding from their butts made it obvious they were his kittens. "Kitties need to be caged or they try to run away."

Erik remained silent for several moments as he stared at the women lying on their bellies or sides in the cage. Their pussies and breasts were on full display, and the women did nothing to conceal their nudity much like the cows and ponies had not.

"I have extra kitty collars and even a tail," Marx added as he looked at Erik for an answer.

With a nod, Erik said, "Fine."

"Get her naked," Marx said so casually, as if having a woman shed her clothing for all to see every inch of her body was completely normal.

Erik took a step toward me, and I took a step back.

"Maya…"

I shook my head and took another step backward, raising my hands to visually tell him to leave me alone. "No. Absolutely not." My voice cracked and didn't sound nearly as forceful as I had intended.

Erik closed the distance between us and grabbed my upper arm before I could move away. He squinted, his jaw tight. Between clenched teeth, he warned, "Get undressed now. I'm warning you, this is not the time to reveal your stubborn pride. You will not like the result." He glanced over at Marx, who held a collar and tail. The man was smirking, clearly enjoying the show.

"Please, not here. Not in front of everyone," I said as I scanned the room. Every woman was watching me.

"Take. Off. Your. Clothes." Erik said each word as if they were the stabs of a dagger making direct contact with my chest.

I knew better. I knew what Erik would do. He had proven it last night, but I didn't care. There was no way in hell I was going to allow this to happen.

"I am not your pet," I said, "and this is all really demented."

"Enough." He darted a glance at Marx then back at me in warning. "Now. Do. Not. Insult. Our. Host."

It was pretty easy to read that Erik didn't want to offend Marx, and I had better get in line fast.

Without waiting for a retort, Erik began removing my clothes, not taking the time to be gentle or careful. Despite what I wanted, my clothing was coming off, and no matter how much I struggled, Erik met each move with another clothing item being shed from my writhing frame. Shoes were tossed, shirt and bra flung—a whirlwind of material flew about as I felt the cool air of the barn on my exposed flesh.

"Stop!" I screamed, no longer paying attention to the women around me. "Don't do this!" Fury blended with humiliation.

I could see Marx in the corner of my eye, enjoying every minute of the scene. I pounded my fists against Erik's torso, his arms, anywhere I could, but nothing stopped him. He was a man on a mission, which was to immediately have me standing nude before him.

"Stop the hysterics immediately," he boomed.

"No one in their right mind would do this!" I screamed. I glanced at the women around us, who all seemed… content. Were they here by choice? "Who does this?"

"Well, now you do. You created your fate. You signed your soul to the devil, and I'm the fucking devil."

I stood there with only my panties on and my pants bunched down at my ankles. Erik paused for a moment, taking in the sight of my bare body. Heat worked its way from my core to my face. Trying to conceal my breasts, I wrapped my arms around me.

"You'll learn that it's much easier to submit rather than fighting me every single step of the way."

"Damn you," I spat. How dare he? How dare he strip me bare for all to see?

His response was not what I expected. He reached for my panties and tugged the cotton fabric so hard they ripped from my body. The tearing of fabric blended with my screams of shock. The aggressive move left me falling forward and into his arms—which was the last place I ever wanted to be. I pushed away and tried to turn to run, but the pants bunched at the bottom of my legs tripped me. I fell to the ground, knocking over the pail of breast milk. The creamy substance that the three women had been working so hard on producing was now being absorbed into the hay-covered floor. The sickly-sweet smell of hay coated with milk sifted through my nostrils as the gasps from the observers lined my ears. Looking up into Erik's dark, furious eyes, I knew I might have just committed the ultimate sin. I had spilled the kitty milk from Marx's hucows.

"Bad kitty," Marx said from behind me. "Bad, bad kitty."

Erik gripped my arm as I kicked off my pants so I could stand. Even though his hold was firm, he was careful in lifting me up.

I looked up into his eyes, feeling awful that I had ruined what I could only assume took hours to accumulate. Those poor milk women must hate me. Would Marx now beat them because of my actions?

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—" My shame only added to my humiliation of standing completely naked for all to see.

"Bad kitty is right," Erik said, pulling me over to a bale of hay. "Bend over. Now."

His voice.

His command.

I became weak.

I wobbled over to the hay as my ears rang and my throat dried. My fear conquered all thoughts of flight.

"Bend over the hay now," he said.

I did so, the prickly dried grass poking my belly and breasts. "I'm sorry," I whispered, not sure if anyone could hear my words other than me.

"You are about to be. You are about to be very sorry."