Chapter 13

SCARLET

13

Tyrone returned not long after I'd nestled back in the bed, pondering my very existence. He arched a brow at me under the covers in his bed. I'd assumed this was where I was to hole up and sleep, although, judging by his I-mean-business stance, we were about to move.

"Get up. We're going," he commanded, casting a wayward glance out the window over the city.

"Am I just wearing this?" I asked as I slid out from under the sheets in the clothes he'd given me. They weren't his, the shirt was too small, and I vaguely wondered who they'd been for. Or did he just have spare clothes on hand for any poor guests that wound up here?

"Yes." He turned away, and I pursed my lips at his attitude. Mr. Big Shot expected me to heel like a loyal dog. Fuck him.

But the image of Ray holding his bloody shoulder made me follow like a puppet.

"Boots," Tyrone grunted as we headed into the living area, pointing at my boots that had vanished after my night with Cristian. I gritted my teeth at them, but headed over and slipped them on, grateful I'd had the sense to stuff my socks into them. Where had they wound up anyway? Had Cristian hidden them in his room? I wasn't about to ask as I avoided looking at him and Julian.

The next thing I knew, I was being herded out of the apartment and down the stairs. I eyed the door that led back into Taboo Kisses, but was quickly guided towards a back door instead, the three brothers caging me in with their bodies.

We erupted into an alley, the stench of piss from some drunken customer likely and something foul from the dumpster hitting me hard and making me nearly choke. The brothers seemed unfazed, as if they were accustomed to such smells. Then again, they were stone-cold killers being the mafia, so I imagined they encountered many smells in their line of work.

The thought made me shudder, and Julian's hand landed on my arm, steering me to an awaiting Merc, the windows tinted out. I was shoved into the backseat, Julian and Cristian squeezing in on either side of me while Tyrone took the passenger seat. I recoiled in disgust as Cristian grinned wickedly and winked, finding myself jammed up against Julian, who didn't comment.

I glanced at the driver, who paid me no heed. Was it normal for the three of them to prance around with women? Then again, they owned a damn strip club fronting for a brothel. Women attached to their arms was likely normal, although they probably got paid.

Though, just like rockstars, the mafia probably had groupies, too.

We pulled out of the alley, and I focused on the road ahead, doing my best to ignore the two bodies on either side of me.

Twenty-nine days. I could do this.

It could be worse, they could be disgusting homeless men with rotten teeth and obvious genital infections.

I hoped to god they didn't have any STDs. How would I even ask that?

"So, how are the STD panels looking for you guys?" I croaked, not caring what they thought. Something told me they wouldn't give a shit about their driver hearing it, and considering I was their sex slave essentially, then I was entitled to knowing that, right?

Julian snorted beside me as Cristian chuckled.

"We're safe, kitten, don't you stress." Cristian's hand moved to my thigh, squeezing it as I grimaced.

"Your medical history says you have an IUD in, is this still correct?" Tyrone spoke up, and I frowned. He knew my medical history? Then again, it shouldn't surprise me. The Mafia would have their thumbs in all the pies.

"Yes."

"Good."

I chewed my cheek, hating how Cristian's hand remained on my leg.

The nightlife of the city was bustling, people dressed up for the bars and restaurants, women scantily clad for the clubs. They were oblivious to the deeper going-ons in the shadows, of how I sat trapped in this vehicle, a prisoner to these insane, powerful men.

I just had to serve out my short sentence, then my freedom would be allowed.

My stomach churned uneasily, and I focused on the road ahead as Cristian's hand squeezed my leg again.

Surely he wouldn't try anything in the vehicle, right?

A shrill ring-tone sounded off, and Tyrone answered it immediately.

"Speak." He was not one to slow things down with pleasantries.

I heard the muffled voice on the other end relaying information, and Tyrone sighed heavily.

"Got it, we'll get it sorted. Call Ryan as well."

Whatever it was, he didn't sound impressed as he hung up the phone and pocketed it.

"Problem?" Julian mused.

"Issue with the Mason brothers."

"Again?" Cristian's hand tightened almost painfully on my leg, and I gritted my teeth, not wanting to give him the satisfaction.

"We should cut them loose, they're useless to work with these days," Julian muttered. "Better yet, wipe them off the board."

"They have standing with the Kovacs," Tyrone muttered as he drummed one finger on his leg. "Ryan can try to pull them into line."

"If he can't, I'm happy to handle it." Cristian's grin was that of a damn snake, promising nothing good.

Tyrone grunted in response like a damn animal, all the while the driver remained silent, a mere drone for them, taking his orders and not asking questions.

They must pay him well if he wasn't even giving me a glance. I bet he was under the mindset that he never saw a thing when the brothers were involved. Considering they'd said they could make Noms and I disappear, I wouldn't put it past them that they'd make that clear to all their employees.

They fell silent after that, the remainder of the drive tense, Cristian's hand still attached to my leg like a new damn limb.

I was herded into the elevator, Tyrone having stated that should I try anything funny with the staff inside the apartment building or any of the other guests, I'd pay for it. Cristian had followed it up by promising to break a limb for me, his sweet tone not matching the deadly threat. The entire building looked far too fancy with a polished black and marble interior. It'd been sleek and pristine in the foyer, and the man at the reception counter had merely nodded at the brothers, not paying me any heed. It was outrageous how many people looked the other way because of money, especially with my neck on full display, the bruises obvious.

The classical elevator music did little to comfort me as I stared at the penthouse button that was lit up. Tyrone had swiped a black and gold key-card to gain access, the small piece of plastic likely my only way in and out of this damn place.

Of course they had the damn penthouse. If I wasn't here against my will, I might've even been interested to be in such a place, never having been in one before.

The three towering bodies around me had me caged in, bars of solid flesh and muscle, hands that could kill me in an instant. I really was in the wolf's den, and yet, I wasn't as terrified as I should have been.

If that wasn't a sure sign of my traumatic life in a nutshell, I wasn't sure what was.

When the elevator finally dinged and the doors opened, I tried not to show my shock at the lavish apartment it opened directly into.

The black and marble design downstairs reached here, the modern style loft apartment was easily worth several million. All the walls were glass on this level, giving a 360 view of the vibrating city, pulsing with life in the night.

A glass and marble spiral staircase led up to the second floor, which I could only assume contained all the rooms, since a gaze around revealed a living area, dining area, and a vast kitchen. It was sparse and sleek, more like a show-home than a place anyone lived in.

No, it was a bachelor pad for the elite, that's what it was.

"Your room will be the last on the left upstairs, the guest suite," Tyrone stated as he started for the staircase.

Was I supposed to follow him? Julian and Cristian had veered off to the kitchen to my relief.

Tyrone paused, casting me an impatient look, and I hurried after him. No need to piss off the big bad wolf.

He waited for me to pass him and start up the stairs before he followed, an imposing tower behind me.

He was only two steps behind me as he walked me to my room, and the closeness was making the hair stand on the back of my neck.

"There's an ensuite. Stay in your room." His tone was final as I paused in the doorway, taking in the lavish room. Well, it'd do.

His disgruntled sigh made me take the few steps into the room, and I turned just as he pulled the door shut, a lock sounding outside.

Of course he was locking me in like some damn rebellious teenager.

I rolled my eyes as I swung back to inspect my new quarters. It could certainly be worse, I could be in a basement cell or some shit. I'd focus on the positives.

There was a desk off to one side against the wall, along with a fancy king-size bed with velvet-looking sheets, while the far wall was all glass. The other wall had two doors, and I moved to investigate them. The ensuite and a walk-in closet. Pretty extreme for a guest suite.

I moved to the floor-to-ceiling window and gazed out at the city below, feeling the weight of my captivity press down on me like a suffocating darkness. The skyline, a symbol of opportunity and freedom to many, only serves as a painful reminder of my captivity and sentence.

The city below bustled with life, its vibrant energy mocking me. I longed to be down there, among the crowds, free to roam and make more stupid decisions.

I scowled at the thought. Stupid decisions were my life, my temper and impulsiveness had put me in this mess.

Now I was bound by a stupid agreement, invisible chains keeping me here until I served my sentence. Brutal hands ready to remind me of my place if I fucked up or spoke out too brashly.

I turned back to my room, my gilded prison, and marched over to the bed. I flopped onto it, grateful there was a TV on the far wall this time. I snatched up the remote on the bedside table, praying there were some channels or even a streaming service. To my relief, Netflix was right there, linked up to an account. Three profiles greeted me, T, J, and C. I clicked on Tyrone's, the first one, and wondered if I could pass the next twenty-nine days with a binge of shows. I could sure as shit mess up their Netflix algorithms.

No, I wouldn't be able to just hide in here and waste time. I was to serve them, be their little pet.

It left a bitter taste in my mouth as I glared at the TV like it was part of the reason I was in this mess.

Perhaps I'd be left alone tonight though after their fun earlier.

I crossed my fingers as I focused on that hope, trawling through the shows and movies mindlessly.

It could be worse.

I shot awake at movement in the bed, snapping my head to the side, eyes wide as Cristian's horrid smile greeted me.

"Morning, kitten."

I recoiled as he pulled the blanket back, my heart hammering as I tried to make sense of this.

Everything came flooding back into my mind as he crawled up my body despite me trying to scramble away.

He caught my arms, pinning me down as he grinned wickedly down at me.

My breath caught as I realized he was stark naked, and my stomach flipped.

"Did you dream of me, kitten?" he breathed, those dark eyes swimming with something that both made my skin crawl and a bizarre thrill sweep over my skin.

Why was I like this?

"You wish," I snapped back, and he chuckled before dipping down to graze his lower lip along my jaw.

"I bet it infuriates you. How a part of you finds some pleasure in this, huh?"

"I don't enjoy this," I hissed.

"You sure as shit enjoyed our first night, how is this any different?" He pulled back, gazing at me with that wretched smirk. I wanted to rip it off his damn face.

"Because I chose that, I consented, mostly," I muttered the last part. "Now I'm a goddamn prisoner, and this is rape."

"This is payment, sweetheart," he shot back. "You owe us in flesh, and I intend to savor the time I've got with you."

I gritted my teeth as he yanked my arms over my head, clamping them together at the wrists with one giant hand.

The other trailed down my body, tugging down my waistband. His excited junk had been jammed into my thigh, and I'd been doing my best to ignore it, although that was impossible now.

"No, this won't do," he said as he pursed his lips.

Relief swept through me as he released my hands and slid off the bed, but was short-lived as he collected his belt off the floor.

"What are you doing?" I sat up, my throat protesting as my voice came out croaky. I moved back against the headboard as he smirked at me, that expression making me shudder.

He didn't say a word as he climbed onto the bed, yanking me back down forcefully by the legs and straddling me.

"Fuck you," I hissed as he used his belt to bind my hands together above my head.

"Not right now, kitten. I've got shit to do today, people to kill," he stated, and I froze up. He'd said it so nonchalant, but I had no clue if he was being serious or not.

He was insane, and I wouldn't put it past him, especially with who he was and his profession.

Fuck.

The leather was tight and cool against my wrists, and he jerked me around, moving me onto my stomach and into the position he desired, my ass in the air.

I wanted to whirl around and kick him, but before I could decide on what I wanted to do, he grabbed my hips and drove into me with no warm-up. I cried out as I tore, knowing he'd be hurting too as he hissed and trembled.

Did he get off on the pain?

Fuck, I wasn't ready, I wasn't even remotely wet.

"There we go," he grunted as he eased out and drove in again, the pain making me grind my teeth.

He didn't relent as he yanked my hips back against him, burying himself as deep as he could go.

"Look at that, we get a little red," he said, his horrid chuckle crawling up my spine as he eased out, only to slam back in with enough force that my hands hit the headboard.

I didn't make a sound as he fucked me ruthlessly, the pain slicing through my body.

I closed my eyes, refusing to cry or whimper, just waiting for him to finish up with me.

I hissed as pain bloomed across my ass, the echo of the slap ringing out.

His hand crept up my back as his movements slowed, his fingers sliding into my hair.

I clenched my jaw as he yanked me up by my hair with such force it made my eyes water.

"You can't just play ragdoll, kitten. You know I don't like that," he hissed against my ear as he continued to spear into me.

"My hands are bound, dickhead," I ground out, the ache only growing in my throat as I spoke. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Fight me."

"You get off on hurting women, huh? On their fear?" I accused through gritted teeth. "On knowing you hold all the power?"

He flung me back down on the bed, his hands harsh as he rolled me over.

"I do have all the power here, kitten," he grunted as he grabbed the underside of my thighs. I grimaced as he folded me, the muscles protesting as he forced my ankles alongside my head.

I was not flexible enough for this shit, but he didn't give a flying fuck as he forced my body into the position, holding me there as he drove into me.

In this position, I could bring my hands down and try to hit him, fight him in some way.

I couldn't help it, I knew the pain and discomfort was evident on my face even as I tried to glare at him.

He smirked knowingly, those dark eyes boring into mine.

I readied my hands, but his arm shot out, pinning my hands down and folding me even more as he leaned over me. He maneuvered his arm so that it was pressing down on one of my legs by my head painfully, his remaining hand holding my other firmly in place.

"Tell me, kitten, do you regret burning that bar down now?" He grunted out the last words as he drove in as deep as he could, and I gasped as it felt like he'd punched my cervix.

I wouldn't dare satisfy him by saying I did regret it. It was where the spiral into this shit-show had begun.

No, I wished I'd never met Tommy, I regretted that most.

I kept my mouth shut, but he just scoffed before driving into me brutally. The sound of skin on skin and his grunts was all that filled the room, but I dared not look away from him. He held my gaze, accepting the challenge, a strange fire burning in them. I would not back down. He could use my body, try to break it, but he wouldn't break me.

"Do you hate me, kitten?" he breathed, releasing my leg and swirling his thumb over my clit. I hated how the strange pleasure coursed through those wretched nerve-endings, a despicable betrayal.

"What kind of question is that?" I spat, and his grin widened.

Fuck him.

Now with my leg free, I seized my chance, yanking it back and slamming my foot into his chest.

He gasped, reeling backwards on the bed as I rolled off. I had no idea what my goal was, but he was pissing me off. I could try to lock myself in the bathroom, but that would prove pointless I'd imagine.

His maniacal laughter rose up as I scrambled to my feet. He was fast though, and he grabbed me and tossed me back toward the bed, manhandling me so that my face was pressed into the bed sheets as I somewhat stood at the side of the bed.

He drove back into me, keeping my face jammed down, his hand in my hair, nearly suffocating me as I tried to yank my head to the side.

He was going to kill me like this.

He drove into me hard and deep, my head spinning as I fought for air. My heart was pounding violently, and then he yanked back, the hot splatters hitting my ass as I jerked my head to the side and sucked in mouthfuls of air.

"Good girl."

"Fuck you," I gasped, and he laughed as he yanked me up, pulling my arms down by my face as he undid the belt.

I swung my arms up, hoping to break his nose, but he just caught them with a shit-eating grin.

"Later, kitten. I told you, I need to go dismember some folk. You can fuck me later." I bared my teeth at him as he freed my wrists, darting away as I lashed out after him, his damn laughter ringing out after him.

I wanted to scream, but I knew it'd only exacerbate my throat, so I just closed my eyes and ground my teeth.

At least the sick fuck got some weird pleasure from me attacking him, I'd take it, it meant I could dish out my anger on him. I wanted to really hurt him though, break a bone or his fucking nose.

I winced as I moved, my core protesting, and I reached between my legs, finding the blood mixed with my fluids.

I'd find a way to hurt him as much as he was hurting me. One way or another.

I grimaced as I opened my eyes, realizing he'd left the door open. I frowned as movement drew my gaze lower, and I stared at the gray tabby as it sauntered in, flicking its tail.

They had a cat? What the fuck?

I watched as it walked right over and jumped up on the bed, not a hint of fear or shyness to it as it brushed up against me.

I ran my hand down its back, glancing at his back and noting that he was a boy. Neutered at least.

"Well, I guess some nice company is more than welcome," I mumbled as he curled up on the bed beside me, purring softly.

Animals were always welcome company.